Dear Parents,

This Sunday we celebrate Mother’s Day. A day that for many, is held closely in their hearts. Let us take the time to remember those mums who are no longer with us, those we are separated from or those who are unwell. We thank all the mums everywhere for the unending and unconditional love they show to their children. We pray that God will continue to bless and protect them each and every day.

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

Whole School Assemblies began last week and we congratulate all our Grade 6 captains who led the Assembly last week. They are to be congratulated on their wonderful efforts.

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 Click here to join 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 link each week means we can monitor them and keep our Google Meets safe.

This week's assembly is devoted to Music. 4 SM will be performing after having done a really good job on their class ensemble of "Brolga Song". This piece of music tells of the Aboriginal beliefs around life after death. The students played xylophones and guitars - unfortunately students were unable to participate in the singing of this song due to ongoing restrictions around singing in schools, but they produced an excellent instrumental ensemble instead.

First Holy Communion

Our First Holy Communion masses continue this weekend. Noleen Chalmers, our RE Leader, reported how wonderful the masses were last weekend and the sermons by both Fr Janeesh and Fr Paul were most relevant to the children. Please continue to pray for those students whose First Communion is coming up in the next few weeks. Thank you

The masses take place over several weekends. These dates are as follows:

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- TOMORROW Friday 7^th May

This will be held this 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 and myself are pleased to announce that we have employed a teacher, Miss Claire Henry. Claire will be beginning with us on Monday 17^th May. Please make Claire feel welcome when you meet her.

Grade One excursion tomorrow Friday the 7^th May

The Grade 1 children will be travelling to Healesville Sanctuary, which will enhance there classroom learning of Australian animals and their habitats and life cycles.  All the children are very excited to be going and we remind you to please have them at school by 8.45am. The children will also need to bring their snack and lunch, with a water bottle, in a small backpack.   They will be carrying these bags with them all day so please make them light and labelled with the child's name.  Healesville Sanctuary also promotes recycling and 'nude' (package free) lunch's.  Therefore there are no bins around the Sanctuary and children will be bringing any rubbish home with them.   They will return to School by 3.00pm.  Please do not send them if they are feeling unwell! 

Car parking –THE AVENUE- Important information

The Avenue car park continues to be a source of frustration for many parents. I ask ALL parents to please obey the NO RIGHT TURN sign that is located at the exit to The Avenue car park. There is a reason this sign is there because anyone turning right is holding up traffic in the already congested car park. Parents turning right are causing unnecessary frustration for others doing the right thing. I ask please for everyone to be considerate during the busy morning and afternoon peak times.

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 and asked to obtain a medical clearance or negative COVID test before they return to school. 
• 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