St Paul's Catholic Primary School Newsletter 2022 Term 1, Week 4

Principal's Message

Dear St Paul’s families,

Over the last couple of weeks we have been working hard to assess our children and find their point of need. This has been in both an academic and wellbeing context. The beginning of year and return to school can be a tricky time for everyone, especially our children. They find themselves in a different class, with a different teacher and sometimes they are without the peers they had connected with the previous year. This has been made even more challenging this year as many of our children have had to spend much of the first few weeks at home. Please remind them that there are things we can do if we are feeling worried or upset. The most important thing they can do is talk to a trusted adult – parents or teachers.

Everyday our teachers and students have regular check-in times to see how students are feeling. This is usually rated on a 5-point scale (using Kari Dunn’s model https://www.5pointscale.com/) Students are asked to rate their feeling on a scale 1 –being feeling ‘calm and relaxed’ and ready engage and learn and 5 – being ‘ready to explode’. Although this tool was originally designed to assist students on the Autism Spectrum, it is a widely used scale that is useful for all students. I have included a link for your information as if we are using common language at school and home, it can strengthen our school-home partnership.

On an academic note, teachers have been working particularly hard to assess and plan for literacy and numeracy needs. Next week we are excited to welcome Guy Constable from Learning Through Doing (LTD) https://learningthroughdoing.com.au/ to work with our teachers and ISAs to upskill them with teaching numeracy. We are also working with Guy Glover from CENT to further support this process. As part of our commitment to our termly parent engagement evenings, we are will offer a parent workshop /webinar in Week 6, Thursday March 10th from 5:30 -6:30pm to give parents an understanding of some of these techniques and the pedagogical approach we will be taking in Mathematics lessons this year. An invitation will be sent via a link for this at the beginning of week commencing, March 7th.

Last Friday we inducted our Year 6 Student Leaders of 2022. We are already proud of the work they have been doing and the commitment they have shown. We pray for them to remember the spirit of service that comes with this sense of responsibility.

We pray for all families in our community, especially those who have been impacted by illness or grief over the last couple of weeks. Please know that we are here to support all of our families. We are only a phone-call, email or door-knock away.

I look forward to our restrictions lifting and being able to see you all very soon.

Kind regards,

Ms. Megan Evans

Please do not drop your children at school before 7:45am (school gates open 7:45am) as they are unsupervised until this time.

We request that families drop their children off at school as close to 8am as possible.  Should you arrive prior to this time please wait with your child until the school gates open. 

PICKING UP CHILDREN at the end of the school day:   School finishes at 2.35pm and children must be picked up from steps within the school ground or at the express carpark lane which is supervised by a teacher. Any students not picked up by 3.00pm will be sent to our Outside of School Hours Care (OSHC) located on the school grounds and families will be charged. Our OSHC operates from 2.35pm to 5.30pm every day. We ask that all parents/carers who will be picking up their child from school please wait in the area outside the office and staffroom.

CARPARK PICK-UP: In an effort to move the traffic along more quickly and freely we ask that parents safely follow the appropriate procedures.  Should you need to get out and buckle your child in—we ask that you use the car spaces available to do so and not the pick up area. 

Uniforms and School Office Hours

Green Polos, Sport Polos, Shorts and Hats are available to purchase and there are plenty in stock!

There is currently no need to make an appointment, families can come in anytime during office hours.

Unfortunately we are still waiting on a delivery date for our Culottes (skorts) and Formal Shirt orders. Thank you for your patience with this.

The school office is open Monday to Friday 8am to 3:30pm.

Upcoming Events

School Counselling Program

Hi, my name is Sarah and I am the School Counsellor from CatholicCare NT. I am located St Paul’s Catholic Primary School one day a week on Wednesdays and I'm here to provide students with support and emotional well-being. Through the School Counselling Program during a counselling session I conduct Child Centred Play Therapy modality which is a developmentally appropriate, evidenced based, therapeutic intervention for school aged children from 3-11 years old. This approach is based on the belief that "play is therapy" for children, like when adults talk through their problems to solve them, here children play through their problems to solve them.  

What is Play Therapy?

Play therapy builds on the child’s inner resources and strengths, which are supported by the therapeutic relationship to bring about growth, development and healing in the child. Play therapy helps children develop confidence and positive self-esteem, find healthier ways of communicating and can promote resilience and coping, in ways that are appropriate to their developmental stage.  

Here are some of the following referral reasons that your child may be struggling with and that Play Therapy can be an effective therapeutic approach by referring to the School Counselling Program; divorce & separation of parents, anxiety & depression, low self-esteem & self-confidence, social difficulties, angry & aggressive behaviour, trauma & abuse, grief & loss, autism spectrum disorder, attachment issues… and more… 

Play therapy is a gentle intervention that provides a safe and secure space for children to process their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through their first and most natural language; play! 

Referrals can be made through completing the form below and sending to admin.stpauls@nt.catholic.edu.au

RE NEWS

PE News

Transition

This term Transition will be focussing on minor games that encourage safe and cooperative play. Students will gain an understanding of basic rules and the concept of various team games while developing fundamental motor skills.  They will further develop personal and social skills with an emphasis on fair play, body awareness, space and hand-eye coordination. Transition will also take part in swimming lessons, focussing on water safety and awareness and stroke development.

Year 1/2

This term Grade 1/2 will be focussing on Minor Games that promote cooperative and active play. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of rules and the concept of team games while incorporating equipment. They will develop fundamental motor skills, specifically targeting hand-eye coordination through bouncing, throwing and bowling practice. Teamwork and good Sportsmanship will be a main focus this term. Grade 1/2 will take part in swimming lessons, focussing on water safety and awareness and stroke development.

Year 3/4

This term Grade 3/4 will develop their awareness of invasion games, with a particular focus on Soccer and Basketball. They will work hard to refine movement skills, learn the rules and develop awareness to modified games and activities associated with these two sports. Students will be challenged throughout the term with a focus on being a good team player. They will be encouraged to demonstrate ways in which they can develop their leadership and sportsmanship skills through sport. Grade 3/4 will take part in swimming lessons, focusing on water safety and awareness, stroke development and stroke technique.

Year 5/6

This term Grade 5/6 will develop their awareness of invasion games, with a particular focus on Soccer and Basketball. Students will be taught skills, rules and game strategies specific to these two sports. They will  develop their awareness to modified games and and work hard to refine movement skills with an emphasis on fitness and physical activity. Teamwork, leadership and displaying good sportsmanship will be the main focus this term.Grade 5/6 will take part in swimming lessons, focusing on water safety and awareness, stroke development and stroke technique.​​

Classroom News ROOM 14

Kids News

OSHC & ELC NEWS

The ELC is calling for empty tins!

Please donate any empty coffee or baby formula tins to the ELC - any size is helpful :)

General Information/News

OFFICE HOURS:

The school office is open 7:50am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday during term time.

LOST PROPERTY: Please check the names on your children's hats and other property as we have discovered that children are accidentally taking other children's belongings home.

SCHOOL UNIFORMS:

Green Polos, Sport Polos, Shorts and hats are available to purchase and there are plenty in stock!

There is currently no need to make an appointment, families can come in anytime during office hours.

Unfortunately we are still waiting on a delivery date for our Culottes (skorts) and Formal Shirt orders. Thank you for your patience with this.

The school office is open Monday to Friday 8am to 3:30pm.

UNIFORM CARE INSTRUCTIONS:

Washing:

• Wash Sport Polos inside out to aid in damage prevention from other items in load
• Wash colored and white garments separately
• Use cold water
• Use a mild soap or detergent
• Remove garments from washer promptly

Drying:

• Hang dry on wooden or plastic hangers (strongly recommended)
• If machine dried, set for AIR or Low heat ONLY
• Remove promptly when cycle is completed

DO NOT:

• DO NOT use metal hangers, they may leave rust marks
• DO NOT wash in hot water
• DO NOT iron
• DO NOT dry clean
• DO NOT use chlorine bleach or a bleach substitute
• DO NOT use a fabric softener, i.e. Downy, Woolite, on MXS Moisture – Management Garments – it reduces wicking properties.

SCHOOL FEES: Families will be invoiced for school fees via email during approximately Week 5 of Term 1. If you do not receive your invoice by Term 2 or there are any issues please email finance.stpauls@nt.catholic.edu.au

When paying fees please ensure you include a reference for what the payment is for, either 'School Fees', 'OSHC Fees' or 'ELC fees' in the name.

SIBLING DISCOUNT: If you have more than 1 child studying at a Catholic School in the NT, you will be eligible for a sibling discount. Please contact finance.stpauls@nt.catholic.edu.au to inform our finance team of which schools your other children attend.

PARENT CONTACT DETAILS: Please advise the office of any changes to your contact details. This includes phone numbers, address details and emails. Please also keep all information up to date on Operoo. It is vitally important that we have the correct contact number in view of any emergency. Thank you for your assistance in this area.  

SCHOOL START TIMES:

Please do not drop your children at school before 7:45am

(school gates open 7:45am) as they are unsupervised until this time. We request that families drop their children off at school as close to 8am as possible.  Should you arrive prior to this time please wait with your child until the school gates open. 

PICKING UP CHILDREN at the end of the school day:   School finishes at 2.35pm and children must be picked up from steps within the school ground or at the express carpark lane which is supervised by a teacher. Any students not picked up by 3.00pm will be sent to our Outside of School Hours Care (OSHC) located on the school grounds and families will be charged. Our OSHC operates from 2.45pm to 5.30pm every day. We ask that all parents/carers who will be picking up their child from school please wait in the area outside the office and staffroom.

CARPARK PICK-UP: In an effort to move the traffic along more quickly and freely we ask that parents safely follow the appropriate procedures.  Should you need to get out and buckle your child in—we ask that you use the car spaces available to do so and not the pick up area. 

 LUNCHES:  Lunch boxes are taken to the coolroom each morning between 8.15 and 8.30am.  It is important to be at school on time for the smooth running of this program and it is important that all recess and lunch boxes are labelled with your child’s name and Room No.

CANTEEN INFORMATION: 

The Canteen will provide recess and lunch through quickcliq.com.au (account set up required).

It seems that some children are choosing not to eat food brought from home and are instead requesting snacks and food from the canteen. Please note that families will be invoiced for this so please ensure your child is aware of what food is packed for them each day and that all food is labelled clearly (including packets of snack foods as it is confusing when children have the same snacks).

OSHC INFORMATION:

Public Holidays: As per prescribed policies and procedures, if a child’s booked day falls on a Public Holiday (when the centre is closed), families will still be charged as per normal for this day. This allows businesses to pay staff whom are scheduled to work on public holidays as is required by Fair Work. 

Absences: OSHC absences require written notice to admin.stpauls@nt.catholic.edu.au by at least 8:30am on the day of absence, if this written notification is not received by 8:30am the daily fee will still be charged. This also aligns with the procedures of other schools and services in the area. If a child goes home sick from school during the day, families will still be charged their regular daily fee for that child. This is to accommodate the pressures associated with staffing, resource and catering arrangements. The government entitles each child to 42 allowable absences per year (inclusive of public holidays) before it affects the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). These days can be used as holidays, sick days or just days off.Please also note that written notification is also required at least 2 weeks in advance of the last day of care prior to a planned absence of 3 days or more. We ask this as it is required to assist with staffing, resource and catering arrangements. When no notice has been given, parents will be charged. For this reason we would also like to remind families that as per our policy, payment of all accounts should be maintained two weeks in advance.

Casual Days: From the start of 2022 we are implementing some changes to help with the strain on the OSHC team when last minute changes occur. We ask that families give the OSHC team at least 24 hours notice when booking children into OSHC for casual days. We would also like to note that families will be charged the casual rate of $30 for these days regardless if they have other regular booking days.

Late Fee: Please be reminded that a late fee of $2.50/min for each minute that a child is picked up after 5:30pm.

Fee Payment Reference: When paying fees please ensure you include a reference for what the payment is for, e.g. 'OSHC Fees' so we can promptly assign your payment to your OSHC account.Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions or concerns.

INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS: Instrumental lessons will take place again this year with Andrew Arthur, Violin lessons with Kirsty McCullum and Woodwind lessons with Eliza Tobin.  Instrumental lessons will take place each Friday and Violin lessons each Wednesday during school hours.  Contact details for Andrew are – dapa@live.com.au 0428153355 and Kirsty McCullum-  kirstymac@bigpond.com and Eliza Tobin for Woodwind lessons - elizatobin@hotmail.com.

BOOK CLUB ORDERS: Book Club orders are sent out from Scholastic through the school twice per term.   We use the “LOOP” system which means online ordering only.  For more information on how to do this please see the link below www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP

Please remember to use your child’s classroom number when ordering.

SCHOOL DENTIST:  St Paul’s does not have on onsite dental clinic, however you can use the Dental Clinic at Nightcliff Primary school. Parents are asked to contact the clinic on 89226466 to arrange an appointment. Parents are to accompany their child to the appointment. There is no charge for this service and it is highly recommended that children’s teeth should be regularly checked. This also includes pre-school children.  

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