Newsletter 146- August 22th 2024
Prayer of the Week:
Social Justice Sunday, August 25th 2024.
Jesus, you invite us all into the fullness of life.
May we support one another to flourish in body, mind and spirit.
Strengthen our commitment to ensure that nobody falls through gaps in our systems of care.
Help us to recognise you in those who suffer mental ill-health today.
Show us how to eliminate stigmatisation of mental ill-health from our parishes, schools, communities and organisations. You drew near to those who were suffering in body or mind.
May we too feel your nearness when we struggle with mental health challenges.
May we be one as members of Your Body.
You invite us to share in your ministry of love and true compassion.
May we be empowered by your Spirit to reach out to all people in need.
May we build communities of welcome and inclusion.
Amen
Each year, the final Sunday of August, is designated as Social Justice Sunday, a day dedicated to reflecting on the principles of social justice and taking action to create a more equitable society. This year the Social Justice Statement in 2024 - 2025 is around “Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World.” Please click on the link below for Bishop Paul’s statement.
Principal's Report:
Dear St Patrick’s community,
The Larneuk season in Gariwerd has certainly lived up to its reputation for changeable weather this week. I want to thank our parents for their patience as we alternated between hats, umbrellas, jumpers on, and jumpers off. In another week or so, we should see the arrival of more stable spring weather.
Last night, the School Advisory Council met and one of the agenda items was the introduction of a school jacket. Based on the survey results regarding both style and cost, we have decided to proceed with a navy soft-shell, fleece-lined jacket—the same style currently worn by some of our staff. The availability of it already being a product supplied in Foster’s Mensland, the cost, ease of getting the logo on it and its effectiveness to be an additional layer in misty rain or foggy mornings were all positive points.
The jacket can be worn over jumpers for those who feel the cold, or as a replacement for the jumper for students who find them itchy or uncomfortable. Fosters has sample sizes available for students to try on. Once ordered, it will take approximately seven days to add the school logo, after which the jackets will be ready for pick-up. The total cost will be $59.95 ($49.95 for the jacket and $10 for the logo). Please note that this is an optional uniform item and is not compulsory.
We're pleased that students in Grades 3-6 will be resuming their regular excursions to the church once a term, starting this term. This return to pre-COVID practices is a wonderful opportunity for our students to engage more deeply with church services and strengthen their connection to our faith community.
To minimise disruptions to their learning, we will aim to align these excursions with our Eventide visits from next term onwards. This way, only one Tuesday each term will be affected by these important community outings.
Foundation, Year 1 and 2 students will have an in-school liturgy once a term.
There are many eager conversations occurring around the school regarding costumes for tomorrow. I look forward to seeing everyone at the parade and catching up at the morning tea.
Have a great week,
Bettina
From the Office:
2024 School Fees are due
A friendly reminder for families paying School Fees in one instalment, payment is due to be received by Friday 20th September 2024. Payment can be made by electronic transfer to;
National Australia Bank
Account Name: St Patrick’s Primary School Stawell
BSB 083-408
Account: 873223326
Please remember to include your surname as a reference.
Alternatively, please contact the office to make payment by credit card, cash or cheque.
For families on direct debit plans, as we near the end of Term 3, please review your account and contact the office should you need to adjust your instalment amount.
Anna Wadge
Business Manager
Wellbeing:
“Happiness is not the result of bouncing from one joy to the next; achieving happiness typically involves times of considerable discomfort. It’s more than simply a positive mood, it’s a state of wellbeing that encompasses living a good life.”
Dr Michael Carr-Gregg
Happiness is defined as the balance of positive and negative emotions, combined with overall life satisfaction. Happiness and gratitude have been studied in positive psychology for many years and researchers have found that gratitude is always strongly associated with greater happiness. Although everyone has their own definition of happiness, many of us want to feel more positive emotions than negative ones. However, negative emotions are still important. They have a lot to teach us and alert us when things need to change. Practising gratitude helps people feel more of the positive emotions, enable us to relish good experiences, improve our overall health, deal with adversity and build strong relationships
Martin E. Seligman is the international leader of the Positive Psychology Movement. His first trade book, the international bestseller Learned Optimism, greatly influenced the way people thought about mental health by bringing the concepts of cognitive psychology to a mass audience. This book represents the first time any scientist has placed value in the study not only of mental illness, but of 'mental wellness.' It's not about curing one's ills, but about exercising one's strengths and virtues in order to achieve what Seligman terms 'authentic happiness.’.
Lillie Marshman - Wellbeing Leader
Teaching and Learning:
School Assemblies: Our assemblies happen each Friday afternoon starting at 2:45pm in the school hall. Students are dismissed from the hall on this day. We invite all our community to come along
Week 6: Book Week
Week 7: Senior M
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 7- Nil
Book Week:
The Children’s Book Council of Australia presents annual awards to Australian books of literary merit, for outstanding contribution to Australian children’s literature.
The CBCA was founded in 1945 when Australian children’s books were few, and Australian authors and illustrators were virtually unknown. The following year, 1946 the The Book of the Year Awards, an annual award to promote books of high literary and artistic quality was established. These awards are now the most influential and highly respected in Australia.
Students have spent this week exploring some of the books that have made it to the shortlist for 2024 in a variety of areas. They have been involved in reading and responding to the books, using their creativity, imagination and curiosity.
We all can’t wait to show off all our learning at our Book Week Assembly on Friday afternoon and we are also extremely excited for our annual Book Week Parade on Friday morning so we can share our costumes and favourite books. We hope to see you there!
What a fantastic week we’ve had this week exploring literature. It’s been fantastic to see all the students so engaged with reading and interpreting the piece of literature.
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.
The book week parade will start at approximately 9:00 am in the school hall.
Students of the Week:
Zeke Sheen - For the resilience and determination you have been displaying this week. I am very proud of how you’ve been working, keep it up Zeke.
Evelyn Hoare - For the impressive work you have been doing throughout all areas of your learning. I am proud of the way you have been working, keep it up Evelyn!
Kaison Portelli - For the self-motivation you have been showing in your learning. The work you have been completing has been excellent. Keep it up!
Madilyn Carlsen - For the leadership you have shown during Book Week. Thank you for offering to help others when you had finished your own work. You are a star!
Jarli Goodes - For always being such a kind, caring and friendly member of our class. We love the way you always think of others and try to be the best person you can be. Well done!
Saviero Di Pietro - For always striving to achieve the best results that you can. We greatly admire your dedication and aspiration to your studies. Keep up the wonderful efforts!
Willow Boylan - For your fabulous efforts in maths and achieving a perfect score on your recent check ups. Mr Cunningham and Miss Bonney are extremely proud of you. Well done Willow!
Peter Aird - For the fantastic origami flowers you made in response to the Book Week book 'Paper Flower Girl'. You truly have a talent for origami.
Isaac O'Callaghan - For the great effort and self-motivation you have put into completing your Information Report on Great Britain. You have done an outstanding job Isaac, well done!
Arli Werry - For your wonderful work you have put into your Maths and achieving a 10/10 on your check-up this week. You should be very proud of yourself Arli!
Mia Bailey - For displaying excellent reading skills, as well as displaying a sense of fun at the same time. Keep working hard Mia!
Chloe Pearce - For producing narrative writing of a high standard as well as imagination. Well done Chloe, keep working hard!
Jack Duxson - For the way you worked hard to include narrative writing features into your cold write this week. Keep striving hard to reach your goals Jack!
Vibeesh Ranjay - For the work you have been putting in during Maths to master the measuring and drawing of angles. Well done Vibeesh!
Living in Faith:
Indigenous Book Swap Term 3
Thank you everyone for your support of the Indigenous Book Swap. Mini Vinnies will collate the money next week and we will update you how much we have raised.
There are still books available in the hall, feel free to have a browse and leave a donation if you are able.
Next week we welcome Bishop Paul Bird on Friday 30th August. Bishop Paul will be a guest at our Father’s day breakfast and liturgy. Fr Andrew will also will helping us celebrate Father’s day.
Our annual Father's day/special persons celebrations will take place on Friday 30th August, 2024. While Father's Day is a celebration of fatherhood, it's a time for us to honour, celebrate and to be thankful for all of the men, father figures and male role models in our lives. We recognise the very important role you have in the lives of children.
Program for the day:
8:15 - 8:50 am - after dropping children off dads/grandads and special male figures in our children’s lives are invited up to the hall for brekkie, cuppa and a chat.
9:00 am - whole school will gather in the hall for a liturgy praying for our dads
9:15 am to 10am - Open classrooms - if you are unable to attend please call in throughout the day. We invite our dads/grandads and special male figures in our children’s lives to come into the students' classrooms and interact with them during their learning. This is a great opportunity to see first hand the wonderful learning our students are doing.
A note has gone home with students today. For catering purposes please complete and sent back the RSVP by Monday 26th August, 2024.
Stawell St Vincent de Paul would like the thank the St Pat’s School community for their generous donations of food for those in need in our community. If you know anyone who needs help with food, please tell them about The Cottage at 20 Sloane St, Stawell. We are open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30am – 12:30pm. For out of hours emergency help please ring – 0408038949.
Thanks for your continuing support,
Mary Rita
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. “When I could not see my way God kept my heart full of trust to make all come right.” Saint Mary MacKillop
Congratulations to this weeks award recipient: Oscar Erwin
For being a supportive friend and classmate by stopping and helping classmates during St. Patrick's Olympics.
Thank you for your kindness.
Sustainability:
The students prepared a hessian cover to put over the potatoes to stop the frost. The potatoes have been planted in a garden bed with broad beans. When the broad beans grow up they will shelter the potatoes from the frost. Broad bean plants are very frost hardy. Hasn't this year been very cold and frosty! Until the beans grow, the hessian with protect the tender potato plants. The students first had to sew the pieces of hessian together. The older students paired up with a younger student to help them sew with a needle and string. I'm looking forward to potato chips again when the potatoes mature.
Boston and Fletcher digging Yucons.
Yacons.
Parents & Friends:
Upcoming Events:
Book Week Morning Tea:
Tomorrow we will be providing the sweets for our annual Book Week Morning Tea. We are kindly asking for donations of a slice, cake, rum balls, etc. If you’re able to, can you please drop them to the office by Thursday afternoon or at school drop off on Friday morning and then stay around for the parade and a cuppa afterwards. Please let me know on 0439 479 994 if you are able to donate something.
Fathers Day Stall:
The annual gift buying day for our 'Rad' Dads is fast approaching. We have an array of exciting gifts for the kids to purchase ranging from $2 - $15 gift packs. The stall will be open on Friday August 30th during school hours.
Black Range Sports:
St Pat’s P&F have been given the opportunity to host the canteen at this years Black Range Sports Day, where we hope to feed roughly 200 students and their families. Whilst we have enough helpers on the day, we will be putting a call out for donations of food items in the coming week. These will include soup, sandwich fillings & slices.
We thank you all for your ongoing support of the P&F this year. We’re excited to see our fundraising efforts coming to fruition.
Regards, Kate Field
President
Birthdays:
Congratulations to these students who celebrated their birthday this week:
Henry C, Mahli & Charles
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.