This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday.  In 2020 I was fortunate to go on a pilgrimage with Bishop Peter Ingham and some staff from Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong, including teachers and support staff, to the Holy Land.  The Cenacle in Jerusalem was one of the many places we visited.  This room is where the disciple gathered for the Last Supper, and again when they received the gift of the Holy Spirit.  We often talk about Pentecost being the Church’s birthday as the Catholic Church began this day.  To be in the room where the sacraments of Eucharist, Confirmation and Holy Orders essentially began, was one of the most spiritual experiences I’ve encountered. The children’s religion lessons have been focused on Pentecost, so I encourage you to ask them to share with you their learning experiences this week and next.

School Hours

The current enterprise agreement for teachers states that staff can only be asked to provide supervision for 30 minutes prior to the school bell.  For our school this means teachers can only be asked to work from 8.15am.  A few years ago the very generous decision was made to open the gates a little earlier (8am) to assist working families.  Since then the school has been able to provide before school care through ASPIRE, a service that wasn’t available at the time of the original decision. Given that we now have before school care for those that need it, and in order to comply industrially with teaching requirements, from Term 3 the school gates will open at 8.15am. We ask that children are not dropped off before this time as there will be no supervision until 8.15am. Contact ASPIRE on 0499 018 351

Car Pick Up Lines

Can I please remind all parents that dismissal occurs at 2.55pm.  Could I kindly ask that you do not start lining up in the car pick up until this time to prevent a build up of cars in Kembla Street.  You may find coming at 3pm a more optimal time as most of the cars have gone by this time and picking up your child(ren) should be much quicker.

Boys Haircuts

I’d like to thank all the parents who ensure their children are always complying with our uniform expectations.  Overall the uniform standard is very high and that is thanks to you, their parents.  Recently there have been a number of boys coming to school with variations of a ‘mullet’ haircut.  While I understand these are very fashionable at the moment, they do not comply with our uniform policy and I ask that you do not have your son’s hair cut in this manner.  Our policy states:

• Hair should be styled in a manner that attracts positive comments only, with an emphasis on a neat and tidy appearance. No extreme haircuts or styles.

• Hair should be cut in an evenly cut manner. Hair should not have an extreme difference in length, but rather be of a blended appearance.
• Hair that is collar length or longer must be tied back.

Scarves, beanies and gloves

During the cold weather students are permitted to wear beanies, scarves and gloves (preferably in green).  We ask that these are only worn in addition to jumpers, cardigans and jackets, not in place of them.

Ms Gabi Tobin - Principal

Our PB4L focus for next week (Week 7) is Waste Management

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

• Putting my food waste in the compost bin 

• Putting paper and cardboard waste in the recycling bin
• Putting foil, plastic bags and Gladwrap in the rubbish bin 
• Taking uneaten food home in my lunchbox


 

Examples of behaviours that negatively impact on Respectful, Responsible and Safe Waste Management include:

• Throwing food scraps in either the rubbish or recycling bin 
• Leaving my rubbish in the classroom, breakout space or on the playground
• Throwing away uneaten food

 

Our Week 8 Social and Emotional Wellbeing Focus to develop relationship skills is

Making an Apology (Saying ‘You’re Sorry’)

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

 

1. Look a the person
2. Use a serious sincere voice
3. Say “I am sorry for” or “I am sorry that ……………….”

       “I can see what I have done has …………………….”

       “I would like to try to make this better by ……………………”

4. Say “Thanks for listening.”

 

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 48 students were given Citizenship, Merit, Library or Playground Affirmation Awards whilst there were 6 incidents of Inappropriate behavior recorded.

Mr Gavan Hoctor - Assistant Principal

 

 

REC Update – W6 – T2

EARTH CARE - PEOPLE CARE - FAIR SHARE

An absolute cracking day was had by Year 4, Aaron and myself (aka 'The Rain Dodgers') on Tuesday of Week 5 in The Living Classroom. With the help of Aaron, the girls and boys built an incredible MRSFC (mineral rich slow ferment compost), which utilised probably in excess of 200kg of weeds that have been pulled out of the garden since late last year ('create no waste'). Made by using several layers of carbon (straw, dead leaves etc) and nitrogen (weeds, green leaves etc) and repeating this several times over, we will have a massive pile of finished compost ready to use in our garden in about 6 months. 

 Aside from this, the students harvested massive banana bunches, chopped and dropped banna grass and even sharpened some cutting tools. A great day was had by all!

 

 

NATIONAL RECONCILIAITON WEEK

 

Each year our country celebrates National Reconciliation Week from 27 May to 3 June. It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

As Catholics we understand deeply the concept of Reconciliation. We have the Sacrament of Penance which invites us to reflect on those times when we have missed the mark in how we live and then calls us to repair and restore the broken aspects of our lives and relationships with God, people and all of creation. During National Reconciliation Week we are called to repair and restore the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and all Australians, recognising the history of what has been and moving forward together in a spirit of love.

he National Reconciliation Week 2022 theme is Be Brave. Make Change. and is a challenge to all Australians to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation. It is a challenge to individuals, families, communities, organisations and government—to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians.

2022 is marked by significant national anniversaries of brave actions.

50 years ago: In January 1972, a group of brave young men began the longest protest for Indigenous land rights, sovereignty, and self-determination by planting a beach umbrella and signage proclaiming the Aboriginal Embassy across the road from (then) Parliament House in Canberra.

30 years ago: In June 1992, the ten-year fight of a group of Torres Strait Islanders, led by Eddie Mabo, over ownership of Mer (Murray Island) resulted in a High Court decision that recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have rights to land – rights that existed before the British arrived and can still exist today.

Also, in 1992 on 29 May the Torres Strait Islander Flag was officially presented to the people of the Torres Strait Islands at the sixth Torres Strait Cultural Festival.

25 years ago: In April 1997 the Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families was released, a testament to the bravery of thousands who told of the impact of forcible removal from their families, cultures and communities.

Reconciliation is an ongoing journey that reminds us that while generations of Australians have fought hard for meaningful changes like these, future gains, such as the realisation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, are likely to take just as much, if not more, effort. This Reconciliation Week we are invited to make change beginning with brave actions in our daily lives – “where we live, work, play and socialise”.

Two actions to consider:

1. Commit to pray for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters - for healing, justice and Reconciliation.
2. Learn more about the Uluru Statement of the Heart and raise awareness of the issues in your own circles.

 

All the best,

Mr Sam Mattas

Religious Education Coordinator

                                 

National Simultaneous  Storytime was a huge hit as we joined millions of children around the country in being part of this event . Thank you to our special guest presenters Dorothy and Toto (a.k.a Mrs Bowater and furry friend) who read the book 'Family Tree' to the children and brought joy to everyone young and old. Mrs Bowater always sprinkles a little bit of magic whenever she visits our school. 

We have many items of uniform and containers in lost property that have remained unclaimed due to the fact that they are unlabelled. It is most important that all items of uniform and containers be labelled clearly so they can be returned to the owner. They also need to be checked regularly as the marker tends to fade over time due to washing.We are aware of how expensive uniform items are to replace so a $2 marker is definitely the better option. If your child has lost anything please have them check lost property.