Newsletter 49 - March 25th 2022

Prayer of the Week:

Peter was with Jesus 2000 years ago and knew this was God’s design for humanity, to live in harmony with God and each other. Trouble was, there was a group of people, the Jews, who really felt that they were truly the people who belonged to God. They looked down on other nations. In fact, it was some of these people who rejected Jesus and killed him. Peter and his friends were in Jerusalem after Jesus had risen from the dead. There they experienced the power of God’s Holy Spirit on them. What happened next was a miracle. Peter and his friends stood and spoke to a huge crowd of people from many different nations who were gathered in Jerusalem for a festival. As the nations heard the men speak, they realised that every different nation heard their own language, even though Peter and the others didn’t know any other languages.

God had given them a powerful gift to proclaim a powerful message. By speaking in many languages the message was clear. “Everyone Belongs”. 

God sent a clear signal to all nations that God is a God who wants everyone to belong and he wants us to be people who help others belong too. 

Principal's Report:

Welcome

This week we celebrate Harmony Week. It is a chance to celebrate one of our greatest strengths as a community – our diversity. This is true for our country, our district of Stawell and surrounds, and our school community. 

The cultural diversity of the St Patrick's school community was one of the things that really attracted me to take on the position of Principal. I had worked at other schools where such diversity could only be dreamed of. 

The rich learning experiences that come from being in a diverse environment cannot be denied. Our school is proudly Catholic but we also open our doors to those of other faiths and those not in faith. This diversity of faith instills in our students a respect for others and their beliefs. 

I would like to acknowledge the hard work of previous principals, school staff, and families to cultivate this diversity and celebrate it through events such as Harmony Day. I have been told that pre-COVID the celebration also included lots of sharing of different foods from around the world. Although that hasn't been possible over the last two years, I would hope that in the future this could again take place. 

This year we will again be working with the Footsteps Dance Company. The students will learn different cultural dances during the day which they will perform at our family picnic at night. There will also be a food truck onsite and lawn games set up. We welcome all families to join us for what should be a wonderful evening. 

 With Faith in our Future 

Chris McAloon 

A Word from the Office:

Wellbeing:

Relaxation Activity: Lemon

This relaxation exercise releases muscle tension. Pretend you have a lemon in your hand.

• Reach up to the tree and pick a lemon with each hand.
• Squeeze the lemons hard to get all the juice out –
  squeeze, squeeze, squeeze.
• Throw the lemons on the floor and relax your hands.
• Then repeat, until you have enough juice for a glass of lemonade!
• After your last squeeze and throw, shake out your hands to relax!

Fostering Hopefulness

Being hopeful has been linked to improved physical health, improved mental health, higher levels of achievement, and improved social wellbeing. It can also be a protective factor against stressful situations and experiences. For these reasons, it has been referred to as a type of ‘psychological capital’.

Find out how you can foster hope in your life on the attached flyer.

Book Recommendation 

Hope by Corrinne Averiss and Sebastien Pelon

“Hope is keeping a light on, however dark things seem.”

Comet is Finn’s dog, and his very best friend. They do everything together. But one day Comet won’t get out of his basket - not even for his very favourite things! The vet tells Finn that Comet needs to stay in overnight for an operation. That evening, Finn sits in his den feeling very alone. Dad tells him to keep on hoping. At night, as

Finn sleeps, thousand of little lights appear in the sky, each one a hope from a different person in the world. Emotional, funny and uplifting, this beautiful picture book is a pure delight from start to finish. A wonderful story that shows children not to give up hope when times are uncertain.

Teaching and Learning:

We often spend a lot of time promoting the importance of literacy and reading with your child.  Encouraging mathematical skills and knowledge is also important in our children's development.  

At St Patrick’s we use a Maths program called Stepping Stones.  It is an instructional program which is designed to:

• Develop understanding using a range of visual models
• Create opportunities for language development
• Fosters thinking skills and procedura fluency
• Provides students with opportunities to apply learning across real problems, has open investigations and enrichment activities
• Offers multiple methods to assess deep understanding, fluency of skills and the application of mathematics. 

How can I encourage my child in maths?

Opportunities to use maths are everywhere. Maths is about counting, measuring, sorting, patterns, numbers, shapes, size and position. It’s easy to include mathematical ideas in your child’s everyday activities and in their play.  

• Talk about shapes at home - a round plate, an oval frame, a square box. What makes them the same? What makes them different?

• Make smaller groups from a large group of objects, like blocks. Cut an apple into enough pieces for everyone and talk about what you are doing
• Play games that get children going over, under, through, behind, above
• Talk about how things are the same or different. Look for the patterns in leaves or on shells. Match things up – socks, pyjama top and bottom, shoes
• Find out who’s taller. Have your child and their friends or family stand back-to-back to see who is taller and who is shorter.
• Work out which lids fit on which pots.

What about teaching numbers?

Children love counting and it’s important your child gets used to numbers because these lead on to most other mathematics skills. Children will often count in order before they understand what the numbers mean.

• Link numbers with objects to show them what ‘one’, ‘two’, ‘three’ or ‘five’ means. For instance one nose, one mouth, two ears, two legs and five fingers.  We call this one to one counting. 
• Read stories and rhymes (eg Three Blind Mice, Goldilocks and the Three Bears) and sing songs that use numbers
• Count as you walk up and down steps, do up buttons, lay the table, putting things in their lunchbox
• Spot numbers on letterboxes
• Cook – measure the ingredients, share food evenly
• Listen to music – clap, count and sing the rhythm
• Shop – count how many cans are in the trolley
• Build – use building blocks, measure length and height, match size and shape.

Children learn by repetition. Repeated counting in everyday life helps them to understand numbers.

If you have any questions about any of your child's learning please do not hesitate to contact their classroom teacher or myself. 

We are thrilled to be able to welcome Footsteps dance company back to celebrate Harmony Day with us. 

We invite our school community to celebrate Harmony Day on Friday 25th March, 2022 at 5pm.

We’re on the countdown till our Harmony day celebrations.  Footsteps dance company will work with each class throughout the day culminating in our evening concert celebration.

Foundation to Junior R & H/C will be dancing the Matariki.  Which is a Maori inspired routine, they will be learning about New Zealand. 

Middle B/H are focusing on India and will learn the Chammak Challo which is a Bollywood inspired dance. 

Senior M/F routine will be an Indigenous inspired routine called Marryuna.  They will learn about the Australian Indigenous culture. 

We can’t wait to welcome our community in for our Harmony Day celebrations next Friday 25th March, 2022 at 5pm .  

Bookfair

Thank you to Mrs Smith for all the hard work in organising and decorating the library for this year's book week.  The theme was “Dive into Reading”. It was great to see many excited children with their new books. 

“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.”     – Walt Disney

Senior Classroom News:

Well, who would believe that we are already nearing the end of Term 1. Despite Term 1 being a feast of activity with extra-curricular activities, all our students have settled into a routine that will enable them to be successful learners in 2022. 

During Term 1 in 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 using information from the text and our own experiences to predict what might come next in a text. We are almost halfway through our class novel ‘Two Wolves’, and are enjoying the many unexpected twists and turns the book is taking. Each week, Friday’s Reading lesson is devoted to current affairs, where we explore important events which are happening in the world today using articles from ‘Kids News’. Recent topics have included the history behind the ‘Clean Up Australia’ organisation, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and the 90th anniversary of the building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

In Writing, students recently completed a persuasive ‘cold write’ where students had a choice of persuading others to take up a hobby, interest, or sport they are passionate about. Using that piece of writing, they are now using ‘I can’ statements from the ‘Bump it up writing Wall’ to identify goals they are working towards achieving.

Recently, in Grade 5 Maths, students have been learning about a variety of mental strategies they could use to solve one-digit by two-digit and two-digit by two-digit multiplication problems. Such strategies include doubling and halving, using place value, and using factors. During next week, after revising key Mathematical concepts from this term, students will complete their modules 1 - 3 Stepping Stones quarterly test. 

The Grade 6's have been focusing on triangular, square, and rectangular numbers, composite and prime numbers, and interpreting data. The students have been doing a fantastic job completing their tasks. In the coming weeks, students will complete their modules 1-3 quarterly test, this will allow students to show their learning for the term. 

In Inquiry, in groups of 4 across both classrooms, students have chosen an issue in the Stawell and surrounding community that they view as problematic and are designing an action plan to address this problem. Issues that have been identified are eyesores such as ‘Caspers’ and the concrete water tank on London Road, 

Our focus of Religion lessons has been about hope and dignity. Students have been exploring how these concepts connect with our day-to-day lives. Students have also been looking at the connection between hope and dignity and Project Compassion through Caritas Australia. 

In our Wellbeing lessons, students have been focusing on recognising their emotions as well as the emotions of those around them. Students have explored different facial expressions and social cues and how different emotions can affect these behaviours. 

Last but not least, students in both classes are counting the sleeps to their upcoming camp to Melbourne in the last week of Term 1. Basing ourselves at Urban Camp, students will be kept busy visiting attractions such as Scienceworks, the Shrine of Rembrance, ACMI, Federation Square, the MCG, Bounce, and a street art tour.

- Leon Moloney - Senior M Classroom Teacher

Living in Faith:

We Pray For Peace 

March 25th- World Day of Prayer for Peace

Click on link for a great song praying for peace written by Timothy Hart. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAOTQAmkDXk

PLEASE CONSIDER ETHICAL PURCHASING OF EASTER CHOCOLATE  In 2015, Pope Francis said that “every person ought to have the awareness that purchasing is always a moral – and not simply an economic – act.” 

Cocoa is a key ingredient of chocolate. Much of the chocolate sold in Australia is made using cocoa beans picked by children, many of whom have been enslaved, or forced to work in exploitative conditions. Most of these children have never even tasted chocolate. 

To buy slavery - free Easter chocolate look for any of these three certification symbols on the wrapper:

We have had quite a few questions about the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, what they are, who can receive them and how this is done through our school and parish.

The Catholic Church celebrates seven sacraments:

Sacraments of Initiation  - Baptism, Eucharist (Communion) and Confirmation.

Sacraments of Healing – Reconciliation (Penance) and Anointing of the Sick

Sacraments of Service – Marriage/Matrimony and Holy Orders (Ordination to the Priesthood)

Catholics believe that the Sacraments are the means God uses to show His grace and help us achieve salvation.  The word sacrament means "a sign of the sacred," which is fitting as they are all outwards signs from God to us. Not only are they signs, but they are also celebrations of a continued journey and relationship with God, teachings to help live out God's word and ceremonies to show devotion to God.  The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase healing and mission to the Christian's life of faith.

Only those who have been baptised into the Catholic Church may receive these sacraments. The Sacrament of Baptism is the first to be received and is usually celebrated when a child is an infant. This sacrament officially welcomes a person into the Catholic faith. There are also pathways for older children and adults to be baptised into the Church.

Whilst at school, we teach all our students about the Catholic sacraments, but focus on some sacraments in more detail, for particular year levels.

All the students learn about the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation). Those children who are baptised Catholics, are also prepared to receive this sacrament for the first time in Grade Two. This sacrament is also known as confession. Children receive this around the age of 8, when they can distinguish between right and wrong. It is the things they have chosen to do even though they know they are wrong, that they go and confess or speak to the priest about during this sacrament. The conversation is generally around repairing relationships. After their first reconciliation, a person may go to receive this sacrament as many times as they like during their lifetime.

Students learn about the Sacrament of the Eucharist (Communion). Those children who are baptised Catholics and have received the Sacrament of Penance, are prepared to receive this sacrament for the first time in Grade 3.  During this sacrament, the children receive the blessed sacrament, the host. After their first Eucharist, a person may go to receive the blessed sacrament, any time they go to Mass.

The Sacrament of Confirmation. Those children who are baptised Catholics, and who have received the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist, are prepared to receive this sacrament in Grade 3.  This is the final sacrament of initiation.  During this sacrament, the students are asked to renew the baptismal promises that were made for them by their parents and god-parents at baptism, and they are anointed with the oil of chrism.  They select a sponsor to stand with them on the day and to support them on their faith journey.

During our classroom learning about the sacraments, we make links to other faiths and celebrations so that all our students have the opportunity to build on their understanding of the Catholic faith, while respecting their traditions and beliefs.

If you would like you child to take part in the Sacramental program please contact me before the end of Term 1.  Maryanne Comitti

Fundraising:

Each Friday lunchtime during Term 1 our Social Justice group will be selling Zooper Doopers $1.00.  The money raised will go towards St Vincent de Paul Sponsor a Student program and Project Compassion. Thankyou for your support. 

Parents and Friends News:

St Pat’s Parents and Friends – March 2022 Report

Thank you to all the wonderful parents and friends who assisted with the running of BBQ at the swimming sports. We raised over $550 for the day! This is a fantastic effort!! And would like to acknowledge that majority of the food was donated by Woolworths, IGA, Grampians Septic Tank Cleaning, and Matt O’Callaghan Building services. If your business would like to support some up-and-coming events, please contact Libby or Nicole. Any donation would be greatly appreciated.

Future events – Cross country

Our next event is the hotdogs at the cross country on Wednesday 30^th March. Any help on the day would be greatly appreciated and thank you to the people who have already offered to help.

Easter Raffle

This year we will be running an Easter Raffle. Any small donations would be greatly appreciated and can be dropped off at school up until Monday 4^th April. Prizes will be drawn on the last day of the Term.

Next Meeting

If you would like to help with the parents and friend committee please contact Nicole Osborne, Libby O’Callaghan or you could attend our next meeting on: 

 Date: Monday 4^th April

Where: Brix Hotel

Time: 6.30pm

Birthdays:

Congratulations to our students having their birthday this week :

Nate Jantzen 

Archie Macpherson

                                    

Around Our Community:

Please follow us on instagram @stpatsstawell

Parish Bulletin:

Upcoming Events:

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

Wednesday 30th March - School Cross country North Park 

Monday 4th April - Parents and Friends Meeting, Brix Hotel 6:30 pm 

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

Friday 8th April - End Term 1

Tuesday 26th April - School closure Day - Whole Staff First Aid Training 

Wednesday 27th April - Start term 2 for students

Acknowledgement of Country:

We acknowledge the Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali people as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land.  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.