Newsletter 150- September 19th 2024
Prayer of the Week:
Saturday 21st September is the world International Day of Peace. This day was established by the United Nations 1981. It recognises the power of global solidarity for building a sustainable and peaceful world.
We pray for the power to be gentle;
the strength to be forgiving;
the patience to be understanding;
and the endurance to accept the consequences
of holding on to what we believe to be right.
May we put our trust in the power of good to overcome evil
and the power of love to overcome hatred.
We pray for the vision to see and the faith to believe
in a world emancipated from violence,
a new world where fear shall no longer lead men or women to commit injustice,
nor selfishness make them bring suffering to others.
REFLECTION: “Peace is not merely the absence of war. Nor can it be reduced solely to the maintenance of a balance of power between enemies. Nor is it brought about by dictatorship. Instead, it is rightly and appropriately called ‘an enterprise of justice’ (Is. 32:7). Peace results from that harmony built into human society by its divine founder, and actualized by people as they thirst after ever greater justice.” Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et Spes, #78
Principal's Report:
Dear St Patrick’s community,
It’s baby fever! We send our warmest wishes to Zara and Lauren as they head off on family leave for the remainder of the year. We can’t wait to hear all about the new bundles of joy when they arrive and look forward to welcoming them back in the future.
We are excited to welcome a new family to our school community in Term Four! Harrison will be joining us in Foundation, and we extend a warm welcome to Sarah and Michael as they become part of our school family. We also welcome back Abigail O’Donnell. Abby left us for an amazing experience in Germany and now returns to the familiar faces of St Patrick’s. She will be with 3/4C for Term Four.
During the holidays, there will be some exciting developments happening around the school, especially in the second week. Keep an eye out as the arborists get to work, trimming and carefully removing trees to ensure our school is in top shape. This work is an important part of our Bushfire At Risk preparations, helping to keep our community safe as we head into the summer season. We’ll also have plumbers and other professionals onsite rectifying some of our water woes.
We have an action-packed Term 4 ahead! Some of the highlights include the next level of athletics, the much-anticipated Grade 3/4 camp, our transition days for new students and the statewide day for current students. Plus, our end-of-year excursions and incursions will pave the way to our grand end-of-year celebrations!
It’s going to be an unforgettable term full of fun and learning!
We can't wait to see the vibrant colours and fun patterns on display tomorrow for Oodie, Hoodie, and Footy Day. It's going to be a cosy and exciting day filled with school spirit!
Have a lovely break and we look forward to seeing the students next term.
Please note: Attached to this newsletter is important information regarding Whooping Cough (Pertussis). Please note, this is simply required information, and we currently do not have any reported cases within our school.
Have a great week,
Bettina
The incidence of Whooping cough cases is continuing to increase across Victoria, particularly among school-aged children.
Whooping cough is a very contagious infection, mostly spread through coughing or sneezing.
Symptoms include:
- blocked or runny nose
- tiredness
- mild fever
- severe bouts of coughing, often followed by a ‘whooping’ sound on breathing.
Whooping cough can lead to life-threatening infections in babies.
If your child is unwell, they should not attend school. Please see a doctor if you or your child develops whooping cough symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment will help reduce the spread of the infection.
Students diagnosed with whooping cough must not attend school
If your child is diagnosed with whooping cough, they must not attend school for 21 days after the onset of the cough, or until they have received 5 days of antibiotic treatment.
You must notify the school if your child is diagnosed with whooping cough.
To further reduce the spread of infection to your child and the school community, the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019 require that some students who were in the same classroom as a student diagnosed with whooping cough should not attend school.
Your child should not attend school for 14 days after they were last exposed to a person diagnosed with whooping cough, or until they have taken 5 days of a course of antibiotic treatment if they are:
- aged less than 7 years; and
- not fully vaccinated with 3 doses of whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine.
This exclusion is required by law – refer to the School exclusion table for primary schools and children’s services.
If your child is diagnosed with whooping cough, please contact the school to let us know.
Your support in keeping our students safe and well is greatly appreciated.
For more information about whooping cough, refer to Whooping cough on the Better Health Channel.
Vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk of whooping cough. The Department of Health recommends staying up to date with immunisations, including booster doses. A free booster dose of the pertussis vaccine is covered under the national immunisation program for students aged 12 to 13. If you are unsure about your child’s vaccination status for whooping cough, please discuss with an immunisation provider, such as your doctor.
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:
School Holidays: the importance of rest and relaxation
School holidays are a great opportunity for children to take a break from the intensity of the school routine and embrace the joys of lazy days, playtime, and exploration. However, while many parents make an effort to plan activities and outings to keep their kids ‘busy’ and entertained, they often forget the importance of rest and relaxation time during these breaks.
Dr Daniel Siegel has developed a tool called ‘The Healthy Mind Platter’, which contains seven daily essential activities to ensure a balanced approach to life, and therefore optimal wellbeing. One of the activities in ‘The Healthy Mind Platter’ is DOWNTIME.
It’s essential for children to have sufficient downtime (at all times), but particularly during the school holidays to reset their nervous systems. Rest and relaxation allow the body and mind to recover and rejuvenate, which is crucial for maintaining overall health and wellbeing. From a neurological perspective, research has shown that downtime helps children to regulate their emotions, reduce stress levels, and improve memory and cognitive function.
By incorporating rest and relaxation into your holiday plans, parents can help their children to unwind and recharge, setting them up for success in both their academic and personal lives.
Here are some of the benefits of rest and relaxation during the school holidays:
- Reduced stress levels – a small amount of stress is a natural part of life, but too much of it can have a detrimental effect on a child’s physical and mental health. Taking time to rest and relax during the school holidays can help to reduce stress levels, decreasing the chance of children experiencing anxiety or other mental health issues.
- Improved sleep quality – rest and relaxation are essential for getting a good night’s sleep. When children are overstimulated or engaging in too many stimulating activities, it can be difficult for them to wind down and fall asleep. By incorporating rest and relaxation into their routines, parents can help to improve their child’s sleep quality, allowing them to feel more refreshed and energised throughout the day.
- Enhanced creativity and imagination – children’s brains are like sponges, constantly absorbing information and making connections. However, to foster creativity and imagination, kids need time to let their minds wander and explore. Rest and relaxation can provide the downtime children need to let their imaginations run wild and come up with new ideas.
While it’s essential to provide children with engaging and stimulating activities over the school holidays, it’s equally important to schedule in some downtime for rest and relaxation. By doing so, parents can help their children to regulate their emotions, reduce stress levels, improve sleep quality, foster creativity and imagination, and even perform better academically. Ultimately, rest and relaxation are essential for maintaining overall health and wellbeing, and should be a priority in every child’s holiday plan.
You can find a copy of ‘The Healthy Mind Platter’ here.
I use this as a planning tool with some of my adolescent clients to ensure they are incorporating balanced activities in their daily lives to improve their sense of wellbeing. I encourage you to have a look for yourself and see if this is a tool that can help you and your children find a more balanced approach to life.
With gratitude
Lillie Marshman - Wellbeing Leader
Teaching and Learning:
School Assemblies: Our assemblies happen each Friday afternoon starting at 1:45pm in the school hall. Students are dismissed from the hall on this day. We invite all our community to come along
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 4 Week 1-
10-11/09/24 Mrs Bettina Bird Principal Induction Halls Gap
Catholic School Parents Australia Survey:
Catholic school parents Australia are currently seeking parents to undertake a short ten minute survey on students' wellbeing and learning. This is a quick survey which will provide much needed information on various aspects of our students wellbeing and learning. It is a confidential survey.
Parents offer a unique perspective and understanding on their child/children’s learning and well-being. Recognising the specific needs of our students and families, schools can target interventions and offer resources to support overall learning and wellbeing.
Please scan the QR code to complete the survey.
Foundation:
Terrific Term Three in Foundation
As we wrap up this term, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible journey our Foundation class has had. Each child has worked exceptionally hard, and their dedication has truly shone through. It has been both enjoyable and inspiring to witness their growth, curiosity, and enthusiasm for learning.
From mastering new skills to exploring creative ideas, the progress our students have made is a testament to their perseverance and enthusiasm. Their achievements this term have been a joy to see, and I am so proud of the hard work each child has put in.
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement from all our parents. Here’s to celebrating our successes and looking forward to even more exciting adventures in Term Four!
End of term reflection:
I asked all of the children what they have enjoyed most about this Term and they said:
Ada- I have enjoyed making new friends and having fun with them.
Amelia- Going to Eventide to visit the elderly and my Grandma.
Anthony- Practising my writing skills and learning to write a story.
Aurie- Going to Eventide and seeing the old people and having lots of fun with them.
Aynsley- I enjoyed painting cats at Eventide Homes.
Billie- Going to Eventide and making the teddy bear cars.
Bobby- I have enjoyed writing and learning how to spell new words with the help me spell chart.
Charlie- Playing tag in sport with my classmates.
Evelyn- I have enjoyed learning letters, the letter I have enjoyed most is ‘x’.
Flynn- I have enjoyed participating in sport and learning how to play ‘sliding doors’.
Indiana- I have enjoyed learning about letters and completing our letter craft pieces.
Judd- Going to Eventide and playing with the nerf gun target.
Juliet- Maths has been my favourite subject this term, I have enjoyed learning new things like ‘empty and full’.
Jye- I have enjoyed learning how to write sentences and how to make them more exciting.
Leon- I have enjoyed sport and playing the octopus game.
Levi- Going to Eventide homes and enjoying some time with the old people.
Mackenzie- I have enjoyed wiring the most, I have really enjoyed writing trickier words using the help me spell chart.
Rhylen- Learning about the letters of the alphabet, my favourite has been ‘g’ because I like the action for ‘g’.
Scott- Learning how to play sprouts and playing with my friends.
Thea- I have enjoyed doing maths and learning how to count forward and backwards.
William- I have enjoyed sport and learning how to skip.
Zeke- I enjoyed learning about ‘Zippy Zebra’ and making the craft to go with it.
Ziorachukwu- I have enjoyed colouring our letter craft pictures and learning the new sounds.
Mrs Lillie Marshman
Students of the Week:
Thea Swain - For the brilliant work you’ve been putting into improving your sentences. I am very proud of your hard work this term Thea!
Anthony Truong - For the sensational effort you’ve been putting into improving your reading fluency! Keep up the great work Anthony!
Hariklia Kloufetos - For your great reading. Congratulations on reading 97 words per minute! Keep working hard!
Ruby Driscoll - For using all your Superpowers during our recent Stepping Stones Quarterly Test. Congratulations on receiving 19/20 for your efforts. Keep working hard!
David Duxson - For your leadership and kindness to others during the junior liturgy,
Max Lasslett - For being such a caring, thoughtful and motivated student at all times in the classroom. Thank you for everything you do each day!
Lilly Hine - For the fantastic efforts you have put into editing and improving your procedure writing through the feedback given to you. Keep it up Lilly!
Kayde Werry - For the wonderful poster you created in Religion in response to the song 'We are the World'. The connections you made to The Golden Rule, Respect and Solidarity demonstrated a great understanding of this term's learning. Well done.
Jack Wadge - For the effort you have been demonstrating to up level your Sentence a Day and procedure writing over the last week. Keep up the great work Jack!
Daniella Parkin Alamo - For the wonderful growth and confidence you have been demonstrating in your Maths this term. Well done Daniella, keep up the hard work!
Archie MacPherson - For excellent self-motivation and awesome post- test results in Maths. Impressive work Archie!
Jackson Notting - For his self-motivation and determination when working on his explanation writing. Super work Jacko!
Monti Repper - For the improvement you have shown in your reading this year. You should be very proud of yourself.
Ethan Prydderch - For your fantastic Module 7-9 Stepping Stones post test result. The amount of growth you have shown over the course of the term has been amazing.
Living in Faith:
Welcome to Maggie Rose Jenkins.
Congratulations to Matt, Claire, Brooke, Reece, April,
Evelyn (Foundation) & Paddy.
A delighted Evelyn is pictured with baby Maggie.
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. “No duty is too little to be done well” Saint Mary MacKillop
Congratulations to this weeks award recipient: Lilah Beaumont
For being an encouraging and supportive member of our community.
Thank you for your kindness.
Birthdays:
Congratulations to these students who celebrated their birthday this week:
Alivia, Riley, Logan & Eleanor
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.