Newsletter #32
Principal News
Dear St Paul's Families,
Welcome to this week's news.
I hope everyone enjoyed the break and perhaps had an opportunity to catch up with family and friends or even to travel. The weather was a little unpredictable which is quite the norm at this time of the year.
On Monday, St Paul's staff took part in the second day of our Structured Literacy Professional Development. This is a joint action research project between St Paul's and St Joseph's Red Cliffs and has been in development for over two years. This project will improve student outcomes in literacy and a number of schools across the Ballarat diocese have expressed interest in learning about our new approach. This has also been endorsed by Catholic Education Ballarat.
The State Government announced a raft of changes in restrictions as of 1st November in line with Phase C of the National Plan whereby 80% full vaccination status (16+) has been achieved. It is anticipated that Phase D of the National Plan (90% full vaccination status 12+) will be reached by 24th November. This has implications for future events both onsite and offsite for St Paul's.
The senior unit are currently planning for the Year 6 graduation which is to be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church on Sunday 12th December at 5.00pm Mass. At this point in time anyone 16+ must be fully vaccinated to attend. However, once Phase D is in place then the age limit is reduced to 12+. This will impact on who can attend. More information will be shared with you once available.
The changes for schools at the moment are as follows:
-Face Masks are only required indoors for Year 3-6. Exemptions apply
-Assemblies can now be held in the hall with all the children and staff only.
-Excursions and Incursions can now go ahead.
-Foundation Transition program will commence next Wednesday 10th Nov at 9.15am onsite. Parents will be able to attend onsite to drop off and pick up their children from the Foundation area.
Please remember that anyone entering the school buildings must sign in.
Next week is MAPPEN Week across the school, however, it will be in a modified format and unfortuately, there will not be an expo. Nonetheless, the children will still be engaged in their learning and have an opportunity to share their new understandings with each other.
As always,
Keep the Faith!
Vince Muscatello
PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS - Wednesday 24th & Thursday 25th November
Parents are invited to attend a Parent Teacher Interview on Wednesday 24th or Thursday 25th November. These will be online or via phone.
To make a booking go to the SIMON Everywhere APP - Select Parent Teacher Interview and select your child and their teacher.
Interview bookings will close on Friday 19th to allow teachers time to email out a link for the online meeting.
*Please note, these are not Student Led Conferences like we have done in the past. They are, however an opportunity for you to discuss your child's learning. Your child may attend if you like but it is not complusory.
Junior Unit News
Hello Junior Families! We hope you had a lovely Melbourne Cup long weekend.
This Friday, our unit will be celebrating our Liturgy. Our theme for our Liturgy is 'Live in Harmony' which links to our learning in Religion for the past term. Unfortunately, parents cannot join us in this celebration, but we will of course share some photos next week.
Harmony means working together in love.
Harmony is feeling calm and at peace.
Harmony is caring for our plants and animals.
Harmony is caring for and loving each other.
Harmony is forgiving others.
In Week 6, the students will be engaging in Mappen Week. We will be learning about science, more specifically about changes. We can't wait to conduct some interesting experiments with the students! Just a reminder, we are seeking donations of (empty and clean) small plastic water bottles, any brand, approximately 250mls in size.
Finally, as the weather is heating up can you please ensure students are coming to school with their school hat, a full water bottle and having had sunscreen applied?
With thanks, the Junior Unit.
Foundation Unit News
I hope everyone enjoyed their extra long weekend. It sounds like the children were very busy and had a lot of fun as there were a lot of tired faces at school this morning.
As the weather is warming up can we please remember to bring a water bottle and hat each day to school.
The Foundation Unit would like to say a very big thank you to Kirrily Parfrey for her work in the unit. Kirrily is in her fourth year of studying to become a teacher. She is sending home an information flyer to inform parents what lessons she has been teaching and some information about herself. It has been lovely having Kirrily in the unit and the children have enjoyed her lessons. We will miss her greatly.
SENIOR NEWS
We are nearly half way through the term! We hope you had a restful long weekend.
Coming Up - Dates for the diary
Grade 5's - Tuesday 30th November Grade 5 students will attend St Joes for a Science Fair
Grade 6's - Tuesday 30th November Grade 6 students will attend a Mass practice at Sacred Heart Church and then participate in some fun activities.
Grade 6 Graduation - Sunday 12th December We are beginning to finalise the details for our Grade 6 Graduation. Students will attend a 5pm Mass Celebration at Sacred Heart Church followed by a graduation ceremony and dinner together. (Please note more information in regard to COVID restrictions to follow)
Camp Days - Monday 13th & Wednesday 15th December We are in the midst of planning two fun days of activities. More information to follow
As always, if you have any questions, please speak to your child's teacher.
Mrs Courtney, Mr Emmett, Ms Parker & Ms Kedmenec
Middle Unit News
On Wednesday last week the Middle Unit students spent the afternoon participating in some team building games. Given we have been in lockdown we thought it would be a great way for the students to reconnect. They had a great time. Here are some photos.
Hands Up Mallee
Walk to School month runs from Monday 1st November – Friday 26th November.
Why Walk to School? It encourages Victorian school aged students to walk, ride or scoot to and from school. It’s a great way to help students learn healthy habits and achieve the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity, every day. Along with the health benefits, it’s also a great way to make friends, improve fitness, and build confidence. Active travel options to and from school reduce traffic congestion, save on parking and reduce our impact on the environment. Remember that if you are facing barriers to participation (such distance, habit, safety or remote learning) and cannot do a traditional Walk to School program, you can modify it to fit in with your daily school schedule for example; walking laps around the oval, walking during lunchtime or active breaks throughout the day!
This year students and our school have the opportunity to win some great prizes just by increasing our level of physical activity!!
Hands Up Mallee are putting the fun back into walking and riding to school by running a Local Competition giving students the chance to win 1 of 3 Scooters. The details of the competition are outlined on the attached flyer. All other entries will receive a prize, just for entering!
The school which promotes our local competition (as per the first dot point) AND receives the highest % of students entering into our local competition will win $500 towards promoting on-going active travel in their school.
ADMINISTRATION NEWS
**2022 School Fees**
Thank you to all he families who have already returned their 2022 green Fee Form. If you have not already completed & returned your form please do so immediately. If you have any queries don’t hesitate to contact the office.