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Dear Parents
Welcome back to 2021. We have had a great start to the year with our students settled in their classes and engaged in learning. Wednesday was our Kindergarten’s first day all together at ‘big school’. They have had a smooth start and I can see that they already feel they are part of our St Patrick’s family. All new Kindergarten students completed the ‘Best Start’ assessment during the last week.
A big thank you to Kinder parents who were so patient with COVID restrictions.
Parent Information Night
Reminder that parents are able to attend a one hour session with their child’s teacher on Monday Feb 8. Due to COVID directives parents are asked to please leave after the session and not congregate in the school building .
K-2 – 5.30
3-6 - 6.30
If you wish to talk further to your children’s class teacher could you please ring the office after the night and make an appointment .
Uniform
Thank you for the way the children have returned to school in their proper uniform. Can I please ask that school shoes for normal school uniform days must be black shoes NOT joggers..
FOOTWEAR
Please ensure that your child wears regulation, clean all black school shoes, not joggers.
Developing feet require the support these afford.
Plain joggers – not loafers, basketball boots, nor expensive, brightly coloured joggers on Sports days
White Ankle socks – tennis/anklet socks not permitted
Counsellor
Mrs Simone Potter will be coming this year on a Wednesday. If you wish to see the Counsellor for your child please pick up a form from the office.
Focuses for 2021 school year:
The teachers and support staff will this year be focusing on the following areas :
- Creating a more contemporary Mission and Vision statement
- Reading and Comprehension
- Knowledge and understanding of what Respectful relationships, Child Safety and Human Sexuality Education in a Catholic Context .
- Rejuventating the grass playground and providing an area for play equipment
Grass playground
The grass that has been laid is growing well and has had its first mow this week.
There is built into the playground an irrigation system that is timed to release water over the whole area during the evening. There are still patches where the grass needs to grow so unfortunately it will be another couple of weeks before the children can play on it. The water comes from an underwater tank that holds 30000 litres of water.
I am meeting with the play equipment installer to design the best orientation of the equipment on the soft fall that has already been laid.
The decision to stay with grass was for health, safety and financial reasons.
Best wishes to you all,
Mrs Anne Duggan - Principal
Positive Behaviours for Learning (PB4L)
Our PB4L focus for the next week (Weeks 3) is The Major and Minor Behaviour Definitions
Attached to this newsletter us a copy of the Major and Minor Behaviour Definitions as they currently stand. The purpose of this publication is to define for students, through examples, behaviours which are classified as either minor or major. Whilst not exhaustive the definitions include examples for students to understand behaviours that are not to be accepted and that the severity of a breach of the school rules will warrant a different response. Minor breaches of the school rules will most often be managed by the teacher. Major breaches of the school rules will be referred to Mr Hoctor and Mrs Duggan.
Our PB4L focus for Week 4 is a student pledge to prevent bullying.
The pledge and the signatures will be publicly displayed in the Breakout Space
The pledge reads:
We, the students of St Patrick’s School, pledge to work together to prevent bullying.
In signing this pledge we agree to:
* treat people kindly, the way we would like to be treated
* include people whenever and wherever possible
* keep our hands, feet and all our body part to ourselves and keep objects to ourselves
*Look after the property of other people and the school
*keep mean and nasty words to ourselves
*Be respectful, responsible and safe online
We would very much appreciate your discussing the Major and Minor Behavior Definitions and the Student Pledge with your children to see that St Patrick’s is a more respectful, responsible and safe learning community for all.
PB4L Data
It is with pride that I inform you that in the last Term of 2020, 201 Citizenship, Merit, Library or Uniform Awards or Playground Affirmation Awards were presented whilst there were just 16 incidences of Inappropriate behavior recorded.
Congratulations and thank you boys and girls. These are marvelous results. Please continue to act respectfully, responsibly and safely.
Change of Bell Times
The beginning of the school year saw a change in our bell times. This has happened to ensure that we get maximum learning time for all Key Learning Areas. The children have all adjusted to these changes very well. The bell times are listed below.
8.45 am - Morning block begins
10.45 am - Lunch eating time 10.55am Playtime
11.25 am - End of Lunch (Middle block begins)
12.55 pm - Recess
1.25 pm - End of Recess ( Afternoon block begins)
2.50 pm - Pack up
2.55 pm - Dismissal
Before School Supervision of Students
Supervision of students before school is from 8:00 am – 8:45 am. Although not obligated to do so supervision from 8:00 am - 8:15 am is a service the school generously offers to parents. Students are not permitted to play during this time. The supervised play period before school is from 8:15 am - 8:45 am
Please note that students will not be permitted on to the school site before 8:00 am. Please remain with your child/children should you arrive at school prior to 8:00am. Thank you
AFTERNOON DISMISSAL
Kembla St Parent Pick-up
If you pick-up your child/ren from Kembla St in the afternoon you will know that the numbers of families doing so is at an all-time high. As such this already busy time is even busier. We sincerely appreciate the cooperation of the majority of parents and carers who respect the road rules governing the No Parking Pick Up and Drop off Only’ Zone.
To help make this time more manageable for the staff and students could I ask please that you do not park in the pick-up/drop off zone before 2:55pm
Secondly, please do not sit double parked along Kembla St for any length of time.
If there is not a car space available, please keep driving around the block until such time as a space becomes available.
Could I ask please also that you reiterate this message with any and all family members who may collect your child/ren.
Please note that the students are well supervised during the afternoon dismissal. Teachers are on duty at the Kembla St entry/exit until 3:15 and I advise parents to delay their pick-up for five or ten minutes so that the congestion is lessened.
Mr Gavan Hoctor - Assistant Principal
Sacramental Workshops - 2021
Please find below specific details regarding the sacramental programs for 2021. There are some key dates coming up for families of children wishing to complete First Reconciliation, with the registration forms due in at the parish office by February 18th.
Should you require further information please contact Sister Miriam in the Parish Office.
Parish Office - Phone - 42741192
Email - portkembla@dow.org.au
All the best,
Mr Sam Mattas
Religious Education Coordinator
Tuesday Year 4
Tuesday Year 1
Wednesday Year 2
Thursday Year 5
Thursday Year 3
Friday Kindergarten
Please note: Kinder will visit the Library in Week 3 for storytime and start borrowing Week 4. They are allowed to take their borrowed book home in their library bag every Friday. It will need to be returned every Friday to allow them to borrow a new book.
The next Premier's Reading Challenge will commence on 21st of March and I will be updating the students with the relevant information as it approaches. If there are any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Have a great Term 1!
Thank you
Mrs Carey and Mrs Plataniotis
MacKillop Trials
Congratulations to Liana Meta and Taylah Curtis who last year trialled for a Diocesan sports team.
Liana will, on February 26 attend the MacKillop Tennis Trials while Taylah will be part of the Diocesan Basketball team at the MacKillop Basketball Trials.
We wish the girls the best of luck at these trials and may they enjoy doing their best.
As many of you are aware St Patrick's has a Facebook page which allows us to share award ceromonies and celebrations with parents. This is a closed page and is not public. This page has allowed us to celebrate the children's acheivements with parents because they are unable to join us at assemblies due to COVID restrictions.
Photos do not include names of the children and certificates are turned around so the details are not visible.
We understand that some families prefer that their child not be included in social media posts so if this is the case could you please email Katina Plataniotis on plataniotisk01@dow.catholic.edu.au.
Please find the link to our Facebook page below:
https://www.facebook.com/
My name is Simone Potter and I am the school counsellor at St Patrick's primary school. I am employed by CatholicCare's School Student and Family Program which aims to promote the wellbeing and development of Students. Whilst this is my 3rd year at this school, I have been a school counsellor for over 10 years and have worked in various primary and high schools within the diocese. I also have over 20 years of experience in the counselling field.
I can provide counselling support to students who are experiencing issues such as:
- Emotional regulation
- Mental health
- Family relationships including family changes
- Behaviour
- Cyber use and Technology
- Focus, concentration, motivation and learning
- Confidence
- Peer relationships
- Sleep and lifestyle
- Many other issues
If you are uncertain whether counselling could assist your child or family, please contact me at the school. I am always happy to consult with parents and either assist with counselling for your child or a referral to a more appropriate service such as other CatholicCare Services if school counselling is not the best option for your family.
Please note that I will be working at St Patrick's on Wednesdays this year and I look forward to assisting students and families in 2021.
Catriona Neilsen
Pastoral Support Worker
VOLUNTEER CANTEEN
Our canteen is open for service on Wednesdays and Fridays due to some wonderful parent and grandparent volunteers. They offer different menu items each week.
The more volunteers we have helps ensure the children have access to the canteen on both these days.
Unfortunately the canteen cannot open if there is a lack of volunteers.
Wishing the children who are celebrating or have recently celebrated birthdays all the very best wishes.
January 2021
Siloh Veramu - Year 3
Taylah Curtis - Year 6
Edwin Palma - Year 1
George Michaloudakis - Year 2
Ella Murzevski - Year 6
Liana Meta - Year 5
Ebony Rogers - Year 1
Riley Fogarty - Year 5
Sean Timbs - Year 3
Zac Usljebrka - Year 1
Toby Ritchie - Year 5
Alexis Krstevski - Year 3
Levi Kinnas - Year 4
Rixon Vanderburg - Kinder
3 - 18 February
Christian Naumovski - Year 4
Lucy Williamson - Kinder
Lara Dimovski - Year 3
Luka Batur - Year 1
Jayden Figueira - Kinder
Arcadis Leite - Kinder
Lesina-Rose Fonoti - Year 2
Imogen Aquilina - Year 4
Simona Stojcevski - Year 4
Mason Kuzmanovski - Year 3
TUESDAY 2ND MARCH 2021
ERC Open Day
On Tuesday 2nd March 2021, Edmund Rice invites Year 5 & 6 boys to Try Year 7 for a Day. This will be followed by the College Expo and Guided Tours for the whole family. Registration is essential. Please see the links below.
Try Year 7 for a Day: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
ERC Expo and Guided Tours: 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Please note that our Open Day activities will be adjusted to comply with all Covid-19 requirements applicable at the time
