Principal's Newsletter
Newsletter Thursday 25th 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 17:20-26
Father, may they be completely one
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
‘Holy Father,
I pray not only for these,
but for those also
who through their words will believe in me.
May they all be one.
Father, may they be one in us,
as you are in me and I am in you,
so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave to me,
that they may be one as we are one.
With me in them and you in me,
may they be so completely one
that the world will realise that it was you who sent me
and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.
Father, I want those you have given me
to be with me where I am,
so that they may always see the glory you have given me
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Father, Righteous One,
the world has not known you,
but I have known you,
and these have known that you have sent me.
I have made your name known to them
and will continue to make it known,
so that the love with which you loved me may be in them,
and so that I may be in them.’
Dear Parents, Carers and Guardians,
We are officially halfway through Term 2 for 2023. A scary thought. It appears that time for some of us is fleeting. When I reflect on time and how important it is, I am always judging how much time I have to complete things by certain dates or what I can put off until a later date. The old expression, “Never leave to tomorrow what can be done today’, is on point; yet day after day as I write my list of jobs to do for the next day, I have done just that- left things that could and should have been ticked off.
I can’t help but feel that we need to remember that time and life is precious. Whilst we strive to reach our goals and dreams in this world and want our children to be given ample opportunities in life, let us not forget about the importance to stop once in a while and say to those around us, “I appreciate you’, ‘I thank you’ and of course ‘I love you.’
The gospel tells us God the Father loved Jesus right from the very foundation of our world. He knew the plan for his son. He knew that Jesus was the man that was going to have the time for those who needed him the most. Never forget those who need us. In times of joy and sadness, worry and pain, be like Jesus, and give people time and appreciate that time we have together.
Today our year 6's headed off to St Francis Xavier to see the production, The Wizard of Oz. What a fantastic day for them and a terrific opportunity to see some our ex-students in action, including the lead role of Dorothy played by Caitlin Burns.
Next week our year 5 students have an incursion with author Adam Wallace who will be talking to our students about different writing techniques and how he creates his drawings.
Next week, we also have some students attending the Cross-Country Division section. Those students are are Alek, Lewis and Owen. We wish these students the best of luck !
And it is always a pleasure to celebrate our ex-students. Please click on the link below to see the wonderful news about former St Patrick’s student Franco Lino
Take care and God Bless
Meg
Donations
In order to support our P and F committee, I am asking if there are families and businesses out there who are able to donate items that can be used for future raffles and in particular for our fete that is being held later this year. Not only is this a sign of goodwill and enhance a sense of community, but it will also be great opportunities for your own business to be highlighted at St Patrick’s. If you would like to donate items, please contact the office on 5943 9000 or email office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au
As always, we appreciate any help that is given to our beautiful school.
Social Media
Our school has started our own Facebook page where we highlight the amazing things out students do everyday at school. You can follow our page with the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087005542953
OPEN DAYS
We have our last Open Days for this term coming up. If you know any families looking at enrolling please invite them to come by our school between 9:30am - 2:00pm on the following day for a guided tour.
Tuesday 13th June
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
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 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.
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.