Dear Parents,

If you have ever heard a footy player interviewed one of the many clichés they like to use is ‘we will just worry about what we can control.’  Whilst footy players are essentially told what to say in their interviews the message within this cliché is relevant to us at the moment.

Living within the midst of a pandemic means that we cannot control a lot of what is happening to us.  We have no say in the restrictions and what impact these have on our everyday life.  What we can control, however, is how we react to them.

It is no secret that Lockdown 6.0 has been particularly challenging and for our children and at times it can feel very overwhelming.  As the key adults in our children’s lives we need to help frame their thinking. Allow your children to share their concerns with you and together talk them through.  Discuss in an age appropriate manner what the realities of the pandemic are.  This will help validate their thinking, and importantly, ensure that any information they receive about their worries comes from a reliable source. 

Let them know that this will not last for ever, that even though they are locked down they are learning, that they are gaining skills learning online that will be beneficial to them in the future and that the restrictions are allowing them to be home with their family and be safe.  Importantly, remind them, that whilst it may not feel like at the moment, this will not last forever. Even though there is control over our movements at the moment, what we can control is how we react to the situation.

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.

2022 Parent Requests

The process of planning for 2022 has begun.  As per last year any parents who have any special requests will need to put them in writing and email them to office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au by Monday the 11^th of October. 

Please note that requests from last year, or any other previous year, will not be considered as circumstances change.  We are blessed at St Patrick’s to have a professional and committed staff that plan together to ensure that the same learning opportunities are afforded to the students regardless of what class they are in, so please do not request individual teachers.

All requests will be given the appropriate consideration; however it is not a guarantee.

First Communion and Confirmation

The Parish is still awaiting the easing of restrictions before new dates can be organised for 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

Remote Learning / Onsite Restrictions

Again, I remind families that to restrict movement and keep us all as safe as we can strict requirements are in place for students to attend school.   The school will be open for the very few students of essential workers who meet the following criteria;

• 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 need to send your child(ren) to school, you must have completed your intention to send your child(ren) to St Patrick’s Primary form that was distributed to families supported by your essential worker permit form. This will enable us to ensure that we have sufficient staff on duty to supervise students in attendance.

Please note that if you choose to send your child(ren) to school, your child(ren) will be supervised whilst undertaking the Remote Schooling program which has been designed by our school.  As such, your child will be undertaking the same program as those children learning at home.

Classroom Google Meets operating between 9.30-11.30am and 1.00-3.00pm each day.  On Wednesday the Specialist Google Meets will continue as they have been. 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.

In addition, I wish to advise you that your child(ren)’s teacher will not be supervising your child(ren) on-site, but will continue to support your child through the Remote Schooling program as previously advised to you.

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

• Masks are required to be worn by parents at all times when in the school.
• The limited number of children at school must be dropped off and collected from the Church carline.
• 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.
• 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.

Regards,

Simon

Please read the article below in regards to talking to children about COVID.

Things are hard right now and if you need to talk about it or would just like to read some information on how to look after ourselves and our children, the following services will help you and articles will help you. 

PSG Meetings.

This term and going forward we will be booking our PSG meetings via PAM.  If you haven't already can you please create your PAM account so you are ready when the meetings are open for booking.  This will be in the coming week!

If any families are struggling at this time and would like to reach out for a chat or support please contact Meg Escalante, our Wellbeing officer, via email on mescalante@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au. 

You can also visit the Be You website which has contact numbers for you to call. 

Last Friday we invited the children to attend their Google Meetings in their pyjamas as a way to brighten up the day in remote learning!   This was very well received and lots of children attended the Google meets in their PJ's.  Even the children onsite and some staff dressed for the occasion. 

Below are some photos from the day.  

The Grade 4 students have been busy during remote learning and below is a sample of the work they have been doing. 

Mr. Blueberry

Dear Emily,

I’d hate to break it to you, but it is totally impossible for a whale to live in a measly old pond.

Firstly, don’t you think a whale would be too big for a pond? And plus, where would the whale food be?? And honestly, if you want to see whales so much, maybe ask your parents to live in a beach house for the next school holidays!

Furthermore, whales live in saltwater, not pond water! Don’t you think it would be extremely suspicious that a whale could live in pond water?? And whales also migrate quite often (in the spring and summer), and  it’s nearly spring, where would they migrate to??

Lastly, what do you think would happen if your whale stays there forever? If you keep your “whale” there forever, you would eventually see it die. You don’t want that to happen, am I right? If it’s out in the wild, it wouldn’t die as quickly.

I still don’t think there’s a whale in your pond. I’m not convinced whatsoever.

   Mr. Blueberry

P.S Whatever you do, DO NOT think that I’m convinced that there is a “whale” in your pond. It’s most probably an oversized blue goldfish. Feed it fish food. NOT whale food.

A single mother had a farm once upon a time

Money was tight she never seen a bunch of sunny times

But her son named jack brought her joy so she did claim that

That boy always saw the sunny side

He was too young to be strung with the money side

He do the chores then explore in the summertime

But after while all the food that they stored in the barn

And the cellar started running dry and mama said

There’s a famine in the field

It ain’t growing any wheat even tho I’m sowing seeds

You gotta take the cow to the market in the town

Sell her for a nice price so the both of us can eat

Jack said okay mom I’ll hit the town, don’t worry bout it

You know I hate it when you frown, and I know the route

I’m bout to sell her for the best price so don’t ya doubt it

I ain’t been a baby for minute I done quit the pouting

He hit the road in the morning it was partly cloudy

Towed Bessie with no stressin a couple miles I’m guessing

He saw a man ahead and thought the cow would impress him

He asked: you wanna buy, response: how much you selling

Then Jack said what you got, the stranger said I got a couple beans on me

Jack said beans for a cow? What you mean homie?

Dude said these are like something you’ve never seen brodie

It ain’t a scheme they’re worth way more than the steed

Jack said a steed’s a horse but I’ll agree to ya

He took the beans and hit the road but when he

Showed up to show his mama, he couldn’t calm her

Cause he sold the whole cow for legumes

She called him a fool, he said I thought that they were worth more

Mama what was I supposed to do

Then that’s when she dropped the beans out the window

With thoughts of sympathy feeling for Jack

Who was sitting chin in  hand

She said since you too young to know the difference

From winning and getting swindled

We both‘ll be missing dinner again

She said I’ll focus on getting food tomorrow just go to bed I’ll follow

We’ll get some sleep if we can

Little did they notice the magic beans were growing

And little stalks were showing and starting to spring from the land

Until the morning they rise and to their shock and surprise it’s a beanstalk

Going straight up into the skies you can’t see the top

Then Jack says I’m about to climb it see where it lead

If there’s fortune then ima find it better believe

His mama worried but she let him go

And it was real easy to climb so he let her know

Ready to make her proud he headed up in the clouds and

Got to the top and he saw a fairy that told him slow up cuz

There was a giant ahead big and defiant she said

He terrifying the land

He stay up in the castle, it’s gon be a hassle but we need someone to roust him

Maybe you might be the man

He got three items he stole, a chicken laying gold

In fact you can probably take it, then hit the treasure trove with the choice jewels

That’s your goal and then after that the giant got a whole magic harp that you control with your voice too

Puff of smoke and she left but she spoke tough

Jack finessed into the castle on some joke stuff

Giant’s wife made him help around the kitchen til

The giant stormed in yelling Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum

I can smell there’s a Englishman present

I’m trying eat him, ima dip his feet in ranch dressing

His wife ain’t wanna say where jack was hiding at, she blamed the smell on the food

Tryna keep her man guessing

The giant focused in on his plate killed the steak

Then the hen on the table laid a egg for the one time

He took a nap, Jack noticed the mistake

Minute later, it was him and the hen in the sunshine

Straight down the stalk like a fire pole

Jack showed his mama the chicken that lay entire gold eggs

She said you brave but what about the giant tho

Cut down the beanstalk so he can’t follow you to yo bed

Jack considered the warning, but fresh in the morning

That boy was back in the sky up to spectacular heights

The giants wife said you look just like that rascally spy

Jack had a fake beard, he said I’m not that little guy

He infiltrated, then waited til the giant walked in

To clean his plate and was sated then his wife brought in

Bags of money so the boy could count the racks up

He passed out after that because he napped tough

Jack knew the drill snatched and grabbed a couple bags and bailed

Took a shortcut down the stairs on the handle rail

Straight out the castle giant’s wife chasin on his tail

But he rode the dog and easily got too far to fail

Back on the ground he presented the gold bags

Then asked if he could go back and go grab the magic

Harp with a ruse that’s more elaborate

His mama said if you do it it’s your last one

After she said yes he put on a red dress

He was a master of the methods of finessing ways in

Killing time waiting, set some rooms straight and

Help make some beds, felt like he was workin at the Days Inn

Giant showed up, Fi to the Fo Fum

Ain’t nothing changed Jack was hidden but he smelled his blood still

Wifey said hush I’m just cooking lunch

Sit down and chill with the harp while I prepare the next meal

Giant passed out, Jack dashed out

Snatched the harp and would’ve been gone in a flash

But unluckily the magic harp could call his master

So jack had nothing to do but book it faster

He made it over the wall into the grass and

All the way to the ground and asked mama for his ax

He had to race to stop the giant from attacking he

Swung the thang back gave the stalk a couple whacks and

With a mighty splash the giant fell from the beanstalk into the lake and did not resurface

Dear Mrs. Tanner, 

I think I would be your best class pet ever! Hi I’m a praying mantis and I have reasons why I should be your classroom pet. 

Firstly I could be really educational for your students , for example they could take notes of how I grow. 

Secondly my lifespan is one year which is a whole school year!

Thirdly, I'm not an expensive pet! I cost $25 to set up and I'm only $10 per month.

These are my reasons why I should be your class pet.

By Olivia

Virtual Active Club e-challenge

I hope everyone is remembering to keep their daily tally!!!  

As we are missing out on Active Club in the morning and it seems many are struggling to be active, I have set up an e-challenge. It will also be linked into an online challenge where we have the opportunity to win sports equipment. Results have to be submitted online by Sept 10th, so I will be sending out a form to students prior to that so they can submit their final results. 

At the moment, children are being asked to keep a personal record of their walking or running. For your reference, I have attached the document for which they have a copy. It has details of the event and how they might record their results. 

STAY ACTIVE!!

Mrs Breeden

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM 2021

Sacrament Dates for 2021

Confirmation - Grade 6 Students

21st August 2pm and 6pm - Confirmation Masses - postponed

Reconciliation - Grade 3 Students

14th October - Parent Workshop

20th and 21st October - Reconciliation 

Have you set up your PAM account yet!

From the start of 2022 PAM will be 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.  

A new app (SimonEverywhere) will soon be available to download to allow easy acces to PAM but for now please save the PAM log on screen to the home page of your device or bookmark it in your browser.  

Access PAM via this link   Link to PAM 

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.

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. 

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.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

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.  

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

The medical profile section of PAM has also now been turned on.   Please update this at your convenience.  We will still be using Operoo for any medical issues until the end of this year but as of the start of next year we will be moving to PAM for all communication and medical needs. 

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.  

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.  

To all the families that ordered book's from the last catalogue, your orders have arrived and will be here waiting for you once we can return to school.

Thanks for all the support.  Every order helps and goes towards points to buy new books for our library.