22 November 2019

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Dear Parents, caregivers and friends,

BUSHFIRE EMERGENCY

Over the course of the past fortnight we have been made acutely aware of the impact of natural disasters, the devastation of the environment and communities, and the fragility of life. But more importantly we have been touched by the extraordinary examples of courage, tenacity, compassion and endurance exemplified by volunteers in communities, and members of the Rural Fire and Emergency Services, We are truly grateful for the dedication of the firefighters as they have toiled relentlessly to save properties, homes and lives.

We are especially aware of our Diocesan communities in the Manning Valley where schools were closed all week due to the catastrophic fire threat. The Manning certainly bore the brunt of this crisis, with large numbers of families and staff seriously impacted by the fires.

In our own community, families and staff came under threat and felt the anxiety and uncertainty of evacuation. If you were affected, I sincerely hope that things return to normal very soon.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

If you are experiencing difficulty following the fire threat, you may wish to arrange a free and confidential counselling appointment with a psychologist from CatholicCare Social Services. To arrange this, you are encouraged to contact 02 4979 1120 and state that you were located within a bush fire zone or experienced the anxiety of displacement/evacuation.

Resources for children to ease the burden of natural disasters can be accessed through the following link;

FUNDRAISING FATIGUE?

Fundamental to the teachings of Jesus Christ is a deep awareness of and respect for the needs of others, and service leadership. St Patrick’s is a ‘giving’ community. We foster programmes and initiatives to build understanding and generosity. I am well aware that over the course of 2019 there have been many occasions when you have been asked to contribute or donate outside our regular routine- specifically to support those facing the devastating effects of bushfire and drought. I am also aware that for many families, the requests to donate can often feel overwhelming. My message is one of gratitude to you for doing what you can, no matter how small, to make a difference. Every act of kindness does indeed count!

If you can see your way clear to support the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal additional information is provided in RE News

BUILDING WORKS

Over the past week the area behind the Kindergarten pod was cordoned off in readiness for the development of a creative outdoor play space. This area is part of the overall landscaping plan for the Stage 2 development, which also includes a new adventure playground and natural discovery area. At the last Building Project meeting the decision was made to hold off on the establishment of turf. This decision reflects the respect and compassion I have for those affected by the current drought conditions. We are honouring our ethical responsibility to conserve water during periods of intense seasonal pressure. Consequently, the turf will be laid at a more appropriate time.

UPDATE END OF YEAR PROCEDURES

Please notify the school as per the letter below if you require care for your child on the noted days.

Please contact YMCA Oosh if you require after school care for these days.

KINDER ORIENTATION

Our new students enrolled in Kindergarten in 2020, have attended St Patrick’s on a number of occasions as part of their orientation and transition to school. They enjoyed visiting the Kindergarten pods and this week shared time with their Year 5 buddies who will assist them to settle next year.

Thank you to the current Kindergarten parents who generously provided morning tea and were able to attend to welcome and support our new families. Another big thank you to Mrs Angela Waters, Mrs Helen Hartcher, Miss Kate Virgona, Mrs Cate Lawler and Mrs Bettina O’Heir and their support team of enthusiastic Learning Support Assistants, for ensuring that our young visitors had a positive experience.

IMPORTANT MESSAGES FOR PARENTS

ENROLMENTS 2020

To finalise enrolment numbers for 2020 we need to be aware of any students who are leaving our school at the end of this year. Parents are asked to contact the office as soon as possible if this is the case, as we have waiting lists for many classes.

EXTERNAL PROVIDERS 2020

Parents wishing to continue therapy services for their child in 2020 will need to reapply for approval by emailing the principal. This may be done now, however, External Provider Engagement Agreements will not be processed until the start of next year. Please allow time for classes to settle into their routines so that new therapy times may be negotiated at mutually agreeable times. Accordingly, external providers will be permitted to begin service delivery from the beginning of week five and no earlier.

CALENDAR EVENTS

WHAT’S ON?

Please remember that our school canteen is now only open on Wednesday and Friday of each week.

Friday 22nd November

• Year 2 Assembly – 10.00 am Hall
• Year 2 – Morning Tea with parents in hall

Wednesday 27th November

• Gold Coin Donation – Out of uniform day

Friday 29th November

• Kinder Orientation Session 4 – 10am Drop off

Monday 2nd December

• Second Hand Uniform Shop 8.30am

Wednesday 4th December

• Virtual Academy Presentation Day

Thursday 5th December

• Year 6 Graduation Liturgy and End of Year Liturgy – 11.30 am at Mary MacKillop Place, St Joseph's Auditorium.
• Year 6 Graduation Dinner – 5.30 pm at Mary MacKillop Place, St Joseph's Auditorium.

Friday 6th December

• P & F AGM

Tuesday 10th December

• Xmas Concert/Family Night

Thursday 12th December

• Last day of 2019 for Students

IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2020- ADVANCED NOTICE

Friday 31st January, 2020

• Kinder and Year 1 start of School Term 1 Week 1

Monday 3rd February, 2020

• Year 2- Year 6 start of School Term 1 Week 1

Thursday 13th February, 2020

• St Patrick's Lochinvar school swimming carnival

Monday 17th February, 2020

• ASC Swimming Carnival – Maitland

Thursday 27th February, 2020

• Diocesan Swimming Carnival – Lambton

GOLD COIN DAY

RE NEWS

MJR FOCUS

We have continued our resilience/wellbeing focus with our MJR themes for the last couple of weeks. Students have been encouraged to “have a go” (Week 5) and to “Be a diffuser not an escalator” (Week 6).

It was encouraging this week to receive an email from a parent detailing their child ‘giving back’ to the community and the child told their parent “that’s showing the Spirit of Jesus, Mum!”.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

In 2020 we are embarking on a new student leadership structure within our school. Elected representatives will take responsibility for important leadership portfolios which cover the areas of “Making Jesus Real”, “Social Justice”, Stewards of Creation” and “Engaging Community”. This term, Year 5 have been exploring the qualities of an effective leader. They have applied for leadership positions via a formal application form and will present their leadership speeches to our School Community for staff and students to then vote team leaders. At this stage the Sports Leader structure will not change. Our 8 school leaders and 8 Sports Leaders will be announced at the End of Year Liturgy/Year 6 Graduation on the 5th December.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL CHRISTMAS APPEAL

This appeal aims to assist many households from our local community that are frail, aged, people with a disability, carers in need and those who are socially and/or financially disadvantaged.

The following list includes suggested items, both food and personal in nature, which will be packed into Christmas hampers or wrapped as gifts to bring joy to those in need during the season of ‘good will’. You may consider;

• Lollies, bonbons, chips, nuts, Christmas cakes, custard, sweet biscuits, mince pies, savoury biscuits, dried fruits, condiments, and Xmas serviettes

Any donations can be added to the classroom collection baskets.

LADIES OF THE LAND APPEAL

This year the SRC has focused their fundraising efforts on the plight of farmers during the drought. If you would like to help a farming family in a particular way this Christmas you may be interested in the Ladies of the Land Appeal. Donations of small shoe box hampers of pamper items are being collected for distribution to farming families.

Ideas of things to include in a hamper are:

• Card or note with a special message
• Small arts or crafts project
• Pampering toiletries
• Candle
• Special coffee or tea
• Chocolates
• Coffee mug filled with sweets
• Scarf
• Vouchers and gift cards
• Magazines, crosswords, Sudoku

Shoeboxes once filled are to be covered in newspaper and a ribbon tied around it. Further information can be obtained by searching for “Ladies of the Land” on Facebook.

Completed and wrapped shoeboxes can be left at the school up until the 5th of December and we will arrange delivery.

COMMUNITY NEWS

FEDERATION P & F GENERAL MEETING

ASPIRE CHOREOGRAPHIC AND THEATRE FLYER 2020

SCHOOL TRAVEL - 2020

Updated brochures now online

PARENTING PAGE

P & F NEWSLETTER

CANTEEN