2025 Newsletter #09 June 4
PRINCIPAL NEWS
Welcome to week 7.
I was so fortunate to be able to attend the Catholic Education Week Mass and Dinner in Ballarat on Friday to recognise these fantastic educators.
Signora Mary-Anne Ghidinelli was celebrated for reaching 30 years in Catholic Education.
Mrs Maria-Stella Blagus was also recognised for her contribution to Catholic Identity at St Paul's.
It was a truly inspiring evening that highlighted the dedication and faith-filled service of those who help shape our Catholic schools into communities of love, learning, and hope.
Strategy 2035
Last Tuesday the teachers travelled to Euston to meet with other educators in the Northern Zone to engage in the DOBCEL 2035 Strategy. The DOBCEL Strategy 2035, titled “Pursuing Fullness of Life for All”, is a visionary plan developed to guide the evolution of Catholic education across its schools through to the year 2035. This strategy aims to create a high-performing system of Catholic schools that are deeply rooted in faith, responsive to contemporary educational needs, and committed to the holistic development of every student.
Pokemon Trading Cards
Starting this week, Pokémon cards will only be permitted at lunchtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and only in the library. Cards should not be brought out at any other time or place on school grounds.
Please remind your child of the following:
No swapping of cards is allowed at school.
Cards are brought to school at students’ own risk – the school is not responsible for any loss or damage.
If your child has special arrangements in place as part of an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) where Pokémon cards are used as a reward, those arrangements may continue under the monitoring of their classroom teacher.
Thank you for your support in helping us manage this fairly and consistently.
Assembly - Week 7
This Friday, we are delighted to welcome performances from our Middle and Senior Choir at Assembly. Led by Miss Jess, their beautiful voices are sure to uplift and inspire our school community.
Special Assembly - Week 8
Next Friday, 13th June, our dance groups would love to perform their Eisteddfod dance routines for you all. We thank Simone Caminiti for giving up her time to choreograph these routines and teach them to the students.
KING'S BIRTHDAY LONG WEEKEND: This Monday 9th June is a Public Holiday. If you are travelling away please be safe on our roads and enjoy your time with your family.
A New Chapter for the Church: Welcoming Pope Leo XIV
May 8 marked a significant and joyful moment for the global Church as we welcomed our new Pope, Leo XIV.
“We have to look together at how to be a missionary Church – a Church that builds bridges, that enters into dialogue, that is always hospitable. [...] Help us – help each other – to build bridges: through dialogue, through encounter, so that we can all be one people, always in peace.”
Our prayer is that Pope Leo XIV continues to lead with a strong Christian identity, while embracing the richness of a diverse and interconnected world. We hope he encourages respectful dialogue across different worldviews, nurtures a Church that is inclusive and welcoming, and champions social justice—especially for those who are poor or marginalised.
May his leadership be marked by wisdom, compassion, and courage as he guides the Church into this new era.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
Finally, congratulations to this week’s gotcha recipients for being their best, being respectful and being safe -
Bee Milestones - Archer, Kyden, Zobeda, Luna, Tania, Arianna, Fleur, Michelle, James, Oliver, Phillip, Esta, Aeliyah, Ruby, Nhu, Dusty, Samuel, Olivia, Murphy, Freyja, Eli, Sam, Lizbeth, Blessing, Sukhmeet, Chaz, Jess, Lucas, & Eywa.
Hive Milestones - Sione, Harjap, Memphis, Ira, Mayta, Emilia & Clara.
Wishing you a restful and enriching week ahead.
Melissa Sutherland
Principal
Student reporting update – Mathematics Version 2.0
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) recently published its revised Mathematics curriculum (Mathematics Version 2.0).
At St Paul’s we are using the revised Mathematics curriculum for student reporting from Semester 1, 2025.
On your child’s previous report, the teacher reported against the three strands of the achievement standard for Mathematics (Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability). Under the Mathematics Version 2.0 curriculum, your child’s teacher will report against the achievement standard as a whole, providing a single, aggregated score.
As the achievement standards reported on have changed, the first time you receive a report under the Mathematics Version 2.0 curriculum, it will only show achievement and not progress. For all reports after this, progress will be shown against the single achievement standard.
The VCAA made these changes to help teachers plan their teaching and learning programs in Mathematics, giving them more flexibility to support students to link ideas within Mathematics and also with other curriculum areas.
If you have any queries about your child’s report, please contact Melissa Sutherland or Rebecca Stevenson on 50234567 or email msutherland@spmildura.catholic.edu.au or rstevenson@spmildura.catholic.edu.au
Senior Unit News
Welcome to Week 7!
Congratulations to the students who participated in interschool netball and soccer last week. Our soccer team will represent St Paul’s in the Division Interschool event. Please keep an eye on SIMON for event information and permissions.
This Friday 6th June at 9:15am, the Senior Unit will celebrate their first unit liturgy for the year. Families are welcome to attend. The theme of our liturgy is Gratitude.
Grade 6 St Joseph’s College Visit - Tuesday 1st July
As part of the transition process to secondary school, our Gr 6 students have a fantastic opportunity for a secondary school experience to St Joseph’s College. Please ensure you have given permission on SIMON Everywhere. Parents should drop their child off directly at ENRIGHT CAMPUS (154 Twelfth Street Mildura) by 8.45am. A staff member will meet all students. They can be collected by parents at the end of the day (3.20pm). The college will provide a BBQ lunch for all students. Students are to wear casual clothes. All Grade 6 students to attend regardless of 2026 college they will be attending. If your child is not able to attend St Joseph’s College on the day due to illness, please contact St Paul’s office via usual method. St Joseph's have requested that parents ALSO book a place via Trybooking. Please see flyer below for information.
Enjoy your long weekend!
Upcoming Events
9/6 - King’s Birthday Public Holiday
18/6 - Mildura Eisteddfod - Senior Unit Choir
1/7 - Grade 6 All Schools Visit - St Joseph’s College Mildura
Middle Unit News
Eco Village Excursion
The Middle Unit will be visiting the Eco Village tomorrow to celebrate World Environment Day!
We have been learning about International Days in our History unit and we are very excited to share what we learn about the environment when we return.
Photos of the day will be shared on Facebook.
Middle Unit Liturgy - Week 8
Next Friday, 13th June, the Middle Unit invites parents/carers to join us at our Unit Liturgy.
It will begin at 9:15am in our school Chapel.
The theme is Identity and the students are involved in how the liturgy will be conducted.
We hope to see you there.
Swimming Lessons - Week 10
Our unit swimming lessons are coming up in Week 10.
Students will participate in a 30min lesson EACH day of the week.
They will be transported by bus to and from First Stroke Swim School. Please check SIMON to grant your child permission to travel on the bus.
Please, if you have any questions or concerns regarding the swimming lessons, contact Mr Pike at tpike@spmildura.catholic.edu.au.
Junior Unit News
Welcome to Week 7!
Inquisitive: Living Things Live in Different Places
In the coming weeks, students will explore how to help animals by understanding their needs for food, shelter and safety. Through various activities, they will investigate different reasons animals might leave their habitats, such as natural disasters or human activities.
The lesson then focuses on birds, introducing students to the connection between beak shapes and diets. By watching a video and participating in discussions, students will match birds to their preferred food sources. They will also examine bird feeders and consider how these can support birds during challenging times, such as droughts.
The lesson culminates in a hands-on activity where students design, build and observe their own bird feeders, applying their understanding of birds’ needs and reflecting on how their designs help. Emphasis is placed on safety while building the feeders, and students are encouraged to think critically about the needs of animals and how they can support them in their local environments.
Bird Maker Project – Materials Needed by Monday 16th June
In Week 9, students will be creating their own Bird Makers in class as part of a hands-on learning activity. To support this exciting project, we are asking for donations of the following materials:
Cardboard cylinders (e.g., from paper towel or toilet rolls)
Recycled bottles and containers
String
Sticks or small branches
Fruit
Bird seed
Honey
Please bring any of these items to the Junior Unit by Monday 16th June.
Thank you for your support in helping us make this activity a success!
Sport
What a fabulous few weeks of interschool sport! Well done to all of the senior students who have represented the school in AFL 9s, Netball, and Soccer. All students represented the school with great sportsmanship, enthusiasm, and respect. A special well done to our Boys Soccer team, who won all of their games. More information to follow soon.
A very big thank you to Jay and Mrs Gray for taking time out of their days leading up to the competitions, coaching the Netball and Soccer teams.
Middle Unit Swimming
During week 10 Monday 23rd to Friday 27th June, Middle unit students will be participating in Learn to Swim lessons as part of their Physical Education Program. Could parents please ensure that they complete the permissions on SIMON Everywhere before Wednesday, 18th June.
Students will change into their swimwear at school before travelling by bus to First Stroke Swim School. Students are required to bring bathers, goggles, a towel, and a plastic bag for wet clothes.
Please ensure that all medical details, asthma plans are up-to-date and supplied to the school before Monday 23rd June. Students who require medication, including asthma medications, need to have this up-to-date to attend.
Hands Up Mallee
Our students are loving having freshly squeezed orange juice at Breakfast Club at the moment. Many thanks to Costa Group for being such a generous donor to the Program. They supply ALL schools in the Sunraysia area that are a part of MRSBP (Mildura Region School Breakfast Partnership). Uncle Monkeys is another generous donor to our program. They supply us with our fruit that is available for students who don't have brain food each day and is available from the front desk. SMECC (Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Community Council) then kindly deliver all this fruit to us. Without their generosity, our breakfast program would be extremely difficult to operate. Please be sure to support them whenever you can.
Parent Noticeboard
CARTOON Kids Clubs are back!
Mildura
Saturday June 7th – Sunday June 8th
39 Twelfth Street, Mildura
Bookings
Go to: www.illustrating-man.com.au
- Click on the colourful Cartoon Workshop button
- Select Mildura
- The brochures can be seen on our site
We look forward to welcoming the children!