Dear Parents

Already time seems to be flying this year as we end our fourth week of the term (our third with our students).  I continue to be in awe of this beautiful school community and feel so blessed that my vocation for Catholic Education has led me to St Patrick’s.

Recently I have had two friends of mine share separate incidents where their children were upset by something that had happened at school.  My immediate response was to tell them to just contact the school.  On both occasions they responded by telling me they didn’t want to be ‘that’ parent.  Unfortunately this is not the first time I’ve received this response and it saddens me.  I can’t stress enough to you all that at St Patrick’s we need you to be an advocate for your child and we want you to label yourself as ‘that’ parent. Building resilience in your child is something we encourage, however, seeking clarification, advice or support when needed, is equally encouraged.  Please never hesitate to contact the school so that we can work together to ensure your child feels safe, happy and ready to learn!

School Leaders

Last Tuesday we held our Student Leadership Induction.  Thank you to Fr Mark and Mr Mattas for their preparation of our liturgy.  Congratulations to our student leaders for 2022.

Vice Captains: Toby and Lucy 

Sports Captains: Isaac, Liana, Alani and Nathan

Community Leader: Riley

Liturgy Leader: Aaron

Environment Leader: Stephanie

P&F - Save the Date!

Our first P&F Meeting will be held via Zoom on Tuesday 8 March 6.30pm.  We have found more parents are able to connect from the comfort of your homes using Zoom.  Meeting virtually also ensures we are complying with our COVID safe measures.  I know the current members of the P&F would love to see some new (and not so new) faces at this first meeting.  Please don’t let the fear that you might be ‘given a job’ deter you from joining us on the night!  We simply welcome the opportunity to build the partnership between school and home.

School Photos

Our school photos will be held on Thursday 10 March.  All children will be wearing their full summer uniform on this day.  I continue to be impressed with the very high standard of uniform and pride the students display each day, and I know that particularly on school photo day you will want your child to look their best.  Can I gently remind you that these are school photos and not glamour shots.  While we would expect that your child may have their hair styled to look nice, they still need to comply with our uniform policy.  Hair below the collar should be tied back and only simple studs and sleepers may be worn.  Please make contact with the school prior to the day if you require any further information or clarification.

Labelling Student Items

We know how expensive school hats, jumpers, lunch boxes, drink bottles and other school items can be.  Ensuring your child’s name is clearly visible allows us to return a lost item to its rightful owner.  Can I please ask that you check that all personal items have your child’s name clearly marked.

Ms Gabi Tobin - Principal

Our PB4L focus for the next week (Weeks 5) is:

The Major and Minor Behaviour Definitions

Attached to this newsletter is 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 Ms Tobin.

Our PB4L focus for Week 4 is a student pledge to act respectfully, responsibly and safely 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 by acting respectfully, responsibly and safely.

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.

Term 1 Prefects
Congratulations to the Term 1 class prefects who were carefully chosen by their classroom teachers. The teachers had to think long and hard about who in their class was being particularly respectful, responsible and safe, so we look forward to seeing the girls and boys leading their class with pride!

This year, we decided to not choose Kindergarten prefects for Term 1 in order to allow Mrs Beuman time to get to know the students well enough to make an informed decision for whenTerm 2 comes around.

Well done to these girls and boys:
Year 1: Ruby & Rixon
Year 2: Owen & Leah
Year 3: Lesina-Rose & Rory
Year 4: Tia & Cooper
Year 5: Sofia & Lucas

First Reconciliation – Enrolment Now Due
A friendly reminder that registrations for First Reconciliation are due in at the Parish Office.
In order to enrol for the program, please visit the Parish Office to pick up the enrolment form, where you will also receive the sacramental program timetable. I would suggest phoning the Parish Office on 4274 1192 in advance to ensure Sr Miriam and/or Fr Mark are in attendance. Coming up on Wednesday 23rd February is the First Reconciliation Parent Information Session at 7pm in the Parish Office. 

All the best,
Mr Sam Mattas
Religious Education Coordinator