Dear Parents,

Welcome to the 2025 year!  I hope families have had a wonderful summer break and have been able to spend some time with family, friends and loved ones in preparation for the new school term ahead. 

Before School

Gates will open at 8:30am for supervision. Please remember that this is not a playtime for students. We ask that students find their new class line-up area and enjoy a catch-up with their friends. Students will be supervised on the playground until the bell goes, which will now ring at 8.45am (not 8.50am).

Please see below for our before-school routine:

8:30 School gates open. Teachers on Yard Duty; Children sit in their class lines

8:45 Classrooms open and bell rings

8:55 Meditation, prayer and class roll

New Staff

This year we welcome new staff members to St Paul’s:

Andrew Bath (LSO)

Emma Gaffney (LSO)

Oliver Santamera (6S)

Hollie Barrow (5B Monday to Thursday)

Catherine Wensley (2D Mon and Tues; Literacy Leader Wed, Thur and Fri)

Danielle Wakeling (6W Thurs and Fri)

New Students Year 1 to Year 6

Please also make welcome Matilda Nunn, Max Vidnovski, Matilda Normoyle, Emilia and Madeline Van Wissen, Dani Yoo and Xavier Silom who is returning after an overseas stay.

Parent - Teacher Interviews

Wednesday 12 Feb - Parent Teacher interviews for all year levels

1.30pm finish (parents to collect children at this time). 

Interviews will occur over one day, not two, as in previous years.  Please also note that children will be dismissed at 1.30pm that day (a little earlier than in previous years so that we can facilitate meetings on the one date).

* Please note that this ten minute interview is all about the teacher hearing about your child, their strengths, challenges and any other important information that you feel they need to know.  Booking links will be sent out in early February.

MACSEYE is available for afterschool care if required. Please make sure you book in.

Start of Year Reminders

Communication with all staff

I wanted to take a moment to kindly ask for your support in fostering respectful and positive communication between you and the teachers. It's essential that all discussions with teachers remain constructive and respectful to ensure that any concerns are addressed in the most effective manner possible.

If there are any concerns or issues you'd like to discuss, I strongly encourage you to arrange a meeting with the teacher so that they can be properly addressed in a focused, productive environment. Open dialogue is key to ensuring that we are all working together to support the success of every child.

Fees

Statements will be sent out in the next four weeks via email.

Friendship Lists

Friendship Lists will be emailed to all year levels early next week.  Please ensure you advise the office immediately if you do not wish to have your email address or phone number included.

Parking

This is a reminder that under no circumstances are cars to be driving up and down the Church driveway for pick up or drop off.

As mentioned many times in the past, this is a pedestrian thoroughfare and it is far too dangerous to have vehicles doing Uturns, parking and reversing in this area before and after school.

We trust you will understand how important this safety issue is to protect pedestrians and children on bikes and scooters.

There are many parking bays in Higgins Rd for parents to park and walk their children into school. Please be aware of the red parking zones near the crossing, which are not to be used for parking between 8 - 9:30am and 2:30 - 4pm on school days. Remember to wave and say hello to our lovely Crossing Guard, Pietro.

Riddle Street parking outside the Tennis Courts is a drop off zone only. Parents are asked not to park and exit their vehicle; this is a “kiss-and-go” drop off point.

Playground

For the safety of all members of our community, particularly our younger ones, it is essential that before and after school that there are no children playing on the adventure playground equipment.  It is also very important for the safety of all, that scooters and bikes are not ridden in the schoolyard. They may be ridden to the gate, but then dismount and walk the bike or scooter through the schoolyard.   

Meditation

The practice of Meditation is a well-established routine at St Paul’s. It is an excellent way to begin the day as it sets a calming tone for the classroom and allows the children to become more focused to enhance their learning. Meditation begins at 8.55 when the music plays. If any child is running a little late and the class has already begun, they are asked to quietly enter the classroom, put their bag down just inside the room and join the meditation space; they can unpack their bag and get settled in when it is finished.    

We ask that parents do not attend for the first two weeks whilst the class and teacher establish their meditation routines.  Thank you for your understanding.

Second-Hand Uniform Shop

The P&F second-hand uniform shop will be open the next two Fridays (31 January and 7 February) from 8:30 till 9:15am. It is located just past the office reception area. Donations of items in good condition are very welcome and you can drop them at the office anytime during the school term.  

Mobile Phones and Smart Watches

Any student bringing a mobile phone or smart watch to school must hand their device into the office at the start of the day and collect it again after the bell at 3.30pm. Permission slips will also need to be filled in by the parents - children or parents can collect this from the Office on Thursday.

Last but not least…

Just a few messages and reminders to help ease the transition back to school life:

• Students must wear hats during play throughout Term 1. Students with no hat will not be allowed to play in the sun but will be in the amphitheater under shade sails.
• Dogs (including cute little puppies) are not allowed on the school grounds.
• An updated Term 1 Calendar is attached that has slight changes to Assemblies in the first 4 weeks.
• Please please please label EVERYTHING!...containers, lunch boxes, drink bottles, bags, clothing, hats - you name it!

Upcoming Dates to note

Thursday 30 January - First day back for all students

Thursday 30 January - "Tea and Tissues" for Prep 2025 parents

Wednesday 5 Feb - Year 6 Information Night (time tbc)

Thursday 6 Feb - Beginning of Term Mass 10am

Friday 7 Feb - Years 3 to 6 House Swimming Carnival

Monday 10 February - Class newsletters will be emailed

Wednesday 12 Feb - Parent Teacher interviews for all year levels. 1.30pm finish.  MACSEYE is available for afterschool care if required.

Wednesday 26 February - Welcome Picnic

Monday 10 March - Labour Day Public Holiday

Wednesday 12 March - School Photos

We look forward to seeing everyone bright and early Thursday morning with glowing tans, squeaky new shoes and all those brand new haircuts, ready for the wonderful world of learning, belonging and friendships in 2025!

Kind regards,

Margy D'Rozario

Acting Principal

Hard copies are available from the Office and the App will be updated in the next 24 hours.

Please make sure you provide permission via the link sent home from Operoo.