7th February 2025

From the Principals Desk - Mrs Stacey Mullin

Welcome back to 2025!! I am very grateful for the safe return of all our staff and families after the holidays and I hope you enjoyed some quality downtime over Christmas.

It has been a big start to the year with Y1-6 returning on Tuesday and Kindergarten arriving Thursday.

We welcome many new families to St Paul’s and hope you find our school a loving community who are supportive and helpful.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your classroom teacher as the first port of call. They have the routines of their day and week, along with an early understanding of the relationships in their classroom that will truly deepen as the year unfolds.

A great opportunity to talk to the strengths and needs of your child is in our goal-setting meetings scheduled for week 4. Bookings will be available on COMPASS at the beginning of Week 3.

Important Notice

Pupil Free Day - Friday 28th February 2025

It is important to know the school is closed to all students.  School will resume on Monday 3rd March 2025.

Welcome to our Kindergarten 2025 KW & KM

NEW FACES

Mrs Carlia Collingwood – Learning Support Teacher Infants

Mr Daniel Ebert – Year 4 Teacher and Primary Coordinator 0.1

Mrs Carmel Warby – EALD Teacher (Tuesday and Wednesday)

Matilda Ferguson – Learning Support 1 day per week and Release from Face to Face Wednesdays and Fridays

Mr Brandon Fletcher – Yr 6 GEM and PC release Mrs King

NEW RESPONSIBILITIES

Mr Jacob Adams

Mrs Melinda Walls

Mrs Jessica Stefanish-Smith

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 5-10 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 school 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 you have new family members picking up your child, could you please update the records with the office by email or call them on 49328605.

MAITLAND CITY COUNCIL

Road Safety - Kiss and Ride Zones

Council is launching an initiative to install designated 'kiss and ride' zones, providing safe and convenient drop-off and pick-up locations for parents and guardians. This effort aims to improve road safety in school zones, particularly by addressing the misuse of Timed No Parking Zones.

Clear communication is vital, and we want everyone to understand where it is safe and permissible to drop off and pick up children, as well as the associated rules. The implementation of a Blue Zone for Timed No Parking areas will be completed during Term 4 of 2024.

To ensure effective outreach, we will provide information for schools to share in newsletters and on social media. Additionally, Council representatives will visit school locations to offer face-to-face support and guidance, addressing questions and helping parents and guardians feel confident in using the Kiss and Ride zones.

The Blue Zone will be clearly marked with a Kiss and Ride sign above the existing No Parking sign, along with a blue-painted gutter for enhanced visibility. As shown below.

Through these changes, Council aims to improve compliance and safety in school zones, creating a more organised and efficient system for everyone. Your feedback is welcomed on this initiative! Your insights are invaluable as we work together to enhance safety and efficiency in our school zones.

If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your support in making our school zones safer for all!

Assistant Principal - Sharna Taranto

Welcome to the 2025 school year! I do hope that all families were able to spend some time over the Christmas and new year period taking some time out and having a well- deserved rest! We have had a fabulous start to the school year. On behalf of our staff, I would like to take this opportunity to extend a very warm welcome to our new families and welcome back to current families. We are very much looking forward to a vibrant year of learning, growth and connection.

Mobile phones at school

Student mobile phones are allowable under parent and school permission. A phone mobile agreement must be signed and handed to the office.

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 hand it to their class teacher upon arrival or to the school office for safekeeping during the school day.

Kindergarten – Year 3: students must hand their phone into the office in the morning and collect at the end of the day.

Year 5 & 6: phones are kept in the safe allocated to each of the classrooms.

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 with them about the school rules regarding bringing a mobile device to school.

School Uniform

Girls Uniform

Summer

Maroon and white check dress with short sleeves, Peter Pan collar, drop waist with kick pleats front and back, (worn approximately knee length) (AVAILABLE LOWES)

Cross grain maroon ribbon tab tie with maroon button.

Plain white turn-over ankle socks

Black leather shoes (No joggers, skate or ballet style shoes).

Hair accessories should be maroon, white or same as dress.

Sunsafe School hat with logo (only available from uniform shop)

Optional grey skort (available LOWES)

White short sleeved shirt, Peter Pan collar with emblem (AVAILABLE LOWES)

Tab tie on elastic in pinafore material (Available Uniform Shop)

Winter

Maroon and grey tartan pinafore (AVAILABLE LOWES)

Long or short sleeve white blouse with Peter Pan collar.

Tab tie on elastic (same as dress).

Grey stockings or white turn over ankle socks

Black leather shoes (No skate or ballet style shoes).

Maroon V-neck fleecy jumper with school logo or zip jacket with school logo.

Hair accessories should be maroon, white or same as dress.

Sunsafe School hat with logo (only available from uniform shop)

Girl’s Sport Uniform

• Maroon skort or shorts with school logo (AVAILABLE uniform shop)
• School Polo shirt with school logo (AVAILABLE uniform shop).

Plain white sport socks OR  St. Paul’s’ sports socks  AVAILABLE

Predominately white joggers (No sandshoes, skate or canvas shoes).

Maroon or white ribbon, hair accessories

• Sunsafe School hat with school logo (only available from uniform shop) in winter.
• Additional Maroon fleecy tracksuit –with school logo (only available from uniform shop).

Boy’s Uniform

Summer

Grey Gaberdine classic style school shorts (not cargo style)

Blue, short-sleeve, button-up school shirt.

Plain grey turn-over ankle socks

Black leather shoes (No joggers or skate shoes).

• Sunsafe School Hat (only available from uniform shop)

Winter

Grey Gabardine classic style school trousers (not cargo style)

Blue, long-sleeve, button-up school shirt.

* Tie (maroon)

• Maroon V-neck fleecy jumper with school logo or zip jacket with school logo.

Plain grey turn-over ankle socks

Black leather shoes (No skate shoes).

Sunsafe School hat with school logo (only available from uniform shop)

Boy’s Sport Uniform

• Maroon shorts with school logo (only available from uniform shop)
• School Polo shirt with school logo (only available from uniform shop).

Plain white sport socks OR St. Paul’s’ sports socks

Predominately white joggers (No sandshoes, skate or canvas shoes).

• Sunsafe School hat with school logo (only available from uniform shop)

In winter

• Additional Maroon fleecy tracksuit –with school logo (only available from uniform shop).

Sunsafe Procedures

The school hat is a compulsory part of the uniform for summer and winter and we have a “No Hat – Play in the Shade” Policy. 

Children will wear hats for sun protection whenever outside.

(Children not wearing school hats outside will only be allowed to play in shaded areas.)

We encourage you to provide sunscreen that can be applied before school and can be re-applied by your child during the day.

Positive Behaviors for Learning (PBL)

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.  

Fortnightly Focuses

Each fortnight we focus as a whole school on one specific positive behaviour. This year, each class from K-6 will participate in a PBL lesson about the behaviour focus for that fortnight. With the guidance of their classroom teacher, students will create a class goal and a personal PBL goal to work towards achieving each fortnight. All classroom rules are based on our school values: Learn, Love and Serve

Sun Safe Procedures

 The school hat is a compulsory part of the uniform for Summer and Winter and we have a “No Hat – Play in the Shade” Policy. Children will wear hats for sun protection whenever outside. (Children not wearing a school hat outside will only be allowed to play in shaded areas.) We encourage families to provide sunscreen that can be applied before school and can be re-applied by your child during the day.

Term Planner - Term 1 2025

Religious Coordinator - Mr Robert Temesvary

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to St Paul’s for the start of the 2025 school year! We are excited to reunite with our vibrant school community and look forward to a year filled with growth, learning, and new opportunities. As we journey together, we remain guided by our school vision: With Faith in Jesus Christ, we Learn, Love, and Serve. This vision will continue to inspire and shape every aspect of school life, including our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) framework, fostering a supportive, respectful, and faith-filled environment. Together, let’s embrace the year ahead with purpose, compassion, and a commitment to living out these values daily.

As we continue our journey of growth and faith, we remain focused on our School Improvement Goal centered around Catholic Formation for students, staff, and families. Formation days have already been successfully established for Years 4, 5, and 6, offering meaningful opportunities to deepen understanding and live out our school vision of Learn, Love, and Serve. By the end of 2025, all grades will have the chance to experience these special days, fostering spiritual growth, connection, and a stronger sense of community grounded in faith.

Opening School Mass/Ash Wednesday

Our Opening School Mass has been scheduled for Thursday the 27th of February at 11:30am under the COLA (Week 5). Hopefully, 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!

This year Ash Wednesday is the 5th of March – Week 6. Like last year, we are hoping to have a priest lead us into the most significant season on the liturgical calendar. A little hidden task for you eagle-eyed readers, the first 3 students to come up to me and say “Lent is about praying, fasting and helping others” will receive a little treat.

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. As above, this ties in with our ongoing PBL focuses throughout the year.

Sacraments of Initiation 2025

Below are 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

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C

Luke 5:1-11

An abundance of fish are caught by Simon.

Libray News - Mrs Katrina Howard

Hello families and welcome back to the library for 2025. We look forward to another successful year of borrowing and enjoying reading.

Borrowing will begin next week with classes this year borrowing every fortnight. Kinder will be the only class borrowing weekly. Years 1-6 will be able to borrow 2 books while Kinder will borrow 1 each. Tuesday Odd Weeks - Kinder, Year 1

Tuesday Even Weeks – Kinder, Year 2 Wednesday Odd Weeks - Year 3M, Year 5

Wednesday Even Weeks – Year 3W, Year 6

Thursday Even Weeks – Year 4

A term calendar sheet will be sent home next week to place on the fridge as a family reminder.

All students are encouraged to borrow every library lesson with library bags essential to ensure the books are kept protected during the transition from school to home. Please remember to label all library bags with your child’s name. Bags can be drawstring bags, plastic bags, green shopping bags, a pillowcase, plastic folder or large ziplock bag. St Paul’s 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 will be sent home soon. 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 only 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. All applications due Monday 10^th Feb. 

Book Club 

Welcome to 2025 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 or resources for the school library. This month’s order is due on Wednesday 19th of Feb. Orders can be placed online or the order form at the back of the catalogue 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. All orders will be sent to the school then delivered to your child to take home. 

 https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/Parent/Login.aspx 
 
How do I Order? 

1. Simply grab your child's Book Club catalogue and either sign in or register your account. 

1. Click on ORDER and then select your school and your child's class* . 

1. 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.  

1. Enter the item number from the Book Club catalogue. 

1. 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. 

1. 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 

penny.sneddon@mn.catholic.edu.au  

Kind Regards,  

Katrina Howard and Penny Sneddon 

Primary Coordinator & Gifted Educator Mentor - Amanda King

SAFEGUARDING IN DIOCESAN SCHOOLS

The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle has an absolute and abiding commitment to promote the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.The Office of Safeguarding, established in 2019 and whose director answers to the Bishop’s Office, is charged to oversee the whole of the Diocese’s safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults, including the students in our system of schools.As a parent sending your child to a diocesan school, you are expected to be an active participant in safeguarding your child’s wellbeing. To do so, it’s important that you have the best information available to you. The Office of Safeguarding website offers comprehensive details of the Diocese’s approach to safeguarding children. You are also encouraged to be an active participant in the life of your school.

As a parent of a diocesan school student, if you are concerned for:

- the safety, welfare or wellbeing of one or more children in the school·

- the conduct of a member of staff, a volunteer, contractor or other adult associated with the school… you are able to:

- discuss your concerns with a teacher, assistant principal or principal·

- talk to a case manager at the Office of Safeguarding (4979 1390 Mon-Fri 9-5pm)·

- report your concerns to the Department of Communities and Justice’s (DCJ) Child Protection Helpline (132 111,

   24 hrs/7 days) if your concerns constitute a risk of significant harm·

- report to NSW Police if you believe a crime has been committed.

STEM - Mr Jacob Adams

Safer Internet Day – Newsletter Week 2 or 4

On Wednesday 11th February, we join millions around the world in promoting a safer, more secure internet for everyone. Safer Internet Day is a global initiative that encourages us to reflect on our online habits and take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones in the digital world.

Why Safer Internet Day Matters

In our increasingly connected world, the internet is a vital part of our daily lives. From social media to online banking, we rely on the internet for countless activities. However, with these conveniences come risks such as cyberbullying and privacy breaches. Safer Internet Day reminds us of the importance of staying vigilant and informed to navigate the digital landscape safely.Tips for a Safer Internet Experience

Sport - 2025 Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to all competitors who competed in the 2025 Swimming Carnival.  

My New Gallery

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External Therapist 2025

 External therapists are permitted to come onsite at St Paul’s Primary School to provide therapies to children that are unable to access outside of school hours. Therapy appointments are only able to be made from 12pm and ending by 2:50pm. Please keep in mind lunch break 12:40pm-1:20pm.

Parents, please follow the following steps:

1. Contact your child’s provider to make an appointment at an appropriate time and send an email to your classroom teacher to ensure this time slot is suitable.  eg:  firstname.lastname@mn.catholic.edu.au
2. Once approved from classroom teacher please complete the attached forms and & email to admin@rutherford.catholic.edu.au along with email from your child’s teacher.
3. Providers will need to come 5 mins before their first appointment as they need to complete paperwork at the office.
4. The office staff will add your scheduled appointments to the school calendar.
5. Each time the provider visits, they will need to sign in at the office. The office staff will then call the student down to meet with the provider (contactors are not permitted into the classroom without special permission.

2025 Sport Days

Sport Uniform Day for 2025

Uniform Shop Hours 2025

Uniform Shop Hours 2024

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.

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, Mrs Mac or Mrs Smith, they 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

Grace Coaches - Service Changes

Dear St Paul’s Primary School, 

From Friday 31 January 2025 – Term 1 
Service Changes - Grace Coaches and CDC NSW (operated by Hunter Valley Coaches) require different school passes   (please see further information below). 
 
Following community feedback, Transport for NSW has added new AM and PM buses for North Rothbury and made minor adjustments to services for St Paul’s Primary School. 

• The Grace Coaches school route S520 service has been redesigned to service Aberglasslyn and Rutherford. 

• The S520 AM service will arrive at school at 08:43 while the PM service has no time change and will still depart at 15:00. 

Important - Please check times and routes via Trip Planner for details. 

Please note, the school bus students travel on may be a CDC bus (operated by Hunter Valley Buses) or a Grace Coaches bus. If it is a CDC bus, students will need an Opal card. If it is a Grace Coaches bus, they will need a school travel pass. Find out more about how to apply for a pass. 

For further information, timetable and route maps are available via transportnsw.info 
To provide feedback visit Bus feedback | transportnsw.info 

Thank you for sharing this important information with staff, parents and students at your school.  

Kind regards, 
Transport for NSW