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Dear Parents,
I hope you all enjoyed the beautiful weather yesterday. Signs of hope that Spring will soon be here.
COVID UPDATE
Rapid Tests
The Victorian Government is providing up to three further deliveries of Rapid Antigen Tests in Term 3 and again in Term 4 to schools. The first of these was sent home on Friday.
It is recommended that rapid antigen tests are used by students and staff when symptomatic.
Positive Cases
If students receive a positive rapid test result at any time, they must report this through the Department of Health system COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form or via the coronavirus hotline at 1800 675 398.
I also need parents to report a positive result to me using the Office email address.This is so we can support you, record that the student will be absent while in 7-day isolation, and I can let the Parents and guardians of children in your child’s class know there has been a positive case onsite and that they should monitor for symptoms.
Students who have tested positive for COVID-19, have completed their 7-day isolation period and are subsequently asymptomatic do not need to undertake surveillance testing for twelve weeks.
Household Contacts
Household contacts are required to test negative using a rapid antigen test on at least 5 out of 7 days if they are attending or working at a school onsite. Household contacts attending school who are over 8 years of age are required to wear face masks indoors unless they have a valid exemption.
Face Masks
Current advice from the Victorian Government on the wearing of face masks is that wearing a face mask can help protect you and those around you. Face masks stop droplets spreading when you talk, cough, sneeze and laugh, which lowers your chance of spreading or catching the virus. This information is especially important for those who are medically at risk. The advice also strongly recommends the wearing of face masks in indoor settings (noting that exceptions to the recommendation apply to teaching circumstances when clear enunciation or visibility of the mouth is essential).
This is the recommendation and is not compulsory.
If you have any queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.
Class Newsletters
Last week Class Newsletters were emailed to families which included the dates for your child’s Learning Assembly this term. The assemblies provide an opportunity for parents to engage in their child’s learning and for students to showcase their learning. We hope to see you there.
Classroom helpers start this week. Timetables have been provided for parents to help out in the classroom, providing support to students and teachers. A Literacy Helpers course was held last week by Danni Molino (Literacy Leader) and was well attended. Please contact your child’s teacher or Danni dmolino@spbentleigh.catholic.edu.au , if you have any questions about being a classroom helper.
PRINCIPAL APPOINTMENT PROCESS 2023:
The Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) Principal Selection Process has begun. The Principal Selection Process panel has been formed and they will work through a MACS specially designed selection process to provide advice for the MACS Regional General Manager as to who is the best applicant to lead the school into the future. The panel consists of:
- Parish Priest – Fr Jacob Raju
- MACS Executive Director's Nominee (EDN) – Debbie Darvell
- Regional Leadership Consultant - Jennifer Hawkins
- an experienced, current Primary Principal – Andrew Mullaly
- Principal: St John Vianney’s Mulgrave
- 2 parent representatives:
- School Advisory Council
- Helen Skinner
- Stuart Hall
Our school staff and the School Advisory Council have met with Debbie Darvell and Jennifer Hawkins to provide their insights into the knowledge, skills and expertise of a new principal. The Principal Selection Panel will meet in the coming week.
The appointment process is thorough and the panel will work through the various steps of the process during this term. However it is not uncommon that the position is re-advertised eg. not enough applicants applied or applicants didn’t meet the specific requirements as per the process guidelines. The position will be advertised shortly after the panel has met.
We pray for the panel in all their deliberations and may the Holy Spirit guide their discernment and enrich their discussions.
Smart Watches/Wearable devices
As technology continues to advance, wearable technology (smart watches) becomes more prominent. These devices need to be treated the same as smartphones. It has become evident to us that some students are using these devices to contact parents/family members during school hours, which is not allowed.
As a result, if your child chooses to wear these to school, they must ensure that the communication functionality is disabled, or the device must be handed into the office, in the same way that mobile phones are handed in.
Thank you for your support and cooperation.
Friendship Day
This Friday the 30th of July is International Friendship Day. This day is dedicated to appreciating and promoting friendships from all backgrounds. This global date aims to bridge gaps between factors such as race, language and culture. International Day of Friendships promotes the idea that fostering friendships between people, countries and individuals can inspire peace and build bridges between those communities.
At St Paul’s we will be celebrating International Day of Friendship on Friday the 29th of July. In the classroom, students will learn about the history and significance of this global celebration and complete various activities such as 5 ways to make a friend and what makes a good friend. The SRC from each class will help decorate the school on this special day to create a welcoming atmosphere. At 3:20pm parents are invited to come onto the school grounds to see a special handshake performance.
Leadership Photos
These are available for purchase through Elite School Photography's website.
www.eliteschoolphotography.com.au
Please select the correct title of the photo and use the password ESPEXTRAS to order a photo. These are not displayed online, but feel free to come and see Louise to view any images before you order. Any queries can be directed to the suppliers at info@eliteschoolphotography.com.au
Junior School News
Miss Moore has been keeping an eagle out for students to feature on the Star Work wall! Congratulations to those students who received an award and their work displayed!
Week 1: Eddie Williams (PKD), Amelia Krajewski (PB), Taya Hickey (1W), Pearl Brown (1M), Abigail Zhou (2H) and Evangeline Grilli (2MA)
Footy Star
Emma from Prep B was selected to be interviewed on Channel 7, during halftime of the footy. A rising star!
Celebrating 100 Days of Prep
It is hard to believe that the Preps have now completed 100 days of school. What a difference a year makes! To celebrate this special day, families were invited to join in the celebrations on Friday morning. The Hall was abuzz with activities, highlighting the number 100 with lots of fun for Preps, siblings and families. Many thanks to Kate, Julie and Natalie, our superstar Prep teachers!
Beachside Division Finals 2022
On Wednesday 20 July, the St Paul's AFL Football Team played in the Beachside Division Finals after winning the Bentleigh District finals in Term 2. They won 1 game out of 4 in their round-robin format. They completed well against very strong opposition and they should be very proud of their achievement of representing the Bentleigh District and on making the Beachside Division Final. Well done Footballers!
OLSH PE Visits for Grades 2 and 5
Over the next few weeks Grade 2 and Grade 5 have been invited to walk over to OLSH College during their rostered PE lessons. They will participate in some exciting activities run by some of the OLSH students who are completing Sport and Recreation courses. The activities will include Ninja/Gymnastics sessions and initiative games. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful relationship with OLSH College and it is great to be able to enjoy using their amazing facilities.
Lost Property
We have already accumulated baskets of unnamed jackets, jumpers and lunch boxes this term. The Year 6 leaders will have a table with unclaimed items outside the Hall after school this week.
VicRoads:
Upcoming community information sessions for the Jasper Rd/Brewer Rd intersection upgrade project, Bentleigh. Link provided.
Have a great week everyone. Take care,
Catherine
The intensity is heating up at Dad's Footy training, with a full-length practice match yesterday at McKinnon Oval, and the final player list is being locked down by the coaches. This year, St Paul's will lift the cup again in the annual "Battle of the Saints" football showdown. We've locked in the match for 2pm on Saturday August 27, at Centenary Park Oval - the canteen will be open, and the BBQ will be going, so bring the kids and cheer on the St Paul's dads as they take on arch-rival St Peter's.
