October 9, 2025 NEWSLETTER

CHILD SAFETY STATEMENT

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week we had the DOBCEL Board visiting on Tuesday and Wednesday for their term 4 meetings.  We had the honour of showing them around our beautiful school and talking to them about the projects and initiatives we have been working on.  Thank you to Cara Coxall for catering for both days.  

Then on Thursday we hosted the Southern Zone Network Wellbeing Leaders. One of the leaders just happened to be our new Principal, Tarryn Delaney.  It was good to be able to introduce her to the staff.  She will be back soon to meet the students.  

Tomorrow is the Year 3/4 Spring Sports Carnival, being held down at the Gardens Oval.  If you have time, get down there to support them.  

Last weekend we had the Spring Music Festival in Port Fairy.  Congratulations to Mrs. Balmer and the 15 students who were part of the children's choir that performed at the Final Gala opera with an orchestra and 2 adult choirs.  What an opportunity!

The 2026 Foundation group are attending Story Time sessions for 4 Monday afternoons, leading up to the Transition Program beginning in week 6.  

We have a working bee at the school on Saturday morning, starting at 9.00am.  The main focus will be to sand the exterior of the Old School House.  If attending, please bring any equipment that may assist.  

Sausage orders for Grandparents & Special Friends' Day (Monday October 27) need to be completed by tomorrow (Friday).  You only need to order for the adults attending.  Orders for students will be made by the school. 

Olga Lyons

MISSION MONTH - OCTOBER

 “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”  John 10:10

Catholic Mission is the Pope’s international mission agency in Australia and is part of the global network of Pontifical Mission Societies operating in over 160 countries. We partner with communities to help them flourish by supporting grassroots projects, including healthcare, education, and faith formation, while also being an active voice for human rights.

Each year Catholic Mission celebrates the work of the Mission in Australia and around the world in October for Catholic Mission month.

Loving God,

You sent Your Son Jesus so that we may have life and have it to the full.

Bless the work of Catholic Mission as they bring life, hope and love to communities in need.

May their efforts in healthcare, education and faith formation help all people flourish in dignity and peace.

Inspire us to be part of Your mission, sharing Your love and standing up for justice around the world.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

FROM THE REL - MICHELLE MALONE

PUPIL FREE DAY

The staff will be participating in a Curriculum Professional Development Day in term 4 on Thursday November 6

Introducing Paddy's Breakfast Club! - Mrs Seath

GRANDPARENTS & SPECIAL FRIENDS' DAY

PLEASE FILL IN THE GOOGLE FORM IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ORDER A SAUSAGE FOR YOUR CHILD'S GRANDPARENTS OR SPECIAL FRIENDS

SAUSAGE SIZZLE ORDER FORM 

HALLOWEEN DISCO - OCTOBER 31

CATHOLICCARE PARENTING CONSULT

This is an opportunity for parents to engage in an individual parenting consult with an experienced and Parenting Practitioner.

Hello! My name is Helen Diamond and I am delighted to be doing some work with the St Patrick’s school
community on Tuesday 28th October.

I am a Parenting Practitioner with CatholicCare, who has had the joy and privilege of working with parents for 28
years; I’m also a parent of three adult children and a grandparent of a 6yo and a 2 yo.

One thing I know for certain is that every parent wants to be the best parent they can for their child/ren. The
problem is that there is so much information around today, advising parents how to be the best they can that it
can be really confusing and confidence- deflating. Each generation of parents puts their own spin on parenting
and new research overrides the messages of previous “experts” which can sometimes leave us not knowing
where to turn when we hit a roadblock in our parenting journey.

I’m looking forward to conducting some parenting consultations at St Patrick’s, to hearing your parenting stories
and to discussing ways that you can support your children to navigate the ups and downs and challenges they
(and you!) may be facing.

If you are interested in an individual parenting consult on Tuesday 28th October, please send me an email and
we’ll organize a time that will suit you: helen.diamond@catholiccarevic.org.au

Looking forward to meeting you!
Kind regards,
Helen

World Mental Health Day

SCHOOL DATES - 2025

FOUNDATION 2026 INFORMATION

SPORTING SCHOOLS - TERM 4

There will be a change of days for Term 4, the days will be Wednesday and Thursday. Sporting Schools will start in Week 3 on Wednesday October 22 and finish on Thursday December 4.

SPRING MUSIC FESTIVAL

St Patrick’s School, Port Fairy, are hosting the PFSMF schools concerts on Monday 13th October 2025, in the school hall at 9–11 William Street, Port Fairy. 

St Pat's School's allocated concert time is 2:00pm.

This year’s school concerts are generously supported by Community Bank Port Fairy & District (Bendigo Bank), PFSMF patrons, Moyne Shire and Creative Victoria.

We’re also delighted to confirm that PFSMF is continuing its partnership with Musica Viva to present the 2025 schools concert program. Full details can be found here:
 portfairyspringfest.com.au/2025-festival/education/

Everyone is encourage to attend one of the Festival’s concerts over the weekend. Families may be especially interested in the ‘Kinder Proms’ concert, to be held on Sunday 12th October at 2:00pm, also in the school hall. This is a wonderful event for young children, and children attend free of charge!

'Kinder Proms' concert is free for all

EMPOWER STRENGTHENING PARENT SUPPORT PROGRAM

COMMUNITY NEWS