Newsletter 42 - February 4 th 2022

Prayer of the Week:

Blessed are you, Lord God,

Creator of body and mind and heart;

you have sent the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge

to guide your people in all their ways.

 At the beginning of this new school year,

in this time of uncertainty and anxiety,

we implore your mercy.

Bless and protect our St Patrick’s school

Community 

Give wisdom to the decision makers,

be they in our schools or in our homes.

 Expand the horizons of our minds,

and deepen our commitment to seek

the truth of your ways.

Enliven our faith to reach out to those in need,

particularly those isolated and lonely.

 In these days when so much has changed,

help us to trust in the love of your Son Jesus,

our Divine Teacher, who is the same

yesterday, today, and forever.

Amen.

Principal's Report:

Welcome

Return to School 

I was speaking with my six-year-old daughter over the weekend about how she was feeling about starting school. She replied that she was half nervous and half excited. I told her that even after over 20 years in schools as a student, teacher and now as principal, that is exactly how I feel at the start of each new year. 

2022 brings with it a unique set of circumstances to feel both nervous and excited about. The nervousness this year again stems from the ongoing pandemic we are all living through. I am sure that the recent rise in case numbers caused many to worry about how the return to school may be impacted. I think I speak for all teachers, students, and families when I say the last thing we want in 2022 is a return to remote learning. 

The school is working with Catholic Education Ballarat and the Department of Education to ensure that we keep the school open and safe. In addition to the health practices we had in place last year, we are now further protected by the use of air purifiers in classrooms, the voluntary rapid antigen testing program for staff and students, and the rollout of vaccines for children. 

There is always so much to be excited about at the start of a new school year. This year we are embarking on a number of new initiatives that will improve the learning and wellbeing outcomes for students. We are very grateful to be included in Mental Health in Primary Schools pilot program for 2022. Participation in this pilot program means the school will receive funding to employ a Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator who will implement a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing. Lillie Comitti will take on this role in 2022.

This year the school will commence the Visible Learning Plus program through Corwin Education. This three-year professional development program translates the research of Professor John Hattie into a practical roadmap for implementation in the classroom and schoolwide.

The school was successful in gaining funding through the School Shade Sails Fund. The funding will allow for the installation of a shade sail in the courtyard to Holt Street. When completed this area will offer an additional outdoor learning space. The school has also engaged architecture firm Morton Dunn to assist with the creation of a master building plan. 

So as we start another school year, it looks like it will again be action-packed! 

 With Faith in our Future 

Chris McAloon 

A word from the Office:

Wellbeing:

Welcome Back

For those of you who don’t know, my name is Lillie Comitti and I am the Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator at St Patrick’s Primary School. I would like to welcome everyone back to school, and extend a special welcome to all of our new students and their families. The staff and I are looking forward to another exciting year of learning at St Patrick’s Primary School. 

This year we are lucky enough to be involved in the Mental Health In Primary Schools Pilot Program. Which will look to embed greater school practices for staff and students in regards to Wellbeing and Mental Health. 

As we enter a new school year we also look back and reflect on the years that have just passed. Below is a great image of when our students received a regular school educational year. 

In regards to wellbeing and the transition back into another school year, myself and all the other staff members at St Patrick’s Primary School are very pleased with the way the students have returned. 

I look forward to continuing to share with you each week the Wellbeing/Mental Health newsletter tips. If you have any questions or concerns in regards to wellbeing or mental health, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me on class dojo or via email. 

lcomitti@spstawell.catholic.edu.au

Kind Regards, Lillie Comitti - Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator

Teaching and Learning:

Living in Faith:

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 coins 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/

Birthdays:

Congratulations to all these students who have had a birthday this year:

Lucas Papadopoulos

Edie MacPherson

Tamieka Austin

Ace Rowe 

Kobe Power

Harper Bibby

Kobi McKinnis

Lily Sanderson

Mishka Greyvensteyn

Marli Scott

Ethan Parker

David Duxson

Noah Dunn

Happy Snaps From Junior R:

Parish Bulletin

Around Our Community:

Dear Stawell and region school leaders,

 The following are details of help available in Stawell and region for those in need.  Back to school can be a very financially difficult time for families so I thought that it would be a good time to renew these details with your school office and with parents via your school newsletter.  Families having trouble with back to school expenses should contact Stawell St Vincent de Paul while families might seek food help from the Stawell Inter Church Council welfare Cottage to free up some money for those school expenses. I’m also attaching details of how to access the Red Cross Home Isolation Food Hampers.

 “You, or someone you know, might need help in Stawell and surrounding regions –

 For food aid go to Stawell Inter Church Council welfare Cottage at 20 Sloane St. Stawell Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays between 10.30am and 12.30pm.  For out of hours emergencies ring

– 0408 038 949.  For help other than food contact Stawell St Vincent de Paul by ringing

  -0437 344 323 and leaving a message.  You will be called back within 24 hours.

 If you have to isolate at home because of covid and are in need of food aid help is accessable through Red Cross home isolation food hampers ring Norther Grampians Shire – 53588700 or Grampians Community Health home isolation unit – 53587400.”

 Thanks and best wishes for what I’m sure will be another challenging school year.

 Regards,  Mary Rita Thomas

Secretary, Stawell Inter Church Council, Member of Stawell St Vincent de Paul

SPACI

We are kicking off the year with a fun introductory/enrolment day on Wednesday the 16^th of February.

If you would like more information please contact me on 0427850278.

I also provide individual and small group private singing lessons after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays if you have any interested students.

Little Ones and Young Ones are designed to provide singing, music, creative movement and drama experiences for our younger community members, building their performing abilities and leading to involvement in other community performance opportunities such as performing at Take the Stage open mics and auditioning for community musical theatre productions.

 The programs are led by Dianne Stewart and Tracey Erkelens – Dianne has a teaching background and has recently completed the Australian Kodaly Certificate Level 1 a program for primary music teachers using singing as the basis for music education, she also teaches singing one to one in her private studio working with singers of all ages and incorporating Kodaly methodologies along with AMEB, Trinity Music College and ABRSM curriculums.  Tracey Erkelens is currently studying her Bachelor of Education and both are trained singers and regularly perform in community settings.  Dianne and Tracey enjoy sharing their joy of music and performing with the Little Ones and Young Ones.

 Stawell Performing Arts Company is an incorporated not for profit community group which aims to promote the performing arts and provide its members with performing and skill building opportunities.  SPACi strives to be fully open and accessible, providing a supportive environment for growth and development and has child safe policies and procedures in place.

 Thank you to all of our school community who have supported SPACi over the years – these past 2 years have been particularly challenging and we are looking forward to getting back to performing in 2022.

Kind regards   Dianne Stewart  0427850278

Program Leader  Stawell Performing Arts Company

For more information on Stawell Performing Arts Company please email spaci@outlook.com or visit our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/StawellPerformingArtsCompany

Junior Basketball 

Good Morning Junior Basketball entries.
Unfortunately we have not yet received enough entries to run any single division of junior basketball.

We have decided to extend the deadline by a further two weeks to try and find the remaining few required instead of jumping straight into combined age groups like what was run last year. The feedback from most who played last year was, if we could try to run the separated age groups the kids would enjoy it more; instead of having sixteen year old's playing with ten year old's.
We currently have seventeen out of the 20 entries for required U12's which is fantastic, hopefully with two more weeks of advertising we can get this starting not long after the new deadline.

The U14 age group has only three out of the 20 required, U16 five out of twenty and U18's have just two entries out of twenty.

There are several options we can explore if we do not get to the required entry numbers, some of these include:

• Combining age groups
• 3 vs 3 competition
• Asking the older children to help out with the younger age groups with coaching or umpiring

https://www.facebook.com/SSAC.NGSC/photos/a.757219387802819/1859064247618322/?type=3

I will be in touch again at the end of the deadline extension, if you know anyone at all interested please ask them to get in touch with the Stawell Sport and Aquatics centre or pass on a some contact details on their behalf back to me on email.
Kind regards,Matt 

matt.bourke@ngshire.vic.gov.au

Upcoming Events:

Wednesday February 9th -  Foundation rest day

Friday February 11th - Opening School Mass at St Patricks Church Senior F and M 9:30am, Parents and friends welcome, under Church Covid guidelines 

                                          - Opening school Liturgy Assembly Hall Foundation - Middle 9am, google link for Parents will be sent through DOJO next week.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday February 14th,15th,17th - Grades 5-6, 3-4 Swimming Lessons 

Monday, Tuesday February 21st and 22nd - Grades 5-6, 3-4 Swimming Lessons 10:30-11:30am

Thursday February 24th - School swimming Carnival at Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre. Middle and Senior children will be taken by bus from school first race at 10am.  All parents and Grandparents are welcome to attend as per SSAC guidelines attached below. Foundation and Junior R and H/C will join us for BBQ lunch (gratefully put on by the Middle and Senior school Parents) and cheering of relays and Captains vs Teachers race.

Wednesday 2nd March - Ash Wednesday Liturgy

Friday 4th March - Black Ranges Swimming Carnival Horsham

Monday 7th March -Foundation at school Full time

Friday 11th March - Visable School Learning PD - Student Free Day

Monday 14th March - Labour Day Public Holiday - No School

Thursday 17th March - St Patricks Day - Children & Staff encouraged to wear Green casual clothes

Wednesday 23rd March - Maths Olympics at SSC

Friday 25th March - Harmony Day Celebrations - Footsteps Dance Company onsite, please wear orange, red or yellow clothes. Activities TBC

Monday 4th - 6th  April  - Senior F and M School Camp to Melbourne 

April 8th 2022 - End Term 1

Tuesday 26th April - Start Term 2

*SSAC to enter these premises all Patrons must QR check in, show their vaccination certificate and wear a mask. This is for any sports day supporters. Thankyou.

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.