St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday 18 November, 2021
2021 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 4, Week 7
From the Principal
School Closure Day: Monday 29 November
Dear Families,
The Sacrament of First Reconciliation was held yesterday, Wednesday 17 November. We congratulate those Year 3 and Year 4 students on receiving this Sacrament. Before the First Reconciliation Mrs Haritos lead these students through the First Reconciliation and what they can expect.
The Catholic Church requires that a child receives the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving the Sacrament of First Eucharist. Reconciliation is the act of re-establishing friendship between God and a human being, or between two people. This Sacrament is designed to restore one's relationship with God. Also, since all Christians are connected together through the body of Christ this Sacrament reconciles one with the Church.
As members of the Catholic Church, we believe it is important that a child's image of God remains a loving God and that the experience of reconciliation be a positive experience where the child knows that he or she is greatly loved by God and valued by the Church community. We thank the families, Mrs Haritos, Mrs Vermeer, Mrs Curwood, Mrs McIntosh and Mrs Curwood for preparing these young people for this special occasion. Congratulations to:
Ben, Stella, Katie, Sebastian, Ella, Maya, Clodagh, Grace, Zach, Jessica, Thomas, Benji, Harry, Ryder, Esther, Charlie, Ava, Georgia, Liam and Lola
2022 Staffing Announcement
It is an absolute pleasure to announce an addition to our teaching team in 2022. Next year we will welcome Mrs Jacqueline (Jacqui) Kerr to the St Paul's staff. Jacqui will teach Year 1/2 from Monday-Wednesday. Jacqui is a most energetic, passionate, creative and skilled teacher . We are thrilled that Jacqui will be joining us next year and I know that she can't wait to get started. Over the coming weeks, Jacqui will spend time at St Paul's as part of her induction, and she is looking forward to working in our community.
2022 St Paul's Staff
As can be appreciated, the process of organising staffing each year involves a good deal of time and planning. Notwithstanding any other unforeseen circumstances, I am now in the position to provide our staffing arrangements for the 2022 school year:
Leadership and Administration:
- Principal: Michael Watt
- Deputy Principal: Stephenie Peels
- Learning and Teaching Leader: Stephenie Peels
- Student Wellbeing Leader & Learning Diversity: Sarah Kleverkamp
- Religious Education - Sacraments: Irene Haritos
- Maths Leading Teacher: Kelly Geoghegan
- Literacy Leading Teacher: Stephenie Peels
- Office Manager: Helen Hermann
- Casual Office Administration: Tarnia Hiosan
Classroom Roles:
- Year 5/6B: Carolynne Boyd
- Year 4/5MG: Jo McIntosh (Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri) & Kelly Geoghegan (Thu)
- Year 2/3VD: Cathie Vermeer (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu) & Julie Dietrich (Fri)
- Year 1/2KR: Jacqui Kerr (Mon, Tue, Wed) & Maree Ranahan (Thu, Fri)
- Prep CR: Maree Ranahan (Mon) & Maria Cook (Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
Specialist and Support Roles:
- Italian: Isabella Lepore (Tue)
- Music/Performing Arts: Irene Haritos (Tue)
- Visual Arts: Emma-lee Curwood (Wed/Thu)
- Physical Education: Emma-lee Curwood (Thu/Fri)
- Intervention Teacher: Stephenie Peels
Learning Support Staff:
- Alayne Kowald (Library Tech)
- Elizabeth Van Graas
- Paula Hogan (Counsellor)
- Greg McCourt
School Advisory Council: Annual General Meeting
We are looking for nominations from interested parents to join our School Advisory Council.
The following are some ways the School Advisory Council supports the school and the Principal:
- Promoting the school’s Catholic ethos and culture
- Articulating and enacting the school’s vision and mission
- Implementing school policies as required
- Supporting and communicating school and parish matters, including the school annual
report - Giving advice on issues such as enrolments and school improvement plans
The next planned meeting, the AGM (Annual General Meeting), is scheduled for Thursday 2 December at 7:00pm.
The AGM is an open meeting. The AGM provides the opportunity for some current members to stand down while enabling new members to join.
The current board members are Fr Anthony Cruz, Stephenie Peels, Troy Czaja, Cara Kirby, Mary Larkin, Sally Zylinski, Megan Bourke and Michael Watt.
The Terms of Reference allows for new members to join the School Advisory Council, with nominations now open.
There are vacancies as some members will stand down at the AGM. The Nomination Form can be filled in electronically and is AVAILABLE HERE. Meetings are held twice per term, commencing at 7.00pm sharp. If you have any questions about the School Advisory Council, don’t hesitate to contact myself or any of the other SAC members.
Special Message: Playground Safety
Our playground is absolutely amazing! But as a staff, we are finding things very awkward with regard to after school use. We encourage our families to play after school, it is totally fine, but we respectfully remind everyone that we need to stick to the school rules while staff are still in the school, and on school days, if families are using the play equipment.
This reminder is grounded in our significant duty of care. School playgrounds are different to public playgrounds because as a school, we have a duty of care to anyone using the playgrounds. As Principal, I am ultimately responsible for the safety of our playgrounds and those that are using it.
The other awkward matter about using the playground after school is that our students see young children on the senior playground, which causes confusion during the day and requires us to reinforce rules with students.
Our students know our rules and we are asking them to stick to them.
***Our junior students have been, and will continue to be, taken out for the occasional play on the senior equipment in their class groups. We know they are excited and they do get a turn, but it happens under the close supervision of teachers, and not at playtime while the middle/seniors are on there.
Protocols/rules that we have put in place ...
We have a junior playground for Years Prep, 1 and 2. We have a 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.
- No tiggy/chasey games are permitted due to the potential for bumping heads and collisions.
- Please walk bikes/scooters/skateboards through the school due to the risk of collision.
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.
Can families use the equipment after school?
Yes. Families can use the equipment after school, however children must be directly supervised by parents. Students know the rules regarding the correct areas so we ask that they stick to those rules after school. Students in Years 3 and above are not permitted on the junior unit after school, and students in Year 2 or below do not play on the senior area after school.
We have created a video that explains the rules. Please CLICK HERE to view the video.
Prayer Gathering Update
Due to the range of end of year events we are preparing, there are no Monday Prayer Gathering Assemblies for the remainder of this year.
- Year 4/5 will host Prayer Gathering on Friday 26 November at 2:10pm
- Year Prep/1 Prayer Gathering will be held on Thursday 2 December at 2:10 pm
At the time of writing this newsletter, these Prayer Gathering Assemblies will be held online, via Google Meet.
No Camp? .... How about Gumbuya World??!!
Since having to cancel our most anticipated camp to Sovereign Hill at the end of Term 3, we have been seeking out alternative options for our students while adhering to the altering Covid 19 restrictions in recent times. We are very excited to announce that we have booked what we feel will be an extraordinary special treat for our Year 5 and 6 student’s in lieu of missing out on camp this year ...
On Monday 6 December, the Senior students will be departing St Paul’s at 9am and travelling to Gumbuya World where they will spend a fun-filled day exploring the many exciting water and land attractions at the park. Students have been booked into an Oasis Adventure Day which gives them access to the water park, rides and wildlife. We are looking forward to an amazing day!
Inter School Sport
Inter School Sport (ISS) is part of the Year 5/6 Curriculum. ISS is an opportunity for all students to participate in a competitive sport and we thank Kelly Geoghegan, Carolynne Boyd and Jo McIntosh for the hard work that goes into providing these opportunities. On Wednesday 1 December all year 5/6 students, Kelly, Carolynne and myself will travel with the students to compete in Soccer or Netball. Good luck to all students on the day!
First Eucharist
On Thursday 25 November at 6:00pm several of our Year 3 and 4 students will celebrate First Eucharist. Preparations have taken place pre and post lockdowns at school, and at home with families. We are very much looking forward to celebrating this special Sacrament.
2021 Christmas Carols
In the past, we have joined together as a whole school for a Christmas Carols Production. Mrs Haritos has been practising Christmas Carols with each class. She has also put together a production to go with the Carols and link them together with dialogue. Our senior students are performing these lead roles.
Due to the restrictions that have been in place, we will film our classes singing and celebrating their Christmas Carols and release the product to the community. The filming will take place on Tuesday 30 November.
On Tuesday 30 November we invite students to wear a Christmas outfit or Christmas colours as a free dress day to celebrate and enhance our Christmas Carols Production!
Kind regards,
Michael Watt
From the School Office
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
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
