2022 Newsletter #24 Aug 3
Principal News
Dear St Paul's families,
Welcome to this week's news update. The weather is certainly keeping us on our toes at the moment. Unfortunately, with the fluctuating temperatures, we are finding more and more children are falling ill due to COVID, the flu, the common cold and now some cases of gastro. It's more important than ever now to keep warm and take all the necessary precautions to avoid getting sick. A nice bowl of homemade soup might be what the doctor ordered to keep away the winter blues, and don't forget the vitamin C intake. Every little bit helps!
SPORTS DAY - This Friday 5th August our children will be participating in the St Paul's annual school athletics. Once again, we are hosting this onsite at school. Good luck to all the children competing. Hopefully many of our parents will be able to come along and watch the children compete. Who knows, we may have some future Commonwealth Games or Olympic athletes! Reminder that the Canteen will be closed.
BABY NEWS: A belated congratulations to Mrs Doherty who recently welcomed the safe arrival of Henry James to the Doherty family. This makes baby number four. I'm sure both Rhia and Ryan will be very busy for quite a while!
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL: Last night the council members met, and a lot of the discussion centred around the roll out of the new Child Safety Standards. There are several new policies that have been updated on our school website under Child Safety for you to access. Our school website will be undergoing a facelift in the not-too-distant future and will hopefully improve communication between school, home and the wider community. There are a number of projects on the go ranging from the new shade sail area at the front of the school and the new playground to be installed. It will be great to have these all completed by the end of the year.
CIRCUIT BREAKER LONG WEEKEND: As previously advised in our newsletter, by Mr Tom Sexton Executive Director Catholic Education, Friday 12th August and Monday 15th August will be whole school closure days. Given the increasing numbers of illness presenting now, it is intended to help stop the further spread among our school community.
PICKUP / DROP OFF DRIVE THRU'- When dropping off your children in the morning, please move forward to the end of the covered seating area before your children get out of the car. A number of parents are stopping near the office entrance which holds up traffic causing it to bank up along 14th street. This is a Drop off / Pickup only area in the morning before 9.00am and between 3.30pm-3.45pm. If you need to come into the office in the morning please park along 14th street and walk in. Do not stop in the drive through and leave your car unattended. Thank you.
Congratulations to this week's milestone winners for following our school norms.
BEE MILESTONE: Lilliana Bush, Carlos Catain, Nicola Demaria, Nimrat Dhaliwal, Amaya Fangatua, Livinia Fitzgerald, Charlotte Hogan, Mila Pascale, Arianna Ram, Emmy Rayson, 'Akesa Toto, Phoenix Toutai and Harry Williams.
HIVE MILESTONE: Asena Akkus, Amir Al Kragoli, Jessica Allieu, Manny Fakaia-Reale, Christiaan Giang, Daisy Gibson, Elih Groenen, Harper Hannah, Angela Harris, Fletcher Heagerty, Mike Hogan, Lacey Hunt, Harlow Johnson, Charlene Lion, Rafael Mammone, Ashton McDonald, Chloe Moir, Parker Mott, Nhu Nguyen, Issac Puleio, Hayley Rowe, Joseph Santos and Jenny Tran.
As always,
Keep the Faith!
Vince Muscatello
Senior Unit News
This week Senior students are continuing to work hard in all areas. Our Relationships and Sexuality lessons are looking at being safe online and offline with a focus on using social media safely, legally and respectfully. We are excited to be continuing our work with Mildura Police when the Police in Schools sessions continue tomorrow. In Literacy we are reading the book "Boy Overboard" and learning more about why people leave their home for a safer life in another country. Together we are learning to write well structured and informative paragraphs.
Students are reminded to charge their chromebooks at home overnight so that they can participate fully in lessons during the school day.
Middle Unit News
Last week the students were invited to participate in a STEM challenge. Students were given an A3 piece of paper and in groups of three had to create the longest paper chain that they could. Students have been encouraged to problem solve in these activities. It has been fantastic to see them trying to challenge themselves. Working in teams also encourages them to listen to their teammates ideas and develop skills that allow them to work with their peers. Feel free to pop in and see our paper chains.
Mini Olympics Athletics Carnival
The St Paul’s Mini Olympics will be held this Friday 5th August. The event will be held onsite at St Paul’s. To add to the festivities of the day, students are encouraged to wear their house colours, otherwise they are to wear their PE uniform. Your child's house can be found on SIMON Everywhere App. select Student / Personal Details - menu - scroll down to Current Enrolment Details.
Students should bring a drink bottle and their lunch and snacks.
Please note that there will be no canteen operating for students on the day.
Parents are welcome to come along and enjoy the day. If, as a parent, you are willing and able to assist on any events, that would be appreciated.
The day will operate within normal school hours. Some key times are listed below:
- 9am - 9-12 year old events begin (Middle & Seniors).
- 9:30am - 5-8 year old events begin (Foundation & Juniors).
- 10:55am-11:40am - Lunch
- 1:40pm - Senior and Junior field events end
- 2:15pm - Sprint Finals and Relays
- 3:00pm - Presentations
- 3:25pm - Students dismissed
The students have been working extremely hard in PE practicing for each event and we look forward to celebrating their efforts at the Mini Olympics.
Library News
Hello from the Library, We will be celebrating Children's Book Week on Wednesday 31st August. The students are invited to come to school dressed as their favourite Book Character or something to do with this year's theme which is "Dreaming with Eyes Open".
We will begin our day with a parade in the hall at 9.15am, all parents and special friends are very welcome to watch this parade. The rest of the day will be spent doing fun activities around the short listed books.
At the moment there are lots of overdue library books out. Please have a look for books at home and ask students to return them to the library. Many thanks, Marg Pongrac.
Technology News
This week Foundation students continued exploring the building blocks of coding by exploring images or pictures that give instructions. Students identified signs and symbols in real life that represent an instruction, then had a go at building a picture using only visual instructions. Being able to describe and follow instructions, especially when represented visually by pictures or symbols, is the most basic understanding of coding.
It is no secret that being online can have an affect on mood and wellbeing, both positive and negative. Ever been scrolling Instagram, Facebook or TikTok and seen a photo, comment or post that made you smile? What about the opposite, ever seen something that had a negative impact on how you're feeling? When faced with negativity online we can feel a range of negative responses, including overwhelm, frustration, stress, worry, uneasiness, etc.
If this is the effect interacting on social media and apps, such as Instagram, Facebook and TikTok has on adults, imagine what it would be like for a young person who has not yet fully developed their emotional intelliengence.
The video below from the eSafety Commissioner provides parents and carers with advice and resources to help them support young people to look after their mental wellbeing on social media and apps.
Until next week, remember; "technology should improve your life...not become your life." - Billy Cox
Cheers, Mrs Simms
Hands Up Mallee
This Friday, there will be no bikes/scooters at lunchtime on the basketball courts due to the Mini Olympics.
If you are looking for quick simple ways to increase your physical activity each day, try some of these simple options –
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator if you are working in the office
- Park further away – don’t look for that ‘rock star’ car park out the front, park as far away as you can and walk!
- Walk to work or at least park a few blocks away and walk.
- Have a walking meeting, instead of sitting around a table.
- Go for a walk around the block in your lunch break.
- Go into the supermarket instead of shopping online.
- Walk around the house while you are chatting on the phone.
- Invite a friend or family member to go for a walk with you.
- Take your pet for a walk.
- Check out some of the great walking trails around town.
No Canteen Available - Friday 5th August
Please note that the school canteen will be closed on the day of the Mini Olympics Athletics Carnival, Friday 5th August.