2023 Newsletter #15 September 13
PRINCIPAL NEWS
Welcome to week 10. The term is certainly flying by. It has been lovely to see the days getting longer and warmer. This week Vince is on Long Service Leave in preparation for his daughter's wedding on Friday. We wish Catilyn and Jake all the best in their future together. We have had a number staff enjoying Long Service Leave this week. Mary-Anne Ghidinelli will commence Long Service for all of next term.
Shaun Emmett has tended his resignation. He will finish up at the end of term 3. We wish him all the best going forward.
End of Term 3 - Friday is the final day of the term. Please note that school will finish for students at 2.25pm. An earlier assembly will take place at 1.45pm.
Walk 4 Brain Cancer - On Friday students were involved in Walk 4 Brain Cancer. Walk 4 Brain Cancer is a national movement which brings together the Australian brain cancer community to raise vital funds and awareness to help find a cure and to improve outcomes for Australians living with brain cancer. Our wonderful and dedicated teacher Mrs Lucy Gray is participating in the upcoming Walk 4 Brain Cancer event in support of her husband Jarrod and the thousands of other Australians who are affected by this devastating disease. St Paul's raised $390.
School Advisory Council - The SAC meet on Tuesday night. Items for discussion and consultation included - camps policy, foundation enrolments, stagging, Parent Relationship Code of Conduct, new EBA and fundraising for 2024.
Gotcha's - Congratulations to this week's Gotcha Winners on Being Safe, Being Your Best and Being Respectful.
Bee Milestones - Justin Tran, Hayden Rowe, Noah Demario, Jesse Pitt, Isabella Carter, Natasha Cavallo, James Nadalo, Felix Blanchard, Erica Ram, Jordan Tran, Charlie Stephens, Jessica Allieu, Emma Williams, April Nyabonda, Sophie McGregor, Sylvia-Jade Simmons & Harriet Gibson.
Hive Milestones - Chi Vong, Ryder Baker, Kooper Carmichael, Dae Dae Moore, Owen Vo, William Buffon, Malia Fonua, Jason Tran, Ariah Tickle, Will Langford, Skylar Humphrey, Pippa Doecke, Fetongi Latukefu, Reyon Shermin, Lorenzo Pettinau, Oliver Harradine, Estee Clifford, Hunter Rayson, Ariani Arden, Lottie Moyle, Ashton McDonald, Mischa Pascale, Angela Harris, Nhyla Tickle, Nhu Nguyen, Renay Akdemir, Lola Droffelaar, Ari Williams & Erin Taylor.
Term 4 - We begin Term 4 on Monday 2nd October. **Please note that there will be a school closure and Pupil Free Day on Friday 3rd November and Monday 6th November.** School finishes for students for 2023 on Friday 15th December.
We wish everyone a safe and joyous Spring break and look forward to seeing all of the student's smiling faces in Term 4.
Melissa Sutherland
Deputy Principal, Curriculum
End of Term 3 2023
Friday 15th September 2023 is the last day of school for Term 3.
**School will finish at the earlier time of 2.25pm.**
The school buses will be running to an earlier time table. Parents of children who make a connection to normal Main Road City Buses, please note that these buses run to the normal timetable.
Term 4 Classes for students will resume again on Monday 2nd October 2023
Junior Unit News
Wow... Welcome to Week 10!
We are at the end of yet another fantastic term of learning.
Last Friday, the Junior Unit held their Term 3 Liturgy reflecting on our topic 'Wisdom'. We would like to thank all of the special guests that were able to join us for our special celebration. It was a wonderful way to stop and reflect on all we had learnt this term.
At the beginning of Term 4, hats will be compulsory and the students will be required to wear a school hat every time they go outside. We ask that all hats are clearly named.
Reminder: Tomorrow (Thursday 14th), as a school we will be acknowledging RUOK Day. All students will be encouraged to wear a touch of yellow with their normal school uniform. Think a hair ribbon, socks, hat etc. This is not a dontation event. It is simply to raise awarness and start positive converstaions.
On behalf of the Junior Unit staff, we hope you all have a safe and wonderful holiday break. We look forward to seeing you all refreshed and ready for Term 4.
Foundation Unit News
Welcome to Week 10!
Wow! In the blink of an eye the term is over. We have accomplished so much and have had a very busy term.
This Friday the Foundation Unit will be celebrating their Liturgy in the Foundation Unit at 9:15am. We welcome all parents, grandparents and special people to attend.
Today the school nurse came to visit the children and she will return in Term 4 to visit the remainder of children who have signed the parental consent form. This is a perfect opportunity for your child to see the nurse if you have any concerns or questions about your child's health and/or development. She will check their hearing and sight as well as checking to see if parents have listed any things of concern. This is aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of your child. If you have any concerns about this visit please see your child's teacher. If you have not returned your form please complete it asap to ensure you do not miss the opportunity.
Last Friday we walked for Brain Cancer to support a cause that is close to our hearts. The children enjoyed wearing purple clothes and spending the afternoon walking to support the cause.
We would like to take this opportunity to say how proud we are of the students in Foundation. They are showing growth in so many areas and we are continually amazed by how much they are taking in and expanding their knowledge in so many areas, both academically and socially.
As the weather is warming up we are trying to get back into the habit of wearing our hats. Next term hats are compulsory and the children will be required to wear a school hat every time they go outside. If your child has lost their hat please purchase one from the uniform shop and make sure it is clearly named.
We would like to wish everyone a very safe and enjoyable break. We hope you have time to do something special as a family. I know many people are heading away for a holiday, some are going to enjoy being home, having sleep ins and I'm sure we will all enjoy the warmer weather. We look forward to seeing you all back at school for the last term.
Middle Unit
We can't believe that it is already the end of Term 3! Congratulations to our students on a great term of learning. We hope that all families have an enjoyable break.
We encourage students to continue reading and practicing their timetables throughout the holidays.
See you on Monday the 2nd October for Term 4.
R U OK Day
Tomorrow is R U OK Day. It’s our national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone that every day is the day to ask, “are you OK?” and support those struggling with life's ups and downs. Learning how to support their peers and talk about how they feel is an important life lesson for students.
To take action at St Paul’s we are inviting students to wear a touch of yellow to school. Students are to wear their usual school uniform and are invited to add a yellow scrunchie, bow, hat socks or something creative. Students will participate in activities in their classes.
More information can be found at https://www.ruok.org.au/
Senior Unit News
Lantern Making
Last week, our Senior students joined with their buddies to create some amazing lanterns in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Students learnt about the festival's origins in South-East Asia and the significance of the celebration to people from there.
Term 4 Dates
23rd October - 27 October - Swimming Lessons
28th November - Grade 5 St Joseph's Visit/Grade 6 Pool Day
10th December - Grade 6 Graduation
Hands Up Mallee
Just a reminder that when we return to school for Term 4, school hats will again become compulsary for all students to wear. The sun's UV rays are really starting to get higher, so please make sure that this week you ensure that your child/children each have their own school hat (clearly labelled with their name on it). If you are unable to find it, the school uniform shop will be open tomorrow afternoon after school.
During the school holildays, take the time to take your child/children out in the beautiful sunshine and play a game with them or go for an alphabet walk to see if you can find something starting with each letter of the alphabet.
PE News
Congratulations to all students who have represented St. Paul's at Division Mini Olympics, Interschool Golf, Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, and HotShots Tennis this term. It has been fabulous to witness the amazing sportsmanship, dedication, enthusiasm, resilience, and pride of everyone on these days.
Last week I and Mrs. Chisari had the pleasure of attending Interschool Volleyball and HotShots Tennis. We couldn't have been prouder of the way in which all students on the day represented themselves and the school. The encouragement, perseverance, and maturity demonstrated by the students was truly heartwarming.
Interschool HotShots Tennis & Volleyball
MULTICULTURAL EVENTS AT ST PAUL’S
Celebrating Multicultural events at St Paul’s: Mid-Autumn Festival
This month, some Asian countries like Vietnam, China and Thailand celebrate the Mid-Autum festival. This year, it will be celebrated on the 29th September – when the moon is expected to be big, round and bright!
In Vietnam, children gather and parade lanterns in the streets. Last week, we had the opportunity to create paper lanterns.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Tina Nguyen (Owen and Eden’s mum) and Amy Vong (Chi’s mum) for helping us create beautiful lanterns and for sharing their insights and experiences on the Mid-Autumn festival.
To all of our dear families celebrating this beautiful festival, may you all have a wonderful Mid-Autumn festival!
St Paul's Variety Night - date for diary!
Parent Noticeboard
