24 March 2022

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Dear Parents, caregivers and friends,

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle awaits the appointment of a new Bishop to steward our Diocese, our priests, our schools and our people. We are asked to join in prayer and invoke the Holy Spirit to provide a leader, shepherd and guide.

LENTEN PRAYER

This Lent, Lord, help me leave behind the distractions of my daily life and make this a time of spiritual retreat, of letting go all that holds me back from taking the risk of drawing closer to you, allowing your Spirit to lead me, and speak to my heart.

Forty days, or four, or forty minutes or four! Whatever I can manage! The time spent is not the key, I know, but my willingness to look into my frailty, and then to trust in You and to seek your will for me.

Amen.

Lent can be more than a time of fasting- it can be a season of feasting.
Fast from criticism; feast on positivity and kind words
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Below is the list of the 2022 School and Sport Leaders.

MUFTI & MUDBOOTS- FUNDRAISING EFFORT

Thank you for taking part in our fundraising efforts. Together we raised $975 of much needed funds to support those affected by flood in the Lismore Region.

LEADERSHIP PRESENTATION

We celebrated our Leadership Liturgy on Monday 21st March. We thank all students who nominated for these positions. We congratulate the following students for being elected as our School Leadership Team for 2022 and wish them well for the year ahead.

HARMONY DAY

Tuesday 22nd March

St Patrick’s is a school community committed to building peace and inclusivity. It is through education and example that we work to promote social justice, acknowledge and celebrate differences and unite in our mission to reach out in love and friendship to others.

This endeavour was highlighted this week as we celebrated Harmony Day.

Harmony Day is celebrated annually in Australia. Harmony Day began in 1999, coinciding with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Each year, it is marked by people coming together and participating in local activities to promote inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.

Harmony Day is a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home, from the traditional owners of this land to those who have come from many countries around the world. Our cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths as a community and as a nation. It is at the heart of who we are. The values of respect and responsibility are embedded in our school expectations. They are practiced daily through our Positive Behaviours framework and are lived by our students in their acceptance of others in our school community. We pray that we continue to be a community of welcome, hospitality and safety.

CALENDAR EVENTS

TEACHERS AS LEARNERS

Staff at St Patrick's are continually working on improving their professional knowledge and practice to maximise the learning opportunities for all students. As such Friday 1st April 2022 is a PUPIL FREE DAY for professional learning. Students DO NOT come to school on this day.

Over the coming weeks all classroom teachers will be involved in Personal Plan conversations with parents with children who have additional learning needs. We look forward to working with you in partnership to continue to provide quality Catholic education in an inclusive environment.

STICKS AND STONES INCURSION

Our first incursion for the year is coming to school on Monday 28/3/22. The show is titled, ‘Sticks and stones’. The children will attend in 2 sessions:

• K-2 from 12:10pm- 1:10pm
• 3-6 from 1:50pm- 2:50pm

This incursion also fits in well with Harmony Day and The National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA) this Friday 18 March, 2022.

Sticks and Stones is a fun and inclusive student wellbeing program for primary schools that reinforces positive relationships and supports vulnerable children to build confidence and social and emotional skills. This live performance encourages safe, positive behaviour, cooperation, impulse control, boundaries and respect.

When things go wrong in Toby’s life, or he feels frightened or threatened, he gets all churned up inside. His body tells him to fight, and his dad, kids at school and video games tell him to fight. He is always in trouble and unhappy at home and at school.

When Toby meets his mentor Joe, he breaks the habit, takes responsibility for his own actions and develops positive relationships. He learns to stop, breathe, put his hands in his pockets, walk away, count to ten and talk about his feelings.

He stands tall, becomes assertive and cooperates with other kids to create a circus routine with acrobatics, unicycling and juggling.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS 2023

Enrolments have opened for families seeking entry for their child to Kindergarten in 2023 at St Patrick’s Lochinvar. We have had very strong interest in families wishing to enrol. We encourage any family who is currently connected to St Patrick's school who have a child who is eligible to start school in 2023 to complete and lodge an enrolment form as soon as possible. Enrolment packs are available from the School Office.

PARENT/ TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Parent/Teacher interviews have been scheduled for Weeks 10 and 11 of Term 1 (before and/or after school Mon 28/3 to Friday 8/4)

This is a formal opportunity for all parents to connect with the class teacher/s. With the lifting of Covid restrictions, meetings will be held FACE TO FACE (or phone if preferred) to discuss social development, attitude and behaviour, recognised strengths and vulnerabilities and goals for the year ahead.

Interviews will be 10 minutes in duration.

In some cases, teachers may make contact to schedule a longer interview, if this is deemed necessary.

Interviews will be booked using the COMPASS app. The Online Booking System opened for use on Monday 14th March.

PERSONAL GROOMING

Jewellery: Students are required to minimise the wearing of jewellery. Bracelets, necklaces, etc can be a safety concern if they were to become caught on something or someone causing injury. Stud earrings can be worn but hoop earrings are not suitable for the playground with risk of getting caught when playing.

Nail Polish: Over the past several weeks, a number of students have been wearing nail polish to school. Polish on fingernails is not part of our school uniform. Nail polish should be removed prior to coming to school in the morning.

Hair: We ask that children are assisted in the appropriate grooming of their hair. Girls are to have their hair tied back with a school-coloured band or 'scrunchy' or authorised items in school fabric (available on Qkr). All hair must be out of eyes and tied back from the face. The razoring of patterns etc into hair is not an acceptable hairstyle. If these styles are a preference for you and your child, they should be left until a school holiday period.

COVID CASES AT ST PATRICK’S

The NSW Government along with the media have flagged increasing cases of Covid across the community and we are seeing evidence of this increase on a daily basis. As a school community we appreciate the way you are supporting our Covid-safe measures and we will continue to keep you updated with Compass notifications (as per diocesan directives). Anyone who has Covid symptoms should get tested immediately and stay in isolation until receiving a negative test result and symptom free.

FREE CYBERSAFETY SUPPORT SESSION FOR PARENTS

One area of interest for parents and cares and schools is CYBERSAFETY.

Please see the flyer below with information about a FREE online presentation for parents and carers.

PBL AT ST PATRICK’S

Our school is a Positive Behaviour for Learning School. The PBL framework assists schools to improve social, emotional, behavioural, and academic outcomes for children and young people.

When PBL is implemented well, teachers and students have more time to focus on relationships and classroom instruction. Students and staff benefit from:

• reduced problem behaviour
• increased time focused on instruction
• improved social-emotional wellbeing
• positive and respectful relationships among students and staff
• support for teachers to teach, model and respond effectively to student need
• a predictable learning environment where staff and students know what is expected to deliver effective practices that can be sustained over time.

Our school makes sure that all students are explicitly taught the expected behaviours and establish clear and consistent boundaries. Staff take a proactive, preventative approach to ensure all students receive the appropriate level of support to help them to be successful at school. Student outcomes are monitored so identified students can receive additional support when needed, and children who consistently follow the PBL are awarded shamrocks.

ANNUAL BILLING

As you are aware, the Diocese changed fee billing from a term based to annual billing process. This is in line with continued transition of school databases from SAS as the finance system to TechnologyOne. Annual bills have been distributed to parents, with a request that payment frequency is nominated to schools and payments commence by the end of March. The benefit of annual billing is that fee payers will be able to see their full fee obligation for the year early in Term 1 which will enable them to budget and plan their payments.

It is imperative that payment frequency forms are returned to administration staff if you have not already done so.

Key items in relation to fee payments are:

• Fee payments are to commence by 31 March 2022 for those families indicating they will make regular payments. Repayments should be calculated to fully extinguish debt by the end of November.
• If the fee payer nominates that they will pay in one lump sum then this needs to occur prior to 30 June 2022.
• Methods of payment include BPay, direct debit (established with the CDF) and eftpos. We do not promote the use of CompassPay for payments due to the rate of fees attached to these payments.
• Statements are generated and sent to parents monthly

COMPASS COMMUNICATION

Thank you for checking your Compass calendars and news feeds each week for communications from myself or our staff. Please ensure that notifications are turned on. We regularly send Compass notifications via email and SMS, which includes important updates and alerts. The better informed you are, contributes positively to school relationships and feelings of safety and wellbeing.

ATTENDANCE

I would like to clarify the requirements of your child's attendance under current NSW legislation and consequent Catholic Schools Office Policy:

Full Day Absences—Less than 10 days

How to inform the school: Please advise your child’s absence before 9:15 am (or earlier if possible) by one of the following methods:

1. Use your unique login on Compass App to add an attendance note FOR FULL DAY ABSENCES ONLY. See below for Partial Day Absences.
2. Email to admin@lochinvarsp.catholic.edu.au – please state your child’s name, class and reason.
3. Phone the school (before 9:15 am) on 49307270.
4. Write a note and send to your child’s class teacher the day before or earlier if the absence is known in advance.

Partial Absences (Arrive Late or Leave Early)

If you arrive after 8:50am or before 2:50pm you must attend the school office to sign your child in or out on the Compass terminal in the foyer. Please do not add an attendance note in Compass for partial absences e.g. if you are going to be late as the system creates an error if you attempt to do this.

Signing your child in and out is required by law.

Longer Absences (over 10 days)

The basic premise regarding school attendance is that “It's not ok to be away.” Please endeavour to schedule family holidays during school holiday periods.

However, if you must take leave during school terms for more than 10 days, parents are required to complete an Application for Extended Leave Form available from the office. These days of leave will appear as absences in school documentation and reports. They will be recorded as per your explanation, for example, family holiday, business or bereavement but they will still count as absences. The only exceptions to this new rule are leave for Elite Sports and Arts.

Thank you for recognising the importance of your child's education, which is best served by full attendance at school, particularly after the disruptions of the last two years.

COLLECTION NOTICE

The attached notice from the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment (the department), to parents and carers advises that the department has requested that your child’s school provides a residential address and other information as required under the Australian Education Regulation 2013 (Cth).

The Student Residential Address and Other Information Collection (the Collection) informs Australian Government school education policy and helps ensure funding for non-government schools is based on need. More information about the purpose of the collection can be found in the attached document.

RE NEWS

HOLY WEEK ACTIVITIES AT ST PATRICK’S

Parents and relatives are invited to witness a prayerful reflection in the leadup to Holy Week. Event details are below.

Where: St Patrick’s Lochinvar
When: Friday 8th April (last day of Term)

3 session times

• 9.30am ALL BLUE CLASSES
• 11.15am ALL WHITE CLASSES
• 12.30am ALL YELLOW CLASSES

Each class K-6 will provide a reflection on a specific part of the Easter Story. The times above indicate when each class within a particular grade are scheduled to perform. You are welcome to come along to share in the event. Please note that the Blue White and Yellow classes in each grade will deliver the same performance.

CLASSROOM NEWS

NAPLAN 2022

Looking ahead to 2022 NAPLAN for Year 3 and 5:

23rd March—Online practice to test technical capabilities. This will not be reported on and consists of a range of sample questions, testing all technical aspects of the test.
24th March- Naplan Practice Test for Yr 5 in Writing
10th May—NAPLAN online opens for testing.
20th May—All NAPLAN tests must be completed, including any make-up papers.

Please ensure that students in Years 3 & 5 will be at school during the period 10th to 20th May 2022.

SPORT NEWS

Due to rain and fields being closed the Cross Country date will now change to next Thursday 31st March. Please ensure that all children participating on this day are in sports uniform. However if the rain continues next week as is currently forecast, we will have to make further decisions with regards to eligible competitors to move to the next level as results are due to Catholic Schools Office by the end of term 1. Further Information will follow depending on forecasts.

If the cross country proceeds the following details will apply.

Parents are advised that the Cross Country is not being run as a whole school event. Each grade 3-6, with the inclusion of 8yr olds in Year 2, will go across the road in the middle session, depending upon their schedules and timetables, to compete (weather permitting). It is expected that they will return to school for the 2nd lunch break and resume regular activities in the afternoon session.

Whilst parents are welcome as spectators, they are not required in a volunteer capacity. It should be noted that uncertainty around the time each grade will race, makes it difficult to advertise viewing times for parents. An anticipated run sheet is provided for the middle session (between 11.30-1.30pm approximately). In the event that parents are planning to attend, please bring your own chair to maximise your comfort. It is expected that students remain at school for the afternoon session. Accordingly, no sign out arrangements will be available at the field.

It is important to note that there is no Regional Cross Country Carnival for the All Saints Cluster. Instead, competitors who are placed in the top 3 in their event at a school level, must meet qualifying times to progress to the Diocesan Carnival on 4th May. These students will be announced next week.

We look forward to lovely weather conditions and a great event. Good luck to all competitors.

ANTICIPATED ORDER OF EVENTS (Times are approximate)

11s - 3km (straight after the bell 11:30) – Some overlap with Yr 5 and Yr 6 Yr 6 to assist on track while the 11s run. 8/9s - 2km (to come over at 11:55) – some overlap with Yr 4 Yr 5 to assist on track

10s - 2km (12:25) – some overlap between Yr 4 and Yr 5 Yr 5 to assist on the track

12/13s - 3km (12:55) – Yr 6 Yr 5 to assist on the track

COMMUNITY NEWS

When frightening and devastating things happen in the world, it's totally understandable to want to shield our children from it. Currently the war in Ukraine is all over the news. Everyone is talking about it, reading about it, and watching it unfold in front of us. We want our children to keep believing that the world is safe and that bad things don't happen, for as long as possible, but your children are aware and may be feeling anxious. Children are incredibly aware of our emotional states, stressed expressions and any tension at home. They know when something's going on or when things aren't right. Without an adult to explain what is happening, children’s imaginations often create scenarios that are even worse than reality. Experts suggest you talk to your children about the war in Ukraine. Below are some articles to help you have these conversations:

How to talk to children about the invasion of Ukraine, and why those conversations are important - SchoolNews - Australia ( school-news.com.au )

How to Talk to Kids About Difficult Subjects | Common Sense Media

My child doesn’t seem to be settling into Kindy – what should I do?

Thirteen years – that’s quite an educational journey! We mostly think of school as a journey our children take, but it’s one that parents take with them. It can be an emotional journey for parents at times, especially at the very beginning when our little ones start Kindergarten. Naturally, we want our children to have the best start to school and we want everything to be as smooth as possible. The best thing you can do to help ensure your child transitions well is to advise the school as soon as possible of any additional support they need or any areas of concern such as, if your child suffers with anxiety. It is also important to inform the school of any changes at home that might affect your child’s behaviour or attitude at school. Together with the school, you can then proactively develop strategies to manage these concerns.

ST PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS

This is a photo of Eloine KW & her mum Celine, her grandmother & great grandmother. 4 generations.

Her grandmother & great grandmother came over from Belgium for a short visit.

CANTEEN NEWS

PARENTING PAGE