Newsletter 6/05/2024 Term 2 Week 4

Mothers Day Prayer

From the Principal

Dear parents and carers,

This weekend coming we are celebrating the mother figures in our own lives and those in the St Patrick's community. I hope all our mother's enjoy, whatever opportunity they have to celebrate with family and friends. 

Mother's Day

We are excited to be hosting our Mother’s Day afternoon tea and assembly this Friday the 10^th of May.

This is a new format for this year to try to take the pressure off some parents who found it difficult to get their family to the breakfast and to provide an opportunity where children can share their thoughts around their mothers through prayer, song, poetry and gifts at our assembly.

Another major factor is that schools now operate under an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement where staff are paid additional wages for all school events conducted outside hours. This means that camps, excursions and all additional school events add considerable additional costs to the school. To reduce the impact of this on the school we need to move some of our events into the school day.

Afternoon tea in the library will commence at 1.30pm for our guests and their toddlers. Students will be out in the school yard. Our Mother's Day Assembly will begin at 2.15pm in the Shine Big Room. All mothers and special persons are invited to attend.

Staff Update

Vickie Mahony has informed us that she will be resigning from her position at St Patrick's, effective at the end of Term 2. Vickie has supported the school in many ways over the last 20 years and has always shown a passion and love of teaching. We wish her all the best for the future.

With the commencement of her family leave at the end of the Term 2, Amy Wynd will also be finishing up at this time. We are now beginning the process of finding replacements for both of these roles.

Employment Opportunity

The Week Ahead

Teaching and Learning

HCSN Network Day

The annual Hampden Catholic Schools Network Day was held today with our grade 5 & 6 students spending the day at St Thomas' in Terang, the grade 3 & 4's were at St Colman's in Mortlake and the F - 2 students remained at St Patrick's. All the children had a fantastic day interacting with students from the other HCSN schools.

Mother's Day Stall

This is a friendly reminder that you do not need to send in a gift for the Mother's Day stall this year. The Parents & Friends Association have purchased the gifts and all you need to do is send $5 in with your child to choose a gift from the stall on Friday.

Grade 2 Local Excursion

Grade 2 Historical Society and Heritage Walk

During our Humanities lessons, the Grade 2 children have been learning about their place in the world.  In Term 1 we explored global and local geographical places and connections. Currently, we are looking at Australian history. 

On Friday May 17th, we will be going on a town walk to visit the Camperdown Historical Society. We will be finding out more about  significant people, buildings and sites in our local area.

We will be departing the school at 11.00am and returning to school at 1.30pm.  Children will be required to wear their sport uniform and ensure they have suitable walking shoes and a rain jacket in case of wet weather. You do not need to give permission for this on PAM as the Local Excursion permission form was completed at the start of the year.

Paula, Elise and Janelle

Wellbeing

CATHOLIC SCHOOL CULTURE

Parish Bulletin

LEADERSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

Eating Times

This information is to clarify our eating times at St Patrick's.

School begins at 9am and our morning block of learning goes to 11am. 

From 11am to 11:10am we begin first break with eating time in the classroom where most children choose to eat their lunch and our lunch orders are delivered. From 11:10am the children are outside until 11:30am.

Our second block of learning goes from 11:30am until 1:30pm.

Second break has a 5 minute opportunity to eat in class and students are allowed to take uneaten food outside to eat.

Our junior classes recognise that this is often not enough time to eat, so they begin their eating time before each allocated time begins.

Uniform Review

Where to next?

The SAC have done a wonderful job with our uniform review and we have a good idea of what most of our parents see as an appropriate uniform.

We will take these designs to uniform suppliers to quote and to finalize a contract to supply the school.

We are organising some sample uniforms to be displayed in the foyer as an example of the cloth and cut we are looking for.

Pupil Free Day

This is a reminder that next Tuesday the 14th of May is a pupil free day.

Our staff will be participating in a Numeracy Professional Development in Koroit on this day.

Known Dates

Below is a list of known dates at this stage for the rest of this year.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Congratulations - 30 Years Service

We would like to recognise and celebrate the awarding of 30 years of service to Marie Wall & Kellie Lee at a special dinner in Ballarat last Friday. Both have been long standing and respected members of our staff and we are delighted to say thank you on behalf of the diocese.

P&F Fundraiser

This is a heads up that the P&F will be running a raffle this term - details as follows;

St Pat's Pot O’Gold Draw!
Win Camperdown Cash to spend at any business of your choice in postcode 3260.

Prize values -  1st $2000     2nd $1000     3rd $500
Tickets $20 each - tickets will be sent home soon with each family. 

Community Meal

This Wednesday the 8th of May Grade 5/6CC are the class helping with the Community Meal.

Thank you to the families that have indicated they will donate some food.

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrate their birthday this week and during the holidays.

Emilie S, Abigail S, Charlie T, Willow W, Olivia B, Chloe S, Tessa T & Vincent T

Community Events

Auskick