25 November 2021

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Dear Parents, caregivers and friends,

Thought for the week: Situations can change; people can change. Be the first to seek to bring good... Pope Francis

BE THAT PERSON…

Be that person who encourages rather than criticizes
Be that person who helps rather than turns away
Be that person who celebrates others success rather than being jealous
Be that person who has a positive attitude rather than being negative
Be that person who takes action rather than complaining
Be that person who admits mistakes rather than blaming others
Be that person who is enthusiastic rather than being apathetic
Be that person who finds solutions rather than focusing on problems
Be that person who forgives rather than being bitter
Be that person who will take a risk rather than wondering "what if"
You see your life will be measure by that person you have been!
Lord walk with me and help me “Be that Person”

Dear Parents, caregivers and friends,

This week our teachers have had their heads down in report writing mode. As I like to understand how all of the students are progressing with their learning, I read every report before it goes live on Compass. Please note that the date for this is the 3rd December. (Parents of Year 6 students are encouraged to download/print all reports before their children complete their primary years schooling).

Our Semester Two reports will look a little different this year due to the disruption to learning resulting from the period of school closure and remote learning. As you would understand there was a wide variation across our school in terms of the quality of student engagement during that time. Also, the nature of the tasks designed for remote learning meant that the normal assessment schedule was modified.

Key features of the modified reports include…

• The A-E Grade scale has not been used to report student achievement.
• Teacher professional judgement of student achievement during this period, relative to the peer group, the unique situation and access to learning for each student, informs each report.
• ACHIEVEMENT is recorded for Religious Education, English and Mathematics using the scale Working Towards, Working At, Working Beyond.
• Your child’s COMMITMENT TO LEARNING is reported using the scale Emerging, Developing, High.
• Your child's PERSONAL PROFILE rating is reported using observations by the teacher in both the physical and virtual classroom environments. The scale is sequential from 'Requires Support' meaning this is an area of challenge through to 'Consistently' meaning your child is mastering this area of development.
• One written OVERALL COMMENT is provided, instead of individual comments for RE, English and Mathematics as used in previous reports. This comment may contain a statement of engagement during home learning, an assessment of the return to school routines, information about the students’ learning behaviours during Semester 2 and a summary of strengths or achievement of goals.

KINDER TRANSITION TOURS

It was a pleasure to accompany our newly enrolled students and their parents as they toured the school this week. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to transition our pre-schoolers in this way, despite the current restrictions. The excitement and anticipation was evident, mixed with a few nerves along the way. We know that our next generation of St Patrick’s children will quickly settle in and make our school their own. We can’t wait to get to know you all.

To all our new and existing parents, THANK YOU. Thank you for choosing St Patrick’s to educate your precious children. It is an honour and privilege to travel on this journey with you, your family and your child.

CALENDAR EVENTS

CHRISTMAS CRAFT DAY- OUT OF UNIFORM

Monday 6th December

Children are invited to wear their Xmas clothes and engage in Christmas themed art/craft activities. NO COST

STEP-UP DAY

Tuesday 7th December 2021

Students will have the opportunity to ‘step up’ to the next grade to become familiar with the learning environment.

END OF YEAR LITURGY INCORPORATING STUDENT AWARDS

Thursday 9th December.10am

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 2021.

At this occasion we will present the End of Year Awards for students across all classes in distinct categories. In response to the reduced provision for face to face learning this year, modifications have been made to the End of Year Award process for 2021. This event will be streamed on-line for parents and friends.

Log-in details will be shared via a COMPASS notification.

YEAR 6 GRADUATION PROCESSES

Event: Year 6 Graduation Liturgy – 1 x PARENT GUEST

• Venue: To be held on site in the School Hall at St Patrick’s Lochinvar
• Date: Monday 13th December 2021
• Time: 10.15am (Hall gate will open at 10am)

Event: Year 6 Graduation Lunch and Activities- STUDENTS ONLY

• Venue: To be held on site in the School Hall at St Patrick’s Lochinvar
• Date: Monday 13th December 2021
• Time: 12noon- 2pm

Event: Year 6 Final Rite of Passage

Venue: To be held on site at St Patrick’s Lochinvar

• Date: Wednesday 15th December 2021
• Time: 2.20pm

P&F Annual General Meeting

The meeting will be held via Zoom on 30th November at 5pm. Log-in details for the Zoom meeting can be requested by sending an email to admin@ lochinvarsp.catholic.edu.au

END OF TERM DATES

Please note that classes conclude for all students on Wednesday 15th December, at the normal time of 2.50pm.

TERM 1 2022 DATES

ADVANCE NOTICE- PUPIL FREE DAY TERM 1 2022

Please be advised that St Patrick' s will hold a Pupil Free Day on Friday 25th February 2022. Teachers will engage in professional learning titled Developing an Effective Writing Programme. The new date reflects a postponement from Term 4 2021. Students DO NOT come to school on this day.

CURRICULUM NEWS

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

In the last few weeks, I had the great privilege of meeting with our Year Five cohort to talk to them about their transition into Year Six and for some, into the roles of student leadership. I stressed the importance of having a mindset of leadership once they become the seniors of our school, regardless of whether or not they have a badged position. I also stressed that we all come to leadership in our own time and that some people may have no interest in putting their hands up for specific leadership positions... and that is perfectly ok.

St. Patrick’s is committed to providing clear boundaries as to who becomes a student leader and to the election process of student leaders. The school will endeavour…

• To encourage all students to become ‘stewards’ of our world by giving them opportunities to become involved in community and environmental issues.
• To provide an opportunity for students to become skilled in all aspects of leadership.
• To ensure that student leaders are positive role models for other students.
• To create a whole school community where every member feels their contribution is valuable.
• To develop leadership practices that are representative of the 21st century working environment

To remind you of the process, this is the timeline for leadership selection which has been postponed and will take place early in Term 1 2022:

• There will be 8 student leaders: Two from each Team to form the Student Council
• Current Year 5 students who wish to be considered for leadership will prepare a portfolio submission next year
• Candidates will be shortlisted for preparation of a speech to Years 3-5 next year
• Students who will represent their sporting houses will be decided by a separate voting process

Please join with me in praying for our wonderful Year Five students as they embark on this exciting phase in their lives.

Student Leadership Structure:

EXCITING CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENTS

Next year our K-2 teachers will be working with a new K-2 Syllabus for English. The roll out of the new K-2 Mathematics Syllabus will take place in Semester 2. All K–2 teachers across our Diocese will undertake professional learning next year to unpack the English and Mathematics syllabus documents. The first will take place on 9th Feb (Year 1 & 2 teachers), followed by 7th March (Kindergarten teachers). A new syllabus provides us with an opportunity to look critically at our current practices and refine them as necessary. Once we have our heads around the requirements of the new curriculum, we intend to share the details and any change in practice with you and plan to provide parent workshops next year.

ORGANISATION & MANAGEMENT

MANDATORY VACCINATION

The Public Health Order, around mandatory vaccination for all employees, other workers, and visitors is now in place in all education settings. For families, this means you are required to QR code when entering school buildings and when onsite.

• If you are attending St Pat’s to drop off or collect your child (i.e. at the hall or cemetery gate), and you remain outdoors on the external grounds of the school, mandatory vaccination is not required.
• If you enter the school administration area to drop off or pick up a child, you will be asked to QR code in, but your vaccination status will not be required.
• Entry beyond the school gates or administration building, involving internal access to our grounds or facilities (e.g. to attend an event or meeting) requires use of the QR code and proof of double vaccination.

RESPECTFUL PARTNERSHIPS

We are partners in Education. This means our children, staff and parents can expect to be treated with respect and care at all times. I remind parents to please remember courtesy in the way you speak and behave towards staff, including the manner in which emails and phone calls are conducted. Go gently, we are all working together and share in the goal of providing a welcoming, engaging, supportive and respectful environment at St Patrick’s. Whilst you may be frustrated, disappointed, stressed or fed-up, please remember that our staff are going above and beyond to support you and are making decisions in the best interest of everyone, in the craziest year ever.

STUDENTS LEAVING

We are aware that some families are leaving our school for various reasons at the end of this school year. It is important that families who have made a decision to leave us, let us know as soon as possible, as we have some families on a waiting list who seek enrolment.

Accounts must be settled, and a fee clearance provided before departure. We also welcome the donation of uniforms that families no longer require, as these uniforms can be donated to our pre-loved uniform shop to support others.

MOBILE PHONES/PERSONAL DEVICES

Students are not permitted to have mobile phones/personal devices in their possession during school hours. On arrival at school, students are to submit their phones/devices to the note bags to be kept in the office during the day. Students are not permitted to use their mobile phones/devices on bus lines. In an emergency, parents must contact their children via the school administration office.

Please note: Smart watches will be considered as a personal device if they have an internet connection.

CANTEEN- The canteen is closed until further notice.

FEES NOTICE

2022 HEALTH CARE/PENSION CARD DISCOUNT

To assist in next year’s fee billing health care/pension card tuition fee discounts must be applied for at the beginning of every year.

To become eligible for this discount the card must be -

1. in the fee payer's name
2. student name/s listed on the card
3. a current card

In readiness for 2022 fees, if you are eligible for a discount, and have not yet completed forms for 2022, please complete the attached, and return with a copy of your card to admin@lochinvarsp.catholic.edu.au

2022 SCHOOL FEE INFORMATION FORM

We are still waiting on the return of an extensive number of forms. If you have not yet returned your form, please complete and return as soon as possible.

2021 SCHOOL FEE ACCOUNTS

All fees for the year are due by 30th November. You will receive a final fees statement on 7th December2021, please contact the school office if you have any questions or require assistance with your fees balance. If you have already made a fee agreement with the school office please continue with this agreement.

VOLUNTEERS

As we look forward to a lifting of restrictions in 2022, we hope to welcome parents as active volunteers at St Patrick’s, fully involved in the life of our school.

Parents are reminded that to participate as a volunteer, strict protocols must be followed which require registration, screening, and clearance processes. To avoid disappointment, I urge all parents to check with our office administration staff that their registration with the Diocese is up to date and all documentation has been provided. This will include evidence of full vaccination.

Enquiries should be made to Lisa Comerford at Student Services by calling 40307270 or sending an email to admin@lochinvarsp.catholic.edu.au

An overview of requirements is provided in the link

RE NEWS

ADVENT

Advent marks the start of a season of preparation that looks forward to the celebration of Christmas and the second coming of Christ. It is a time of reflection in preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ—we remember how our Savior humbled Himself to be born as a baby and live among those He would save. We remember the perfect life He lived doing the will of His Father, His sacrificial death on the cross, and how He was raised from the dead three days later, having paid the penalty in order to save all who would believe. Christians remember Jesus' promise to return again one day and restore everything fully. This season invokes feelings of expectation and hope! The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “arrival” or “coming” from the word advenire (ad- “to” venire “come”). Advent is a reminder of how the Jewish people waited for the Messiah and how Christians wait for the second coming of Christ, today.

Advent begins this Sunday 28th December.

CHRISTMAS ART COMPETITION

CLASSROOM NEWS

OUR FIRST MASS FOR YEAR 1

LIBRARY BOOK RETURNS FOR 2021

ABORIGINAL EDUCATIONAL NEWS

ORGANISATION & MANAGEMENT

PARENTING PAGE