Week 4 Term 4 Newsletter
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Dear Parents, caregivers and friends,
Last Friday, our staff paused to celebrate World Teacher’s Day. This was an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the dedication of our early educators, primary and secondary teachers across the Diocese. Teachers give so much of themselves to this profession and sadly their efforts sometimes are overlooked or unappreciated by the wider community. I thank you for the wonderful role you play in the lives of our children and in our society.
God of Love,
Thank you for every teacher who notices a child’s special gift. Thank you for teachers who are listeners and gentle guides. Thank you for teachers who expect much and love enough to demand more. Thank you for the special teacher each one of us remembers.
God of Mercy,
Sustain teachers who give everything they have. Strengthen teachers who assume the blame for so many problems beyond their control. Help exhausted teachers rest.
God of Strength,
Encourage teachers to care and inspire them to nourish. Motivate teachers to keep on learning for the fun of it and to make learning enjoyable for children.
We wonder at teachers who know how to quiet a class of five-year-olds or help fourth graders be empathetic. We admire teachers who inspire young writers or teach physics or math or history. Bless the people who are expected to accomplish these miracles and who know how to comfort children when miracles don’t happen.
God of Justice,
Help and support teachers in their special calling, wherever they teach and whatever obstacles they must face. We pray these things in the name of our great teacher, Jesus Christ.
Amen
CALENDAR EVENTS
TERM 4 DATES
WEEK | DATE | DETAIL |
4 | 1/11- 3/11 | Year 6 to Canberra |
4 | 2/11 | Liturgy- Hosted by Year 1 @ 9am |
5 | 10/11 | Year 6 Transition to high school day (St Joseph’s Lochinvar) |
5 | 11/11 | Remembrance Day |
6 | 17/11 | Parish Mass- Hosted by Stage 1 @ 9.30am |
6 | 17/11 | Mission Day Fundraiser (Catholic Mission) 12noon- The Social Justice and Engaging Community teams, will work alongside Year 6, to plan and run the Mission Day stalls. Parents, grandparents and friends are very welcome. Out of Uniform- Gold coin donation required. All students will have the opportunity to purchase (in advance) booklets of ‘St Pat’s Bucks’, (via the QKR app) that they can use to participate in different activities. The day will conclude with picnic lunch at 1.30pm. |
7 | 22/11 | Year 5 Leadership Day |
9 | 4/12 | Year 5 Alice In Wonderland Play – Further details to be provided |
9 | 6/12 | End of Year Awards Ceremony (K-6) MacKillop Place St Joseph’s College Lochinvar |
9 | 7/12 | P&F Meeting- AGM - School Hall Zoom option will be available for those who are unable to attend in person – Further details to be provided |
9 | 8/12 | Christmas Craft Day - All classes will participate in Christmas Craft |
10 | 12/12 | End of Year Mass & Graduation 10am MacKillop Place St Joseph’s College Lochinvar Year 6 Graduation Lunch |
10 | 13/12 | Christmas Family Night- picnic in the school grounds gates open at 5pm |
10 | 15/12 | Students finish, Year 6 clap out |
CHRISTMAS PICNIC FAMILY NIGHT
Date - Wednesday 13th December
Time – Gates open 5pm, Carols from 6pm.
Where - St Patrick's Primary School (entry via Gregory Rd gates).
What to wear - Students are invited to wear a Christmas themed t-shirt or costume.
What to bring - Families can bring picnic rugs and chairs, picnic food.
What to buy- Food items will be available for pre-order. Further information to come.
Restrictions- NO ALCOHOL IS PERMITTED. NO PETS. NO SMOKING.
We are very excited to host the return of another whole school community event. Families are invited to come together for a family picnic and join in the spirit of Christmas as we sing communal Christmas carols and songs. Each grade will lead their favourite song. Further details to come.
IMPORTANT MESSAGES FOR PARENTS
SHAMROCK UPDATE
1st place 79 Murray & Dirkin
2nd place 69 Mackillop
3rd place 59 Tenison
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.
ORGANISATION & MANAGEMENT
CLASS PLACEMENT 2024
Class teachers, learning support teachers and the leadership team of St Patrick’s are currently working to formulate class lists for 2024. We have had a few inquiries as to how teachers place children in classes. This is primarily based on factors such as academic progress, behaviour, ability to work independently and consideration of additional support needs. To address the social and emotional considerations, teachers reflect on friendships and positive interactions to determine the best placement for learning and wellbeing. There are times where great friendships do not result in effective placement in the same classes, which teachers are aware of, as they have a deep understanding of your child/ren.
Classes for 2024 will give children an opportunity to make new connections, while also strengthening existing friendships. Children can sometimes be a bit worried about their new class and teacher, which is quite common and expected. Please be assured that we will work together with you and your child, to ensure a smooth transition. Before the end of the year, the children will spend a session with their new class and teacher/s. This is known as STEP UP DAY which will be held on Friday 8th December.
GOVERNANCE MATTERS
VOLUNTEERING & THE CHRISTMAS CRAFT DAY
The Catholic Schools Office (CSO) has created an online application for the volunteering process. On the volunteer site, you can find the Volunteer Handbook, and new videos that go through the Volunteers Induction (which means you won’t need to attend an onsite Induction session with Mrs Wilkinson). Applying through the volunteer site, results in your application going straight to the CSO, then the school gets updates once these are cleared. If you already have your WWCC and completed a paper volunteer application, there is NO need for you to reapply. If you would like to volunteer, and have not yet completed an application, please follow the link to do this online
(see Compass process)
When you apply online, you will be notified whether you require a WWCC and/or police check. Please note it can take up to 6 weeks for your application to be approved. You now only need to apply once, further applications are only required if your circumstances changes e.g. change in name etc WWCC expires. Please advise the school via email when you register online, and we will contact you when the clearance is received.
TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT, PARENTS ARE ASKED TO ENSURE THAT THEIR VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION PROCESS IS COMPLETE PRIOR TO REGISTERING INTEREST IN THE CHRISTMAS CRAFT DAY. ONLY APPROVED VOLUNTEERS WILL BE PERMITTED TO TAKE PART.
APPOINTMENTS
Parents and carers are reminded to try to organise appointments etc. out of school hours. I know that at times this is unavoidable, but we are seeing an increasing number of children leaving early, especially on a Friday afternoon. Children are missing not only lessons, but social connections with their peers and teachers.
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
PARENT WEBINAR
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
PRAYERS FOR EDEN
Our school community stands united in prayerful support of Eden Birch, who is experiencing significant and unexpected health challenges. Eden, from Year 4B is currently a patient in John Hunter Hospital. Healing prayers for Eden and her family are appreciated.
Grant your grace to comfort, relieve and heal those who are sick,
Give courage and faith to all who are disabled through injury or illness,
Give courage to those who face surgery,
Support and encourage those who live with chronic illness,
Strengthen those who endure continual pain,
Grant the refreshment of peaceful sleep to all who suffer,
Befriend all who are anxious, lonely, despondent or afraid,
Give rest to the weary.
We offer these prayers in your name, O God. Amen
MISSION WEEK FUNDRAISING
Mission day is two weeks away (Friday 17th November)! We are still looking for donations of the following:
Hairspray Stall: Colour Hairspray
Soft Drink Stall: Canned soft drink
Tattoo Stall: Fake Tattoos
Baked Goods Stall: Slices, biscuits, cake etc (please note: Nut free items only* (Please donate Thursday/Friday morning of Week 6)
Face Painting Stall: Face paints, Face wipes
Lolly Stall: Bags of Lollies/Lollipops.
If you are able to purchase any of these items over the weekend and send them in Monday, it would be greatly appreciated. We are hoping to make this day a success and raise lots of money to support communities in Timor-Leste.
Have you bought your St Pat's Bucks for your child yet?
The children need St Pat's Bucks to participate in the activities.
St Pat's Bucks are purchased via the QKR app.
If you have any issues with this, please contact the school office.
CURRICULUM NEWS
CHIOR NEWSLETTER
NAPLAN INFORMATION FOR 2024
NAPLAN information for parents and carers of students who will be in Years 3 and 5 in 2024
CLASSROOM NEWS
YEAR 6 EXCURSION TO CANBERRA
Our Year 6 cohort will travel to Canberra this week, under the watchful care of our staff team. I sincerely thank them for giving up their time to support this excursion. I am well aware that being away from home and your families is a very big commitment.
- Mrs Jacqueline Wilkinson
- Mrs Fiona Stretton
- Mrs Kate Sadaj
- Mrs Maryanne Hacker
- Mr Ethan Callinan
- Mr Jack Crich
- Mr Matthew Perkins
- Mrs Bettina O’Heir
- Mrs Maryanne Ilic
- Mr Chris Devorsine
- Mrs Sarah Richards
This excursion provides significant academic and social opportunity. We look forward to sharing our insights and experiences when we return.
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 6th December at Mackillop Place St Joseph’s College Lochinvar.
I am pleased to advise that 2 additional awards will be included annually, to be presented at our End of Yr Award ceremony.
The awards will be decided by our Culture team, one each in K-2, 3/4, 5/6.
- Commitment to Learning and Culture- EALD
- Commitment to Learning and Culture- ATSI
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
CANTEEN NEWS
What’s Happening
The canteen has been very busy over the last two weeks, with the extremes in weather keeping us on our toes. Ice blocks were popular in the hot weather and pies and garlic bread were great belly warmers during the cool change.
Menu
There has been great excitement with the introduction of blue and purple TNT’s. We have been having trouble keeping up with demand. Hopefully this week we will have plenty for everyone.
Reminders
In the event you need to postpone your child’s order due to sickness or leaving early could you please contact the office prior to 830am. After 830am we have begun preparation of your child’s order so we will be unable to move the order.
Volunteers
Thank you everyone who has volunteered over the last 2 weeks.
The running of the canteen relies heavily on the involvement of volunteers. As you can see there are significant gaps in the roster 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
Another option for volunteering would be to come in from 1230-3pm for recess and clean up. We have some amazing helpers in the morning, but if you only have a short time to spare this would be a great help.
If you have considered volunteering but have been reluctant, please do come along. It’s a fun environment and the kids are great.
CANTEEN ROSTER
ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER NEWS
SPORTS NEWS
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Katie Uren for her selection in the 2023 Polding Athletics Team. Katie came 3rd in the 13 Years 100m race at the Polding Carnival and progressed to the NSW PSSA Athletics Championships where she came 11th in this event. Well done Katie!
COMMUNITY NEWS
ARE YOUR WATER SAFETY SKILLS READY FOR SUMMER?
Find out with the Royal Life Saving ‘Summer Ready’ checklist.
NSW, ACT and Tasmania still suffer the highest rates of drowning in the country, and regional areas record drowning rates nearly double the rates of metropolitan areas. Together, we can change the tide by ensuring our water safety skills are up to date as we approach another scorching Summer. Royal Life Saving has created a free downloadable Summer-Ready checklist designed to help you, your friends and your family ensure a safer summer.
Now is the perfect time to:
- Learn to swim
- Gain the skills to save a life
- Chat with your doctor
- Check your medication
The record drownings experienced last summer were tragic losses, and how we prepare for this summer will be crucial. Whether people travel to the beach or enjoy their local waterway or pool, we all have a role to play to ensure our communities are ‘swim-ready’.
We know that prevention is the key to enjoying the water safely this summer, so please take the time to download the checklist and spread this important message. Download the checklist here:
Relevant Links:
PARENTING PAGE
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