NOVEMBER 28, 2024 NEWSLETTER

CHILD SAFETY STATEMENT

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week all classes have changed room in preparation for the transition days and 2025.  The changes were made after considering the needs of each cohort of students.  It will take some adjustment from us all. 

This Thursday (today) and next Thursday the children will spend 2 hours in their 2025 classes.  Then on Tuesday Dec 10th, they will transition for the whole day. 

We had a lot of fun dressing up as pirates today to support the Fred Hollows Foundation.  I commend Otto Carrucan for instigating this initiative in a well written letter to the Principal. $185 was raised for the Foundation.

This weekend marks the beginning of Advent, a time when Christians around the world focus on deepening their relationship with God. There are 4 weeks in Advent, the first being the week of HOPE.  We light a purple candle during prayer times. 

Olga Lyons

FROM THE RE LEADER - ELIZA DWYER

SCHOOL FEES

A reminder that school fees are to be finalised by the end of November.  Please contact Shae Smith to organise a periodic payment plan if your account cannot be settled in full.  The 2025 fee structure will be sent home in a letter in coming weeks. 

VOLUNTEERS FOR COMMITTEE POSITIONS

Fundraising is an important part of belonging to a school community.  The funds are used to compliment the acquisition of resources and to support activities that directly benefit your children. 

The introduction of Time in Lieu for teachers and the escalating cost of buses/fuel has had a huge impact on the cost of excursions and camps.  If the actual cost of teacher replacements and buses were passed onto parents, many parents would not be in a position to send their children on camps.  We value the benefit of camps and want these unique experiences to continue at St Patrick's. Fundraising is the only way we can subsidise these activities moving forward.

Of course, fundraising doesn't just happen!  Committees and events need key people to drive them.  The parents who have generously been instrumental in doing these roles in the past now have their children in the senior classes and will soon be leaving our school. We need parents from the junior classes to consider how they can make a major contribution to the school, while these parents are still here to mentor them.

Our previous calls for suitable volunteers to step forward have not been successful.  Therefore, we are offering a considerable discount from school fees for parents who are willing and able to take on the following roles. A role description of these roles will be available by emailing the principals - principal@spportfairy.catholic.edu.au

1. Parents and Friends President

2. Folk Festival Committee President

3. Folk Festival BBQ Site Manager

If there are a couple of parents who would like to share a role, the discount will be split between them. 

2025 YEAR LEVEL PARENT REPRESENTATIVES

We are looking for parents to nominate to be year level Parent Liaisons for each class. The role involves communicating information and coordinating class events or get togethers to build community.  If you would like to nominate for this role in your child's classroom please email the principal - principal@spportfairy.catholic.edu.au

WEEK 8 AWARDS

The following students will be presented with their award at tomorrow's assembly.

Give Yourself to Goodness: Millie Leddin 

Foundation: Maxim White, Finn Doolan

Year 1: Molly Sheehan, Alexia White

Year 2: Lucas Porter

Year 3: Margot Oswin, Jack Willoughby, Emma Winter

Year 4: Nelly Parkinson, Matilda Brian, Conor Sheehan, Harvey Lambert

Year 5: Angus Down, Patrick Hayes, Kitty Tate

Year 6: Ben Mirtschin, Rosie Currer, Royce Sheehan, Alex Robertson

SWIMMING LESSONS - FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29

CDFPAY NEWS - NEW APP IN 2025!!!

CALLING ALL LIBRARY BOOKS

All library books need to be returned to the library by the end of November.  Please hunt around the house and send them back.  No borrowing will be happening in December.  

FOODSHARE DRIVE - PLEASE HELP

SCHOOL TV - WELLBEING

"Confidence and motivation are two critical ingredients for young people's success. Supporting your child to help nurture these qualities allows them to believe in their abilities and navigate life's challenges with resilience and a positive outlook."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

CHRISTMAS CAROLS

SCHOOL DATES - 2024

HOST A JAPANESE STUDENT

LIBRARY SHELVING

Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to assist in shelving borrowed books in our Library. You have been rostered on for a week but we only expect you to come in for a short time and later in the week is best.

Week of 25/11/2024 - Mick Pickett

Week of 02/12/2024 - Leearna Moloney

SPORTING SCHOOLS

Today was the last session for Sporting Schools for 2025!

COMMUNITY NEWS

Carols by the Bluestone

PFCS are hosting Carols by the Bluestone on Friday, December 6th, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. The event will feature food vendors on-site, and all you need to do is bring a picnic rug and enjoy the Christmas carols performed by Mick Ferguson, PFCS classes, the PFCS & St Patrick’s choir groups, and other local artists.

For more information, visit our Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/ATRSxuv1ihz6JX2P/. Be sure to click "Going" as we’ll be posting regular updates there.

CAVE HILL CREEK - SUMMER CAMPS

We’re thrilled to announce that registrations for Summer Camp 2025 are now open! Your child may be familiar with our school programs, but the adventure and excitement does not stop there. Our Cave Hill Creek Summer Camp program offers more than twelve exciting activities – including archery, raft building and we’ve added a thrilling new vertical challenge.

Summer Camp is the perfect opportunity to kick those post school camp blues by bringing along a friend or sibling and exploring everything Cave Hill Creek has to offer!

Our program, designed for children aged 8-14, is filled with activities they already love, plus some exciting new additions!

Camp Dates for 2025:

• Camp #31: Monday, January 6 – Friday, January 10
• Camp #32: Monday, January 13 – Friday, January 17
• Camp #33: Monday, January 20 – Friday, January 24

Pricing:

• Single child: $1,099
• 2nd sibling: $879
• 3rd+ sibling: $769

We’re also introducing a new program for teens aged 14-15! Our Summer Camp-Out program offers an exciting opportunity for teens to challenge themselves with new adventures like hiking, exploring, and expanding their outdoor skills.

Summer Camp-Out Dates:

• Monday, January 13 – Friday, January 17, 2025 (Spots are filling fast!)
• Pricing: $1,549 per participant

 We’d love to see your students return to Cave Hill Creek for another thrilling adventure. To reserve a spot, click here.