Catherine's News
Dear Parents,
Thank you for your continued support in following the recommended testing guidelines which help keep everyone in our school community safe. The Victorian Government has announced that rapid antigen surveillance testing will continue until the end of Term 1 and that checking in via a QR code is no longer required. Although the Term started with relatively high cases, the numbers have decreased significantly and we hope we are on a more stable pathway. Additional rapid antigen test kits will be sent out over the next week. It is recommended that students and staff test twice weekly and report any positive cases to the school as soon as possible.
If your child is a household contact or if they contract COVID, you will receive a call from Louise in the office, asking if you require a home learning pack. I understand that some children will be too unwell to engage in school work.
Our thoughts and best wishes are with those students and families who are currently unwell or who are isolating at home.
Visual Arts
The year has begun with a flurry of colour, movement and joy. Bec Saunders, our new art teacher, has been creating some magical moments with the students. Click on the links below to see the magical things happening.
Nut Allergies and School Lunches
A number of parents have recently inquired about foods brought to school by students that contain nuts. St Paul’s seeks to provide, as far as practicable, a safe and supportive environment in which students at risk of anaphylaxis are provided with reasonable adjustments. We aim to facilitate the safe participation of all students in the educational experiences offered by the school. The following is an extract from the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Anaphylaxis Policy.
St Paul's Bentleigh will not ban certain types of foods (e.g. nuts) as it is not practicable to do so, and is not a strategy recommended by the Department or the Royal Children’s Hospital. However, the school will avoid the use of nut based products in all school activities, request that parents do not send those items to school if at all possible; that the canteen eliminate or reduce the likelihood of such allergens, and the school will reinforce the rules about not sharing and not eating foods provided from home.
Building Update
We are very close to moving the Year 3 students out of the Hall and into their beautiful new learning spaces.
Friendship Lists
Will be available mid-week.
Operoo
Please attend to all requests sent via Operoo as soon as possible as this helps with the smooth running of events and alerting you to important information. Any changes made to your contact details, emergency contact details or your child’s medical information are to be made by you on your child’s Operoo profile. If you have any issues with Operoo please let Louise know.
Second Hand Uniform Shop
St Paul’s second hand uniform shop is located onsite and will be open for business from next Monday between 8.30-9am. We have had many donations from families whose children have outgrown uniforms and have a wide variety of sizes in stock. Please come to the front office to see Louise if you are interested or email us on office@spbentleigh.catholic.du.au with your requirements. Limited numbers will be allowed in the uniform shop at one time and masks will need to be worn.
School Photos
The new date for school photos is 29 March. Students will be in full summer uniform.
Bentleigh District Swimming Team
This year due to Covid the St Paul's Team was selected by using data from our 2021 swimming results. This was our only option due to the cancellation of our St. Paul’s Swimming Carnival and tight time constraints. This was not ideal but the alternative was to not enter a team in the Bentleigh District Carnival which would be very disappointing.
Congratulations to all who have been selected and good luck to all those competing tomorrow at the Oakleigh Pool.
Prep Enrolments 2023
On Thursday 3 March, parents and friends are invited to an Open Day presentation and small group tours for 2023 enrolments. Current families are very welcome to attend. If you have friends or family who are interested in attending please encourage them to come along. Applications are open now to existing families - please email the office for an enrolment form from tomorrow. Tours on other days can be arranged by emailing office@spbentleigh.catholic.edu.au.
Parents and Friends
Wishing you a great week ahead.
Catherine