Newsletter #28 September 16
Principal's News
Dear St Paul's families,
Welcome to our last newsletter for the term. It's hard to believe we are here already given the circumstances. None the less I am sure that everyone is looking forward to a well earned break over the next two weeks. It has certainly been a challenging time once more and yet we have made it through. We are blessed with beautiful sunshine at the moment and it certainly makes getting through the days easier.
I hope you do take the time to recharge the batteries over the holidays. Hopefully with the easing of restrictions you will be able to venture outdoors more often and enjoy the beautiful weather that Sunraysia has to offer.
This morning I received preliminary advice stating that school will return to normal as of Monday 5th October, the first week of Term 4, with a pupil free day on Friday 9th October. School will finish at 3.00pm each day for the week. At this stage we will continue to follow the current government directives and hopefully it won't be too long before all our parents are welcomed back onsite.
I would like to say thank you for your patience, understanding and support during this second remote learning period. I have certainly appreciated the effort that you as parents have put in to help your children continue to learn. I am also very grateful for the commitment by the staff of St Paul's. Our school motto is "Working together in love" and I feel we have certainly done that together.
Congratulations to this week's award winners.
25 GOTCHA AWARDS: Hannah Davies, Reyon Shermin, Hayley Rowe, Cienna Pascale, Kalasia -Rose Fonua, Sylvia-Jade Simmons, Abbigail Peters, Tuan Nguyen, Rafael Mammone
50 GOTCHA AWARDS: Sienna Brown, Holly Welke, Vanessa Trajceski, Darcy Silcox, Zander Hately, Emilia Capp, Mia Aranas, Meranda Miller, Rafael Mammone
This Friday school will finish at 2.30pm. It is an early finish. Please be prompt in collecting your children from school.
Once again have a well earned rest.
Keep the Faith
Vince Muscatello
Principal
Junior Unit news
Hi Junior Unit! Wow can you believe it's the last week of Term 3!!! In some ways it's hard to believe what our wonderful families and staff have achieved together over the last months but we are nearly there and the teachers are so excited to have the students back in classrooms next term. We have missed you all so much!
Here's some of the fantastic work the kids have been sending in as a part of our RE studies and Art. Haven't they done an amazing job of retelling the story of "Noah's Ark" and shown creativity in their artwork.
Noah's Ark and Artwork
Senior Unit News
The Senior Unit team would like to thank all of our families for your support and commitment to Remote Learning 2.0. We are so proud of all of our students for the way they have engaged in their learning and supported each other. Enjoy the holidays -take time to rest and rejuvinate and we eagerly await seeing all of our students in Term 4!
Middle Unit News
Well done everyone! We made it to the final week of Term 3! With restrictions easing around regional Victoria we hope that everyone has a safe and relaxing holiday break. When we return to school for Term 4, we are going to have a strong focus on student and community wellbeing. We aim to ensure that our final term this year is as calm and beneficial as possible. We will also be moving into multiplcation so the holidays might be a great time to polish up on memorising those times tables!
Over the term, students have demonstrated that they were active and engaged in their learning and provided us with work that they should be incredibly proud of. They have created stories, persuaded their principal and developed procedures that left our mouths watering! They have meausred, multiplied, subtracted and mapped out their maths and showed that they never slowed down with their critical and creative thinking. They also showed just how important love, peace and justice are in our worlds by visiting miracle stories and finding songs that portray these messages.
We thank everyone involved for an overwhlemingly successful Term 3 and look forward to seeing everyone in Term 4.
Have a joyful and blessed holidays everyone!
From the Middle Unit Teachers
Foundation Unit News
The Foundation Unit staff would like to thank all of the families for their positive attitude and continual efforts in ensuring that their children are completing work, sending in work samples and joining in weekly with Google Meets. Without your assistance and cooperation we know that this would not have been achieved to the high level it was. We hope you all enjoy a lovely break and take some time to have some family fun and hopefully get out and enjoy some lovely weather. Take care and we look forward to seeing you all back at school in Term 4.
Languages - Italian News
And just like that ... Term 3 draws to a close ...
Here are some photos of our recent work completed by the Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 students. Junior Students have been listening to a story by Richard Scarry read in Italian and revising their Italian colours. Grazie for sharing your beautifully coloured ARCOBALENO pictures and l can't wait to see all your cheerful smiling faces back at school.
Junior Unit Remote Learning
And here are some photos of the Middle and Senior students from a few weeks ago ....
Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday break and looking forward to when we all return back to St Paul's for our on site learning.
Ciao, ciao - Signora Ghidinelli
Middle & Senior Remote Learning
Hands Up Mallee
Well done to some of our students who participated in Walk to School day for 2020. Even though we couldn't have our traditional walk to school day it was still pleasing to see students walking. I'm sure that some of our students who were studying at home, managed to get outside and do some walking too.
Getting outside and doing at least 30 minutes of physical activity is more important than ever at the moment. Hopefully you will all be able to enjoy lots of exercise and time in the fresh air during the school holidays giving the kids a break from their screens.
Walk to School
Arts News
Here we are, in the last week of term three. I can hardly believe that we are on the verge of term FOUR! What a crazy year 2020 has been!
This week's lessons were all based around International Dot Day and the inspiring story which speaks of the notion that all you have to do is "make a mark, and see where it takes you".
These beautiful trees were created by our amazing middles last week. Thank you so those who took the time to send me your artwork!
Warm/ Cool Trees
Our spectacular seniors also did some beautiful artwork last week, learning all about Notan. Notan is a Japanese word meaning “dark-light harmony” and is created by combining the positives and negatives in an art piece.
Notan
I am so impressed as to how amazingly the children have taken remote learning in their stride and continued to shine. Having said that, I just cannot wait to be back at school next term.
Have a relaxing and safe holiday and I'll see you in term four!
Jess Freeman
Technology News
Last week was a very important week on the Technology calendar. eSmart Week, held in September each year, is a time when we recognise the importance of being safe and responsible online. Thank you to all students who participated in their eSmart lessons during the week. In recognition of student participation and learning, and for sharing via Facebook, our newsletter and other online sources, our school has received a Certification of Participation.
Foundation students took some time out and 'unplugged' after learning the importance of screen free time. A very special thanks to Hannah, who checked in to make sure I also had some unplugged time on the day. Also to Elih, who told me all about his picnic and inspired me to turn off my computer and get outside to enjoy the gorgeous sunshine for my afternoon tea break.
Year 1 & 2 learned how to use traffic light signals to check if a website is just right for them or not. They even made their own traffic lights as a visual reminder.
Year 3/4 created Web-Warriors and described how they fight to keep themselves and others safe online.
Year 5/6 used the 'Funko - Pop Yourself!' website to create a SUPER digital citizen character and described the ways they are responsible digital citizens.
Go Girl - Go For IT
Opportunity for Year 5 & 6 Girls
Are you interested in exploring a career in technology?
If you are you may like to participate in an online conference called 'Go Girl, Go for IT - Online Conference.
When: Tuesday 13th October 2020
Where: Online - 9am to 12pm for girls in Years 5 to 8
Click the link below for more information and, if you would like participate in the online conference while at school on Tuesday 13th of October, please email Mrs Simms.
Until next term, have a safe and enjoyable holiday break, take time to unplug and remember...
Mrs Narelle Simms
Physical Education Update
We have nearly made it to the end of another long and strange term. I hope everyone has a chance to rejuvenate during the holidays and do something for themselves! With the easing of restrictions there are now more ways we can all do this.
Here are some photos from the past week of remote PE lessons. Thank you also for all the videos I have received too! I am incredibly grateful to students and parents for bringing a smile to my face by showing me the learning that is happening at home!
Remote Learning past week
Remote Learning Gallery
Week 9 was another great week of learning. Check out all the photos that have been sent in. We also have a very special video starring Sofia Tardio, from Foundation, sharing her retell activity after reading 'Shoo Fly.'
My New Gallery
Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop is fully stocked with Summer Uniforms. Opening times are Tuesday 8.30 to 9.15am & Thursday 3.00 to 3.45pm. Due to restrictions we are only able to allow one person in the shop at any one time. Please call the office ahead of entering the school.
The preferred method of ordering is to complete an order form and either email to office@spmildura.catholic.edu.au or phone the office 5023 4567. Maria will send home your order with your child.
Sunraysia Catholic Communities Bulletin
The Sunraysia Catholic Communities bulletin for last weekend is below.
The Bulletin will also be put up on Daily Messages on SIMON Everywhere.