2022 Newsletter #30 Sep 14
Principal News
Dear St Paul's families,
Welcome to our final newsletter for Term Three. We have managed to get to the end with minimal interruptions considering the last few years. The weather has continued to challenge us at the moment with the above average rainfall and cooler conditions. This in turn has seen an increase in sickness for children, families and staff. Hopefully the warmer weather is not too far away as the holidays begin.
LAST DAY OF TERM: This Friday, 16th September, assembly will be at 1.35pm in the hall and school will finish at 2.25pm.
FOOTY COLOURS DAY - FRIDAY 16th SEPTEMBER - On Friday students and staff are encouraged to wear their favourite team jersey or team colours to school and bring a gold coin donation. Students to wear their runners.
GOOD LUCK: The best of luck to those children who are still involved in local sporting finals over the weekend. For all those AFL and NRL supporters, whose teams are still in the finals, I wish you the best of luck.
Congratulations to our milestone achievers for following our school norms.
BEE MILESTONE: Rubi Barila, Shivreet Gill, Jack Hogan, Lily Jamieson, Jackson Puleio, Vanessa Trajceski
HIVE MILESTONE: Felix Blanchard, Liam Brown, Oliver Capp, Tiarna De Maria, Charli Dunn, Oliver Harradine, Jack Hogan, Chimdindu Ilozue, Mackenzie Mangan, Scarlett Moir, Nico Pettinau
FAREWELL: On behalf of the St Paul's school community I would like to wish the Dunn family, Charli (S12) and Jaxon (J7), all the best as they leave St Paul's at the end of the term. I hope they will look fondly upon their time here.
PLAYGROUND UPDATE: It is anticipated that the new Junior playground will be installed during the school holidays, hopefully there will be no delays with the weather. Fingers crossed!
LOST PROPERTY: Don't forget to check the trestle table in the front foyer. There are a number of school jumpers and drink bottles that have not been claimed. Welcome to take if unnamed.
NAPLAN results for Gr 3 & Gr 5 students have arrived and are now available for collection in the office by an adult.
TERM 4: Monday 3rd October is the first day of term. See you all next term.
CATHOLIC EDUCATION COMMISION OF VICTORIA (CECV): accompanying today's news is a letter from CECV regarding their commitment to our catholic schools and the support they are seeking from the government in the future. Please take the time to read it.
I hope you all have a well earned rest over the holidays and I look forward to seeing you next term.
As always,
Keep the Faith!
Vince Muscatello
End of Term 3 2022
Friday 16 September 2022 is the last day of school for Term 3.
**School will finish at the earlier time of 2.25pm.**
The school buses will be running to an earlier timetable. Parents of children who make a connection to normal Main Road City Buses, please note that these buses run to the normal timetable.
Term 4 Classes for students will resume again on Monday 3rd October.
Arts news
The last couple of weeks have been a busy time of finishing off and getting amazing artwork up on display in our school! If you are walking through, be sure to check out the fantastic lions in the library that our juniors created, after reading "The Lion Inside" by Rachel Bright.
We talked about what it means to find 'the lion inside'. Using our voice to say what we need, what we want, what we like, what we don't like.... even when you need to be brave to say it.
As well as amazing pictures, drawings and paintings, we have also been working on some wonderful 3D artwork in the middle and senior units this term. The middle unit students enjoyed reading "The Walk of the Whales" by Nick Bland on our Bookweek celebration day and were inspired to create some wonderful paper mache whales.
Walk of the Whales
Meanwhile, the senior students have been using the lesser known method of toilet paper and water to create amazing food sculptures, based on the work of contemporary American artist Peter Anton, who creates giant hyperrealistic models of all kinds of foods. The children made many varying items from cookies, to donuts to pancakes and hot dogs, to sushi and banh mi! They look fantastic and (now that toilet paper isn't too hard to come by) is something you could try at home!
I'm looking forward to the fun and creativity that term 4 brings at St Paul's, have a great break!
Ms Jess :)
Maths Competition Results
Congratulations to those students who participated in the Maths Competition earlier in the year.
Certificates will be handed out at assembly on Friday.
Alice Blanchard, Dan Boby, Jessica Ram, Jeron Robin, Dustin Scott, Minh-Ky Le, Aiden Silcox, Mia Aranas, Emilia Capp, Mila Pascale, April Simmons, Owen Vo, Leon Zaire, Ben Boby, Liam Brown, Robert Burns, Eliza Campbell, Olivia Capp, Jessica Cavallo, Tanveer Cheema, Nicola DeMaria, Gianluca Dimasi, Christian Fidura, Yasmin Gill, Naomi Havea, William Hogan, Lily Jamieson, Deji Obatoki, Arianna Ram, Zac Scott, Darcy Silcox, Gurman Singh, Harry Stanger, Darcy Strubelj & Macki Tickle.
Library News
Hello from the Library,
Thanks everyone for your wonderful efforts for our Book Week celebration day. The students all looked fantastic and we all had a great day celebrating wonderful Australian children's books. A big thankyou to Georgie Willis for her brilliant job as our conductor of the parade.
Overdue book notices were given out yesterday, it is pleasing to see how many books were returned to the library today. If you have a problem with a book, just pop into see me.
Our next Book fair will be held the 2nd week back after the holidays. This is always an exciting time so start saving up . Remember all money made from the Book Fair goes back into resources for our school.
The library is open before school from 8.30 each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and at lunch time on these days.
Thanks and Happy Holidays Marg Pongrac
SRC News
Footy Colours Day - Supported by the SRC
Fight Cancer Foundation's Footy Colours Day is a national community fundraising event that helps kids with cancer keep up with school.
Every year, more than 950 children and young people aged 0-19 are diagnosed with cancer in Australia. These kids are absent from school for long periods of time as they go through cancer treatment and recovery. Many drop class levels when they return to school, become isolated from their friends, and disengage from their education.
The Fight Cancer education programs aim to reduce these long-term impacts of cancer for children.
On Friday students are encouraged to wear their favourite team jersey or team colours to school and bring a gold coin donation. Students to wear runners.
Foundation Unit News
This Friday at 9am the Foundation Unit will be celebrating their Liturgy in the Foundation Unit. We will be sharing our learning from the unit "Story". We hope the children took home their Bibles and shared all of their knowledge about it with you. They were very excited to finally finish them and take them home.
Today we had a very special visitor from Responsible Pet Ownership. They came to share with us how to approach dogs when we don't know them. It was a very informative session about how to be safe around dogs and their owners.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy and safe holiday. We hope you get to enjoy some sleep ins and some nice weather. We look forward to seeing you all back for our last term for 2022.
Junior Unit News
We're heading into the home stretch of Term Three, which is quite unbelievable. No doubt Term Four will fly by just as quickly. Please remember that early in the new term we will be sharing details of our Junior Camp - so watch this space!
On Friday, to celebrate the end of term, we will be watching the film, Matilda - rated PG. If you would prefer your child not to watch this movie, please email your child's class teacher by Thursday as there will be alternative activities available.
By the time you read this, the children will have participated in a fun, interactive incursion about Responsible Pet Ownership. Ask them to tell you all about it!
Have a wonderful break and enjoy the beautiful Spring weather. We'll see you all again next term.
Middle Unit News
As Term 4 approaches we begin to get excited about our Grade 3/4 Camp to Swan Hill. The camp week takes place the Week of the Melbourne Cup. All students will leave for camp on Wednesday the 2nd November. The Year 3 students will go for one night and the Year 4 students will go for 2 nights. We will have a great few days exploring the Pioneer Camp in Swan Hill and will get to do a range of new activities. We understand that for most students this is their first school camp and that this may cause a range of emotions. If you are concerned at all about your child please feel free to discuss this with your classroom teacher. We will ensure that we do lots of preparation at school to ensure students are well prepared.
Its hard to believe we are at the end of Term 3. We hope that everyone has a very restful break over the holidays and we look forward to seeing everyone in Term 4.
Senior Unit News
In Literacy, we are wrapping up our focus text “Boy Overboard” by author Morris Gleitzman. This week, the students will create a writing piece that includes a single paragraph outline plan. They will then write a paragraph that includes a topic sentence with an appositive, supporting sentences with evidence, transitions words and a thought-provoking conclusion. The work will be displayed in the classroom to showcase their understanding of the topic. Some pieces from last week's written expression have been included today from S12.
Boy Overboard by Akesa Toto
Bibi is a young Afghanistan refugee who just wants justice and peace in the world. Bibi is a young Afghanistan refugee. Bibi is impulsive and sassy. An example is when she was talking back and giving sass back to the sailor. Bibi is a little girl who just wants justice and peace so that people don’t have to become refugees. Bibi is a very brave younger sister. An example is when she ran outside to play soccer even though she knew she wasn’t allowed to. Bibi is an Afghanistan refugee who wants justice, and peace. She is also impulsive, and sassy, but is a really brave younger sister.
JAMAL BY DARCY SILCOX
Jamal, a young Afghanistan boy, is a courageous brave brother who lives in a war-torn country. Because Bibi is his sister, Jamal protects Bibi with this life so wherever Bibi goes, Jamal goes. He dreams of being a soccer star with his sister so they can come back to their home country as heroes, since Afghanistan is a war-torn country, and it is very hard to live in. Jamal’s ancestors are bakers and desert Warriors, so he believes that helps him survive and cook. Jamal, a brave young boy, is a protective brother to Bibi who loves to play soccer.
Jamal By Liam Brown
Jamal is a young boy that lives in Afghanistan who has sadly been forced to leave his life behind and flee to Australia with his family because of the war. Jamal has often been requested to take care of Bibi, a very feisty character, as his parents are often occupied with important jobs such as warning other parents about how the illegal school has been uncovered. Jamal is tough as he can calm in even life-threatening situations such as when his mum was kidnapped by the government he didn’t scream. Jamal is ingenious as he often comes up with smart ways of distracting Bibi such as cover stories that sound believable. Unfortunately, Jamal has been forced to flee to Australia as the government isn’t happy with them and has even tried killing them! Luckily Jamal has been blessed with being tough and doesn't complain about the many unfortunate events that are happening to him, but one question remains will he make it to Australia?
Bibi’s life (Boy Overboard) By Lily Rose Jamieson
Bibi, an Afghanistan refugee, has had a tough life. While on her way to grab the soccer ball, she escaped a tank, and she stepped on a landmine which almost killed her and her brother. Also, during her life, she just about always gets caught by the government for breaking the law everyday which can get her in a lot of trouble. At a young age in her life, she’s already fleeing her country, for she and her family have broken the law and got caught. The family's house got blown up and they lost their mum and had to leave without her. Meanwhile, on the trip to Australia she was separated from her mum and dad since the crowd pushed them on another boat and Bibi and Jamal were thrown in the water. While on their trip Bibi and Jamal were treated unfairly, they were not often fed, no parents and we’re sinking. Bibi, a strong independent girl, has had a rollercoaster of a life.
The Senior Unit have also been involved in the inter school sports program in Basketball, Volleyball and Hot Shots Tennis. The students involved represented St Paul’s respectfully and were their best in all attempts of the competitions. Well done to everyone involved. Some photos have also been included today.
The past few weeks have been extremely busy, and we can hardly believe we are at the end of Term 3! The Senior Unit Teachers and LSOs would like to wish you all a happy and safe holiday break with your families.
Technology
Last week, across all year levels we celebrated National eSmart Week. In our Technology lessons we took time to reflect on our use of the interent and how to be safe online, both at school and at home.
Foundation students watched a reading of the story 'Swoosh, Glide and Rule Number 5' by Jimmy Rees who some students recognised by his alter ego, Jimmy Giggle.
After listening, they discussed the rules Swoosh and Glide must follow at home to stay safe when using their tablet and shared the rules they have in their own homes. Afterwards, students enjoyed creating their very own Swoosh or Glide mask to remind them to always follow the rules, so they stay safe when using the internet.
Students in the Junior Unit explored types of information people might share about themselves and discussed if it is safe or not to share online. After their discussion, students created their own eSmart Superhero to remind them to always consider their actions online, so they stay safe from harm.
Middle Unit and Senior unit reflected and discussed ways to stay safe when confronted with unwanted or unwelcomed content online such as unkind people, rude pictures, scary videos, people who want to hurt others and strangers who want to meet others in real life. Students designed and created an online safety superhero with powers to save children from these types of unwanted and unwelcome behaviours online.
As we head into the holidays and potentially more students will spend an increased amount of time online, the quote and letter below are a timely reminder about keeping all children safe in online environments. The quote and letter are from child psychologist Carley McGauren.
“Too many times I’ve sat with children, young people and their families dealing with the devastating fall out when children have been exposed to unsafe situations and inappropriate content. I’ve been moved to write this letter to parents of primary school age children…”
Until next week, remember; "technology should improve your life...not become your life." - Billy Cox
Cheers, Mrs Simms
Hands Up Mallee
A couple of reminders for this week –
School hats will be compulsory at the beginning of term 4. The sun’s UV rays are now getting to the stage that we need to start protecting our students from the harmful rays. Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. UV exposure during childhood and adolescence has a big impact on future skin cancer risk. Reducing UV exposure reduces skin cancer risk. Please make sure that your child's hat is named!
This weekend is Walk Off the War Within. This event will be held down at Nowingi Place from 8:30am. People are invited to take on 20km with or without a 20kg pack, or walk as much as they can, on their 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. The events are open to everyone, of all abilities and ages including those emergency service and defence force personnel and members of the general public. We encourage you, your group or business/organisation to take in a walk near you and help raise awareness for PTSD and depression.
Lastly, there will be no bikes/scooters on the basketball courts this Friday. It has been so good to see the students enjoying this opportunity and they will be returning in Term 4.
Have a great active break and hopefully we can enjoy some beautiful sunshine!
Parent Noticeboard
