Vision

Our vision is to create a faithful, compassionate community that aspires to lifelong learning. 

Mission

Our mission is to create a compassionate community by being:

• Christ centred
• Welcoming and inclusive
• Respectful of each person’s dignity
• Committed to growth in faith, learning and wellbeing

Dear Families,

We have had a great start to the year. Students have settled beautifully into their new classes and are getting to know their teachers. The first few weeks of a new school year  are about getting to know one another, learning the routines unique to each class as well as the whole school routines and gathering learning data so teachers can plan to teach where the children are at. Kindergarten has also begun and it was delightful to see families who are returning with the next sibling and we welcome our new families. We look forward to walking alongside you as together we help your child to grow into a young person who we aim to develop as a lifelong learner surrounded by a kind and compassionate community.

It is under the overarching vision and mission, written at the top, that we will continue to develop our community so it  is a place of encounter with Jesus and the Good News. We will turn our focus this year to the prayer and liturgical life of the school ensuring we are providing rich experiences for all community members. We will unpack the new CEDoW Faith, Learning and Wellbeing framework with staff and the community so we can ensure students are engaged in their learning and we will deepen the parent partnership relationship inviting parents to join us in co-creating a Catholic community.

Our new Prayer/Sensory Garden is a great place to begin this journey. This garden came about by the work of the P&F. It was funded through two sources; the dissolution of the Chris Smith Memorial Trust fund and a grant from BDCU. We are grateful to both groups for providing us with the opportunity to build a space that is central to the school. The original prayer garden is up near the oval however when the Hall fence was moved this space became available and it was in essence the perfect sport for the purpose of the garden. The new location of the prayer/sensory garden falls between the school, Church and hall. It has become the central focus for the school and will be a wonderful place for people to pray,  reflect and /or have quiet time to regulate. The places have been specifically chosen because they have a smell or can be touched to provide a soft feeling that can be relaxing. Often when a student is feeling upset, stressed or overwhelmed the smell of a plant or feeling of something can help to regulate their emotions is enough to provide the support they need. The garden will be a place where this can happen. Families are welcome to spend time there before and after school, during school hours.

We look forward to working with you in this Jubilee year as we continue to build the St Paul’s Community under Pope Francis’ theme of  Pilgrims of Hope.

God Bless,

Listening Interviews Year 3 - 6 and K-2 Information evening Tuesday 11 February 6pm

This week parents from Year 3 - 6 have the opportunity to make a meeting with your child’s teacher to discuss your hopes for them for this year. Year 5 and 6 parents are encouraged to bring your child with you and have them join the meeting. They are at an age where they can take responsibility for their learning and start to develop their own goals. 

K-2 parents are encouraged to attend the information evening tonight starting at 6pm in the hall followed by a session in the classroom.

Parents are encouraged to book a meeting with the classroom teacher at any time when you have a concern or would like further information. To do this contact the office to arrange a mutually convenient time. Please note staff are required to attend to duties before and after school so you must book an appointment.

P&F AGM Tuesday 11 February 7pm

All parents are invited to attend the P&F AGM tonight in the school hall. We will be seeking class parents to take on the role of coordinating events throughout the year. The P&F is a great way to get to know people and give back to your school community. General meetings are held once a term on zoom.

Attendance

Attendance at school is essential to a student being successful. This year CEDoW has launched an updated Attendance Policy and Procedure and new templates that will be used to communicate attendance matters through compass. The diocesian target for attendance is 95%. While we understand from time to time that children miss school due to illness and urgent family matters, all other reasons for missing school must meet the requirements as set out in the policy.  Families who choose to take their children out of school for more than 5 days at a time must complete an Extended Absence Form.  This form is for absences that include the following possible reasons:

3.11 An explanation from a student’s parent for the student’s absence that is due to:

(a) misadventure or unforeseen event;

(b) participation in special events not related to the school;

(c) domestic necessity such as serious illness of an immediate family member;

(d) attendance at funerals;

(e) travel in Australia and overseas;

(f) recognised religious festivals or ceremonial occasions,

Please note: travel that is purely for a holiday will not be approved and will be recorded as unjustified. See below. While family holidays are important they are discouraged during school terms. Families who intend to take a significant period of travel time will be encouraged to de-enrol and enrol in distance education.

3.24 If a parent wishes their child to undertake an extended absence for the purposes of travel, the parent must attach to the Notification of Extended Absence travel documentation indicating the intended dates and locations of travel. The parent must indicate on the form the purpose of the travel and the circumstances that make it necessary for the travel to be undertaken outside the school holiday period.

3.25 Generally, an explanation for an extended absence for the purposes of travel should not be accepted by a Principal, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

It is necessary that children arrive on time for school and do not leave early. All appointments for extra curricula, medical and other therapies must take place outside of school hours where possible. When a pattern begins to develop that a child is missing a regular time spot of school we will contact you to discuss the reason for the appointment and other possible alternatives. Children are required to be at school for the full day. Children who arrive late on a regular basis find it harder and harder to settle at school. The minutes they miss begin to add up and it makes it hard for them to learn the routines. Parents are responsible for ensuring their children are at school on time. If you are having trouble with getting your child to school on time please make an appointment to speak with us so we can make a place together.

Currently there is a Development Application with Council for a building project at the school. Once this has been approved and we have a builder we will officially launch the project to the community. The large weather shed was removed in the school holidays to make way for demontables. Eventually the library  space will be reopened up as an undercroft  and students will have a shaded area to play. In the short term bus lines will line up under the Hall cola area. 

School Hats

A letter was sent out via compass last week informing parents of four options they can make with their children about school hats.

Option 1: Children wear their hat to school and home and have the responsibility of making sure they have their hat for each play break and Physical Education lessons.

Option 2: Families can elect for your child to keep their hat at school during the term. The hat will live in the classroom in a tub or locker so it is always available for break times or physical education lessons. At the end of term the hat will be sent home to be washed and you will need to return it for the beginning of the next term.  For this option students will not have access to their hat first thing in the morning. The “No hat , only play in the shade,” rule will not apply before school starts. In our climate the mornings are normally not as harsh and the children are generally not outside for long.

Option 3: The same as above however you will ask your child to bring their hat home every Friday and return it on Monday morning.

Option 4: You purchase two hats. One that stays at school and one that goes back and forth.

Whatever option you choose please discuss it with your child and let the classroom teacher know what you have decided.

National Consistent Collection of Data NCCD

This process is a year-long  process between August to August.  Children who have a diagnosed disability or who require additional adjustments to help them access the curriculum have a personal plan developed. This personal plan informs the school and government of the level of support needed and results in funding provided to the school to support the students' needs. Please see the attached fact sheet for further  information. If you would like a PP meeting for your child please contact the office.

Beginning of Year Whole School Mass/Liturgy

We are hoping to hold a whole school Mass/Liturgy in the hall in Week 4 to celebrate the beginning of the new school year as a community of faith.

Details to be confirmed and will be communicated.

Living the Gospel – Hearing the Call

Thank you

Only medication that is prescribed by a doctor is permitted to be dispensed at School upon completion of a “Consent to Dispense Medication” form which is available from the office.  The form and the medication are to be given to the office staff in the original packaging with the student’s name and dosage.  We are not permitted to administer Panadol unless prescribed by a doctor and the necessary form completed.  Thank you for your cooperation with this.

If your child is Asthmatic or Anaphylactic please ensure the necessary plan has been forwarded to the office along with any medication so that it can be processed.  We also need a "Consent to Dispense Medication" form to be completed.

Nepalese Festival