Newsletter 41 - December 17th 2021
Prayer of the Week:
This week we light the fourth advent candle as a sign of our faith in God’s redeeming love. God’s promised Messiah is coming. He brings good news for the poor and oppressed. He will bind up broken hearts. He will proclaim release to those who are held captive.
God, thank you for always loving us. As we get closer to the celebration of Christmas, help us to show your love to our neighbours both near and far.
We pray for people who face the hardship of poverty. Inspire us to be loving every day. In your name we pray,
Amen
Principal's Report:
Welcome
As the 2021 school year draws to a close it is a time to reflect on the year that has been. It can’t be said that it was uneventful! Through all the interruptions and constant changes of the year it is amazing to consider all that we were able to achieve as a school community.
Looking back on the year I am still in awe of the efforts of students, staff and families during the periods of remote learning. The adaptability and resourcefulness that was shown was quite incredible. Once again I would like to acknowledge the way in which families were able to ensure that learning could continue. For all those who juggled work and family commitments as well as homeschooling I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
On Wednesday we celebrated the graduating class of 2021. It was wonderful to be able to gather as a community and reflect on the students' time at St Patrick’s. We wish all the students and families completing their time at the school all the best in the future.
The graduation ceremony was followed by a whole school family picnic. It was pleasing to see so many families in attendance. It was a terrific way to finish what has been at times a challenging year.
Looking forward to 2022, I am full of excitement about the possibilities of the year. I believe the school has put in place the staffing and school structure to support the student’s continued learning and wellbeing development. It will also be great to increase our connection within and outside the school community.
I also believe that the school will be well led by our student leaders. It was my great pleasure to announce the School Captains and Vice Captains for 2022. Wil Evans and Isabelle Thomas will be the School Captains. The Vice Captains are Archie Ross, Teepika Jones and Chane Greyvensteyn.
As I sign off on my first full year as Principal of St Patrick’s Stawell, I would like to acknowledge how grateful I am to be part of this amazing school community. I am constantly overwhelmed by the lengths that the staff and families go to in order to improve the outcomes for our students. This is our core work and what wonderful work to be involved with!
With Faith in our Future
Chris McAloon
SCHOOL FEES 2022:
Wellbeing:
Hi all, welcome back to the final week of Term 4 for 2021, what a crazy and quick term we have had.
I am pleased that we were all back at school and therefore could continue to watch our students of St Patrick’s Primary School grow and learn.
As we come close to closing another school year I would like to wish all of the Grade 6 students the very best as they transition into High School. A massive welcome to all of our Foundation students for 2022, we cannot wait to watch you all grow and learn at St Patrick’s.
I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holidays. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Be safe and see you all in 2022.
Kind regards, Lillie Comitti - Wellbeing Coordinator.
Teaching and Learning:
5/6 Camp to Cape Bridewater
What a wonderful way to have ended the year, a camp that was adrenaline fueled and full of laughter and shared adventure.
Foundation and 1/2 Excursion to Cato Park
Not to be outdone by the senior students, the Foundation and Grade 1/2 had a wonderful morning walk and play at Cato Park.
ART SHOW:
Earlier in the term the school won a prize in the Northern Grampians Children’s Week art show. The prize was generously donated by Stawell Tattslotto Agency.
A huge congratulations to these super Foundation Readers, racking up an incredible 200 nights reading this school year. Well done girls keep up the great work!
Living in Faith:
Christmas is a time to reflect on the year that was.
What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about your children as they spent a considerable amount of the year at home learning?
What did you learn that you would do differently next year? What are you grateful for?
How will you celebrate as a family?
How will you reflect on the celebration of Jesus' birth and what it means for you as a family?
5c Challenge is back:
Thankyou to all those who have generously contributed to St Patrick’s Primary School annual 5 cent challenge. We will continue this throughout Term 1 2022, if you accumulate any 5c during the Christmas break we would be grateful for your donation.
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 1 2022.
For more information please see: https://www.vinnies.org.au/page/Our_Impact/International_Impact/Assist_a_student_today/
Christmas according to Children
An entertaining take on Christmas. What happens when you ask a bunch of children to tell the story of Christmas? Enjoy this story of Bethle-ha-ha-ham and the magical star that appeared.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suowe2czxcA
St Patrick’s Parish Christmas Mass Times
Christmas Eve: Stawell 6pm, Ararat 7.30pm, Lake Bolac 9.15pm
Christmas Morning: Landsborough 9am
Prayer for a New Normal
As we prepare to walk into the future we pray for the "new normal" to come. May our hearts be unified in You more than ever. May the tender moments of seeing someone again in person be all the more rich and treasured. May the reunions, interactions, and moments ahead be held in such intentionality and may we turn to You in sincere gratitude. Help us to come out of this Pandemic better, not bitter. Help us to become more considerate of others, more mindful of how we can help one another, and how we can serve You and Your children well. We thank you that no matter how dark the night may get, there is the hope of the dawn to come. Amen
https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Making-a-scene-at-Christmas.pdf
Making a scene at christmas - Fr Andrew flyer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D2--U1cTzI&t=12s
Around Our Community:
The Stawell Interchurch Netball competition for Term 4:
Register your child's interest by clicking the above link to particpate in a Wednesday afternoon netball competition.
8 week netball and gameplay from Wednesday October 12th - Wednesday November 30th 2022 - running from 4.30-5.30pm.
Ages 6 - 13 years.
Cost will be $70 for Non Netball Victoria members and $10 for players already registered with Netball Victoria for 2022.
*Please, one form per player.
Details are subject to change at committees discretion.
Please return registration forms to stawellinterchurch@gmail.com by Sunday September 25th 2022.
Upcoming Events:
December 17th-Teachers Final Day
January 27th - Staff return to school Term 1
January 31st 2022 - All Students start Term 1
February 2nd - Foundation rest day
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.