"That they may all be one, as you Father, are in me and I am in you"
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- 4AT's Class Newsletter
- A Message from Mrs Escalante
- Birthdays !
- DATES TO REMEMBER!
- Year 2 Biographies
- Year 3 Excursion: ScienceWorks
- 2025 Year 6 Jumpers - Order Now
- Rotary Public Speaking
- SchoolTV
- Scholastic Book Club
- School Uniform
- SiMON Everywhere
- PAM
- Contact and Medical Details
- 2025 Foundation Enrolments
- Paddy's Kitchen
- Living Learning Pakenham - Homework Club
- Free Community Event
Newsletter Thursday 31st October
We the staff of St Patrick’s acknowledge the traditional owners, the Kulin nations, of the land on which we learn and play.
We pay respects to the Aboriginal Elders, past and present, who are our teachers.
We thank them for taking care of children and country for countless generations.
WELCOME TO 4AT’s NEWSLETTER
Can you believe it…we are almost at the halfway mark of Term 4?
4AT has been very busy working on many exciting things. So far, our Inquiry unit on Africa has certainly been a hit with the students. They have each chosen an African country and are busy writing an informational report highlighting things such as the country’s flag, landscape, climatic zone, animals, plants and population to name just a few. They will be presenting their work to the class at the end of the term. Whilst preparing their reports, our students have had an amazing opportunity to learn about African Drumming. A lot of fun was had by all the students.
Another highlight has been finding a spot to lay down in the classroom, closing their eyes and just listening to Miss White or Mrs Jamieson reading the book ‘A Long Walk to Water’, a true story set in South Sudan. This has sparked many lively and fruitful conversations resulting in them wanting to stay at school until we have finished the book!!!!!
This term, we are connecting our Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and our RE unit to the Life and Mission of Jesus. Our morning prayer song, ‘Called to be Saints’ is a special time in 4AT. It is wonderful to see the class come together in song and dance.
We have spent the last couple of weeks learning about Carlo Acutis - our first millennial saint and the Patron Saint of the Internet. Students were able to relate to the Blessed Carlo Acutis as he was very much into his video games and the internet as well as soccer, yet he was able to find ways to connect to Jesus and God, support those in need and design a website about Eucharistic Miracles, which he completed just before he passed at the age of 16.
The next few weeks are going to be busy for us! House athletics is coming up next Thursday and we are going to be excitedly preparing for our Jesse Tree Assembly on the 3rd of December.
Finally, a big congratulations to all of 4AT. We are excited to mention that they are all now official holders of their Pen Licence. What a buzz this has created in the classroom over the last couple of weeks!
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark
This is the first commandment, and the second is similar to it.
One of the scribes came up to Jesus and put a question to him, ‘Which is the first of all the commandments?’ Jesus replied, ‘This is the first: Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You must love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.’ The scribe said to him, ‘Well spoken, Master; what you have said is true: that he is one and there is no other. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself, this is far more important than any holocaust or sacrifice.’ Jesus, seeing how wisely he had spoken, said, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And after that no one dared to question him anymore.
Dear Parents, Carers and Guardians,
The Gospel of the Week tells us when we are committed to love, we are not far from the kingdom of God. It's like the open door to the kingdom. Our need for love sometimes brings us to darker places and selfishness, so we need the help of God that love be purified and so bring us closer and closer to the sincerity and purity of love in God's kingdom.
This Gospel also means that He addresses the call to deny yourself and take up your cross to all believers, not just Christian leaders. Some are called to a life of ministry. Some are called to sacrifice their lives for God's kingdom. But all of us are called to give up our worldly lives and dedicate ourselves to Christ.
And this can be done in so many ways. It can be going out of our way to help someone in need, recognise and acknowledge someone’s pain and anxiety; cook a meal for friends or family or simply ask, how are you? I am here for you. None of these are hard. And for the most part, things like this do not cost us anything other than some time. And if we have made a difference in small actions like this..doesn’t that make it all worth it?
Today our Year 3 students had their Fun Day, which does not end until 7pm tonight! The students have had a wonderful day filled with so many activities. These include learning a cultural dance, participating in an Amazing Race, watching a magic show, some classroom games, Virtual Reality games, Giant ball and an obstacle course. And for dinner, PIZZA!!! Thank you to Tresa Andrews, Dez Orchard and Trish Gibson for their efforts in getting this fantastic event organised!
In staffing news, at the end of the year, we will be farewelling Alex Taylor, one of St Patrick’s incredible office administration assistants. Alex has only been with us for a few years; however, it is fair to say that she has had a wonderful impact on the school in her short time. Alex has initiated many new things in the school, including the colour fun run and her warmth and dedication to the students and families at our school is incredible. Alex is going to be moving into a world of travel and completing further study. I would like to take the time to acknowledge the many contributions that Alex has given to our community of St Patrick’s. She will be missed terribly but we absolutely wish her well for the future that lies ahead for her!
Tomorrow is a PUPIL FREE DAY, and therefore students are not required to come to school and Monday 4th November is a Time in Lieu Day and Tuesday is a PUBLIC HOLIDAY for all staff, so students will return to school on Wednesday the 6th November.
God Bless
Meg
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!
Nem 5RM, Sophie 4JD and Mark 6JP !
| DATE | ACTIVITY |
| 31/10/2024 | Year 1 Excursion: LegoLand |
| 31/10/2024 | Year 3 Fun Day |
| 01/11/2024 | Student Free Day |
| 04/11/2024 | Student Free Day |
| 05/11/2024 | Student Free Day |
| 06/11/2024 | Foundation Incursion: Splash's |
| 06/11/2024 | Foundation - Year 2 Incursion: House Athletics |
| 07/11/2024 | Year 3-6 Excursion: House Athletics |
| 08/11/2024 | Year 2 Excursion: Old Gippstown |
| 08/11/2024 | Year 5 Incursion: UPP Leadership |
| 11/11/2024 | Year 6 Camp Parent Information Night @ 6:00pm |
| 11/11/2024 - 22/11/2024 | Foundation and Year 1 Swimming Lessons |
| 26/11/2024 - 29/11/2024 | Year 6 Camp: Coonawarra |
| 05/12/2024 | Year 4 Excursion: ACMI |
| 10/12/2024 | Junior End of Year Awards @ 9:15am |
| 11/12/2024 | Senior End of year Awards @ 9:15am |
| 11/12/2024 | Year 6 Excursion: Clip n Climb |
| 12/12/2024 | Christmas Concert @ 5:00pm |
| 16/12/2024 | Year 6 Graduation @ 6:00pm |
| 17/12/2-24 | Last Day of Term - Early Finish @ 2:30pm |
Year Level Camp/ Fun Day Dates:
| DATE | YEAR LEVEL | ACTIVITY & LOCATION |
| 31/10/2024 | 3 | Fun Day - St Patrick's Primary |
| 29/04/2024 - 01/05/2024 | 4 | Camp - Phillip Island |
| 29/07/2024 - 31/07/2024 | 5 | Camp - Kryal Castle |
| 26/11/2024 - 29/11/2024 | 6 | Camp - Coonawarra Farm Resort |
TERM DATES 2024
| First Day | Last Day | |
| Term 1 | 31st January | 28th March |
| Term 2 | 16th April | 28th June |
| Term 3 | 15th July | 20th September |
| Term 4 | 7th October | 18th December |
2024 PUPIL FREE DAYS AND SCHOOL CLOSURE DAYS:
The 4 Pupil Free days ensure that we can manage our commitment for all staff to continue to provide activities such as school camps for our students.
Please note, these dates are separate from our 8 Staff Professional Development days. Those 8 days are for our staff professional learning which will focus on Religious Education, Learning and Teaching and Student Wellbeing.
| 29/01/2024 | School Closure Day |
| 30/01/2024 | School Closure Day |
| 01/03/2024 | School Closure Day |
| 15/04/2024 | School Closure Day |
| 26/04/2024 | Pupil Free Day |
| 19/08/2024 | Pupil Free Day |
| 20/08/2024 | School Closure Day |
| 01/11/2023 | School Closure Day |
| 04/11/2024 | Pupil Free Day |
| 18/12/2024 | School Closure Day |
| 19/12/2024 | School Closure Day |
| 20/12/2024 | Pupil Free Day |
This week the Year 2's are working on writing Biographies. To do this they interviewed Mrs Escalante and Mrs Ward.
The Year 6 jumpers for 2025 can now be ordered on CDF-Pay. All orders must be completed by THIS FRIDAY.
We have sample sizes in the office and you are welcome to come in with your child to try them on before purchasing.
SPECIAL REPORT: Navigating AI Relationships
Despite governments globally moving towards raising the minimum age for social media access due to mounting concerns about the negative effects on youth mental health and wellbeing, there's now an even newer challenge on the horizon - the rise of romantic and companion AI bots. These virtual companions are becoming increasingly popular with young people, raising serious questions about privacy, ethics, and the future of relationships in the digital age.
The rise of AI-powered relationships is offering a new frontier in human interaction. Initially emerging in the gaming world, AI companionship has evolved into mainstream culture, with apps providing personalised experiences that range from platonic friendships to romantic encounters. These interactions can blur the boundaries between real and virtual relationships, creating confusion and potential psychological harm.
Criminologists warn that children as young as 12 are accessing dating apps, often bypassing age restrictions, exposing them to sexual content and predatory behaviour. Researchers have also found that many adolescents are turning to virtual partners for validation, risking unhealthy emotional attachments that can affect real-life relationships.
As AI reshapes social dynamics, it's crucial to stay informed and engaged. While AI can enhance education and creativity, it also presents challenges around privacy, mental health, and misinformation.This Special Report will help you foster an open dialogue and balanced approach to help young people navigate this evolving digital landscape.
Here is the link to your Special Report https://stppakenham.catholic.
The Scholastic Book Club catalogue has been sent home with students. If you would like to purchase anything from this catalogue please do so before Friday 1st November. All orders must be made through LOOP, you can find the log in link below.
I am asking please that all students, in particular our Senior school, to be wearing our proper School Uniform this final term. It is important that we still maintain a high standard of uniform and not use Term 4 as an excuse to become complacent about what we wear to school.
I will continue to ask all students to be wearing proper school shoes and uniform right up until the end of the year. I understand that students are growing constantly, however they will continue to grow for many more years and so I cannot always accept this as an excuse. We must remember that many students are adhering to the correct standards of school uniform and therefore, it is important that the students and their families please respect this. Secondary schools do not accept poor uniform standards.
If finance is a concern when it comes to uniform, please speak to your classroom teacher. St Patrick’s has a very good second-hand uniform shop that you can top up your child’s uniform with. It is a third of the price you would pay at the normal uniform shop, and the money goes straight back to the school.
SiMON Everywhere is an app our school uses to acces PAM and CDF Pay. We will be sending reminders through this app, as such please download and sign in. There is a guide below for your reference. If you are having any issues please contact Alex Taylor in the school office ataylor@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au
Have you logged into your PAM account yet!
We use PAM as our main form of communication. All emails, Student Attendance, Sick Bay notes, School Reports, commonly used forms, excursion/camp permission notes and Family Learning conversations, will all be communicated via PAM.
Access PAM via this link Link to PAM
PAM - Parent Access Module
PAM (Parent Access Module) is our Parent to School communication platform. PAM will provide real time access to keep parents updated with their children’s progress, important dates and messages. Relevant resources – calendar events, student reports, parent notified absences, absence data and sick bay notes will all be accessed via PAM.
Parents will be able to easily book Parent Teacher interviews through PAM, and access teacher email addresses.
PAM accounts are linked via your email address that we have in our systems.
If you have recently changed your email, please call or email us on office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au
Click on the 'forget password' link to set your password and then verify your email address. (Email addresses must be verified for PAM to work properly). Once your email is verified, your email can be used as the username for your account.
Once you have successfully logged in, you can save PAM to your homescreen on your device.
If you have any issues or need help with PAM please contact the school via email, office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au
PAM Instructions
Parent Notified Absences via PAM
Once you have PAM set up and saved to your home screen you can easily send in Parent Notified absences. Please use this platform going forward as this automatically syncs with the class roll. This will fix the issues of receiving SMS notifications even though you had already notified the school.
Please remember to update your contact details and any relevant medical details for your child.
Most medical profiles have now been updated. Please remember to keep them up to date and upload any asthma/allergy plans that may be relevant.
To update any contact details please contact the school office.
If you have a younger sibling ready to begin school 2025, please come and collect an enrolment form from the office. All new children to the school, need their own separate enrolment form. You do not need to take a formal school tour. Please come in or contact the office on 5943 9000 or office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au
If your child/ren ARE NOT returning to St Patrick’s in 2025, this also needs to be put into writing for to the school. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
