Dear Parents,

Yesterday we celebrated the Feast Day of St Patrick.  It is a wonderful opportunity for us each year to reflect upon St Patrick and what it means for us as a school to be named in his honour.  The Year Six Leaders performed a wonderful job travelling around to all of the grades presenting information on St Patrick that they had prepared.  All students participated in activities within their classrooms learning about St Patrick.

We also took the opportunity to celebrate what a wonderful school we have here.  Days such as St Patrick’s Day afford us the time to reflect upon, and give thanks, to everyone who sacrificed so much over the years to make St Pat’s what it is today.  The faith, forethought and sacrifice of so many Catholic leaders and parishioners many years ago can never be forgotten.

Given that we are celebrating St Patrick’s we took the opportunity during the week to ask some of our Foundation (Prep) students what it is that they like so much about the school.  Their answers are as follows;

"I like drawing and colouring." Angeth

"I like playing with my friends at school." Lachlan

"I really like to write and draw." Aluk

"I love to colour and draw with my friends." Jasmine

“I love helping my friends." Christopher

"I like going outside with my buddy and my brothers and I like playing with my friends". Lewis.

"I love all of my friends and I always make new friends." Hudson.

"You make new friends. It's fun to play." Mercy.

"I like the teachers. I like the kids." Vincent.

"I like eating lunch with my friends and playing." Zaidee.

"I like playing with my buddy and I'm learning how to play netball with her." Lincoln.

"I like colouring and I also like reading." Raine.

“I like seeing my buddy at school.”  Phoebe.

“I like doing my work.” Wani.

“I like making things in class.” Maddie.

“I like playing different games with my friends.” Flynn.

Crazy Dress Day for Easter Raffle – Tomorrow, March 19. Please Bring an Egg or Easter themed gift.

Students are able to come to school in Crazy Dress tomorrow if they bring an egg or Easter themed gift to donate for Easter Raffle.

Students will need to be sun smart, i.e. no shoestring singlet tops. If they have PE on Friday's they must be in clothes suitable to allow them to take part.  All students must wear closed toe, fitted shoes.  Please note that there is to be strictly no hair colour.  The Easter Raffle will be drawn on the last day of term for the students, Wednesday the 31^st of March.

Equipment from Home

Please note that there is an ample amount of sports equipment provided at school so we ask that students do not bring equipment or toys from home. Having students use only the equipment provided at school ensures that we can adhere to COVID safe cleaning requirements.

Pick Up and Drop Off

Again, I remind parents that whilst it is great that we now have the opportunity again to park cars in the carpark, you must walk over and collect your child.  For the safety of the students please do not call for your children to walk across to your car unaccompanied. 

Morning Bells and Gates and absences 

Our first bell in the morning goes at 8.50am.  This is to signal to the children to start heading to class and to prepare for face to face learning from 9.00am.  The roll is also taken at 9.00am.   To ensure we have the most accurate data and so absence SMS’s are not sent out by mistake, all the gates are shut at 8.55am.  If you arrive at school after 8.55am please bring your child around to the office so they can be signed in and then sent to class.  Then the roll will then be adjusted accordingly. 

If your child is to be absent or late please notify the school office, not the class teacher, via PAM (preferred option), Phone call, email or SZapp.  

2022 Foundation (Prep) Tours

We are currently taking Foundation enrolments and running 2022 Foundation (Prep) Tours by appointment.  If you know of anyone considering St Pat’s for their child please ask them to call the school Office on 5943-9000 and book a tour.

COVID Procedures

I remind parents that the following procedures are in place for the safety of all;

• Masks are not required to be worn by parents at all times when in the school, only in situations where you are unable to social distance.
• Parents wishing to come into the grounds to drop off or collect their children must scan the QR code on the way in and wait out the front of the classroom. Please do not enter the rooms and social distance whilst waiting.  You must limit your visit to less than 15 minutes, gates open at 3pm at the end of the day.
• Parents waiting for children in the pick-up lines need to ensure that their children know which carpark to go to.
• If you do park your car you must walk over and collect your child. Please do not call for your children to walk across to your car unaccompanied. 
• Meetings with staff are by appointment only. Any parent that is going to be in the school for more than 15 minutes needs to sign on and complete the COVID form at the Office.
• Please communicate with staff via phone or email.
• The Office is open if required, however, please observe the density limits (maximum of 6 people). It is preferable to phone or email if possible rather than come to the Office.
• All extra cleaning and hand hygiene that was in place is still being adhered to.
• Please do not send food items to share with others when it is your child’s birthday as they cannot be handed out.
• If your child is sick, or displaying symptoms, please keep them at home. Children that present as sick or displaying symptoms at school will be sent home.
• Bubble taps are operational at school.
• An ample amount of sports equipment is provided at school so we ask that students do not bring equipment and toys from home.

 Important Dates for Your Diary

• Wednesday 31^st March – Term One concludes for the students 3.10pm.
• Thursday 1^st of April – School Closure Day. No school for students.
• Monday 19^th of April – Term Two commences.
• Tuesday 27^th of April – School Closure Day. The staff are participating in a Diocesan RE Day.
• 11^th-21^st May – Naplan.
• Monday 14^th June – Queens Birthday. No school.
• Friday 25^th June – Term Two concludes / Reports distributed.

 Camp Dates 2021

• Year 3 – 10^th – 11^th  June Camp CYC Adanac, Yarra Junction.
• Year 4 – 14^th – 16^th July CYC The Island, Phillip Island.
• Year 5 – 4^th- 6^th August Sovereign Hill, Ballarat.
• Year 6 – 15^th – 19^th November Lady Northcote Camp, Glenmore.

 Fees

2021 Fees were distributed to all families on Tuesday.  Included in these fee statements were the camp levies.  Please contact Fil at office@stppakenham.catholic.edu if you have any issues or concerns.

Regards,

 Simon