St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday, 2 March 2023
2023 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 1, Week 5
From the Principal
Dear Families,
This week was our first FULL week for our 2023 Prep students. They have done extremely well this term, settling into school life! We congratulate each and every Prep student, and their families.
We are now well into the Church season of LENT. The season of Lent consists of the 40 days, not including Sundays, before Easter. The date for Easter changes each year as it is the first Sunday after the full moon following the vernal equinox on 21 March. Therefore the date falls sometime between 22 March and 25 April.
The word Lent is derived from the Germanic root for ‘long’ because it is observed in Spring (in the Northern hemisphere) when the days get longer. Lent is a time to prepare for the holiest time of the Christian year by fasting, prayer, almsgiving, and other acts of penance.
Many people give up something for Lent (a food, watching TV, etc.) or do something to bring them closer to God such as daily devotions or charitable donations. The church colour for most of Lent is purple which symbolises repentance as well as royalty.
Project Compassion Boxes can be found around St Paul’s. Project Compassion – which runs for the six weeks of Lent – is Caritas Australia’s annual fundraising and awareness-raising appeal, bringing thousands of Australians together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. Any spare change is always most welcome as it serves as a great form of almsgiving.
Parent/TeacherTransition Interviews – Wednesday 8 March 2023
As part of our transition process, on Wednesday 8 March, parents/guardians are invited for an initial interview to help support your child’s learning this year. The Transition Interview will be a 10 minute ‘Parent/Teacher Interview’. The Transition Interview provides you, the parents, with the opportunity to meet with the teacher/s and inform them of the essential information they need to know in order to fully cater for your child. This meeting is important for establishing the partnership you will share throughout the remainder of the year.
Booking details have been sent to all families. Interviews will be held in your child’s classroom. It is highly recommended that parents with siblings book their times with a ten minute break in between to allow time to move between classrooms.
Parents/guardians that have already attended PSG Meetings earlier this term are not required to book an interview.
School Concludes at 1:00pm on Wednesday 8 March.
The first interviews will begin at 1:40pm and the final interview will conclude at 7:00pm.
Supervision for bus students will be provided from 1:00pm - 3:00pm.
Interrelate Family Evening - Tonight!
As communicated via Operoo, a free-of-charge Family Parenting Program has been organised for this evening. Interrelate have been invited to hold 1 hour sessions on Human Development (sexuality) and respectful relationships for our students and their parents. The program will be delivered by trained educators.
Interrelate: Digital Parenting Resource
Due to the fact that we have booked a Relationship and Sexuality program through Interrelate, we have been given FREE access to Digital Parenting in Today’s World self-paced online tool. All teachers, support staff, parents, and carers will have FREE access for 90 days.
The Digital Parenting in Today’s World program provides information, tips, and resources for parents and carers to support their young people to be safe and respectful online; helping them develop a better understanding of gaming, cyberbullying, digital footprint, and screen time.
https://rise.articulate.com/share/U6YUNbjYnPH6rdSi1TIMpqpn43rwIyQU
NAPLAN 2023
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake.
NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national standards and over time.
NAPLAN is just one aspect of the assessment and reporting process at St Paul's. It doesn’t replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with additional information about students’ educational progress.
All NAPLAN tests, with the exception of Year 3 Writing, will be facilitated online from 2023 onwards. Further to this, from 2023 onwards, the test window has moved from the traditional Term 2 (May) period to Term 1 (March). Moving the test period to Term 1 will enable results to be made available much earlier in the school year to inform school and system teaching and learning programs.
The NAPLAN test window runs from Wednesday 15 March to Monday 27 March 2023. Our schedule is as follows:
- Wednesday 15 March - NAPLAN Writing Test 9am
- Thursday 16 March - NAPLAN Reading Test 9am
- Thursday 16 March - NAPLAN Language Conventions Test 11:50am
- Tuesday 21 March - NAPLAN Numeracy Test 11:50am
Second Hand Uniform Shop - Thank you!
We wish to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Kelly Garrett (Jetta - Year 3, Kirra - Year 1) for taking on the role of Second Hand Uniform Shop Coordinator.
Kelly will be available to assist families with the second-hand uniform, by appointment, due to work commitments on some days during the week.
Parents can contact Kelly on 0435 810 954
The Country Fair: Saturday 18 March
Calling for Volunteers!
Traditionally, all St Paul's families are involved in the Country Fair some way, and we hope that you can get behind the 2023 Country Fair. Our Committee are working tirelessly behind the scenes preparing for what promises to be a sensational day.
We ask that parents volunteer to assist to ensure a successful event. We are hoping that each of our St Paul's families can give 2 hours to the Country Fair on the day (but you are MORE than welcome to give more!). Even those involved in the planning and preparation are signing up to volunteer for jobs during the event as we need as many people as possible on the actual day.
Mainly, we require people for staffing stalls and assist with set-up and pack-up. Our planning committee has put together a wonderful array of activities and stalls for the day, our children will have a sensational time.
Volunteers can book a volunteer timeslot on a stall by following these steps:
- CLICK THIS URL: https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/jgb34
- Enter the event code jgb34
- Enter your details
- Choose your stall and timeslot
Volunteers can also scan this QR Code on their phone to be taken to the volunteer booking website:
(To activate the QR Code on your phone/tablet, press and hold the QR Code, then select "Open in...your browser)
THANK YOU TO ALL FAMILIES FOR THE AMAZING HAMPER ITEMS DONATED LAST WEEK!
This Friday is the THIRD of 3 Free Dress Days scheduled to assist with preparation for The Country Fair. School uniform is not required tomorrow.
We are hoping to collect as many "Mystery Jars" as possible:
- Friday 3 March: Free Dress Day with a Mystery Jar - Wear Free Dress and bring in a jar filled with small items (small toys, marbles, lollies, loom bands, etc etc).
We are also collecting empty jars! Please send in any empty jars that you don't need at home and we will happily re-purpose them. Empty jars can be sent in on Friday with your child.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Watt
Project Compassion
The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on Wednesday 22 February. 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 2023 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. If you would like a Project Compassion box at home throughout Lent, please see your child’s teacher. Alternatively you can donate by either placing your donations in the Project Compassion boxes that are in each of the classrooms and school office or online via the Caritas Australia website at: https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/
Carolynne Boyd, RE Leader
2023 Art Show: Wednesday 31 May
Preparations are now under way for our 2023 Art Show. This is promising to be a fun evening in which to celebrate the artwork that has been completed by our children. Staff members are also heavily involved, creating individual pieces, as well as classroom art pieces. Six very special art pieces will be put up for auction, with each piece collectively completed by the children from each class. As the Art Show is a special school event in which to showcase the children’s skills, we anticipate that every family will take the opportunity to attend the evening.
Emma-lee Curwood is leading the event, but she can't do it alone! We are looking for roving performers, artists, makers, and we are hoping to form a parent committee. If you are interested in getting involved we ask that parents complete two small tasks:
- Complete the engaging volunteers Operoo eForm
- Email Emma-lee Curwood: ecurwood@spmonbulk.catholic.edu.au
From the School Office
Levies Due
Thank you to those families who have already paid the Levies portion of their school fees, which were due on 18 February.
If you have not yet paid for the levies, we would appreciate if you could attend to this at your earliest convenience.
If you would like to discuss your school fee account or wish to set up a periodic payment plan please complete this Direct Debit Request Form or contact the school office.
Operoo - Student Medical and Contact Details
As we begin another school year it is important to 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?
- Have you uploaded your child's updated Allergy, Asthma or Anaphylaxis plan?
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.
Conveyance Allowance
If you received Conveyance Allowance for your child in 2022, you do not need to complete an application form for them again in 2023, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
You only need to complete a new application form if any of the following have occurred:
- You have a new student that has started at St Paul’s in 2023 - you will need to complete a new application form for that child only
- You did not apply in 2022
- Changed family circumstances, such as a change of address since 2022
Please check with the school office if you are unsure.
Important Notices for Health Care Card Holders:
Camps, Sports & Excursion Fund (CSEF)
2023 Concessional Fee Policy
From the commencement of 2022 Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) introduced a Concessional Fee Policy. Please refer to the Policy to determine whether you may be eligible for discounted school fees.
Important Dates
TERM 1
- Thursday 2 March - Working Bee
- Thursday 2 March - Interrelate Family Night
- Wednesday 8 March - Parent/Teacher Transition Interviews (school concludes at 1:00pm)
- Monday 13 March LABOUR DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY
- 13 - 19 March Catholic Education Week
- Wednesday 15 - Monday 27 March NAPLAN Testing Window
- Wednesday 22 March - Year 1/2 Mass
- Thursday 29 March - School Advisory Council
- Saturday 18 March COUNTRY FAIR
- Wednesday 29 march - Whole School Sports Day
- Wednesday 5 April Term 1 Concludes for Students
- Thursday 6 April SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY
- Friday 7 April GOOD FRIDAY
- Sunday 9 April EASTER SUNDAY
TERM 2
- Monday 24 April SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY
- Tuesday 25 April ANZAC Day PUBLIC HOLIDAY
- Wednesday 26 April Term 2 Commences for Students
- Monday 8 May School Photos
- Wednesday 10 May - Mother's Day Mass
- Wednesday 10 May - School Advisory Council
- Friday 12 May - Mother's Day Stall
- Saturday 13 May - Emerald BBQ
- Sunday 14 May - Mother's Day
- Saturday 20 May - Confirmation 12:00pm
- Wednesday 31 May - 2023 ART SHOW
- Thursday 1 June - Working Bee
- Thursday 22 June - School Advisory Council
- Wednesday 21 June - 3 Way Conferences (aka Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews)
- Friday 23 June - Term 2 Concludes
TERM 3
- Monday 10 July - Term 3 Commences
- Wednesday 26 July - Grandparents and Special Person's Day
- Wednesday 26 July - School Advisory Council
- Tuesday 8 August - Feast of Mary MacKillop
- Wednesday 9 August - Mary MacKillop Mass
- Saturday 12 August - Emerald BBQ
- Tuesday 15 August - Feast of the Assumption of Mary
- Wednesday 16 August - Assumption of Mary Mass
- Thursday 31 August - Working Bee
- Thursday 31 August - School Advisory Council
- Friday 1 September - SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY
- Wednesday 6 September - Friday 8 September - Year 5/6 Camp to Sovereign Hill
- Friday 16 September - Term 3 concludes
TERM 4
- Monday 2 October - Term 4 commences
- Wednesday 11 October - Prep Mass
- Wednesday 18 October - School Advisory Council
- Saturday 21 October - Emerald BBQ
- Thursday 26 October - Working Bee
- Monday 6 November - SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY
- Tuesday 7 November - Melbourne Cup PUBLIC HOLIDAY
- Thursday 30 November - School Advisory Council (AGM)
- Wednesday 6 December - Gratitude Day Mass
- Thursday 7 December - Christmas Carols Night
- Monday 11 December - SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY
- Wednesday 13 December - Passing On Ceremony
- Wednesday 13 December - Year 6 Graduation (6pm Mass)
- Monday 18 December - Final school day for students
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 Kelly Garrett with items being purchased by gold coin donation. If you are looking for items of secondhand uniform please feel free to text Kelly on 0435 810 954 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
Community Directory
