St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday 28 October 2021
2021 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 4, Week 4
From the Principal
Dear Families,
It is terrific that our students will return to on-site learning, full time, this Wednesday. With the exciting news that students are returning full-time we request that all school materials are returned. We have sent home many resources over the period of Remote and Flexible Learning and we respectfully ask that these items are collected, cleaned and returned in a reasonable condition.
We do understand that resources have been used so we know that some items will show some wear and tear. We say to parents and students that it is okay, nobody needs to panic because they haven’t got a dice or marker that went home! However, we know you will do your best to return all items. Please clean and wipe out book boxes of any loose papers or old work. We appreciate your assistance with this.
Here is the ***updated*** timeline for students returning to St Paul's:
For the remainder of this week:
- Year 1 Students on-site: Thursday 28 and Friday 29 October
- Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 Students on-site: Thursday 28 and Friday 29 October
From Week 5, Term 4:
*Monday 1 November - School Closure Day (Week 5 of Term 4)
*Tuesday 2 November - Melbourne Cup Day Holiday
*Wednesday 3 November
- All students on site as usual until the end of the year
Chromebooks and iPads
All school Chromebooks and iPads need to be returned to school this Wednesday 3 November. Please ensure these have been wiped down with alcohol wipes and that the charger cords are returned with the device.
New Playground Equipment: Safety
We have a junior playground for Years Prep, 1 and 2. This playground is right next to the sandpit and is closest to the basketball courts.
We have a new playground with slides and a rock-climbing wall. The new playground will be referred to as our Senior Playground and this equipment is for Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 only.
The existing playground, which is referred to as the Adventure Playground, is for all students.
Each class has been taken out to the new equipment where myself and the teachers have taught the students how to play safely.
Protocols/rules that we have put in place...
No tiggy/chasey games are permitted due to the potential for bumping heads and collisions.
The green climbing tunnel:
There is a large green climbing tunnel that curves out from the side of the playground right in front of the Italian room. This tunnel is quite high and under no circumstances can any students climb on top of it. The rule is that students are not permitted to climb on the outside of that green climbing tunnel under any circumstances. They must climb through the middle of it.
Slides:
Students that are using the slides must be upright at all times and under no circumstances are they to go down the slide head first. Students need to wait until the slide is clear to slide down it and under no circumstances are they to climb up the slides.
The rock climbing wall:
The rock climbing wall looks amazing and our students have been waiting a long time to have that much loved rock climbing apparatus back in the playground. Any student that climbs over the top of the rock climbing wall will be removed immediately. Students will be able to see/look over it, as they can climb that far quite easily, but they are not to put their legs over the top of the wall, or obstruct another climber on the other side. The rock climbing wall is only to be climbed across, and it is not permitted to climb over the top of it due to the height.
Parent Volunteers: Vaccination Requirements
Visitors are limited to essential visitors only but soon we will be allowing parents back into buildings.
Visitors include volunteers that attend an education facility (school) and that work in close proximity to children, students or staff (including parent helpers).
Visitors to school grounds must comply with vaccination requirements, density limits, face
mask requirements, QR code check-ins and practise respiratory etiquette and good hand
hygiene.
A density limit of one person per four square metres is applied to any spaces and activities being attended by parent/carers and other visitors. The density limit applies to all persons in the space, including students.
Visitors to schools that enter buildings are now required to provide evidence that they have been vaccinated.
Parents will always be permitted to pick up and drop off their children and remain outside, however under our Government regulations, to come into the buildings we all need to be vaccinated.
Specialist Lessons
We will follow our Specialist Timetable from Wednesday 3 November onwards. That means it's Sports Uniform for students on Thursday 4 November.
School Uniform
Hats: St Paul’s is a registered SunSmart School. It is time to 'dig out' that hat!
All children are required to wear their school hat on the schoolyard at playtime. Students are reminded to ensure that they have their school hat with them every day.
Hair: We are aware that getting haircuts has been a challenge recently! In line with our Uniform Policy, shoulder length hair must be cut by this Wednesday, or tied back. Long hair in schools that is not tied back is a health and safety issue and we thank you for your understanding.
Summer Uniform: The weather continues to fluctuate, with a mixture of warm and cool school days. The children currently have the option of wearing either summer or winter uniform (but not a combination of the two).
We advertised that from the week commencing 1 November (Week 5 of Term 4), all children will be expected to be dressed in full summer uniform but we do understand that if it is very cold, especially in the mornings, parents can choose for their child to wear winter uniform. From this Wednesday summer uniform is expected, unless it is very cold!
School Closure Days Term 4
Please note the following dates in your diary:
- SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY - Monday 1 November (no school for students)
- MELBOURNE CUP PUBLIC HOLIDAY - Tuesday 2 November (no school for students)
- NOVEMBER: Monday 29 November- Closure Day for Staff Professional Learning on Learning Diversity
- 2021 SCHOOL YEAR CONCLUDES FOR STUDENTS - 3:00pm Wednesday 15
December
MACSSIS Family Surveys
The MACSSIS Surveys close today. Thank you very much to the families that have completed the survey, we are most grateful.
2022 School Fees and Levies Information
All families have received their 2022 Fees and Levies letter. The letter is attached below. We will also be sending home an Operoo eForm with 2 attachments, asking parents to confirm they have read and accept both the 2022 Fee Structure Letter; and confirming acknowledgement of their obligations in relation to payment of school fees agreed to upon initial enrolment at St Paul's.
We very much appreciate your support and understanding with our school fee structures. A reminder to parents that there are still some outstanding fees for the 2021 school year. If you could organise these payments with Helen in the office in the coming weeks it would be greatly appreciated. If you have any concerns regarding payment of school fees could you please contact me.
Interrelate Family Evening
Interrelate are an organisation that facilitates family evening programs for primary schools, focusing on human development. The programs provide the opportunity to facilitate communication between parents and their children. Last night Interrelate facilitated sessions online for both students and families to attend together.
Thank you to our Student Wellbeing Leader, Sarah Kleverkamp, for organising the evening. We had a session beginning at 6pm for Year 3-6: Where Did I come From? We then had a session for Year 5/6: Preparing for Puberty.
I was most impressed with the presentation from Interrelate, lead by Fiona, which gave parents valuable support in opening conversations around some tricky topics. I thought that the focus on respectful relationships and consent was extremely valuable, and I hope that the families that joined us found it worthwhile.
Commencement of the 2022 School Year
Advance notice advising all families of the commencement of the 2022 school year:
- Friday 28 January: Staff Resume – Full Day Staff Meeting
- Monday 31 January, Tuesday 1 February: Transition Days. Individual appointments for all students with their 2022 teacher/s.
- Wednesday 2 February: First official day of school for all students (including Prep).
Kind regards,
Michael Watt
From the School Office
Fee Statements
Fee statements have been emailed to families earlier this week. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you wish to set up a periodic payment plan or wish to discuss your school fee account. Camp credits will be applied to accounts for those affected once finalised.
Operoo - Student Medical and Contact Details
Parents/Guardians, have any of your contact details changed?
Have there been any changes to your child's medical profile?
Before your children return to onsite learning at school we encourage all families to log in Operoo to check and update your child's Operoo profile, ensuring the information held about your child and your contact details are accurate and up to date.
Uniform Shop
Ross Haywood Sports - Update:
St Paul's Online Uniform Shop
https://www.rhsports.com.au/product/school_wear/st_pauls_monbulk_ps
For in-store purchases RH Sports are located at 12/100 New St, Ringwood (subject to any COVID restrictions in force at the time).
The store is now a CASHLESS STORE, EFTPOS transactions will be the only acceptable method of purchase. Recent changes to improve the health and safety of staff and customers include perspex screens at the registers and the supply of hand sanitiser. We ask that customers please apply this on entry to the store.
Online ordering continues as normal with all delivery options available including contactless pick up. Please phone the store on 9870 1377 if you have any further queries.
Secondhand Uniform Shop
Our secondhand uniform shop is managed by Kylie Storer with items being purchased by gold coin donation. If you are looking for items of secondhand uniform please feel free to text Kylie on 0430 546 611 with your wish list. When not prevented by restrictions, Kylie will usually be at school on Thursday mornings to fill orders. Items can be sent home via class tubs or collected from the school office.
The secondhand uniform shop welcomes donations of St Paul's current school uniform items which are still in good condition. We do not accept the old St Paul's round neck jumpers, yellow shirts or non-St Paul's items. If you have any current uniform items you no longer need please feel free to leave your donations at the school office.
OSHClub
Out of School Hours Care: OSH Club
Enrolments, Bookings and Enquiries
Parents will need to enrol with OSHClub. Please visit https://www.oshclub.com.au/ and click on "REGISTER". You will need to enrol with the Monbulk Primary School service.
Community Notices
Transition Information
To assist your decision making in relation to your child's education for 2022 and beyond, please find below a link to the 136 page March 2021 edition of the Catholic Education Guide.
CLICK HERE: https://victoriaschoolguides.starcommunity.com.au/catholic-education/
Mater Christi College – Belgrave
Mater Christi College is a vibrant, inclusive and warm community where girls feel safe and build supportive lifelong friendships. After another year of leading academic and vocational outcomes, we are experiencing a surge in demand for places.
Parents of Grade 5 students are strongly encouraged to secure a place for Year 7 2023. Visit the College website to apply or arrange a tour.
Families seeking enrolment for 2022 should contact the College Registrar 9754 6611 asap.
2021 Edition of the Enrolments Guide for Parents
To assist your decision making in relation to your child's education for 2022 and beyond, please find below a link to the 2021 edition of the Enrolments Guide.
CLICK HERE: victoriaschoolguides.starcommunity.com.au/enrolments-guide
