2025 Newsletter #06 April 30
PRINCIPAL NEWS
Welcome Back!
We joyfully welcome all our students, families, and staff back to school after a blessed Easter break. As we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord, we are reminded of the hope, renewal, and new beginnings that this season brings. We pray that each of you experienced a restful holiday with your loved ones. As we return to our daily routines, may the spirit of Easter continue to inspire us to live with compassion, gratitude, and joy. We look forward to a wonderful term ahead, growing together in faith, knowledge, and community. We welcome the following students Rafael, Mackenzie & Kassidy along with their families to St Paul's.
It is with deep sorrow that we join the global Catholic community in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. We celebrated his life at a whole school liturgy on Monday. His life was a testament to faith, humility, and service to God and His people. We give thanks for his leadership, his compassion for the marginalized, and his unwavering commitment to the teachings of Christ. May we honour his legacy by striving to live out the Gospel values he so faithfully proclaimed.
Hats As the UV levels remain elevated, we kindly ask that all students continue to wear their hats during outdoor playtimes and lessons for the next few weeks. This precaution helps ensure everyone stays protected from the sun while enjoying time outside. We appreciate your support in helping us promote sun safety and care for our students' wellbeing.
Senior Camp Next week the senior students head to Roses Gap for camp. The camp will provide students with the perfect mix of challenge, fun, and personal growth. Activities like abseiling, canoeing, bushwalking, and team-building games may push students out of their comfort zones and built lasting memories. A big thank you to the teachers and LSOs who will attend with the students to make this experience possible!
Important Reminder About Online Behaviour Towards the end of last term, a significant amount of staff time was dedicated to addressing issues related to students being unkind to each other online. All of this was taking place outside of school hours using personal devices. Although these incidents occurred at home, they have a real impact on the wellbeing of our students and the overall environment at school. We encourage all families to have regular conversations with their children about responsible online behaviour, kindness, and the importance of treating others with respect both in person and online. It is an important reminder to educate ourselves and others on being safe online.
Here are 5 tips to help create a safer internet experience:
- Be kind: practice respect, empathy and kindness online
- Be mindful: balance your time online and consume and share positive and respectful content
- Speak up: report online abuse and harmful content
- Start the conversation: talk about online safety with your networks and communities, family, friends and colleagues
- Share online safety resources: promote online safety tools and tips with your community
Term Dates The term is shaping up to be a busy one! Here is a list of events to add to your calendar. Please check the SIMON EVERYWHERE App calendar for updates and changes as we move through the term.
May
Monday 5th - Middles Empower and Inform Incursions
Tuesday 6th
Division Cross Country
7.30am-8.30am Mother’s Day Breakfast
9.15am - Mother’s Day Liturgy
Wednesday 7th -
Senior Unit Camp (until the Friday 9th)
Open Day Tours - 9.30am, 12pm & 5pm
Friday 9th - Assembly 2.45pm J5 presenting
Tuesday 13th
Juniors Empower and Inform Incursions
Wednesday 14th - Seniors Empower and Inform Incursions
Friday 16th - Education Support Staff Day
Wednesday 21st - Catholic Education Week Mass
Friday 23rd May - Assembly - 2.45pm J8 presenting
Tuesday 27th May - Student Free Day - Staff attending Professional Learning Session in Euston
June
Friday 6th - Assembly - 2.45pm M1 presenting
Monday 9th - King’s Birthday Public Holiday
Monday 23rd - Friday 27th - Middle Unit Swimming
Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th 3.45pm-6.15pm - Student Led Conferences
July
Friday 4th - St Paul’s Feast Day Mass and Celebrations
As we look ahead, we are excited for all that this new term holds. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in helping our students grow in faith, learning, and character. Let us continue to work together to make this term a positive and rewarding experience for all. Wishing every member of our school community a blessed, joyful, and successful term ahead!
Enrolment for 2026 Year 7
Just a reminder regarding 2026 Year 7 enrolments. The application closing dates are fast approaching. It is the responsibility of the parent to enrol their child in a secondary school.
St Joseph's College - The deadline for Year 7 2026 enrolment applications has been extended. Please submit your application as soon as possible to secure your child’s place. There is an online application form on their website https://www.sjcmda.vic.edu.au/enrol/ Once an application has been submitted, families will be invited to attend an interview. Interviews will take place at the end of May and beginning of June. Any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Jane Capogreco (Admissions Manager) on 5018 8000.
Victorian Government Secondary School - for information please see https://www.vic.gov.au/moving-primary-secondary-school-information-parents-and-carers#moving-from-a-non-government-primary-school-or-home-schooling-to-a-government-secondary-school
Applications for government secondary schools close Friday 9th May 2025.
Other Non-government Secondary Schools - please contact them directly for enrolment information.
If you could please email office@spmildura.catholic.edu.au or contact the office 50234567 to advise us of your intended school for Yr 7 2026. We require this information for our records.
Finally, congratulations to this week’s gotcha recipients for being their best, being respectful and being safe -
Bee Milestones - Alan, Indy, Fletcher, Eternity, Hannah, Tate, Sailor, Chase, Tobe, Alirah, James, Jordan, Dean, Petra, Jacinta, Brylee, Mischa, Ranic, Franco, Layla, Mason, Clinton, Charlie, Oakley & Phoenix
Melissa Sutherland
OPEN DAY TOURS - TELL YOUR FRIENDS
Catholic Education Priorities
As we approach the upcoming Federal Election on Saturday 3 May, we encourage you to take a moment to consider how your vote can support the future of your child’s education.
This election presents an important opportunity to reinforce the value and voice of Catholic education in our communities. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in announcing the election, referenced key issues impacting Catholic schools—especially around school choice and fair funding for all.
National Catholic Education Executive Director, Jacinta Collins, has outlined Catholic education’s election priorities under the banner “Catholic Education benefits all Australians”.
These include:
- Ensuring affordability and choice for families
- Addressing student hardship, wellbeing and disadvantage
- Continuing to build and innovate for the future
Catholic schools make a vital contribution to the Australian community, educating one in five students, including a high proportion of those from low socio-educational backgrounds and regional communities. Our schools save taxpayers billions each year while delivering strong educational outcomes and lifelong benefits for students.
To ensure this contribution continues, we are calling on all political leaders to:
- Guarantee fair and stable funding, so Catholic schools remain accessible and affordable
- Expand support for student mental health and wellbeing, particularly for disadvantaged and rural students
- Invest in Catholic education infrastructure and early learning to meet future needs
Mother's Day Celebrations 2025
Parent Noticeboard
March 2025 edition of “Our Diocesan Community”.
https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ODC-March-2025-web.pdf
