FEBRUARY 29 2024 NEWSLETTER

CHILD SAFETY STATEMENT

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and Carers,

I look forward to seeing many of you at the Open Classroom and BBQ night this evening. I'm aware it clashes with a Port Fairy footy/netball night but hope families can squeeze in a visit to their children's classroom, if not the BBQ. 

The children have been loving the STOMP Dance sessions this week.  They will continue Monday and Tuesday of next week as well. This is a wellbeing focused activity, promoting fun, fitness, confidence and risk-taking. 

It's been a busy week for sporting activities. 35 students went to Warrnambool to play tennis in the Moyne District Tennis competition.  A team of swimmers went to AquaZone today to represent St Patrick's in the Division Swimming competition.   Well done to all of these athletes. 

Next week we will have a performance called, "Let's Stamp Out Bullying". The Folk Festival Committee are also generously sponsoring Connected Circus to teach our students circus tricks on Thursday. The Year 6 students will mentor students from other classes to master the techniques throughout the day.  We also have Stu Nuggett, a great artist from the Northern Territory visiting our 3-6 students to teach them a three versed folk ditty in Jingulu language. A huge thank you to the Folk Festival Committee for promoting the ARTS in our local schools.  We are very grateful!

Folkie week is nearly upon us.  Thank you to Bree Porter and Rhea Thomas who are coordinating the BBQ stall and roster. These are huge jobs, so please get behind them to lessen the load. 

Olga Lyons

FROM THE RE LEADER - ELIZA DWYER

SCHOOL DATES - 2024

RIDING IN SCHOOL VACINITY

To maintain a safe environment for all children and adults, we do not permit students or parents to ride push bikes, motorised bikes, scooters, skateboards or skates on footpaths along the front of the school.  Please walk your wheeled vehicles along the footpath at all times. 

5 YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN

As a result of our School Improvement Review Process last year we have a new 5 year strategic plan, which can be located on our School Website. 3 Priorities were identified for the school to focus on. 

1. To embed Post-Critical Belief as a defining feature of the learning experiences planned and taught throughout the school in Religious Education.

Post-Critical Belief : believing in God, despite critical reasons not to believe. Reinterpretation of religious content so that it becomes meaningful to our daily lives.  

2. To promote, invite and prioritise effective and sustainable home/school partnerships for mutual benefit through allocating time, resources, facilities, professional learning and capacity building.

3. To promote a culture of inquiry and innovation, where creative exploration and independent, interrelated and purposeful learning are evident.

CLASS NEWS - YEAR 5

SCHOOL NEWS

CLASS AWARDS

Be Safe . Be Respectful . Be a Learner Award : Aurora Down for working hard and completing tasks before the finishing time. Otto Carrucan for being a great team member and working well in our Wellbeing lesson. Certificate of Commendation (Safety) : Sawyer Williams for displaying safety by supporting an injured friend in their time of need.  

Certificate of Commendation (Respect) : Harry Parkinson for being a positive, happy role model for his peers. 

Certificate of Commendation (Learning) :  Maisy Blom for persisting with algorithms in Maths. Gabriel Thomas for persisting with algorithms in Maths. George Moutsos for displaying learning by sharing insightful thoughts during our novel study. Nelly Parkinson for displaying learning by writing an amazing letter during inquiry. Bonnie Phillips for displaying learning by investigating our novel in her own time. Ben Mirtschin for the determination and resilience shown at our school Athletics Day. Hazel Taylor for being helpful in art lessons. Braxton Sheills for working so hard in Literacy. Melinsa Felsianes for working hard during phonics lessons.  

TERM 1 PE EVENTS

Division Tennis - Thursday March 7

Regional Swimming - Friday March 8

Foundation Athletics - Tuesday March 12 at 12:40pm

St Patrick's Cross Country - Years 3 - 6 - Friday March 22

SPORTING SCHOOLS

From March 6, Sporting School days will be Wednesday & Thrusday. The last two sessions for Term 2 will be Wednesday 20th & Thursday 21st March. You must register your child via the Schoolzine App. See details earlier in the newsletter regarding the App. Millie Kenna and Radush Mohan will be running the program.

Please only register your child/children the day of or the night before the session they will be attending. Cut off is 12pm.

PARENTS & FRIENDS NEWS

SCHOOLSTV - SLEEP

Overview of this edition

Children these days seem to be going to bed later and later. Distractions such as TV, computer games, internet, texting friends and social media are all having a negative impact on our childrens' sleep time. Sleep is vital to a child’s wellbeing. When children sleep well, they are more settled, happier and ready for school the next day. Sleep also strengthens their immune systems, supports overall development and their ability to function properly on a daily basis.

CYBER SAFETY AT HOME

Are you concerned about your child's safety on line? Click on the link below to access parent workshops to build your knowledge of how you can protect your children.

1. Across six key cyber safety and digital wellbeing topics, the Cyber Safety Project team will help you confidently kick start crucial conversations with the young people in your home.

2. Through a series of 3 x 30 minute, on-demand webinars, the Cyber Safety Project team share insights and practical resources to help support and manage online child safety in the home.

COMMUNITY NEWS