St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday, 18 August 2022
2022 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 3, Week 6
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.
From the Principal
Dear Families,
On 15 August, the Catholic Church acknowledges the feast day of the Assumption of Mary. Assumption Day observes the Christian belief that when Mary died, she was “assumed” into heaven. God chose Mary to be the mother of His Son, Jesus. Because we are human, we are aware of our limitations and probably find it hard to believe that we could do much for God. No doubt, when Mary was asked to be the mother of God, she found the request difficult and thought immediately about her limitations. We are only being human if we find it difficult to accept that God could have a plan for us, as He did for Mary, namely, to bring Jesus to others by living His values. Just as Mary took Jesus everywhere she went during her pregnancy, we are invited to take Jesus with us everywhere we go.
First Eucharist
Last Sunday, 14 August, we celebrated the Sacrament of First Eucharist. Some years ago, Pope Benedict had a question and answer session with a group of children preparing for their First Eucharist. When the Pope was asked about his memories of his First Eucharist, his response contained the following: “I understood that Jesus had entered my heart, he had actually visited me. And with Jesus, God himself was with me. And I realised that this is a gift of love that is truly worth more than all other things life can give.”
The Eucharist is an incredible gift and the amazing thing about the gift is that it can be unwrapped time and time again in our lives, and every time we do this, the gift will be brand new. Each new
unwrapping gives us the opportunity to gain a better understanding of what the gift actually is.
We say a huge thanks to the families of each child that received Eucharist for the first time. There was a great turnout at the Mass, with many people joining together to celebrate the Sacrament. We also thank our parishioners for the amazing support of each child, and as always we had beautiful singing from the St Paul's musicians. Cathie Vermeer, Julie Dietrich and Irene Haritos did a wonderful job preparing the Sacrament, and we thank Fr Cruz for leading a lovely service.
Congratulations to those students that received First Eucharist and we wish them every blessing as they continue along their spiritual journey: Alex, Annalise, Heidi, Lexi, Sarah K, Isabelle and Sophie.
Playground Update: After School Duty
As previously communicated earlier this year, the school staff have some serious concerns around duty of care with after-school use of the playground.
Senior students have a playground for their use, which is designed for children aged 9 years and above. Junior students have a separate playground for their own use. Younger siblings are welcome to use the junior equipment however, parents must actively supervise their children.
For the foreseeable future, I will be out on the yard after school for playground supervision from 3:00pm. I will redirect any students that are not on the correct equipment to the correct and safe play areas. I thank our parents for their support on this.
A respectful reminder of the following playground rules which are in place for everyone's safety:
Catholic Secondary - Key enrolment dates for Year 5 students in 2023 starting Year 7 in 2025
The key enrolment dates for students in Year 5 in 2023, who will be starting Year 7 in 2025, have been agreed after consultation with the Executive of the Principals Association of Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools (PAVCSS).
Critical Dates:
27 January 2023 – Applications will open for Year 5 students commencing Year 7 in 2024.
18 August 2023 – Applications will close.
20 October 2023 – Offers to be posted to prospective Year 7 applicants.
10 November 2023 – Final date for parents/carers to accept an offer made by a school.
Book Fair
In the lead up to Book Week, Alayne organised the Scholastic Book Fair. We are very grateful for the support of our families this year. Our families were most generous with their purchases and we had parents assisting Alayne with the sales. We thank our community, and especially Alayne, for a successful Book Fair - happy reading!
Wonder in Aliceland: Operoo
We are now less than two weeks away from our whole school musical performance "Wonder in Aliceland".
Last Tuesday we had our first whole school rehearsal where all of the students and the staff gathered in the hall. We ran through the major parts of the performance. It was absolutely fantastic!!! We were so impressed with the way the students have learned their lines and continue to develop their stagecraft.
An Operoo eForm has been sent out to all families with the latest details and updates. It is very important that parents respond to this eForm for each child, as we require your informed consent for the students to be off the school site on the day.
School Closure Days OSHClub
As you are aware we have 2 Closure Days this term for staff Professional Learning - September 15 and September 16.
We recently sent out a survey to gain interest in booking daycare through OSHClub, on our closure days, if it was available. Indications are that a day program will be viable if those that indicated they would book do so. We hope that not only those families that responded book their children in, but also many other families use the service on the day. If successful, we may be able to offer day programs again on future closure days.
Thank you to the families that responded. We can confirm that OSHClub Day Programs will be made available for bookings!
OSHClub is available for all day bookings on our Closure Days:
- Thursday 15 September
- Friday 16 September
- Monday 5 December
We thank Estelle Alder, principal at Monbulk PS, and the OSHClub educators for allowing this to go ahead.
OSHClub will notify the families that are enrolled that they can book their children in for those days.
We highly encourage our families to book their children in for OSHClub on those Closure Days!
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.
AMAZING ART: Mural
What an incredible sight!!! We couldn't be more thrilled with the new St Paul's Mural which is now on display in our undercover space.
Our amazing visual art teacher, Mrs Emma-lee Curwood, has done an incredible job putting the mural together with the St Paul's students.
Emma-lee also had a great deal of assistance from her wonderful family - her husband Leigh, and her sons Hudson, Nixon and Fraser also helped where they could. We thank and acknowledge our parent helpers - Michelle Browitt, Rhys Holder and Angela Silver for also assisting, and to all of those people that donated bottle tops - thank you.
The Monbulk and District Community Bendigo Bank has funded the installation of the mural, and we thank and acknowledge Aimee and her team at the bank, this support is greatly appreciated. We thank Homecape Property Services for the installation.
Emma-lee has worked extremely hard, with our students and our community, to create and display a fabulous work of art- what an amazing community achievement. THANK YOU ALL!!
From Our P&F: FRIDAY 26TH AUGUST
On Friday 26th August, our P&F are hosting a FATHER’S DAY STALL.
On the day, students can buy gifts for Dad, Grandpas, Uncles and special role models in their lives! Our P&F set up a Father's Day Stall and the students are escorted in class groups to visit the stall. We begin with senior students who collect their younger siblings on the way so we don't double up on the same gift. Gifts range from $1 - $10. Children can bring cash into school on Friday 26th August.
We are grateful to our parent volunteers for organising this event.
We are looking forward to a terrific morning and we wish all of our families a Happy Father's Day on Sunday 4th September.
Warm regards,
Michael Watt
BIG WEEKEND FOR THE RADEMAKER FAMILY
On the weekend, The Dons took on The Power as the Essendon Football Club marked its sixth annual Tackling Childhood Cancer game in support of Challenge families living with cancer. 22 Challenge kids had their dreams come true when they ran onto the ground hand-in-hand with their AFL superheroes. It was a unique opportunity for Challenge kids and their families to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience and raise vital funds and awareness. Maeve (grade 5), Henry & Jasmine (grade 2) got to train with The Bombers at the Captain’s Run on Saturday morning and also run through the banner at the big game at Marvel Stadium on Sunday night. It was an awesome weekend for all the family and one they’ll never forget!
From the School Office
Rapid Antigen Test Kits (RATs)
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.
Hot Lunch - Friday, 19 August
Hot lunch day is tomorrow!
If you have placed an order please remember to still bring your morning tea, fruit snacks and water bottle to school.
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.
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
Catholic Secondary - Key enrolment dates for Year 5 students in 2023 starting Year 7 in 2025
The key enrolment dates for students in Year 5 in 2023, who will be starting Year 7 in 2025, have been agreed after consultation with the Executive of the Principals Association of Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools (PAVCSS).
Critical Dates:
27 January 2023 – Applications will open for Year 5 students commencing Year 7 in 2024.
18 August 2023 – Applications will close.
20 October 2023 – Offers to be posted to prospective Year 7 applicants.
10 November 2023 – Final date for parents/carers to accept an offer made by a school.
St Joseph's College - Ferntree Gully
Please note that the first round of applications for St Joseph’s College Ferntree Gully Year 7 2024 (Grade 5) closes on Friday 19 August 2022.
Should you wish to enrol your son, please complete an Enrolment Application (can be printed from the College website) or email enrolments@stjosephs.com.au and we will email you an Enrolment Application, or contact us on 9756 3112.
One of the exciting developments at St Joseph’s is that we have new multi-million dollar building developments which will open in coming weeks.
- Year 7 Building (Classrooms, Amphitheatre, Learning Zones, Hub Space)
- Senior School Building (Year 11 and 12)
- Visual and Performing Arts Complex
- Science Complex (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, General Science, Outdoor Science, Hub Space)
- STEM, Digital Technologies, Robotics Complex
New sports fields are currently under construction and will be open during Term 1 2023.
Principal's College Tours are available by registering on the College website: www.stjosephs.com.au
Next Tour Date: Friday 19 August 4pm - 5.30pm
COMMUNITY DIRECTORY
