Ms Anthony's Class Newsletter
Newsletter Thursday 4th May, 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.
John 13:16-20
Whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me
After he had washed the feet of his disciples, Jesus said to them:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
no servant is greater than his master,
no messenger is greater than the man who sent him.
‘Now that you know this, happiness will be yours if you behave accordingly. I am not speaking about all of you: I know the ones I have chosen; but what scripture says must be fulfilled: Someone who shares my table rebels against me.
‘I tell you this now, before it happens,
so that when it does happen
you may believe that I am He.
I tell you most solemnly,
whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me,
and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.’
Class 5SA’s Newsletter
In our Inquiry unit, we explored how animals adapt to their environment.
Structural, behavioural and physiological adaptations enable the animals to survive. We researched the type of adaptations shown by our chosen animal and created a presentation. As the experts’ persons, we presented our projects to the class sharing our information with others. It was an exciting learning experience and we learnt about many unfamiliar animals and their adaptations.
Here are some of our projects.
Have great week, from Class 5SA!
2024 Enrolments
If you have a child beginning at St Patrick’s next year, please come to the office and collect an enrolment form. If you know of any families living in our area and looking for a school, please tell them about us. If they wish to make an appointment to have a tour, they can contact the office on 5943 9000 or email us at office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au
Staffing Update
As I am sure you have no doubt been hearing in the news for the past few months, the Education sector in Australia is suffering an extreme shortage of teachers. And unfortunately, now, this has affected St Patrick’s. I am continuing to advertise for our grade 3 class whilst Mr Robin Direen remains on sick leave. The decision has been made to split his class for the next 2 weeks and for the students in his grade to go into Mrs Chalmers and Mrs Andrews grades.
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.
In complying with Child Safe Standard 7 an organisation must, at a minimum, ensure:
7.1 The organisation has an accessible, child-focused complaint handling policy which clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of leadership, staff and volunteers, approaches to dealing with different types of complaints, breaches of relevant policies or the Code of Conduct and obligations to act and report.
7.2 Effective complaint handling processes are understood by children and young people, families, staff and volunteers, and are culturally safe.
7.3 Complaints are taken seriously and responded to promptly and thoroughly.
7.4 The organisation has policies and procedures in place that address reporting of complaints and concerns to relevant authorities, whether or not the law requires reporting, and co-operates with law enforcement.
7.5 Reporting, privacy and employment law obligations are met.
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.