St Paul's Catholic Primary School Newsletter Term 1 Week 4 2021

Principal's Message

Good afternoon St Paul’s families,

I hope this newsletter reaches you safe and well. I have had a few discussions with families over the last week regarding streamlining our communication…we are getting there. All families have been sent information about how to upload the SchoolZine SZapp and this has been included once again in today’s newsletter. The SZapp also has a function for reporting absences –this is automatically sent to our admin.stpauls@nt.catholic.edu.au email address and then reception will contact teachers. Please know that parents are still welcome to phone through absences, especially if you would like to share information regarding your child’s absence. ClassDojo will remain as the medium for teachers sharing information about classroom learning.

Our Welcome Disco was a huge success last Friday evening and I thank the P&F and all donators and volunteers for their contributions. So many people commented on what a wonderful evening it was.

Thank you to George Fragopulos (Pela’s dad) who recently took some photos of our children – these highlighted our new uniforms and will soon appear on our new website (due for launch by the end of Term 1).

On Monday morning, myself and Mrs Del will take some of our student leaders along to a special Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral celebrating 200 years of Catholic education in Australia. This also presents an opportunity for us to reflect on the valuable contributions that our founders the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH) Sisters and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) priests and brothers have made to the life of St Paul’s.

By now everyone should have received information about our swimming program commencing on Monday March 1^st. Please note that swimming lessons are at Nightcliff Swimming Pool but the Carnival on Friday, March 12^th is at Casuarina Swimming Pool (see Operoo notice).

I look forward to seeing many of you at our first Children’s Mass for the year at 8:30am at St Paul’s Church. These Masses are held on the last Sunday of the month and it is a lovely opportunity for us to demonstrate the strength of our relationship with the parish.

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.

Congratulations to Our School Leaders for 2021!

SRC Team

Awards: Week 3 Spirit of Jesus and Week 4 Achievement

Room 5 Transition Miss Jo and Sr Hilde

Ryan Bhandari - Received the Spirit of Jesus Award in Week 3 

Francesca Hanigan - Achievement Award Week 4 - You are a mathematician Francesca! Well done on working hard to read and write numbers and knowing how to complete simple addition and subtraction problems.

Room 1 Y1/2 Miss Mona

Emilia Markez - Received the Spirit of Jesus Award in Week 3 

Kodhi Travers - Achievement Award Week 4 - For quick thinking when working out addition and subtraction equations by using a variety of basic mathematical strategies.

Room 2 Y1/2 Mr C

Billy Scott - Received the Spirit of Jesus Award in Week 3 

Elijah Nunes - Achievement Award Week 4 - For all the work he is putting in to improve his fluency when reading Blue Decodable Texts in Read Write Inc.

Room 8 Y3/4 Mrs Mandy

Aaru Rajinikanth - Received the Spirit of Jesus Award in Week 3 

Allegra Esteves - Achievement Award Week 4 - For approaching the school day with cheerfulness and enthusiasm. You always give your best in all that you do. Keep up the great work.

Room 9 Y3/4 Ms Alex

Ruby Clifford - Received the Spirit of Jesus Award in Week 3 

Zalaya Lyn-McMahon - Achievement Award Week 4 - Congratulations on such a great start at St Paul’s. You are working so hard in all your writing and always have a big smile on your face during the lessons. Keep up the good work.

Room 12 Y5/6 Mrs Del & Ibu Margy

Tallulah Evans - Received the Spirit of Jesus Award in Week 3 

Evander Dornan - Achievement Award Week 4 - For his sense of curiosity and investigative persistence. These are two qualities Scientists must have to solve real world problems and challenges. Well done, Evander. Thank you for taking us all to the ‘next level’ in our approach to Science.

Room 13 Y5/6 Miss Lauren & Ms Jess

Sophie Rankine - Received the Spirit of Jesus Award in Week 3 

Yianni Kalikajaros - Achievement Award Week 4 - For working really hard to plan out and complete some impressive writing pieces so far this term. Your ability to reflect on your work and set goals to improve is commendable! Keep up the great learning attitude, Yianni!

Room 14 Y5/6 Mrs Pond

Lily Travers - Received the Spirit of Jesus Award in Week 3 

Marls Esguerra - Achievement Award Week 4 - Marls you have shown such confidence in class especially with your writing taks. Its fabulous to be able to read your stories and I hope you continue to share more of your ideas with the class. Congratulations!

ELC

Spirit of Jesus Week 3 - no award

Juliet Masaod - Achievement Award Week 4 - For being responsible,  kind and supportive to your friends. Juliet, you show great enthusiasm to learn and share your ideas with joy. We are very lucky to have you! 

RE News

The Sacramental Program is well under way. It is wonderful to see so many St Paul’s students participating. 

Sacrament of Reconciliation

The MJR focus for weeks 4 and 5 is GTS- Greet, Treat, Speak. This is an important part of our values and attitudes. At St Paul’s we like to greet others by saying hello, we like to treat others with respect and we like to speak to others kindly. This year the MJR awards will be given out at assembly every second week. 

We now have another exciting group of students who would like to be involved in the Mini Vinnies Action group for 2021. We have so many wonderful dedicated students at St Paul’s who really want to make a difference and contribute back into the community. The students will need to attend some lunch time meetings, help with fundraising and promotion of Saint Vincent De Paul.

On Sunday 28^rd February, it will be the Children’s Mass at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church at 8:30am. On the last Sunday of each month, Saint Paul's Catholic Church hold a Children's Mass. This Mass is directed to children of all ages with adapted readings and a child-centred homily. We encourage students from Saint Paul's to attend. This is a lovely way of connecting and reconnecting with our Catholic faith. We encourage our children to also join in the choir at these Masses.  

 These students saw the spirit of Jesus ….   

Loving God,
As we begin our Lenten journey, we pray that the mists that can cloud our vision may lift, so that we may see the road that lies before us and so that we may come with open hearts to you, the source of living water. Melt what is frozen with in us, warm our hearts, and lift our spirits so that we do not lose heart in our capacity to grow, or in your desire to lead us home safely.
Amen

Rochelle De-La-Mare

Classroom News

Room 3/4MH

In English we are learning about sentence structure. In one lesson we unscrambled sentences in writing time. The sentences related to our Geography unit and consolidated our learning from the previous week.

We met our buddies from Transition and we read books with them in the ILC.

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.

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.

Information for families receiving Child Care Subsidy (CCS) for the 2018-19 financial year

Your income must be confirmed by 31 March 2021 or CCS will reduce to 0% and paying full fees may apply when you access child care.

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