2022 Newsletter #31 Oct 5
Principal News
Dear St Paul's families.
Welcome to Term Four. I hope you all had an eventful school holiday and are ready to dive into the last term of the year. It was lovely to see the children arrive Monday morning bright-eyed and bushy tailed ready to learn. Even though we have commenced the term with school hats now required to be worn, when outside, nature has had other plans and we now find ourselves inside due to the rain. Hopefully we get sunny days shortly.
BABY NEWS: Congratulations to Mrs Gray and her husband, Jarrod, on the safe arrival of their first child, Levi Blake Gray. He was born on 22nd September. Lucy and baby are both well. We are looking forward to seeing them pop in for a visit in the future.
CAPITAL WORKS: Over the holidays the remaining section of the Foundation unit roof was replaced. Thank you to JAAG Professional Builders for the work completed relatively quickly in the second week of the holidays.
The new Junior playground is almost complete. Unfortunately, due to the rain, in the holidays, the Softfall has yet to be installed. Hopefully as the ground dries out, we will be able to get the equipment in to finish the job and make it accessible for the children. In the meantime, the existing playground will be used. Once the new playground is opened the old playground will be removed.
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL: Last night the council members met for our October meeting. A lot of the discussion centred around the new award agreement for Catholic Education and the implications it will have on our schools moving forward. The Catholic Education Commission of Victoria are still in negotiations with the union regarding work conditions for all employees. Our school community will be updated as new information becomes available.
NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS: This year we will have vacancies on our Advisory Council as some of our current members will complete their term of office. If you would like to be nominated as a council member, please contact Loretta in Admin for a nomination form. If you have any questions about the role of a council member, please don't hesitate to speak to one of our current members; Lauren Droffelaar, Loretta Ghidinelli, Martine Silcox, Julie Campbell, Mia Kolpin, Melissa Mott or myself for further information.
ENROLMENTS 2023: This is a reminder for any of our families who will not be at St Paul's in 2023 to please notify us as soon as possible as we will begin planning for classes for 2023.
Also, if any parents have a child starting in Foundation next year and have not enrolled them, will need to do so asap as there are limited places available.
CLASSES FOR 2023: Any parents who have any queries or information they would like to share with us in regard to classes for the 2023 school year, please submit them via email to: principal@spmildura.catholic.edu.au no later than Friday 21st October. Planning classes for the following year is a very detailed process where teachers meet and discuss all the needs of our children. The focus is not purely on academic progress, but also encompasses the social, emotional and behavioural needs of the child.
FAREWELL: This Friday we farewell the Nazombe family as they relocate Interstate. On behalf of the St Paul's community, I wish Lyn (M2) all the best as she continues her educational journey elsewhere.
FOUNDATION 2023 TRANSITION PROGRAM: Next week, Wednesday 12th October, sees our 2023 Foundation Transition program commence. The first 2 weeks of transition are broken into smaller groups. Your child's time is as per the Transition letter emailed to families on 1st September. It is a Play based learning session, outside play (bring hat), fruit snack provided, story & songs. As this is a short 45-minute session parents are welcome to stay for a cuppa in the hall. Our school Book Fair is also on this day. Parents are most welcome to browse & buy books.
PARISH NEWS: Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) Year 2 Parent Information evening is on Wednesday 12th October at 7.00pm at Sacred Heart Church. Please contact the Parish office for further details and registration. It is important that parents attend this meeting if you wish your child to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation.
BOOK FAIR: A reminder that next week is our Book Fair Week. with Monday 10th October the Book Fair Wish List Day. Each class will have the opportunity to browse the book fair. Students will make a "wish list' to take home & discuss with parents. From Tuesday to Thursday Students may purchase items before school (8.30am-8.55am), at lunch (11-11.30am) & after school (3.25pm - 3.45pm). Payment can be made online prior to collection, or by cash/eftpos on the day.
REGIONAL ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS: Good luck to Mr Pike and the St Paul's children travelling to Bendigo on Monday 10th October, to compete in the Athletics Championships. It will be a very big day for them and I am sure they will do us all proud and try their very best.
Congratulations to this week's award recipients for reaching these important milestones by following our school norms.
BEE MILESTONE ACHIEVERS: Felix Blanchard, Bryce Body, Hannah Davies, Fletcher Heagerty, Amelia-Mae Hunt, Charlotte Miller, Abbiegail Peters, Poppy Thannhauser, Oliver Traeger
HIVE MILESTONE ACHIEVERS: Archer Barlow, Ben Boby, Milan Caristo, Michael Davies, Willow Droffelaar, Khloe Garland, Yasmin Gill, Cohen Hateley, Chase Humphrey, Angela Iang, Manmeet Kaur, Lexie McMahon, Brayan Moolayil, Farai Nyabonda, Riley O'Callaghan, Darcy Strubelj, Blair Traeger, Owen Vo
SCHOOL FURNITURE: This Friday from 2.00pm- 3.25 pm in the hall, there will be an assortment of school furniture: chairs, tables, filing cabinets, ceiling projector mounts etc for sale. We are cleaning out some of our surplus stock and offering it to families first. This will be the only opportunity to purchase anything. No offer refused.
As always, Have a great week everyone and,
Keep the Faith
Vince Muscatello
Canteen News
HELP NEEDED
The School Canteen is run on a Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Our Supervisor, Pauline needs your support by volunteering to take a turn (1.5 hrs) on the Roster. An experienced helper will be placed with “new” helpers. If you are able to assist please contact the office.
Library News
BOOK FAIR
Monday 10th October we will begin our second Book Fair for 2022 with the Wish List day. All students have the opportunity to come to the Book Fair and find the books they would love to have. Books will be available to buy Tuesday 11th, Wednesday 12th & Thursday 13th October. The fair wil be open on these mornings from 8.30 -9.00, at lunch time and after school. Parents are welcome to come in to the Book Fair. All money made from the Book Fair goes back into resources for our school.
There will be a colouring in competition to go with the Book Fair, the prize for each age group will be $20.00 to spend at the Fair.
Thanks
Marg Pongrac
Middle Unit News
Welcome back to school, it was lovely to have all our students back on Monday and sharing their stories from the holidays. Just a friendly reminder that as the weather is warming up all students must have a school hat.
In Religion this week we are sharing our favourite book. Can all students please bring their book to school on Thursday morning.
This term we are moving learning about Geography. It will be great to explore and learn about lots of different places. You might wish to share and discuss as a family the different places you have been and lived.
The permission notes for camp are now on Simon. Please ensure that you complete these by the set date. Any concerns please see your classroom teacher.
Junior Unit News
Term Four is upon us! This means it's time once more to enact the "no hat, no play" school policy. Please ensure your child has a LABELLED school hat at school every day.
In Religious Education this term, we are learning about the concept of 'Invitation' and that Catholic Christians believe they are invited to participate in the eternal life of the Holy Trinity. On Monday next week, your child will bring home an invitation for one of their special teddies (or other toys) to join us for a Teddy Bear's Picnic that will take place on Tuesday 11th October. On that Tuesday, the children are allowed to bring their teddy to school and you may wish to put an extra little treat in the lunchbox!
In Mappen/Integrated Studies our topic this term is "Growing Older and Wiser" and by Week 4, the children will be asked to bring in photos of themselves when they were babies (just ONE photo per child, please). We'll be playing 'Guess the Baby' so please encourage your child not to show their photo to anyone, as this will spoil the game. You may like to email a photo to your child's teacher (hard copy is fine, too - they will be taken care of and returned to you):
Mrs Brouwers: kbrouwers@spmildura.catholic.edu.au
Mrs Bugden: rbugden@spmildura.catholic.edu.au
Miss Oxlade: aoxlade@spmildura.catholic.edu.au
Mrs Rutherford: erutherford@spmildura.catholic.edu.au
Please see next Wednesday's newsletter for details about the upcoming Junior Unit Camp which will take place in Week 5 (Melbourne Cup week).
Senior Unit News
Teachers and students were excited to return to school on Monday after a well deserved holiday. This term is packed with fun learning experiences. Our teachers shared what they are most looking forward to.
Mrs Parker is excited about swimming lessons in week 5.
Mrs Baker can't wait to start making preparations for the Grade 6 graduation celebrations and she is also excited about helping the Grade 5's get ready to be one of the 2023 student leaders.
Miss Kirrily is excited about MAPPEN in week 7 and helping her students create a Shark Tank presention.
Ms Courtney is keen for our next science unit and to learn more about the physical and behavioural features of desert plants and animals.
In Religion we will identify the ways that Jesus' life, death and resurrection give hope to Christians in their daily lives. Our Literacy lessons will see us continue to work on our writing skills and begin to write multi paragraph texts. In Maths Year 5's will begin with a unit all about time while the Year 6 students will continue to learn about the order of operations (BIDMAS). Students are reminded to bring their charged chromebooks to school every day.
Foundation Unit News
Welcome to Week 1 of Term 4!
We hope you all had a lovely holiday and are well rested and recharged ready for a busy term 4. The children have come back to school very settled and ready to learn.
Please remember that the children need to be wearing their hats this term. Can you please make sure it is clearly named. If the children don't have their hat by next week they will be required to sit on the no hat seat. Hats can be purchased from the uniform shop if you are unable to find it.
In Maths next week we are learning about Money. If you have any money from other countries that you would like your child to bring in to share with the class we would love to set up a display table.
Technology News
Wow, term 4 is here already. This year is certainly flying by, but that's what happens when you're having fun and in the Technology room we always have fun while learning.
This term, if you are curious to see first hand what your children are learning in the Technology room in both 'Digital Technology' and 'Design and Technology', you are always welcome to pop by.
Foundation students kicked off the term with a Design and Technology Challenge. After reading the book, 'Perfect Square' by Michael Hill, students were challenged to take 3 square coloured pieces of paper, visualise and create something new. Robots, monster trucks, houses, gardens and even a dinosaur in a cage were just some of the students' unique creations.
The following day, students in the Senior Unit upped the ante, using just one piece of square paper to visualise and generate a 3D model of something. Can you guess what each groups' 3D model is?
Cyberbullying and online drama can have extreme consequences for children and their carers. The below video produced by the eSafety Commissioner provides the tools to support young people to have safe and respectful online relationships and what to do if things go wrong. It’s designed for parents and carers of young people aged 11 to 18 years old.
Until next week, remember to treat your password like a toothbrush. Don't let anyone else use it and get a new one every six months. - Clifford Stoll.
Hands Up Mallee
Just a reminder that school hats are compulsory now that the sun's UV rays are starting to creep up again. A great example of this is even though the skies are overcast and the rain threatening - the UV rays are sitting on 7, so don't let the overcast weather lull us into thinking that damage can't occur.
This Friday the Senior Unit will have the chance to ride/scoot on the basketball courts during lunchtime. It would be great to see more of the seniors taking advantage of this opportunity.
Finally, it is that time of the year where I would like to encourage any student to create a front cover to be considered for this year's school magazine. Designs would need to be in portrait mode and with student's name in small print in the bottom right corner. Any designs will need to be emailed to nsimpson@spmildura.catholic.edu.au or handed in to the Office by Friday 21st October. Any questions, please email me. I look forward to seeing our students creative talents!