Dear Parents

Thank you to all the parents who took the time to complete the Tell Them From Me Survey.  It was very reassuring to read the many positive comments, and I am equally appreciative of the suggestions for improvement.  As the surveys are anonymous, I am unable to contact anyone personally, but if there is a concern that you have raised that you would like to discuss further, please feel free to come speak to me at any time.

The two areas that were mentioned by more than one parent were more notice of school events and being able to gather on the playground prior to afternoon dismissal.

At the beginning of the term we sent out a calendar outline of the events for the term.  We plan to do this at the end of each term moving forward, hopefully this will help with giving you an outline of upcoming events.  This term’s calendar can be found here:

Class assembly dates can also be found here:

Next week we will also open the gates 5 minutes before the dismissal bell at 2.55pm.  We ask for your patience while we ensure we introduce a new procedure that ensures safety for all, while allowing a smooth and efficient dismissal.  

Bus and car pick up will operate as normal.  Can I kindly remind all parents using the car pick up option that you may only pull into the car pick up line for 2 mins.  We also ask that you drive around the block if there isn’t space for you to pull into the designated pick up zone.  Double parking prevents the flow of traffic on Kembla St and we have received complaints that the line up is stretching around the corner because of this.

Parents or grandparents picking up students (from either O’Donnell St or Kembla St) are asked to gather on the grass area on the school playground.  At 2.55pm all students being picked up in person will walk out of the end of the school building closest to the library and meet you on the grass.  Students will no longer be walked out to O’Donnell St by a staff member.

Can I kindly ask that all family members refrain from approaching the classroom or teachers while they are packing up or dismissing the students.  Please remember you are most welcome to make contact with the class teachers at any time through the office if you have any questions.  During the afternoon dismissal we require all teachers to be actively supervising the students, so this isn’t the best time for them to have a chat.

We will evaluate this new procedure over the term and make any adjustments, if needed.  We look forward to welcoming you back on the playground next Tuesday!

If your family has any exciting news, such as the birth of a baby, that you would like to share with the school community, please email a photo and a short blurb to info@sppkdow.catholic.edu.au and we will include it in the newsletter.

Ms Gabi Tobin - Principal

At St Patrick’s School we are prioritising Building a Culture of Respect. Respect is the
building block, the foundation stone of every aspect of our school experience hence the continuation of this ideal in our PB4L Focus for each Week.

Our PB4L focus for next week (Week 7) will be Respecting Play Equipment 
In the explicit teaching lessons, the expected behaviours taught will be:
i. use equipment for its right purpose
ii. return all equipment to the correct place
iii. tie skipping ropes when returning them
iv. report unsafe use of equipment to the teacher on duty

Examples of behaviours that negatively impact on Respectful, Responsible and Safe
behaviour when Respecting Play Equipment to be taught include:
i. throwing/kicking balls at people
ii. hitting people with equipment
iii. hiding equipment
iv. leaving equipment out on the playground
v. not tying skipping ropes
vi. not speaking up when equipment is being misused

Our PB4L focus for Week 8 is Respecting our School Environment
In the explicit teaching lessons, the expected behaviours taught will be:
i. Putting my rubbish in the correct bin
ii.Packing up my toys
iii. Putting my lunch box and drink bottle in the class tub
iv. Staying in-bounds
v. Cleaning up any mess I make

Examples of behaviours that negatively impact on Respectful, Responsible and Safe
behaviour when Respecting our School Environment to be taught include:
i.Littering
ii. Leaving my toys behind
iii. Leaving my lunch box or drink bottle behind
iv. Going out-of-bounds
v. Leaving a mess 

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 50 students were given
Citizenship, Merit, Library or Uniform Awards or Playground Affirmation Awards whilst there were 5 incidents of Inappropriate behaviour recorded.

You may be aware from recent correspondence that throughout this term the students from Kindergarten to Year 6 are learning about the Zones of Regulation.
Next week the students will learn to use different tools to change their zone and self- regulate. The following week the students will learn how to stop (Stop) and consider options (Opt) before they act (Go).

KEMBLA ST AFTERNOON PICK-UP

This week our school has received more complaints about the afternoon school pick-up on Kembla St. The complaints are because of the congestion caused by parents waiting to collect their child/ren which, in effect, block the road.

TO HELP ALLEVIATE THIS PROBLEM PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE PICK-UP/DROP OFF ZONE BEFORE 2:55 WHEN STUDENTS ARE DISMISSED FROM SCHOOL.

SECONDLY, PLEASE DO NOT SIT DOUBLE PARKED ALONG KEMBLA ST FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME.

If there is not a car space available, please keep driving around the block until such time as a space becomes available.

Could I ask please that you reiterate this message with all family members who may collect your child/ren.

Please note that the students are well supervised during the afternoon dismissal. Teachers are on duty at the Kembla St entry/exit until 3:10pm and my advice to parents/carers is to delay the pick-up until after 3:05pm so that the
congestion is lessened and wait times are minimal.

Your co-operation with this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Mr Gavan Hoctor - Assistant Principal

We are beginning to collect donations for the 2023 St Vincent de Paul Winter appeal. We are asking families to please consider donating canned soup, packet soup and packets of breakfast cereal this year. If you have a larger donation and need help bringing these into the school, please drop them off to the school office. Otherwise, children can place these donations near the prayer table in the breakout space.
Furthermore, we are also having a ‘Onesie and Pyjama Day’ on Tuesday of Week 8, June 13. Each child is encouraged to come to school dressed in their snuggly pyjamas or a onesie, and to please bring in a gold coin donation. All money raised will go towards the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal 2023.
Many thanks for your support.

Confirmation – Year 6 Students

A number of Year 6 children are continuing their preparations for Confirmation both at St Patrick’s and also at Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish, Unanderra. Please remember to keep these girls and boys in your prayers during this most special and sacred time in their journey as Catholics.
Confirmation will be held in our Parish this Sunday June 4 at 9am, and for a number of children at Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish Unanderra on Thursday June 8 at either 5pm or 7pm. All community members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

This week is National Reconciliation Week. The staff of St Patrick’s viewed these two short clips as part of a prayer for Sorry Day last week and I would encourage you all to watch these:

Australia celebrates each year National Reconciliation Week from 27th May to 3rd 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. Reconciliation Week follows National Sorry Day which is the 26 May. This is the day when we remember the loss experienced by children who were taken from their mothers to places away from their country and culture - to places away from their family. We lament and we say “sorry”. 2023 is an important year for the reconciliation movement, and this year’s theme, ‘Be a Voice for
Generations’, urges all Australians to use their power, their words and their vote to create a better, more just Australia for all of us. The 2023 theme calls on all Australians to act today to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation.
1. Reconciliation is all about building a better nation.
2. A more united Australia that respects and takes pride in 65,000 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, stories and achievements.
3. An Australia that believes in the right of First Nations peoples to make decisions  about their lives and their communities.
4. An Australia that stands opposed to racism and injustice.

To be a voice for reconciliation today means the start of real change tomorrow. It means magnifying the calls of past generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that have fought hard and paved the way. And it means using your power, your words and your vote to create a better, more just Australia for all of us.
Almighty and loving God, You who created ALL people in your image, lead us to seek your compassion as we listen to the stories of the violence in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories. You gave your only Son, Jesus, who died and rose again so that sin is forgiven. We place before you the pain and anguish of dispossession of land, language, lore, culture and family kinship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced. We live in faith that all people
will rise from the depths of despair and hopelessness, and in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families who have endured the pain and loss of loved ones, through the separation of children and their families. Touch the hearts of the broken, homeless and inflicted and heal their spirits. In your mercy and compassion walk with us as we continue our journey of healing to create a future that is just and equitable. Lord you are our hope.
Amen

All the best,
Mr Sam Mattas
Religious Education Coordinator

Mr Mindzas