PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Lord, at the start of a new school year make us ready, attentive and available to hear you. Thank You for the gift of being able to rise each day with the assurance that You walk through it with us. Thank You for the gifts of creativity and uniqueness, and the energy to put them to good use.
May all that we are this year, all that we try to do this year, may all our encounters, reflections, even the frustrations and failings all be placed in your hands.
May the work we do and the way we do it, bring new hope, new life, and courage to all we come in contact with. We pray for all in the St Patrick’'s school and parish community. Amen
Dear Parents
It has been so lovely to welcome all our students back to school this week. We have certainly missed them and we are excited for a new school year and opportunities to support your child in their learning journey.
Next Wednesday evening at 5.30pm will hold Parent Information Sessions. These will be held in the classrooms and you are all invited to attend. Teachers will go through some reminders and share individual class expectations, such as homework and class reward systems.
I want to thank and acknowledge you all for the high standard of uniforms that the students have returned to school in. They are looking sharp! Thank you also to all the parents who have bought the new school hat and bag. We will have a two year phase in period before these become compulsory. It was also lovely to see so many girls opting for the blouse and skort option. At this stage there is no plan to make this compulsory. Girls can wear either the summer dress or the blouse and skort.
2023 Staffing
Principal - Ms Gabi Tobin
Assistant Principal - Mr Gavan Hoctor
Religious Education Coordinator - Mr Sam Mattas
Kindergarten - Miss Casey Figueria
Year 1 - Mrs Oliva Cudina
Year 2 - Mrs Gina Papadopoulos/ Mrs Jean Barnes
Year 3 - Miss Jessica Dowsett
Year 4 - Mr Sam Mattas/ Mrs Alison Madaschi
Year 5 - Mr Tom Mindzas
Year 6 - Miss Bruna Doro/ Mrs Caroline Hockey
Reading Recovery - Mrs Alison Madaschi
Release Teachers - Miss Glen-Marie Philips/ Miss Georgah Elchaar
Diverse Learning Support Teacher - Mrs Julie Beuman
Learning Support Teacher - Mrs Kim Crotty
Senior School Support Officer - Miss Debbie Casey
School Support Officers: Mrs Katina Plataniotis, Mrs Tracy Carey, Mrs Kylie Kodaxis, Mrs Sharon Kapsimallis, Mrs Mariam Marmar, Mr Jayden Allen
School Counsellor: TBC
Pastoral Support Worker: Ms Deb Brighton
Office News
Mrs Joanne Carroll is currently on leave. During this time Mrs Katina Plataniotis will be Acting Senior School Support Officer on Mondays and will work in the office from 1.30pm Tuesday - Friday. We are also removing the perspex from the window at the front office. This was installed as part of our COVID smart measures. We will however, have this window closed to ensure privacy is maintained during phone calls and when attending to students. Please be assured that we will open the window and attend to you at the front counter as soon as we can.
P & F Meeting
The first P & F meeting will be held next Tuesday 7 February at 6.30pm in the library. The P & F meeting once per term and this is a wonderful way for parents to meet one another and support our wonderful school. We would love to see you there!
Student Leave
Just a reminder that all leave during the school year requires principal approval. If you are planning on taking a family holiday during the school year please contact the office to get an extended leave form.
Student Injuries
If your child suffers an injury that may impact their day at school (in the classroom and on the playground), they must receive a clearance from a doctor prior to returning to school. The certificate just needs to state what they can and can’t due (e.g. no sport for 2 weeks).
Fee Concessions
If you would like to make an application for a fee concession this year, please contact the office to arrange the paperwork required to be sent to you and to book a meeting time with myself.
Student Information
If there has been any change of information in relation to your child, please contact the office as soon as possible. This could include change in emergency contacts, change of address, email or phone number, or updated medical information. In order to assist our teachers get to know your child’s learning needs this year, we are asking you to complete a short survey. It would be greatly appreciated if this could be done by Friday 3 February.
Parent teacher interviews will be held at the end of Term 1, however please be aware that you can make contact with the office at any time to make an appointment to talk to your child’s teacher. The partnership between home and school is essential for your child to thrive in their learning. At any time you have concerns or require clarification on any matter, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Class Sport Days
All students will wear their sports uniform on Fridays. In addition to Fridays each class will wear their sports uniform on the following days:
Kindergarten: Thursday
Year 1: Tuesday
Year 2: Wednesday
Year 3: Tuesday
Year 4: Tuesday
Year 5: Tuesday
Year 6: Tuesday
Congratulations
Congratulations to Mrs Cudina and her husband Jack, who were married in the school holidays. We wish Olivia and Jack all the very best in their lives as husband and wife.
Welcome
Welcome to our new students - Archie (Year 1), Henry (Year 3) and Jakob (Year 5).
We will also welcome new students Rosemary (Year 1), Andrew (Year 3) and James (Year 4) on Monday. We are so happy to have you be a part of our school community!
We are so happy to have you be a part of our school community!
RAT Kits
The school currently has a very healthy supply of RAT kits. We will send some home with every child on Monday. However, if your family would like more tests, please don’t hesitate to contact the office.
Exciting News?
If your family has any exciting news, such as the birth of a baby, that you would like to share with the school community, please email a photo and a short blurb to info@sppkdow.catholic.edu.au and we will include in the newsletter.
Ms Gabi Tobin - Principal