Newsletter 134- May 16th 2024

Prayer of the Week:

God of the Universe, 

Thank you for your many good gifts. 

For the beauty of creation, its rich and varied fruits, animals and plants, clean running water and fresh air. 

Forgive us for the times we have taken the earth’s beauty and resources for granted and wasted what you have given us.

 Help us to touch the earth and to respect all life with love and care. 

Amen. 

Principals Report:

Dear St Patrick’s community,

We are thrilled to announce that our beloved staff member, Zara is expecting a baby! As Zara prepares for her new addition, we will begin the process of finding a suitable replacement for her role in Term Four. We wish Zara all the best during this exciting time. 

On a less celebratory note, The Allan Labor Government has recently announced a $400 School Saving Bonus for all school students in government schools regardless of income, but only for Health Care Card holders in Catholic schools.

This is deeply unfair.

We believe the payment should apply to all students or be means tested for all students.

It should not be based on which school you attend. 

This policy punishes families for choosing to send their children to a Catholic school.

Our school, together with other non-government schools and our peak body, the Victorian Catholic Education Authority, are working hard to oppose this policy and we need your help.

We need to show the Victorian Government that punishing families who choose a Catholic school is unacceptable.

Please consider contacting our local Member of Parliament, Emma Kealy, to express your concern.

Emma Kealy’s office can be contacted by calling 53820097 or by emailing emma.kealy@parliament.vic.gov.au 

A template letter is available in the link below to assist you with making your voice heard. 

Template letter

With Kind Blessings, 

Bettina

From the Office:

Wellbeing:

This was shared on Maggie Dent, one of Australia's most-loved parenting authors & educators,  facebook page about filling our children’s emotional cup. 

Breakfast Club

This Tuesday and Thursday, our school hall filled with laughter and cheerful conversations, while a lot of our students enjoyed eating breakfast together. It was so wonderful to witness the beautiful manners from all students and also  the way the students from mixed year levels sat and ate their breakfast together. 

A big thank-you to the Grade 6 students who helped out - you were all amazing. We had a few parents who offered to help out which was greatly appreciated. Thanks to the CWA and their kind donation to the school, which in turn has promoted us to continue providing breakfast to our students. 

Fiona Harney 

Teaching and Learning:

School Assemblies:  Our assemblies happen each Friday afternoon starting at 2:50pm in the school hall.  Students are dismissed from the hall on this day.  We invite all our community to come along.  
            
                                                                            
Week 5: NO ASSEMBLY - Athletic Sports

Week 6: Middle B 
Week 7: Junior R
Week 8: Senior M
Week 9: Middle C
Week 10: Junior FB
Week 11: Foundation

Professional Development:  At St Patrick’s Primary School we are committed to Professional Development of our team.  At various times staff members will be working off site or online which may result in classroom teachers being out of the classroom.

Wednesday 22nd May Ms Kerrie Ryan      Learning Diversity Leaders PD  

National Simultaneous Storytime

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 24th successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

Grades 3 & 4 will be walking down to the library to take part in National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS).  Remaining classes will also have the opportunity at school to be involved in the NSS. 

Assessment time: 

Term Two means a range of assessments happening for our students.  Although we are continually assessing and evaluating students' learning throughout the year certain assessments need to be carried out in preparation for report writing.  We use a variety of assessment tools, teachers can accommodate different learning styles and provide opportunities for all students to showcase their knowledge and skills. By using  a range of assessment tools it enhances the effectiveness of the assessment process, promotes student engagement and understanding, and supports teachers in making informed instructional decisions.

Over the next few weeks the following are some of the assessments students will undertake:

Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT)  

All grades will be taking part in their PAT reading and math tests over the coming weeks. Progressive Achievement Tests, commonly known as PATs, are one of the assessments we use. PATs are multiple-choice tests designed to help teachers determine achievement levels of students in Mathematics and  Reading Comprehension.  These tests are completed online using Chromebooks and iPads. Foundation will complete a paper test.  Data gathered will be another piece of evidence used to inform teachers of students’ current strengths and areas for improvement which can be used for planning teaching and learning, and monitoring progress over time with PAT testing also conducted again in October.

Cold write

All year levels will also participate in a “Cold Write” over the next few weeks.  Students are presented with a stimulus picture or a topic to write a narrative or a persuasive text or sentences. This will differ depending on year levels. 

Reports 

Teachers have begun the process of assessing and preparing student reports.  Reports provide us with the progress students have made to date and give us information on how to best support them going forward.  Reports will be sent home in Week 10 (starting 17/6/24)  and will provide parents/carers with valuable information on their child’s progress during Semester 1.  We will be providing an opportunity for Parents/carers to meet with classroom teachers for Parent Teacher Interviews at various stages throughout Week 11 (starting 24/6/24)    At St Patrick’s is committed to working in partnership with our parents/carers as we know when we work together we achieve the best outcomes for our children. 

Sensory Garden:

Please Help - I am just wondering if anybody has an off cut of approximately 70 x 50 cm of tile underlay or blueboard cement sheet, that they would be willing to donate to the school sensory garden to have mosaics created on. We actually have a need for 5 pieces. If any one can help with one or more please contact me lcoxhayward@spstawell.catholic.edu.au or leave at school. Thankyou for your assistance.

Living in Faith:

Social Justice/MiniVinnes

Our Mini Vinnies group is made of volunteer students from  Grade 4-6  who are advocates of the St Vincent De Paul values within our school and local community. The group meets regularly to learn about social justice issues, develop leadership skills and engage with the wider St Vincent de Paul Society. 

WHO BENEFITS FROM MINI VINNIES

Mini Vinnies is about doing good works in the community that benefit people facing social injustice. Our group also encourages young people to talk, share ideas and concerns, to have fun and support each other.

The Mini Vinnies model of “See, Think, Do” is a great way to get young people thinking and talking about their spirituality and to connect their faith with issues affecting their community through volunteering, advocacy and fundraising. Not only do the students in Mini Vinnies benefit from the experience but also the school and wider community.

Our Mini Vinnies choose to focus on our local community and other projects like supporting the Assist a Student Program, Indigenous Book Swap, Project Compassion, Caritas Australia. .

Currently our Mini Vinnies group are working on organising our St Patrick’s community winter food drive for the local welfare centre, writing thank you cards to businesses and individuals that have supported the school this year, collating and counting money raised from Term 1 and sewing small love hearts to be distributed to various community groups. 

The Saint behind the Society: 

St Vincent de Paul Date of birth: 24th April 1581 Place of birth: Pouy, France

Died: 27th September 1660 Canonised a saint: 16th June 1737 

Vincent was a very intelligent young man, who spent four years with the Franciscan friars obtaining an education. He tutored children of wealthy families and was ordained at the age of 20. At the age of 24, Vincent was taken captive by Turkish pirates and sold into slavery. During this time, Vincent witnessed the terrible conditions in which slaves were forced to live, although his own master was a doctor who treated him well and taught him about medicine. When his master died, Vincent escaped and returned to France. 8 In France, Vincent became a parish priest. He committed himself to serving the poorest of the poor, pledging his life to people who were sick, insane, orphaned, elderly, starving or abandoned, and to beggars, prisoners and slaves. There was no form of poverty or suffering – physical, emotional or spiritual – which Vincent did not try to alleviate. He was appointed Royal Chaplain General and set about improving conditions for prisoners, slaves and people in hospital. Vincent started an order of priests called the Congregation of the Mission – more commonly known as Vincentians – whose mission it was to share Jesus’ good news to the villages through preaching and service. Along with Louise de Marillac, he also started the Daughters of Charity, who cared for people who were poor and sick. St Vincent de Paul is the patron saint of: charities, charitable societies and workers, hospitals and hospital workers, lepers, prisoners and volunteers. The town in which Vincent was born is now known as Saint-Vincent-de-Paul. 

Vincent believed that in serving the poor, he was serving Christ: “Go to the poor: you will find God”

Mothers day:

Thank you once again to our wonderful school community for joining us in celebrating Mother's Day which began with our liturgy. Your presence and participation added a special touch to the occasion, honoring the love and dedication of all mothers. Together, we reflected on the profound impact of maternal figures in our lives and expressed gratitude for their unwavering support. It was great to see so many able to then go into the children’s classrooms to interact with their learning.  We love being able to offer our students' mothers and special people in their lives an opportunity to join together to have a chat and light lunch.  Your support and engagement make our school community truly exceptional. We look forward to many more meaningful gatherings together.  

A special shout out to our amazing Parents & Friends for our Mothers Day Stall.  It is such a great feeling receiving a gift that your child has especially picked out for you.  Thank you for making this happen for our children. 

Parents and Friends News:

We hope everyone woke up to some thoughtfully selected gifts from their children on Sunday.

This week we turn our attention to Fridays's Athletic Sports. We will opening a limited canteen for all those attending. Please note we can only accept cash at this time. Thank you to all of our parent volunteers that have offered to help us. We appreciate you helping to lighten the load for our busy committee.

Good luck to everyone participating tomorrow.

Kate Field
President

Birthdays:

Congratulations to this student who celebrated their birthday  this week: 

Liam, Archie and Maddox

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

Please find below the link for the March 2024 edition of
“Our Diocesan Community”
This Magazine is a way to share the good news stories of our schools, parishes and agencies across the diocese.

https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ODC-March-2024-web.pdf

Around Our Community:

Please follow us on instagram; stpatsstawell

Stawell Wildcats
Please see below link for competition information and link to join. 

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.