Dear Parents,

Over the last week you would have received communication from our governing body, DOSCEL, that Anna Viney and I have been seconded to St Catherine’s in Berwick next year.   Whilst this is a situation that none of us predicted occurring several months ago, it has eventuated on the back of the wonderful efforts from all of the staff at St Patrick’s over the last few years.  DOSCEL do not take these decisions lightly and they are very confident in Meg Escalante (Acting Principal 2022) and the leaders at St Patrick’s to continue to move the school forward.

Personally, I leave at the end of the year with a heavy heart, it is not a decision that came easy to me when I was approached about St Catherine’s.  I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at St Patrick’s. It is a wonderful school and I will miss everyone, particularly the students.  Leaving is made easier however, when you know that the person replacing you is exceptionally capable and will do a great job leading the school.  Meg and the leadership team will be very successful in 2022. 

A Message from Anna Viney

As Simon has mentioned earlier in the newsletter, I am leaving St Pat’s at the end of 2021. This is a secondment for 12 months and I will be going to St Catherine’s and assuming the Deputy Principal role.

It is a time of very mixed emotions for me. I cherish the opportunity to take up new challenges so that is very exciting. It is a bigger school and will present many new learning opportunities.

On the flip side, I have been at St Pat’s for 20 years and as a specialist I have got to know all the children in the school and many families. It has been a very rewarding experience and an honour to have taught the amazing students at St. Pat’s. The relationships I have with the children, staff and parents was the factor that weighed most heavily when making the decision to take up this new position.

St. Patrick’s is in very capable hands under the leadership of Meg and she is supported by some amazing middle leaders, who I have no doubt will step up and do a sterling job.

I wish to thank you all for your support over the years but mostly for having the honour of being involved in the education of your children.

Warmest Regards

Anna Viney

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 or email office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au

Staggered Return Dates

Parents would be aware that the roadmap for students returning to school was adjusted recently.  The table below outlines the next few weeks.  We thank all families for your cooperation with the staggered return.

Please note that when your child’s year level returns to school there will not be a remote learning program operating at the same time. Essentially, we cannot teach two different programs at once. Therefore, when your child’s grade is scheduled to be onsite the expectation is that the children are at school.  If your child’s grade is not rostered on to be at school your child will be remote learning at home, unless they are one of the very few children who meet the essential worker criteria to be onsite.

Uniforms

We understand that as students return for the last few weeks of the school uniforms may not fit as well as hoped and it is difficult to purchase uniforms at the moment.  We ask that parents are very respectful of our uniform policy and that students wear the uniform with pride, however, we understand that there may be some items that cannot be purchased.

Hats

Please remember that as we enter Term 4 it is compulsory for the students to be wearing hats when outside.

The following COVID Restrictions remain in place when anyone visits the school site;

• Initially, to ensure the safety of children, parents will have to drop their children at the black gates (staff will be on duty) and cannot enter the school. As restrictions ease we hope that this requirement will as well.
• Student Masks – As per Government regulations all students in Grades 3-6 are required to wear a mask whilst indoors (unless you have an exemption). Masks are encouraged for students in Grades P-2.
• Adult Masks – Masks are required to be worn by parents at all times when in the school.
• Both carparks will be open for drop off and pick up.
• Please communicate with staff via phone or email.
• The Office is physically closed to all but essential visitors, however, contact can be made by phone 5943-9000 or email office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au  
• 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.
• 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.
• COVID Exposure Sites – We ask that families please keep abreast of the COVID Exposure Site list and follow the Government requirements. If you have been exposed and are required to quarantine please contact the school.
• 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.  It is our preference that they gain a medical clearance or negative COVID test before they return to school.

Remote Learning / Onsite Restrictions

If your child’s grade is not rostered on to be at school your child will be remote learning at home, unless they are one of the very few children who meet the following criteria to be onsite.  

• Children where both parents and or carers are considered authorised workers who cannot work from home, work for an authorised provider and where no other supervision arrangements can be made.
• Where there are two parents/carers, both must be authorised workers, working outside the home in order for their children to be eligible for on-site provision.
• For single parents/carers, the authorised worker must be working outside the home in order for their children to be eligible for on-site provision.
• Children experiencing vulnerability, including: in out-of-home care, deemed vulnerable by a government agency, funded family or family violence service, and assessed as requiring education and care outside the family home
• Identified by a school or early childhood service as vulnerable, (including via referral from a government agency, or funded family or family violence service, homeless or youth justice service or mental health or other health service)
• Where a parent/carer indicates that a student with a disability is vulnerable because they cannot learn from home, and/or informs the school the student is vulnerable due to family stress.

If you are one of the few families who meet the above criteria you must complete your Intention to Send Your Child(ren) to St Patrick’s Primary form. This will enable us to ensure that we have sufficient staff on duty to supervise students in attendance.

Classroom Google Meets operate between 9.30-11.30am and 1.00-2.00pm each day.  Once again, all work will be uploaded to Google Classroom.  If you have any questions about this, please contact your child(ren’s) classroom teacher.  We ask that parents remain within the vicinity of where their children are on the Google Meets and that parents please support their children to submit the required tasks for each learning area, including specialists.

Please note; due to the added children and staff onsite over the next couple of weeks Wednesdays will no longer remain as an allocated Specialist Day.  Your child’s grade will complete their specialist lessons when it fits within their timetable.  Wednesdays will still have Google Meets (when not onsite), but they will be facilitated by your child’s classroom teacher.

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 or email office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au

Sacraments

As mentioned last week the Parish is still awaiting the easing of restrictions before new dates can be organised for any of the Sacraments.   Noleen Chalmers (REL) will inform families of the new dates once they have been arranged.  If you have any questions please email Noleen noleen@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au

Reimbursement for Activities Not Undertaken / Fee Assistance

Currently we have rescheduled many activities that have been missed throughout the year for this term.  At this stage we remain hopeful that they will go ahead.  If they cannot proceed parents will be reimbursed the cost.  If you are experiencing difficulties due to the pandemic please contact Fil at the Office for a confidential discussion regarding fees.

Regards,

Simon