Dear Families,

As the year draws to a close, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on the many achievements, milestones, and memories that have shaped 2024. It has been a year filled with learning, growth, and community spirit. We are incredibly proud of our students for their hard work and resilience, and grateful to our dedicated staff and supportive families for their contributions throughout the year. Let’s cherish these final weeks together, celebrating all we have accomplished as we prepare to welcome a new year filled with promise and opportunity.

Year 4 - The Portsea Camp

This morning, our excited Year 4 students set off for camp, ready to embark on a fun-filled adventure! With bags packed and spirits high, they are looking forward to a few days of outdoor activities, teamwork, and creating wonderful memories together. We wish them a fantastic time and can’t wait to hear all about their experiences when they return!

Christmas Nativity 

If there is anyone who is interested in participating in the Christmas Nativity please contact the parish and let them know. They are hoping to have a short nativity performance at the family Mass on Christmas Eve.  

2025 Staffing

We are pleased to announce the staffing arrangements for the 2025 school year. Our dedicated team will continue to provide a supportive and enriching learning environment for our students. We warmly welcome our new staff members, who will bring fresh perspectives and energy to our school. Thank you to all staff for their commitment and enthusiasm on our School Closure Day last Friday, as we began to prepare for another exciting year ahead. 

As we approach the end of the year, we say farewell to some valued members of our teaching team who are moving on to new chapters in their lives and careers. We thank them for their dedication, passion, and the positive impact they’ve had on our students and school community. While we will miss them greatly, we wish them all the best for the future and know they will continue to inspire and make a difference wherever they go. We say farewell to Thalia Kurze and, Merryn Morrissy, who have both been an integral part of the life of St Paul’s and have had an enormous positive impact on the lives of many students and their families. Their new schools are very lucky to have them and we wish them all the best. Carlene Whitten, Ida Lantry and Micheala Holman will also be moving to new schools and whilst they have not been with us for as long, the impact they have had is immeasurable and we wish them every success at their new schools.   We also wish Gabrielle Berends all the best with her beautiful new baby as she heads off on maternity leave.

Classroom Teachers

Prep - Jess Walker & Natalie Birthisel

Year 1 - Stephanie Allen & Kat Gardiner / Sophie Rutherford

Year 2 - Alex Carlson & Julie Dolman / Catherine Wensley

Year 3  - Laura Allars & Helen McFarlane / Eve Asmar

Year 4 - Tricia Geraghty & Liz Heath / Cathy Lawrence

Year 5 - Flora Fisher & Hollie Barrow / Danny Maher

Year 6 - Oliver Santamera & Kassy Wira / Katie Lachal

Specialist Teachers

PE - Danny Maher

Art - Amanda Moore

Japanese - Tracey Maile

Digi Tech - Cath Knights

Performing Arts - Connie Antenucci

Literacy & Numeracy Support - Angela Harkin

Leadership

Principal - Freda Tahtouh

Deputy Principal / Religious Education Leader - Margy D’Rozario

Learning Diversity / Well Being - Marg Mitchell

Learning & Teaching Leader - Kassy Wira

Literacy Leader - Catherine Wensley

Digi Tech Leader - Cath Knights

Admin

Office Managers - Elizabeth Canning & Louise James

Business Manager - Petina Thomas

Library - Despina Alexopoulos

Learning Support Officers

Daragh Drummond

Elizabeth Canning

Laura Jemetta

Anne Don Paul

Matilde Chia

Tanya Lance

Ben Griffin

Andrew Bath

Upcoming Events

December

Friday 6 December - House Sports Day

Tuesday 10 December - End of Year Mass 10am

Thursday 12 December - Christmas Carols 6.00pm

Monday 16 December - last day for Year 6. Graduation Liturgy 6.30pm.

Tuesday 17 December - last day for Prep to Year 5's 2.30pm finish

January 2025

Thursday 30 January - First day back for all students

Friday 4 April - Term 1 ends 2.30pm 

Wishing you all a lovely week ahead.

Kind regards,

Margy D'Rozario

St Paul’s Primary School is thrilled to announce that Year 6 student Ivy Bui has received the Lorraine Francis Community Award, presented by local MP Nick Staikos. This prestigious award honours students who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a commitment to improving their community.

Ivy, elected Wellbeing Leader for 2024, has made a significant impact on her school. She has played a key role in promoting initiatives like R U OK? Day, National Bullying Week and Harmony Day, creating lessons to raise awareness and foster inclusivity. Through her leadership in the Wellbeing Team, Ivy has also been instrumental in supporting younger students with the Friendology program, helping them build strong, positive friendships.

Her infectious positivity and creative efforts, such as creating a Friendship Ninja mascot, inspire others to get involved in making the school community a kinder, more supportive place.

Ivy’s recognition by the school’s leadership team highlights her dedication and heart. Her commitment to improving the lives of those around her makes her a deserving recipient of this award.

Congratulations, Ivy! Your leadership and kindness are truly inspiring.

At St. Paul’s, we value student input and are giving students from Prep to Year 6 the opportunity to share their ideas through the Student Voice Thinking Chart. This chart helps gather feedback on what's working well and where we can improve.

The SRC is committed to continuing this initiative, meeting with teachers and students every fortnight to review the chart. Feedback is discussed in short sessions or added to the chart throughout the fortnight.

Last assembly, Olivia (5K), Maribel (Prep B) and Violet (3MA) shared feedback from the SRC and had the following messages:

• Swimming Program: Thanks to Mr Maher for organising swimming, which students loved, especially the Water Safety Day.
• Playground Issues: Olivia reminded students to speak to the yard duty teacher immediately if there’s a problem on the playground.
• Eating Areas: Maribel encouraged students to eat only in the amphitheater, as some have been eating in other areas.
• Playground Behaviour: Violet thanked everyone for following the playground timetable and supporting the fundraising efforts with the purple bin.

We are excited to continue fostering student voice at St. Paul’s! We thank the hard working SRC team for all the work they are doing. 

Kassy Wira

Student Wellbeing Leader 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We’re excited to invite the kids to a special End-of-Year Party to celebrate our final day at OSH Club St Paul’s! It’s going to be an afternoon filled with fun, games, and plenty of good vibes as we wrap up an amazing chapter together.

 Date: 17th December
 Time: 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM
 Location: St Paul’s OSH Club

We’ve planned some awesome activities to make it a day to remember:
 Limbo
 Cup Pong
 Musical Chairs
 Piñata
 Pass the Parcel

There’ll also be delicious snacks to keep the energy going!

This is a chance for the kids to celebrate all the wonderful memories they’ve made at OSH Club and enjoy an afternoon of fun with their friends.

We’d love to see all the kids there to send off OSH Club at St Paul’s with a bang! If you have any questions or need to book in, please contact us at 0402 617 747.

Let’s make it a party to remember!