St Paul's Primary School Rutherford - 9th February 2024

From the Principals Desk

WELCOME to 2024 – It's great to see everyone back.

Morning duty begins at 8:20am. All students sit under the COLA until the teacher comes on duty.

Yr 1 and kindergarten need to wait until they are walked to their playground by the teacher on duty.

New Faces and Responsibilities

You will notice we have a few new faces in classrooms this year and some roles changing in 2024.

Mrs Melinda Walls 1W

Melinda is currently contracted for term 1 on 1W. She has had experience in many of our schools and public schools as a casual teacher and as a learning support assistant before her degree.

Mrs Jessica Stefanish-Smith

Jess undertakes some new responsibilities this year as Learning Support Teacher, EALD teacher and Primary Coordinator.

Miss Teagan Ross

Tegan joined our school community last year as a learning support teacher and this year has increased her load to 0.5 and will be with us at the end of the week.

Mr Ben Power

Ben will be working in 4M for 1 & 1/2 days per week in 2024.

Last year Ben taught music on rotation days. This year he will remain on music to see every class each week but also will be doing coding lessons and technology lessons for our classes as teachers undertake their collaborative meetings in their grades.

Communication 101

St Paul’s always strives to maintain communication and up to date information for parents using our COMPASS notifications, COMPASS calendar, Facebook page, notes home and the newsletter. Each teacher also can send class messages through SEESAW and their own notes home. Our children learn responsibility through the communication they have with their families over the happenings at school. As we begin a new year, we need to refresh our apps and ensure we have turned notifications on for COMPASS.

While we strive to put communication out, homes must take the time to read the information that is provided.

SEESAW

This year, all classes are registered on SEESAW for classroom connections to learning. We will not be using this avenue to contact parents or the teacher privately. Parents are asked to use the professional work email to contact their classroom teacher. Any urgent matters can be communicated via the office staff.

Kindergarten 2024

Monday was a big day for our youngest students – this will also be an exhausting week for families and the Kindergarten teachers as we settle into big school. We were extremely proud of the way the students came excited to school and siblings have given their younger brothers and sisters space to make friends and connect with their teacher.

I am extremely proud of our Kindergarten teachers for the preparation and excitement of Successful Foundations and the play provocations they have created in their rooms.

Bell times and Beginning of the Day

Supervision for students begins at 8:20am when the first bus arrives. No child should be at school before this time – OOSH is available for parents who begin work early.

Twice per week (Mon &Thurs), the staff have a 5 min briefing at 8:20am when their workday begins for organisation and prayer. They are not available at that time. We have 1 person outside watching children as they enter school and are seated under the COLA.

Please note that our starting time is 8:50am. Our last bus arrives at this time. The first warning bell to go to the bathroom is at 8:45am. Please ensure your child is at school by 8:50am so that they can have their name marked off the roll. If your child arrives after 8:50am you will need to accompany them to the office to sign them in and give a reason as to why they are late.

Change of details

If you have moved house in the holidays or have a new phone number or have new family members picking up your child, could you please update the records with the office by email or call them on 49328605.

After School Pick UP – Kiss and Ride

Please fill in the form attached with a surname tag for your car. Things must be displayed to pick up your children from church lines. This will ensure that traffic runs smoothly, and teachers can identify the students going to their vehicles.

Goal Setting Meeting with Parents and Students

We continue to work towards improving our communication with parents around learning in 2024. Next week bookings open for Week 4 where you will be invited to a conference with your teacher and your child for YOU to discuss your child’s strengths and areas of need in learning. This conference is not a time to ask teachers about how your child is doing, but for you to share important information with your teacher to set your child up for success in 2024.

An information and planning sheet will be coming to my home next week to discuss with your child.

Assistant Principal

Welcome back!

I hope that all our families had an enjoyable Christmas and New Years break. It was wonderful to see all our gorgeous, smiling faces return last week. A big welcome to our new families joining us in Kindergarten and in other grades across the school. You too, are now part of our St Paul’s family.  We look forward to walking with you and working in partnership to support your children on their academic and spiritual journeys.

Positive Behaviors for Learning (PBL) at St Paul’s

What is PBL?

Positive Behaviors for Learning (PBL) is an evidence-based whole, school behaviour management framework that is used by everyone in our community (staff students and families) to help create a positive, safe, and supportive learning environment for all of our students. The basic premise of this framework is focusing on the positive behaviors that we want to see in our students, catching the children when they are doing the right thing and redirecting and re-teaching students when they present with inappropriate behaviour.  

St Paul’s PBL Matrix

Each fortnight we focus as a whole school on one specific positive behaviour. This is taught in every class where students participate in a specific PBL lesson about that behaviour focus. With the guidance of their classroom teacher, students will create a class and personal PBL goal to work towards achieving each fortnight. All classroom rules are based on our school rules of being Respectful, Responsible, Learners.

Mobile phones

In accordance with our school rule of being Responsible, it is our school policy that students are not to have access to their mobile phones or other devices (other than BYOD) during school hours.

Any student bringing a mobile phone or device other than BYOD to school must complete a Mobile Phone Agreement and hand it in to the school office via the class note bag.

Mobile phones are to be handed in to the school office or placed in the classroom safe (Year 5 and Year 6) upon arrival for safekeeping during the school day. Students are not permitted to have their mobile phones out or in use before or after school (this includes bus lines). We ask for the support of parents and carers of children with mobile phones by having a conversation.

Safer Internet Day

Tuesday 6^th February was Safer Internet Day. This week, all classes discussed what it means to be a good digital citizen and how to keep themselves and others safe when online. I encourage all parents to speak with their children about what they can do to be safe when online, particularly when playing online games.

A reminder that most social media sites have a minimum age limit.  For example, to have a Facebook or Instagram account, your child must be 13 years old.  I encourage all families to check the age limits of the social media sites that your children are using.

If you would like further information and support on the topic of online safety, the eSafety Commissioner site has a variety of practical tips and information for families. Below are some links to points that may be of interest to you.

• Should your preschooler be using online devices?
• Is your child old enough for a smartphone?

Uniforms

I have included below an outline of our St Paul’s uniform standard. In special circumstances where your child is unable to wear the correct uniform on a given day, please contact their classroom teacher/s directly.

Sport Uniform Days

Students are asked to wear their sports uniform on the following days.

KINDER  -  Wednesday - Friday
YEAR 1   -  Wednesday - Friday
YEAR 2   -  Wednesday - Friday
YEAR 3   -  Wednesday & Friday
YEAR 4   -  Monday  -  Friday
YEAR 5   -  Tuesday  -  Friday
YEAR 6   -  Tuesday  -  Friday

Uniform Standards

When enrolling your child at St Paul's Primary School you have agreed to abide by the enrolment agreement and the Code of Conduct of the Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle.

All schools have set requirements for uniforms and general grooming.

Uniform Standards

•  All students will wear the correct school uniform as listed in the requirements.
•  Provisions will be made for students who are financially disadvantaged.
•  All students are to have their hair neat and tidy - students with long hair touching shoulders are required to wear their hair tied back for hygiene and safety reasons.
•  Ribbons, bands, and combs worn in the hair should be maroon, white or school dress material and kept to a minimum.
•  Students will be permitted to wear a watch, a signet ring and a single bracelet or bangle (gold, silver or culturally significant). A gold or silver necklace or medallion may be worn, if covered by the uniform.
•  Single ear-piercing with small sleepers or small, plain studs may be worn, but no long or dangling earrings.

No other body piercing is allowed to be worn. No other rings or jewelry will be permitted.

•  No tattoos or nail polish.
•  Hair is to be of natural colour.
•  Haircuts are not to be extreme. For example, no rat's tails, shaved designs, or Mohawks.
•  Shoes must be black, leather school shoes. They must not be skate shoes or ballet style shoes.
•  Sports shoes must be fit for activity and be predominantly black or white.
•  All children are required to wear a school hat in line with the school's SunSmart Policy.
•  The length of the girl's dress/tunics should be just above the knee.

Any changes to the uniform requirements will be in consultation with parents to form a Uniform Committee that is representative of the whole school body. Parents will be surveyed on the various options and the phase in time will be reasonable.

Parents are encouraged to bring their thoughts/ideas to the school P&F committee.

Religious Education Update 

Welcome Back!

Welcome everyone to a new school year! I hope that all staff, students and anyone else connected to our community had the time to relax and catch up with loved ones over the Christmas season. It is straight back into it however, so let us pray for a productive and rewarding year ahead. We give thanks that we can be back together at school, and we pray for those who may have had a tough break over the holidays.

Our Continued Catholic focus for this year and beyond…

Last year our focus was on Formation for all members of our school community - Staff, Students, Families and Parish. Formation is such an important part of faith – it is related to the way we grow and form in our relationship with Christ. Here at St Paul’s, we see a need in our community to boost both understanding of, and participation in Formation.

Ash Wednesday/Opening School Mass

Wednesday the 14^th (Valentines Day) will mark Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. We will have a Mass at school under the COLA at 9am where our community and Parish are invited to come along and recognise the start of our Lenten journey.

Our Opening School Mass has been scheduled for Tuesday the 5^th of March 9:30am (Week 6) PLEASE NOTE – this is a change from the previous Tuesday, we had too many people absent to go ahead with that date. One of our lovely priests will be coming along to celebrate this occasion with us. It will be during this Mass that we formally welcome the year along with the new Kindergarten and Year 6 Leaders. As per usual, all families are invited to come along and celebrate with us!

School Vision and Mission Statement

We have an ongoing focus and commitment to our school vision and mission statement: “With faith in Jesus Christ, we Learn, Love and Serve. We share our many gifts in service to one another. We build strength and resilience to grow as a community of learners. We develop positive relationships which respect the dignity of all.”

Our teachers are in an ongoing journey with the students to make this vision and mission part of our everyday school language. This will also tie in with our ongoing PBL focuses throughout the year.

Sacraments of Initiation 2024

Below is the events to mark on the calendar for those completing their Sacraments of Initiation this year. For any information, please contact me through the school office.

GOSPEL REFLECTION

SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
Mark 1:40-45
Jesus cures a leper.

Library News

Hello families and welcome back to the library for 2023. We look forward to another successful year of borrowing and enjoyed reading.

Borrowing has already begun! Students will borrow ever week so please ensure library bags and books are returned weekly.

Monday - Year 2
Tuesday - Kinder, Year 4, Year 5
Wednesday - Year 1, Year 3, Year 6 

All students are encouraged to borrow every week and library bags are needed to ensure the books are kept protected during the transition from school to home. These bags can be drawstring bags, plastic bags, green shopping bags, a pillowcase, plastic folder or large ziplock bag. School library bags can be purchased from the uniform shop or library for $10.00. Library bags can also be borrowed from the library though will need returning the following week when books are returned.

Senior Borrowing

Permission notes for senior borrowing have been sent home this week. Please discuss this information with your Year 6 child and return the signed slip if they have permission to borrow titles from the more mature senior collection.

Library Monitors

Year 5 students have the opportunity to apply to become Library Monitors and be part of the Library team. The role requires a large amount of responsibility and commitment. Please discuss these with your child during the completion of their application if this is something they are wanting to be a part of.

Book Club

Welcome to 2024 Book Club! For those new to Scholastic Book Club, each month a catalogue will be sent home with your child with lots of amazing books that can be ordered through our school. All orders placed via our school help us collect Book Club rewards which we can then spend on new books for the school library. This month’s order is due on Monday 19^th of Feb. Orders can be placed online or order forms can be sent into the school office with the correct money.

Online ordering is available and an easy option via the Book Club LOOP platform. Before placing your order you will need to register an account and add your child’s information, including school name.

How do I Order?

1. Simply grab your child's Book Club catalogue and either sign in or register your account.
2. Click on ORDER and then select your school and your child's class* .
3. Add your child's first name & last initial (so the school knows who the book is for) PLEASE NOTE: Your child's details will never be shared with 3rd parties OR used for marketing purposes - this is for distribution purposes only. 
4. Enter the item number from the Book Club catalogue.
5. All orders are sent directly to the school for submission to Scholastic. Books will still be delivered to your child's classroom if you order by the close date.
6. Afterwards, there's no need to return paper order forms or payment receipt details back to your school! 

If you have any questions or concerns about the library please don’t hesitate to contact myself or Penny in the Library.
katrina.howard@mn.catholic.edu.au

Primary Coordinator/Gifted Education Mentor

Safer Internet Day

Safer Internet Day is a global initiative to raise awareness of online safety issues. Students across our school participated in webinars and a variety of activities to promote safe online interactions.

The eSafety Commissioner leads the initiative in Australia. Students are educated about online safety risks, like online abuse, how to be safe online and where to go for help.

This Safer Internet Day students are encouraged to take three simple actions when approaching online safety: Connect. Reflect. Protect.  

Connect safely by keeping apps and devices secure and reviewing your privacy settings regularly. 
Reflect on how your actions online may affect others or your safety. 
Protect yourself and others by visiting eSafety.gov.au to find out how to stay safe online and report online abuse.

By doing these things and sharing the Connect. Reflect. Protect message, we can work towards making every day a Safer Internet Day. 

St Paul’s Swimming Carnival 2024

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 29

Next

Swimming carnival Race results

Maitland-Newcastle Diocesan Sport Website

There is a Diocesan specific website for Sport that has all the dates for diocesan sport as well as general information about the sports.

• The Maitland Newcastle Primary Tile allows parents to view basic information for Primary pathway sports including event information and results, the current year’s diocesan sports calendar and important notices for sports including wet weather information will now be found here.
• Any further questions beyond the sport specific information on this website should be directed to your school sport coordinator. 
• No parent should register their child for any diocesan sport without seeing the school sport coordinator. Students must be selected at school and/or regional level before applying for diocesan sport.

Step 1. Go to csnsw.sport website

Step 2.  MN Primary Tile

Scroll down to the Diocesan/Associations section of the home page and select the Maitland Newcastle Primary Tile

Step 3.
You are now on the MN Primary Sport Website.

Free Dental Van Coming to St Paul’s Primary School

St Paul's is pleased to offer the Free Dental Clinic again in 2024.
The van will be at the school from Tuesday 2nd April - Monday 8th April (Week 10 & 11)

• Actively find and prevent dental decay early!
• Students can receive a full check-up, preventative and general dental care at school.
• If your child needs further treatment, you will be called for consent.
• The ADH Dental Initiative is funded by Australian Dental Health and the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
• If your child is not Medicare eligible, ADHNSw will provide a FREE Dental Health Screening and tooth strengthening fluoride remineralisation.

Term 1 2024

Term Dates for 2024

Term 1 Tuesday, 30 January - Friday, 12 April
Term 2 Monday, 29 April - Friday, 05 July
Term 3 Monday, 22 July - Friday, 27 September
Term 4 Monday, 14 October - Friday, 20 December

Week 3 12^th – 16^th Feb

Mon 12^th – External Providers Return
Mon 12^th – Yr 2 Library & Music
Tues 13^th – Yr’s 4, 5, & Kinder Library & Music
Tues 13^th – Breakfast Club 8.20am
Tues 13^th – MSP Kinder Photos
Tues 13^th – Caritas Launch – School Leaders only
Tues 13^th – Regional Swimming Carnival
Wed 14^th – Ash Wednesday – LENT Begins
Wed 14^th – Yr’s 3, 6, & 1 Library & Music
Thu 15^th – Breakfast Club 8.20am
Fri 16th

Week 4 19^th – 23 Feb

PARENT NIGHTS MEETINGS ALL WEEK
Mon 19^th - Yr 2 Library & Music
Tues 20^th - Yr’s 4, 5, & Kinder Library & Music
Tues 20^th – P&F Meeting 6.30pm Library or via Zoom– everyone is welcome to attend
Tues 20^th - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Wed 21^st - Yr’s 3, 6, & 1 Library & Music
Thu 22^nd - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Fri 23rd

Week 5 26^th – 1^st March

Mon 26^th - Yr 2 Library & Music
Tues 27^th - Yr’s 4, 5, & Kinder Library & Music
Tues 27^th - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Wed 28^th - Yr’s 3, 6, & 1 Library & Music
Thu 29^th - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Fri 1st

Week 6 4^th – 8^th March

Mon 4^th - Yr 2 Library & Music
Tues 5^th – Opening School Mass/Parish Mass 9.30am
Tues 5^th - Yr’s 4, 5, & Kinder Library & Music
Tues 5^th - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Wed 6^th - Yr’s 3, 6, & 1 Library & Music
Thu 7^th - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Fri 8^th – Dio Cricket Trials

Week 7 11^th – 15^th March

Mon 11^th - Yr 2 Library & Music
Tues 12^th - Yr’s 4, 5, & Kinder Library & Music
Tues 12^th - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Wed 13^th - Yr’s 3, 6, & 1 Library & Music
Thu 14^th - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Fri 15th

Week 8 18^th – 22^nd March

Mon 18^th – Pupil Free Day
Mon 18^th - Yr 2 Library & Music
Tues
Tues 19^th – P&F Meeting 6.30 Library or Via Zoom
Tues 19^th - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Wed 20^th - Yr’s 3, 6, & 1 Library & Music
Thu 21^st - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Fri 22^nd
Sun 24^th – Palm Sunday

Week 9 25^th – 29^th March

HOLY WEEK
Mon 25^th - Yr 2 Library & Music
Tues 26^th – Parish Mass 9am
Tues 26^th - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Wed 27^th - Yr’s 3, 6, & 1 Library & Music
Wed 27^th – Holy Week Mass 7 Open Classrooms
Wed 27^th – Easter Raffle
Thu 28^th – Holy Thursday
Thu 28^th - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Fri 29^th – Good Friday
Sun 31^st – Easter Sunday

Week 10 1^st – 5^th April

Mon 1^st - Yr 2 Library & Music
Tues 2^{nd -} Breakfast Club 8.20am
Wed 3^{rd -} Yr’s 3, 6, & 1 Library & Music
Thu 4^th - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Fri 5^th

Week 11 8^th – 12^th April

Mon 8^{th -} Yr 2 Library & Music
Tues 9^{th -} Breakfast Club 8.20am
Wed 10^th
Thu 11^th - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Fri 12^th

School Student Travel Passes 2024

Uniform Shop Hours 2023

TUESDAY AFTERNOON                      2.30PM – 3PM
WEDNESDAY MORING                       8.30AM – 9AM
THURSDAY AFTERNOON                   2.30PM – 3PM

When ordering Uniforms via QKR, don’t change the order date.

Orders will be sent the classrooms the days the uniform shop is opened.

If for some reason you need to exchange sizes, please ensure that the tags are still on the garment and the garment is in the original packing.

Christa Moylan
Uniform Shop Coordinator

Canteen

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR CHILDS CLASS ON QKR

Canteen Opening days.

MONDAY CLOSED
TUESDAY OPENED
WEDNESDAY OPENED
THURSDAY OPENED
FRIDAY OPENED

Order via the QKR App, by 8.55am ON THE DAY.
Lunch orders will be sent to the classrooms in the class lunch tubs.

(IMPORTANT WHEN ORDERING LUNCHES – CHECK THE DATE OF ORDER)
In the past students haven’t received lunch due to the wrong order date entered.
Please discuss with your child if this happens, ask them to come to the office to see Mrs West or Mrs Mac, we will organise lunch for them through the canteen.  Only sandwiches will be on offer.

RECESS TIME:  10:30AM – 11:10AM
LUNCH TIME:  12:40PM – 1:20PM

St Nicholas OOSH

Reminder Bus Safety

Guitar Lessons