2023 Newsletter #12 August 2
Principal News
Dear St Paul’s families,
Welcome to this week’s news. There has certainly been a lot happening since our last update.
COME AND SEE WEEK- Wow! Wow! Wow! The “Come and See” week hosted by St Paul’s was an outstanding success. The visiting Teachers, Principals and Catholic Education Office staff were blown away by the learning that takes place daily at St Paul’s. They were all so appreciative and grateful for the time, effort and planning put in by the classes to allow them to watch and learn. One colleague principal said that our teachers were “Game Changers” in what and how we teach our children literacy. There was all positive feedback on how well behaved the children were because of the structured literacy approach. Our focus is and always will be about improving student outcomes.
PARENT SURVEY- Due to the ongoing success of our current Structured Literacy Curriculum, Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBCEL) in collaboration with La Trobe University is undertaking a study to evaulate the SLC's effectiveness in improving student outcomes. There is a letter explaining this and also informing parents that your child's data will be used. All student data used with be de-identified, transferred, stored, and ultimately destroyed in ways that comply with privacy legislation and the requirements of the La Trobe University Human Ethics committee. If you do not wish for your child/children's data to be used in the sudy, you may opt out by completing the form (available on Daily Messages or from Reception) and handed into Admin by Thursday 10th August.
100 DAYS- Congratulations to our Foundation unit children who celebrated 100 days of school this week. A significant milestone achievement for them in their first year of formal schooling. They have been super excited with the local fire brigade visiting this week and learning all about fire safety.
AUSKICK-It was great to see so many children participating in the AFL Auskick program after school. Thanks to Dave Kennedy for running this program and the staff assisting him.
BOOK FAIR- Once again, our book fair is on this week and yesterday, we had the pleasure of Stig (visiting author) entertaining the children in the hall. Well done and thank you to the children who got involved during Stig’s performance.
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL-Last night we hosted our August School Advisory Council meeting. It was great to catch up with current and new council members and share the successes as well as discuss future opportunities for St Paul’s moving forward. Next year St Paul’s will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. More information to come in the coming weeks as we begin putting together an organising committee to plan our celebration.
PRINCIPALS CONFERENCE - Tomorrow I will be visiting Swan Hill to attend a principals’ network conference as we continue working on the theme of “crucial conversations”. It is always an important opportunity to catch up with my fellow colleagues and share our understandings on best practice in education.
GOTCHA AWARDS - Congratulations to this week’s milestone achievements for following our norms. Over the last week I have had the pleasure of hosting afternoon tea with several children from the junior unit and learning lots about them.
Bee Milestones - Charlie Robinson, Joseph Santos, Max Millsteed, Cienna Pascale, Dae Dae Moore, Lola Droffelaar, Andrea Norton, Dustin Scott, Kooper Carmichael, Hannah Davies, Sam Midgley, Elsie Freeman, Geordie Moraitis, Mackenzie Mangan, Nimrat Dhaliwal, Mila Pascale, Jasper Trinh, Eden Vo, Nicholas Horne, Tilly Wankun, Oliver Harradine, John Thang and Oscar Tamwipak.
Hive Milestones - Catherine Lotong, Shivreet Gill, Chimdi Ilozue, Alice Blanchard, Ariah Tickle, Jack O’Callaghan, Jett Yates, Hollies Tickle, Harriet Gibson, Emma Williams, Luca McDonald, Tevita Pohahou, Paddy Stevenson, Chase Humphrey, Izzy Nadalo, Maggie Slimmon, Asiate Pohahau, Elih Groenen, Fleur Gorringe, Ryder Baker, Lesieli Toto, Archer Barlow and Carlos Catain.
FEAST OF ST MARY MACKILLOP MASS- This Friday 4th August is the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Mass will be celebrated in the hall at 9.15am. Parents are most welcome to celebrate with us. Assembly will be in the hall at 2.45pm as well.
I hope you all have a great week and enjoy the weekend.
As always,
Keep the Faith
Vince Muscatello
Religious Education News
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Feast Day Mass - Friday 4th August 2023
This Friday 4th August, our school community will be gathering together to celebrate the feast day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia's first and only saint. Our whole school Mass will be celebrated at 9.15am in our School Hall. We welcome all of our family and friends to join us in our liturgical celebration.
Mary MacKillop (15/01/1842 - 8/08/1909) was a lady of great faith and had utmost trust in God. She devoted her life to reaching out and giving life to those most in need. Mary began the Sisters of St Joseph and many more young women joined Mary in her mission to doing God's work. Together they loved the poor deeply and provided them with food, clothing, shelter and an education. They opened many schools, homes for women, orphanages for children and frequently visited those who were unwell or in gaol. Mary was always kind to all people, even if they did not agree with her. She bravely challenged those who did not support her vision for a more caring world. Mary died on the 8th August 1909. After she passed away, the Sisters of St Joseph kept her legacy alive and continued all the kind-hearted work she had started. On the 17th October 2010, she was canonised as a Saint.
The Sister of St Joseph invite and encourage children to pray. The following 'children friendly' prayer, written by the Sisters of St Joseph, is inspired by St Mary of the Cross' motto, 'Never see a need without doing something about it.' You may like to share this prayer as a family and have a conversation with your children about how they may be able to 'see' needs and be responsive in action.
We hope to see you at our whole school liturgical celebration this Friday!
Library News
Thanks very much everybody for the fantastic support you have given to our Book Fair. Remember the last opportunity to buy from the book fair is tomorrow, the fair will be open before school at 8.30 at lunch time and after school until 3.45pm.
All the students did a great job with the colouring in competition and our winners are, Halle - Foundation, Mackenzie - Juniors, Harriet - Middles, and Riana - Seniors. Congratulations and well done girls.
NCCD - Annual Collection of Information about Australian School Students with Disability
Foundation Unit News
What a busy start to the term we have had.
Week 2 we all came to school dressed up in our pyjamas and had a lovely day, while raising money for the SRC to go towards children living in foster care.
Week 3 we were busy showing teachers from other schools what we do in our structured literacy lessons. From all of the positive feedback we received, they were very impressed by the behaviour of the Foundation students and even more impressed by what they can do within the structured literacy block. We are very proud of our students.
Week 4 the children enjoyed taking part in our "100 days of school" celebration. The students and teachers came dressed up as a 100 year old person. (see Facebook for photos) We also took part in some very fun activities involving the number 100.
Last week we also had some firefighters come and visit us and talk about good fires and bad fires. They discussed how important it is to have a safe place to go to when there is a fire in the house. The children have a homework activity to do with the parents where they draw and write about their safe place. These went home with the children yesterday and they need to be back at school by tomorrow. The firefighters are returning tomorrow to discuss what the children have found out about their safe place. They will also be allowing the children to look inside the fire truck and show the children how they put out fires.
Coming up this month:
Week 5: Friday 11th August - Mini Olympics at the Aero Ovals
Week 6: Friday 18th August - Naidoc Celebrations
Week 7: Wednesday 23rd August - Book Week
Just a reminder that if your child is displaying cold and flu symptoms please keep them home to allow them to recover as there are a lot of sicknesses going around.
Junior Unit News
The Junior Unit Teachers were so super impressed with how well the Junior Unit conducted themselves during our Come & See week. They worked incredibly hard and put their best foot forward. Well Done Superstars!
It is very hard to believe that we are nearly half way through term 3 already! The year is flying by. Before we know it, Book Week 2023 will be here. We'll be celebrating this special occasion with the traditional dress-up day on Wednesday 23rd August. All children are invited to dress as their favourite book character and participate in a whole-school parade.
The Junior Unit students have been working super hard in preparation for the upcoming Mini Olympics! They are all very excited to have a go at all the different events and dress up in their house colours. This will be held next Friday 11th August.
Middle Unit News
A huge congratulations to our students for the exemplary learning they showed last week during our “Come and See” week. Thank you to our students for showing dedication to their learning.
Over the last 4 weeks, students have enjoyed learning about forces. In literacy, they have been writing fabulous paragraphs about gravity, friction and magnetism. During inquisitive, students have been flying paper airplanes, conducting weight drop tests, and next week will be designing a weight-bearing bridge.
This weekend Jennifer, our lovely LSO, gets married. We wish her all the best for her special day.
A reminder to students to keep practicing their timestables each night, and to complete 20 minutes of reading daily.
This FRIDAY, M10 will be presenting at assembly. The students have been preparing a special presentation, and look forward to sharing their work with their parents and special friends. Assembly begins at 2:45pm.
Next Friday 11th August is our school athletics day. We look forward to a fun filled day.
Senior Unit News
Stig Wemyss Visit
Stig Wemyss visited St Paul's and put on a great show for students and teachers alike. It was great to see the Senior students enjoying themselves and getting involved with all the activities Stig had in store for them.
As part of the visit, the Borrow Book app was promoted. Parents and students can acces a range of Stig's, and other narrators, work through the app. Details of how to access Borrow Box content is in the image gallery below.
Chromebooks
Please ensure that your child brings their Chromebook to school each day and with at least 80% charge. We use Chromebooks for many lessons so it is important that each student has access to one. The school has a limited number of spare Chromebooks available so there is no guarantee that if your child forgets their Chromebook that they will be given a spare.
If you have a Chromebook which is damaged or needs repair, please contact the classroom teacher and we will make arrangements for you.
Focusing on Friendship
In our SWPBS time, we have started to focus on friendships in the Senior Unit. This has meant discussing with students why we have friends, what makes a good friend and how do we maintain friendships. We look forward to continuing this theme over the next few weeks.
Girls Regional Soccer Finals
All the very best to our Senior Girls Soccer superstars who will compete in Swan Hill on Tuesday at the Regional Soccer Finals! We are proud of you whatever the result, we know how excited you all are and we are sure you will put in your best effort. Most of all, enjoy the day, play fair, have fun!
PE News
Mini Olympics
Our Mini Olympics is next Friday! This year we will be back at the Aero Ovals on Friday 11th August for our school carnival. Students must be dropped off at the Aero Ovals from 8.30 am. Students are encouraged to wear their house colours, otherwise, they are to wear their PE uniform. They will need to bring their lunch, snacks, hat and drink bottle as there will be no canteen on this day. We will be looking for parents to help at the events. If you are able to help please complete the attached Google form. Select the link below for either the Middle/Seniors or Foundation/Juniors. Ms. Parker will then be in contact with further details for the day.
Foundations/Junior Mini Olympics Helpers
Middles/ Seniors Mini Olympics Helpers
Please note that there will be no canteen operating for students on the day.
Regional Soccer
Congratulations to the St Paul's Senior Girls Soccer team who won through to the Division final to be held in Swan Hill on Tuesday 8th August. Please ensure you have given permission for this event on SIMON Everywhere. Students will be travelling by bus to Swan Hill, leaving at 7.30am Tuesday morning. Any Parents/Guardians that would like to come along to support the girls are welcome to. Please email Ms Parker aparker@spmildura.catholic.edu.au to book a spot on the bus. Cost $20 each.
Regional Girls Soccer Draw - Pool A | |
10.30 | All Schools assemble for Briefing. |
10.45 | St Paul’s No game (Pool A) |
11.25 | St Paul’s V Winters Flat |
12.05 | St Paul’s V St Joseph’s Bendigo |
12.45 | Semi-Finals - Pool A 1st V Pool B 2nd, Pool A 2nd V Pool B 1st |
1.30 | Grand Final - Winner of Semi’s Playoff, 3rd from Pool A and Pool B consolation final (If teams agree to play) |
2.15 | Presentations |
SSV Golf
School Sport Victoria and Golf Australia are proud to inform schools that the SSV Primary Golf Tournament is to be held at the Mildura Golf Course on 25th August 2023.
This is a perfect opportunity for students to participate in a shortened 9-hole course to represent their school. No experience or equipment is necessary. Equipment can be borrowed on the day. Placeholders will then qualify to compete in the regional finals and then the state finals if they qualify at the regional finals.
The entries are open to students in year levels 3 through to 6.
Entries are to be submitted online https://www.golf.org.au/events#/competition/3678840/info
Should students wish to participate in this day it will be the responsibility of the Parent/Guardian to get them to the event.
NAPLAN RESULTS
NAPLAN Individual Student Reports for Grades 3 & 5 students are available for collection by an adult from Reception.
Parish News
Parish Merger
As you may be aware Mildura has now now merged with Red Cliffs and Merbein to become the Sts Anne and Joachim Catholic Parish, Sunraysia. There has been a change to the parish email: sunraysia@ballarat.catholic.org.au but all other details will stay the same. This is a positive step for our community with us now having shared resources across the district.
Parent Noticeboard
