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Dear Parents,
I hope everyone has had a wonderful Mother’s Day. It was a very special occasion at St Paul’s on Thursday morning as families gathered to celebrate the love and contribution our mothers make in our lives.
Thank you to all those who contributed by helping set up and serve food.
A special thanks to Dino Moscato, Danny Maher, Troy Mercieca, Nick Stribakos and all the dads who were there until late Wednesday night and again early Thursday morning cooking and setting up tables. Thank you also to Shannon and Lindsay and the mothers who organised and worked on the Mothers Day stall. I am sure every child went home with just the perfect gift. And a big thank you to Kristy Teal and Dani North who donated our very generous raffle prizes: a Bare Beauty voucher donated by Kristy and a blow dry & luxury hair treatment voucher from Hair Do by Joey Scandizzo in Myer Southland donated by Dani.
It has been great to be back this week after 6 weeks of recovering from a knee replacement. It’s amazing how much you appreciate being well and being able to come to work each day after a period of daytime tv, bed rest and no driving!
I have received a very warm welcome from students, parents and staff and thank Michael Juliff and Ed Dooley as well as the leadership team for support during my absence.
Schoolzine
We have had some very positive feedback from parents about the new Newsletter.
Our aim is to streamline all correspondence so that it is accessible and provides a ‘one stop shop’ for communication between home and school.
Student Supervision
A reminder that the school playgrounds are not supervised until 8.30 each morning and we ask that students do not arrive before this time.
There are a number of students who are not being supervised while waiting for basketball, tennis or music lessons to begin. We ask all parents to be vigilant and ensure the safety of their children during these times.
Grandparents and Special Visitors Day
On the 31 May we will be celebrating the gift of Grandparents and special people in our lives. For those children who do not have Grandparents, they are most welcome to invite a special visitor. The celebrations will begin with a Liturgy in the church at 9.15am. Visitors will then spend time in classrooms with the students and morning tea will be provided in the Hall at 1045am. The celebrations will cionclude at 11.15.
A cold wet week saw lots of indoor fun during the wet day lunch program.
Mystery Readers in Prep
Every Friday mystery readers are invited to share their favourite story book with the Prep students. This week in PK Sam Holland’s nanna Cynthia had the students mesmerized as she brought to life the story of ‘The Witch on the Broomstick’.
NAPLAN
This week our Year 3 and Year 5 students will be sitting their NAPLAN tests in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy.
NAPLAN is National data required to assess the skills of every child in the core learning areas. It is important to remember that NAPLAN is not about passing or failing, but about assessing learning progress. At the classroom level it is just one of a number of important tools used by teachers to measure student progress. Please reassure your child tonight to relax, do their best and remember that they have been well prepared.
Have a great week.
Catherine
Thank you to those parents who have provided some really positive feedback on the new Parent Engagement Platform. We will continue to add to it as we receive that feedback. You will notice on the side bar of the eNewsletter we have added a tab – ‘School Polices’ as parents have asked where to find them. We have only put the relevant ones for parents but if there is something not there that you think should be added please just email me and we can upload it if needs be.
On the Schools Policies Page, we have the updated version of our Federated Schools Privacy Policy and Standard Collection Notice. These have recently been updated to reflect the use of digital data and to cover the use and/or disclosure of personal information in relation to the Catholic Education Melbourne School Improvement Surveys (CEMSIS).
We have begun to use the App and will increase the use in coming weeks so I urge all parents to download it. You will receive notification from us when the eNewsletter is published and when other important items or events need to be communicated.
If you haven’t yet I ask that all staff download the app for St Peter’s - http://www.schoolzine.com/szapp - all the instructions can be found here or just go to the app store / google playstore and search SZapp then download and pick region and type in school name.
Michael Juliff
Co-Ordinating Principal
St Catherine’s, St Paul’s & St Peter’s
Will this enhance God’s love or enhance the notion of hatred?
Last Friday I participated in a Professional Development day on the framework Friendology. This is a program/framework to assist children in dealing with their friendships and relationships. Am I in a healthy friendship or am I in an unhealthy relationship. It was a very thought provoking day.
The day continued to help me reflect on how we as a community relate to one another.
In many ways people today are no different to people of yesterday. People continue to say nasty things about other people.
The big difference today is that social media creates an immediate response.
I ask myself the questions, Are we a more accepting community than we were 50 years ago? 20 years ago? 5 years ago?
What we do have now is the immediate apology response of, “I apologise if I offended anyone with my statement. I did not mean to offend anyone”. Well the fact you made the statement means you may offend. Apologising does not get you off the hook.
Recently we have had Israel Folou supposedly quoting the bible. His social media piece basically offended every person on this planet. Folau’s supporters say he was just quoting from the Bible, but this is no excuse for spreading such hatred.
My major problem with Folau’s statement is that he is NOT quoting the bible. Nowhere in the bible does his statement exist. Folou is NOT a theologian and would have been better off leaving such statements to those who know and understand the bible.
Then yesterday we had this piece in the Herald Sun. A very powerful article but also a very sad article.
What we have now is anonymous behaviour. People hide behind anonymity to post their true thoughts of hatred.
Mark Robinson on AFL 360 has said that he has become disillusioned with humanity. I would tend to agree with him. But my difference is that I believe we are better than this.
The three motto’s of our Federation are: In God we Live, Inspired by Faith and Where two or three are gathered in my name there I am in the midst of them.
These three motto’s are summed up in the statement, Welcome, respect and support all people as unique individuals.
One of my biggest worries for our children is that we instil in them a love of others and an acceptance of others. What hope do we have when they hear and read the opposite?
I can only control what I see, hear and say. One way we can assist our children is by helping them to understand that they are made in the image and likeness of God. That all people are made in the image and likeness of God. We must teach that we all have a choice in what we say about another people. Perhaps the reflective questions for us all is that before we say anything ask ourselves, Will this enhance God’s love or enhance the notion of hatred?
I know I am not perfect but I know that I always want to enhance God’s love in our world.
Edward Dooley (Mission and Faith Leader)
‘Downright disgusting: The comments I face daily’
Sabrina Frederick
May 6, 2019 1:58pm
‘Go play a women’s sport if you can’t handle the attention.’
‘You wanted equal rights sweetheart don’t cry when it’s too even.’
‘Sorry girls, men do it better.’
These are just some of the belittling, misogynist and downright disgusting social media comments that sportswomen face daily.
And as a female footy player, migrant, and woman of colour in a same sex relationship, I have copped quite a bit of nasty abuse online — and nothing in the snippets above are out of the ordinary.
According to new research released by Plan International, 23 per cent of all negative comments towards sportswomen were sexist in nature, while 20 per cent demeaned women’s athletic abilities and skills. I’d love to say that I was surprised by those findings, but unfortunately, online abuse directed at female athletes has become par for the course.
Richmond AFLW player Sabrina Frederick has copped horrible abuse since her career first began. Picture: David Crosling
I was just 19 years old when I was first drafted to the Brisbane Lions for the inaugural AFLW season.
Fresh faced, optimistic and with a new-found platform, I was excited that someone who looks like me could share positive messages on social media with other aspiring young female players.
I was excited that young girls from all cultural backgrounds would continue to see themselves reflected in the AFL dream and I felt and continue to feel, incredibly privileged to be doing my bit.
For the most part, I enjoy engaging with my fans on social media — sharing the highs and lows of my life and career, and inspiring others to follow their dreams.
What I wasn’t prepared for was the disgusting underbelly of the social media world — the one where keyboard warriors who don’t know you, choose to post the most horrifically vile stuff without fear of consequence, and often with the comfort of anonymity.
Sabrina Frederick was just 19 when she first began playing in the AFLW professionally. Picture: AAP Image/Josh Woning
In the beginning, I would monitor each post and read every single negative comment about me. I would spend hours scrolling and then contemplating on whether or not I should respond.
When a troll would come to my account and comment that women were ‘useless athletes’ on one of my images, or that we were ‘too fat and slow’, or that we should ‘get back in the kitchen’ — it hurt. All I ever tried to be was the best version of myself. To be ripped to shreds by complete strangers certainly felt disempowering.
Although the internet has permitted online trolls to multiply hateful, sexist and uninformed information, it can also be a powerful tool for good.
After Tayla Harris copped a barrage of sexualised and misogynist abuse on a photo of her doing her job, she also received an overwhelming amount of support from fans, teammates and the broader online community. Not only did Tayla’s image go viral, it has become a symbol of change. It is bigger than Tayla and bigger than the sport itself.
Carlton AFLW player Tayla Harris copped a barrage of abuse after a powerful image of her performing on-field was shared to social media. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL
While the moment is still fresh, together we need to channel our outrage and work to address what is driving these negative attitudes and behaviours.
What we know from the research is that all women can be the target of abuse and it is not always confined to the internet. Regardless of where it happens, these disrespectful attitudes and behaviours don’t occur in a vacuum.
They’re perpetuated by a culture that allows gender inequality and harmful gender stereotypes to continue, which means we all play a role in cutting it off at the source.
As an ambassador for national youth campaign, The Line, I want to encourage young people to be true to themselves and not be deterred from chasing their dreams.
Yes, there is still a long way to go but it’s definitely something to keep striving for.
Sabrina Fredrick plays for Richmond in the AFLW and is an ambassador for The Line.
Read LessDear Families,
If you are paying by instalments the second instalment is now due. The third instalment is due on July 23rd.
You can make your payment at the school office or directly into the school account.
Bank details:
BSB: 083 347
Account No: 695000591
Please reference the payment with your account number and surname.
On Tuesday 7th May, St. Paul’s entered a team of 54 Runners in the B.D.S. Cross Country Championship. The children ran extremely well in the beautiful conditions and St. Paul’s finished 5th overall, winning the Adjusted Points Shield for the tenth year in a row. A fantastic result!
From the 54 runners we had 4 children who qualified to run in the Beachside Division Cross Country on Tuesday 29th May at Bald Hill Park. They are:
Maddie Di Conza - 12/13 Girls
Ruby Hartney – 12/13 Girls
Henry Uytenbogaardt - 11 Boys
Keira Edge - 11 Girls
We wish them all the best at Beachside Division on the 28th May.
Danny Maher
Phys Ed / Sport Coordinator
The next P&F Meeting is on Wednesday 15th May at 7:30 on Library
Fete Meetings: 7:30pm in Schoool Library
· Monday 3 June
· Monday 15 July
· Monday 12 August
· Monday 9 September
· Monday 7 October
· FETE DAY 27 OCTOBER
Fete Dress Up Day: Friday 17th
Children can wear casual clothes and create a wacky hairstyle. Please bring donations of bottles of wine or a monetary donation for the Wine Stall. Donations of wine are to be brought in by parents please.
CRAFT STALL HELPERS FOR FETE 2019
Angie Uytenbogardt (5L) has kindly agreed to co-ordinate the Fete Craft Stall for 2019 but she needs your help! She has been involved with this stall for many years and would love to help anyone who wants to get involved. It is great fun and something you can really be proud of.
How might you be able to help?
- Look @ Pinterest and Google and suggest ideas for items that may sell well
- Offer to cut out material for the sewers
- Have a go at some sewing yourself (direction can be provided)
- Offer to make paper craft, jewellery, pom poms or pot plant painting.
If you are able to help this year, big or small, please email bogaardt@iprimus.com.au
Mothers' Day Breakfast
Thank you to all who organised, helped and attended our Mothers' Day Breakfast. It was a great success!
Special thanks to Dino Moscato, Danny Maher, Nick Stribakos and Troy Mercieca and all the Dads that came to school very early to help.
Raffle Prizes
Huge thanks to:
Dani North for donating a blow dry and and luxury hair treatment from Hair Do by Joey Scandizzo at Myer Southland. An offer of a 25% discount for first time customers is available call 9582 5116 to book in!
Kristy Teal for donating a Bare Beauty voucher. Bare Beauty is located at 185 Booran Rd Ormond 9578 9578
ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS
Entertainment Memberships for the coming year are now available in Book or Digital formats.
This is a great fundraiser for the school and saves you money as well!
Order your membership online
http://www.entbook.com.au/18357o7
Or you can pick up an order form from the school office.
For more information contact Sam Bradley (Harry's Mum in Yr 6) on sambradley30@hotmail.com
BECEC 40th Anniversary Celebration + Trivia Night
For all BFCCC and BECEC Staff, Friends, and Families from the past and the present! Take a trip down memory lane with a night to celebrate 40 years of quality care and education, with some fun Trivia on the side.
Sat 1st June - 7:00pm
OLSH College Bentleigh
BOOK TICKETS THROUGH: www.trybooking.com/BBTQR
We look forward to seeing you!
