Newsletter 166- May 1st 2025
Prayer of the Week:
Prayer in Memory of Pope Francis
Loving and gracious God,
We give thanks for the life and witness of Pope Francis,
who led with humility, compassion, and courage.
In his words and actions, he reminded us
to see Your face in the poor, the forgotten, and the beauty of creation.
As we continue the work he began,
may we be inspired by his call to care for our common home.
Help us to live more simply,
to love more generously,
and to protect this Earth that You have entrusted to us.
Comfort those who mourn his passing,
and guide the Church with wisdom as it discerns new leadership.
May the seeds of justice, mercy and peace sown during his papacy
take root and flourish in our world.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Amen.
From the Principal’s Desk:
As we settle into Term 2, it has been wonderful to see our school community return with energy and enthusiasm. The term has already begun with some special moments that have brought us together in faith, remembrance, and celebration.
A particular highlight was the reflective and reverent Stations of the Cross prayers led by our Year 6 students at the end of Term 1. Their leadership and maturity in guiding us through this important tradition was a credit to them and a meaningful way to conclude the term.
Last week, we came together as a whole school to honour ANZAC Day. Our students displayed a deep respect for the occasion, and I would like to thank those who participated in the town service alongside our school captains and choir. Your representation of St Patrick’s was something to be proud of.
Looking ahead, the coming weeks promise to be just as enriching. We are preparing to welcome families for our Mother’s Day celebrations—a special time to recognise and appreciate the incredible women in our lives. We are also looking forward to our next Eventide visit, continuing to build beautiful connections between our students and the local aged care residents.
In Week 5, our School Advisory Council will hold its Term 2 meeting. I warmly invite any families interested in becoming part of this important group to attend. Items on the agenda include learning and teaching programmes, student wellbeing, and governance matters such as the progress of our building works—along with other key aspects that help our school to thrive.
Thank you for your continued support as we journey through the term together.
Warm regards,
Bettina
Wellbeing:
SPECIAL REPORT: Wellbeing Barometer Survey - 2025
The Wellbeing Barometer survey has become an essential resource for schools, providing valuable insights into youth mental health and wellbeing. By capturing community concerns and understanding the nature of these challenges, schools are better positioned to support families, foster meaningful conversations, and strengthen relationships.
As part of an ongoing longitudinal study, this survey plays a pivotal role in tailoring support for students and their families. It offers a comprehensive view of students’ experiences, challenges, and achievements over a 12 month period.
By participating in this survey, your school can identify areas of strength, uncover potential concerns, and pinpoint opportunities for early intervention. The survey’s findings enable a deeper understanding of young people’s lives, supporting a more tailored approach to improving mental and emotional wellbeing.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to complete either one or both surveys below, depending on the age of your son or daughter and the school they attend.
We encourage you to complete one survey for each child. There is no limit to how many times you can complete the survey. This will enable you to provide more accurate responses based on individual children.
Please remember, all responses remain anonymous and should reflect observations made over the last 12 months. Survey results are only reported on an aggregated basis.
https://spstawell.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing-barometer-2025-primary
Lauren Broadbent Mental Health and 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 2: Foundation
Week 3: Senior R & M Camp Reflection
Week 4: No Assembly - Athletics Carnival
Week 5: Middle B
Week 6: Mini-Vinnies
Week 7: Middle J
Week 8: Junior C
Week 9: Junior B
Week 10: Art
Week 11: Commendation Badges Presentation
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 2 Week 3 -NIL
Foundation:
After one full term at school, we wanted to share some of our favourite things about being at St Patrick’s:
Patrick C – playing with friends
Ailani – singing
Ethel – dancing
Levante – activities in the morning
Elsie D – playing with Leah
Lewis – football
Bridgette – playing with my friends
Leah – drawing pictures
Sophie – playing and seeing my sister
We’ve been learning about reading and writing simple sentences. This week, we were very excited to take home our first readers to practise with our families!
At school, we’ve been working on our reading during InitiaLit PowerPoints, and using our whiteboards to write sentences. We’ve learnt that a sentence needs:
- a capital letter
- finger spaces
- a full stop
- and it must have a star (noun) and what they are doing (verb).
We’re so proud of our first attempts at writing sentences – check them out!
Every Friday, we participate in guided drawing lessons. We're working on improving our drawing skills, learning how to follow instructions, and being brave when trying new things. Each week, we choose a picture that links to the sounds we are learning in class.
We have also been learning about Mary, the mother of Jesus. To celebrate what we've learnt, we created beautiful paintings of Mary.
- Oliver – Mary was a special Mum because she was Jesus’ Mum.
- Elsie D – She loved Jesus and cared for Jesus.
- Emilia – Mary said yes to God.
As we’ve been learning about Mary, the mother of Jesus, we’ve also been thinking about how special our own mums are. We each wrote a sentence about why we love them:
- Lexi – I love my Mum because she is kind to me and the birds.
- Angeth – My Mum is special because she always reads books to me and gives me my iPad.
- Patrick M – I love my Mum because she loves me.
- Ted – I love my Mum because she loves me and lets me play outside.
- Indie – My Mum is special because she lets me watch TV a lot and she gives me hugs.
Miss Lauren Broadbent
Sport:
At St Patrick’s, our Physical Education programme is designed to engage students in a wide range of movement experiences that promote fitness, enjoyment, and personal growth, while aligning with the Victorian F–10 Curriculum.
Each sport session is intentionally structured to meet the curriculum achievement standards appropriate to students’ year levels. This includes developing fundamental movement skills, understanding movement strategies, and building confidence in team-based activities. Lessons also support personal and social capabilities, such as cooperation, resilience, and fair play.
This term, the focus across all year levels has been on athletics-specific skills in preparation for our upcoming Athletics Carnival on Thursday 16 May. Students have been participating in targeted activities designed to build confidence and technique in events such as sprinting, long jump, shot put, and relay running. These sessions not only align with the curriculum expectations for physical competence and active participation, but also help students set personal goals and engage in healthy competition.
By developing these skills in a supportive environment, we ensure students are well-prepared and excited for the carnival, while continuing to grow their physical literacy and love of movement.
Students of the Week:
Week 1: No Students of the Week this week
Week 2:
Elsie Dalton - For showing the Learner Superpower of collaboration when you treat your classmates with kindness and compassion.
Ayah Gwyneth De La Cerna - For consistently putting in your best effort in learning by paying careful attention to detail in your drawings.
Thea Swain - For always being such an enthusiastic and self-motivated learner. Congratulations and thank you for the wonderful effort you are putting into your spelling words, both at home and at school.
Zeke Sheen - For working so hard to do your best work and for trying to complete all set tasks. Keep up the fabulous effort Zeke!
Evie Gready - For the hard work you have been putting into your Maths so far this term. Keep up the wonderful work Evie!
Nasar Werry - For the self-motivation you have been demonstrating in all areas of your learning so far this term. Keep it up Nasar!
Marley Carlsen - For your enthusiasm and engagement during our learning of ANZAC Day and WW1. Great work Marley.
Henry Tyler - For being an active participant in our discussions about the ANZACs and WW1. Well done Henry.
Max Lasslett - For being a risk taker during our Auslan lessons and having a go at demonstrating how to sign different questions.
Alivia Rolph - For working hard on your subtraction algorithms and estimation skills. Keep up the great work.
Willow Boylan - For being a risk taker and showing resilience when solving multiplication algorithms. This hard work has enabled you to achieve the success you are. Keep it up!
Maya Goodes - For being a wonderful role model to your peers. You always try your best and accept challenges and feedback with a positive attitude. Well done and keep up the hard work!
Harper Bibby - For always seeking out and taking on feedback from your teachers and your peers.
Adi Ratcliffe - For the detail you have been adding to your narrative writing this week. Keep taking risks Adi!
Living in Faith:
Faith and Mission
This week, we pause in prayer and reflection following the death of Pope Francis—a leader whose humble example and courageous voice have deeply shaped our Church and our world. His passing marks the end of a remarkable papacy, defined by compassion, inclusivity, and a bold call to care for the most vulnerable, including our planet.
One of his most powerful legacies lies in his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, which continues to guide our own Earth Care journey here at St Patrick’s. In this landmark document, Pope Francis reminded us that the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor are interconnected, and he called all people of goodwill to ecological conversion—to rethink how we live, consume, and care for creation.
As we implement our school’s Earth Care Plan throughout the year, we carry his words and wisdom with us. From simple actions like reducing waste and nurturing gardens, to deeper conversations about sustainability and justice, we honour Pope Francis by living out the values he so passionately proclaimed.
We give thanks for his life, leadership, and unwavering faith, and pray for the Church as it prepares to choose a new shepherd for our time.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
ANZAC Day
Do you know someone who is doing it tough?
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 Neighbourhood 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 344 324 and leave a message. They will contact you within 24 hours.
Mary Rita Thomas
Secretary Stawell Inter Church Council
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.
“We have much to be thankful for” Saint Mary MacKillop
Madilyn
For being a proactive helper during sport to her fellow classmates.
Thank you for your Kindness.
Parents & Friends:
Over the next two weeks you’ll be hearing and seeing us around a lot, with our annual Mothers’ Day Stall next Friday morning, and the Aths Sports the following week.
We kindly remind everyone to return their children’s lunch order forms promptly to ease the guess work when ordering our foods for the day. Thank you to those who have already offered to bake for us, If you’re able to donate any slices, muffins, or other deliciousness please let me know on 0439 479 994.
Our Mothers’ Day stall will allow the children to choose a special gift for their Mum, or special person, with prices ranging from $1-$10. Please send along some money with your child next Friday, May 9th.
Thanks again for your support.
Kate Field
President
Birthdays:
Congratulations to these students who celebrated their birthday over the Holidays and in the last fortnight:
Imogen, Archer, Beverly, Leah, Finn, Mason, Tanner, Elektra, Madilyn, Patrick M, Evie G, Angeth, Max & Hunter.
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 2025 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.
Around Our Community:
Please follow us on instagram; stpatsstawell
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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.