Newsletter #02 February 10

Principal's News

Dear St Paul’s families,

Welcome to this week’s news update. It was great last week to settle back in and begin the year on such a positive note. It was lovely to celebrate Mass on Friday with Fr Matt as a whole school community. Hopefully, we can do this more often this year. I was even more impressed with how settled the children were when they returned to class after Mass. Fr Matt has a way of happily engaging and exciting the children and then leaving!

After Mass we had some parents who participated in a Guided Learning Walk. This walk was facilitated by Mr Tony Dalton, Family Engagement Consultant, and provided a group of parents with the opportunity to learn more about how our children learn and what we as educators focus on. It was a very informative and insightful opportunity with the parents asking many questions and walking away feeling confident in the learning that happens at St Paul’s. The parent’s responses and pictures taken during the Guided Learning Walk are featured below.

We will be hosting another Guided Learning Walk in the first week of March, Week 6. The Guided Learning Walk will take approximately 90 minutes. It would be wonderful to have more parents take up the offer to participate as it has many benefits for both parents and children alike.

Thank you to our school captains, Lyla and Darcy who officially hosted their first assembly for the year on Friday. They did very well for their first time as the nerves settled. They will only get better. Please remember that until further notice parents are required to register online via the QR Code when attending assemblies and other events, as well as all parents must wear a mask indoors.

Yesterday was Safer Internet day with the children engaging in a variety of learning experiences in their classrooms, including Virtual Classroom Webinars, reading a new release picture story book and learning a new song.

Today the Foundation children have their second rest day. They certainly need it as they settle into the new routines. I had the pleasure of visiting them last week and they were very keen to tell me about the 3B’s- Be Safe, Be respectful and Be Your Best. A great way to start the school year learning about our norms.

I had the opportunity to meet with the senior unit children and talk about our expectations regarding the school uniform. I know that other units are also having the conversation. We have a school uniform for many reasons and there are many benefits associated with wearing one as well.  It is important that the children wear the correct uniform. The classroom teachers will be reminding them, and I hope you will too. If your child is not wearing the correct school uniform, it is important that you notify us via a written note, email or phone call. 

Today Mr Chris Robarts, our educational consultant, visited St Paul’s and discussed our Annual Action Plan Priorities for the school year with the executive leadership team.  He provides great guidance and expertise in supporting us to achieve our goals throughout the course of the year.

Have a great week everyone and as always,

Keep the Faith!  

Vince Muscatello

School Photos

School photos will be taken on Monday 22nd February.

An individual photo envelope is being sent home WITH EACH STUDENT today.
Parents have a choice of ordering online or by completing actual envelope & enclosing money.

Students without a personalised envelope will not be able to order online but can still order by completing the envelope.

If you wish to order photos through the office please complete ONE ENVELOPE PER CHILD and return with payment no later than next Wednesday 17th February.  No change will be given on the day so please ensure that correct money is enclosed.

If you would like to order a family photo please collect the family envelope order form from the office. 

We ask that all students are in the Full Summer school uniform NOT Sport Uniform and ensure that they arrive at school on time.

Senior Unit News

It is safe to say that our students have adjusted well to the daily routines within the Senior Unit and they really enjoy the opportunity to sit around the tables chatting with their friends at lunch time.  Last Friday a few students were selected at random to explain their learning tasks to a group of parents involved in a learning walk. It was fantastic for our students to be able to describe the goals of their learning tasks and demonstrate their engagement to our lucky visitors. We recommend parents don't hesitate to be involved in any future learning walks if given the opportunity. Monday saw 38 of our Senior Students participate in Sports Leader training. This program commenced in 2020 and provides our leaders with the skills required to run fun play activities for our Junior and Foundation students during lunch and recess times. Some of the training activities can be seen in the pictures below. 
In week 4, beginning Monday 15th, all Senior students will be involved in a unit of learning titled Relationships and Sexuality, this is a compulsory part of the Victorian Curriculum contained within the Health and Physical Education domain and is used in assessment and reporting against the Victorian Essential Learning Standards.  If you would like to know more about this unit of work please contact your child's classroom teacher. 

Reminders for parents and carers. 
Please ensure that your child brings a water bottle to school every day, the weather is predicted to heat up and having a water bottle will help ensure that children are staying healthy during class and play times. 
Please try and ensure that your child is involved in 20 minutes of sustained reading a night, as studies show this is extremely effective for developing overall literacy skills. 
We would like to invite parents to attend our Senior Unit Liturgy that will be held in our lovely school chapel on Friday 5th March. 

Middle Unit News

Last week the students participated in an information session with Wendy Morley. Wendy came to talk to the students about the different ways that we can support vision impaired people. It was great to see the students listening intently and sharing their experiences. 

Just a reminder that sports day for our students are Monday and Wednesdays. Please make sure that students are wearing the correct school uniform. Sports uniform should be a red school polo, plain black shorts, white socks and sneakers. If you have any concerns regarding the uniform please see your classroom teacher. 

In Week 5 the students will engage in their first Mappen Unit for the year. We would love for parents to come in and see what we have been learning about on the Friday. Parents will be welcome on site from 1pm to 2pm on Friday the 26th of February. Parents are just reminded that according to the current guidelines they need to sign in at reception and ensure they are wearing a face mask. We look forward to sharing our learning with you. 

Lastly next Friday 19th February students will be presenting their SRC speeches in class. We invite you to come in and listen to your child present their speech. Any questions please contact your classroom teacher. 

Hope you have all had a great week. 

Ms Burt, Mrs Byrnes, Mr Freeman, Mr White and Mrs Baker.

Junior Unit News

This week we have been learning how to read, write, say and represent numbers. For one of the activities we rolled 2 dice, wrote the numeral that matched and then wrote the number name. For another activity we rolled 2 dice, wrote the numeral and then wrote the number before and after. Some of us even had a try at rolling 3 dice and then writing 10 more and 10 less. These are great activities that  you can try at home. Check out some of our photo's during Maths this week. 

Hats -Please remember every student must have a hat. 

Maths

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Foundation Unit News

This week the Foundation Unit are learning about the numbers 1 -10. We have been learning how to write them correctly, how to count forwards and backwards from 10, how to match the numeral with the correct amount. We have been taking part in lots of fun activities that reinforce these skills. Below are some photos of some of the things we have done.

Could all parents please ensure that you have filled in the Prep Health Questionnaire that was sent home in week 2 and return it asap. The school nurse is waiting for more forms to be returned before she comes to complete the assessments. There is also an ICT agreement form that needs to be returned asap.

There are a number of children who don't have hats. If the children don't have a hat they are not allowed to play, which can be quite distressing for the Foundation students. Can you please make sure your child has a hat that is clearly named.

Borrowing of nightly readers is up and running and children should be bringing home 2 take home books each night in their Library bag. These are to be read  and returned the following morning so they can get 2 new ones. We really appreciate your cooperation with this as reading every night is essential for developing reading skills early on. Every Tuesday the children will go to the Library where they have the opportunity to borrow a book for mums or dads to read to them, unlike the nightly take home readers, they can keep these books for the week.

Yesterday the Foundation Unit students were given a lunch bag and a drink bottle that were donated by Lower Murray Water.

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Technology News

Technology lessons started last week with great excitment and anticipation.  This was particulary true for the Foundation students who got to visit the Technology room for the very first time.  They really enjoyed seeing the space, getting to play 'get to know you games' so Mrs Simms could learn all their names and explore the school iPads.

SAFER INTERNET DAY

Yesterday, 'Safer Internet Day' was celebrated nationally.  Here at St Paul's, Yr 5/6 students participated in a very engaging and informative webinar hosted by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner.  Yr 3/4 students will have the same opportunity today.  The topic of the webinar is 'Identifying Fake News.'  It was interesting to hear from experts in the field and learn how to tell real news from fake news.  

Today and tomorrow students in Foundation to Yr 2 will read 'Swoosh, Glide and Rule Number 5,' a brand new picture storybook released especially for Safer Internet Day in Australia.  Swoosh and Glide, twin sugar gliders will teach students the 'Four Key Rules' to follow when online.

REMINDER - Foundation and Year 3 ICT User Agreements

Thank you to all those parents and students who have completed, signed and returned their ICT User Agreements.  If you have not yet done this, please do so by the end of this week.

Students will only have access to devices, such as iPads and Chromebooks, and digital programs once signed agreements are returned to the office.

Please ensure both a parent/carer and the student understand the information and have signed the form.

Upcoming Event - Cyber Safety Parent Information Session

This event is not to be missed!!!

Put it in your diary and organise a babysitter.

Come along and engage with Martin and Carley as they present everything parents need to know about 'raising kids in a digital world.'

Check out their Facebook page, Inform & Empower for more great tips and information

Religious Education News

The information brochure for this year's First Eucharist program, including Reconciliation, was attached to LAST WEEK'S NEWSLETTER. If you would like your child to participate, please call in at the office to collect a registration form. They must be filled out and returned to the Parish Office, with payment, by this Friday 12th February. If you have any queries, please email me jfreeman@spmildura.catholic.edu.au

Jess Freeman - Religious Education Leader 

Arts News

Tissue paper collage

Hands Up Mallee

Get ready to take on a challenge for mental health in 2021… 

A Community walk is being planned for Walk Off The War Within and we'd love to have your support on Mildura Saturday 13 March, 2021.

The walk - Walking Off The War Within is held in memory of Nathan Shanahan, a returned solider and firefighter, and other fallen Service Men and Women who have taken their own lives after battling mental health issues. The Walk is for Emergency Service Personnel, Defence Force Personnel and members of the public to come together to share the burden and march as one.

Nathan was an advocate for mental health and PTSD; sadly, Nathan lost his battle in December 2016. Nathan started Walking Off The War Within, he created the image of a soldier with a shadow on his back and the walks that happen around Australian now are a way that Nathan’s legacy continues.

The walks replicates the walk Nathan completed in April 2015 from Mildura to Adelaide, when he walked over 400 kilometres with a 20+ kilogram pack to raise awareness and funds for PTSD and depression. This was his Walking Off The War Within.

The Challenge –  You're invited to take on 20km with or without a 20kg, or walk as much as you can, on your own or with a mate. The WOTWW team challenges everyone – mates, family, colleagues and friends – to throw on their walking boots, grab your pack and march as one; everyone is welcome.

Help us fight depression and PTSD and let return service people and our emergency service personnel know they are not alone in their battles with mental health and well-being.

Registrations now open.

Please join us and help shine a light on positive mental health

Events will be COVID-Safe and by registering you’re agreeing to follow the guidelines in place at each event

Register at www.walkoffww.com

GUIDED LEARNING WALK

My New Gallery

On Friday 5^th February 11 parents joined us on our first Guided Learning Walk.  During this tour, parents were given the opportunity to go into the classrooms and take photos of something that they wanted to find out about the learning at St Paul’s.  After the “Walk” Parents responded with the following:

Learning at St Paul's is...

• Flexible and caters to everyone's needs
• Self-Directed
• Based on the children's abilities
• Happy and a time to cherish
• Positive
• Engaged
• Interaction between the teacher and students - learning from each other
• Joining in
• excited children
• Supported
• Peaceful

Today's Guided Learning Walk 

• Was Reassuring
• Was Insightful
• Was Entertaining
• Gave me more knowledge
• Gave me more questions

We will run more Guided Learning Walks throughout the year.  We would love you to attend.

Physical Education Update

Hooked IN2 Hockey:

We are excited to welcome the Hockey Victoria Roadshow to our school on Monday 8th February!
The middle unit and some students in the junior unit are being given the fantastic opportunity to try out the exciting game of hockey! They will learn the skills of the game through exciting game-based activities suited to every year level and ability.
Hockey Victoria will be sending their amazing Participation Officers to our school to provide an engaging, fun, and safe hockey experience for everyone.
If your child enjoys the sessions during school, you can continue with your hockey experience by joining a local Hookin2Hockey program www.hookin2hockey.com.au. With programs all over the state you can find a local program that will suit your schedule.

Here are some photos of some of our foundation students enjoying their first PE lessons at St Paul's.

Foundations

Sunraysia Catholic Communities Bulletin