Dear Parents

On Sunday as a family we will be celebrating my father’s 80^th birthday.  I phoned him the other day and was ribbing him about what it feels like to be 80 years young.  He responded with the following; “I said to your mother what happened to that 80 years!?”   

Dad’s response caused me to reflect upon my family, my eldest son turned 13 yesterday and the years have just flown by.  If the next 13 years pass bye as quickly he will be 26 in the blink of an eye!  Our children are only young once and we will never have this precious time with them again.  We can give our children whatever material gifts we like, but the very best gift we can give them is our time. 

Over the upcoming holiday period I would encourage you to take time with your children, enjoy their company and have fun.  These opportunities will be gone before we know it.

A huge thanks to the staff for the effort they have put in again this term.  It has been very challenging for them at times with ever changing restrictions. We are very blessed to have the dedicated and committed staff we have here at St Pat’s.

On behalf of all of the staff I would like to take this opportunity to thank all families for your assistance and support throughout the term.  Unfortunately, it has again been interrupted by COVID lockdowns.  I hope all families have a very safe and happy holiday.

A reminder that school concludes tomorrow at 2.10pm.   School resumes for the students on Tuesday the 13^th of July.

2022 Enrolments

If you know of anyone looking to enrol their child at St Pat’s for 2022 please encourage them to contact the school Office on 5943-9000 to book a tour.

COVID Restrictions

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

• Masks are required to be worn by parents at all times when in the school.
• 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 ask to gain a medical clearance or negative COVID test before they return to school.
• Bubble taps are operational at school.
• An ample amount of sports equipment will be provided at school so we ask that students do not bring equipment from home.

Casual Clothes Day – Tomorrow, Friday 25^th, Last Day of Term

Students can wear casual clothes tomorrow, Friday the 25^th, if they bring a gold coin donation for the Parents and Friends Committee to put towards their fundraising efforts.  A reminder that school concludes at 2.10pm on this day.

Assembly

Please note that there will not be an assembly this week due to it being the last day of term.

Reports / Family Learning Conversations

Reports will be distributed to families tomorrow.  Family Learning Conversations (previously Parent / Teacher Interviews) will take place on Tuesday the 20^th and Wednesday the 21^st of July (Week 2 Term 3).   Due to restrictions they will be conducted as a Google Meet, however, parents will still be required to book a time by logging on to schoolinterviews.com.au ( Link ) and use code j9fyd.  Bookings are now open.  The Google Meet code will then be sent to you by the teachers on Monday the 19^th July.

These appointments are with classroom teachers only. If you would like to speak with the STEM, Japanese or PE teacher, please email them directly:

PE             Louise Breeden   lbreeden@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au

STEM         ICT Team                 ICT@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au

Japanese    Liz Ashcroft             lashcroft@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au

Our Music Teacher, Jane Baxter is currently on leave, but if you would like to speak to her please email jbaxter@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au and she will get back to you when she returns from leave.

If you have any further inquiries, please contact your classroom teacher by email.

Sacraments

The dates for the Sacraments are as follows;

First Communion for those that missed out due to lockdown.

• Saturday 17^th July at 6pm
• Sunday 25^th July at 10.30am

Confirmation:  Parent Only workshop Thursday 22^nd July at 7pm

Further information is available in the RE section of this newsletter.

Term Three School Closure Day – Monday the 12^th July

Please note that the Term Three School Closure Day is Monday the 12^th of July which is the first day of Term Three.   School resumes for the students at St Pat’s on Tuesday the 13^th of July.

 Important Dates for Your Diary

• Friday 25^th June – Term Two concludes 2.10pm / Reports distributed.
• Monday 12^th July – School Closure Day.
• Tuesday 13^th July - Students Return.
• Wednesday 14^th Thursday 15^th Friday 16^th July - Grade 4 Camp CYC Phillip Island
• Tuesday 20^th / Wednesday 21^st July – Family Learning Conversations
• Wednesday 4^th Thursday 5^th Friday 6^th August – Grade 5 Camp Sovereign Hill Ballarat

Regards,

Simon