Newsletter #08 May 17
Principal News
We are delighted to present another edition of our Newsletter. The remarkable turnout at the Mother's Day Breakfast and Whole School Mass last Friday was truly fantastic. Mother's Day holds great significance for children as it is a dedicated day to honour and show appreciation for mothers and mother figures. We hope that all the mothers out there were treated to breakfast in bed and cherished homemade mementos. It takes a collective effort to raise a child, and we deeply value the commitment and dedication of all the mothers who are actively shaping the future generation. We look forward to celebrating Father’s Day in September.
Hats & Jumpers
As the UV rating is now below 3, hats are now optional for students to wear. A reminder now that jumpers need to be labeled to ensure that they get to the right owner if they are misplaced.
Walk to School Day - Friday 19th May
Walk to School Day is an annual event celebrated around the world, encouraging students and their families to ditch the car and embrace the benefits of walking to school. We promote this day as we are part of the “Hands Up Mallee”. The aim of the walk to school day is to promote healthier lifestyles, a sense of community, and promoting environmental sustainability. If you can’t walk to school with your child/ren on Friday and you still want to participate, drop them at The Number One Ovals, 12th street gate at 8am where they can join the walking school 'bus'.
Welcome
We welcome Kellie LePoidevin who is completing her Learning Support Officer Placement here at St Paul’s. Kellie also attended St Paul’s as a child. We know that she will enjoy her time in the Senior area.
Enrolments for 2024
It was fantastic to have around 16 new families come and visit St Paul’s during our Open Day Tours. Parents were impressed by our Open Plan and fantastic artwork that is displayed. If you have any siblings attending St Paul’s in 2024, please ensure you complete an enrolment application via the St Paul’s website or scan the QR code below by Friday 26th May.
http://www.spmildura.catholic.edu.au/
Catholic Education Week
Catholic Education Week is an annual commemoration observed in Catholic schools and dioceses worldwide, dedicated to highlighting the significance and influence of Catholic education. This week-long occasion seeks to acknowledge and promote the distinct mission and values upheld by Catholic schools, emphasizing faith formation, academic excellence, and community service.
On Friday, May 26th, a Mass will take place at the Mercy Campus, where the six Catholic schools in our area, namely St Pauls, Sacred Heart, Our Lady’s, St Joseph's Red Cliffs, St Mary’s, and St Joseph's College, will participate together for the first time. This special event brings all these schools together in one location to celebrate as a unified community. Please ensure you have given consent on SIMON Everywhere App.
Assembly
This week we will gather for Assembly on Friday at 2.45pm. M2 will be sharing their learning.
Senior Unit Liturgy
On Friday, we will also be celebrating the Senior Unit Liturgy at 9.15am. The focal point of this Mass is the theme of 'Commitment,' which has been the central focus of the students' Religious Education lessons. We extend a warm invitation to families and friends to join us in this celebration.
Camps
Grade 3 and 4 teachers and students had an amazing time in Swan Hill. The photos on Facebook showed the great time that was had by the students. The Senior teachers have been busily preparing for the camp to Rose’s Gap from Monday 29th to Wednesday 31st May. A medication form has been sent home for parents to fill out if their children require medication while they are away. We look forward to hearing all of the student’s adventures when they return.
We thank all of the staff who are attending. We appreciate the time you have taken away from your own families to give the students such a great experience.
Enjoy reading the rest of the newsletter. Wishing you a week filled with warm blessings.
Melissa Sutherland
Acting Principal
Senior Unit News
Welcome to Week 4! Over the past two weeks we have been learning how to construct texts using Multiple Paragraph Outlines, note-taking and editing.
Camp is less than two weeks away now, and we are all very excited to head to Roses Gap for Grade 5/6 camp.
Students were sent home with a 'camp pack' with all the relevant information that you will need for camp (see below). Please, if you have any questions please email Mr Pike on tpike@spmildura.catholic.edu.au.
A reminder to parents if you are able to, bring any snacks to school that will be taken to camp, it would be greatly appreciated.
Jade Benham Visit - Civics and Citizenship
Last Thursday we were fortunate enough to have Jade Benham MP come and speak to our Senior students. She spoke about her pathway to becoming a politician and what makes an effective leader in State Parliament.
Our students had some excellent questions that included questions about climate change, leadership and how to get involved in politics at a young age. Our students followed the three B's extremely well throughout by sitting still and not speaking while Jade was sharing with the students.
We thank Jade for taking the time to come and visit St Paul's.
St Joseph's Visit - Grade 6
As part of the transition process to Secondary school, our Gr 6 students have a wonderful opportunity for a secondary school experience at St Joseph’s College on Thursday 15th June. Parents should drop their child off directly at ENRIGHT CAMPUS, 154 Twelfth Street by 8.30am and collect them at 3.20pm. A staff member will meet all students. Please ensure you have given permission on SIMON Everywhere APP. The college will provide a BBQ lunch for all students. Students are to wear casual clothes. Please advise Mrs Helen Watts if your child has any food allergies via email admissions@sjcmda.vic.edu.au or phone 50188034. All Grade 6 students to attend regardless of 2024 college they will be attending. If your child is not able to attend St Joseph’s College on the day due to illness, please advise via usual method.
Middle Unit News
Last week the Middle Unit attended camp in Swan Hill. The students had a fabulous time and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Students enjoyed many activities including butter churning, black smithing, rope making, pioneer school, and an Aboriginal Culture experience. The highlight of the trip for many was the Heartbeat of the Murray Sound and Light Show.
The staff at Pioneer Settlement and some general public commented on the exceptional behaviour of our students…. Congratulations and Well Done to all.
Students have written recounts and there are some photos on display in the middle unit area. Parents are welcome to come and to see our fun.
In Literacy, students have been learning how to write appositives. Appositives are words that give more information about a noun. They are usually placed right next to the noun they are describing. Appositives can be really helpful in making sentences more interesting and informative. They can also help to clarify the meaning of a sentence.
Check out some of the appositives we have written about Ned Kelly.
Ned Kelly, a criminal, had to go to the doctor to check his injuries. - Emma M9
Ned, a bush ranger was hiding to kill wealthy squatters. - Issac M2
Ned, a hero, helped his friend. - Lam M10
Ned Kelly, an adventurous boy, walked to school every day. - Harper M1
Ned Kelly, a twelve year old boy, learnt to be a bush ranger. - Elijah M9
Ned Kelly, a wounded man, fought his victims. - Rafael M10
Ned, a farm boy, helps his family on the farm. - Harry M1
Ned Kelly, a lonely boy, lost his father at a very young age. - Estee M2
This FRIDAY, M2 will be presenting at assembly. The students have been preparing a special presentation about their camp experience. They are looking forward to sharing their work with their parents and special friends. Assembly begins at 2:45pm.
Junior Unit News
In preparation for Mother’s Day, the Junior Unit students got their hands dirty preparing a special gift for the wonderful women in their life. The students had an absolute ball making the sweet treats and we hope that you enjoyed them!
In Religion, we have been learning about 'Participation' in areas of the children's life at school and in the local community. We are also learning about the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation as the initial introduction to the Catholic Church. We have explored how Catholic Christians participate in many different ways to contribute to their faith. Over the next few weeks we will be exploring the students' individual spiritual gifts they show and how they can use these to contribute in positive ways to build respectful relationships and take care of our world.
*In week 7, the Junior Unit will host a Liturgy to share our learning with you. More information to come.*
This week, the Junior Unit students participated in ‘AFL Primary Play Program’ run by AFL Victoria. AFL Primary Play is a Curriculum linked AFL School Program, provided to schools free of charge from the AFL. The students will participate in the program over the next two weeks delivered by trained AFL Coaches.
Reminder: Children are required to wear their sports uniforms on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our specialist lessons will all take place on Thursdays.
Upcoming events:
- Friday 26th May : Catholic Education Mass (whole school event)
- Friday 9th June : Junior Unit Liturgy- more information to come.
AFL Primary Play Program
Foundation Unit News
Welcome to Week 4!
Each week the staff in the Foundation unit are amazed by the quality of work the children are producing in Literacy. Their enthusiasm and 'can do' attitude is a definite factor to what they are achieving. Most of the children in the unit are confidently having a go at writing two or more sentences. We hope you are seeing some of their amazing work at home. They have also been learning how to write on dotted thirds. Below are some examples of their great writing.
This week we will be having a minor change in our timetable. The children will have "The Arts" with Miss Jess on Monday and Friday and they will not have it on Monday 22nd May. The following week it will all go back to normal.
Our Rainbow continues to get new names on it everyday. Thank you so much to the parents who are continually helping their children learn the words at home. If your child has finished all of the words on the rainbow they can begin to learn to spell the words.
Learning Diversity Update
Term 2 PSG Meeting Appointments
Program Support Group (PSG) Meetings for Term 2 are currently being organised and we are in the process of notifying parents of their scheduled meeting times.
PSG Meetings are held for students receiving additional support and adjustments with their learning program.
Parents/Carers of students requiring a PSG Meeting this term will be notified in a Letter via the SIMON Everywhere App of the details regarding the date and time of the meeting.
To view the Letter you need to select the student and under the Profile Menu there will be an option to select 'Letters'. An email will also be sent to nominated email addresses to notify that an appointment has been made.
St Paul’s highly values parent's and carer's contributions about their child’s learning needs at school and it is important for parents/carers to attend these meetings either in person, via telephone or video conference.
If you have any questions regarding PSG Meetings or would like further information please contact Lauren Gibson.
Sport News
Well done to those students who participated in the Division Cross Country on 4th May. All students represented the school with great pride, enthusiasm and exemplary behaviour. Well done to Mila Pascale, Keelan Roper, Addison Welsh and Ariah Tickle who all qualified for Regional Cross Country in St Arnaud.
Next week the Senior Unit students will be participating in Inter school AFL on Tuesday 23rd May at Sarah Oval (No 3). Please ensure you have given consent for this on SIMON Everywhere App. Below is a copy of the fixture. It would be fantastic to see parents, carers and friends come along and support the students on this day. All students participating in the AFL on this day are encouraged to wear a mouthguard. These can be purchased from Chemists, sports stores, Big W or Kmart. If there are any parents that would be able to assist in Umpiring/Coaching on the day could you please email: aparker@spmildura.catholic.edu.au
The Senior unit Netball and Soccer teams, will be participating in the Interschool competition on Friday 2nd June. More information to follow. If there are any parents/carers/friends that would be able to assist in Umpiring/Coaching on this day could you please email: aparker@spmildura.catholic.edu.au
Hands Up Mallee
Just a reminder that this FRIDAY 19th May is National Walk Safely to School day. To celebrate this day, we are conducting a walking school bus which will be leaving from Number 1 Oval, 12th Street gate at 8:00am. If you would like your child/children to join me, Narelle Simpson on the walk, please email nsimpson@spmildura.catholic.edu.au so I don't leave anyone behind! If you forget to email, just make sure you are there before we leave. Parents are also welcome to join us. If you don't want to join the walking school bus, maybe encourage your child/children to walk to school (even if you drop them off a block or two before school and let them walk the rest of the way). Walking is a great way for children to get their required 60 minutes physical activity each day. It also is good for the environment as it means less traffic congestion and less traffic on our roads. Every little bit helps!
School hats are now optional for students as the sun's UV rays are at an acceptable level.
Please make sure your child has brain food with them each day. Classes have a brainfood break at 10am each day. Seasonal fruit, cheese, vegetable sticks are all great easy options.
Sacred Heart Parish News
Parent Noticeboard
The Salvation Army - Red Shield Appeal
All money raised locally, stays local. Your donation will help us support individuals and families in a variety of ways. We have 100+ people come through our doors every week at our Community Support Services . We provide over 300 nutritious meals a month at our Community Meals which run from Mildura and Red Cliffs. The Red Shield also funds our Christmas Day lunch where we have 150+ members of our community, plus Christmas Gift giving and Back to School assistance just to name a few.