Dear Parents,

Anzac Day is celebrated every year on the 25^th April. This is a day we hold special in our hearts where we take the time to thank the brave women and men who fought in wars gone past. Last year, many families gathered to remember this special time in their driveways. Thankfully this year, a small but important group of ex-service

men and their families were able to march to the Shrine of Remembrance and to reflect upon the sacrifices made so we can enjoy the freedoms of today.

I believe that days such as this are important to discuss with our children about why we celebrate events like Anzac Day. Nothing in life comes easily. We need to work hard, be brave and take risks. We ride out the highs and lows that life sends our way and become stronger and better people for it.   

Staff Professional Development

This week, Tuesday the 27^th of April, St Patrick’s staff underwent professional development in Sexuality Education in the Catholic School. This was a fantastic opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of the new aspect of the Religious Education Curriculum the teachers will be delivering to the students.

It also has assisted the classroom teachers in their forward planning and to ensure a clear and sensible approach to this topic.

The teachers also took part in a Webinar on Essential Assessment. Essential Assessment is “A smart and differentiated online assessment and curriculum model that diagnostically assesses each student and provides them with aligned curriculum to grow each students’ knowledge from their current understanding.” This program allows for teachers to really hone in on where the students are at in terms of their Literacy and Numeracy skills.

School Assemblies-Friday 2.30-3.00pm PLEASE NOTE NEW TIME

We welcome the resumption of school Assemblies this week where we can gather as a school. Due to COVID restrictions, parents are unable to attend the assemblies in person, however you will be able to join us online and to watch the Assembly from work or home. In order to join online, please click on the following link Link for Assembly  and your request will be accepted by the school.

There will be a different link each week as we are allowing external parties into the Google Meet. Having a different link each week means we can monitor them and keep our Google Meets safe.

Tomorrow, Friday the 30^th April, our Social Justice Leaders Sophie Langen, Kody McLaren, Deng Ngeu and Phoebe Aivaliotis, will be presenting to the school some video clips around Anti-Bullying. These clips will be accompanied by questions that will be discussed after each clip is shown. These students in grade 6 have been a pleasure to work with and they have been very enthusiastic in getting this project together.

This week, the Social Justice Leaders have also been selling Anzac Day badges to our school Community. We thank them for their work in promoting this.

First Holy Communion

This weekend marks the beginning of our First Holy Communion masses. The masses take place over several weekends. These dates are as follows:

Saturday 1^st and Sunday 2^nd May

Saturday 8^th and Sunday 9^th May

Saturday 15^th and Sunday 16^th May

Saturday 22^nd and Sunday 23^rd May

Saturday the 29^th and Sunday the 30^th May.

The Saturday masses are 6-7pm and the Sunday masses are 10.30-11.30am

Families are advised to be at the church at least 20 minutes before the masses begin so the ceremony can begin on time.

District Cross Country- Friday 7^th May

This will be held next Friday at Toomuc Reserve. Spectators are welcome but must abide by social distancing rules and must NOT enter the course or school’s area at any time.

The area designated is on the east side of the junior football oval (creek side).

Be aware that there is NO SHELTER.

Parking is available on the west side of the main oval. NO PARKING at the junior oval or Athletics track.

Staffing News-Tutor Learning Program

The Tutor Learning Program is a $250m initiative that will support Victorian Government schools and non-government schools to support learning following the period of remote and flexible learning. A level of funding will be provided in the 2021 school year to all Catholic Victorian primary and secondary schools, including specialist schools. Funding is to be allocated exclusively to tutor staffing.

Anna Viney and myself are currently conducting interviews to employ a new teacher who will be coming on board our staff as part of this program. We hope to appoint someone in the coming weeks and they will be working alongside classroom teachers to plan and support our students.

Jennifer White, one of our current Education Support Officers has also been employed as a tutor and she will be working with our grade 5 teachers and students. Jen has been an employee, as well as former parent of our school, for many years and she is currently undertaking her teaching degree. Jen has been working with students from different year levels in the Levelled Literacy Intervention (LLI) program. She will continue in this role as well.

Carparking

The Avenue carpark continues to is be very congested and does not cope well with parents parking and walking into the school.  If you are wanting to park and come onto the grounds, it is our preference that you please use the Church Carpark.

We ask parents to be good role models to their children and to display common sense and safety when moving through the car parks both at the beginning and end of the day.

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 only use the equipment provided at school ensures that we can adhere to COVID safe cleaning requirements.

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.

Important Dates for Your Diary

• First Communion Masses will run each weekend in May-see dates above.
• Friday 7^th May - District Cross Country
• Friday 7^th May- Grade 1 excursion to Healesville Sanctuary
• 11^th-21^st May – NAPLAN.
• Thursday 10^th -Friday 11^th June Grade 3 camp
• 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 have now been distributed to all families.  Included in these fee statements are the camp levies.  Please contact Fil at office@stppakenham.catholic.edu if you have any issues or concerns.

Regards,

Meg and Anna