Dear Parents

I want to extend my thanks to all the parents who have so generously given their time this term.  The Bunnings BBQ, laying of the soft fall and canteen on Grandparents Day are just three recent examples of events that simply would not be possible without the support of our wonderful parent community.  I am so grateful for you all and the support you provide to the school.

Canteen Helpers Required

Due to the generosity of the P&F we have raised $3860.50 this year in profit through the canteen!  The canteen can only run with the help of parent volunteers.  If you are able to give just one day in the school term to work in the canteen, please let the school know and we will pass your contact details onto Kelly Pucillo.  You can select the day of the week that works best for you, you are not limited to a specific date.

We know that for many working parents, or parents caring for young children giving your time in this way may be difficult.  However you can still assist by making a cash donation to go towards buying ingredients (e.g. pasta, chicken snitzels, etc).  Another way you could help would be to donate one of the following items that could be sold at the canteen.

• Microwave popcorn
• Zooper Doopers
• Jelly
• Killer python (jelly snakes) 

Playgroup

The parish is running a playgroup for parents and children every Wednesday morning between 10-11am.  The playgroup will be held in the Parish Hall (entrance via O’Donnell Street) and all families are welcome.  You may like to bring some fruit or morning tea for your child.

Afternoon Dismissal

Recently we have seen a significant increase in the number of phone calls we receive throughout the day notifying us of a change in pick up arrangements for the afternoon.  Last week there were more than 50 calls of this nature. 

While we know things can happen on short notice, can I kindly ask that whenever possible, pick up arrangements be made and communicated to your child prior to the start of the school day.  Not only will this reduce your child’s anxiety on how they will get home, it will assist us in reducing the number of interruptions that are caused to the students’ learning when the office has to make calls to the classroom throughout the day.

Sick

If your child is unwell and not attending school, can you please notify the school using the Compass app.  If your family requires more RAT kits, please notify the office and we will send these home with your child.

Family News

If you have some exciting family news you would like to share with our community through the newsletter please email the school office and we will include it in the next newsletter.  If you wish, in the event of a death in your family, we can also ask our community to keep you in our prayers.

Ms Gabi Tobin - Principal

Our PB4L focus for the Week 5 of Term 3 will be the Library. 
In the explicit teaching lessons the expected behaviours taught will be:

 1. Entering quietly
 2. Using good manners
 3. Using a whispering voice
 4. Treating books with care
 5. Bringing your library bag
 6. Returning my book on my correct day
 7.Doing ‘the 5’ when listening

Examples of behaviours that negatively impact on Respectful, Responsible and Safe
behaviour in the Library to be taught include:

 1. Making noise when entering the library
 2. Forgetting my manners
 3. Talking in a loud voice
 4. Treating books carelessly
 5. Forgetting my library bag or my book on my library day
 6. Not listening respectfully

Our PB4L/SEL (Social & Emotional Learning) focus for the Week 6 of Term 3 will be based on Responsible decision making 

When someone makes a mistake  
Acceptable response
 1. Look at the person 
 2. Say: “ would you like some help?”
 3. If the answer is “yes” show the person what / how to do – don’t do it for them
 4. If the answer is “no” say: “okay – let me know when you would like help” - move
     away.

When someone makes a mistake  
Unacceptable response
 1. Laughing at the person
 2. Putting the person down/mocking them

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 Uniform Awards or Playground Affirmation Awards whilst there were 6 incidents of Inappropriate behavior recorded.
Please continue to act respectfully, responsibly and safely.

Please note that over the coming weeks in addition to the PB4L/SEL weekly focus staff will be paying attention to aspects of student uniform Policy to ensure that all students are presented proudly in compliance with the Uniform Code. This week staff will be looking atstudent shoes and sock and in Week 6 hats.
Please find below excerpts of the Uniform Code for your reference

Shoes

• Students are required to wear all black leather or 'leather look' shoes with their Summer and Winter Uniform.
• Shoes must be clean and polished.
• Sports shoes must be supportive joggers, not canvas shoes or gym boots.
• They must be predominately white (minimal logos) with white shoelaces. 

Socks

• Must be short and covering the ankle (no logos). No Sockettes

Hats

• Regulation green slouch hats with modified school logo. Strings attached to hat may be removed if so desired. No hat, No play in the sun policy enforced in accordance with sun safe principles.

Mr Gavan Hoctor - Assistant Principal

Tiarna Diciaccio - Year 5

Congratulations to the following students that represented St Patrick's at the South Coast Athletics Carnival: Sean Timbs, Leena Carolan, Jack Agius, Liana Meta, Alani Tanevski, Luka Batur, Leonardo Medina, Audrey Woods, Judah Friesen, Chavez Ntallaris, Eva Zafiropoulos, Harrison Sharpe, Milla Lokys, Tyler Burns, Sofia Mineeff, Stephanie Saliba, Lucy Yates, Joseph Habak, Ashton Batur, Jacob Markovski, Kaitlyn Mitrovska, Christian Naumovski, Marco Alves, Paige Lukarovski, Benson Fonoti, Emma Usljebrka, Levi Kinnas and Imogen Aquilina. 

You represented the St Patrick's school community in the best way possible and we are very proud of your efforts. 

A big congratulations to the following children that have been selected to represent St Patrick's at the Wollongong Diocese Primary Athletics Carnival:

Alani Tanevski - High Jump

Liana Meta - High Jump and Discus

Baseball5 is a new and exciting 5 a side, 5 innings street version of baseball. Baseball5 requires no special equipment, just a ball. Not only is it a great sport to play anytime and anywhere, it is also a great introduction to the game of Baseball. Baseball5 is also going to be included in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games to be held in Dakar, Senegal in 2026.

Wollongong Cardinals Junior Baseball club is running some “come and try” Baseball5 days every Sunday from 10am to 12 noon throughout August 2022 at Collegians Tennis and Squash Club, The Avenue, Figtree. The events are open to all children of all ages, teams are actively encouraged to include boys and girls on the same team.