IMPORTANT!

At the time of publishing this newsletter we are on the verge of another statewide lockdown.  At this stage we do not have any other details, so please keep an eye on your emails, PAM and the SZapp for any updates.  This afternoon your children have brought home their pencil cases, and a book in preparation of an official lockdown announcement.

We thank you for understanding and patience during this difficult time. 

Dear Parents

Welcome back as we commence Term Three!  I hope that all families enjoyed a relaxing holiday and are looking forward to the term ahead. 

Yesterday our Grade 4 students travelled to Phillip Island for their camp.  They are having a fantastic time and it is wonderful that they have the opportunity to get away and enjoy time together. They were exceptionally excited as they departed. 

At this stage we are planning for all camps and excursions to continue, however, we remain at the mercy of COVID restrictions.  Let’s hope that these do not have to change as the term progresses and the children get to enjoy the activities.

Reports / Family Learning Conversations

Reports were distributed to families on the last day of Term Two. I hope that you have taken the time to read these reports as they will be discussed further at the Family Learning Conversations (previously Parent / Teacher Interviews) next week on Tuesday the 20^th and Wednesday the 21^st of July.   It is essential that you take the time to attend these meetings as strong lines of communication between home and school are important for your child’s development.

Due to restrictions the FLC’s will be conducted as a Google Meet, however, parents will still be required to book a time using the following booking information; Log on to schoolinterviews.com.au ( Link ) and use code j9fyd.  The Google Meet code will then be sent to you by the teachers on Monday the 19^th.

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.

Assembly

Assembly will be at 2.30pm this Friday.  Parents are welcome to join us via the following link   Click to view assembly

Staffing News

Over the holiday period Mrs Jane Baxter (Music) resigned due to personal reasons.  On behalf of everyone I thank Jane for all of her efforts at St Patrick’s over the years and wish her all the very best for the future.

We are currently advertising for a music teacher. The music program I will continue being covered by a CRT teacher until a suitable replacement is organised.

Sacraments

The dates for the Sacraments are as follows;

Communion
Saturday, 17th July @ 6:00pm

Sunday, 25th July @ 10:30 am

Confirmation

Thursday 22nd July @ 7pm  - Parent Workshop, compulsory for 1 parent to attend.  No children!

Saturday, 21st August @ 2:00pm & 6:00pm.

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 wear a mask and 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 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.

Important Dates for Your Diary 

• 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

The Grade 4 Students are having a wonderful time on Camp.  They went for a walk to the beach today and are enjoying a lovely, sunny, winters day.  

Book club catalogue's went home this week!   Orders are due in by Friday 5th August.   All orders must be done on line via the scholastic web site.  

Please see the flyer below for instructions on how to order.   Cash payments will not be accepted!

SIMON -  a Learning Management Software solution for schools.

St Patrick’s Primary school is now using SIMON in the classroom to keep track of your child’s progress and learning as well as attendance.  SIMON will also be used for School Reports and Student Wellbeing.

Access PAM via this link   Link to PAM 

PAM, SIMON’s Parent Access Module

PAM (Parent Access Module) is our new 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. 

Parents would have received an email from noreply@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au on Friday 5th March that contains instructions and a link for them to click on.  Please check your JUNK or SPAM mailbox if you do not receive this email.  PAM accounts are linked via your email address that we have in our systems.  If you have recently changed your email or you can not find the email sent on Friday please call or email us on office@stppakenham.cathlic.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

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. 

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM 2021

Sacrament Dates for 2021

Confirmation

An email went out to all Grade 6 students in regards to Confirmation.  All children wishing to take part must be enrol via the Parish website.  The first part of the process is a Parent Only workshop on Thursday 22nd July at 7pm in the Parish Hall. 

Link to Parish

Copy of letter sent to all Grade 6 Students.

Confirmation - Grade 6 Students

22nd July - Parent Workshop - 7pm

21st August 2pm and 6pm - Confirmation Masses

Reconciliation - Grade 3 Students

14th October - Parent Workshop

20th and 21st October - Reconciliation 

Have you installed the new SZapp?   

Skoolbag is no longer being used, install SZapp now! 

 Follow the installation guide below to install the new app on your smart devices.  

Operoo is still our main platform for communication!  All correspondence will continue to go via the Operoo email platform.  In most cases it will be in Operoo that you will first be notified of any upcoming excursions or events.  Most of these events must first be approved before they appear on any calendar.  

Please remember to update any details in Operoo, for example change of address or phone number,  this will send us a message that your details have changed and we are then able to update our database.

Don't forget to upload your child's hayfever letters including symptoms specific to your child!

If you have any problems using Operoo, please call into the school office preferably on a Monday, Thursday or Friday and we will be able to help you.  

Events coming up early next term that you will need to give permission for!

Girls Footy

Gr5 and Gr6 Winter Sports

Gr 5 Camp

Gr 2 Excursion (TBC)

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. 

Click on the link below to access PAM.

 Link to PAM 

Please remember to update your contact details and any relevant medical details for your child.  

This can be either done via Operoo or contacting the school office. 

Paddy's Kitchen's purpose is to make a difference in people's lives, by providing a fresh, nutritious meal in a friendly environment.  Paddy's Kitchen serves every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month from St Patrick's Pakenham, Parish hall.  Dinner at 6pm 

www.stpatrickspakenham.com.au/paddys-kitchen