Dear Lord

We thank you for
the wisdom and understanding of teachers
the enthusiasm and energy of students
the leadership of school Principals and executive staff
the skill, care and commitment of administrative and support staff
the guidance of our pastors and religious leaders
the support and partnership of parents, carers and local communities.

We pray that each student’s learning journey be inspired by a search
for your wisdom and truth.

We pray that we never take for granted the learning opportunities that
we have all been given, and that we use the gifts of learning wisely
and responsibly.

We ask that we use what we have learnt to create a better world for all
people, particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen

Dear Parents

‘The future has a name, and that name is HOPE’

Catholic Schools Week is a special time in the year when we celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our Catholic schools. It is a time to give thanks for the wonderful teaching and learning that takes place each day in every classroom. We acknowledge and thank all who work in the service of Catholic education to create the opportunities for students that allow them to grow and thrive.

What a wonderful start to our Catholic Schools Week with many parents attending our Liturgy and then visiting our classrooms. I have had great feedback about the morning and have been asked if we can open classrooms later in the year- ‘Wonderful opportunity to see our children in this learning space!’ said one parent
I have put up some images of the day on the board outside the school – please come and see the great morning we had.

Clean Up St Patrick’s

All classes were involved in the ‘Clean UP’. Seven small bags of rubbish were collected.

Bunnings BBQ and Cake Stall

On behalf of the staff I appreciate the time and effort of the fundraising committee in organising the stall and BBQ last Saturday. I would like to thank the parents, students and staff who baked, donated and gave of their time to raise funds for our school.

Thank you to Mrs Torres who volunteered her time on Tuesday to make pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. These will be sold at Recess time.

Reminder that P&F - AGM meeting is this Wednesday at 6.30pm in the library

Project Compassion Launch

On Tuesday 5 March Mrs Neilsen and myself accompanied the School Captains and Liturgy Leader to St Brigid’s Gwynnville. The Liturgy was led by Bishop Brian with the Director of Schools Mr Peter Turner and a representative from Caritas Australia. Every school in the Diocese was represented. A truly inspirational event for myself and our students.

A special thank you to Mrs Yates and Mrs Curtis who assisted a staff member during assembly. I can’t thank you both enough for your quick response and help.

Pupil Free Day

On the first day of Term 2 – 29 April – teachers will be attending a Professional Learning Day on Writing.

Students will start Term 2 on 30 April.

Good health and best wishes
Anne

Our SPB4L focus for this week (Week 6) is Respecting Playtimes

In the explicit teaching lessons the expected behaviours taught will be:

1. Use equipment for its right purpose
2. Return all equipment to the correct container
3. Return other people’s equipment directly to them
4. Tie skipping ropes when returning them
5. Report unsafe use of equipment to the teacher on duty
6. Playing safely on the concrete

Examples of behaviours that negatively impact on Respecting Playtimes to be taught include:

1. Throwing/kicking balls away from the people playing with them
2. Hitting people with equipment
3. Leaving equipment out on the playground
4. Not tying skipping ropes
5. Not speaking up when equipment is being misused
6. Playing chasing games on the concrete

Our SPB4L focus for next week (Week 7) is the Tuckshop

In the explicit teaching lessons the expected behaviours taught will be:

1. Line up one in two lines - Years K-2 in one line and Years 3-6 in the other
2. Wait until you are called to be served
3. Use good manners eg: please, thank you, may I
4. Standing quietly
5. Waiting patiently

Examples of behaviours that negatively impact Respectful, responsible and safe behaviours in our the Tuckshop to be taught include:

1. Moving out of line
2. Shouting
3. Bad manners
4. Pushing-in

We would very much appreciate your discussing these weekly focuses with your children and reviewing the expected and non-acceptable behaviours in our endeavour to see that St Patrick’s is a more respectful, responsible and safe learning community for all.

SPB4L Data

It is with great pride that I inform you over the last two weeks 53 students were given Citizenship, Merit, Library or Uniform Awards or Playground Affirmation Awards whilst there were 12 incidences of Inappropriate behaviour recorded.

WE’RE GOING GREENER - NUDE FOOD EVERYDAY

Last week each student brought home a letter informing you that as of the first day back this term we require all students to bring their food in reusable containers of on a daily basis. Quite simply what we’re asking you to do is to send your children to school with food that is not wrapped in foil, plastic or commercial packaging. Our hope is that all food will come to school in containers that can be brought home rather than wrapping or packaging that ends up as rubbish in our bins. We wish to eliminate single use plastics and food packaging to make a significant impact in reducing rubbish that goes to landfill.
It is our response to instilling in our students an ecological consciousness that aligns itself with the efforts and expectations of the wider community and puts into practice the principles of the Papal encyclical, ‘Laudato Si.”
Requiring students to bring Nude Food empowers students to make conscious choices about what they eat, and encourages them to think about their impact on the environment and their health.
We have had a great response so far this Term

PLENARY 2020

The PLENARY COUNCIL 2020 is a gathering of the Church in Australia to make decisions for the future. Your voice is important. All people are invited to contribute to the Plenary Council Agenda by sharing your experience of faith and of the Church.
Please visit the weblink below:

Under the resources tab is the 'Have your say - respond online’ button.

INFORMATION COMMUNICATION LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES ACCEPTABLE USE AGREEMENT

Responsibilities of Students and Responsibilities of Parents/Carers

Last Friday a number of students were given copies of the Information communication and Learning Technologies (ICLT) Policy which had the Acceptable Use Agreements for both students and parents included.

If you haven’t already done so please read carefully and discuss with your child/children the Acceptable Use Agreement for students before signing it and returning it to school. Please read and sign the Acceptable Use Agreement for parents and return it to school also. Thank you

SCHOOL FETE

The organising committee wish to advise that the fete which was originally set down for April 6 has been postponed. A new date will be advised as soon as the committee makes a decision.

Mr Gavan Hoctor

Assistant Principal

MEDALLION WINNERS

Congratulations to the following students receiving awards:

Principals Awards:

Mikayla Gladden Yr 1, Mila Manevski Yr 2, Jacob Markovski Yr 3, Evie Combes Yr 4, Felicia Di Ciaccio Yr 4, Theodore Ntallaris Yr 4, Samuel Curcio Yr 5, Nate Mihalopoulos Yr 5, Khalilah Zipparo Yr 5, Ryan Lukarovski Yr 6.

Gold Awards:

Marco Alves Yr 2

Uniform Awards:

Leonardo Medina K, Charlotte Larsen Yr 3, Felicia Di Ciaccio Yr 4, Annika Janevski 5, 

Library Awards:

Georgia Stojanovski - Kinder, Jake Jovanovski - Kinder, Lukas Markovski - Yr 4 & Ruby Nguyen - Yr 5.

Congratulations and a very happy birthday to the follow students:

Delilah Calleja Yr 2 - 7/3, Sarah Megas Yr 6 - 9/3, Nate Grainger Yr 6 - 16/3, Mikayla Dimovski K - 17/3, Alana Crapis Yr 6 - 18/3, Jamie Harrison Yr 4 - 18/3.

FAMILY SUMMARY REPORTS & DIOCESAN FEE AGREEMENTS

Family summary reports and Diocesan fee agreements need to be returned by this Friday, 8 March.

Dear Parents

Catholic Schools Week

What a wonderful start we had to Catholic Schools Week 2019 with a wonderful liturgy on Monday run by Mini Vinnies members, followed by open classrooms. The turnout for open classrooms was amazing, with each class full of family members watching and participating in the learning and teaching.

Any and all family members are welcome to join us in the garden on Thursday from 9am for a cup of tea and some freshly baked scones. You don’t want to miss it!

St Patrick’s Day Celebrations

We are celebrating St Patrick’s day on Friday, 15 March, with a liturgy and our traditional ‘Paddy Fete’. A flyer with information on how to purchase a ‘Paddy Booklet’ has already been sent out, so please support our wonderful Feast Day celebrations.

We are also asking parents to bake or make any special ‘green treats/sweets’ that can be brought in on the morning and sold on the day. More information on this soon.

What a brilliant couple of weeks of celebrating our great school!

Kind Regards

Mr Sam Mattas
Acting Religious Education Coordinator

Dear Parents

The P&F would like to thank all parents and teachers who donated an hour or 2 of their time on Saturday to help with our Bunnings BBQ and cake stall. It was a successful day all round with both the stall and BBQ making a profit of $1,805.40.

We thank all parents who contributed with a monetary donations or made a purchase off our supply list. 

The P&F appreciate it immensely as these fundraising events cannot go ahead without the support of our school parents and wider community. 

Thank you again

P&F Committee

Wednesday, 6 March 2019

With thanks to Joanne Michaloudakis & Biljana Naumovski

Wednesda, 13 March 2019

With thanks to Danielle Lukarovski & Maria (Maz) Gebauer