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Lord God, as the election approaches,
we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our country,
and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community.
We ask for eyes that are free from blindness
so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters,
one and equal in dignity.
We ask for minds and hearts that are open to hearing the voice of leaders who will bring us closer to your Kingdom.
We pray for discernment
so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word,
live your love, and keep in the ways of your truth
as they follow in the steps of Jesus and his Apostles
and guide us to your Kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Dear Parents
We have now completed our NAPLAN testing. We are very proud of all our students and know they tried their best. A big thank you to their teachers for ensuring a positive experience for our students and to Mr Mattas for his assistance with technology support.
It was wonderful to finally hold our Infants Cross Country last Monday. Thank you to all the teachers involved in the organisation (and reorganisation) of this day!
Thank you to all the parents who were able to support your children participating in Walk Safely to School Day. Temporary tattoos were handed out at the gates. If your child walked (or partially walked) to school today and didn’t get a tattoo, please notify the office.
P&F Meeting
Our next P&F Meeting will be held Wednesday 25 May at 6.30pm in the school library. We’d love to see as many parents as possible join us!
Lockdown and Evacuation Drills
Next week we will have a lockdown and evacuation drill. These are simply part of our compliance procedures to ensure the students (and staff!) know what to do in the rare event we need to either lockdown or evacuate the school. Please don’t be alarmed if your child comes home and tells you they had to evacuate during class time!
RAT Kits
If your child is in need of additional rapid antigen tests, please contact the office and we can send some home with your child.
Gloves, Scarves and Beanies
Gloves, scarves and beanies may be worn to school, providing they are in addition to wearing school jumpers and are in keeping with school uniform colours, e.g. green. They must be removed once in the classroom. No fingerless gloves.
Uniform Reminders
This week we sent home notes to students who are not complying with our uniform standards, reminding you of our policy and asking you to ensure your child is wearing the correct uniform. If you have any questions or require any further clarification, please contact the school office. We appreciate your support with this.
Ms Gabi Tobin - Principal
Positive Behaviours for Learning (PB4L)
Our PB4L focus for next week (Week 5) is the No, Stop, Don’t - 3 Step Plan
We teach this to the students so that they have a way to manage situations with other students if they are being treated disrespectfully, irresponsibly or unsafely
In the explicit teaching lessons the expected behaviours taught will be:
Step 1:
Say NO, STOP and/or DON’T
Tell the person assertively
NO
“No I won’t …..”
“No I don’t want to …….”
STOP
“Stop it!”
Stop doing that!”
Stop saying those things!”
DON’T
“I don’t like it …….”
Step 2:
Tell the person assertively
“Stop it or I’ll tell a teacher”
“Stop saying that or I’ll tell a teacher”
“Stop doing that or I’ll tell a teacher”
Step 3:
Tell the nearest teacher
Our PB4L focus for Week 6 is Asking for Help v Dobbing
In the explicit teaching lessons the expected behaviours taught will be:
- Asking for help is when someone feels a situation is out of their control.
- They are unable to deal with the situation on their own and need help.
- You can ask for help for yourself or someone else.
- Asking for help for yourself or others is always okay.
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.
PB4L Data
It is with pride that I inform you that over the last two weeks 44 students were given Citizenship, Merit, Library or Playground Affirmation Awards whilst there were 4 incidents of Inappropriate behavior recorded.
Mr Gavan Hoctor - Assistant Principal
REC Update – W4 – T2
Mulching in May!
We’ve been busy as anything in the permaculture garden of late. On Friday of Week 2 Year 4 spent a beautiful day in the Living Classroom, learning about the ethics of permaculture and belting out a whole heap of jobs. The seasonal job of the day was ‘planting seedlings’, and plant seedlings we did! We planted over 70 cute little seedlings, which included butter and cos lettuce, raddichio, parsley, coriander, fennel, white and red cabbage, broccoli, broccolini, cauliflower, marigolds, snap-dragons… I think that’s all of them??
This required careful and fastidious planning and preparation, which included pocket planting and upskilling the children in their knowledge of plant families. Planting in plant family groups is vital for retaining soil quality and integrated pest management.
Since then, we had some mulch delivered and the children have volunteered some of their play times to help out in mulching our paths.
It’s been a late autumn bonanza in the St Patrick’s Living Classroom!
Confirmation Program Change
In the Parish Bulletin from last week, it was shared that there has been a change made to the Confirmation program, which will affect many Year 6 students. The Confirmation Parent Information Session has been changed and is now taking place on Tuesday May 31st at 7pm in the Parish Centre. It is an expectation that parent/s are in attendance on the night if they wish for their child to be confirmed this year. Should you require further information please contact Sr Miriam and/or Fr Mark in the Parish Office.
All the best,
Mr Sam Mattas
Religious Education Coordinator
ABSENCES
In the event your child is absent due to illness the Compass App allows you to enter the details and it is then not necessary to phone the school. Although should your child test positive to COVID it is most important that the school is notified via email. The school email is: info@sppkdow.catholic.edu.au
