2022 Newsletter #37 November 16
PRINCIPAL NEWS
Welcome to this week’s newsletter.
Last Friday we commemorated Remembrance Day. Thank you to our school leaders, Nicola and Ben, and Mrs Sutherland who attended the Mildura Remembrance Day Service at Henderson Park, laying a wreath on behalf of the school.
Currently, staffing arrangements are being finalised and class groupings are being completed in preparation for next year.
In 2023, St Paul’s will operate with the following classroom structure:
- 2 x Foundation class groups
- 2 x Grade 1 class groups
- 2 x Grade 2 class groups
- 4 x Grades 3 & 4 class groups
- 4 x Grade 5 & 6 class groups
At the end of this year, we will farewell several members of our teaching staff. Mrs Hanna Byrnes, Ms Cheryl-Anne Courtney and Ms Kirrily Parfrey will be taking up teaching positions at other local schools in 2023, whilst Ms Emma Rutherford will be returning to Catholic Education Ballarat. We will have the opportunity to formally thank and farewell these staff members at our End of Year celebrations.
Today we held or final transition session for our 2023 Foundation students. Over a period of six weeks our newest students have grown in confidence within the school environment and have had the opportunity to get to know each other, and the staff with whom they will spend their days with next year.
A reminder that our MAPPEN week Expo is on this Friday 18th at 1.30pm. The students have been working hard and look forward to welcoming visitors to come and share in their learning.
Finally, congratulations to this week's milestone achievers for following our school norms: Be Safe Be Respectful and Be Your Best.
BEE MILESTONE: Tate Gorringe, Scarlett Moir and Candice Treweek.
HIVE MILESTONE: Aubree Carmichael, Fleur Gorringe, Amelia-Mae Hunt, Candice Treweek, Nhyla Tickle, Patrick Stevenson and Orlo Williams.
Lauren Gibson
Deputy Principal - Wellbeing
Remembrance Day
Arts news
Tickets are now available for our End of Year Concert - Cinema event! Tickets are FREE OF CHARGE but are necessary so that we can keep track of the number of people attending the event, as we have limited seating per session. Every person attending will need a ticket, including students. There will be a 5pm and a 6:45pm screening on the night.
To order your tickets simply click HERE
Tickets will then be sent home with the oldest in the family.
If you are unable to attend the Cinema event don't despair, a link will be provided to families to watch at home after the event.
MAPPEN EXPO
Come visit our MAPPEN EXPO this Friday 18th November between 1.30pm-2pm.
We love it when as many family and friends come and see our learning.
SRC News
The SRC will be selling ZOOPER DOOPERS every Thursday recess until the end of term beginning tomorrow 17th November @1.55pm. Zooper Doopers will be $1 each and the money raised will be used by the SRC to purchase some new games and equipment for students to use during play breaks. Students can find the SRC representatives in the hall from 1:55pm.
Senior Unit News
It’s been a busy week in the senior unit. Unfortunately our cricket teams didn’t get to compete last Thursday due to the weather. On Friday we had our incursion from the Mallee Catchment Authority. Students had the opportunity to build on their knowledge of adaptations of plants and animals to their environment. The senior students participated in a range of activities focussing on healthy wetland ecosystems, the effects of introduced species and land development on native species habitats, indigenous story telling and boating safety.
This week we are exploring the topic 'Data and decisions' in MAPPEN. Students are working collaboratively to come up with an idea for a new product or service and prepare a pitch somewhat like the Shark Tank. Students are looking forward to sharing their work with their family at the expo on Friday afternoon. We hope you will come along!
2023 Student Leaders. Next week, students will have the opportunity to apply for the 2023 School Leader and/or House Leader positions. Students will use class time to write, prepare and deliver a speech as part of the application process. The successful students will be announced at our final assembly for the year.
Graduation save the date! The grade 6 graduation ceremony is fast approaching. On Sunday 18th December the Grade 6 students will celebrate during the evening Mass at Sacred Heart Church. This is a family event. Following Mass there will be a graduation ceremony for the students. Students will then share a dinner at the Pizza Cafe (Students only).
Foundation Unit
Welcome to Week 7!
This term we have been learning about how to be "Healthy". Including the activities we take part in eg. sleep and exercise and the food we eat. We have also discussed how important it is to have healthy emotions and keep our mind positive and focussed. Yesterday we discussed the human body and how we grow and change. We talked about the lifecycle of a human. It was fun to discuss all of the things we can now do, that we couldn't do when we were younger. This week during MAPPEN week we will continue our learning about being healthy. At the end of the week we are going to try some different types of food that are healthy.
Please come and join us on Friday 18th November for the MAPPEN expo at 1:30 - 1:55pm. This will be an opportunity for you to come into the Foundation unit and take part in some fun "healthy" activities eg. guided meditation, yoga, mindful colouring in and reading stories.
Junior Unit News
Today we've had a glimpse into the future, with many of the Junior students coming to school dressed as their future selves! It's exciting to hear about their ambitions. A huge thank you to all the parents who have volunteered their time this week to come and talk to the children about their working lives.
Last week we appointed our new class 'superstars'; children who exemplify calm thinking and effective stress-management. Congratulations Dae-Dae, Parker, Layla and Spencer.
Please be aware that in Week 9 (not next week, but the next one), we have a one-off change to our timetable and the children will have sport on Monday and Tuesday, instead of Monday and Thursday. We will remind the children about this change and the need to wear their sports uniform on a different day just on this occasion.
We look forward to seeing many of you on Friday for our Junior Unit Liturgy at 12.15pm and our Mappen Expo straight afterwards at 1pm.
Middle Unit News
This week for Mappen Week our students will be learning about different places in our world. Students will be investigating South America and Africa. They will be learning about their weather, landscapes, cultures, native animals and key facts such as population. As we are learning about these we will be comparing this information to the things we have learnt about Australia. Students will be using this information to create a zine and an information booklet to share with you at our Learning Expo on Friday. We will also have some other exciting displays that we are working on to share with you. We hope you can join us.
Hands Up Mallee
Thank-you to all our wonderful parents who are encouraging their children to walk/scoot/ride to school this month or arrive at school a bit earlier on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday to be a part of Walk to School Month! It is so good to see more bikes and scooters in the bike rack.
Walking to school is great because it can assist with mental wellbeing, mood and self-esteem, confidence and life skills and connection with family, friends and neighbours. It also makes school streets safer, reduces traffic congestion and contributes to a healthier community.
Don't forget to send a photo of you walking to school with friends and family for a chance to win a $50 voucher from Intersport. All entries to be sent to hp@schs.com.au with your name and contact number by Friday 25th November.
Sacred Heart Parish News
Continuous Raffle
Congratulations to the following families who won a prize in the Continuous raffle drawn on Friday 11th November
- $30 Voucher donated by Davies Family won by Chi Vong family.
- Sun Shelter donated by Smythe Family won by Boby family.
- 2 x Bike Helmet & Football donated by Rebel Sports won by Rowe family.
Thank you to families who have already donated a prize for the continuous raffle. If you indicated that you would donate a prize to the value of $30 please send in to the office ASAP. Stay tuned for our 'Super' Christmas raffle.