St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday, 10 March 2022
2022 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 1, Week 6
From our Year 4, 5 and 6 Students
Our Integrated Unit
Building Change Making Communities
We have some very exciting news: The Year 4/5/6 students are learning to be international changemakers and are helping the world to be a better place! We know how important good education is and we are going to help a school in Tramri, Pakistan to have a library built at their school. During this project we are practicing persuasive letter writing skills, working in teams, problem solving, photographing and creating advertising and communications, planning and organising many projects, and we are so excited!
With the help of Gavin and Richard from upschool.com , we are aiming to raise $10,000 to help the students in Tramri get a better education and jobs in the future - but we need your support! During the year we will be organising fundraising events so watch out for more information. We also have an online shop to raise money for our project. It’s great for environmental gifts, like toilet paper, laundry and cleaning products, reusable handwash kits, mini gardens, grow your own teas, and much more. Check it out here: https://kindbox.com/
The students will get more skills to get better jobs to get food for their families if we get them a library! Children want to learn more things to get better at their reading and writing skills. Thank you for your support.
Yours sincerely,
Year 4/5/6 students
From the Principal
Dear Families,
Last Tuesday 8 March was International Women's Day. International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. We are encouraged to spend time thinking about the extraordinary contributions of women in our society. International Women's Day is designed to inspire and motivate us to ask questions and challenge inequalities.
International Women's Day helps to raise awareness of:
- Great women—past and present
- Challenging gender stereotypes
- Stories with fantastic heroines
- Gender equality issues and human rights
On International Women's Day, our Year 6 students attended a lunch at Mater Christi. Hannah Priest, St Kilda Football Club AFLW Captain, gave a speech about her journey to becoming an AFLW player.
I asked our Year 6s what they gained from listening to Hannah. They were encouraged to take every opportunity presented to them in life, and challenge themselves by going out of their 'comfort zone'. Hannah spoke about taking risks and having a go at anything and everything because you might discover that you have a passion for something like she discovered with AFL footy.
Hannah shared with us her journey from becoming a teacher like her mum, dad and two older sisters! Her brother is a project surveyor, and her large family have always been active and passionate about sport. Our Year 6s were inspired by listening to Hannah describe her netball background, and how she joined in with AFL footy by filling in for a friend's team - and she LOVED it! Hannah loved the open space, the ability to run, the team and the club environment that footy offers. She was drafted by the Saints and is now the AFLW Captain of the club.
Our Year 6s were most inspired by her story, and she gave such strong messages about having a growth mindset and being willing to try anything and everything. She gave us the words that were given to her by her mum: Hannah said -
"You can be anything you want in this world, but most importantly, be kind".
It was a most inspiring experience and we thank all involved.
Whole School Sports Day: Friday 1 April
We are looking forward to our annual Whole School Sports Day on Friday 1 April. The children are to wear their school sports uniform on the day, including their school hat.
The Whole School Sports Day involves the students participating in a range of events, such as sprints, long jump and shotput. Some of these events are modified for younger students. Students move from one event to the next according to a timetable.
The majority of events will be held on the school oval, with the remainder dispersed around other parts of the school, and parents are welcome to come and watch.
If the children already own a T-shirt in their house colour they can wear it on the day in place of their sports polo. Students can wear some streamers and/or headbands in their house colours. Hair is not to be sprayed in team colours, thanks.
We will request that each child has adequate sunscreen applied to their face, arms and legs prior to commencing the day’s activities and that they bring along their sunscreen (named) to re-apply during the day.
Mrs Curwood is currently planning the day and we would appreciate parent helpers.
If any parents are available to assist with events on the day, we ask that you ensure the school office has a copy of your Working With Children Check Card and complete 2 tasks:
- Complete the "2022 Engaging Volunteers" eForm sent to you via Operoo
- Please email Mrs Emma-lee Curwood: ecurwood@spmonbulk.catholic.edu.au
School Closure Days
School Closure Days for Staff Professional Learning in Term 1 and Term 2 have now been set.
*TERM 1 CLOSURE DAY: Friday 8 April - Staff Professional Learning
*TERM 2 CLOSURE DAY: Tuesday 26 April - Staff First Aid Training
There is no school for students on Friday 8 April as well as Tuesday 26 April.
Our Term 3 and Term 4 Closure Day dates are not yet set, but as soon as we have those dates we will communicate with families.
TERM 1 SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY
Friday 8 April - No School For Students
TERM 2 SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY
Tuesday 26 April - No School For Students
Covid Update
As a community, we have been excellent at following the directives and requirements of our Covid rules.
Unwell Students
If a child is unwell they must not attend school. This is a normal practice, even aside from Covid! 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.
With regard to Covid, our School Operations Guide reminds us to recognise that some people (staff and students) have underlying medical conditions, such as hay fever or asthma, and this must be taken into account when making decisions.
We do not expect parents or staff to be medical experts! This community is trusted to do the right thing and keep surveillance testing using RATs, then make decisions based on whether their child has underlying conditions etc, always keeping the safety of ourselves and others in the forefront of our mind. We thank our community for this.
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.
IMPORTANT UPDATE - 9 March SCHOOL OPERATIONS GUIDE
From this point forward, if a student or staff member tests positive through RA test, but don't have symptoms or have not been in contact with anyone who has Covid-19 it is recommended getting a PCR test within 48 hours and stay isolated at all times until they receive their result.
If the PCR is negative, the student or staff member can return to school.
Face Masks
Thank you to our students in Grades 3 to 6 for following the requirement to wear a face mask when indoors. There are students that have exemptions and we thank our parents for communicating with us on this. 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.
Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) Survey
All families are invited to participate in the ECSI Survey which will assist us in better understanding how our Catholic identity is expressed in work and practice here at St. Paul’s.
The Catholic University in Leuven was commissioned by the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Ltd (CECV) to design a process and tools, based on sound research, to accomplish the goal of understanding our current Catholic identity and where the school community might like to see itself in the future.
The ECSI Survey is a key element of this process and we request your participation.
The online survey gathers responses from students in Years 5 and 6, all staff and a representative sample of parents. This survey applies to all of our families (Catholic and non-Catholic) as we are one community and all opinions are equally valued.
You are asked to complete the survey online; it may take up to an hour to do. Try not to get caught up in the questions, simply respond intuitively.
Keeping a record of your individual user code and password will allow you to complete the survey over two or more sessions.
Please note the codes and password appear on the next page after you sign in.
Today the instructions have been sent out via hard copy and via Operoo, and we would very much appreciate your time in completing the survey.
The ECSI survey will assist us in better understanding how our Catholic Identity is expressed. The results will contribute to a reliable picture of our school’s Catholic Identity which we will use to inform our School Improvement Plan for the next four years.
The survey will close on 14 April, and we would be extremely grateful if as many families as possible complete the survey. Thank you!!
Yours sincerely,
Michael Watt
Newspower Easter Colour to Win Competition 2022
Newspower newsagency are running an Easter Colouring In Competition. Please click the link below for details.
Values Awards
Congratulations to the following students on receiving the Values Award this week for Responsibility:
Mitchell, Jack, Clodagh, Levi, Stella, Carter, Niamh, Zoe, Nevaeh, Esther, Lexi
Lunch Clubs are BACK!
Our lunchtime clubs are back up and running. They are held in the library/open learning space 1:30-2pm, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
From the School Office
Have you got our school App yet?
Our school app, SZapp, is a handy tool for easy communication between home and school.
With the app you can:
- Receive timely updates, reminders and notifications from school
- Read the school newsletter
- Report an absence
- Check the school calendar
- Quick access to CDF Pay
- Quick access to the school website (for general information such as downloading Medication Authority forms or finding the link to the uniform shop, via the Current Parents tab)
If you do not yet have the app, can we please ask that you follow the instructions below to download the SZapp to your smartphone. If you are unable to download the app please contact the school office.
Help wanted please ...
Daffodil bulbs needed for Year 1/2KR.
If any parent has some spare daffodil 🌼 bulbs they can donate to 1/2 KR we would be most grateful. We will be planting them in pots during our kitchen garden time.
Please leave any donations at the office or send them into Mrs Ranahan.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Scholastic Book Club
A reminder that Scholastic Book Club orders from Issue 2 are due by this Friday, 11 March. You can order online or send your order in an envelope via the classroom tub to the school office.
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
Catholic Education Guide 2022
To assist your decision making in relation to your child's education for 2023 and beyond, please find below a link to the 136 page 2022 edition of the Catholic Education Guide.
CLICK HERE: https://victoriaschoolguides.starcommunity.com.au/catholic-education/
