Principal's message - 17th November
Newsletter Thursday 17th November, 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.
Luke 6:27-38
Love your enemies
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I say this to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly. To the man who slaps you on one cheek, present the other cheek too; to the man who takes your cloak from you, do not refuse your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your property back from the man who robs you. Treat others as you would like them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks can you expect? For even sinners do that much. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. Instead, love your enemies and do good, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’
Good afternoon Parents/carers and guardians,
Once again this week we welcomed back our new 2023 Foundation students for a 2 hour transition. The students had the opportunity to enjoy some time on the playground and to also have their mornng snack. Next week, they will be coming in for their final transition where they will meet their teacher for next year.
This week our refurbishment of the E Block is being completed and next Monday the 21st November, our junior grades will move back into the E block.
Then, our year 3 and 4 grades and one year 5 grade will then move into the portables for the remainder of the year. Most of these grades will remain there until May 2023 when the B Block is expected to be completed.
A big weekend for the school and parish this weekend as we have the Bunnings BBQ run by our P and F on Saturday morning in Pakenham and on Sunday, the Parish is running their Market Day to help raise much needed funds for the building of the new church. There are many people behind the scenes who organise for these events to occur, I would love to see as many families as possible come, visit and show their support.
Take care and God Bless
Meg
Staffing 2023
This week, I am also announcing that Ms Ines Mintoff has accepted a classroom teaching position at St Ita’s Catholic PS in Drouin. Ines has been a staff member of St Patrick’s for 6 years and has been part of the Foundation team for the last 2 years. I would like to thank Ines for her dedication and support she has shown to the students of St Patrick’s and we wish her all the very best in her new school.
SAVE THE DATE
Grade 6 graduation and time Thursday the 15th December 5-7pm. More details to follow.
Religious Education
Foundation Transition/Second Hand Uniform Shop
The next transition session will be held Thursday the 24th November from 9.30-11.30. The students will stay and have their morning snack and enjoy a separate playtime.
The second-hand uniform shop will be open during the Foundation Transition for the 2023 Foundation families only.
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. Families will be asked to gather from 5pm onwards with a picnic to share with each other. Please ensure you are wearing all your Christmas finest. The concert will begin at 5.30pm.
In the event of bad weather, the concert will be moved to the stadium.
New NOONE uniform shop now open!
We are delighted to announce that the new Noone Officer store is open. Please find attached the location map and information flyer. Our school uniform will be available at this location from this date going forward. I encourage you to go and visit the store and have a look anytime you are free.
Attached for your convenience the new student fitting letter for the 2023 new students. This letter has the direct link to their online booking calendar for parents to make an appointment for a uniform fitting at the new Officer store.
Noone offers a Layby system where no deposit needs to be paid. The process is that the uniform is stored away until you are ready to collect it and when you do, you do not have to pay for all of the items at once. For e.g. You set aside 5 pieces of uniform in December and when you collect in January, you may only want 3 items and these are the items you pay for and the other 2 are kept aside for you.
Pick up and Drop off of students-The Avenue
Please ensure that you are NOT dropping your children off until you reach the area where that is supervised by teaching staff. Some parents/carers/guardians are dropping their children off and allowing them to walk across a busy carpark and this is not safe.
Please think carefully and sensibly for the sake of all our students. Staff will not hesitate to approach parents if we feel that there is dangerous behaviour going on. We will not risk our students’ safety.
Families leaving St Patrick’s at the end of the year
As we continue to plan for 2023, any families who will NOT be returning to St Patrick’s next year are to notify the school in writing via email office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au
Thank you to the parents who have put in their requests for 2023. Please note, the timeframe for this is now closed and I will not be accepting any more requests for 2023 classroom placements.
Bunnings BBQ
The Parents and Friends will be hosting a Bunnings BBQ this Saturday the 19th November from 9-4 pm. This week I sent out an SOS for parent support. Thanks to those who have volunteered. Thank you for helping to promote our wonderful school!
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 teacher’s directly when ringing through to the school office. The teachers are in with the students and therefore staff cannot attend to phone calls to 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.
COVID Update
With the new requirements coming through from the State Government, if your child/ren has Covid, they need to remain at home for a period of at least 5 days. it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that they remain at home after 5 days, if symptoms persist in order to minimise the spread of the infection amongst the other students and staff. I ask all parents to please be considerate of all families in our community and not willingly send an infected child to school. Please note that I will have no hesitation in sending a child home that is showing symptoms of any kind.
It is strongly recommended that students:
- Who test positive to COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five (5) days;
- Should not attend school after (five) 5 days if still symptomatic;
- Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school until their
symptoms resolve;
- Parents, guardians or carers advise the school of the COVID-19 positive test result.
To assist with limiting the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses, parents, guardians and carers
should be strongly encouraged to ensure that their child(ren) remain at home if they are unwell,
including if they have tested positive to COVID-19.