6 November 2020

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Dear Parents,

As the year marches on, it is timely to take stock of the great things happening in our school. This week we conducted small group tours for all incoming Kindergarten students for 2021. For most, this was the first opportunity to visit the Kindergarten pods, view playground options and realise the vision for our site to be achieved with the Stage 3 construction. At every turn we were greeted by welcoming faces, with children, staff and parent reps ready to illustrate MJR in action- particularly how to meet, greet and treat others. I am extraordinarily proud of this school and grateful every day for the wonderful opportunities we encounter to better the lives of our children and families. Thank you!

As we rethink our usual practices in line with Health Recommendations, I am ever mindful of a children's poem/book written this year called The Great Realisation and a marvellous YouTube link that goes with it (see below). I hope we are still finding the joy amongst the rest that 2020 throws at us. This is particularly true as the northern hemisphere wrestles with new waves of infection creating more trauma as we fast approach Christmas and the year's end. Our prayers and thoughts are with so many still struggling at this time.

IMPORTANT MESSAGES FOR PARENTS

PUPIL FREE DAY: FRIDAY 20th NOVEMBER (TERM 4, WEEK 6) to enable staff to engage in faith formation. Students do not come to school on this day.

COMMENCEMENT DATES 2021

Term 1

Week 1:

Wednesday 27th Jan: Staff day
Thursday 28th Jan: Years 1-6 start

Week 2: Staggered starts for students in Kindergarten 2021

Further information will be communicated via SEESAW and COMPASS for incoming Kindergarten parents in the coming weeks, including preparations for the Term 1 start and your child’s allocation to Group 1 or 2.

UNIFORMS AVAILABLE ONLINE

Ken Lane Menswear now has an online store where parents can buy school uniforms. Parents can "click and collect" or for a $15 postage fee have their purchase delivered. As always parents can still shop in-store for the full customer service experience.

We hope the online store will add to the convenience of shopping for school-wear at Ken Lane Menswear.

ENROLMENTS 2021

To finalise enrolment numbers for 2021 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.

END OF YEAR EVENTS- SAVE THE DATE

What will some of our usual end of year events look like given Covid restrictions?

Christmas Craft Day on Friday 4th December- Children are invited to wear their Xmas clothes and engage in Christmas themed art/craft activities. NO COST

Step-up morning- Wednesday 9th December- Students will have the opportunity to ‘step up’ to the next grade to become familiar with the learning environment.

On Thursday 10th December (Week 9 at 9.30am) St Patrick’s will come together in Liturgy to celebrate the year. This will be our opportunity to give thanks for our blessings and acknowledge the learning, effort and sacrifice of 2020.

At this occasion we will announce the Year 6 Student Leaders for 2021 and present the End of Year Awards for students across all classes in distinct categories. I hope to successfully stream this event on-line for parents and friends.

On Friday 11th December we will hold the Year 6 Graduation liturgy and luncheon. Whilst different, I am sure that this will be a fitting send off for our Year 6 cohort.

Christmas Family Night- Cancelled

RE NEWS

REMEMBRANCE DAY

This year Remembrance Day falls on Wednesday 11th November with a service to be held at the Cenotaph in Maitland. I will accompany four of our student leaders to represent St Patrick’s on this important occasion.

SOCKTOBER PENALTY SHOOTOUT

• THURSDAY 19TH NOVEMBER (TERM 4, WEEK 6)
• OUT OF UNIFORM

MJR NEWSLETTER

During weeks 3 and 4 our amazing MJR superstar students of St Patricks’ have been working on:

• Learning from our mistakes
• Courage

Sienna and Thomas’ definitions of the MJR focuses:

Learning from our mistakes: to make a mistake but learn a valuable lesson from what you have encountered!

Courage: something you are nervous or have butterflies about, but you try to get over it and prove to yourself you are brave! E.g., Getting up to do public speaking which you are nervous about, but you prove to yourself that you can do it!

By your MJR leaders,
Sienna and Thomas

CURRICULUM NEWS

DANCE CONCERT 2020

A special thank you to Mrs Murray for her organisation of the Dance Concert and to all of the teachers who contributed to ensure the success of this year’s production. Despite the obvious restrictions and the difficulties which befell us, the children shone on the big screen. Thanks too to Miss Prue who again worked her magic to bring the choreography to life.

PRE- ORDER NOW

Group photographs of each class and copies of the live performance are now available for purchase.

Photos will be sold for $5:00 each and the Performance on USB for $10. Both will make lovely keepsakes of the dance performances.

Payment can be made via QKR.

YEAR 4 HISTORY INCURSION

GOVERNANCE MATTERS

FEES

Term 3 School fees are now overdue. Statements will be emailed to families next week for any outstanding balances. If you have any questions or need to make payment agreements, please contact the school office to discuss your options.

COMMUNITY NEWS

VALUING AND APPRECIATING TEACHERS MAY ASSIST YOUR CHILD TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL- Council of Catholic School Parents

A recent article in Spotlight written by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership highlights the influence teachers have in children’s lives as mentors and role models.

The article mentions several research projects that show there is a positive association between the value society places on teachers and student outcomes.

Unfortunately, many Australian teachers feel unappreciated. Some media coverage of teaching does not reflect wider community attitudes. World Teachers Day (Australia) celebrated on October 30 2020, was an opportunity for the community to thank teachers for the positive impact they have on the lives of children.

It was encouraging to receive some special surprises of acknowledgement on this day from grateful parents, and also thanks from the Council of Catholic School Parents recognising all teachers for their efforts, especially this year when they have had to go to such great lengths to provide continuity of learning for our children while at the same time keeping them and their families safe.

P&F AGM

The St Patrick's School Parents & Friends Association (P&F) is an active group of parents who meet twice each term in the school year (currently via ZOOM) to discuss ways to engage families in school life, foster continual improvement, raise funds to support school goals, plan and review social events, discuss long term projects, be a consultative group and provide feedback to the school Leadership as appropriate and ensure our positive reputation is sustained.

As a parent of a student at St Patrick’s you are automatically a member of the P&F and are warmly welcomed to attend meetings and make a significant, sustained contribution to the school community by attending meetings.

At the AGM, all positions come up for re-election and it would be great to see as many people as possible nominate for positions. A number of the current committee have indicated that they will not be standing again, and all parents are asked to consider this opportunity to be actively involved. While all parents are busy with other commitments, this gives you an opportunity to put something back into the school – to make a difference, have your voice heard and have a lot of fun along the way.

If you feel you would like to be involved, please consider a position. It does not have to take over your life, as the more people who get involved, the lighter the load. There are many willing helpers in the school who support the P&F activities and some positions can be shared by two people.

St Patrick’s P&F is now calling for your attendance at the Annual General Meeting and nominations for vacant committee positions on the 2021 Committee. (Nominations will also be taken during the meeting). Your attendance at this meeting is vital to ensure a quorum is reached (7 members including at least 2 Executive members) and the meeting can take place. The agenda includes reports on all areas of activity undertaken by the P&F throughout the year.

I invite you to nominate yourself in becoming a committee member. The school community would benefit greatly from your knowledge, insights and connections within the community. If you are unable to attend the AGM, you can still nominate for a position by completing the nomination form below and returning it to the school office or via email (addressed to the P&F President) no later than Friday 4th December

The P&F AGM will take place on Wednesday 9th December via ZOOM at 5pm. All parents are invited to take part in this event.

The positions up for nomination are:

• President: the President provides leadership and direction for the P&F by working co-operatively and collaboratively with the Principal. Promotes the aim of the P&F in dealings with its members and supports the executive committee members.
• Vice President: the Vice-President assists the President in their role and in their absence presides over meetings and relevant duties.
• Treasurer: the Treasurer is responsible for ensuring that all the financial dealings of the P&F are carried out in accordance with the Diocese of Maitland/Newcastle P&F Association Constitution. He/ she receive all monies and keeps appropriate financial records which are presented at each general meeting.
• Secretary: the Secretary manages the day-to-day communications and records of the P&F as well as organising meetings, records accurate draft minutes and then formalises them for the subsequent meeting.
  - Federation Representative: the Diocesan Federation Representative keeps parents informed about Federation of P & F Association issues and provides written and oral reports to the parents at parent meetings and arranges for the distribution of newsletters and other communications to parents.

Nominations are welcome for the St Patrick’s Lochinvar P&F for 2021.

Formal nominations are required for the following positions: · President · Vice President · Treasurer · Secretary · Federation Parent Representative

I,………………………….....................................hereby
nominate …………….………….............................................….…….. (name)

for the position of…………………………………….…………….……………………

on the St Patrick’s Lochinvar P&F Committee for 2021.

I understand that should there be more than one person nominate for the position then the election will be by secret ballot.

Name (of nominee) …................................................................................

Signature (of nominee): ..………………..……………… Date: …..................................

Proposed by……….……………………............….. Signature: ……………….……………

Seconded by………………………………............. Signature: ……………………………..

Please address your application in a sealed envelope to the P&F President St Patrick’s Lochinvar or return via email to: lop.pandf@mn.catholic.edu.au

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