Ms Gronek's Class Newsletter
Newsletter Thursday 1st June, 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.
Gospel
Matthew 5:13-19
Your light must shine in the sight of men
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.
‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.
‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.’
Welcome to FKG’s Newsletter!
In Foundation KG we have been very busy.
The students have adapted so well to our school routines and expectations. They have been showing such wonderful progress in their learning.
In Inquiry we have been learning about living and nonliving things. The students went for an exploration outside to find some living and nonliving things. They did a wonderful job explaining why something is living or nonliving. Here are some photos from our adventure outside.
We had some special visitors join us last week. ‘Henny Penny’ brought over some eggs so that we could watch them hatch. The students were able to experience the real life beginning of a chicken’s life cycle. Students were so excited to see the chicks hatch from the egg and watch them grow. They were very gentle looking after them. Here are some photos of the chicks enjoying their time with the students.
On Monday afternoon the Foundation students had a visitor, Scarlett from FGW’s mum, Yasmin Cohen taught our students about her Indigenous culture. She read a story and taught the students some Indigenous symbols. It was a wonderful learning experience.
Thank you and best wishes from FKG!
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.
Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
10 Implementation of the Child Safety Standards is regularly reviewed and improved
Minimum requirements
In complying with Child Safe Standard 10 an organisation must, at a minimum, ensure:
10.1 The organisation regularly reviews, evaluates and improves child safe practices.
10.2 Complaints, concerns and safety incidents are analysed to identify causes and systemic failures to inform continuous improvement.
10.3 The organisation reports on the findings of relevant reviews to staff and volunteers, community and families, and 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.