St Paul's Catholic Primary School Newsletter Term 1 Week 2

Principal's Message

Welcome to the 2021 school year!

We have had a great start to the school year, welcoming several new people into our school community including students, staff and a new Parish Priest. We welcome our new Parish Priest, Fr John Kelliher. Fr John has lived in Darwin previously and worked at the St Mary’s Star of the Sea Cathedral from 2003 – 2013 and so may be familiar to some of our families. We also welcome some new staff members, Miss Jess (sharing 5/6 LJ with Miss Lauren), Mrs Power (Performing Arts), Miss Tahlia, our new Administration Officer and some new ISAs, Miss Kat, Mr Rahul, Mr Valor and Miss Stella. We also welcome back Miss Nicola (ELC) and Miss Bindi (AIEW) from Maternity Leave. Sadly we have said goodbye to two of our ISAs, Miss Nadia and Miss Kirsten. We thank them for their contributions here at St Paul’s and wish them well with their future adventures.

This morning we were blessed to have Year 5/6 P (Pond) present our assembly. It was lovely to have our students share some of their learning and lead us in our sacred song. We congratulate our Achievement Award Winners for getting the school year off to a flying start. 

We are excited to begin the process of streamlining our communications and our main focus will be on using Operoo and the St Paul's Schoolzine App for whole school communication whilst Class Dojo will remain the preferred form for teachers to communicate classroom learning. 

In an effort for our courtyard to better reflect our Catholic identity, we have plans to build a St Paul's garden space. This will be a beautiful outdoor space and will also serve as a sacred space for teachers to bring students for prayerful reflection. Families and the wider community will have the opportunity to be part of this space forever by purchasing a plaque with the name of their family or business. More information regarding this exciting project will be sent to families in the coming weeks. Watch this space.

I look forward to seeing many of you at our beginning of school Mass next Friday, February 19^th at 1:30 or at our St Paul’s Parents and Friends (P&F) welcome disco on the same evening from 5:30 -7:30pm.

May the Spirit of Jesus fill your hearts,

Megan Evans

Curriculum News

Open Classroom Information Sessions

On Friday the 26th February, St Paul’s will be holding open classrooms. This will provide families with information about 2021 and give you a chance to spend time in the classroom with your child and their teacher(s).  Families are invited to come in and meet the teacher(s), see your child(ren)’s classroom, view student work, learn about classroom procedures and maybe even see the class model something. Classrooms will be open from 8:00am-8:30am which will then be followed by assembly, lead by 1/2  Room 1, with Miss Mona. 

Class Dojo

Teachers will be using Class Dojo as their main form of communication of student learning with parents. By now you should have received a code from your teacher(s) to connect to your child(ren)’s class. If you are yet to receive a code or are having difficulties connecting, please see your classroom teacher to ensure you are not missing important messages and classroom updates. 

Homework Policy

St Paul’s Homework Policy is currently under review. We are working towards developing a consistent homework model throughout the school aligned with evidence based research.  Throughout Term 1, classrooms will be trialing different modes of homework delivery. We will be seeking feedback from families in the form of surveys soon.

Week 2 Achievement Awards

Room 5 Transition Miss Jo and Sr Hilde

George Kitchen

Our class is so lucky to have your kind nature and generous spirit. You have settled into Transition wonderfully. Keep shining brightly!

Room 1 Y1/2 Miss Mona

Tyson Agius

For showing the new students in Miss Mona’s class how to respectfully listen and helping others when needed. What a wonderful way to start the year Tyson!!

Room 2 Y1/2 Mr C

Stella Tolios

For showing excellent creativity with her writing . Stella is making her sentences so much more interesting to read. Well done, Stella.

Room 8 Y3/4 Mrs Mandy

Alphin Arun

What a wonderful start to your new school. You are always safe, responsible and respectful and you show kindness to others. St Paul’s is lucky to have you! Well done Alphin!

Room 9 Y3/4 Ms Alex

Gabby Egerton

Congratulations on your first week at St Paul’s! You have shown beautiful leadership skills inside and outside of the classroom! Room 9 are so lucky to have you!!

Room 12 Y5/6 Mrs Del & Ibu Margy

Lenny Kazamais

For his growing ability to “never give up” St Paul’s attitude. A terrific start to Year Six, Lenny. Well done.

Room 13 Y5/6 Miss Lauren & Ms Jess

Ellah Mukundi

For showing excellent initiative and leadership in our classroom over the past 2 weeks. You have been so helpful to your classmates and teachers and we are very lucky to have you in Room 13. Well done Ellah!

Room 14 Y5/6 Mrs Pond

Angelina Sajesh

What an amazing start you have had to Year 6. Excellent role model, wonderful writing piece, fabulous spelling results and engaged in every activity in class with your peers. You are a shining star Angelina!

ELC

No award this week

RE News

Welcome back to another exciting school year!

We begin our Sacramental Program with First Reconciliation. This is for students Year 3 and above. If you wish for your child to participate please meet at St. Paul’s Parish Church at 6:00pm. Please bring along your child’s baptismal certificate. If you wish to participate in this and your child is not baptised please still come along. It is an option to compete two sacraments at once.
             

Sacrament of Reconciliation

We welcomed Bishop Charles to Sunday morning Mass on the 31^st of January to affirm Fr John’s ministry of being the new Parish Priest at St Paul’s. It was a great opportunity to celebrate Fr John's arrival and it was lovely for the parishioners to speak on behalf of the community.

The MJR focus for weeks 2 and 3 is The Spirit of Jesus which is something that we feel in our heart and that we see in other people. When we have the Spirit of Jesus in us we are kind, forgiving and friendly. This year the MJR awards will be given out at assembly every second week.

On Sunday 14^th February the Sunday Church service will be a Commissioning Mass for all educators. The school staff will be involved in the Commissioning Mass at 8.30am and families are invited to attend.

Next Tuesday, 16^th February we will be celebrating Shrove Tuesday. We will be having a pancake breakfast. Followed by Wednesday 17^th February, room 2 will lead us in an Ash Wednesday Liturgy in the church at 8:30am.

This Friday 19^th February Year 5/6 Rm 12 will be hosting the Opening School Mass. It will commence at 1:30am at the St Paul’s Catholic Church.  Please join us in celebrating the beginning of the 2021 school year.

 These students saw the spirit of Jesus during the first few weeks of school….   

Dear Lord

Blessed are those who have tears for people they love and miss, for they have loved well. Blessed are those who welcome others to their table; God will make room for them. Blessed are those that seem insignificant; God sees all they do.

Amen.

Rochelle De-La-Mare

Classroom News

General Information

SCHOOL FEES:  School fees will be sent out by the end of the month.   

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.

Rm  4 Transition - Miss Jo  & Sr Hilde   - SPORT DAY: Tuesday  LIBRARY DAY:  Friday

Rm 1  Yr 1-2  -  Miss Mona   -   SPORT DAY: Tuesday  LIBRARY DAY:  Thursday

Rm 2  Yr 1-2  -  Mr C   -  SPORT DAY: Wednesday  LIBRARY DAY:  Friday 

Rm 8  Yr 3-4 -  Miss Mandy & Sr Hilde  - SPORT DAY: Wednesday   LIBRARY DAY:  Monday

Rm 9  Yr 3-4  -  Miss Alex   - SPORT DAY: Tuesday  LIBRARY DAY:  Thursday

Rm 12  Yr 5-6  -  Mrs Del & Miss Margy - SPORT DAY: Tuesday  LIBRARY DAY:  Tuesday

Rm 13  Yr 5-6  -  Miss Lauren & Miss Jess - SPORT DAY: Wednesday  LIBRARY DAY:  Wednesday

Rm 18  Yr 5-6  -  Mrs Pond  - SPORT DAY: Wednesday  LIBRARY DAY: TBA

BACK TO SCHOOL VOUCHERS: Have you used your Back to School Voucher?  If not, please call into the office to complete your voucher. The NT Government provides $150.00 for each child attending school in the NT. This may be put towards uniforms or your book and resource levy. Vouchers are only valid for Term 1.  

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 No when ordering.    Brochures have gone home for Issue 1 and  all online orders will need to be completed by 21st February 2021.  

SPORTS VOUCHERS: Parents are asked to order their voucher online at www.sportsvoucher.nt.gov.au  Simply visit the For Parents or Carers section and scroll down until you find the Request a New or Replacement Sport Voucher link. Please allow 2—4 weeks for delivery to your postal address.    

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

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.

SCHOOL START TIMES: 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 on the steps outside the staffroom before going to the classroom.  At 8:10am the first bell will sound which means the children and parents can then proceed to the classroom.  The classrooms and office will be closed during that time however, recess/lunch trays will be accessible outside the classrooms. 

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.  

PICKING UP CHILDREN at the end of the school 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. 

CANTEEN NEWS:  The Canteen will provide recess and lunch through quickcliq.com.au (account set up required) on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. 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.

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.

OSHC NEWS: If you have changed your child’s days from last year or would like more could you please let Anna-Lea or Ihrene know.  If you wish to enrol in the program—Enrolment Forms can be collected from the office or OSHC.  Thank you 

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.

Get your robes on - Children’s University starts at St Paul’s soon!

We are excited that the Children’s University program, through Charles Darwin University, will be starting again in week 4!

The program is open to students in year 3-6 to join this exciting initiative. To quote the Children's University Australia website, “Our aim is simple: we help develop free-thinking and inquisitive children who enjoy learning.”

Students have a ‘Passport to Learning’ that captures all the learning that is happening outside of the classroom. The passport costs $20 for new students. It’s free for students who joined the program last year!

Students can get stamps in so many ways - from after school sports, learning destinations across Darwin and students can access online activities through the Children’s University portal anytime. At St Paul’s, we run weekly activities at lunch on Wednesdays.

Join our assembly on the 26^th of February where Josh Barnes from CDU will launch the year for Children’s University.

School Disco

We are very excited to announce that our Beginning of Year Disco is back! Friday, February 19th - 5:30-7:30. Our Year 1/2 classes are rostered to donate the snacks for this event. Please follow the link to see how you can volunteer to help.

Community Flyers