"That they may all be one, as you Father, are in me and I am in you"
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Newsletter Thursday 6th October 2022
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.
Luke 11:5-13
Ask, and it will be given to you
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, “My friend, lend me three loaves, because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him”; and the man answers from inside the house, “Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up to give it you.” I tell you, if the man does not get up and give it him for friendship’s sake, persistence will be enough to make him get up and give his friend all he wants.
‘So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. What father among you would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake instead of a fish? Or hand him a scorpion if he asked for an egg? If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’
Good afternoon Parents/carers and guardians,
Welcome back to the school year and what is the final term of 2022! This is long term consisting of 12 weeks, so let’s work together to keep motivated! We have a very exciting term coming up as we look forward to the completion of the E block refurbishment and the commencement of works in the B block. We have excursions and camps to look forward to as well as the Grade 6 graduation and Christmas concert.
We also look forward to welcoming many new families and students to our wonderful community as we begin our Prep transitions and information nights!!! It is delightful to see the new preps coming through who are so excited to be preparing for their first school year.
Staff will also be completing school reports and planning for 2023 as we look to the new school year. Please be mindful of how busy this term will become as the weather heats up and both school and personal lives become busier as the festive season approaches. We all need downtime. Especially our children. Tine to stop and rest and recuperate.
New Vision, Mission and Value Statements:
Last term our Principal and Deputy Principals asked parents what values they wish to see within our school community. As a result of this we have created new Vision and Mission statements and school Values.
Vision Statement:
In the spirit of St Patrick, we are a Catholic community working together as one to inspire faith filled, lifelong learners.
Mission Statement:
As a Catholic school, we are called to teach the Catholic tradition, celebrate faith, promote educational excellence and to nurture the growth and wellbeing of all students.
Values:
At St Patrick’s we value respect, safety, cooperation, courage and resilience.
Stay warm and stay safe!
Take care and God Bless
Meg
Relegious Education:
Parish Renewal Program
This coming weekend is Week 1 - Program Launch for the Parish Renewal program.
Please take the time to read the promotional flyer plus the Program brochure below
School Closure Day
As a result of the implementation of the new teacher agreement, the union, along with the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited (DOSCEL), has determined that each year, the Monday before Melbourne Cup, all Primary and Secondary schools in the SALE Diocese will close. This means that teachers are not required to attend for duty and learning programs will not be offered to students.
Due to this announcement, it is necessary that we need to arrange a SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY on Friday 28th of October that will enable the teachers to complete the writing of school reports and preparing student portfolios. Students do not attend school on this day. I will be in touch with Camp Australia to discuss their arrangements for this day.
Families leaving St Patrick’s at the end of the year
As we continue to plan for 2023, any families who will NOT be returning to St Patrick’s next year are to notify the school in writing via email office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au
Book Fair
Book Fair is back !
The book fair will be in the Library again this year. Parents, carers, grandparents are welcome to come in with your child/ren to purchase any book/s.
Children will be sent home with a wish list soon. You can send cash with the child or go to the Lamont website www.lamontbooks.com.au and pay by credit card. This is optional if you can’t come to visit the book fair at school in person. Once the online payment portal is open for our school you will be notified.
If you have any questions please contact the office.
Below are the dates and time that the Libary is open for the book fair:
Monday 24th October: From 8:30 – 9:15am and 3:00 – 4:30pm
Tuesday 25th October: From 8:30 – 9:15am and 3:00 – 4:30pm
Wednesday 26th October: From 8:30 – 9:15am and 3:00 – 4:00pm
Thank you again for your support
2023 Classroom placements
We are in the process of planning for 2023. If a parent/carer or guardian has a particular concern or question around their child/ren’s classroom placement for 2023, this will ONLY be accepted in writing to the principal@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au
PLEASE NOTE: This does not mean your child/ren will be granted the particular request. Creating classes is a long and complex process for the staff and all decisions are based on the learning and wellbeing of ALL our students.
The deadline for this communication is Friday the 7th October 2022.
Bunnings BBQ
The Parents and Friends will be hosting a Bunnings BBQ on Saturday the 19th November from 9-4 pm. They will be looking for parents to help man the stand for a 2-hour block at a time. Please think about supporting this wonderful initiative and help to bring more recognition to our wonderful school.
Christmas Concert
I am pleased to announce that St Patrick’s will be bringing the Christmas Concert back. This will be held on Thursday the 1st December and each grade will be performing. There will be more information to come so please keep the date free.
School Uniform Reminders
I would like to remind families please about the importance of wearing our school uniform with pride. I have noticed in the last few weeks that some students are not wearing the correct items and therefore this brings down the presentation of how we present as a school. If your child/ren does not have the correct uniform to wear for a particular day, they must have a note to explain this and this note is to be handed to the teacher. I will be asking staff to follow up if there are still issues.
Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
Child Safe Standards
On July 1st, 2022, the Victorian Government has announced new Child Safe Standards. The eleven new standards will replace the original 7 and the principles underlying them. Each week in the newsletter, I will be placing a new standard in for parents, carers and guardians to look over. Please note that this is also a major focus for us at St Patrick’s and other DOSCEL schools.
What will be different?
Although similar to Victoria’s current Child Safe Standards, key changes include new requirements:
- to involve families and communities in organisations’ efforts to keep children and young people safe
- for a greater focus on safety for Aboriginal children and young people
- to manage the risk of child abuse in online environments
- in relation to governance, systems and processes to keep children and young people safe.
In complying with Child Safe Standard 10 an organisation must, at a minimum, ensure:
10.1 The organisation regularly reviews, evaluates and improves child safe practices.
10.2 Complaints, concerns and safety incidents are analysed to identify causes and systemic failures to inform continuous improvement.
10.3 The organisation reports on the findings of relevant reviews to staff and volunteers, community and families, and children and young people.
Notifying the School of an Absence - IMPORTANT
Due to the increase in students not being at school, the office is taking several hours each day to chase up each absent student. I ask all parents to either use PAM or to contact the office directly to let them know that your child/ren will not be at school that day. We have a legal responsibility to know where the students are every day.
Parents please also note, that you are not able to talk to the teacher’s directly when ringing through to the school office. The teachers are in with the students and therefore staff cannot attend to phone calls to parents. If you wish to pass on a message to a teacher, please email them or ring the school office and ask the office staff to pass on the message to the teacher. Thank you.
Preteens Youth Group Grades 4, 5 and 6 students - DIVINE FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN
St Patrick’s and St Clare’s along with the Parish is setting up the Pre-teens youth group. See the flyer below for the dates and contact numbers if you are interested. This is an excellent opportunity to get to know new people and to have time to discuss your faith whilst having fun and sharing some food and soft drinks. SEE FLYER BELOW.
COVIDSAFE MEASURES FOR SCHOOLS
Information for parents, guardians and carers
WATCH FOR SYMPTOMS
- If your child is unwell, even with mild COVID-19 symptoms, you must keep your child at home until their symptoms resolve and get your child tested with a PCR test (nose and throat swab) or complete a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT).
- If symptoms continue, your child should stay home and take another RAT or PCR test in 24 hours. If that test is also negative, your child may return to school if another diagnosis is confirmed (such as an underlying health condition or medication).
FACE MASKS
- Wearing a face mask can help protect you and those around you. Face masks stop droplets spreading when you talk, cough, sneeze and laugh, which lowers your chance of spreading or catching COVID-19.
- It is strongly recommended that face masks are worn indoors (noting that exceptions to the recommendation apply to circumstances when clear enunciation or visibility of the mouth is essential).
- Everyone aged eight (8) years or over must wear a face mask when travelling to and from school, on public transport, taxis or ride share vehicles, unless a lawful exemption applies. This includes when travelling to and from activities, school camps and excursions on school buses or via public transport.
- All students aged eight (8) years or older who are household or household-like close contacts attending a school will be required to wear a face mask indoors while at the school and while travelling to and from the school, unless an exception applies.
- Parents, guardians or carers who are COVID-19 positive who leave self-isolation to transport their child(ren) to or from school via a private vehicle must wear a face mask at all times and must adhere to other additional safety requirements.
VACCINATIONS
- As part of the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, all students aged five (5) and over are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Staff and students are strongly encouraged to ensure they keep up-to-date with all recommended and available COVID-19 vaccinations as they are considered the best way to protect individuals, families and school communities from the spread of COVID-19.
TESTING
- RAT kits will continue to be provided to all staff and students at no charge. Schools will inform parents, guardians and carers on how these kits can be collected from the school.
- If a student has symptoms of COVID-19, they should undertake a PCR or RAT and must self-isolate until they receive a negative test result.
HOUSEHOLD AND HOUSEHOLD-LIKE CONTACTS
- Household and household-like contacts are no longer required to quarantine but are required to undertake the following additional safety measures in the seven (7) days that would have been their quarantine period:
* notify the school if returning during their seven (7)-day period;
* undertake daily rapid antigen testing five (5) times within the seven (7) days;
* wear a face mask indoors (if aged eight (8) and above) unless a lawful
exemption applies;
* are not permitted to visit hospitals or care facilities unless an exemption
applies.
- Household and household-like contacts are still permitted to participate in school activities, including camps and excursions, as long as they wear a mask when indoors (if aged eight (8) and above or have a valid exception) and complete five (5) rapid antigen tests within the seven (7)-day period that would have been their quarantine period.
- A household or household-like contact attending an off-site activity during this period must notify the school they are attending under these requirements.
- If a student, parent, guardian or carer cannot comply with the additional safety measures at any time, they must: o quarantine immediately for the remainder of their seven (7)-day household contact period
* get tested on Day one (1) (or as soon as possible) and on Day six (6) of their
household contact period
* not attend school until a negative Day six (6) test result is received.
COVID-19 POSITIVE CASES
- If your child has no symptoms and there is a positive COVID-19 case in their household, class, year level or other grouping, your child can continue to attend school in line with Victorian Department of Health advice.
- Staff and students who receive a positive RAT result must register it on the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form available on the Coronavirus Victoria website https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/report as soon as possible.
- Staff and students who receive a positive RAT or PCR test result must tell their school as soon as possible, and follow Victorian Department of Health advice.
- Students who test positive to COVID-19 must isolate for seven (7) days and not attend school during that period.
- Students who have recovered from COVID-19, are not required to get tested or isolate if they are re-exposed to a positive COVID-19 case within four (4) weeks of ending their isolation period.
- After the four-week exemption period, students must follow the relevant testing and isolation advice depending on the type of COVID-19 contact they are.
- Schools will regularly communicate to parents, guardians and carers about the presence and impact of COVID-19 in their school community. Parents, guardians and carers should expect to be provided with details of any impacted grade, year level or other grouping.
VENTILATION
- The Victorian Government has provided air purifiers for all schools.
- Fresh air is the most effective form of ventilation to minimise the risk of transmission.
- Schools are required to increase fresh air flow into indoor spaces (including shared spaces, staff areas and thoroughfares) whenever possible.
- Using outdoor spaces will continue to be encouraged, where practicable.
ACTIVITIES
- COVID-19 will continue to be considered in all activity risk assessments. Guidance will be provided to schools on applying appropriate safeguards across a range of activities, including school camps and excursions.
- Parents, guardians and carers will be made aware of the risk of exposure and will need to provide their permission for their child’s participation in extra-curricular, out of school hours or off-site activities.
VISITORS
- Visitors are required to comply with COVIDSafe measures, including physical distancing requirements and practise respiratory etiquette and good hand hygiene.
- Parents, guardians, carers and other adult visitors are no longer required to show evidence of a COVID-19 vaccine, including when performing work or volunteering at the school.
KEEPING SCHOOLS OPEN
- Parents, guardians and carers are asked to respect the rules at their child’s school to help keep the community safe.
- Schools will do everything they can to maintain continuity of face-to-face learning including the increased use of casual staff.
- Schools will continue to make localised staffing decisions to ensure appropriate supervision can be maintained.
- Schools will not be able to guarantee particular staff for any cohort and students may not have their regular teacher for a class.
LEARNING FROM HOME
- We will continue to monitor the situation and where face-to-face learning is not possible, learning from home options will be supported for short periods.
- Students who are required to isolate or quarantine will be provided with learning materials to support their continued learning. Schools are not expected to provide a full remote learning program in these circumstances.
| DATE | ACTIVITY |
| 04/10/2022 | First Day of Term 4 |
| 06/10/2022 | Year 1 - Science Works Excursion |
| 19/10/2022 | Regional Athletics |
| 24/10/2022 - 26/10/2022 | Book Fair |
| 28/10/2022 | Student Free Day |
| 31/10/2022 - 01/11/2022 | Student Free Day - Cup Weekend |
| 28/11/2022 - 09/12/2022 | Foundation and Year 1 Swimming Lessons |
| 01/12/2022 | Christmas Concert |
| 05/12/2022 - 09/12/2022 | Year 6 Camp - Coonawarra Resort |
| 16/09/2022 | Diocesan RE day |
| 03/10/2022 | Data review Day |
| 28/10/2022 | Data analysis and report writing day. |
| 31/10/2022 | School Closure Day |
| 19/12/2022 | Whole 2023 staff planning and student handover |
| 20/12/2022 | Whole Staff clean up and moving day |
TERM DATES
| 2022 | First Day | Last Day |
| Term 1 | 31st January | 8th April |
| Term 2 | 26th April | 24th June |
| Term 3 | 11th July | 15th September |
| Term 4 | 4th October | 17th December |
The small gate in the church car park, near the prep portables, will remain locked until further notice for saftety reasons.
It is not safe for children to cross the carpark to use this entry point, nor is it safe to drop them off further back in the carline.
Thanks for your understanding in this matter.
Have you set up your PAM account yet!
We have been using 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 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.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.
Pakenham Upper Toomuc Cricket club are looking to start our first female cricket team in some time.
Its a great little Family club. Just up the hill at Packenham upper,
Season starts a week after the holidays,
Woolworths Junior Blasters (kids aged 5-7) is back at Yabbieland
Starting Wednesday October 19th, 8 x 1 hour sessions will run through to Wednesday December 7th
Each Junior Blasters Starter Pack includes
- T-shirt with your name on it
- Bucket hat in your choice of Big Bash team colour
- Personalised plastic bat
- Rubber ball
Sign up for our Junior Blasters program here: https://play.cricket.com.au/..
Safe and inclusive for kids of all abilities
To ensure the safety of all participants, we use plastic bats and a rubber ball.
Activities use softer balls of different sizes, as well as blind cricket balls, so kids can participate and develop at their own pace.
We provide an environment focusing on kids abilities.
Each session includes skills activities and a game of backyard cricket
- Welcome/Warm-Up (5 mins)
- Activities & Games (30 mins)
- Backyard Cricket (20 mins)
- Closing and pack up (5 mins)
Get involved and enjoy some quality time with your child
The Junior Blasters program is designed for parents to get involved and spend some quality time with their child learning some simple cricket skills. Your involvement in the program has a huge impact on your child's enjoyment, skill progression and achievement.
The Blast Crew is a great first step for first time cricket parents to get involved and have some fun with your child and provide a great experience.
Proud Sponsor of Community Cricket 
