Principal's Newsletter
Newsletter Thursday 1st February, 2024
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.
Mark 6:7-13
'Take nothing with you'
Jesus made a tour round the villages, teaching. Then he summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs giving them authority over the unclean spirits. And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses. They were to wear sandals but, he added, ‘Do not take a spare tunic.’ And he said to them, ‘If you enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district. And if any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, as you walk away shake off the dust from under your feet as a sign to them.’ So they set off to preach repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.
Dear Parents, Carers and Guardians,
Welcome back to the 2024 school year! The students of St Patrick’s began yesterday, and it was incredibly heartwarming to see the excitement on our students’ faces as they enter another year of schooling.
For our year 6's, this is the FIRST of many LASTS! And the last of many firsts. Yesterday was the last, first day of their time in primary school; a fact that many pondered when I visited them yesterday.
For our Foundation students, it was new and nervous beginnings. However, the morning began well and by the time we reached 9.30, there were no tears!
I would like to thank my staff for the incredible preparation they have put in over the school holidays and this week. We are ready to conquer this year!
I will be reminding students about the importance in wearing our school uniform with pride and to wear the appropriate coloured socks and the correct shoes. Students MUST wear proper school shoes to school, and they can bring their runners to school to change into. Jewellery must be minimal and no make up or nail polish. Hair must be kept neat and tidy and tied up if below the shoulders. I will be asking the staff to be vigilant with this as we instil in our students’, a sense of pride in representing St Patrick’s out in the public arena.
Please also make sure that if your child suffers from Asthma, we need UPDATED ASTHMA PLANS and if we do not receive this as soon as possible, your child may be at risk of not being able to attend school if we do not receive the necessary and most recent paperwork. This is about the safety of our students and is our duty of care.
I am also calling out to both new and existing parents to help bring back to life our Parents and Friends committee, better known as P and F. The many experiences that your children have at school is due to the work of the P and F and these include the Mother’s and Father’s day stalls, Icy Pole Day, Popcorn Wednesday’s and hot food days. Currently we have 1 parent on this committee! This unfortunately means that all these things we would like to do for the students, sadly will not happen as there are not enough people to help. The P and F does not ask a lot of parents. It is a few hours here and there and is a great way of meeting other families and being involved in the community of St Patrick’s. Research tells us, the more involved you are with your child’s school, the more engaged they will want to be with school life. I urge any parents-mums and dads who can spare a few hours, even behind the scenes, to come on board and support a great cause.
If you would like to be involved please contact the school office.
Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
Take care and God Bless,
Meg