Newsletter 120 - December 14th 2023
Prayer of the Week:
This week marks the third Sunday of Advent and gives us the opportunity to prepare our hearts in faithful waiting, celebrate the birth of Jesus, and prepare ourselves for his second coming. As we get closer to Christmas this Sunday we light the third candle which is the Sunday of Joy. The third candle on our Advent wreath is pink to celebrate the joy of waiting!
Blessing: God of the Dream, encourage and empower us to live and be God’s dream of hope, peace, joy and love for all people. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
Principals Report:
Dear St Patrick’s community
Over the past few weeks we have been working hard behind the scenes to develop our timetable for 2024. Today, I announce changes to the structure of our school day for next year. We see this as a positive development resulting from our steadfast commitment to best practices in education and the recent implementation of the new Multi-Enterprise Agreement (MEA) in the education sector, effective in the second half of 2023. These changes are crafted to not only enhance the learning and play environment for our students but also to ensure improved working conditions for our dedicated school staff.
The modifications to our recess and lunch-break timings mark a continued journey into what is considered best practice in education. A change to the end time of our school day brings us into line with the current bus schedule and decreases wasted learning time at the end of the day when some students have left, and others are remaining in the classroom.
A flyer detailing the specific modifications to the school day has been sent home through the tubs today. We believe these changes will make a significant contribution to the overall learning experience for our students. Your feedback and cooperation in this process are invaluable as we strive to create an environment that not only meets the highest standards of education but also fosters a supportive and positive atmosphere for both students and staff.
I want to express my sincere gratitude for the overwhelming success of our end-of-year mass. The sense of unity and celebration during the event was truly uplifting. It is heartening to witness our school community come together to commemorate the past year and embrace the spirit of hope and renewal that the holiday season brings.
We acknowledge the Egan, Ford, Guerrero, Mitchell, Reading and Redford families who will finish their time at St Patrick’s this year. We wish them all well and remind them that they are always welcome back.
Unfortunately, we also have some other families who will be leaving us at the end of the year as they move on from Stawell. We wish the Matthews/Hollis, Santosh and Crouch families all the best with their next adventures.
As we approach the festive season, I extend heartfelt Christmas wishes to our wonderful students, dedicated staff, and supportive families. May this holiday season bring joy, warmth, and moments of cherished togetherness.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year!
With Kind Blessings,
Bettina
A word from the office:
Wellbeing:
Merry Christmas and Happy New year to you all
Thank you for your never ending support and gratitude this year. We have had another wonderful year at St Patrick's Primary School and learnt alot from one another as the year progressed. A massive thank you to Jane, Penny and Kate who are our three wonderful MATES Mentors. We appreciate your support and guidance towards our students.
Another thank you must go out to Jodi and Marea from Catholic Care who supported us for most of 2023 with wellbeing support. We couldn’t have done it without you both.
A parent, Chantel; shared this great podcast with me the other day and it’s worth a listen ifyou have some free time.
Wild Rule Breaking Season 2 Finale with Dr Billy Garvey: https://omny.fm/shows/how-other-dads-
dad-with-hamish-blake/wild-rule-breaking-season-2-finale-with-dr-billy-g
Have a wonderful and safe Christmas and New Year, see you all in 2024.
Lillie Comitti - Mental Health & Wellbeing Coordinator
Teaching and Learning:
School Assemblies: Our assemblies are led by a different class each week and begin at 2:50pm on Friday afternoons. Students are dismissed from the hall at 3:15pm.
Our Grade 6 students will be hosting our final school assembly of 2023. We will show their Year 6 Graduation imovie. Whole school community invited to attend.
Another fantastic year of teaching and learning for our staff and students. We continued our journey with Visible Learning, working with our consultant Shane Crawford. In Term 4 all staff completed online learning in feedback.
Our community, students and staff were invited to take part in a survey regarding the language that we will teach next year under the Teacher as Co Learner (TCL) model. Top results were for Italian or Auslan. We are currently working with Lauren Gould from CEB who is trying to source a language assistant for us in either language. How this will look in 2024 will be discussed at a Teaching and Learning Meeting in Term 1 which will be guided by Lauren (CEB).
"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the parents for their unwavering support, collaboration, and dedication to their child's education. Your partnership with our school community is truly valued and contributes immensely to the success of our students. Thank you for entrusting us with the privilege of nurturing and educating your children."
We are so blessed at St Patricks to have an outstanding team supporting our students and each other's learning. The strength of commitment found in our staff who continually strive to do their very best and learn best practice to ensure our children learn is appreciated by all. We see this each day when they go above and beyond their duty. The professional way in which they meet many challenges and care unconditionally for every child and each other in our school without exception is admirable.
"Let us thank all those who teach in Catholic Schools. Educating is an act of love; it is like giving life." Pope Francis.
Whole school:
Our end of year school Mass was held at St Patricks parish church on Wednesday morning. It was heartening to witness our school community come together to commemorate the past year and embrace the spirit of hope and renewal that the holiday season brings.
Buddys at the communion table with Father Andrew.
Outgoing school captains Lolah and
Jack handing over to Riley and Milla.
Grade 6 graduation liturgy: TONIGHT
Who: Grade 6 families only
When: Thursday 14th December, 2023
Where: St Patricks School Hall. Details to follow.
Time: 5:30pm - Grade 6 students are to wear their school uniform.
Whole school - Family Carols on the Green:
When: Thursday 14th December, 2023.
Where: St Patrick's Primary School Oval -
Time: 6:30pm Gates open
Catering: BYO Picnic
BYO: chairs/picnic blanket
Carols: Students are also busy learning their Christmas Carol which they will present on the night.
Mr Moloney jumped at the chance today to hold a very special visitor. Miss Flemings daughter Stella. Stella was very patient as most students and staff had a close up welcome.
Students are enjoying the new table that will be used in the sandpit. Thanks to Middy's Electrical for the donation of the cable drum. It has been painted and transformed into a hugh toadstool.
Living in Faith:
The walls of the classrooms are starting to look emptier than they looked a month ago and learning materials are starting to get organised for another year.
As this school year comes to a close, it is important to acknowledge all the feelings that come with such a transition. They provide natural opportunities to pause and to acknowledge and celebrate successes. It can often be difficult to remember to pause so that we can refocus and regain balance. Taking the time to pause creates an opportunity to hit the reset button in our minds, to be more present, to more fully acknowledge the moments, thoughts, and emotions that are an important part of the end of the school year. We need to take time to celebrate our amazing achievements this year and reconnect with our community.
Our school picnic and Carols tonight will celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our school and community working together to ensure the best outcomes for our students. What are some of the moments of the school year that stand out? What are some of the challenges that yielded success? Celebrating the successes of the year helps end the year on a positive note.
Thankyou: As we come to the end of the school year and celebrate the achievements of our students and staff, I acknowledge the commitment of our school community for the support you give in our shared mission of Catholic schooling. Catholic Education looks different to that of other schools. We have a way of educating and forming our young people with a deep understanding of the value of the holistic education of the whole child - mind, body and soul. At St Patrick’s we have a relentless focus on ensuring all students succeed academically but we strive to ensure this holistic approach is reflected in all our decisions and actions at St Patricks.
Well done to our students on creating some beautiful cards and Christmas decorations that were collected from Stawell Interchurch Council representatives at last Friday's assembly.
Please come along to our end of year Christmas celebrations tonight at 6:30pm on the school oval, please BYO picnic. Students are performing a class Christmas carol/song which they have been practicing and are eager to showcase. Hoping to see as many of our community there as possible. Wishing you all a Happy and Holy Christmas. Hoping you all have a chance to have a break and may 2024 be a year full of blessings and joy. Maryanne Comitti Deputy Principal
With only a few weeks till Christmas most have begun our preparations. In Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ published in 2015, Pope Francis invites us to choose a different lifestyle in a world where “the market tends to promote extreme consumerism in an effort to sell its products” (No. 203).
Pope Francis calls us to move towards “more sustainable lifestyles”. There are ways to live a sustainable Christmas in harmony with our common home.
Below are a few ideas to consider for a more sustainable Christmas: Cards
Have you heard about “plantable” cards? They can double as a card and a gift!
Reuse old Christmas cards to create your own unique ones. Gifts
Consider the packaging when purchasing gifts and food. Look for items with as little packaging and plastic as possible.
Shop in local stores.
Give a potted Christmas tree as a gift. The receiver can grow it and even plant it later on.
Opt for fabric products that are certified to be eco-friendly and toxin-free.
Buy toys or gifts that have the least amount of plastic, and do not use batteries.
Use your creative talents to make a gift or vouchers for services you will provide.
Offer an experience like concert tickets, a hot air balloon trip or a spa day. Gift wrapping
Instead of paper, wrap gifts in reusable materials like fabric or recyclable ones like recycled wrapping paper or brown paper (especially for large packages), children’s artwork or newspaper.
Make gift bags and tags made from old newspapers, cloth or other strong recycled material.
Raffia, string or twine are eco-friendly replacements for colorful plastic ribbons.
Reuse shipping materials when sending packages and avoid purchasing bubble wrap. After Christmas
Recycle as much as you can! Collectively, we can make a huge difference in the world we live in—let’s make it a joyous time for Mother Nature as well.
- Decide how to save your potted Christmas tree.
- Think about any unwanted presents. Return them, regift them, or give them to charity rather than letting them collect dust or tossing them into the trash. Remember that one person’s trash is another’s treasure!
Students of the week:
Madilyn Carlsen - For the wonderful collaboration you’ve shown within the classroom all year! Thank you for being a kind and compassionate class member Madi.
Valeria Di Pietro - For the curiosity and self-motivation you’ve displayed towards your learning. Well done on a fantastic year Valeria, have a lovely holiday break!
Elektra McGaffin - For the resilience and self-motivation you developed this year. I’m beyond proud of how you worked all year round. See you next year Elektra!
Bonnie Wickham - For always showing kindness to others and helping out when needed. You have a heart of gold!
Georgia Campbell - For the great way you have been sounding out words and putting them back together. Keep working hard!
Daniella Parkin Alamo - For the wonderful learning super powers you have demonstrated all year. Thank you for being such a pleasure to work with Daniella!
Edie Macpherson - For being such a fantastic role model of all of the learning super powers. Thank you for being such a delight to work with Edie!
Maya Goodes - For showing great initiative and collaboration skills during our tasks and activities this week. Well done Maya!
Jack Duxson - For the dedication you have shown towards your learning all year. Congratulations Jack!
Zarli Nicholson - For perfectly demonstrating all of our learner superpowers this year. Congratulations on a wonderful year Zarli! Good luck next year!
Kayde Werry - For the hard work and dedication you have displayed all year long. You should be proud of everything you have achieved this year!
Edward Redford - For always displaying all the super powers consistently during the year and for being the amazing person you are. Well done ED
Maddison Prydderch - For being such a fantastic person displaying confidence and resilience in all your leering and social interactions. Well done Maddy!
Liam Cameron - For the way you have finished off the year. I can't wait to see continued growth in 2024.
Greta Thomas - For the way you welcomed new students to our class on transition day. You are going to be a great leader of our school next year Greta!
Birthdays:
Congratulations to these students who celebrate their birthday this week and into the holidays:
Georgia A, Khoor, Milla M, Chelsea, Daniella,Mia A, Lolah, Lenny and David.
Diocesan/Parish news:
Mass Times:
Ararat Sunday 8.30am
Stawell Sunday 10.30am
Lake Bolac 1st, 3rd, 5th Sundays 6.30pm Vigil Sat
Landsborough 2nd, 4th Sundays 12.30pm
Glenthompson (Hamilton Parish) 2nd, 4th Sundays 8.30am
Parents and Friends news:
Raffle:
To our wonderful families who sold tickets. A massive 1750 tickets sold for a final tally of $3457.00.
Please see below all our lucky winners. (Name in Brackets is who donated the prize)
Position Vacant:
Around Our Community:
The lions clubs community revitalizing team and the Stawell club members are celebrating Christmas and saying hello to the community, with a free sausage sizzle and a free children's raffle - prize is a chance to win one of 4 Star Wars skateboards.
IGA carpark in Stawell this Saturday 16th between 9am and 1pm.
Santa will be attending all nights
Upcoming Events:
Our Vision and Mission:
Vision Statement: St Patrick's School is a community which reflects and celebrates Christ as its centre point: By honoring our story we value our whole community. By coming together our vision is for a loving, just, compassionate and tolerant world. Mission Statement: In the tradition of St Patrick, we are committed to: Promoting and celebrating a love of God, self and community. Recognizing and enhancing the talents and uniqueness of each person through our vision of Prayer, Care and Learning. PRAYER We nurture and grow our relationship with God as members of a faith community. CARE We foster recognition of difference, compassion for others and the strength to act on our beliefs. LEARNING We develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills essential to reaching our full potential as life- long learners.