Dear Parents,

We received some fantastic news on Tuesday that the school has been successful through the Australian Government Capital Grants Program in receiving one million dollars of funds to put towards our refurbishment project.  This is a huge bonus for St Pat’s as it will allow us to refurbish the B Block (Middle building), upgrade the E Block (Junior Building) and then allow us to remove the portables and improve play areas. 

Behind the scenes work has been progressing over the last 18 months, we are in a position where we can go to tender shortly. Hopefully the build will commence towards the end of Term One next year.  Having so many portables onsite at the moment does have one advantage, we will have enough adequate spaces to move the children whilst work is underway. 

On behalf of the whole school community I thank the Australian Government Capital Grants Program, and DOSCEL for their assistance with the project.  This is very exciting for the school and will mean that that the students at St Pat’s will learn in contemporary, state of the art facilities that support the pedagogy.

COVID

Please continue to watch for symptoms with your children and get them tested if necessary.  If your child does return a positive result we ask that you contact the school asap.  The rules have changed regarding a positive case within the school and students will no longer be required to isolate for 14 days if they are a school close contact.  They will now need to provide a negative test to return to school.  Household close contacts will still be required to isolate for 14 days.

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

First Communion takes place this weekend at 6pm on Saturday and 10.30am Sunday.  Confirmation will be on Saturday the 4^th of December at 3pm and Reconciliation will be Tuesday 30th November at 7pm and Wednesday 1st December at 7pm.    Noleen Chalmers has been contacting Confirmation Candidates families to outline the vaccination compliance rules that need to be adhered to.

Parent Access

Parents are now welcome to enter the school grounds without the need to QR on your way in.  Please remain outside the classrooms and do not enter the buildings.  If you are coming for a pre-arranged appointment please sign in and QR code at the Office.  Masks are required to be worn by parents at all times when indoors at school.

Dropping Off in the Morning

A reminder that students are not to be at school before 8.30am as they are not supervised.  Anyone early needs to remain with their children until a staff member opens the gates.

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 all children return onsite next week;

• Parents are now welcome to enter the school grounds without the need to QR on your way in. Please remain outside the classrooms and do not enter the buildings.  If you are coming for a pre-arranged appointment please sign in and QR code at the Office.
• 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 indoors at school.
• Please communicate with staff via phone or email.
• The Office is open, however, if it is not essential please contact via 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.
• 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.

Reimbursement for Activities Not Undertaken / Fee Assistance

As we work our way through the remainder of the activities between now and the end of the year the school will calculate any differences in the costing and reimburse parents where appropriate.  If you are experiencing difficulties due to the pandemic please contact Fil at the Office for a confidential discussion regarding fees.

Regards,

Simon