St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday, 17 February 2022
2022 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 1, Week 3
From the Principal
Dear Families,
It has been wonderful having all of the children back onsite and they have settled into the new year exceptionally well. The staff have been very impressed with the independence and confidence from our new Prep students, saying good-bye to their parents from outside the buildings and walking on their own to their classroom. This is a real credit to the way families have prepared their children.
Thank you for your continued support in following the Covid safe measures in assisting us in maintaining a COVID safe environment. Please remember to socially distance when dropping off or picking up your child/children from the undercover area.
Project Compassion
The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on Wednesday 2 March. Ash Wednesday also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.
The theme of Project Compassion 2022 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues. We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion. Some families will receive a Project Compassion box and/or a set of envelopes for their donations or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: lent.caritas.org.au
District Swimming
A number of our students represented St Paul’s yesterday in the Mountain District Swimming Carnival at the Belgrave Pool. The carnival is organised by School Sport Victoria, and relies on parents to transport the children. We thank those parents that were able to attend, and Mrs Curwood for providing this opportunity. Our students competed against swimmers from the other schools within the "Mountain District" and they represented themselves, and St Paul's, with pride. CONGRATULATIONS to all involved!
Here is a report I received from Cara, a parent who was in attendance (thank you Cara!):
"Our students are certainly people to be proud of; they participated and cheered with good grace, enthusiasm and fantastic sportsmanship. They all gave it their best and with smiles on their faces, regardless of their placings, and had a fun afternoon!
Evie came second overall in the Girls 12/13 breaststroke and will participate on 2nd March in the next stage."
Rapid Antigen Tests
All students have received a second box of RATs. This is enough to cover the testing over the following two weeks. Remember that it has been strongly recommended to take the test twice a week. There are no specific days recommended to take the test as that is a parent-based decision.
Unwell Students
Please remember if your child is unwell they must not attend school. Please ensure that if your child is unwell you have informed us (classroom teacher and/or school office) in writing via email or the school SZApp.
Students who test positive to COVID-19 or are identified as a household contact must inform the school via email: office@spmonbulk.catholic.edu.au, isolate for seven days, and not attend school during that period.
Students and staff that have recovered from Covid-19 are not subject to quarantine or testing 30 days from the date of their positive test, even if another family member tests positive after them.
Face Masks
Students in Grades 3 to 6 are required to wear a face mask when indoors. Students must supply their own face mask, and we ask that they have at least one spare mask with them each day. Students in Prep to Grade 2 are permitted to wear a face mask indoors if they choose to do so.
Prayer Gathering Assembly 2:10pm Monday ON-SITE
This Monday at 2:10pm is our next Prayer Gathering Assembly. Year 5/6B will host our Prayer and the Prayer Gathering Assembly will be led by Stephenie Peels as I return to school on Tuesday (all being well!).
We have experienced a range of issues with trying to run Prayer Gathering Assemblies online and therefore we have decided to host on-site this Monday outside. Weather permitting, we will be hosting the Prayer Gathering Assembly in the undercover space.
Parents are invited to join us and sit or stand at an appropriate social distance. Students will sit in their class lines, in the same space as where they line up at the end of playtimes. Parents can sit/stand around the outside of the students. We hope you can join us.
Parent-Teacher Transition Interviews
Ensuring that a positive working relationship between home and school is established is one key to a child’s success at school. At St Paul's our open-door policy enables parents to feel valued and a part of their child's educational journey.
Booking instructions for this Wednesdays Parent-Teacher Transition Interviews will be sent out very soon. Please note: school finishes at 1:00pm on Wednesday. Supervision arrangements will be made for students that travel on the bus home, or to OSHClub. Details will be sent out with the booking instructions.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Watt
School Concludes at 1:00pm on Wednesday 23 February for Parent/Teacher Transition Interviews!
From the School Office
Operoo - Student Medical and Contact Details
It is important to regularly check and update our records for students and Parents/Guardians.
- Have any of your family or contact details changed?
- Have there been any changes to your child's medical profile?
Please ensure that you have reviewed and updated your child's Operoo profile, carefully checking that all information held about your child and emergency contact details are accurate and up to date.
Due Date: Student Levies - 18 February
Annual statements for this year's school fees have been emailed to families. If you have not yet received yours, please advise the school office. The levies portion of school fee accounts is due this Friday, 18 February. Please complete this Direct Debit Request Form or contact the school, if you require assistance to set up your periodic payment plan, or to discuss your school fee account.
Conveyance Allowance
If you received Conveyance Allowance for your child in 2021, you do not need to complete an application form for them again in 2022, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
You only need to complete a new application form if any of the following changes have occurred:
- You have a new student that has started at St Paul’s in 2022 - you will need to complete a new application form for that child only
- You did not apply in 2021
- Changed family circumstances, such as a change of address since 2021
Check with the school office if you are unsure.
Important Notices for Health Care Card Holders:
Camps, Sports & Excursion Fund (CSEF)
New from MACS in 2022 - Concessional Fee Policy
CONCESSIONAL FEE POLICY
From the commencement of 2022 Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) have introduced a Concessional Fee Policy. Please refer to the Policy to determine whether you may be eligible for discounted school fees.
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 Carla Rademaker with items being purchased by gold coin donation. Payments can be made via CDF Pay. If you are looking for items of secondhand uniform please feel free to text Carla on 0409 866 901 with your wish list. Items will usually be sent home via class tubs or collected from the school office by arrangement.
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
