Dear Parents,

Remembrance Day 

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; 
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 
At the going down of the sun and in the morning 
We will remember them."

The Ode comes from For the Fallen, a poem by the English poet and writer Laurence Binyon and was published in London in the Winnowing Fan; Poems of the Great War in 1914.

As the world reminds us to pray for peace. Lest We Forget

Our term 4 Planning Day is scheduled for 29 November as a school closure day. Continuing professional learning is an essential component of school improvement and staff development. Professional learning is valued and recognised, in particular as a major contributing factor towards improvement in student outcomes. A school’s commitment to professional learning assists  teachers to realise their vocation as educators in Catholic schools and assists support staff in their role of service to the school community. Effective schools are learning communities in which staff are lifelong learners who contribute to the community’s learning and knowledge base to achieve the goals of the Catholic school and realise it’s vision. This week the Leadership Team at St Paul’s will gather to look at a variety of school based data from staff, parents and students as we prioritise our School improvement focus for the year ahead. Data sources include the Catholic Identity Survey (parents, students and staff), NAPLAN data, CEMSIS Data (completed by staff, parents and students), the Annual Action Plan for 2019 and feedback from staff and students on current initiatives. I look forward to engaging with parents further in 2020 as we move into our School Improvement Review period  where we will set goals and priorities for the next 4 years.

Parent Child Evening

A reminder that on 20 November, we would like to invite parents and students from Years 3-6 to attend an information evening on Sexuality Education. This is a family program and the sessions are attended by children and their adults and are an opportunity for families to discuss issues around puberty and changes that will affect each of them.  These sessions are fun and informal. Family Programs run for one hour. Session 1 (Families, Bodies and Babies) is usually attended by Years 3/4 families, whilst Session 2 (Puberty: Growing and Changing) is usually attended by Years 5/6 families. However, attendance at either or both sessions is left to each family’s discretion. Please refer to the link below for bookings and further information is provided in this week’s Newsletter. I hope many families take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. The program can only run if we have a positive response from more families to attend.

https://www.trybooking.com/BGDTR

Swimming Program

This week the Swimming Program at Aqua Star Swim School begins for students in Years 4-6. Please check the information sent out on Caremonkey so that your child comes prepared for the week ahead. 

Reports Online
Today you will receive a Care Monkey letter announcing that Student Reports will be accessed online this semester and beyond. Please read the information carefully.

Student Success

Congratulations to Sophie Mandile who has been selected to perform with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Hansel & Gretel along with girls from the Australian Girls choir for two performances in late November. She’s very excited to have been selected. The challenge will be to sing in German. Congratulations Sophie and best wishes from us all.

Travel the world without leaving the Classroom

Thanks to the generosity of our Parents and Friends, we have been able to purchase 30 Virtual Reality Kits to be used by students and teachers to enhance the digital learning experiences as part of ICT/Digital Technologies curriculum. Students will go on ‘Google Expeditions’ around the world and feel like they are ‘really’ there.

2019 fundraising has also enabled us to refurbish the Library with new chairs, a flexible workspace for small group work, blinds and display boards. Additional sewing machines have been purchased for the Art Room, options for stand up desks will be a feature in the senior classrooms, Maths games with a focus on problem solving for P-6 have been ordered and we are currently receiving quotes for additional shade sails and seating for the area outside the Year 4 classrooms. Thank you for your contribution and the ongoing support we receive from the parent community. All students across the school will benefit from these additional resources and upgrades.

Year 5 Leadership Day

On Friday the students and staff from Year 5 gathered Higgins Rd Hall to discuss and learn more about their roles as school leaders for 2020.

The day began with the drama students from St James College running a series of Theatre Sports activities where all students were challenged to step outside their comfort zone and have some fun.

Past students from St Paul’s, including Bianca Moscato, Ben Hamilton and Aaron Ryan were part of a panel who spoke about their experience of leadership, peer group pressure and friendships.

The highlight of the day was of course the fish and chips for lunch!

Student reflections…..

I enjoyed the drama games with the St James boys where I had the chance to work with people who I don’t usually work with. I hope as a leader next year I can work with anyone.

Mo

To me leadership is about being kind, confident and fair. I really enjoyed the session with the ‘Police in Schools’ because they are important leaders in the community and understand the issues around social media and safety.

Sabrina

I really enjoyed how the Yr 7 students took time to come and speak to us about leadership. I hope I can be flexible, be able to multi -task and be a good role model to others.

Zoe