St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday, 16 March 2023
2023 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 1, Week 7
From the Principal
Dear Families,
This year, Catholic Education Week will be celebrated across the Archdiocese of Melbourne from Sunday 12 March to Sunday 19 March.
The week is an opportunity for our school to join all 334 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese to celebrate our distinctive Catholic identity, our achievements, and the role our school plays within our parish and local communities.
The theme for this year’s celebrations is ‘Forming lives of faith, hope and love in the light of Christ’. Approximately 155,000 – or one in five – students attend a Catholic school across greater Melbourne and surrounds, demonstrating the value families place on a Catholic education and the quality of education Catholic schools are delivering.
Catholic education seeks to provide students with a high-quality education that is inspired by the example of Jesus Christ and fosters the development of the whole person, forming individuals with more than just skills, but with the virtues to live life as transformative agents in our communities.
There is a strong buzz of excitement around the school with our Country Fair only two more sleeps away. Once again, I wish to acknowledge our organising committee for the countless hours they have put in to prepare for Saturday's event.
Our students are very excited and we are anticipating a marvellous day. The weather will be warm, so we want all of our families to remember to slip, slop, slap, and stay hydrated on the day. First aid will be provided by school staff and we will be located on the Oval.
We can’t wait to see you at our 2023 Country Fair!!
Division Swimming
Congratulations to our students who recently represented St Paul’s in the SSV (School Sport Victoria) Mountain District Swimming Carnival. We are very proud of every student that participated. On the day, Esther (Year 5) qualified for the next level - the Division Swimming Carnival held at Croydon Memorial Pool. Esther came 4th in backstroke at Division level, a fantastic effort and we congratulate her on a sensational result.
Year 1/2 Mass
This Wednesday 22 March at 10:15am our Year 1/2 students will come together for a Mass. All welcome!
Combined Schools Mass
This afternoon our St Paul's staff will journey down to St Thomas More’s Church in Belgrave where we will join with St Thomas More’s, Belgrave, St John the Baptist, Ferntree Gully, Mater Christi College and St Joseph's College in a Combined School's Mass to officially celebrate Catholic Education Week. The Mass will commence at 4:00pm. Following the Mass, the staff from all 5 schools schools will gather for afternoon tea.
Confirmation Family Workshop: 26 March
The Sacrament of Confirmation is available for students in Year 5 and 6 who have been Baptised, made their First Reconciliation and First Eucharist and are yet to receive this Sacrament.
Preparation of the candidates will take place in Religious Education lessons with classroom teachers, supported by families; including attending a Sacramental Family Workshop this Thursday 23 March at 3:30pm.
Annual Whole School Sports Day
Our annual School Sports Day will be held on Wednesday 29 March. Students have been practising for their events in anticipation of an exciting day. Students are permitted to wear a t-shirt in their house colour for Athletics Day but it is not free dress day. The sports uniform should make up the rest of their clothing. Please remember to apply and provide sunscreen for your child/ren as some races are not necessarily run with hats on (sprints, distance etc.) as they often fall off. While it is exciting to ‘win’ we also encourage all students to be good sports throughout the day. We have received offers of assistance from many families and we are very appreciative of this help. Thank you, it would be difficult, if not impossible to have a smooth transition from event to event without our parents’ support.
Sun Smart
St Paul’s is officially certified as a SunSmart School. All children must wear school hats every day during Terms 1 and 4. Sun hats are always to be worn to Phys Ed and Sport classes. Your children should be in the habit of applying sunscreen to exposed areas of their skin prior to leaving home in the morning.
Condolences
Our deepest condolences are extended to Ben Hardman and his family (Sam in 5/6 and James in 1/2) on the sudden passing of his father last week. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers at this very sad time.
NAPLAN
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Yesterday, Wednesday 15 March we began the 2023 NAPLAN tests. NAPLAN is made up of tests in the four domains of Reading, Writing, Language Conventions (Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation) and Numeracy.
NAPLAN assesses skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time, through the school curriculum. NAPLAN is not a pass or fail type test, but rather shows how individual students are progressing in numeracy and literacy skills against national standards for all Australian children.
An individual student NAPLAN report will be issued later this year.
Important Dates
Please ensure you are checking the Important Dates (below) to keep on top of all that is happening at St Paul's. Upcoming dates are also in the margin of each newsletter, just on the left of the main text. We often send reminders via our app and email, but not always!
Please ensure that you have the following dates marked in your calendar:
- 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
Yours sincerely,
Michael Watt
Marvellous Moomba
Heidi (Year 4/5) was in the Moomba parade on the weekend with her dance group Kreationz. This was a fabulous achievement and a wonderful experience for Heidi and we congratulate her on a terrific performance!
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
- 12 - 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
