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Dear Parents,
As the first term for 2023 comes to an end I would like to thank the students, teachers, leaders, and Learning Support Officers for the wonderful work that makes St Paul’s a welcoming and inclusive school community. Most of all, thank you to our incredible parent community for all the ongoing support.
Staff Goodbye
Sadly, we say farewell to Caroline Brown for the rest of this year. Caroline is unable to continue teaching in 2023 due to health and personal reasons. It has been a difficult and sudden decision for Caroline however, from advice from her specialists, Caroline will need to focus on her health. Caroline’s last day of teaching 3BA will be Wednesday 5 April. Helen McFarlane will take over from Caroline as of Term 2. On behalf of the St Paul’s community, we wish Caroline all the best with her recovery and look forward to welcoming her back in 2024.
Colour Blast 2023
Just a reminder about the St Paul’s Colour Blast on Thursday which is also our last day of Term. (Please see attached flier for full details.)
Parents who have a working with children check who would like to assist with the “Blasting of Colour” can meet Danny Maher over at the Park at 12:30 and come dressed to get messy!!
If the weather is unkind on the day we will reschedule early next term.
Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) Survey
Every four years, Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools (MACS) asks all schools to participate in a survey to accomplish the goal of understanding our current Catholic identity and where the school community might like to see itself in the future.
The survey invites staff, students, and parents to reflect deeply on their Catholic identity and the means by which it might be enhanced.
In the first week of Term 2, we will be sending an email to parents asking for responses to the ECSI survey. Whilst it is not a requirement, it is important information for our school and we would greatly appreciate your assistance. As an incentive for completing the survey, we would like to place parents in a draw to have $100 taken off school fees.
More information will be given early next term.
Term 2 Calendar
The Term 2 calendar will be sent out to families on Thursday. Please be advised that our Term 2 School Closure Day will be Friday 9 June (Friday before King’s Birthday Public Holiday).
Students feeling unwell
There have been a considerable number of absences this past week among students and staff. We ask families to continue to monitor any symptoms that may arise.
It is recommended that a Rapid Antigen Test is used if any symptoms present (no matter how mild). As per current CECV Guidelines, it is recommended that any child with a positive case isolates for a minimum of 5 days and not attend school until their symptoms have resolved. Should your child test positive please let the school know as soon as possible. Please let Louise in the office know if you require any more Rapid Antigen Tests. We appreciate your help with this.
Term 2 Uniform
Term 2 sees the return of the winter uniform. We do allow a two weeks cross-over period where parents can choose to send their child/ren in summer or winter uniform, weather dependant.
Lost Property
Please make sure you check out lost property items which we will leave on a table outside the hall some afternoons this week. Anything not collected will be thrown away or donated to the secondhand uniform shop if we can’t find a label on any uniform items.
Second-Hand Uniform Shop
The P&F second-hand uniform shop will next be open on Monday 1st May and Monday 8th May from 8:30 till 9:15am. Dresses & woollen jumpers $10, everything else is $5. All proceeds go towards the school. Donations welcome.
Upcoming Dates
Thursday 6 April - Last day of Term 1 (2:30pm finish).
End of Term Mass 10am in the Church
Colour Blast at the park from 1:00-2:00pm. Easter Egg raffle drawn back at school
Monday 10 April - Friday 21 April - School Holidays
Monday 24 April - Begin Term 2
Tuesday 25 April - ANZAC Day Public Holiday
Thursday 27 April - Beginning Term 2 Mass
Monday 1 - Wednesday 3 May - Protective Behaviours Childrens’ session (in classrooms)
Thursday 4 May - Parent online Protective Behaviours Session
We wish everyone a lovely Easter holiday break and look forward to our return in Term 2.
Kind regards,
Freda
RE Update
Easter is a most significant time in our rich Catholic culture, and particularly during a time in history marked by significant suffering (the pandemic, floods, war and displacement throughout the world), Easter calls us to be people of peace, compassion and hope.
How do we respond to our own challenges? Our culture says suffering must be avoided at all costs, fixed quick by negotiation, regulation, money, technology, therapy, whatever it takes. When there’s no fix, those who suffer are put out of sight and out of mind.
Easter proposes a different way of seeing things. We know that the way we undergo hard things can either ennoble us or demean us. We’ve seen in Judas and Peter how a moral lapse can end in self-destruction or in renewal. The mettle of all the apostles and holy women was tested in fact, and they came through it by the end of Eastertide on fire with God’s Spirit. In Holy Week the calibre of the civil and religious authorities of Jesus’ day was likewise examined, and in some cases found wanting…
On Holy Thursday Night we will see that Jesus is God-with-us: how He suffered all we do, not to trivialise suffering but to accompany us through it, and so made us a Church of fellow travellers who care and will administer the medicine of word and sacraments.
On Good Friday we will see that Jesus is not just God-with-us but God-for-us, given completely so we might live: He doesn’t just sympathise with our fears and sufferings but redeems them, bringing new possibilities and purpose, the ‘post-flood reconstruction’ for those renewed by Baptism.
And we will see on Easter day that Jesus is not just God-with-us and God-for-us but God-in-us, transforming our fears and suffering by divine grace into love. Jesus himself demonstrated that fear and suffering can be transfigured, as He was turned to pure light at Easter by the love with which He had endured the darkness the day before.
Prayer:
As we enter the last weeks of Lent and Palm Sunday on 2nd April 2023, we pray…
Dear God,
Thank you for sending your Son and paving the way for our lives to be set free through Jesus’s death on the cross.
Thank you for what this day stands for-the beginning of Holy Week, the start of the journey towards the power of the cross, the victory of the Resurrection, and the rich truth that Jesus is truly our King of Kings. “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord…”
We give you praise and honour for your ways are righteous and true. We give you worship for you are holy and just. We will declare that your love stands firm forever. For you, loving kindness endures forever.
Thank you that your ways are far greater than our ways, your thoughts far deeper than our thoughts.
Thank you that you had a plan to redeem.
Thank you that you make all things new.
Thank you that your face is towards the righteous, and you hear our prayers, and know our hearts.
Help us to stay strong and true to you.
Help us not to follow after the voice of the crowds, but to press in close to you, to hear your whispers, and seek after you alone.
We praise you, we bless you Lord!
Amen
Sacramental Dates 2023
Sacrament of Confirmation (Grade 6)
- Presentation Mass - Saturday 6th May 2023 at 6pm (Grade 6B) - St Paul’s Church
- Presentation Mass - Sunday 7th May 2023 at 9:30am (Grade 6DL) - St Paul’s Church
- Family Confirmation Workshop - Monday 15th May 2023 at 7pm (online)
- Student Reflection Day - Friday 19th May 2023
- Celebration of the Sacrament – Wednesday 31st May 2023 at 6pm - St Paul’s Church
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Grade 3)
- Family Workshop - 22nd May (online 7pm)
- Student Reflection Day - 25th May
- Presentation to the Parish Community at 6pm on 27th May - Grade 3A
- Presentation to the Parish Community at 9:30am on 28th May - Grade 3BA
- First Individual Rite of Forgiveness on 3rd, 4th, 17th and 18th June
Sacrament of Eucharist (Grade 4)
- Presentation to the Parish Community on Saturday 15 July 6pm - Grade 4C
- Presentation to the Parish Community on Sunday 16 July 9:30am - Grade 4LH
- Student Reflection Day (21 July)
- Family Workshop Online (17 July at 7pm)
- First Eucharist (22nd, 23rd, 29th, 30th July; 5th and 6th August)
Rebecca Nolan
Newsletter - Harmony Day
On Friday, 24th March, St Paul's Primary School celebrated Harmony Day, a day dedicated to promoting inclusivity and diversity. The school was buzzing with orange and good vibes, and everyone was excited to participate in the various activities planned for the day. These activities were designed to encourage students to interact with one another and promote inclusiveness.
On Thursday and Friday lunchtime, a chalkboard was set up near the tennis courts for middle and senior students, as well as one next to the tuckshop for junior students. The chalkboard had the message ‘We Belong’ in the centre. Students from all year levels participated by tracing their hands with chalk on the wall and embellished it with decorations throughout the day.
Collaborative Art Piece
In front of the Library door, there was a collaborative art piece with the quote ‘You + Me = Us’. It was designed for the children at St. Paul's to enjoy and colour. This art project was available during Thursday and Friday lunch breaks. After lunch on Friday, the Year 6 students enjoyed some mindfulness time to contribute to this art piece.
Harmony Day Bracelets
During lunch the students at St. Paul’s had the opportunity to make their own creative ‘orange’ bracelets with different types of fabric and some pieces of string. This allowed the students to be as creative as they want, after all, the sky's the limit!
Dancefloor
During lunch on Thursday and Friday there was a dance floor that was in the courtyard for all year levels to come and DANCE! Students got to request songs and listen to some best hits, including Harry Styles! All the students boogied and sang to each song. It was a really fun experience.
Framed Art Piece
An art piece was created with the participation of both students and staff, which will be displayed in the office after it is framed. Each individual involved added their own distinct fingerprint using either blue or green ink, resulting in a stunning and unique masterpiece.
Overall, it was a fantastic day filled with fun, laughter, and most importantly, a celebration of diversity and inclusivity. The school community came together, and the message of Harmony Day was loud and clear - we are all a part of this community, and we should celebrate and embrace our differences. Let's continue to work together to promote inclusivity and kindness in our school community.
Ms Dowling (Student Wellbeing Leader), Ella Porcino (Year 6 Wellbeing Leader), Ruth Haile (Year 6 Arts Leader) and Pia Zampierollo (Year 6 Arts Leader)
We are pleased to report that the Year Six students have just returned from an unforgettable camp at Phillip Island Adventure Resort! The students had a blast participating in a wide range of activities, making new friends, and creating lasting memories.
During their stay, the students took part in a variety of exciting activities such as the giant swing, the twin flying fox, raft building, crate building, rock climbing, laser tag, low ropes course and canoeing. They were thrilled to take on these challenges and to push themselves out of their comfort zones. Many students expressed that their favourite part of the camp was trying new things and overcoming their fears.
In addition to the activities, the students also enjoyed spending time in the great outdoors and experiencing the beautiful weather. They were able to bond with their classmates and make new friends while participating in team-building exercises and working together to complete challenges.
We were impressed with the students' behaviour and attitude during the camp. They demonstrated resilience, cooperation, and respect towards each other and the staff. It was also delightful to see the students encouraging and supporting each other during the various activities.
Overall, the Year Six camp was a huge success, and we are proud of the students for their outstanding effort and enthusiasm. We hope that this experience will be something they will remember for years to come.
Thank you to all the staff members who accompanied the students on this trip and for their commitment to making this camp a fantastic experience for everyone involved. A huge thank you to Mr Maher for his tireless efforts in organising the camp.
