Newsletter 45 - February 25 th 2022
Prayer of the Week:
We thank you for the amazing, beautiful world you created.
Help us to care for it.
We thank you for our wonderful school community of St Patricks.
Help us to care for one another.
Amen
Principal's Report:
Welcome
After an interuppted start to the year with a number of students away at different times due to isolation requirements it appears that things are returning to something more like normal. We have had no new coronavirus cases in the school community for a week now which is very pleasing.
Over the past week the Victorian Government has made some changes in restrictions and COVID-Safe settings. The voluntary rapid antigen testing program in Victorian schools is being extended for all of Term One. The school has now received its current allocation of test kits which can be collected from the front office during business hours.
The Victorian Government also announced the scrapping of mask mandates in many settings. However, masks will still be required by primary school staff and students in Grades 3-6 unless an exemption applies at this stage.
With the changes in the COVID-Safe settings, I am awaiting an updated verison of the School Operations Guide to be released by the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria. This guide provide the school with guidelines to ensure our operations are in compliance with all relevant legislation. Once this is released there may be changes in current school practices. Of course any changes will be communicated to the school community as soon as they are available.
Parent Teacher Interviews
The school will be holding Parent/Teacher Interviews on Wednesday March 2nd. Bookings can be made via PAM. The school is offering in person meetings, phone calls or video conferences. Please note that under current guidelines all visitors entering school buildings will need to show evidence of vaccination. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
School Advisory Council
The first meeting of the School Advisory Council will be held on Tuesday March 1st. If any parents or carers are interested in joining the Council please contact me.
Farewell Mrs Parry
Last week we farewelled Mrs Parry who is taking maternity leave. We wish her and Lee all the best as they await the arrival of their first child.
With Faith in our Future
Chris McAloon
A Word from the Office:
Student Absences
Are you aware that you can mark your child/ren absent from school via the SIMON Everywhere Parent Access Module (PAM)? This can be done for a part day (arriving late, departing early), single day or multi-day entries and can be done in advance for things like medical appointments or family holidays etc. The information you enter appears directly in our student administration system and automatically updates class rolls. Your assistance in self-managing your child’s absences and minimising phone calls to the office during morning drop off time is greatly appreciated.
Anna Wadge
Business Manager
* Please remember to send your child to school with a reusable or disposable mask and a spare just in case they misplace one. The school does not supply them and has a limited supply.
Wellbeing:
Take a listen to the below podcast, such a great insight to not being okay and that being okay!
The Resilience Guy Was Not Okay
Hugh van Cuylenberg’s job is to teach resilience. But when he realised that he wasn’t feeling very resilient, he knew he had a problem.
On this episode of No Filter Hugh joins Mia to talk about how it’s possible to let go of the things that threaten to overwhelm us. And how it’s okay to feel what you’re feeling…
No filter - The Resilience Guy Was Not Okay
THE END BITS:
With thanks to Hugh van Cuylenburg. Find out more about his new book Let Go here: https://theresilienceproject.com.au/shop/
Listen to Hugh's original podcast on No Filter here: https://omny.fm/shows/no-filter/the-resilience-project
Listen to Hugh's wife Penny's episode here: https://omny.fm/shows/no-filter/living-with-ocd
Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au
Need more lols, info, and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here.
Check out our No Filter YouTube channel here.
Teaching and Learning:
Assembly:
How exciting - Assemblies are back for grade level only. At this stage, we are only able to have parents & friends of students in the grade who are hosting the assembly. Visitors to school buildings will also need to provide evidence of vaccination. Classrooms that are not presenting assembly will be able to watch the assembly online.
Assemblies will start at 2:50pm in the school hall.
Assembly roster for term 1:
Week 4 25th February Grade 5/6
Week 5 4th March Grade 1
Week 6 11th March No assembly
Week 7 18th March Grade 2
Week 8 25th March No assembly
Week 9 1st April Grade 3/4
Week 10 8th April Foundation
5/6 News:
What a fantastic start to 2022 we have had. It has been so great getting back into the school routine and seeing all students engage with their learning.
During the Reading block, students have been looking at the many strategies we can use as readers to comprehend information from a variety of texts. This week, our focus has been comparing and contrasting information in texts using Venn diagrams to see what similarities and differences we can identify. We also read the 3rd and 4th chapter of our class novel by Tristan Bancks titled ‘Two Wolves’, a suspense filled narrative which the students are loving about how the main character, a boy named Ben Silver, is faced with choosing between good and bad.
In Writing, we have been reflecting on how different authors use persuasive devices such as rhetorical questions, alliteration and repetition to get their message across and trying to replicate such language in our own pieces of writing.
Recently, in Grade 5 Math, students have been revising addition and subtraction strategies to solve problems involving 3- and 4-digit numbers. Such strategies include algorithms, representing the jump strategy on number lines and the compensation strategy. Extension tasks have included using UNO cards to solve more complex problems, playing Math related games using the OrigoSlate platform and doing placement assessments on Prodigy Education.
The Grade 6's have been focusing on decimal fractions, common fractions and solving problems by adding and subtracting fractions. Students have completed extra activities to help strengthen and expand their understanding. A real highlight in Grade 6 Maths is the positive mindsets of all students, they are always eager to learn and help each other.
Our focus in Religion lessons has been finding clear definitions for the words ‘HOPE’ and ‘DIGNITY’ and why they are so important for people all over the world. On Monday, we read and discussed the journey of great South African leader Nelson Mandela and why he valued his dignity above anything else.
Our inquiry unit for term 1 has focused on democracy and government, this is in preparation for our Grade 5/6 camp later this term.
Initially, our Wellbeing lessons in the first couple of weeks revolved around understanding our whole school values: WE ARE SAFE, WE ARE RESPECTFUL, WE ARE LEARNERS and how these values looked for Grade 5/6 students at St. Patrick’s. In the past two weeks we have turned our focus to unpacking the Zones of Regulation paying particular attention to identifying how those around us might be feeling through their facial expressions and body language.
Last but not least, after a couple of weeks of preparation, yesterday we got to participate in our school swimming carnival in beautiful conditions at the Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre. It was great to see so many smiles as students encouraged others, displayed amazing sportspersonship and gave their all in four individual events, a house relay and the most important event of the day, the annual parent/teacher versus student race.
This week in 5/6
Sports Report:
Congratulations to all students being brave and courageous and competing in our 2022 Swimming Sports. Every race was very close and the sportspersonship was wonderful to see and hear. It was gratifying to see and have so many family and community members cheering and embracing our School and its students. Congratulations to Barrett on just edging out Mackillop and Joseph to take out the overall win.
Our fabulous sports captains: Bonnie, Grace M, Caleb, Ryder, Arlee, Jack, Eedie, Tom J and Will St.
The winners and grinners of the teachers/parents verses Grade 6 students.
Our happy Champions
Living in Faith:
Parents of CSPV invite you each year to contribute your parent voice to various topics in education. We also seek your perspective so we can share resources, present webinars, events and other projects based on your needs as Catholic school parents.We invite you to complete the following survey to share what is most important to you now your children are back at school.
https://forms.gle/
Thank you in advance for your response to our survey.Click here to complete the survey by Friday 11th March 2022.
Upcoming religious events:
We think of our Islamic friends on Tuesday 1st March as they observe the Prophet Muhammad’s night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension (al Miraj) to heaven and return the same night. Also known as ‘Night of Journey’ (al Isra). The MahaShivaratri (or ‘Great Night of Shiva’) is a festival celebrated in honour of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva, one of the deities of the Hindu Trinity is celebrated in Hinduism also on Tuesday.
Shrove Tuesday
Next Tuesday is Shrove Tuesday, the beginning of Lent in the Catholic Church. On this day students will enjoy eating pancakes and learning about Shrove Tuesday.
Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of Lent. Lent is one of the most important times in the Christian Church’s calendar. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. Ash Wednesday takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday, and is observed by Catholics, although many other Christians observe it too. Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting.
Grades 1 & 2 students will go to the Church on Shrove Tuesday at 10:00am and Grades 3-6 will celebrate Ash Wednesday with a liturgy on Wednesday morning in the hall.
Students of the week
Congratulations to all our Students of the week:
Joel Kuriakose Parayil – for working super hard in Maths and getting 10/10 on your check-up. Well done!
David Duxson – for being a super learner and always being eager to contribute in our class discussions
Marianne Duxson - for successfully using the count on strategy in Maths. You are a mathematician!
Keesha O'Kwor - for accepting the extra challenges in writing with a positive attitude. You are an expert at Super Sentences!
Tanner Freeland - For managing challenging tasks in maths with resilience and determination.
Oliver Sutherland - For the hard work and persistence on his final copy of his information report on Kookaburras. Keep up the great work Ollie.
Mahli Willis - for your willingness to learn and do your best in all subject areas. You approach each day encompassing the school values: we are safe, respectful and learners.
Nate Jantzen - for your incredible work ethic and desire to accomplish your goals. You approach all school life following the school values: we are safe, respectful and learners.
Lilly-Rose St Clair - for your amazing creative response to 'The Potter and The Clay' in our Religion lesson.
Logan Piatkov - for your perseverance and participation during our school swimming program. I'm very proud of you. Well done.
Edward Redford - For your willingness to work with the teacher to consolidate key concepts in Maths.
William St Clair - For going out of your way to include and help others both in and out of the classroom.
Ryder Sullivan - For your fantastic efforts at swimming sports, setting such a great example and always trying your best.
Maya Sanderson - For always giving everything your best effort and taking on new challenges, keep up the super work!
Birthdays:
Congratulations to
Bonnie Kuchel
having her birthday this week
Around Our Community:
President – Tracey McCartney | Vice President – James Gooden | Secretary – Kerry Ryan
The Great Western Football & Netball Club prides itself on being a family friendly club that welcomes all players and their families to our club. We cater for players of all ages, gender, ability, and provide opportunities to play and enjoy the game of football & netball in a positive, family friendly and inclusive environment. We provide a range of innovative programs to encourage participation and develop our junior members.
We are currently after the following junior players to join our club to become a member of our club:
Under 13 Netball – training Thursday @ 4.00pm
Under 15 Netball – training Thursday nights @ 5.00pm
Under 17 Netball – training Thursday nights @ 5.00pm
Under 12 Football – training to commence Thursday 3rd @ 4.00pm
Under 16.5 Football – training Thursday nights @ 5.00pm
If your child would like to join our wonderful club, please contact myself or attend any of the listed training nights as outlined above.
Tracey McCartney
GWFNC President
0429600228
Please follow us on instagram; stpatsstawell
Parish Bulletin:
Upcoming Events:
Friday 25th February - Grade Six Leadership Badges Presentation 2:50 pm in the school hall and live-streamed at https://meet.google.com/ibg-gddx-zuo
Tuesday 1st - Ash Wednesday Mass at Church 10am
Wednesday 2nd March - Ash Wednesday
Wednesday 2nd March - Parent Teacher Interviews - bookings are open via PAM.
Friday 4th March - Black Ranges Swimming Carnival Horsham
Monday 7th March -Foundation at school Full time
- Book Fair Week in the Library - Parents and Children can Purchase Books
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 - Postponed
Friday 25th March - Harmony Day Celebrations - Footsteps Dance Company onsite, please wear orange, red or yellow clothes. Activities TBC
Wednesday 30th March - School Cross country North Park
Monday 4th - 6th April - Senior F and M School Camp to Melbourne
April 8th 2022 - End Term 1
Tuesday 26th April - Start Term 2
Acknowledgement of Country:
We acknowledge Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land Jardwadjali 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.