Mary MacKillop was born in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, on 15 January 1842. She was the eldest of eight children. Her family struggled financially and, from the age of 14, Mary needed to work to help support the family. In 1860, she went to Penola in South Australia to be governess to her uncle’s children. She spoke with the local priest, Fr Julian Tennison Woods, about her desire to become a nun and together they dreamed of starting a religious group. Six years later, on 19 March 1866 (St Joseph’s Day) Mary wore a plain black dress to signify that she had begun to live a Religious life. Within two years 120 women had joined the Religious Institute. They took on the work of educating children in small parish schools, and caring for orphans and needy women. Little did Fr Woods and Mary know what was to spring from so small a beginning. These ‘Josephite’ Sisters walked the streets to visit the poor, and lived in twos and threes in rented houses in isolated areas or city slums. The Sisters lived and shared their possessions as equals.

As Australia’s first canonised saint, she embodies all that is best in our Australian nation and its people.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent teacher interviews will be held in Week 6 this term - 17 and 18 August. Interviews will be offered both online and in person as we respond to the demands of working families. The Prep to Year 2 teachers have said they have a preference for face to face so that they can show you examples of the students' work, however both modes are being offered. Students from Year 3-6 are asked to attend either way.

To enable teachers to complete the interviews over the two days, students will finish school at 1.40pm on both Wednesday and Thursday. OSHClub will be available. Year 3B will have their interviews in Week 9  as their teacher is on leave. Students in 3B will have a full day at school on Wednesday and Thursday while interviews are being held. Online bookings will be available this week. If you have had a PSG for your child recently, you are not required to make a booking. 

School Closure Day

A reminder that there is no school on Monday 22 August - OSH Club is available on that day if needed.

Red Cycle

Last week the Year 5 students had an incursion run by REDcycle. RED Group is a Melbourne-based consulting and recycling organisation who has developed and implemented the REDcycle Program; a recovery initiative for post-consumer soft plastic. Students learned how soft plastic is molded into a range of products, and the benefits of buying soft plastic made products versus the commonly made out of wood products. This incursion was linked to the Year 5 Inquiry unit of sustainability. 

SRC

Congratulations to our SRC members for Semester 2!

Matthew Ko, Sofia Zisis, Freddie Rowe, Michaela Schembri,  Ashton Malkiewicz, Eva Norris, Pia Damasco, Mason Woloshenko, Elsie MacLennan, Julius Khamu, Nishant Bellamkonda, Ruby Robertson, Amelia Belej and William Poles.

Friendship Day

Maths Superstars

Congratulations to Max O'Brien, Ella Logan, Layth Soufan, Zac Morris, Matthew Strupl, Lily Maguire, Grace Friend and Mia Benvenuto who represented St Paul's in a Maths Games Day at St Pat's Mentone on 28 July!

Kinder Visit

Trivia Night

A wonderful night is planned for Friday night at St Peter’s Hall in East Bentleigh. Many thanks to Donna Campbell, Sarah and Lincoln Easton, Tegan Lloyd, Julia Cannell, Marisa Manakis, Jo Frith, Matt Burgess, Suzanne Commerford, Michelle Williams, Melissa McLoughlin, Bec Saunders and the entire team for all the work that has gone into preparing prizes, artwork, advertising and entertainment. We are looking forward to a great night.

Have a great week!

Kindest regards,

Catherine

Dear Parents,

Most of our childhood memories involve getting cosy with a book. Someone we loved reading to us or the magic of listening past our bedtime for “just one more page!”.  Book Week is the highlight of the Childrens’ Book Council of Australia. Each year a series of awards are announced celebrating the rich literature and artistic quality of an array of childrens’ books.

The CBCA Book Week theme: "Dreaming with Eyes Open” will see teachers and students around the country let their imaginations run wild as they celebrate the magic of books.

At St Paul’s, this will be explored in literacy sessions when students delve deeper into some wonderful literature. During their ART lessons the students will be creating an art piece in response to the literature as inspiration!

The whole school Book Week events will commence Tuesday 22nd August and run until Wednesday 31st August. Our dress up day will be Tuesday 23rd August whereby the students (and teachers) will enjoy coming along to school dressed up as their favourite book character, the book fair is also a highlight amongst classroom activities during the week.

Perhaps at home, you may take the opportunity to discuss and look at books that have been nominated.

The 2022 cbca book of the year shortlist

Even if you do not have the nominated books, look on your bookshelves and discuss some of the ways your book has stimulated your imagination, how it allowed you to dream about other places and travel into imaginary worlds. How have the characters dared you to take action or rise to a challenge? Perhaps you could make a Dream Catcher or a Dream Jar (like in Roald Dahl’s BFG). Could you write a letter to your future self?  What are your dreams for the future? Where will you live, are you famous for something? Will you have done something special to help the world?  Take time to explore some wonderful Indigenous Dreamtime stories too. 

Please click on the link to read and enjoy this lovely poem by Mike Lucas.

Dreaming With Eyes Open POEM 

Looking forward to celebrating this annual event as a whole school. 

Happy reading everyone!

Danni Molino, P-6 Literacy Leader