Week 2 Term 4 Newsletter

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Dear Parents, caregivers and friends,

Welcome back to Term 4 after the holiday break which I genuinely hope provided a much-needed break and a chance to reset. Term 4 is always incredibly demanding with many planned events and activities. I urge you to keep abreast of dates and times by closely following the Compass calendar, which is regularly updated, and the newsletter and Compass alerts.

A Prayer for Peace

Lord Jesus Christ,
You are the true King of peace.
In You alone is found freedom.

Please free our world from conflict.
Bring unity to troubled nations.
Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart.

Dispel all darkness and evil.
Protect the dignity of every human life.
Replace hatred with Your love.

Give wisdom to world leaders.
Free them from selfish ambition.
Eliminate all violence and war.

Pray for unity amongst nations.
Pray for unity amongst all people.
Pray for the most vulnerable.
Pray for those suffering.
Pray for the fearful.
Pray for those most in need.
Pray for us all.

Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, hear our prayers.
Jesus, I trust in You!

Amen.

CALENDAR EVENTS

TERM 4 DATES

IMPORTANT DATES FOR BEGINNING 2024

IMPORTANT MESSAGES FOR PARENTS

NAVIGATING TRAFFIC CONGESTION 

As parents will be very aware, access to St Patricks' at peak times is increasingly difficult and often exacerbated by the building works in the local area. Can I please remind parents that even if traffic is heavy or parking is difficult, basic road rules and etiquette still apply. I have been most disappointed to hear of unsafe practices and the aggressive behaviour of some parents who have failed to extend courtesy to others.

Parents are also reminded that the council has become increasingly active at the request of our neighbours and other community members. This has unfortunately resulted in parents being fined for not following the parking rules around the local streets. Both the police and council patrol local schools, particularly at drop off and pick up times, and parents will be fined if they do not follow parking signs or road rules.  

Your assistance to maintain respectful interactions is expected and appreciated.

SHAMROCK UPDATE

What a beautiful GREEN start to the term. Look at how many positive interactions have been noticed in our classes! Way to go St Pat's students

In first place this week by 20 shamrocks is MACKILLOP!!!

Then DIRKIN, MURRAY and TENISON, in close proximity to each other.

CLASS ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE COMING YEAR

Planning for the coming school year will commence early Term 4 and involve considerations for student class placement. One complex process involves assigning students to classes. Many factors need to be taken into consideration including:

• the student’s intellectual, social, emotional, and behavioural developmental levels & needs
• the student’s physical and social maturity
• the student’s interactions with other students
• the age of the student
• the “social dynamics” factors within the class
• clustering of children with exceptionalities
• learning support needs
• the male/female balance in each class
• the balance of leaders in each class
• the number of years the student has been with the teacher
• student friendships

If there are any special considerations or concerns that parents/carers feel the school should take into consideration, please put them in writing and send them to school no later than Monday 30th October. Letters should be addressed ‘Attention: Jacqueline Wilkinson’ and marked ‘Confidential’.

Please note, this is not the opportunity to request friendship groupings or specific teachers for your child. While all requests will be noted and discussed, final decisions on placements will be made following careful consultation with teachers. Information provided after 30th October will not be considered and parents should not assume that previous requests or communication will suffice, as situations do change over time.

ENROLMENTS 2024

If you know that your child will not be returning to St Patrick’s in 2024, would you please notify the school, in writing, as we require this information to assist with our planning for the new school year. 

CANTEEN NEWS

What’s Happening

Last week saw the arrival of a new sandwich press generously funded by the P & F. The sandwich press has double the capacity. Keep your orders coming for toasted Vegemite sandwiches, they’re my favourite to make.

Menu

Monday meal deals continue to be popular. With the warmer weather we will have some salad deals along with favourites like pizza and nachos.

Volunteers

The running of the canteen relies heavily on the involvement of volunteers. There are still gaps to fill for the remainder of the term. If you can help, even for a short period please contact me at chris.jones@mn.catholic.com.au

Volunteering comes in many forms. Thanks Ebonie for creating some amazing labels for the lunch tubs.

Also, thank you to Toiha for creating some clever canteen signage.

If you have considered volunteering but have been reluctant, please do come along. It’s a fun environment, the kids are great and there’s no mistakes I haven’t already made.

Volunteer Roster

SCHOOL STUDENT TRAVEL IMPORTANT INFORMATION

ORGANISATION & MANAGEMENT

INTRODUCING SCHOOL TV

SchoolTV is a new online wellbeing resource for parents/carers and staff which provides credible information and an extensive range of wellbeing resources in one location.

All staff in schools can access the same information as parents/carers on SchoolTV.

SchoolTV hosts a large range of informative topics accompanied by podcasts, articles, factsheets, books, apps and video interviews with wellbeing experts and researchers from around the world.

When is SchoolTV launching in our Diocese?

The official launch of the SchoolTV resource for schools and parents/carers has been scheduled for the beginning of Term 4.

To allow time for schools to return from the school holidays and to customise topics appropriate for each school community, the SchoolTV link will be active on each school website on Monday 16th October, Week 2, Term 4.

This means that there will be a link to SchoolTV on the homepage of each schools’ website with open access (no password required).

Parents/carers and staff will be able to access SchoolTV via this link.

GOVERNANCE MATTERS

EXCURSION PHONE

Please be aware that a new phone has been purchased to be carried by staff when on excursion. The number is provided to parents, to enable access for important matters/emergencies, during these events.

The number is 0461321247

FEE COLLECTION

As the year draws quickly to an end, the CSO has asked us to liaise with all families who still have an outstanding debt to the school. Part of the enrolment agreement, states that annual fees will be cleared by the 30th of November each year. We have already made payment plans with those families who require special consideration.

Over the next couple of weeks, Mrs Grant will be following the CSO’s FEE COLLECTION PROCEDURES and some of you may receive an outstanding school fee letter that requires immediate action. Should you require assistance or are not able to meet your fee obligation you must contact the school office to discuss your fee balance with Mrs Grant, otherwise the expectation is that by the start of November, the only outstanding amounts will be those due to be finalised in November, with all arrears up to date.

As always, we are happy to discuss any hardships you may be experiencing and work with you on your fee balance but you must make contact to enable us to support you.

SAFE AND RESPECTFUL PEER RELATIONSHIPS

The Kids Helpline website has a number of great resources that are child-friendly to help support safe and respectful relationships. Some topics include:

• Fights with friends
• Bulling is not ok
• Making friends
• Being ok with being different
• How to be happy being yourself
• My friends are fighting
• Wanting to fit in
• Treating others well

Please take some time to show your child the Kids Helpline website so they can learn to navigate through these resources should they ever want to know more information on some of these topics or others.  

SAFEGUARDING IN SCHOOLS

This month the standard in the spotlight is Standard 2, which looks at a child’s right to feel safe, to be provided with age-appropriate information about their safety and for adults to seek their views and participate on decision making of what makes them feel safe. Please see the new child-friendly CODE OF CONDUCT INFO FOR KIDS.

SAFEGUARDING at St Patrick’s means...

The Catholic Schools Office promotes an absolute commitment to the safety, welfare and wellbeing of all children, particularly those attending the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

Our school is committed to fostering a community of safety and care. We acknowledge the legal, moral and spiritual responsibilities to care for and uphold the dignity and rights of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

“Protecting children is one of our most sacred trusts.”
(Bishop Bill Wright, 2012)

RE NEWS

SOCKTOBER CELEBRATIONS AT MCDONALD JONES STADIUM

On Tuesday schools from right around the Diocese joined Bishop Kennedy to celebrate World Mission Month with a special Socktober celebration at McDonald Jones Stadium.

The celebration included a liturgy led by Bishop Michael Kennedy, followed by on-field activities on the sacred turf of the home of the Newcastle Knights and Jets.

By getting involved in Socktober for World Mission Month, our Catholic Schools are making a difference for children in need in Timor-Leste. Our school leaders travelled to the stadium to take part in the launch.

St Patrick’s will have CRAZY SOCK DAY on Monday 23/10 in support of Catholic Mission. A gold coin donation is required.

ST PAT’S MISSION DAY

CURRICULUM NEWS

TERM 4 CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

CLASSROOM NEWS

END OF YEAR AWARDS 2023 

Parents are advised that End of Year Awards will be presented at our special assembly to be held on Wednesday 6^th December at Mackillop Place St Joseph’s College Lochinvar.

Additionally, only 1 student in the school (K-6) is awarded the Mary MacKillop Award for Excellence.

For a student to be nominated for this award, they would consistently demonstrate commendable qualities of faith, respect, compassion, leadership etc.  

GYMNASTICS UPDATE

PLAYGROUND ACTIVITIES

DO YOU SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE

ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER NEWS

COMMUNITY NEWS

CONGRATULATIONS ASTON

Congratulations to Aston who has been selected to race at the Australian BMX Championships.

PARENTING PAGE

Unless otherwise stated, the advertisements placed in this newsletter are placed by independent third parties who have no legal relationship with the Diocese. The activities or services of the advertisers are not supervised or controlled in any way by the Diocese. The Diocese is not in a position to endorse the advertisers or the services provided and makes no representation about those matters. Accordingly, the Diocese cannot accept any responsibility for the advertisers or the activities or services that are the subject of these advertisements. `