St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday, 4 August 2022
2022 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 3, Week 4
From the Principal
Dear Families,
Mary MacKillop Feast Day is held every August 8, in honour of the revered Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Mary MacKillop is not only the first Australian to be recognised by the Church as a Saint, she is truly a very Australian saint. She characterises the spirit of the Australian mythology. She was a prodigious hard worker who put the needs of others before herself. She exhibited something of the larrikin spirit: constantly in dispute with authority but pressing on, regardless. She used the strengths of others but also didn’t tolerate those who were not genuine. Her commitment to the schooling of children from poor and rural communities established a model of Catholic education that continues today. A Saint for, and of Australia!
Feast of Mary MacKillop Whole School Mass
Fr Cruz will be celebrating a mass in St Paul’s Church to honour the Feast of Saint Mary MacKillop on Thursday 11 August at 10:15am. The entire school will be attending. Parents are welcome to join us.
First Eucharist
Our First Eucharist Mass will be held at St Paul's Church, Sunday 14 August at 11:00am. We thank Irene Haritos for leading the family workshop last Tuesday, and we thank Cathie Vermeer and Julie Dietrich for all of the work that has gone into preparing the children.
School Advisory Council
Our School Advisory Council met last night and once again it was a productive and positive meeting. We conducted training on the new Child Safe Standards (below) and we discussed the results of our recent homework survey.
New Victorian Child Safe Standards and Ministerial Order No. 1359
The new 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards came into effect on Friday 1 July 2022.
In July 2021, the Victorian Government announced new Child Safe Standards (CSS) to further strengthen child-safe environments and protect children from abuse.
From 1 July 2022, 11 new Victorian Child Safe Standards have replaced the seven previous Child Safe Standards (and principles) which had been in place since 2016.
Homework Survey
We had 16 responses to our recent Homework Survey and we are grateful to those families that were able to respond. There was a real spectrum of results, and the survey gave us plenty to think about. There was some constructive feedback, as well as some very affirming responses. As a staff we follow our homework policy in order to try and strike a balance that considers the demands of after-school activities, and weekend commitments, while also being conscious of ensuring students are developing independent learning skills, meeting deadlines and preparing for secondary school. In analysing results and reading the responses we can see some opportunities, and we can also say that in most cases we seem to have the balance right. A summary of responses is below, and these responses have been discussed with staff, as well as the School Advisory Council. We have not included people‘s comments because this would identify students and parents.
Book Week Free Dress Day: Monday 22 August
Being so close to the school musical, costumes for Book Week might be a bit tricky! On Monday 22 August, students are invited to wear free dress, or "dress up" as their favourite book character.
As previously communicated, in 2022, our school is participating in Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS). MACSSIS is an annual process whereby schools listen to the thoughts and feelings students, families and staff have about how their school can improve. These surveys help inform the ongoing improvement of schools across the Archdiocese of Melbourne.
The survey will be available online, and can be accessed from Monday 29 August until Friday 16 September 2022. Please keep an eye out for more information over the next few weeks.
Wonder in Aliceland - Thursday 1 September
Lots of information has been sent out via emails about our upcoming school musical production. I wish to acknowledge and thank our community - students, staff and parents - for all of the work going on behind the scenes, it will be a great night.
Please note: Students will spend the day at Burrinja Cultural Centre.
Drop off/Pick up
- On the day of our musical students will need to be dropped off at Burrinja Cultural Centre by 8:45 am for a morning rehearsal before the matinee performance at 1:00pm.
- Students will need to be collected at 3:00pm and taken home before they are returned for the evening performance.
TRANSPORT: The School Bus, Before School Care and After School Care will not be available on that day. We acknowledge that this may cause some inconvenience for families but we hope that with enough notice, carpooling and/or alternative arrangements can be made. In the event you are unable to find alternative transport arrangements to/from Burrinja for your child/children, please contact the school office as we may be able to connect you with other families that can assist.
TICKETS
We are working with Burrinja to organise the tickets as quickly as possible. An email will soon be sent with booking details.
In the interests of transparency, I can inform our community that we are taking an educated estimate on the number of tickets available to each family.
There will be an initial ticket release of up to six tickets per family, per show. This means one family can purchase 6 tickets for the matinee (maximum), and another 6 (maximum) for the evening.
We estimate that some families may require 6 tickets, but other families may not require that many - it is a tricky balance! We are intending to offer enough tickets for large families to attend, without overselling/selling out. There are a limited number of seats in the theatre. So we ask that families remain conscious that we don't want anyone to miss out!
Tickets will go on sale either later this week or very early next week. When setting the prices for tickets we take a range of factors into account, keeping our focus on building and celebrating our community. The school will not make profit from ticket sales, we simply cover the main costs of the production through the tickets. Ticket prices are as follows:
- Parents do not need to purchase a ticket for St Paul's students.
- ADULT (15 years or older) - $22.50 (including $2.50 Burrinja booking fee)
- CHILD (2-14 years: non St Paul's students) - $12.50 (including $2.50 Burrinja booking fee)
- Children under 2 years of age do not require a seat if they sit on a parent's lap.
In the days leading up to the musical, we will release a second allocation depending on the number of tickets sold in the first release.
Warm regards,
Michael Watt
From the School Office
Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT)
As per government guidelines, schools are still being provided with RAT kits for staff and students during Term 3, however schools are no longer required to routinely send them home with students. We are instead providing them to St Paul's families on request.
If you would like to collect RAT kits from school or would like them to be sent home with your child/children, please either phone or email the school office.
BPAY Updates
For those families who choose to make payment of school fees using the BPAY option, please note that BPAY reference numbers have all been updated this week. All families should have received a statement containing their new BPAY details. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
CDF Pay: Hot Lunch - Friday, 19 August
Event & Date: Friday, 19 August 2022 - Hot Lunch Day
Orders Open: Friday, 5 August at 8am
Orders Close: Monday, 15 August @ 10pm
* Please note: No late orders can be accepted after this time
For a direct link to CDF Pay click here.
Call for Support from our Year 4, 5 & 6 Students
If you have a business and would like to support our Year 4, 5 & 6 students in reaching their goal of $10,000 to build a library for a school in Tramri, Pakistan, please consider the advertising opportunity below and contact the school office.
School Closure Days 2022
We ask that parents take note of these dates and put them in their calendars:
SCHOOL CLOSED - Thursday 15 September:
SCHOOL CLOSED - Friday 16 September:
SCHOOL CLOSED - Monday 31 October (Cup Eve)
SCHOOL CLOSED - Monday 5 December
*Please Note: Friday 16 December is the conclusion of the school year for St Paul's students.
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.
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
COMMUNITY DIRECTORY
