St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday, 30 March 2023
2023 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 1, Week 9
From the Principal
Dear Families,
As we move through the season of Lent towards Easter Sunday, we commemorate the events of Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday this weekend. Holy Week shows us that Jesus is a victim of great injustice. Instead of nursing feelings of hurt, anger, disgust and contempt, Jesus exhibits a strong sense of compassion toward those responsible for his execution when he says, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”.
Holy Week is the week preceding Easter and is the final week of Lent. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. On Palm Sunday, we commemorate Jesus’ ‘triumphant entry’ into Jerusalem. Some of the palms from Palm Sunday may be burnt and then turned into ashes for the following year's Ash Wednesday.
Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday, marks the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples, his betrayal by his disciple Judas Iscariot, and his arrest at the Garden of Gethsemane. Good Friday commemorates Jesus’ trial before Pontius Pilate, his sentence of death, his torture, and his crucifixion and burial.
Holy Week moves from the crowd cheering ‘Hosanna’ on Palm Sunday, to the sadness of Maundy Thursday, to the agony of Jesus on Good Friday, to the joyous celebration of the first Eucharist of Easter. It is a story of triumph. Jesus suffers so very much, but rises above it all in the resurrection. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, together with Holy Saturday, are known as the Triduum.
As Holy Week will take place next week, the school will gather together as a community to recognise Jesus’ suffering this Monday 3 April at 2:10pm. Families are welcome to join us for this solemn occasion. We will begin in the undercover space and move to various locations throughout the school. Each class has the responsibility for representing a Holy Week event, concluding with the Stations of the Cross in St Paul's Church.
School Advisory Council (SAC)
Last night, we held our second School Advisory Council meeting for this year. Carolynne Boyd gave a staff report and I gave a Principal's Report. We also discussed how wonderful it is to have our school community events back. There is still a buzz in the air from our Country Fair. Our SAC gave extremely positive feedback on our Country Fair and we appreciate this. At the SAC meeting last night, we also briefly discussed how part of our school finances are managed and we presented our 2022 NAPLAN results in anticipation of the recently completed 2023 NAPLAN tests. We thank the members of the SAC for their ongoing support.
Annual Whole School Sports Day
Our annual School Sports Day will be held on Thursday 27 April
We were disappointed with yesterday's wet weather and we thank our community for their understanding. A sincere thank you to our Parents and Friends who went above and beyond to cook the sausages in the rain and ensure every child had an ice cream! It wasn't easy, and every child was extremely grateful.
To clarify, Sports Day runs from approximately 9:00am (after set up) until approximately 1:00pm.
Thursday 27 April is a full school day.
Although the Sports will be finished around lunchtime, the school day runs until 3:00pm. Children go into their classrooms after Sports Day and lunch playtime concludes. Some parents choose to pick up their children at the conclusion of the Sports, and we understand this, but it is not an early finish 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 sent out a further request for assistance from 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.
REMINDER
Term 1 concludes for students at 3:00pm, Wednesday 5 April.
SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY - Thursday 6 April.
SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY - Monday 24 April.
Term 2 commences for students on Wednesday 26 April.
Key Dates
Following the forthcoming school holidays, the children will resume school on Wednesday 26 April.
Monday 24 April is a school closure day as the staff will be involved in a professional learning day preparing for our 2023 School Review. Tuesday 25 April is ANZAC Day and, therefore, a Public Holiday.
Thursday 27 April is Sports Day.
Term 2: Winter Uniform
Over recent years our summer/winter uniform requirements have adjusted. For example, students can wear shorts all year around. The biggest difference between the summer/winter requirements is around the school dress. There is a summer dress and winter tunic.
We have summer/winter uniform changeover times as a guide to assist families. However, please be assured that students are welcome to dress for the weather. It can be warm well into April, and not cool down for winter until May! Similarly, it can be cool right through October and well into November.
As has been the practice in the past, students can choose to wear summer uniform if they wish for the first two weeks of Term 2. If it is still warm beyond May 8, then please dress for the weather on those days, but winter uniform is requested. We do not require hats to be worn on the yard during Term 2 and Term 3.
School Photos
School Photos will be taken on Monday 8 May. It is vital that students are at school no later than 8:45am, as we will begin organising grades for photos to begin at 8:55am (or as soon as the bus arrives and students have unpacked!). We will check the weather closer to the day but at this time we will ask students to wear winter uniform. Thank you.
Boys Lighthouse
Over the years, St Paul’s has been invited by St Joseph’s College Ferntree Gully to work collaboratively with them in providing opportunities in boys’ education through ‘The Lighthouse Literacy Program’. This program involves selected Year 5 boys working weekly with St Joseph’s Year 10 students on a task that aims to develop and extend the boy’s literacy skills. This year, two students from St Joseph’s College will work with a group of 7 St Paul’s students on a Monday and Friday afternoon between 2pm and 3pm, culminating in an EXPO Night on 8 June.
Slippers
St Paul’s has a long standing practice whereby students wear slippers during the day. The rationale for this is to avoid having wet, red mud stuck on nice school shoes, as well as walking it throughout the school after playtimes, keeping the carpets and facilities clean.
On occasion, slippers are walked into wet areas and therefore we respectfully request that students wear hard soled slippers. This will also protect their own feet. Slippers with soft soles actually collect more mess than hard soled slippers or shoes, therefore we ask that students do not wear slippers with soft soles.
Enrolments Now Open: School Tours
The school has "Open Days" with formal school tours for parents intending to enrol their children in 2024 and beyond. The school will be open to visitors on Tuesday 2 May and Wednesday 24 May.
Tours will commence at 9:30am. If you know of anyone considering enrolling their children at St Paul’s, please urge them to contact the school office. Our numbers are growing, we expect 22 Prep students next year and we are still taking enquiries. St Paul's is a great place to be!
Please note, due to the short week next week, this is the final newsletter for Term 1.
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
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.
- 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?
Important Dates
TERM 1
- Friday 31 March Hot Lunch 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
- Thursday 27 April - Annual whole school sports day
- 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
