NOV 9 2023 NEWSLETTER

CHILD SAFETY STATEMENT

FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you to Tristan Fay and the Leadership Team who kept things running smoothly while I was away last week.  The calendar is very full in our run down to the end of the year.  I encourage parents to keep checking in with upcoming events. 

Transition to 2024 classes will be a little different this year.  As well as the official day on Tuesday December 12, we will have students moving into their new home classes on November 30 and December 6 for 2 hours. 

Our Year 2 students are sleeping over in the school tonight.  I wish them and the staff joining them a good night's sleep.  There will be some weary heads on Friday no doubt.  The Year 1 students are having and extended day and going home to sleep. 

Olga Lyons (Principal)

FROM THE RE LEADER - ELIZA DWYER

2024 Home Room Teacher Allocations

Foundation - Mrs Cindy Heggie

Year 1 - Mrs Bec Greene and Mrs Hannah Wilson

Year 2 - Miss Eliza Dwyer

Year 1/2 Support Teacher - Mrs Elle Seath

Year 3 - Mrs Peita Cryer and Mrs Monique McCartney

Year 4 - Mr Daniel Lucardie and Mrs Anne Robertson

Year 5 - Miss Rachael Osborne and Mr Tristan Fay

Year 6 - Mr Benson Steere

Year 6 - Mrs Michelle Malone and Mrs Antonia Balmer

2024 Specialist Teachers

Physical Education and Health - Mr Tommy Greene

Science - Mr Tommy Greene and Mrs Bec Greene

Japanese - Mrs Anne Robertson

Arts - Mrs Sam Kenna and Mrs Hannah Wilson

CLASS NEWS - FOUNDATION

The Foundation students have been studying ‘Weather in the World’ this term and have been considering how weather influences their daily lives. The students have been recording daily temperature, using a thermometer, and comparing this to a weather app. They have made weathervanes which show the direction and strength of the wind. The students have also begun to measure rainfall and are in the process of making their own rain gauges from recycled materials.

The students have been identifying different types of clouds, such as: cirrus, stratus, cumulus and cumulonimbus. From their observations they are able to predict if rainfall is likely or unlikely. 

The students have observed some wild weather this term and last week saw some hail fall, which generated some interesting questions about how hail forms and the size of hail. 

To conclude our unit on weather, the students will create a weather poster and record themselves giving a weather report. 

YEAR 3/4 WINTER 'SPRING' SPORTS

Year 3/4 students last Thursday participated in the inaugural Moyne School’s Year 3/4 Winter Sports. It was a very successful afternoon where children from our 7 Moyne District Schools participated in soccer, footy and netball matches.

Our St Patrick’s boys were the winners on the day in the Aussie Rules, St Patrick’s Koroit were the netball winners and Port Fairy Consolidated School took out the soccer title.  

All schools have responded positively to the event and we are likely to continue it next year.  We have decided we will keep it as a fourth term event and hopefully take advantage of the nice weather at this time of year.  The weather last week certainly played its part.

A big thank you to Lucy Lehne for her organisation of the sausage sizzle and canteen, and to Shaun Murrihy of the PFFNC for his co-operation in allowing us to use the facilities. 

Year 5/6 students Lola Myers, Rose Greene, Lylah Hamilton, Joel Hennig, Lenny Grahek and Jake van de Camp were also fantastic leaders and helpers on the day with their organisation and umpiring of the soccer and netball competitions.

School Advisory Council Vacancies

We will have 3-4 parent positions being vacated on the School Advisory Council for 2024/25.  These are 2 year  positions with 1 meeting per term and an AGM in term 4.  We welcome parents who would like to be involved in the structures and policies of the school to send an email to principal@spportfairy.catholic.edu to register their interest prior to November 25. 

The SAC acts as an advisory body to the Principal in all matters. The SAC supports the principal in the directions/policies of the school. It offers advice, to the and assists with planning for the present and the future operation of the school. This includes:

1. Supporting the ministry functions of schools through assisting with:

• promotion of the school's Catholic ethos and culture
• articulating and enacting the school's vision and mission
• promotion of faith development
  

2. Providing a stewardship role of the school through assisting with:

• present and future capital resource planning and maintenance
• disseminating information about the school- events/directions
• long-term viability of the school: enrolments/ resources/master planning 
• appointment of principal and staff, if required

3. Providing advice and support to the Principal through assisting with:

• implementation of DOBCEL policy, as required
• support of and communication on school and parish matters
• advice, as required, on issues arising such as from the School Development Plan, innovations and enrolment trends

4. Assisting the Principal in stewardship of finances through:

• advising how diocesan policies such as School Fee Collection, might be implemented
• sighting the annual school budget and receiving updates on progressive implementation
• discussing significant changes to school budgets and cash flow requirements
• discussing and providing advice on capital borrowings and development.
  

Free Fishing Kits for Year 5 Students

Victorians love fish and fishing. Recreational fishing offers terrific opportunities for people of all ages, skills, abilities and backgrounds to enjoy a fun and healthy activity and build social connections. Our aboriginal heritage is also deeply linked to fishing, with thousands of years of indigenous fishing history in Victoria.
The Victorian Government is committed to increasing the number and diversity of people fishing and enjoying Victoria’s local seafood, growing healthy and sustainable fisheries sectors and contributing to Victoria’s social and economic prosperity. Every Victorian should have the opportunity to fish.

The Victorian Government committed $1.5 million over four years at the 2022 State election to provide 60,000 primary school Year 5 children with Little Angler Kits that will include a fishing rod, tackle tray, some tackle and a kids guide to fishing. The aim of this commitment is to continue to grow recreational fishing participation in Victoria by actively encouraging primary school aged children to learn more about the art of fishing, marine life and the natural environment.

Q. Why is the government giving away free fishing rods to Year 5 students?
A. The Victorian Government is keen to get more children outside and active, connecting with nature and enjoying time in the great outdoors. Fishing is a great way to do that, which is why the State Government is investing $96m to improve fishing, boating, piers and aquaculture.

Little Angler Kits are the perfect way for primary school aged children to try fishing. They include a rod, reel with line, tackle tray, some tackle and information on how to use them all. The kits are being offered to Year 5 students for FREE through primary schools in the latter half of 2023. Year 5 students have been selected based on the Victorian Curriculum focus, movement and motor development, and safety considerations.

PROPOSED JAPANESE STUDY TOUR

Proposed Japanese Language and Culture Study Tour 2024 - (For Year 6 students in 2024)

We are beginning to plan for the proposed 8 - 10 day study tour for September 2024. We will be visiting Doshisha Elementary School in Kyoto. A group of Doshisha students will visit St Joseph’s Warrnambool and St Patrick’s, Port Fairy in March 2024 as part of our partner school exchange. For the trip, we are planning a number of excursions to places such as TOEI Kyoto Studio Park and Fushimi Inari. Students will be staying in hotels or similar accommodation as a group. This study tour is dependent on sufficient student numbers, available staff and support from the Network schools. See attachment for more information.

If you are interested, please contact arobertson@spportfairy.catholic.edu.au or complete the attached EOI Form and return to school by Friday 17th November.

Register your interest in the Information Session for parents and students at St Joseph's Primary School at 4pm - 5pm on Wednesday 22nd November by clicking on this link, https://sjpswarrnambool.schoolzineplus.com/form/220

SPECIAL LUNCH - P & F

P & F NEWS

If you are interested in helping our P & F in any way. Please fill in the Parents & Friends - Volunteer Form that was emailed to you or by clicking on the link below. If you would like more information, please see the attached form

PRIVATE GUITAR LESSONS

Dylan O'Keefe will be available to teach private guitar lessons during afternoons at St Patrick's Port Fairy in 2024.  If you are interested, please make contact with Dylan directly. 

COMMUNITY NEWS

MOTHERS WHO PRAY FOR THEIR CHILDREN

This prayer group for mothers is held each Friday at the Infant Jesus Church in Koroit at 10.45am.  All are welcome!