Dear Parents,

Remembrance Day 

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; 
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 
At the going down of the sun and in the morning 
We will remember them."

The Ode comes from For the Fallen, a poem by the English poet and writer Laurence Binyon and was published in London in the Winnowing Fan; Poems of the Great War in 1914.

As the world reminds us to pray for peace. Lest We Forget

Our term 4 Planning Day is scheduled for 29 November as a school closure day. Continuing professional learning is an essential component of school improvement and staff development. Professional learning is valued and recognised, in particular as a major contributing factor towards improvement in student outcomes. A school’s commitment to professional learning assists  teachers to realise their vocation as educators in Catholic schools and assists support staff in their role of service to the school community. Effective schools are learning communities in which staff are lifelong learners who contribute to the community’s learning and knowledge base to achieve the goals of the Catholic school and realise it’s vision. This week the Leadership Team at St Paul’s will gather to look at a variety of school based data from staff, parents and students as we prioritise our School improvement focus for the year ahead. Data sources include the Catholic Identity Survey (parents, students and staff), NAPLAN data, CEMSIS Data (completed by staff, parents and students), the Annual Action Plan for 2019 and feedback from staff and students on current initiatives. I look forward to engaging with parents further in 2020 as we move into our School Improvement Review period  where we will set goals and priorities for the next 4 years.

Parent Child Evening

A reminder that on 20 November, we would like to invite parents and students from Years 3-6 to attend an information evening on Sexuality Education. This is a family program and the sessions are attended by children and their adults and are an opportunity for families to discuss issues around puberty and changes that will affect each of them.  These sessions are fun and informal. Family Programs run for one hour. Session 1 (Families, Bodies and Babies) is usually attended by Years 3/4 families, whilst Session 2 (Puberty: Growing and Changing) is usually attended by Years 5/6 families. However, attendance at either or both sessions is left to each family’s discretion. Please refer to the link below for bookings and further information is provided in this week’s Newsletter. I hope many families take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. The program can only run if we have a positive response from more families to attend.

https://www.trybooking.com/BGDTR

Swimming Program

This week the Swimming Program at Aqua Star Swim School begins for students in Years 4-6. Please check the information sent out on Caremonkey so that your child comes prepared for the week ahead. 

Reports Online
Today you will receive a Care Monkey letter announcing that Student Reports will be accessed online this semester and beyond. Please read the information carefully.

Student Success

Congratulations to Sophie Mandile who has been selected to perform with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Hansel & Gretel along with girls from the Australian Girls choir for two performances in late November. She’s very excited to have been selected. The challenge will be to sing in German. Congratulations Sophie and best wishes from us all.

Travel the world without leaving the Classroom

Thanks to the generosity of our Parents and Friends, we have been able to purchase 30 Virtual Reality Kits to be used by students and teachers to enhance the digital learning experiences as part of ICT/Digital Technologies curriculum. Students will go on ‘Google Expeditions’ around the world and feel like they are ‘really’ there.

2019 fundraising has also enabled us to refurbish the Library with new chairs, a flexible workspace for small group work, blinds and display boards. Additional sewing machines have been purchased for the Art Room, options for stand up desks will be a feature in the senior classrooms, Maths games with a focus on problem solving for P-6 have been ordered and we are currently receiving quotes for additional shade sails and seating for the area outside the Year 4 classrooms. Thank you for your contribution and the ongoing support we receive from the parent community. All students across the school will benefit from these additional resources and upgrades.

Year 5 Leadership Day

On Friday the students and staff from Year 5 gathered Higgins Rd Hall to discuss and learn more about their roles as school leaders for 2020.

The day began with the drama students from St James College running a series of Theatre Sports activities where all students were challenged to step outside their comfort zone and have some fun.

Past students from St Paul’s, including Bianca Moscato, Ben Hamilton and Aaron Ryan were part of a panel who spoke about their experience of leadership, peer group pressure and friendships.

The highlight of the day was of course the fish and chips for lunch!

Student reflections…..

I enjoyed the drama games with the St James boys where I had the chance to work with people who I don’t usually work with. I hope as a leader next year I can work with anyone.

Mo

To me leadership is about being kind, confident and fair. I really enjoyed the session with the ‘Police in Schools’ because they are important leaders in the community and understand the issues around social media and safety.

Sabrina

I really enjoyed how the Yr 7 students took time to come and speak to us about leadership. I hope I can be flexible, be able to multi -task and be a good role model to others.

Zoe

Sacramental Program 2020

Dear Parents,

In choosing a Catholic School for your child, you are now invited to continue the preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation.  These Sacraments are for those children baptised Catholic and are celebrated within a partnership of the Family, Parish and School. At Holy Trinity Parish, sacraments are Parent Initiated, School Supported and Parish Based.

 The Federated Schools (St Catherine’s, St Paul’s & St Peter’s,) of Holy Trinity Parish are very conscious of their responsibility to support parents in all areas of faith development, with a special program being taught during sacramental preparation time. The three schools will be working together in partnership and sharing the responsibility of the Sacramental Program along with Holy Trinity Parish. Therefore each school will take turns in hosting Workshops and Reflection Days for the Sacramental Program in 2020. Families are asked to attend the Family Workshops for each of the Sacraments offered.  Please see dates and venues below.

Please also note that there will be School celebrations for those in Years 3 and 4 to celebrate their making of Reconciliation and Eucharist on the following dates:

Wednesday, 4^th November: St Catherine’s @ 10.00am Mass

Thursday, 5^th November: St Paul’s @ 10.00am Mass

Friday, 6^th November: St Peter’s Year 3 and Year 4 @ 10.00am Mass

A letter will be sent via CareMonkey to the parents of baptised catholic children at the beginning of next year with details on how to enrol your child into the Sacramental Program for 2020, we just felt it was important to give the families dates for 2020. 

If you have any queries on this process, please do not hesitate to contact Father Jacob or Edward Dooley on email:  edooley@spbentleigh.catholic.edu.au

We look forward to working with and supporting you as you lead your child more fully into their faith journey in our Parish Community.

Father Jacob                       Michael Juliff                              Edward Dooley 

Parish Priest                   Coordinating Principal                 Mission and Faith Leader

Sex Ed 4 Schools 

With Cath McCallig 

Family Programs 

Cath McCallig is delighted to offer her Family Program to Primary School Communities. Cath has worked in schools as a teacher, theatre in education presenter, and more recently, as a sexuality educator with Family Life Victoria. Cath is now branching out on her own and offering both Family Evenings and School Programs. With four children of her own, Cath understands and fully support the role families have in the sexuality education of children. 

Below is a quick rundown of what is covered over the 2 sessions of the Family Program. These sessions are attended by children and their adult(s) and are an opportunity to discuss the topics listed. The sessions are designed to be fun and informal. Families can choose to attend one or both sessions. Each session runs for an hour with a 15 minute break in between. 

Session 1 Families, Bodies and Babies. 

*Ideas of what makes a family are shared. *Similarities and differences in male and female bodies are looked at. *Body parts are named and the term ‘private parts’ discussed as a lead-in to keeping ourselves safe. *Conception, foetal development and birth are discussed. This will include a brief and basic explanation of sexual intercourse. 

Session 2 Puberty: Growing and Changing 

*The Who, What, When and Why of Puberty (including the pituitary gland and hormones). *A quick recap of body parts and their names for those who didn’t attend Session 1 *The physical, social and emotional changes of puberty are discussed allowing time for students to talk with their attending adult(s) about management strategies. *The gender specific changes are explained and again, students have the opportunity to discuss management with their adults. 

Cost: $20 per family for one session, $25 per family for 2 sessions. 

Date: 20 November 2019

Times: Session 1 FAMILIES, BODIES AND BABIES 6 - 7 pm

Session 2 PUBERTY: GROWING AND CHANGING 7:15 - 8:15 pm

Venue: School Hall

Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/BGDTR 

A minimum of 10 families is required for the sessions to proceed. 

Dear Grade 3 & 4 Parents:

The Sacramental Program 2019 is now closed.  If your child hasn’t made their sacrament yet, (First Reconciliation or First Eucharist), you will now need to contact the parish office (9557 1165) next year to book your child in for the sacrament before they can progress to the subsequent sacrament.

Thank you.

If you are planning to purchase a DVD of our wondeful concert they are available to buy up until this Friday 15th November. The link is below

http://www.trybooking.com/BFIHA