Newsletter 153- November 1st 2024

Prayer of the Week:

All Saints Prayer:
For Those Who Walked With Us
For those who walked with us, this is a prayer.
For those who have gone ahead, this is a blessing.
For those who touched and tended us, who lingered with us while they lived, this is a thanksgiving.
For those who journey still with us in the shadows of awareness,
In the crevices of memory,
In the landscape of our dreams,
This is a benediction.
Amen

- Jan Richardson

This week is the feast of All Saints, when Catholics  remember all the people who have lived their lives really well and who have died and gone to heaven. It is also a time to think about how we can follow their example and live our lives as God wants us to. "Those whom we love and lose are no longer where they were before. They are now wherever we are".           - St John Chrysostom

Principal's Report:

Dear St Patrick’s community,

As we finish October, as a Catholic school, we conclude celebrating World Mission Month. This year, we walked hand-in-hand with the Caring Centre in Mongolia and the local communities towards providing life-changing opportunities to those most in need. I thank our senior students for organising our Socktober activities and enabling all our students to be part of our social justice work. 

We begin looking to the end of the year and into 2025. In the coming weeks, our students will dive into exciting experiences with excursions and camps on the calendar. These activities offer valuable learning opportunities, encouraging curiosity, resilience, and teamwork. We look forward to the adventures and memories they’ll bring back! 

Our building journey continues with the background work, and we are excited to announce that we have chosen Energy Architecture, a Mildura based firm, to partner with us on the development of our new Foundation building, playground, and toilet facilities. This marks a significant step forward for our school’s growth and improvement. Our architects and surveyors will be onsite over the coming weeks. 

Staffing Update: 

We are pleased to announce that Josh has been appointed to the ongoing position recently advertised, and we are delighted that Celine will be staying with us for another year. We have two positions to fill, and once these are finalised, I will communicate the staff placements for next year.

A reminder that we have a student free day on Monday as our staff undertake professional development in the area of Faith and Formation. 

Wishing our families a wonderful and restful long-weekend.  

Bettina

Wellbeing:

A Child Therapist’s Favorite Resources for Calming Anxiety in Children
This page contains affiliate links, read the disclosure statement here

Inside: Kid tested strategies used by child therapists for calming anxiety, including ideas to calm down, books to read and videos that can help

It’s happening again. Your daughter is frustrated and stomping away down to her room, slamming the door and in general “has her cranky pants on”. You say calm down, but she yells back “I don’t know how to do that!!!”

We tend to tell our kids to “calm down” without ever giving them explicit directions on how to deal with stress and anxiety. Here’s a collection of the best tools and tips I’ve found to teach children how to calm down and relax.

Quick Ways to Calm Down

Sometimes you’ll need a quick way to help your child calm down and you don’t have much with you. Maybe it’s when you’re out at Target or stuck in traffic. These tips will come in handy at those times:

• Imagine your favourite place - it’s like taking a mini vacation wherever you are
• Think of your favourite things
• Name animals alphabetically (alligator, bear, cow, dog, etc…)
• Squeeze Something (play dough, clay, silly putty, your fists, a stress ball)
• Get a Cold Drink of Water

• 54321 Grounding - go through each of your 5 senses

• Give yourself a hug - squeeze tight!
• Remember the words to a song you love
• Do a hook up

• Put your arms straight out in front of you, palms facing out.
• Put one hand over the other at the wrists and interlace your fingers.
• Swoop your hands and arms toward your body and then place your interlaced hands on your chest.
• Cross your feet at the ankles and put your tongue on the roof of your mouth.
• Stay still for one minute.

It’s great to have a big list of coping skills to try when your child needs to calm down. Here are two more short lists of ideas for calming down at home or at school.

From Imperfect Families - Strategies to use at home 
From Encourage Play - 10 Strategies to Help Kids Calm Down at school or home

Deep Breathing

People usually roll their eyes initially when they hear “breathing is important”. But I will continue to say it and explain why. It’s so simple, yet has such a big impact on your body’s physiology.
When you and calm and relaxed, your body is in “rest and digest” mode. You breathe normally, your heart rate is lower and your muscles are relaxed. However, when stress or anxiety or anger occurs, your body automatically switches into “flight, fight or freeze” mode. Your muscles tense up, your heart rate increases and your breathing becomes more shallow.
Taking deep breaths, instead of shallow breaths, is one way to tell your body to get back to resting and digesting. That’s why deep breathing is important!

Luckily, there are some fun ways to teach kids deep breathing techniques

Things to Use

• Bubbles
• Feathers
• Pinwheels
• Stuffed animals
• Dandelions
• Deep breathing using shapes   
  

Things to Say

• Breathe in like you are smelling a flower, breathe out like you are blowing out birthday candles
• Arms up and breathe in, arms down and breathe out
• Pretend your belly is a balloon. Breathe in and make the balloon bigger, then breathe out and make the balloon shrink.

Videos to Watch

4 - 7 - 8 Breathing by GoZen
Breathing at Sea Otter Cove from Stress Free Kids
 
Make a Coping Skills Toolbox

 A Coping Skills Toolbox is a kit that you create to help your child calm down when they are upset, anxious or worried. In order to get the most benefit from this, you should create this kit before an issue occurs. When your child experiences anxiety, then they can pick out an item from their Coping Skills Toolbox. This is one of my favourite ways to help kids learn to calm their anxiety.
Here are some other fantastic ideas for what to put in a coping skills toolbox/calm down kit from And Next Comes L 

Create a Calm Down Spot

You can create a place specially designed to allow to calm down in a few steps

• Find a spot and make it cosy (ask your child for help with that - maybe they can place a favourite blanket or stuffed animal inside)
• Add calming tools
• Explain how to use it and practice before
• When they are starting to escalate, catch it early and give them a calm reminder about their calm down spot

Use Understanding and Supportive Language

Use the following phrases as a way to support your child, let them know that you’re going to support them and help them in any way that you can.

“I’m here for you”
“Talk to me and tell me what’s going on”
“How can I help?”
“Together, we can work on this. We’re a great team”
“I love you”
“Do you want a hug?”

Here are some more ideas of what to say to calm an anxious child.

From Go Zen - 49 Phrases to Calm an Anxious Child
From Lemon Lime Adventures - What to Say to Calm an Anxious Child   

Listen to Story Podcasts for Children

Did you know there are podcasts with stories for children? Usually the hosts have a soothing voice and the stories tend to be pretty short. Your child can listen to these podcasts as a way to have some down time.

• Tales from the Lilypad
• Story Time
• Stories Podcast
• Storynory

Use Calming & Mindfulness Scripts

There are scripts you can read to your child to help them relax and calm down. Slowly and carefully read the words as your child listens and follows the instructions. Check out Inner Health Studios list of scripts you can use with your child. If you prefer not to read a script, there are ones that are pre-recorded.

There are also scripts to practice mindfulness with children. Eline Snel has written a great book on Mindfulness with Kids, Sitting Still Like a Frog. Here are the several scripts that can be used from that book!

Annaka Harris also has several pre-recorded scripts to help kids practice mindfulness

Confused about how to introduce mindfulness to kids? Check out these resources:

Simple Ways to Introduce Mindfulness and Meditation to Children

11 Simple But Effective Ways to Teach Mindfulness to Kids

Make a Mind Jar

What you need:

Empty Jar
I’ve used empty soda bottles, empty water bottles, glass jars and plastic containers. Use whatever makes sense for you and your family. For instance, for the calming jars the kids have in their room, I used a heavy duty plastic bottle. I didn’t want them to accidentally knock over a glass jar in the dark - that would be a huge mess!

Water
I’ve had the best results when I’ve used warm water - it makes it easier for the water and paint to combine.

Glitter Paint
I prefer using glitter paint (or glitter glue) instead of glitter because then I’m not cleaning up glitter for weeks at my house after we make them :-)

To make your jar, add glitter paint to the bottom of the jar until it just covers the bottom of it. Add warm water. Put the cover on and shake to help the ingredients combine. Once you are satisfied with the look of your jar, then you can super glue the lid shut so it doesn’t spill. In a pinch, I’ve also used duct tape to secure the lid.

Watch Make a Simple Calming Jar from Coping Skills for Kids on YouTube

Wet Ingredients

Sometimes you want the glitter/other items to stay afloat longer or for a shorter amount of time. Here are some different ingredients you can use as the wet ingredients.

• Hair Gel
• Corn Syrup
• Glue
• Glitter Glue
• Glow in the dark paint

Dry Ingredients

• Legos
• Glitter
• Small stones
• Small shells
• Glow in the dark stars

To see several other ways to make calming jars, take a look at what Preschool Inspirations did.

Use Visuals

One of the first things I always like to do with kids if they are struggling is to start using visuals. When you’re stressed and anxious, it’s harder to read and take in information. Visuals are easier.

I like to keep calming cue cards in my children’s coping skills toolboxes so that they can make a decision about what coping skill they can use. Sometimes pulling out a list is too much in the moment. You can make your own cue cards.

• Take several index cards or small pieces of cardstock
• On each one, write or draw one coping skill
• Hole punch the cards and place them on a keyring (to make them extra sturdy, you can laminate them)
• Put them into the coping skills toolbox for easy access

Using visuals is a powerful way to help kids. When kids are overwhelmed, sometimes it’s hard for them to figure out what to do. By having cue cards, your child can have a visual reminder of what calms and relaxes them.

To make things a little easier, I’ve created ready to use coping skills cue cards for you. There are four different sets: Calming, Physical, Distracting, and Processing. If you'd like all 4, I created a set where you can download them all together.

Get Good Rest

If your child is anxious, they may also be having a difficult time getting settled for bedtime. Here are some ideas to help your child get settled at bedtime.

PINPOINT WHAT THE FEAR IS

One of the most important things to do is to figure out exactly what is causing the anxiety. Is it fear of the dark? Is it a worry about something in the closet? Is it monsters? Is it spiders? Figuring out the cause of the fear will help you come up with ways you can help your child combat it.

REARRANGE THE ROOM

Are there particular spots of the room that seem to be darker or cause more fear at night than others? Go into the bedroom during the day with your child and talk about the spots that make your child nervous. Try moving night lights and furniture around for a more calming room arrangement.

TRANSITIONAL OBJECTS

If your child has a hard time separating from you, try a transitional object. This is a special item that helps your child feel comforted. It helps them feel like part of you is still present even when you're not there. It could be something like a stuffed animal or a special stone or necklace, or a sweatshirt of yours. The object isn’t what matters, it’s what the object represents. They can keep it and hold it all night long to help them relax and go to sleep.

Find more strategies here:  12 Kid Friendly Strategies to Calm Anxiety at Night

Looking for some calming guided meditation to help get to sleep at night? Try one of these: Best Guided Meditations for Sleep.

Use a Journal

Whenever I sit down and talk with someone about their coping skills, one of the first
The thing I ask is if they have tried writing about it. Why do I always start with journaling as
a way of processing through difficult feelings?

• It’s easier to write about than talk about hard things
• Journaling helps you process what’s happening.
• It’s convenient.
• It’s not graded
• It can help you solve a problem
• It can help you reframe your thinking

Ms Lillie Marshman

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 4: Foundation


Week 5: Middle C
Week 6: Junior B
Week 7: Senior H
Week 8: Middle B
Week 9:  Junior R & Junior B
Week 10: Grade 6
Week 11:

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 5- Nil

Foundation:

Foundation Assembly Week 4 Term 4 

This week in Foundation we have been very busy learning many new skills whilst revising all that we have learned throughout the year. 

Writing: 

We have been flat out writing stories and sentences each morning. The children have developed such wonderful resilience when it comes to writing which is most pleasing to see. 

Reading: 

Throughout Reading we’re at the stage of revising our skills before we commence assessments for reports. The children have undergone many forms of assessment already and they have all shown great growth and development. 

Maths: 

Ensuring that objects are shared equally is very important in Foundation. We’ve been working very hard looking at equal and unequal groups in Stepping Stones this week. The children have been wonderful at making groups. 

On Tuesday I gave them challenges like: 

• I need 2 groups with 12 people in each group 
• I need 6 groups with 4 people in each group 
• I need 8 groups with 3 people in each group 
• I need 24 groups with 1 person in each group 

Religion: 

Throughout Religion we have been talking about the word ‘sacred’ and what it means. We have been speaking about sacred things being special to us. We also talked about how people will all have different things/objects that are sacred to them. 

The children shared some events like: 

• Christmas 
• Valentines Day 
• Birthdays 
• Easter 
• Grandma's house 
• Mothers day 
• New siblings 
• Setting Up the christmas tree 
• Halloween 
• The Black Panther

Auslan: 

Auslan has been stepping it up throughout the last few weeks and becoming quite challenging, we have all been very resilient and patient as we learn new signs together as a class collective. 

This week we have learnt: 

• Today is hot 
• Tomorrow will be hot 
• Yesterday was cold 
• Two days ago 
• In two days 

We missed seeing Jane this week and cannot wait to see her again next week to further develop our Auslan signing skills. 

What we’re most proud of this week 

Reading:  Levi, Harrison, Billie, Charlie, Juliet

Story writing: Amelia, Zeke, Rhylen, Anthony, Judd

Sacred or special events: Leon, Aurie, Ziorachuckwu, Flynn

Maths: Indiana (numbers), Mackenzie (order of events), Ada (10 and how many more), Scott (shapes), Thea (before and after)

Auslan: Aynsley (good evening), Evelyn (you’re welcome), William (come here), Bobby (work in pairs), Jye (where is your hat)

Mrs Lillie Marshman

World Teachers Day:

Thank you to our wonderful SAC and community who made World Teachers Day so special for us at St Patrick’s.  It was so lovely to walk into the staff room which had been beautifully set up for a delicious meal that we were able to share together. 

Staff spoke about how grateful we are for our wonderful St Patrick’s community.

Students of the Week:

Socktober:

It was great to see the children have so much fun during our Socktober fundraising session on Friday. Socktober 2024 presents a wonderful opportunity for our students to make a positive impact, simply by organising and having fun playing games that involve “socks.” Activities like these teach our children valuable lessons about compassion and global awareness through a fun and interactive way. By participating our school community fosters a sense of empathy and social responsibility.  It provides our community a chance to learn about important causes and see the difference our efforts can make. This year funds raised for Catholic Mission will go to a Caring Centre in Mongolia.   For more information click on the link: Socktober 2024

Once again we thank you for your support. 

End of Year Celebrations:

When: Thursday 12th December, 2024.

Where:  St Patrick's Primary School Oval 

Time:  6:30pm

Catering:  TBA

BYO: chairs/picnic blanket 

Carols:  Each classroom will present a Christmas Carol throughout the evening

Our end of your celebration is where we can come together to celebrate our end of year and Grade 6 Graduation.  It will be an evening to celebrate learning, strive for personal excellence and celebrate our achievements. It will also be a chance to say goodbye to our Grade 6 students and families that will be leaving at the end of 2024.  

We hope you can join us in celebrating a terrific year of learning and teaching and growing together as a community of learners.

End of year Grade 6 Graduation liturgy:  Thursday 12th December, 2024 5:30pm 

Our Grade Six liturgy will be held in the school hall. Details to be advised.  

Living in Faith:

Fundraising: 

From this Friday (11th October) each Friday till the end of the year our MiniVinnies group will be selling Zooper Doopers for $1.00each.  The money raised will go towards Stawell Inter Church Council Welfare Centre and St Vincent de Paul Sponsor a student program. 

As always we thank our St Patrick’s community for your support. 

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. “Find happiness in making others happy.” Saint Mary MacKillop

Sustainability:

Parents & Friends:

Birthdays:

Congratulations to this student who celebrated their birthday this week: 

Zoey

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.catholic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ODC-July-2024-web.pd

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.