Principal's Newsletter

Newsletter Thursday 16th March, 2023

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 11:14-23

Know that the kingdom of God has overtaken you

Jesus was casting out a devil and it was dumb; but when the devil had gone out the dumb man spoke, and the people were amazed. But some of them said, ‘It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that he casts out devils.’ Others asked him, as a test, for a sign from heaven; but, knowing what they were thinking, he said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses. So too with Satan: if he is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? – since you assert that it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils. Now if it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils, through whom do your own experts cast them out? Let them be your judges then. But if it is through the finger of God that I cast out devils, then know that the kingdom of God has overtaken you. So long as a strong man fully armed guards his own palace, his goods are undisturbed; but when someone stronger than he is attacks and defeats him, the stronger man takes away all the weapons he relied on and shares out his spoil.
‘He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.’

Dear Parents, Carers and Guardians,

Another big week as we finish off our Family Learning Conversations and our PSG meetings. It is so good to welcome parents back onsite for these meetings instead of staring at one another through a computer screen. Although the google meetings are still useful in some scenarios, I do believe that nothing beats the personal touch.

The Year three's continued their swimming this week and our Year 4's and Year 2's enjoyed wonderful incursions! Ask your students in year 2 if they liked the huntsman spider!!!

Now that we are well and truly into the school year, it is important to highlight some things to ensure the year continues to run smoothly for all of our students. Things such as getting your children to school on time is such an important thing. Students do not like being late. It upsets their morning routine and they miss out on the opportunity of gathering for prayer, the roll call and just being able to settle down with their peers and teacher and get ready for the day ahead.

I ask all parents to be mindful of not lingering too long after dropping off your child/ren. For some students this can cause enormous anxiety. Students understand very quickly that we all have a place to be or a job to do. The bell rings at 8.50am signalling the beginning of the school day. The roll is taken at 8.55am by the teachers.

The school gates will close at 8.55am. It is important to have the students begin their day promptly and without any interruptions.

Please remember the gates open at 8.30am so there is ample time to get your child/ren to school.

It is imperative that parents understand that we ensure that learning begins on time and that at St Patrick’s we wish to develop good habits early.

Any parents who are still in the school after 8.55am, will need to go through the office out to the carpark if the gates are not manned. Similarly, if your child/ren are running late and arriving after 8.55am onwards, will need to come through the school office.

Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Take care and God Bless

Meg

St Patrick’s Day celebrations

Saturday the 18th March - St Patrick’s Celebration with the Parish.

Come and join us at 6pm mass to celebrate our patron saint and then afterwards enjoy a pizza dinner with other families. Further information will be emailed out to you this week. Please contact the school via email by the Friday the 14^th of March at 4pm.

Understanding Victoria’s Child Safe Standards

The Child Safe Standards (the Standards) commenced in Victoria in January 2016. Since then, we have seen how the Standards have improved safety for children and young people.

Changes in 2022 and 2023 have made our Standards even stronger.

Since 1 July 2022, organisations^[1] covered by the Standards have to comply with 11 new Standards.

The 11 Standards set out minimum requirements and outline the actions organisations must take to keep children and young people safe.

Each week, there will be a new standard for you to read about.

The Standards provide more clarity for organisations and are more consistent with Standards in the rest of Australia.

The 11 Standards include specific 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.

Standard 2

Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.

In complying with Child Safe Standard 2 an organisation must, at a minimum, ensure:

2.1 The organisation makes a public commitment to child safety.

2.2 A child safe culture is championed and modelled at all levels of the organisation from the top down and bottom up.

2.3 Governance arrangements facilitate implementation of the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy at all levels.

2.4 A Code of Conduct provides guidelines for staff and volunteers on expected behavioural standards and responsibilities.

2.5 Risk management strategies focus on preventing, identifying and mitigating risks to children and young people.

2.6 Staff and volunteers understand their obligations on information sharing and record keeping.

School Uniforms

At St Patrick’s, it is important to highlight to students the message around respecting our school uniform. The uniform represents our school and is expected to be worn with pride. Please be aware that I will approach and ask students about their uniform and will follow up with parents if necessary.

Please write a note to your child/ren’s classroom teacher if there is an issue with the inform for a particular period of time.

Some reminders:

Socks- are to be ankle socks; white for girls and grey for boys
Students are to wear black shoes and NOT (black) runners. Runners may be brought to school for your child/ren to change into for the playtimes;
Girls are permitted to wear the school (Summer) dress or the school shirt and grey shorts
Boys wear the grey shorts in Summer and the long grey pants in Winter (they may choose to continue wearing the shorts.)
Sports uniform consists of the polo shirt with the school logo and the green track pants or green unisex shorts.
School sports jacket is optional in the cooler months.