From the Leadership Team

Welcome 

It has been a pleasure to see children and families returning after the school holiday break. This term, we especially welcome our Mid-year Reception children and families, as well as welcoming Jason and Abongwe in other year levels. 

Staff Professional Learning Week 

Our school closure days in the final week of Term Two provided for a week of intensive training, as well as time together with all staff members. 

Our week began with a staff spiritual retreat day focused on the theme of joy: joy in God’s creation; joy in the staff and children with whom we work; joy in vocation; and joy in the grace of God and Jesus as our Saviour. The day culminated in a worship for all Connected Schools staff at St Paul Lutheran School, led by Pastor Richard Fox, currently pastor at Glynde Lutheran Church, and former parent of St Paul Lutheran School. 

Our week also included: 

• Mental Health First Aid Training – full training day for new teaching staff and refresher training for ongoing staff. 
• Two days of Mathematics professional learning and data investigation for teaching staff. 
• Group planning and training sessions led by Graham Buxton (Teaching and Learning Leader) and Jess Robinson (Wellbeing Leader). 
• Work with environments and documentation for specialist teachers with Claire Fisher (Learning Environments and Documentation Guide). 
• Policy and WHS training for all staff. 
• St Paul Amazing Race, created and run by Bec Mattner with support from Jess Robinson. An incredible morning of social competition for staff to search the St Paul site, as well as further afield in Blair Athol, for clues to win the ultimate prize. 

Thank you to families for your support in having a week of school closure days for this important work to occur.  

Mud Kitchens 

Our school mud kitchens have brought so much joy and creativity to our children. 

The Reception team have been giving it a refresh and, with the help of a wonderful community member, Kylie Coad, we would love your help collecting some extra bits and pieces to bring it back to life and make it even better. 

If you have any of the following items at home, we’d be so grateful for your donation: 

• Metal pots and pans 

• Bowls (various sizes) 

• Muffin tins 

• Measuring cups 

• Spoons, spatulas, whisks 

• Sieves 

• Jugs and bottles 

• Wooden spoons and utensils 

• Watering cans 

Donations can be dropped off at front office. 

Thank you so much for helping us create a fun and imaginative outdoor play space for our children! 

Connected Schools Invitation- Parent Workshop  

As a Connected Schools network,  we are committed to supporting families in understanding and celebrating the diversity of all children and are excited to be hosting a parent education workshop with Mark Le Messurier- teacher, counsellor, author, and recipient of the Australia Day Council’s 2022 Senior South Australian of the Year award. The workshop "The beauty and wonder of neurodiversity" will help families gain valuable insights into understanding and supporting neurodiverse and Autistic children. 

This event offers families the chance to deepen their understanding of autism through a neuro-affirming lens, shifting away from deficit-based views and towards genuine respect and celebration of difference. The workshop will highlight lived experiences, explore current language and practice, and provide practical ways to support children on the neurodiverse spectrum with confidence and care. 

We believe this message is one that resonates across our Connected Schools network and we would be grateful if you shared the event details with your families. Educators are also welcome to attend.  

Places are limited; tickets to be booked via link provided below. 

Event Details Date: Wednesday 10 September Time: 7-8.30pm Location: Good Shepherd Lutheran School, Para Vista Ticket Bookings: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/mark-le-messurier-parent-workshop-the-beauty-and-wonder-of-neurodiversity-tickets-1409741979209?aff=oddtdtcreator 

End of Day Dismissal Change 

In the past several years, we have operated an earlier dismissal time for children being collected from kiss and drop, as well as some other measures related to past covid19 challenges. 

Currently, teachers dismiss kiss and drop children early from the classroom and then dismiss other children approximately ten minutes later. At St Paul, we value the importance and community and connection for children’s wellbeing, and the session at the end of the day is a wonderful opportunity for our classes to spend meaningful time together. This change provides time at the end the day for a community routine (eg class meeting, devotion, game, or other connection point). 

From the beginning of Week Two this term, we would like to trial an updated schedule for dismissal: 

• Gates will be opened at 3 pm (rather than 2:45pm). 
• All children will be dismissed from their classrooms at 3:15pm to move to the location where they are collected by families. 
• After school supervision duties will continue until 3:45pm as with current procedures. We do still highly recommend that families consider arriving a bit later than 3:15pm – the traffic is much slower by 3:30pm and beyond. 

 As we have noticed reduced pressure of traffic in kiss and drop, we believe that this change will work for most, if not all, families. If you have a significant concern about this change, please don’t hesitate to contact Leila Mattner, or speak with your classroom teacher about a particular need you have for a child to be regularly dismissed earlier. 

 We will trial this change for 5 weeks, beginning next week, Monday 28 July, and will request feedback from families at the end of the trial period.