Principal's message - 15th of September
Newsletter Thursday 15th September 2022
We the staff of St Patrick’s acknowledge the traditional owners, the Kulin nations, of the land on which we learn and play.
We pay respects to the Aboriginal Elders, past and present, who are our teachers.
We thank them for taking care of children and country for countless generations.
Gospel of the day
John 19:25-27
'Woman, this is your son'
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, this is your son.’ Then to the disciple he said, ‘This is your mother.’ And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home.
Good afternoon Parents/carers and guardians,
Welcome to the final week of Term 3! Let us take a moment to reflect on the term we have had.
We have celebrated Father’s Day, Book Week-with a magical parade, our Grade 2 and 3 students went swimming for 2 weeks, footy dress up day and hot food, gymnastics lessons, Lightning Prem, Inter-School sports, Grade 5 camp to Sovereign Hill, Popcorn Wednesday’s, mass with our Parishioners and finally the Sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated.
An enormous thank you to the staff of St Patrick’s for their work this term. Staff have dealt with sickness either for themselves or within their own families, a shortage of staff at school, illness amongst the students and yet day after day, I see the staff coming through for one another. Doing extra yard duties, assisting casual relief teachers and of course the continued education and support of our students. I am filled with pride every time I take a new family through our school and introduce them to the staff and students. I ask for feedback from the students about why families should send their students here; and their answers include, because of the great education we get, we learn about respect, safety and co-operation, we make firm friendships here, the teachers care. Of course, this is absolute music to my ears!
Thanks also to our Parents and Friends committee for their dedication to our school when organising and creating fun activities for all. You are amazing!
I would like to finish my newsletter this term with a poem written by one of our grade 4 students. He has produced a piece of writing that all adults should take notice of. Our children’s voices need to be heard…
Peace is what we don't have enough of right now in this world.
War every day, people have to flee from their home,
but even the countries that start war somewhere inside deep down there’s love.
We just have so much hate we don't notice the love they have.
They try to stop but people don't hold back, they don't stop,
there's a choice between love and hate,
you either pull apart your love and your country or stop and create peace and teach those who stay and fight what's better,
Peace is something we need more of in this world.
Mason
Please take the time to be with each other these holidays and to just be…be in the moment and really be with each other. Put the phones down, turn off the radio, turn off the television, invite peace and love and Jesus into your hearts.
Take care and God Bless
Meg
Reminder: Today is the last day of school for the term.
School resumes on Tuesday the 4th October.
Today we saw our students’ true colours shine through-literally as they embraced the school dress up day. How wonderful to see them proclaim each of their footy teams as the best and to enjoy a pie and sausage roll to go with it. The simple things really are the best.
2023 Classroom placements
We are in the process of planning for 2023. If a parent/carer or guardian has a particular concern or question around their child/ren’s classroom placement for 2023, this will ONLY be accepted in writing to the principal@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au
PLEASE NOTE: This does not mean your child/ren will be granted the particular request. Creating classes is a long and complex process for the staff and all decisions are based on the learning and wellbeing of ALL our students.
The deadline for this communication is
Friday the 7th October 2022.
PREP ENROLMENTS 2023
If you have a child who is coming to school next year, please ensure the Enrolment Application form is completed at your earliest convenience.
Building Update
I had another site meeting yesterday and pleased to report that the E Block is well on track to be completed mid-November. The B Block will then begin their renovation. I have attached some photos of the E block as of yesterday.
School Toilets-Important
Just a reminder that NO adults-parents/carers or guardians are to be using the school toilets. This has enormous implications on child safety and any adults caught going into the toilet will be spoken to. Please do not put staff in this difficult position. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
Bunnings BBQ
The Parents and Friends will be hosting a Bunnings BBQ on Saturday the 19th November from 9-4 pm. They will be looking for parents to help man the stand for a 2-hour block at a time. Please think about supporting this wonderful initiative and help to bring more recognition to our wonderful school.
Christmas Concert
I am pleased to announce that St Patrick’s will be bringing the Christmas Concert back. This will be held on Thursday the 1st December and each grade will be performing. There will be more information to come so please keep the date free.
School Uniform Reminders
I would like to remind families please about the importance of wearing our school uniform with pride. I have noticed in the last few weeks that some students are not wearing the correct items and therefore this brings down the presentation of how we present as a school. If your child does not have the correct uniform to wear for a particular day, they must have a note to explain this and this note is to be handed to the teacher. I will be asking staff to follow up if there are still issues.
Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
Child Safe Standards
On July 1st, 2022, the Victorian Government has announced new Child Safe Standards. The eleven new standards will replace the original 7 and the principles underlying them. Each week in the newsletter, I will be placing a new standard in for parents, carers and guardians to look over. Please note that this is also a major focus for us at St Patrick’s and other DOSCEL schools.
What will be different?
Although similar to Victoria’s current Child Safe Standards, key changes include new requirements:
- to involve families and communities in organisations’ efforts to keep children and young people safe
- for a greater focus on safety for Aboriginal children and young people
- to manage the risk of child abuse in online environments
- in relation to governance, systems and processes to keep children and young people safe.
In complying with Child Safe Standard 9 an organisation must, at a minimum, ensure:
9.1 Staff and volunteers identify and mitigate risks in the online and physical environments without compromising a child’s right to privacy, access to information, social connections and learning opportunities.
9.2 The online environment is used in accordance with the organisation’s Code of Conduct and Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy and practices.
9.3 Risk management plans consider risks posed by organisational setting, activities and the physical environment.
9.4 Organisations that contract facilities and services from third parties have procurement policies that ensure the safety of children and young people.
SunSmart policy
We have been a SunSmart school for over 15 years now and are proud of the message we continue to reinforce and model effective sun smart behaviours. Our policy states:
The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation can’t be seen or felt. Whatever the weather, it’s important for people of all skin types to use sun protection whenever UV levels are three or higher.
Too much of the sun’s UV can cause sunburn, skin and eye damage and skin cancer. UV damage accumulated during childhood and adolescence is strongly associated with an increased risk of skin cancer in later life.
By teaching sensible sun protection habits from an early age and implementing sun protection measures, schools can play a significant role in reducing skin cancer risk.
Working closely with SunSmart Victoria and The Cancer Council, St Patrick’s will be requiring all students and staff to wear an appropriate hat from the 1st of August until the 30th of April.
TERM 3 School Closure Day-Last day of term Friday the 16th September.
On this day, the staff of St Patrick’s will be participating in a RE Professional Development day that is focused on the Inquiry approach to Religion. What this means for our students is when teachers are preparing Religious Education lessons for the students, the scripture that is used, is chosen carefully in order to ensure that the messages coming through, are relevant to the issues facing our children in this modern world. It is about discussing how Jesus approached His life and His interactions with others and how we can apply this to our own lives and learn from the situation.
No Right Turn Sign-The Avenue carpark
For those parents using The Avenue car park for drop off and pick up, you will notice a new NO RIGHT TURN sign at the exit of the carpark. This means that traffic exiting The Avenue car park MUST TURN LEFT. Please ensure you are doing the right thing. You are role models for your children and disobeying road rules is not a message that should be relayed to them.
Preteens Youth Group Grades 4, 5 and 6 students-DIVINE-FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN
St Patrick’s and St Clare’s along with the Parish is setting up the Pre-teens youth group. See the flyer below for the dates and contact numbers if you are interested. This is an excellent opportunity to get to know new people and to have time to discuss your faith whilst having fun and sharing some food and soft drinks. SEE FLYER BELOW.
Notifying the School of an Absence-IMPORTANT
Due to the increase in students not being at school, the office is taking several hours each day to chase up each absent student. I ask all parents to either use PAM or to contact the office directly to let them know that your child/ren will not be at school that day. We have a legal responsibility to know where the students are every day.
Parents please also note, that you are not able to talk to the teachers directly when ringing through to the school office. The teachers are in with the students and therefore staff cannot attend to phone calls from parents. If you wish to pass on a message to a teacher, please email them or ring the school office and ask the office staff to pass on the message to the teacher. Thank you.
