Dear Parents,

The season of Advent reminds us that the life journey is a series of endings and beginnings – as it must be if we are to grow as human beings and as people of faith. As we prepare to ‘let go’ of 2021, we also begin looking to the year to come and all that it might bring.  

The second candle, also purple, represents faith. It is called the “Bethlehem Candle” as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.

The third candle is pink and symbolizes joy. It is called the “Shepard’s Candle,” and is pink because rose is a liturgical color for joy. The third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday and is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy that the faithful have reached the midpoint of Advent.

On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Savior. This final candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolizes peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”

The easing of restrictions means we can look forward to an Advent of faith and family, crowned by Christmas celebrations. As we await the coming birth of Christ, let us remember that 2021 has also given us other things to celebrate, including health, family and resilience and a strong connected community.

As the year comes to an end, I would like to thank teachers and staff for all the work they do in educating, nurturing, protecting, supporting and growing each child and young person in our school.  At St Paul’s we are very blessed with a dedicated and energetic staff who work hard every day to improve the learning outcomes for all students. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for a year that has been like no other. Despite the challenges of remote learning, we come to the end of what has been a very successful year, evident in our end of year results, friendships, respect and care for each other,  happy smiles and resilient children.

Thank you to the School Advisory Board

Although the School Board has met only a few times throughout the year, they have continued to support me in decision making  where they have discussed policy and been a voice for other parents. Thank you to  Steve Savva, Helen Skinner, Stuart Hall, Alex Poles, Lisa Galante and Jamie Hickey for your service and positive contribution to the school. Steve will be farewelled this week at our final meeting as his two boys will be graduating from Year 6.

Parents and Friends

The Parents and Friends have had a very quiet year of fundraising, although their capacity to build a strong community spirit is forever constant. The final meeting for this year is on tonight, Monday 6 December at 7pm.

At this meeting we will farewell some long standing members who are departing St Paul’s and have made wonderful contributions to our school community during their time here. 

We will also:

- discuss committee plans for 2022, 

- establish the 2022 committee members; and

- discuss general business.

All are welcome, if you are attending please rsvp to Kate Densley  kdensley81@gmail.com for booking purposes. 

Meeting location: 

Stomping Ground Brewery

9 Cochranes Rd Moorabbin 

7pm

I would also like to acknowledge the Father’s group who are always on hand to support school functions and provide a warm welcome to new and existing families. The dad’s group continues to go from strength to strength and will be hosting our first social function for 2022. 

I would like to introduce the staff for 2022.

It is with great excitement and anticipation that the Prep and Year 1 students move into their newly refurbished classrooms today. The Year 3 students are very settled in the Hall and the Year Two students have relocated to the Library and the Digitech Lab. The next stage of the building is due to be completed early in Term 1.

Covid Safe Practices in place

• Students continue to learn in well ventilated classrooms
• Masks are worn in Yr 3-6 and available for P-2 students
• Students practice hand hygiene throughout the day
• Students fill water bottles from taps while drinking fountains are out of bounds
• All staff are fully vaccinated
• Visitors are welcome to come onsite but must be fully vaccinated
• Parents are asked not to come into classrooms for the remainder of the Term
• Visitors entering the Office must check in via the QR Code
• Carols will be recorded and shared with families next week.
• If parents would like to see their child’s teacher before the end of Term please email them to catch up on the playground before or after school.

With only 8 days before the end of Term we will continue to work together to promote covid safe practices.

End of Term Mass

Next Tuesday 14 December, I would like to warmly welcome our parent community and friends to join us at 10am for our final Mass School for 2021. This will give us the opportunity to farewell families and staff who are leaving and say goodbye to our graduating class of 2021. Mr Nick Staikos will be attending to present the Lorraine Francis Award to a Year 6 student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to the school community.

All adults attending Mass must be fully vaccinated and use a QR Code to check in.

Year 6 Celebrations

This week marks the final full week of school for our Year 6 students. Although the past two years have presented many challenges, we know that they have been well prepared for the next stage in their education. The constant support of their families and teachers has helped every student to build resilience and develop into young people who understand friendships, empathy and the importance of belonging to a faith filled community. We are so proud of the young people they have become.

Thank you for your leadership and the inspiration you have been to other students. We wish you continued success and blessings for high school.

Planned Events to farewell Yr 6:

• Staff Buddy Morning Tea - 8 December (Yr 6 students will provide morning tea for their buddy teachers)
• Volleyball Game -  Staff v Yr 6 students on Tennis Courts - 8 December at 2:30pm. Parents are welcome to attend onsite if vaccinated.
• Fun Sports Day facilitated by Yr 6 students - 10 December at the Park. Parents are welcome.
• Big Day Out on Monday 13 December.
• End of Year Mass 14 December at 10am. Parents Welcome
• Graduation Liturgy in Church at 6.30pm on Tuesday 14 December. Families are welcome.
• Graduation Celebration in Amphitheatre for graduating students and their parents only, at 7.30 on Tuesday 14 December. The celebration includes drinks, refreshments and a disco.
• The traditional ‘Walking Out the Door’ song will be on the Tennis Courts on Tuesday 14 December at 3pm. Parents are welcome to attend.
• Tuesday 14 December is the final day for the Yr 6 students. Reports can be accessed from this day, further information will be emailed next week.

Prep Orientation and Welcome

Recently we completed our final Orientation for the Prep students of 2022. It will be wonderful to see new students and families join the St Paul’s Community in their beautiful new learning spaces next year.

The final day for students in Year P-Yr 5  this term is Wednesday 15 December finishing at 3.30pm. Information on accessing reports will be emailed on Tuesday 14 December. The Calendar for 2022 and next year's stationery list will be emailed before the end of term.

eSafety Webinars for parents / carers 

Join one of our free webinars for parents and carers.

These live webinars give parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safe online experiences.

Our 2022 webinars include a broad range of topics that will be delivered by our expert education and training team.

Download the schedule here: 

2022 Parent and carer webinar schedule (PDF, 84.56KB)

eSafety's parent guide to helping kids thrive online

This Term 1 webinar in 2022 offers tips about how to support young people to socialise, learn and have fun online safely.

It explains how to access information, use technology safely and navigate new online platforms.

The presentation is designed for parents and carers of young people aged 5 to 12 years old.

It will cover:

• how to talk to young people about online risks on different social media platforms and games  
• how to help young people develop skills to protect themselves when they are online  
• where to go for help if things go wrong and how to access mental health support and information through eSafety.  

Register Now

2022 dates (Australian Eastern Daylight Time)

Tuesday 8 February 12.30 to 1.30 pm 

Thursday 10 February 12.30 to 1.30 pm

Wednesday 23 February 7.30 to 8.30 pm

eSafety’s parent guide to cyberbullying and online drama

This Term 1 webinar will provide parents and carers with the tools to support young people to have safe and respectful online relationships. It will also offer advice about what to do when things go wrong.

It is designed for parents and carers of young people aged 11 to 18 years old.

It will cover:  

• starting conversations with your child about their online friendships and positive ways to deal with changing relationships
• understanding the rights, laws and community expectations that govern social media use
• where to seek help if your child is involved in a cyberbullying incident.

Register Now

2022 dates (Australian Eastern Daylight Time)

Thursday 10 March 12.30 to 1.30 pm

Tuesday 15 March 12.30 to 1.30 pm 

Wednesday 23 March 7.30 to 8.30 pm 

In case you missed it: Parental controls

A video and information sheets summarising eSafety's webinar about parental controls are now available on our resources page for parents and carers.  LEARN MORE

Thank you again for your support and commitment throughout the challenges of 2021.

On behalf of the staff at St Paul’s, I wish you and your families a safe and joyous Christmas.

Best Wishes,

Catherine