Newsletter 142- July 25th 2024
Prayer of the Week:
Loving Savior
Help me to live your goodness and kindness each day.
Remind me that my actions express who I am even more than my words.
May I love as you love.
Let me be good to those who wish me harm, forgive those who need forgiveness,
And reach out in kindness to all I meet so they can experience the
Unconditional love of God.
Amen
Principal's Report:
Dear St Patrick’s community,
Foundation interviews
This week I’ve been meeting with students and families for our Foundation 2025 interviews. It was a joy to meet our new little people and their families. We look forward to welcoming them into our school community.
Naplan
Last week, NAPLAN results for our Grade 3 and 5 students were sent home. We are beyond proud of our students, regardless of where their dot sat on the page. Behind any assessment is, first and foremost, a story that goes with each of our students. At St. Patrick’s, we strive for academic success for all our students, but we are also focused on nurturing well-rounded individuals who are ready to embrace the challenges of the future with resilience and a passion for lifelong learning. Please reach out to your classroom teacher if you would like to discuss your child’s results.
Have a great week,
Bettina
From The Office:
Wellbeing:
Don't forget about ‘Blitz’. As part of the Mental Health and Wellbeing role I also analyse the data generated by our reporting system when incidents are logged to identify trends in who, when, and what is occurring. This analysis allowed me to work with classroom teachers and LSO staff members to plan targeted approaches to address specific behavioural issues. On Monday whilst working with Anne from CEB we discussed potential systematic changes, whole-school 'Blitz' strategies, targeted classroom initiatives, and individual student programs moving forward.
An outcome from this work was the decision to undertake a 'Blitz' on the use of equipment in the school, specifically how it is accessed by students and then packed away. Many of our families have likely noticed the balls and other items left out at the end of the day. We are awaiting the arrival of some new trolleys that will be filled with equipment for the Junior, Middle, and Senior areas. These trolleys will be wheeled out at the start of the day and wheeled back in at the end. Junior students have been missing out due to the distance to the crate and finding most of the 'good' balls gone by the time they get there, or they are hoarding the equipment in bags and under tables to ensure access. Having their own trolley will make the equipment more accessible to them.
We would love to see some photos of this throughout the week from home if you have time to share them with us.
Supporting Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing
This year, St Patrick’s Primary School is still part of the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) pilot project. In April (2022), MHiPS launched its new website that aims to keep schools, parents and policymakers informed about the program and provide resources to support children’s mental health & wellbeing in schools.
Visit the website here https://www.mhips.org.au/
Children’s mental health is fundamental to their development and learning. Good mental health means having a positive sense of wellbeing, coping with challenges and being able to realise individual potential. The MHiPS program helps build the capacity of Victorian primary schools to support the mental health and wellbeing of students. Schools are an ideal platform for promoting children’s mental health, identifying early signs of mental health concerns, and supporting referrals to community-based mental health services when necessary. They recognise that teachers and primary schools are uniquely placed to observe and respond to the emerging mental health needs of children. MHiPS enables schools to employ a Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator and support staff to better understand and respond to mental health issues affecting their students, and build stronger connections with social care and health services.
You might like to take a look at some of these related resources:
Webinar: Words matter: Getting the language of child mental health right
Webinar: Integrating care to improve child mental health in families experiencing adversity
Thank you, have a wonderful weekend!
Lillie Marshman
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 2: Mini Vinnies
Week 3: Middle B
Week 4: Junior FB
Week 5: Foundation
Week 6: Senior M
Week 7: Book Week
Week 8: Middle C
Week 9: Junior R
Week 10: 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.
Term 3 Week 3- NIL
Mini Vinnies:
At St Patrick’s we teach the importance of service following the examples set by Jesus. As a Catholic school we strive to educate the whole person, mind, body and soul. Our students are exposed to learning about working for the common good in solidarity with others, upholding their dignity and right to full participation in their community. Being of service can take may forms. These range from action which promotes the dignity of those who are marginalised and vulnerable, through to raising awareness of social justice issues. By teaching service this provides a way for our students to enact compassion, hope and justice in the interests of creating a kinder and more connected community. For Catholic schools this learning is an important part of witnessing God’s love.
Kindness Day will take place on Friday 26th July, 2024. Our dedicated group of Mini Vinnies members will be organising Kindness Day for our whole school to be part of. Throughout the day students will take part in learning activities within the classroom and will be going out into our community showing kindness to others.
Activities that will be happening throughout the day are:
Various groups heading out to visit Marang & Aussie Kindergarten, Greenfingers, St Vinnies winter food appeal, St Vinnies activities, making thank you cards for volunteers throughout the community.
Our afternoon assembly will be hosted by the Mini Vinnies group. Here we will be showing what we have been doing throughout the day. We have invited representatives from the community to come along and receive their cards and gifts the students have made throughout the day.
If anyone is interested in helping out on the day please see Ms Comitti.
In the evening our dedicated staff will be showing kindness to our families by inviting our students and 2025 students back to the school hall to watch a movie. Students are invited to come along at 6pm till 8pm. During this time they will watch a movie whilst being supervised by staff. This will allow parents/carers a couple of hours free to perhaps go out for dinner, watch some Netflix or relax.
Some of our dedicated Mini Vinnies Group preparing for our Kindness day:
Book week this year runs from August 17th to August 23rd, 2024. During this time all classes spend time each day celebrating books, Australian children's authors and illustrators. The theme for book week this year is: Reading is Magic.
“We're celebrating reading stories and their amazing power to transport minds. We are encouraging kids to be curious about the wonders in our world. It is a positive and affirming message for our young people. The magic of reading also lies in its power of enticement; a good story provokes conversations. Talking about the stories with others connects the reader with other readers. Wrapped around all of this are the "tricks" and skills of our amazing writers and illustrators, as they use all their powers of language and illustration to engage the reader in this world they are building.”
The Children’s book council, Australia.
The highlight of book week is on Friday 23rd August where students are invited to dress as their favourite book character with a whole school parade where our community is able to attend. After the parade our community are invited into the classrooms to join in some of the book week activities. This is then followed by a cuppa in the Hall.
Students of the Week:
Aurie Lyons - For the incredible self-motivation and determination, you’ve been displaying this term. I am extremely proud of the hard work you’ve been doing at home and at school. Keep it up Aurie!
Levi Roberts - For the hard work and dedication you’ve been putting into improving your letter and number knowledge. I am beyond proud of all you know Levi, keep it up!
Zoey Tyler - For your excellent work in identifying how many tens and ones in a two digit number. You are a Maths superstar!
Scarlett Rickard - For using your Risk Taking Superpower to participate in class discussions and share strategies to answer maths questions. Keep up the hard work!
Delilah Terwisscha - For being such a self-motivated learner this week, you have worked so hard on your InitialLit learning all week and should feel very proud of your great progress. Well done Delilah!
James Hooper - For always being a wonderful influence on those around you and making sure everything you do is your best, you are an amazing learner- keep up the wonderful effort!
Peter Aird - For sharing your tech skills and teaching others in the class how to do things on their Chromebooks.
Jack Driscoll - For your great work identifying key words and phrases in texts and creating sentences in your own words. Keep it up!
Oscar Erwin - For demonstrating excellent knowledge and understanding of prefixes in Morphology this week. Great work Oscar!
Tamieka Austin - For being a resilient learner while learning your multiplication facts in Maths this week. Keep up the fantastic work Tamieka!
Bill Lasslett - For showing determination and self-motivation during reading and writing sessions. Keep it up Bill!
Henry Wadge - For showing deep understanding during class discussions, in particular during our class novel lessons. Fantastic work Henry!
Harper Bibby - For the way you are mastering our AUSLAN lessons each week. You are a wonderful support for your peers.
Andrew Papadopoulos - For demonstrating the skills of a collaborative learner by involving yourself in small group discussions. Well done Andy!
Living in Faith:
There will be a meeting with Fr Andrew for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist and Confirmation on Tuesday 30th July, at 3.15pm or 5:30 pm in the Middle/Senior hub.
Thank you to those parents who have expressed interest in the Sacraments.
If you would like any information regarding the Sacraments please contact me.
Maryanne Comitti
Religious Education Leader
Indigenous Book Swap Term 3
Do you have any unwanted books that you could donate to our Indigenous book swap? If so any donations would be gratefully received at the school office.
Literacy is a major issue facing remote Indigenous communities. Being unable to read and write is a significant barrier to education, employment, health and wellbeing. The Indigenous Literacy Foundation works to address this through providing books and literacy resources (some in first languages) to families, schools and service organisations in remote communities; and publishing stories by Indigenous people that are reflective of community life and culture.
Students are encouraged to bring gold coins to purchase books. We have hundreds of books to choose from ranging from picture books to chapter books.
When? Monday 19th & Tuesday 20th August, 2024.
Students will have the opportunity to purchase a book from the book swap throughout the day. Book swap will be open to the public 3:15-5:00pm on Monday 19th August, 2024.
Why? This is a Mini Vinnies initiative and has been co-ordinated by our dedicated group of students that are in our Mini Vinnies team. As a Catholic School as part of our education of the Catholic Social Teachings (CST). CST offers a way of thinking, being and seeing the world. It provides a vision for a just society in which the dignity of all people is recognised, and those who are vulnerable are cared for. Learn more about Catholic Social Teachings at https://www.caritas.org.au/learn/cst-toolkit/
“Without the right to education there is no real freedom, which allows every person to be the protagonist of their own destiny!”
Pope Francis 2018
Do you or someone that you know need some help?
If you need help with groceries and shopping vouchers go to -
The Cottage 20 Sloane St Stawell. Open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 10:30am and 12:30pm.
In out of hours emergencies ring 0408 038 949.
If you need help with fresh fruit and vegetables go to -
Stawell Neighborhood House 42 Sloane St. Open Mondays – Fridays 9am -5pm.
If you need help other than groceries and food, contact –
Stawell St Vincent de Paul Society – 0437 344 323 and leave a message. They will contact you within 24 hours.
Mary Rita Thomas
Sec. and Public Officer, Stawell Inter Church Council (welfare Cottage)
President, Stawell conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society
Mary MacKillop Award:
Mary MacKillop lived a life dedicated to her faith and serving the needs of others. Wherever and however she could, Mary MacKillop did everything possible to improve the lives of others. This award acknowledges the thoughtful actions of the students at St Patrick’s to help others. “Let us help one another, and bear with one another and ever strive to become what we should be and what with God's help we can become” Saint Mary MacKillop
Congratulations to this weeks award recipient: Thomas Troung
For showing kindness and patience teaching a fellow student a new skill.
Thank you for your kindness.
Birthdays:
Congratulations to these students who celebrated their birthday this week:
Saviero & Chizaram
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 July 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.
Around Our Community:
Please follow us on instagram; stpatsstawell
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.