Dear Families,

This week we welcomed 50 new Prep students to St Paul’s who came with happy faces in eager anticipation of starting school.

Thank you to all parents for the trust you place in us, knowing that your children will be safe and happy and be given every opportunity to thrive in their learning.

Over the first two weeks staff and students will spend time developing classroom protocols, engage in ‘getting to know you’ activities and will discuss opportunities that will enable a safe and happy learning environment for the year ahead. The classrooms already look amazing!

Before School

I understand that St Paul’s has in fact for a long time opened the gates at 8:30am. In the newsletter that was sent on Friday 27 January, we had listed 8:40 as the opening time. My sincere apologies for the error and I thank parents who have informed the school of this. My misunderstanding came from looking at previous yard duty times. I understand that for many families opening the gate at 8:30 is important and, as of tomorrow (Friday) gates will open at this time again.

As a school we have the best interest and safety of the children at heart. For this reason, we are asking students to sit in their class lines before entering their classroom so as to keep the playground safe. We are opening classrooms a little bit earlier at 8:45 to allow students that extra bit of time to get themselves set up for the day and to start with a quiet activity before meditation. It also gives parents an opportunity to talk with the teacher if need be. As a school, we try to create a calm beginning to the school day.  

Our bell times remain the same. 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

8:50 Bell rings

8:55 Meditation - parents are welcome to join

Playground

For the safety of all members of our community, particularly our younger ones, it is essential that before and after school 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 school yard. They may be ridden to the gate, but then dismount and walk the bike or scooter through the school yard.   

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. Parents are very welcome to join their child’s class for the meditation session. 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.    

New Students

In the first newsletter, we welcomed new staff to St Paul’s.

We also welcome new students and families who started on Monday. 

A very warm welcome to: 

2Z - Georgia Holmes & Isaac Williams

2MD - Ashton Bew

3A - Chloe Go & Stella Halidas

3BA - Zachary Semmens

5N - Georgina Masters 

And after a year away, welcome back to Rose (6DL) and Tom (3BA) Davoren!

Parking

Please be aware of the red parking zones on Higgins Road near the crossing, which are not to be used for parking between 8-9:30am and 2:30-4pm on school days. 

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.  It is also very important that parents observe the current traffic signs in this area.

The parish car spaces are not used for drop-off parking at any stage as this is a walk way for parents and students. 

Preps

The Preps have settled in very well to school life and have made a wonderful start to the year. They have been very busy, not only learning about the routines of school, but also making new friends both within the classroom and on the playground. They have also enjoyed spending some time working with their Year 5 buddies, building connections and getting to know them better. Commencing next week they will be in attendance at school for full days on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday with Wednesday off as a rest day.

Upcoming Events

Over the next few weeks we have a number of events which are happening across the school. You might like to mark these on your calendar!

• Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival - Mon 6th Feb
• Prep Parent Information Night - Tues 7th Feb 6pm
• Whole School Mass - Thurs 9th Feb 10 am
• Year 5 / 6 Interschool sport program begins (each Thursday until the end of term)
• Year 5 Camp Wed 15th - Fri 17th Feb
• Welcome Picnic - more information to come

Beginning Term Mass

On Thursday 9th February, is our beginning of term Mass. This will commence at 10am. All students will attend this Mass and parents are very welcome to join us too. As part of our Catholic Identity here at St Paul's, celebrating Mass together is very important for building upon our strong Community Spirit. 

Mobile Phones 

Any student bringing a mobile phone to school must hand their phone 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 Monday.

Tuck Shop

Liz from Fun Fresh Foods has taken over from the lovely Gill, who headed up the Tuck Shop for many years. Liz has prepared an extensive menu with something to please all taste buds. Liz is also very approachable and is willing to assist in any way she can. Please refer to the information letter you would have already received, for her contact details and any further information.      

The link to the tuck shop for online ordering is  www.quickcliq.com.au

Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival

Our school swimming carnival is on Monday 6 February at Haileybury Pool. After missing the carnival last year, we’re happy it’s back on. An information sheet and permission form was sent home to all students in Years 3-6. Thanks to Danny Maher for all the hard work in organising the big event. 

Lunch packs are available from the canteen.

Second Hand Uniform Shop

Thank-you for those that donated recently. We have plenty of summer items and sports jumpers, so if you are still in need of uniform or would like to pick up some spare items, the P&F shop will be open again the next 2 Mondays (6 & 13 Feb) from 8:30-9:15am, located just past reception. Alternatively, if you can't make it, you can send an email request to Louise in the office with the items and size required and she will let you know when they are ready for pickup. All proceeds go towards the school."  Julie

General:

1. Term 1 Class newsletters will be sent home to families next week. These contain very important information regarding what the children will be learning throughout this term as well as important routines, special dates and events of which you will need to be aware. 

2. Assemblies will begin in Week 4, on Monday 13th February. Our first assembly will be a welcome gathering and, as such, there will not be any class awards handed out. Parents are most welcome to attend this assembly, which will be held in the school hall commencing at 3pm till 3.30pm. 

3. In the next few weeks there will be several notices coming home - including permission forms and friendship lists.  Due to the wait for Operoo there will be a slight delay in these forms being sent.

As with previous years, newsletters are sent once a fortnight on a Monday. Next newsletter will be Monday 20 February.

I hope you have all had a lovely week.

Kind regards,

Freda