Newsletter 39 - December 2nd 2021

Prayer of the Week:

Second Sunday of Advent 

After a chaotic year, there is comfort to be found when we pause to read, pray, and reflect over the course of the Advent season...a time when believers eagerly anticipate the celebration of Christ’s birth.

The second Sunday of Advent gives us the opportunity to prepare our hearts in faithful waiting, celebrate the birth of Jesus, and ready ourselves for his second coming. The theme is Peace. We bring peace to the world when we bring peace to our world. Jesus came to bring peace. He tells people, over and over, not to be afraid. But peace begins at home, within our walls and within ourselves.

Jesus offers us peace, but we have to be willing to take the step to rid ourselves of all that gets in the way of that peace.

If we change our lives for the better and try to do the right things, we can help to make the world a happier place for other people too.

 How are you going to change your life for the better this Advent?

 What will you do for others so that you are ready when Jesus comes?

God, thank you

Thank you for being the One we were waiting for. 

Help us open our hearts and minds to all you have for us this Advent season. 

Bless our efforts to extend the love you have shown us to others.

 In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Principal's Report:

Welcome

Transition Day 

On Tuesday December 7th the school will hold it’s Transition Day. On this day the students will spend the day in their 2022 classes with their 2022 classroom teachers. It is always an exciting day especially for our new Foundation class and our Grade Six’s who will be heading off to secondary school. 

A great deal of thought and work goes into allocating classes and teachers. Given the interrupted nature of the last two years the school has tried to maintain as much stability as possible. 

In terms of our class structures at St Pat’s the only real change is in our junior area. In 2022, we will have straight Foundation, Grade One and Grade Two classes. This decision was made to enhance the learning and wellbeing opportunities for the students following two interrupted years due to COVID-19. This structure is what the school felt would best fit the students' needs for 2022. The school structure will be reviewed in future years to reflect the needs of the students at that point. 

2022 Class Structure 

COVID Update 

As everyone would be aware, there are a number of COVID-19 cases in the Stawell community. There have been positive cases in educational settings and community groups in town. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected. Over the past few weeks a number of members of the St Pat’s community have undergone testing and isolating after being identified as a contact of a positive COVID-19 case. 

The current guidelines state that those identified as a social or educational contact of a COVID-19 positive person need to be tested and isolate until they receive a negative test result. They are then able to return to school or work. Thank you to everyone who has diligently followed the health advice. 

The school has been very fortunate that no student or staff member from St Pat’s has returned a positive test result. In the event that someone who tests positive to COVID-19 has been at school while infectious, the school would close briefly (most likely for 24 hours). In this time, we would conduct contact tracing to identify those who would require testing. The school would also undergo thorough cleaning. Once those requiring testing are contacted the school would reopen for the students and staff who were not deemed contacts.The process would be supported by Catholic Education Ballarat and the Department of Health. 

The current situation is a timely reminder that we must continue to do all we can to keep ourselves, our families, our school and the wider community safe. At school this means adhering to all COVID safe measures and protocols. 

Student Reports 

Student reports for Semester Two will be made available both in hard copy and via PAM on Friday December 10th. Given the interruptions of remote learning this semester the reports will focus on the students’ progress in English, Mathematics and Religious Education. Teachers are available to discuss the reports in the final week of the school year.

 With Faith in our Future 

Chris McAloon 

Wellbeing:

Welcome to the end of week 9 for Term 4, it is wonderful to finally have summer here and be able to enjoy this beautiful sunshine. This is just a friendly reminder to please ensure if you can that your children have slip, slop, slapped before coming to school. We always ensure the children reapply sunscreen throughout the day. However, if your child wears a particular sunscreen please pack some in their school bag. We will also take care of the "seek and slide" for your child. 

Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide

Thank you for continuing to take care of your child's wellbeing. 

Lillie Comitti - Wellbeing Officer. 

Teaching and Learning:

 Children chose their favourite scene from our class novel 'Detention'.

Grade 5/6M ‘Detention’ trioramas.

1/2 C

Just like that we come to the final weeks of the school year.  I couldn’t be prouder of the effort our students and families have put in this year.

In Reading we have seen fantastic growth with all students using our new InitiaLit program.  Students are in the process of being assessed on the five pillars of reading we have focussed on all year:  Phonological Awareness, decoding, tricky word recognition, comprehension and fluency. A special thanks for the support of our parents rolling out Initialit.  

In Writing, Grade One students really enjoyed our unit on Information writing where we learnt about numerous animals including: Army Ant, Giant Pacific Octopus, African lion and Cheetahs.

Grade Two literacy group have been reading George’s Marvellous Medicine where they have written their own recipe for a magic potion as well as vocabulary work. From here they have moved onto story writing. 

We have seen some beautiful interpretations of creation stories in Religion.  We have looked at The Rainbow Serpent and the Christian Creation story. 

In inquiry students have been learning about Relationships and how they have changed from babies to now. 

Grade One Maths students have finished their Stepping Stones modules and are now making and interpreting picture graphs.  They are also looking at revising various topics from throughout the year. 

Consolidating addition and subtraction skills has been the main focus for our Grade Two Maths group.  They have been working hard using their addition and subtraction strategies working firstly with one-digit numbers, two-digit numbers and building up to three-digit numbers. Students have enjoyed problem solving involving addition and subtraction. 

1/2 C enjoying  an outdoor classroom. 

This is problem solving and investigations from today’s 1/2 C Math lesson.

A special shout out to Mrs Cox-Hayward for  taking the time to create the virtual Art trail for  all schools and our wider community to enjoy.  It is fantastic to see the student art work and to enjoy their creativity. 

The importance of Art for our students: 

Arts play an important role  in enhancing learning, in enabling enjoyment and fostering imagination and creative activities.  The role that the Arts collectively can play in transforming students’ learning more broadly, should also be realised and celebrated. A considerable and growing body of research supports the assertion that the Arts should be playing an important role in all areas of school education and community development. Art can help transform learning processes and practices in schools to ensure that education is inclusive and meaningful for all children.  It is important to remember that inherent in the Arts is their ability to touch us as individuals in unique ways, and that this in itself can be an important catalyst for change.

(Excerpt from Australian Council for Educational Research)

Living in Faith:

Sacrament of Confirmation and Eucharist: 

We wish all the candidates all the best for the upcoming Sacrament this Sunday 5th December, 2021 at 10:30am mass. 

We pray for our Sacramental candidates at this time: 

Rose and Grace Collins, Jasmine Bolzon, Savannah Farrell, Maddison Prydderch, Ethan Jones and Edward Redford 

Prayer for Sacramental Candidates:

Lord, You send out Your Spirit to touch the hearts of all people, so that they may believe in You and in Jesus whom You sent. Look kindly on all candidates as they listen to Your voice. Open their hearts to Your Spirit and bring to fulfilment the good work that You have begun in them. As we prepare these children for the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation, make each of us an instrument of Your love. Teach us to appreciate what is holy in others, and to be patient with what we do not understand. Deepen our faith in the Gospel and help us to pass it on by our example. We pray that You will continue to guide us and sustain us. 

Amen.

St Patrick’s Parish Christmas Mass Times

Christmas Eve: Stawell 6pm, Ararat 7.30pm, Lake Bolac 9.15pm 

Christmas Morning: Landsborough 9am

Australian Catholic Education News

The latest edition of Australian Catholic Education News) is now available please click link.  A copy will also be sent home with the eldest in the family. 

Family advent online calender: 

The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development  has an online Advent calendar for families which  has a daily reflection and free activity for you and your children in preparation for Christmas

https://cafod.org.uk/Education/For-families/Family-Advent-Calendar

5c Challenge is back:

St Patrick’s Primary School annual 5 cent challenge will start from  Friday 3rd December, 2020 and finish on the last day of Term 4. 

Last year our school community raised enough money to fund three children through the St Vincent de Paul Assist a Student program. 

Each classroom is participating in our annual 5cent challenge.  We are seeking donations of 5c coins to go into our money boxes in the classrooms. This fundraiser will run to the end of the Term.  

For more information please see:  https://www.vinnies.org.au/page/Our_Impact/International_Impact/Assist_a_student_today/

Vinnies Christmas Kindness Appeal

This Christmas donate to Vinnies. Your gift can change a life. There are families who are experiencing poverty and homelessness this Christmas and your help can provide them with much needed essentials like food, clothing and a place to call home. To donate go to https://donate.vinnies.org.au/christmas-kindness

Stawell Inter Church Council

Last Christmas Stawell Inter Church Council welfare and Stawell St Vincent de Paul helped 71 households, made up of 116 adults and 141 children, 13 years old and younger. They distributed Christmas grocery shopping vouchers totalling $6,705. This year they expect the demand to be even greater. Owing to Covid 19 there will be no distribution of toys and children’s books but if you would like to donate money towards helping those in need in our community this Christmas could you please give it to Mary Rita Thomas – 0438 836 180

Students are busy making a card and Christmas decoration to send to the Stawell InterChurch Council to accompany each person's care pack.

Friday is Zooper Dooper Day:  For the next two Fridays  the Social Justice Team will be selling Zooper Doopers during lunchtime.  Zooper Doopers will be for sale for $1.00 each with all money raised going towards the St Vincent de Paul Sponsor a Student Program. 

Parish Bulletin:

Around Our School:

Please come along and make new friends and/or enjoy catching up with old ones at our AGM.

The Parents and Friends Association of St Patrick's Primary School has a long and proud partnership of raising funds for all our students to enjoy.  If you feel this sounds like something you or someone you know would like to be a part of then please join us:

Next Tuesday the 7th December at the Gift Hotel Stawell from 7pm.

New members and Office Bearers are required for 2022

Please RSVP Nicole Osborne 0438 684 477 by Friday 3rd December

Rest assured these meetings are a casual affair, however, as we are a registered organisation we do have to follow an official protocol and vote in new position holders.

We would love to see you all there!

 

Welcome to the 2021 Schools Arts Trail:

The inaugural Schools Arts Trail:
The idea for the arts trail came about because the Stawell Agricultural show was cancelled due to Covid restrictions. I wanted a way of displaying the wonderful artwork the students make each year. This year 6 schools have participated in the virtual art show. Hopefully, this is the start of an annual event.

Thanks to the staff at each school for collating and presenting the artwork, and thanks to the students who so enthusiastically made the artwork. The link below will take you to a page that lists the 6 contributing schools in this year's arts trail. Click on the link for each school to view their art slide show.
Thank you to the staff from each school who have compiled and presented the student's artwork. Congratulations to the students for the wonderful work they have created.
Please share the link with your school community.
Regards Lynette Cox Hayward
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VPae7-re2lMlCdz2FriB6cV_oHDNTrWOtO4zdOyXA-E/edit

Grade 6 Tree Tops Adventure:

Last Friday our Grade 6 students travelled to the Tree Tops Adventure Park just outside of Colac. They experienced a wide variety of zip lines and climbing challenges testing not only their physical strength but their mental strength also. Despite a few showers all enjoyed their day tremendously. 

End of Year School Picnic:

To celebrate the end of the year and with the easing of some restrictions, the school will be holding a family picnic. It will be held on the school oval on the evening of Wednesday, December 15th following the Grade Six Graduation Ceremony. Unfortunately, due to density limits, only Grade Six students and their families will be able to attend the ceremony in the hall.

It will be a BYO picnic dinner with the school supplying some children's entertainment and dessert. In line with current restrictions, all adults will need to show evidence of their vaccination status or a valid exemption.

More details will be shared shortly.

Students of the Week: congratulations

Charles Carter - for being such a kind and considerate member of our classroom 

Mia Bailey - for always using your initiative and being a leader in our classroom 

Lenny Field - for your independence during Reading 

Zarli Nicholson - for the thoughtful way you approach all you come in contact with 

Oliver Sutherland - For the amazing Maths work you have been doing. I am so proud of how you have been solving the extra challenges you have been given.  You are a mathematician!

Eleana O'Kwor - for your excellent Empathy Superhero task.

Ethan Parker - for your great efforts and behaviour during our Maths lessons.

Diana Daniel - For the wonderful effort you are putting into your writing.  I love reading the stories you write.  Keep up the hard work!

Henry Wadge - for doing such a wonderful job presenting to the class and showing confidence and knowledge when answering the many questions that your classmates asked you.  Excellent work Henry!

Milla Mitchell- for your knowledgeable contributions during whole class discussions, your peers learn so much from your insights.  For your amazing artistic responses to the literature we have been reading during class time.  Keep up the wonderful work Milla!

Eedie Hanns: For your fantastic Maths results and all of the hard work you put into your learning. 

Tyce Piatkov: For all of the hard work you have put into your learning and the positive outlook you have been demonstrating.

Billy Egan - for achieving a perfect score in your recent Maths quarterly test.

Lulu Kane - for the amazing growth you showed in Stepping Stones Maths tests for module 9 -12 Maths.

Upcoming Events:

December 3rd - Morning tea for Classroom Helpers

December 7th- Statewide 2022 Transition Day 

December 7th - P and F A.G.M 7pm at Gift Hotel

December 8-10th - 5/6 Camp to Cape Bridgewater

December 9th - F-2 Excursion Lunch provided

December 10th - Reports go home

December - 14th Grades 3-6 Pool Day/F-2- BYO picnic Lunch at Cato Park

December 15th - Grade 6 Liturgy and Family BYO Christmas Picnic School Oval

December 16th- Students final day 3:15pm dismissal

December 17th-Teachers Final Day

January 31st 2022 - All teachers and Students start Term 1 

April 8th 2022 - End Term 1

Acknowledgement of Country:

We acknowledge Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land on which our school stands.
We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
We thank them for sharing their cultures, spiritualities and ways of
living with the land in this place we all now call home.