October 16, 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

Year 3A News

AWARDS

The following students will receive awards at this Friday's assembly:

Learning

Foundation: Emmett Cullen - for amazing fact fluency in Maths. Amazing work Emmett! Remy Cooper - for wonderful word seeking skills in Sounds Write. Keep up the great work Rem!

Year 1: Evie Elliot - for an excellent improvement in her handwriting. Josie Baulch - for her thoughtful and valuable contributions to class discussions.

Year 2: Brax  Shiells - for OUTSTANDING reading. George Haylock - For trying very hard to stay focused and on task during all activities. Tommy Fitzgerald - For showing great focus in writing and creating a wonderful, imaginative narrative. Millie Leddin - For delivering a wonderful presentation to the class about her holiday.

Year 4: Jack Willoughby - for his excellent fluency when called upon during our literacy sessions. 

Year 5: Maggie Currer - organisation and classroom efficiency

Respect

Year 3A - Grace Robinson

Year 3B: Melinsa Felsianes - For showing kindness and compassion each day, and always taking care to look out for others in our class community.

Year 4: Joey Tregeagle - For sharing excellent compliments with his peers during class feedback. 

Year 5: Henry Elliott: for his persistence, patience and spectacular effort in performing in Eva - at the Spring Music Festival. 

Year 6: Sophie Porter: for her enthusiasm and active participation during our assembly preparation.

Greater Western Regional Primary School Athletic Results - 2025

Congratulations to all our competitors for their efforts in competing at the Greater Western Regional Primary School Athletic Championships held in Ballarat last Friday.

Sully Hayes, competed in the 800m and 1500m and finished in 5th place in both events.

Will Versace, competed in the 1500m and won a bronze medal for his 3rd place finish.  In the 800m Will finished 7th.

Alex Harris won a  bronze medal for the 200m sprint.

Wilton Knee and Lily Roberts finished 6th and 12th respectively in the discus.

Lewis MacKenzie finished 4th in the 1500m and claimed a bronze medal in the 800m.

Tilly Hetherington finished 5th in the 100m.

Harvey Lambert finished 5th in the High Jump.

The boys 12/13 year old  4 x 100m relay team (consisting of Lewis, Will, Alex and Freddie Simpson) finished 5th overall.

Conor Sheehan and Tilly unfortunately had their hurdles events cancelled due to poor weather

Once again, for a small school, we have produced some great results.  Thank you to parents for transporting the students, and thank you to George Harris for assisting the relay team in their preparations.

Spring Music Festival Choir

We are incredibly proud of our Spring Music Festival Children’s Choir who performed so beautifully in the closing gala event, Eva. This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase their talent and dedication in front of a large audience, and they represented our school with excellence.

The experience was made even more special through the guidance of the highly accomplished and inspiring voice coach, Dermott Tutty. Dermott brought a wealth of professional experience to the rehearsals and performances, and we are deeply grateful for the expertise, enthusiasm and care he shared with our students throughout the process.

Congratulations to Millie Leddin, Laura Murrihy, Aurora Down, Alexia White, Gracie Robinson, Poppy Robinson, Henry Elliott, Poppy Ruiz, Sienna Rincon, Ayla Gramss, Olive Dwyer, Florence McCorkell, Hazel Taylor, Freya McCallum and Melinsa Felsianes, who captivated the audience with their confident stage presence and outstanding vocal performance.

This was a truly memorable experience for all involved, and we thank our students and families for their commitment and support in making the event such a success.

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.

EMPOWER STRENGTHENING PARENT SUPPORT PROGRAM

COMMUNITY NEWS