6 December 2019

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Dear Parents, caregivers and friends,

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO OOSH SERVICES 2020

On Friday 29th November, official notification was provided to the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle by YMCA to withdraw OOSH services for St Patrick’s Lochinvar. There are a number of contributing factors which have led to this regrettable decision, most notably the intention of the Diocese to transfer all services to St Nicholas Centres ‘over time’ and resulting contract uncertainty for YMCA.

Effectively this means that the Diocese is now in the difficult position of attempting to establish the provision of a new OOSH service for St Patrick’s Primary School for 2020, to ensure continuity of care and support for our families who rely on this service. I acknowledge that the impact of this outcome is significant and stressful for all concerned. Please know that I am working hard to advocate on behalf of our parents and families, recognising that time is critical.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of YMCA for their service and care of our children over the past 7 years.

Updates will be provided via usual communication channels as they become available. If you are a regular user of OOSH services or were considering this service in 2020, I urge you to register your interest by contacting admin@lochinvarsp.catholic.edu.au

EXTRAORDINARY PARENT INFORMATION SESSION

To explain the transition of Before and After School Care Services from YMCA to ST NICHOLAS OOSH for 2020.

When: Wednesday 11th December
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: Year 5 classrooms, St Patrick’s Lochinvar

All parents welcome

MESSAGE FOR PARENTS FROM YMCA REGARDING END OF YEAR DATES

It is with regret that we will not be able to open our YMCA Before and After School Care Services after Thursday 12th December 2019 due to low expressions of interest on any of the following days until the 18th December.

Our last day of operation for Before and After School Care for 2019 will be Thursday 12th December.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Melanie Cauchi | Children's Services Coordinator
YMCA Lochinvar OSHC |

REFLECTION

Teaching and education is essentially a relational activity: it’s about people and their interactions.

Whenever we are asked to recall teachers who really made a difference to us as children, we name people who related well to us. Please who cared, who gave us that little bit of extra help, who encouraged and challenged, who shared an enthusiasm, who reminded us that we were worth worrying about.

An authentic Catholic school focuses on people. It seeks to cultivate a sense of belonging, cooperation and compassion. In doing this, it draws students, parents, staff and the wider school community into an essential partnership, into a ‘right’ relationship, that promotes the growth of every individual; and the health of the entire community.

I believe St Patrick’s endeavours every day to work tirelessly for the good of our community. I hope that over the course of this year, you have felt the strength of our hard work and commitment. And just as I encourage the kids to develop an ‘attitude of gratitude,’ I urge you as parents to express your thanks and gratitude to our hardworking teachers with a message of support as the year draws to a close.

If you have been moved or touched by an act of kindness; if you have been grateful for the support and hard-work that has made a difference; or you appreciate the growth in skills, academic achievement, belief, confidence or attitude and can attribute this to your child’s teacher, please let them know. A little word of recognition and thanks really does go a long way!

STAFFING UPDATE

Whilst staffing arrangements for 2020 are ongoing, I have great pleasure in confirming the following placements;

• Kate Virgona and Megan Watts have been successful in securing FULLTIME PERMANENT positions- Congratulations!
• Welcome Helena Powell who will fill the PERMANENT position of TEACHER LIBRARIAN. Helena comes to us most recently from Tenambit Public School. She is highly qualified and incredibly passionate and is looking forward to this exciting role.
• Erin Saxby, Sarah Abrahamse & Cassie King have been successful in securing FULLTIME TEMPORARY positions for 2020
• Jane Kleinman will continue in a FULLTIME TEMPORARY capacity. This role was an extension of her job-share arrangement with Kate Sadaj who remains on maternity leave.
• Welcome back Chloe Williams and Tegan Cunningham who will return to job-share in 2020
• Congratulations to Angela Waters and Jane Mosman who will undertake PEDAGOGICAL MENTOR ROLES in 2020 (0.5 and 0.1 respectively).
• Welcome Emma Murphy. Emma will job share with Angela Waters. Emma has moved to the area from the Diocese of Bathurst, having most recently worked at St Matthew’s Catholic School, Mudgee.
• Cate Lawler will extend her role as LST from 0.2 to 0.3 in 2020 and continue in the GEM role 0.2.
• RFF- Lauren Agapiou and Amy Shakespeare will continue in the role. Sarah Richards will undertake a similar role (0.8) and be joined by Lisa Owens (0.4)
• Michelle Harvey will return in the role of ESL/EALD Teacher

Congratulations to these staff members as they join the team or renew their roles at St Patrick’s. Sadly, the year’s end also presents us with a number of farewells.

• I have had communication that the National School Chaplaincy Program (i.e. PASTORAL CARE WORKER roles across existing schools) will conclude at the end of 2019. Accordingly, we will take the opportunity to farewell Roger Whitney and thank him for his generous service to the families, children and staff of St Patrick’s over the past years.
• We will also farewell Jackie Manthey as she undertakes her maternity leave. We wish her good health and rest for the remainder of her pregnancy.

I take this opportunity to thank Mr Nolan, Mrs Hacker and Mrs Waters who joined me on the panel through the employment and interview process. Their insight and professional support was greatly appreciated.

IMPORTANT MESSAGES FOR PARENTS

SCHOOL FEES 2020

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.

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

RE NEWS

COMMUNITY NEWS

CRUCIFIXES SURPLUS

‘With the move to our new classrooms we have some crucifixes surplus to our needs. If you would like to have one of the crucifixes pictured below please contact admin@lochinvarsp.catholic.edu.au'

ASPIRE CHOREOGRAPHIC AND THEATRE FLYER 2020

EXTERNAL PROVIDERS

SCHOOL TRAVEL - 2020

Updated brochures now online

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