2023 Newsletter #02 February 8
PRINCIPAL NEWS
Welcome to week 2. Students had a great week last week getting to know their new teachers and peers. The Foundation students spent time in the investigation area with a focus on cooperating and sharing the space and resources. The Juniors played class bingo and had a classroom scavenger hunt. In the Middle area, students looked at the importance of a growth mindset and how we can grow our brains. The Seniors wrote a letter to the teacher describing that they want the teacher to know about them. They were encouraged to include their favourite hobbies, sports, family, what they are good at and what challenges them.
Cyber Safety Incursions
This week and next week, students from Grades 1-6 will be partaking in a live streamed cybersafety incursion with Digital Safety Educator, Martin McGauren and Child Psychologist, Carley McGauran from Inform and Empower. Topics covered will include: Trusted Adults and Early Warning Signs, Understanding the Internet, Rights and Responsibilities, Our Digital Footprint and Identity.
Assembly & Beginning of Year Mass
On Friday we will celebrate our Beginning of Year Liturgy in the hall at 12.15pm. We will also hold our first assembly of the year at 2.45pm. Family and friends are welcome to join these celebrations.
School Photos
School photos will be held on Tuesday 21st February. Information about how to order these below.
Meet the Teacher - 1st March
In the next newsletter, details about how to book a time with your child’s teacher/s will be shared. Bookings will be made on the SIMON Everywhere App.
Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday 22nd February students in grade 1-6 will attend Ash Wednesday Mass at the Sacred Heart Church. Students will need to be given permission to attend this event on the SIMON Everywhere App.
School Uniform
It is the expectation of the school that children wear the correct school uniform. Decisions in regards to our uniform have been made in the past to make sure it is serviceable, practical and affordable. It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure, to the best of their ability, that their children come to school wearing the correct uniform. If for some reason, particular items are not available on a given day, a note should be sent with the child.
We have a Summer uniform that is usually worn during Terms 1 & 4 and a Winter uniform that is worn during Terms 2 & 3. There can be some leeway at the times of transitioning between uniforms, especially when a particular uniform is more suitable for the current weather conditions.
Additional information regarding the School Uniform:
- Only St Paul’s hat to be worn at school
- Shoes must be all black, no coloured soles or logos
- PE uniform to be worn on PE days only - coloured runners can be worn on this day ONLY.
- No nail polish or makeup
- No jewellery with the exception of a watch (excluding those with a camera, internet capacity or cellular network), one pair of studs or sleepers & religious medallions worn on the inside of clothing.
- School bags with the school emblem printed on them are available at the uniform shop for purchase but are not compulsory
School Hats
St Paul’s School is a SunSmart School and it is compulsory that students wear a school hat when outside from September through to May 31. During the Winter months (June, July and August) students are encouraged to wear their hat when outside however it is not compulsory as the UV rating is lower.
Covid Updates
- It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students and staff if they:
- have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, no matter how mild
- are a household or close contact of someone who has COVID-19
- are a social contact of someone who has COVID-19.
- The Department of Health recommends that all Victorians report their positive RAT result via the online form or by calling 1800 675 398.
- St Paul’s still has a number of RAT tests available. If you require a box, please come into Admin or email office@spmildura.catholic.edu.au and we will send them home with your child.
Vince is currently on leave, so any concerns you would normally direct to the Principal can be directed to Melissa Sutherland (Acting Principal) - msutherland@spmildura.catholic.edu.au or Lauren Gibson (Deputy Principal Wellbeing) - lgibson@spmildura.catholic.edu.au
Melissa Sutherland
Foundation Unit News
Welcome to Week 2.
Next week as part of our Religion lessons we will be discussing different things we belong to. We will be talking about our families. We are asking that the children either bring in a family photo to share or email a photo to your child's teacher. (see email below) We would like these photos by the end of this week if possible.
Next week we will also be starting to take home a book each night. Please take time to read with your child. You might begin by reading the book to your child first and then asking them some questions about the book. (you will find some question at the beginning and the end of the book) Learning to read is a slow process so please be patient. All of the books your child will take home are decodable so in time they will be able to sound out the words to read them. The children will need to return their books every day and select a new book. It is also very important that the books come to school in the Library bag. If you have any questions please speak to your child's teacher.
Mila - mgiddings@spmildura.catholic.edu.au
Maryanne - mheeps@spmildura.catholic.edu.au
Junior Unit News
What another amazing week we are having in the Junior Unit. The students are settling into their new routines, particularly in Literacy and Maths.
Last week our Grade 1 students were fortunate enough to spend some time with their big buddies! The students enjoyed lunch eating time together, followed by some fun activities. This was a highlight of the week for many of the students!
This week we have begun borrowing our decodable texts. We ask that you sit down and read with your child as often as you can. These decodable texts are limited so please return them each morning, ready to borrow a new book.
Again, we ask that you help us manage the challenge of fitting many lunches into the fridge by using the smallest lunchbox container or even just a named ziplock bag. Thank you for your help with this.
We have noticed that many students are still forgetting to bring their hat and drink bottle to school each day. Particularly during the warmer months, all students are expected to come to school with their hat and drink bottle. We do not want our Junior Unit students missing any play time because they do not have a hat at school.
Reminder: Children are required to wear their sports uniforms on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our specialist lessons will all take place on Thursdays.
Upcoming events:
- Beginning of the Year Mass will take place this Friday at 12:15 pm. Parents and Caregivers are welcome to attend.
- On Tuesday the 14th of February (week 3), the Grade 1/2 students will attend a Cyber Safety Incursion at school.
- On Tuesday the 21st of February (week 4) is school photos day! Please ensure your child is wearing their full school uniform, not their sports uniform on this date. Keep an eye on our school Facebook page and Simon for further information.
** This week we have had some students unwell with a tummy bug. If your child exhibits any symptoms of gastro, please keep your child home. This a friendly reminder that students should not return to the classroom until 48 hours after symptoms have subsided. **
Middle Unit News
This week in the Middle unit, we have dived deep back into Literacy and Numeracy learning. The students have done a wonderful job remembering their writing strategies from last year and have created some great pieces of work this week.
During Numeracy this year, we will be following the Stepping Stones Program. Students will be grouped into year level class so they may not be with their home room teacher during this time. Stepping Stones is an instructional approach that builds on students' natural ability to develop understanding and number sense. We encourage you to have a chat with your child about what they are learning.
A reminder that in the Middle unit, the students don’t have daily readers. It is expected that students are reading at home every night and are going to the library each morning to borrow new books as required. The library is open every morning from 8:30am.
Don’t forget students must wear a hat outside at all times during the warmer months. No hat, no play is being enforced. Please check with your child to make sure their hat is at school.
Over the last week, students have been writing their SRC application speeches. Today those students who wished to be considered as an SRC candidate made their speech to their class which was followed by anonymous voting. Announcements of the successful candidates will be made at the assembly on Friday. We are so proud of everyone who made a speech. It is never easy putting yourself out there and talking in front of your peers, but everyone was amazing and spoke confidently. Well Done all.
Reminder: Children are required to wear their sports uniforms on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our specialist lessons will all take place on Tuesday.
Upcoming events:
- Monday 13th of February (week 3), the Middle Unit students will attend a Cyber Safety Incursion at school.
- Tuesday 21st of February (week 4) is School Photos day! Please ensure your child is wearing their full school uniform, not their sports uniform on this date. Keep an eye on our school Facebook page and Simon for further information.
- M9 Assembly - Friday 24th February (week 4). We hope to see lots of family and friends in attendance.
Senior Unit News
Week 2 has been a busy week in the Senior Unit! We have been learning about how to be safe online during our Cybersafety Incursion on Tuesday and we have been preparing for our Beginning of Year Liturgy by discussing in our classes how we will "rise up" at St Paul's this year. This has sparked excellent discussion with students suggesting we rise up by being good role models to the rest of the school.
As a reminder: Senior Unit students are required to wear their sports uniforms on Mondays and Wednesdays. Our specialist lessons will take place on Wednesdays this year.
If you have anything you would like to discuss with any of the Senior Unit teachers, please send an email and we are happy to respond.
S12 - Rebecca Stevenson rstevenson@spmildura.catholic.
S13 - Narelle Simms nsimms@spmildura.
S14 - Tom Pike tpike@spmildura.catholic.
Religious Education News
Beginning of Year Mass - Rise Up!
This Friday 10th February, we are celebrating our Beginning of Year Mass at 12.15pm in our School Hall. The theme for our mass is, 'Rise Up!' This week, all classes have been reflecting on the theme of our celebration and how they are going to 'rise up' throughout our school year. We welcome all parents and friends to join us in our celebration. We look forward to seeing you then!
Ash Wednesday Mass
On Wednesday 22nd February, we are celebrating Ash Wednesday, together with the students and staff from Sacred Heart Primary School. Mass will be celebrated at 10am at the Sacred Heart Church. Parents and friends are most welcome to join us at the church.
All students and staff will be transported to and from the church, with shuttles commencing from 9.15am. All students and staff will be back at school by approximately 11.30am. As this is an offsite event, we require parental permission in order to attend. Permissions have been set up on the SIMON Everywhere App and we ask parents / guardians to provide consent. If you have any further questions or concerns regarding our Ash Wednesday offsite event, please don't hesitate to contact the school.
Sacrament of First Reconciliation
Students in Year's 3 and above that may have missed out on celebrating the Sacrament of First Reconciliation so far, are most welcome to do so on Wednesday 5th April 2023. This extra celebration of the Sacrament of First Reconciliation will only be happening this year, as we get back on track to celebrate Reconciliation at the end of Grade 2, Confirmation in Grade 3 and First Eucharist in Grade 4.
If you wish for your child to celebrate their Sacrament of First Reconciliation, we ask that you complete the attached Registration Form and drop the completed form off to Carmel at the Parish Office. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact Carmel on 5021 2872 or Mrs Maria-Stella Blagus (St Paul's REL) on 5023 4567 or mblagus@spmildura.catholic.edu.au.
P.E News
Welcome back everyone. It has been wonderful seeing everyone enjoying their P.E lessons over the past two weeks. We have had a focus in these lessons on cooperation, team work and having a go. The junior, middle and senior students have had fun performing exercises in a 'would you rather' situation.
Throughout this term the Foundation and Junior students will be focussing on developing Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) in particular, jumping, throwing and catching. The Middle Unit will be learning the introductory skills for Hockey. While the Senior Unit students have the privilege to participate in Golf lessons fasciliated by Pro Golf Instructor Brad Pitt.
Congratulations to Nimrat, who broke a Mildura Little Athletics record recently for Discus.
Our School Cross Country will be held at the end of term on Friday the 31st of March. More details will come closer to the date.
My New Gallery
