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Dear Families,
New Senior Playground
St Paul’s is excited to announce a new addition to our playground space! Thanks to the generosity and tireless efforts of our wonderful parent group, money raised by the P&F over the past few years has been used to design and install a new Senior adventure playground. This is a result of a culmination of years of hard work – made up from many fundraisers that have and will continue to be so well coordinated in our close-knit community.
The playground company, Adventure Plus, also installed the pinnacle. The design of the playground took into consideration many aspects of play: climbing frames to challenge older students, monkey bars and ropes at different heights. The various play activities provide important opportunities for physical and social skills. It includes many entry and exit points, designed to allow easy progression from one activity to the next. As you can see, the visual appeal of the playground has not been forgotten with elements of bright colour throughout. The addition of a senior playground will provide our older students with a safe and enjoyable space to play, socialize, and stay active during their breaks. It will enhance their overall school experience and contribute to their physical and emotional wellbeing. Our SRC students had a voice in the design as well. They were able to contribute their thoughts and ideas on how to improve some elements of the playground and their ideas have been incorporated into the design.
The installation of the playground is due mid to late August.
On behalf of the children of St Paul’s, we thank you all for your continued fundraising and support, particularly the fete committee. We are truly grateful for your commitment - all that we do is for the benefit of the children and your efforts cannot be underestimated. Your contributions, whether big or small, have made a significant impact on our school. From bake sales to raffles, from sponsored events to donations, your support has been invaluable in helping us reach our goal. It's definitely a collective effort.
As the installation progresses we’ll keep parents updated via the newsletter. We have our eye on the Junior playground as our next big fundraising target!
In the meantime, here is the design of our eagerly anticipated Senior playground!
Thank you once again for your unwavering support. We look forward to seeing the smiles on our students faces as they enjoy the new senior space for years to come.
Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day! I hope all our mothers, and those who show a mother's love, had the best day filled with hugs, love and gestures of gratitude and appreciation.
It is also a time we remember those mothers who are no longer with us.
The Mother’s day breakfast on Friday was a superb event, with the hall packed to standing room! The breakfast organised by the dads was wonderfully catered. Thank you to Paul Holland and the Dad's group - in particular Dean Salomone, Rob Esposto, Simon Masters, Jez Kerrigan, Trevor Mayol, Darren Baker, Sam Harris, Stu Hall, Luke Cranefiled, Sergio Fucile, Ben Skinner, Shannon Bainbridge and Adam Grilli (apologies to anyone we may have missed). This event could not run without all the extremely hard work behind the scenes by Danny Maher - in preparation, running the breakfast and packing away!
Thank you also to all our sponsors and congratulations to all our prize winners. It was wonderful to see our school community come together to celebrate!
The Mother’s Day stall on Thursday had many wonderful gifts for children to choose from. Thank you to Zoe Holland and the wonderful group of mums who coordinated and organized the stall. There was something special there for everyone and the children were so excited to choose something for their beloved mum!
To all our St Paul’s families, we hope you had a lovely Mother’s Day.
Prep 2025
Last call for any current siblings whose enrolment form has not been handed into the office for Prep in 2025. Letters of offer will be sent out later in the month.
Children feeling unwell
As winter is fast approaching, we are noticing that there are a number of students who are coming to school quite unwell, with cold and flu symptoms. These symptoms may include a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, watery eyes and/or a fever. In order to protect our community, it is vitally important that we monitor these symptoms and keep students home if they are unwell.
Student Achievement - Lincoln Hall
At St Paul’s we like to acknowledge some of the outstanding achievements of our students. Last term, one of our Year 6 students, Lincoln Hall, represented St Paul’s at the Victorian State Swimming Championships. Lincoln finished 1st in the 50m Freestyle! This means Lincoln will go through to the National Swimming Championships later this year. We are all incredibly proud of Lincoln’s achievements. It takes extraordinary dedication to reach the level of state and national championships. Congratulations, Lincoln! We wish you all the best at the National titles. St Paul’s will loudly cheer you on!
Student Awards - Term 2
In our next newsletter, we will announce all the student award winners for Term 2.
Parking
Please remember to be mindful of parking zones around the school. Drop-off zones are for that purpose only - not for parking. Please help keep our children and community safe.
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 schoolyard. They may be ridden to the gate, but then dismount and walk the bike or scooter through the schoolyard.
Late to school/early pick up
A reminder to email the teacher and copy the office if your child is absent, arriving late or leaving early (if you know in advance). All parents need to sign in at the office if students arrive after 9am. Please don't go straight to the classroom without the office knowing.
Upcoming Events
Monday 20 May - Whole School Assembly 3.00pm
Friday 24 May - Year 6 Confirmation Mass 5pm
Monday 3 June - Whole School Assembly 3.00pm
Thursday 6 June - School Disco Prep - Year 3: 4.30-6.00pm
Year 4 - Year 6: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Friday 28 June - casual clothes day. Finish 2.30pm
2024 School Closure Days
Friday 7 June - School Closure Day
Monday 10 June - King's Birthday Public Holiday
Monday 9 September - School Closure Day (new to our list)
Monday 4 November - School Closure Day
Tuesday 5 November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Friday 29 November - School Closure Day
Kind regards,
Freda
Pentecost
As we approach the significant celebration of Pentecost on May 19, we are reminded of its pivotal role in the birth of the Church. The Church, far from being static, is dynamic and responsive, adapting to its cultural and global environment. Just as living beings require oxygen, our spiritual vitality stems from the breath of God, infused through the Holy Spirit. Jesus, mirroring the act of creation, breathes life into his disciples, imparting the Holy Spirit upon them. This divine presence empowers us to carry forth Jesus' mission in our contemporary world, embodying his compassion, wisdom, and love. While the gifts of the Holy Spirit are well-known, less emphasis is often placed on the fruits it bears within us. Galatians 5:22-23 highlights these fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities mirror the essence of God and guide us in our spiritual growth throughout life's journey. Here at St. Paul's, we are particularly fortunate to have the Sacrament of Confirmation celebrated during this time of Pentecost, serving as a poignant reminder of our personal reception of the Holy Spirit into our lives.
Confirmation Family Evening
The Confirmation Family Evening was a heartwarming experience as parents and children came together to explore the profound significance of this sacrament. It was truly delightful to witness the collaboration between parents and their children, as they engaged in activities that sparked creativity and deep reflection. Together, they delved into the meaning and importance of Confirmation, with many of the parents enjoying the opportunity to get their creative juices flowing, as they shared insights and perspectives. It was a beautiful display of familial unity and spiritual growth, underscoring the importance of journeying together in faith as a family.
Confirmation Reflection Day
Further to the Confirmation Family Evening was the Confirmation Reflection Day. This was a resounding success as our children engaged deeply in contemplating their journey towards becoming young Christian adults. Through thoughtful reflection, they explored the significance of receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit in their own lives. Various activities facilitated their understanding of how these gifts are relevant in today's world, empowering them to navigate challenges with love, wisdom, and compassion. It was a day filled with meaningful insights and spiritual growth, laying a strong foundation for their continued journey of faith.
Many thanks to their teachers, Ms Berends, Miss Wira and Mrs Gardiner for all of the planning and preparation that went into organising such meaningful events such as the Confirmation Family Evening and the Confirmation Reflection Day for both our students and their families. We are truly blessed here at St Paul’s to have such a dedicated staff who really value the spiritual development of our students and families.
Prep Prayers in Pyjamas
The Prep's Prayers in Pyjamas evening was a truly memorable occasion, allowing children and parents to bond over the significance of prayer in their lives. Together, they delved into the reasons behind prayer and its various settings. The evening sparked creativity and offered insightful perspectives from both children and parents. It provided a precious opportunity for quality one-on-one time, fostering deeper connections and spiritual understanding within families. A huge ‘Thank you’ to Miss Birthisel and Miss Walker for their hard work to make this evening such a meaningful and memorable one for all involved. We are genuinely lucky to have staff who are committed to creating such a warm and inviting environment for our students and their families.
Student Voice
At St Paul's we are dedicated to ensuring every student has a voice and feels empowered within our school community. Research consistently shows the profound impact of student voice on academic success, social development and overall wellbeing. That is why we're excited to introduce our St Paul’s Student Voice Thinking Chart as part of our Student Representative Council (SRC) initiatives. This chart provides a platform for students to express what is working well, identify areas for improvement, share questions and contribute ideas to enhance their learning environment. By actively engaging students in decision-making processes, we not only foster a sense of ownership and responsibility but also cultivate a positive school culture where every voice is valued.
Harmony Day Art
Thank you to the SRC for assisting with our collaborative art display celebrating Harmony Day. Each student received a handprint and was asked to decorate it with images and patterns that represent them and their culture Each vibrant stroke of colour represents the beautiful diversity within our school community. From the Preps to the Year 6s, our students have come together to showcase the richness of different cultures and the importance of kindness. Feel free to have a look at this display outside the library and ICT lab. Let's continue to spread kindness and embrace the beauty of diversity in our school and beyond!
