Dear Parents,  

We are less than two weeks away from Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, which falls on 26 February this year. Lent is a reminder of the importance of sacrifice, prayer and looking after those in need and helps us more deeply understand the Easter event that is at the centre of our Christian faith.

We can use this time to consider how our actions are defining our relationship with God, with others and with our deepest self. Lent is a time for renewing those relationships based on compassion, truth and justice.

It was wonderful to see so many families join in the fun and catch up with friends and meet new families at the Welcome Picnic in Week 2. A special thanks to Claire Stanley and Libby Dewar, our Parents and Friends Co Presidents and their team of helpers, who ensured that everyone was warmly welcomed and that we had plenty of snags and bread to make it a great night. A very special thanks to the dads who did the cooking and then enjoyed their first get together at the Bowling Club after the picnic. 

Last Monday night was the first of the Federated Board Meetings for the year. Board members from all three schools met to meet each other from all three schools.  Michael Juliff went through the role of being an advisory board, child safety and the Federations. Edward Dooley presented the Sacramental program for 2020. We then had time to meet as individual boards to discuss the future agendas for 2020.

St Paul’s Board members for this year are Meghan Speers, Suzanne Commrford,Craig Schneider, Greg Ryan, Helen Skinner and Steve Savva. I thank them for their continued support and commitment to being a voice for families and for their advice and support to Fr Jacob, Michael Juliff and myself.

A word from the Chair:

Parents

On behalf of the Parent Advisory Board, we warmly welcome you all to a new school year.  For our new families joining our community this year, welcome and thank you for choosing St Pauls.

As a reminder, the Parent Advisory Board is a passionate group of parents who assist the Parish to provide support to the School on matters of governance and to provide a parent voice to School discussions.  Please consider the Parent Advisory Board as an additional avenue available to you as parents, to voice any concerns you have and to have an opinion around the governance of the School. For example, this may include sharing ideas you have on improvements to our school policies or nominating parent seminars that you may want to have conducted at school to learn from and engage with other parents about.

So on behalf of the Parent Advisory Board, we welcome your comments and look forward to working with you to further strengthen our school community.

Warm regards

Meghan Speers

(Chair of the Parent Advisory Board)

Parent Teacher Meetings

Parents received a warm welcome over two nights last week as they spent time with their child’s teacher discussing the many wonders that make their child who they are.

This is an important step in forming a vital partnership between home and school, where positive outcomes are made possible by working together.  By now all families will have received the class newsletter outlining the curriculum content for Term 1. Testing is underway across the school as we gather data on where each child is in their learning and plan for how they will be supported through differentiated teaching. 

In 2020 we are moving into our third year of using ‘Seesaw’ as a digital portfolio for student learning. We have had very positive feedback from parents who are regular users of the App. A reminder that Seesaw is not a communication tool between home and school but rather an opportunity to connect with your child’s learning in ‘real time’. Please contact your child’s teacher or Anna if you are having issues accessing Seesaw.

Assembly

Our first Assembly will be on 25 February at 2.45pm. All parents are most welcome to attend. Assembly is held in the Hall every fortnight and is hosted by the Year 6 Leaders. Each class has the opportunity to present what they have been learning in class throughout the year. At the first Assembly, the Year 6 students will receive their Leadership badges and SRC students for Semester 1 will also receive their badges and be announced to the school community.

Class Reps

Thank you for the generosity of those parents who have volunteered to be class reps for 2020. What a wonderful way to be involved in supporting your child’s teacher during special events, communication and bringing the parent community together. Many thanks. 

Prep M - Janine Kekich & Lizzie O’Shannessy

Prep B - Belinda Benvenuto & Michelle Williams

1BK- Zoe Holland

1M - Dianne Johnson

2B- Gina Rainford

2H - Tegan Lloyd

3AW - Donna Campbell, Shannon McAuliffe & Georgia Allen

3K - Courtney Bolton

4LT - Sharni Lee Kim & Sarah Easton

4GM - Vanessa Bevacqua & Bec Belej

5L - Jayne Maguire & Josie McCormick

5O - Jess Loft & Jess Clynes

6W - Carly Heggie

6H - Yvonne Kerridgesio & Teresa Torcasio

Could all parent reps touch base with their child’s teacher when they are next at school.

Prep Information Evening

On Tuesday 25 February, at 7pm, we welcome our Prep parents to join us in the open learning area outside the Prep classrooms. The evening is aimed at providing parents with ‘next step’ information on the main curriculum areas, home reading, parent helpers in the classroom, communication, resilience and an opportunity to ask questions. We hope at least one member of the family can attend.

Year 6 Information Evening

While the Prep families are meeting in the junior area, we invite our Yr 6 families to join Jess Walker, Liz Heath and Cath Knights in 6W, also at 7pm on 25 February. This meeting will cover Year 6 expectations, curriculum areas and the exciting one to one Chromebook program that has been introduced this year.

This is the first time we have had a Yr 6 meeting to look at the year ahead with parents and teachers. We aim to build a strong and supportive relationship between home and school as we prepare all students for high school next year.   We hope that one parent from each family is able to attend.

Sweet Treats for Birthdays

There has been a very positive response from families in supporting issues around sharing food and healthy snacks. The matter will be further discussed at the upcoming Board Meeting. Thank you for your response.

Earn & Learn

School Fees have been emailed home. If you have not received your account or would like a hard copy sent home via your eldest child, please contact Mary (Business Manager) as soon as possible. Mary’s email is mmaguire@spbentleigh.catholic.edu.au

Total charges are billed in Term 1 and are payable over 3 terms, unless using a payment plan. Payment plans are available from the office or can be emailed upon request. 

Paying by 3 Instalments

The payment dates for instalments are: March 15, May 15 and July 15. A reminder statement will be sent at the beginning of each term. We ask that families with children in year 5 & 6 pay the camp fees with the first instalment. If you wish to vary these dates please advise by email to either Mary mmaguire@spbentleigh.catholic.edu.au or Anna office@spbentleigh.catholic.edu.au 

Paying by monthly/fortnightly/ weekly instalments

If you wish to spread the payments over the year you need to complete a payment plan giving the school permission to make payments from either your credit card or bank account. Each year a new payment plan needs to be completed.  Please contact Mary or Anna a.s.a.p. to organize this facility.

Paying by EFT /Eftpos

The school office has an Eftpos machine at reception to receive payments by Credit or Debit card.  Families are also able to pay using internet banking to the following account:

BSB BSB: 083-347

Account: 695000591

Name of Account: St Paul’s Bentleigh General Account

Please use your surname and Internet payment reference (listed on your statement) so that your payment can be identified.

All fee payments should be completed by November 30, 2020 

Concessions

Health Care Card holders may be eligible for a concession under the State Government’s Camps, Sport and Excursions Fund.  An application form is available from the office. Applications close at the end of Term 2.

Financial Hardship

As always, parents experiencing difficulties in meeting their commitments to the school are urged to contact us as soon as possible so that we can discuss the situation with you.

Staff Photos

I was recently asked by a parent if I could include a photo of all staff members and their position in the Newsletter. What a great idea! I am working on it and will have photos in the next Newsletter.

Have a great week.

Catherine