Newsletter #05 March 3
Principal's News
Dear St Paul’s families,
Welcome to our weekly update.
Today is the first week where our Foundation children will not have a rest day. I am sure it will take a little getting used for the kids, however, they are settling in well.
GUIDED LEARNING WALK- Yesterday we held our second Guided Learning Walk. Thank you to the parents who came along and joined in. I hope you found the experience as informative as I did. There was lots of positive feedback from the parents and some great suggestions on how we can improve our communication processes with families. We will be hosting more throughout the year and I strongly encourage you to take up the opportunity to participate in one.
STAFF TEACHING VACANCIES-A few weeks ago, we advertised some teaching positions as we had a maternity leave replacement and another part time role to fill. The interviews went well, and I am happy to share with you some more wonderful news with our St Paul’s community.
Mrs Rhia Doherty has been employed in a part time capacity to provide additional support for Mrs Baker in Grade 3/4 and Mr Alexander in Grade5/6 Staff. This will enable them time to focus on the new roles that have undertaken this year.
Mrs Diane Champion ( Mon - Wed) and Mrs Rachel Slimmon (Thur - Fri) have been employed to teach in Mrs Chisari’s class as she begins maternity leave next term. Both ladies are experienced practitioners and bring a wealth of knowledge to the staffing team. There will be a transition period which will enable Diane and Rachel to work with Jenna and the children before Jenna’s maternity leave commences.
Now before you say anything, I have been asked on numerous occasions, if there is something in the water. I don’t know but I am very happy and excited to share with you that Mrs Jessica Powell has announced her pregnancy to the staff. Jess will commence her leave sometime next term. Miss Aimee Oxlade has been employed to replace Jess. There will also be a transition period in place which will enable Aimee to work with Jess and the children in J5. Aimee is a graduate from South Australia, and we are looking forward to her joining out team.
Once again, a few more staff changes, however it is great that we have such depth and experience available within our region and teachers who are keen to work at St Paul’s.
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL Last night we held our March School Advisory Council Meeting. A special welcome to Melissa Mott, Mia Kolpin and Martine Silcox who have joined our council. Due to the changes in our governance, as of the 1st of January this year, we now fall under The Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBCEL). Several new policies and procedures are being rolled out across the diocese to all schools. Some of these policies have been uploaded to our school website, particularly in relation to Child Safety. As more and more policies are added I will continue to inform you of where they are located. The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority have advised Catholic Education Ballarat (CEB) of the timeline for these policies to be put in place. This year we will also begin looking at our master plan as we prepare for the next 5 years. Some exciting times ahead.
UPCOMING EVENTS- The senior unit will celebrate their liturgy this Friday with Fr Matt and we will have our assembly in the afternoon.
Don’t forget that this Monday 8th March is the Labour Day Long Weekend Public Holiday. School will be closed.
We have some senior students representing St Paul's next Wednesday in the interschools Lawn bowls competition. You are never too young to learn how to play bowls.
Have a great week everyone and as always,
Keep the Faith!
Vince Muscatello
Foundation Unit News
This week in the Foundation Unit we are learning about:
Maths - how to order numbers
Writing - how to form letters correctly when writing a sentence
Spelling - the sounds the letters Gg, Hh, Ii & Jj make
Religion - the different groups to which we belong.
Book Buddies Night - Thursday 11th March at 6 - 7:30pm. Parents are invited to come to school with their child for a night of fun reading activities. There will be a short information session held by Bec Thurman our English Leader, to discuss how to help your child to read at home. Parents and children will then take part in some reading activities. At the conclusion of the night parents have an opportunity to buy a book and donate it to the school in their child's name. A photo of your child and their name will be placed inside the book. If you have any questions please speak to your child's teacher.
Junior Unit News
We hope you enjoyed all of the wonderful recycled presents that were made by us last week. Thank you to all of the people who came along to the expo. Have a look at all the fun we had during MAPPEN.
Don't forget the Book Fair finishes after school today. There are lots of amazing books ready to come home with you.
Have a wonderful long weekend!
Middle Unit News
It's been another action packed week in the Middle Unit. In Reading, students have begun working in their reading groups for independent reading activities. They have been working to make predictions about what they are reading, understand the texts that they read and clarify words of which they are unsure. Just a reminder that students should be reading at home each night. If you have any questions regarding readers for home please feel free to ask your child's class teacher.
In Writing, students have been exploring sentences. They have been talking about what makes up a sentence. Students have then been using this knowledge to create sentences that make sense.
In Numeracy, students are continuing their learning about Place Value. Students have been learning to read and write numbers as well as putting them in order from smallest to largest.
In Religion, we have been discussing relationships and the different types of relationships that we have in our lives. A reminder that our Middle Unit liturgy will be next Friday 12th @9.15am. We invite parents back to the classroom afterwards to share brainfood with their child.
Finally a huge thank you to everyone who came in the see our Mappen learning last week. We love sharing our learning with you!
We hope you have had a great week.
The Middle Unit Team
Senior Unit News
Firstly, we must give a very big congratulations to our students on their wonderful efforts in creating their MAPPEN projects last week and we would also like to thank the many parents and carers who attended Friday's Expo. This week commenced with a visit from Mildura Police, as part of The Police in Schools Program. This program will run throughout the year whereby the police will visit our students twice per term and they will talk about issues such as, personal safety, road safety, home security, cyber safety and forensic science. Monday's session provided students with the opportunity to raise any general questions with First Constable Amy Bourke about life as a Police Officer and her general role within the community. Next week will see a number of students involved in Interschool Lawn Bowls on Wednesday (good luck team). Don't forget our Senior Unit Liturgy in the School Chapel this Friday Morning at 9.15, we look forward to seeing you there.
Library News
Hi from the Library.
Thanks very much to all our wonderful families for your support of our Book Fair. It has been fantastic to see so many families come in to look and buy the books . Congratulations to the winners of our colouring competition, Nhu from foundation, Levi fom the Juniors, Poppy from the Middles and Sophie from the Seniors. These students all won $20.00 to spend at the book fair. I have reordered some books for students , these will take a while to get here and I will make sure they are given out when they arrive.
Next week Thursday 11th March it is the Book Buddy night. On this night parents are invited to donate a book to our library, your child's photo is put in the front of the book and they are the first to borrow it. The children love to have their own special book in the library.
Remember to pop into the library and read with your child before school Monday, Tuesday's or Wednesdays from 8.30 am
Thanks Marg Pongrac
Technology News
This term in Technology, students in year 5/6 are learning to be a respectful and responsible digital citizen. This week, students spent time exploring what this looks like when communicating in online environments. Students created a list of expectations to guide their own and others behaviour when communicating online and represented these by creating memes.
Until next week remember, the internet gave us access to everything; but it also gave everything access to us.
Mrs Narelle Simms
Arts News
Last week we enjoyed Mappen week activities in Art to line up with the learning in the classrooms. The Junior unit were learning all about sustainability and they were able to reuse almost 100 plastic water bottles to create beautifully colourful fish!
Recycled Bottle Fish
The Foundation children were enjoying learning about history throughout the week and we continued this learning in Art. We read about the lives of Frida Kahlo, Mahatma Gandhi and Amelia Earhart and created fantastic portraits, which are displayed in the Foundation rooms.
Portraits of History
Religious Education News
With our unit Liturgies taking place in the Chapel over the coming weeks, we would like to extend an invitation to our parent community to come and celebrate with us.
Friday 5th March ~ Senior unit Liturgy
Friday 12th March ~ Middle unit Liturgy
Friday 19th March ~ Junior unit Liturgy
Friday 26th March ~ Foundation unit Liturgy
Physical Education News
Lawn Bowls
Our Senior teams will be competing in the Divison Lawn Bowls competition next week on Wednesday 10th March. If your child is involved, please ensure they have permission on SIMON Everywhere to attend.
Here are some photos of our junior grades enjoying their bowls lessons. All grades from 1-6 will be completing some sessions on bowls during the next couple of weeks.
Foundations
Our youngest grade level has enjoyed their first lesson learning about how to throw an object using an underarm motion. After not having used much in the way of equipment yet, the bean bags were a popular item. Some photos are attached.
Junior Bowls
Foundation - Underarm Throw
Hands Up Mallee
Don’t forget to register for this great Community event!
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 in Mildura on 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
Breakfast Club Roster | ||
Friday: 5th March Ben B Harper C | Monday: 8th March Public Holiday | Wednesday: 10th March Tiarna D Isabella E |