2022 Newsletter #25 10 Aug
Principal News
Dear St Paul's families,
Welcome to the weekly news. We are officially half way through Term Three. The weeks keep rolling on quicker than I expected. As usual, there have been lots of events happening and will continue to happen throughout the remainder of the term.
This week we farewell Mrs Lucy Gray as she commences her Parental leave. We wish Lucy & Jarrod all the best for the impending arrival of their bundle of joy. We welcome Ms Kirrily Parfrey to the role of classroom teacher of S11.
CONGRATULATIONS: Well done to everyone involved in the school sports day on Friday. By all accounts the children enjoyed themselves and thank you to everyone who helped out, especially to Mr Pike for coordinating the day and the staff who assisted. I think everyone appreciated the events being run at school. Fortunately, the weather was on our side and the impending rain finally arrived after the sports were completed. A few prayers were well and truly answered. Good luck to those children who have qualified to compete at the next stage of the Mini Olympics.
COVID UPDATE: As you are very much aware, there has been an increase in the number of reported cases and household contacts over the last few weeks. If you require RAT packs please call into the office to collect them. Please continue to monitor your children for symptoms and keep them home if unwell. We are also contending with COVID, the flu, the common cold and gastro at the moment.
CIRCUIT BREAKER WEEKEND: This Friday 12th August and Monday 15th August is the circuit breaker weekend that has been put in place by Catholic Education Ballarat, in an attempt to curb the spread of Covid and all the other winter bugs circulating at the moment. There will be no school on these days. Children will return to school on Tuesday 16th August
Congratulations to this week's milestone achievers for following our school norms.
BEE MILESTONE: Elena Akkus, Ariani Arden, Taylor Burns, Eliza Campbell, Oliver Capp, Jessica Cavallo, Yasmin Gill, Nicholas Halton, Bella Kennedy, Baylee Moir, Issy Nadalo, Jeron Robin, Lesieli Toto & Jett Yates
HIVE MILESTONE: Amir Al Kragoli, Angus Hissey, Fetongi Latukefu, Alia Lijo, Max Millsteed, Victoria Taylor & Eden Vo
I hope everyone enjoys the break over the extra long weekend and I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday 16th August.
As always,
Keep the Faith!
Vince Muscatello
Senior Unit News
Last week the Senior Unit completed their fourth session of the Police in Schools Program. Over the remainder of the sessions, students will be working in small groups to plan, film and edit a short clip to inform people what actions to take in case of an emergency or dangerous situation. All of the clips will be judged and the winning clip will be on television.
This week we farewell Mrs Gray and wish her all the best for the birth of her baby. We can't wait to meet this special, honorary member of the Senior Unit. At the same time we give a special welcome to Miss Kirrily and we hope you have had a great first week in S11.
Finally, have a great long weekend everyone! We look forward to seeing you all well rested and ready for school on Tuesday 16th August.
Middle Unit News
Well done to the whole unit for their participation last Friday at the Mini Olympics. We were so proud of all our students and the sportsmanship they showed.
On Thursday this week the students are completing a group science experiment. This group work during science is designed to assist our students in developing their ability to problem solve and work with a range of different members of their unit. Students will be asked to design a protective box to stop an egg from breaking when they drop it. Students will be asked to predict what will happen, plan and design a protective case and then report their findings. To do this they need a small box. If you have any boxes lying around at home please send them in with your child. A shoe box size would be fine. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Junior Unit News
It is very hard to believe that we are half way through Term Three already! The year is flying by. Before we know it, Book Week 2022 will be here. We'll be celebrating this special occasion with the traditional dress-up day on Wednesday 31st August. All children are invited to dress as their favourite book character and participate in a whole-school parade.
In our Literacy lessons, we have been learning about the different types of sentences: statements, questions, exclamations and commands. This graphic explains which is which. This would be a great concept to practice at home.
In Mappen this term we are learning about the past, present and future. We will be heading off on an excursion on Wednesday 24th August. We'll be visiting the Langtree Hall to see many artifacts of life in the olden days. Please ensure you have given permission on SIMON Everywhere.
On Friday 26th August we will celebrate our Junior Unit Liturgy at 12.30pm in the Chapel. Following the Liturgy, families will be invited to visit the classrooms to see the learning that has taken place over the term. We hope that many of you will be able to join us.
Foundation Unit News
Welcome to week 5 news. We are officially half way through Term 3.
I would like to congratulate all of the Foundation students for competing in their very first "Mini Olympics". It was a very big day and there were some very tired students at the end of the day. Congratulations to Elsa Allieu and Chimdindu Ilozue for taking out the age group champions. They were also very good sports and role models throughout the day. We would also like to thank the parents who came to support their children on the day. Also a big thankyou to the parents who offered a helping hand to make the day run smoothly.
In Religion, we have been learning about "The Bible". We have listened and discussed some stories from the Old Testament. We have also discussed where the messages of "love" are in these stories. We are in the process of making our own "Bibles" to take home.
In Maths, we have been learning about Length and Mass. We are learning the following terms: long, longer, longest, short, shorter, shortest, wide, wider, widest, heavier and lighter.
In Literacy, we are learning about the "-ff" and "-ss" phonemes. We can identify where we can hear those sounds in words. We are also learning about nonsense words and real words.
We hope that everyone has a relaxing long weekend, to rest and recharge their batteries. Ready to tackle the second half of the term.
Technology News
This term, Junior Unit students are learning how technologies use forces to create movement. So far student have examined how both push and full forces create motion, and how friction and gravity affect that motion. Last week, students began exploring simple machines that use these forces to create motion by building their own pulley system to lift heavy loads.
Have you ever felt like you are constantly behind the eight ball trying to keep up with your children and their online interactions? Ever wished you knew more about the apps they are using? Or how to keep them safe from unwanted attention online?
Join one of the eSafety Commissioners free webinars for parents and carers.
These live webinars give parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safe online experiences. The list of 2022 webinars cover a broad range of topics that are delivered by their expert education and training team.
Until next week, remember; "technology should improve your life...not become your life." - Billy Cox
Cheers, Mrs Simms
Arts News
We've all been working hard over the last few weeks on some great Visual Arts projects! Here are some progress shots of children practising many skills in their Arts lessons. From sketching to mixing "snow paint" to printing to sewing!
Visual Arts projects
Stay tuned for some amazing finished masterpieces!
Mini Olympics
The Mini Olympics has been run and won for another year! We were blessed with lovely sunshine all day as the rain held off just as the students headed for home.
A big thank you to all those parents who attended the event and lent a helping hand, it was very much appreciated. Congratulations to all students who participated on the day, especially our overall winning house of Chaffey and all of our age group champions.
The overall house scores on the day-
Chaffey - 710, Hill - 610, Mercy - 570, McKenzie - 518
Congratulations to everyone!
The next stop for some of our students will be the Division Mini Olympics, held at the Aerodrome Ovals on Thursday September 1st.
Well done everyone on making it a fantastic Mini Olympics!
Hands Up Mallee
During our circuit breaker long weekend why not make the most of some great walking trails that we have around our district? It’s a great way to get some clean fresh air, get some physical exercise and clear the head as well.
- Kings Billabong Nature Reserve Trail – 9.2km return
- Lake Cullulleraine Loop – 10.1km
- Lock Island Loop – 2.3 km
- George Chaffey Bridge to Old Mildura Homestead – 5.2km return trip
- Merbein Common 9.8km via Redgum Track return trip
- Mills Park Circuit 1km loop with exercise equipment
- Red Cliffs Scenic Reserve – Lookout 2.4km return trip
- Murals Walking Tour – 1.7km one way
- Mildura Park Run (Mildura Weir to Apex Park and back – 5km
- Old Aerodrome Ovals – 1 lap = 800m
Sacred Heart Parish News
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