Newsletter 51 - April 8th 2022

Dear Lord God, we thank you that you are a forgiving God, who wipes out all the wrongs from the past, and starts anew with us today.

Bring healing and comfort to those who are anxious, upset, lonely, or ill today; encourage those who help and care for them. May all who suffer be led from pain to peace.

We give you thanks for your loving mercy shown to us in Jesus Christ, who endured the suffering of the cross to overcome all that separates us from you, and was raised up to new life.

Strengthen our faith in the victory of the cross and the hope of eternal life. Help us to grow in the life which does not end, in love and friendship with you, which lasts forever; through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen

Foundation 2023

Do you have a child due to start Foundation in 2023?  If so, please contact the office as soon as possible to add their details to the waiting list. 

Whilst enrolments are not due to open until Term 2, siblings of current students are prioritised and this early information assists the School in forward planning for the 2023 school year. 

Johann Harli - Why You Can't Pay Attention 

We can all feel it. And unfortunately, it’s getting worse. Paying attention and properly focussing these days is getting harder and harder. And in the first 'Academy of Imperfection' podcast for 2022, Johann Hari is here to explain to hosts Hugh, Ryan and Josh exactly why that is. The good news is... it’s not our fault. But luckily there are things we can do about it. If you want to delve deeper into the topics and themes from this episode, please read Johann’s incredible new book, 'Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention'. It might just be the thing that gets you off your phone for a bit. However, while Johann may be this week’s guest lecturer, Josh is certainly this week’s star pupil, delivering what may be one of the most powerful and moving acts of vulnerability we’ve ever seen on this podcast. Josh didn’t plan to say what he said, but in finding the courage to speak his truth, his hope is that others with similar struggles will feel more supported, or at least feel less alone.

Thank you Johann for returning to The Imperfects, and thank you Josh for being imperfect.

For more information about Johann Hari and where to find his book visit: https://stolenfocusbook.com/

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 and assemblies will also need to provide evidence of vaccination and wear a face mask. Classrooms that are not presenting assembly will be able to watch the assembly online.  

Assembly roster for term 1:

Week 10 8th April Foundation  

Foundation BBQ dinner - Wednesday 11th May, 2022.

Foundation parents are invited for a bbq dinner, meet and greet on Wednesday 11th May at 6:00pm. 

Staff will also present practical information about how you can best support your Foundation child/ren at home in developing their reading skills. They will share their expert knowledge, reading strategies and activities that all families can implement at home.  Foundation parents will be able to meet the staff at St Patricks and ask any questions they may have. 

Professional Development:

At St Patrick’s Primary School we are committed to Professional Development of our team.  At various times staff members will be working off site which may result in classroom teachers being out of the classroom.

Week 9:

Tuesday 26/4/2022 - School closure day. Whole staff First Aid training. 

Maryanne Comitti   Teaching and Learning Leader 

Grade 5/6 Camp

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, our Grade 5 & 6 students travelled by bus to Melbourne to attend Melbourne camp. Using Urban Camp as our base, we spent the three days exploring various attractions throughout the city. 

After an early start on Monday morning, a three and a half hour journey saw us arrive at our first stop ACMI where students learnt about the history of moving images and how media has changed over the years. From there we explored Hosier Lane and ACDC Lane where we looked at the vibrant and colourful street art on display, a highlight of which was seeing a small piece of artwork by the famous anonymous artist Banksy. We ate our lunch amid the hustle and bustle of Federation Square laughing loudly when an over-zealous seagull took a liking to Miss Fleming’s wrap stealing it out of her hand. We hopped back on the bus and headed up St. Kilda Rd for a tour of The Shrine of Remembrance where we learnt about the history of Australia’s involvement in wars and peacekeeping efforts throughout history. After unpacking at camp and eating dinner, we were back on the bus for a hot and sweaty night full of trampolining and acrobatics at Bounce. 

On Tuesday morning we woke early ready for another jam-packed day of fun and learning. Our first activity was an information session at camp with members of the Victoria Police who informed us about some of the unfamiliar things we might encounter in Melbourne and what we might do if we got lost. Once again it was time to jump on the bus and head to the Victoria Market where we broke into smaller groups to explore the food and goods on display. Students sampled gelato and churros while others made some purchases. Our last stop on Tuesday was Scienceworks which featured an educational session in the Planetarium followed by some free time exploring the interactive activities on offer which included wheelchair racing, fitness testing and designing your own eco-friendly futuristic car. After some free time and tea back at camp, we showered and settled in for a movie night featuring the movie ‘Yes Day’.

Our last activity for the week on Wednesday morning was a visit to the MCG where we spent 30 minutes in the National Sports Museum learning about the history of sport followed by another 30 minutes in the interactive ‘Game On’. Finally, in 3 groups we were taken on a tour of the inner sanctum of the venue, spending time on the hallowed turf, in the media room, players change rooms and even in the historical ‘MCC Longroom’. A highlight of our time at the ‘G’ was having a photo beside the late Shane Warne statue still surrounded with mementos from the general public. From there it was time to jump back on the bus for a long and sleepy trip back to Stawell.

A huge thanks must go out to Miss Fleming, Mrs Gehan, Mrs. Evans, Alastair and Vaughan for their help over the three days.

Mr. M

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:

Stations of the Cross

This morning our whole school gathered in the hall to listen to the Stations of the Cross. The stations of the cross and other acts of prayer forms were used as an imaginary pre print press to enable the ordinary person to reflect on their faith and life of Jesus. In the Stations of Cross we follow Jesus from his Judgment to his Resurrection. Some modern forms include the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

Each class was responsible for interpreting and  illustrating a particular Station, which was then collated into an imovie. Our school leaders Isabelle, Will and Archie (Teepika was away) narrated the story.  They did a wonderful job! 

Thankyou to our students for the respectful way in which they conducted themselves. 

We look forward to next year hopefully inviting our whole school community in to share the Stations of the Cross with us, it has always been a very popular event.  

Please visit the link below to view the latest Catholic School Parents Victoria newsletter. 

https://vcspb.schoolzineplus.com/streamnews?nid=18

There will be a meeting with Fr Andrew for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist on Wednesday May 18th, 2022 at 3.15pm or  5:30pm in the Middle/Senior hub. 

Thankyou to those parents who have expressed interest in the Sacraments. 

If you would like any information regarding the Sacraments please contact me. 

Save the date - Mothers day/ special persons day celebrations:

When:  Friday 6th May 2022.

Where:  Junior hub and hall.

  Students will know the area they will be in.  Please enter via hall. 

Time: 12:30pm 

Guests gather with students for liturgy.  Students each have lunch with their guest/s.

At approximately 1:00pm guests go to the hall to share a cuppa, light luncheon and chat.

Delilah Terwisscha Van Sheltinga - For developing confidence to speak up and become an active member of our classroom.

Evie Field- For being a passionate learner and active participant in our classroom.

Edie MacPherson - for the wonderful learning you have been doing in Maths.  The results you achieved for your Quarterly Test were outstanding. Congratulations!

Curtis Calantog - for the wonderful progress you are making in identifying the names and sounds for all letters of the alphabet.  Keep working hard!

Abby O’Donnell - For your excellent results in your post math test. We wish you all the best for your big move to Germany. We will all miss you. 

Peter Aird - For your sensational maths post test results. We are so proud of your hard work! Keep it up 

Charli Pickering - For excellent work in writing this week on persuasive texts.  You have written well constructed TEEL paragraphs and have included some strong emotive language.  Keep up the excellent work!

Jett Virgin - In Religion, you created a well thought out and beautifully constructed modern interpretation of the Stations of the Cross.  Also, in Writing, you completed a correctly structured persuasive text that included an introduction, TEEL paragraphs and a strong conclusion.  Well done!

Ava Parry - for your excellent skills in finding 'clue words' in texts in our lessons about sequencing events.

Ethan Parker - for the great efforts and detail you put into your recent persuasive piece. Keep it up!

Laura Martin: For your fantastic efforts with all of your learning and your super quarterly results. 

Ethan Jones: For being such a positive and caring member of our classroom community and your enthusiasm towards all camp activities.

Xavier Larkin - For showing great resilience to push on after injuring yourself on camp.

Archie Ross - For the amazing growth you have shown in Maths during Term 1.

Congratulations to our students having their birthday this week and in the school holidays :

Fletcher Thomas

Charlie Sullivan

Jack Sullivan

Isabelle Thomas

Gurshan Randhawa

Beverly Parkin - Alamo

Mason Scott 

Archie Ross

Tom Ross

                                  Tanner Freeland                                    

All Grade 5 and 6 students parents/carers invited to attend.

The Uniting Youth Team have been busy organising our first round of School Holiday Workshops for this year, the only thing we are needing now are some young people to come along and have some fun!

 It would be greatly appreciated if your school would be able to share the Workshops with your parents and careers through your next Newsletter and any social media you may have.

 We will be running one School Holiday Workshop in each of the 5 LGAs that we cover and I have included all of the posters that have been made with you all.

 It is up to you if you would just like to promote the event running from your specific LAG or all of them. We understand that there may be some students that live in one LGA but go to school in a different one or even live close to community boarders.

 There will be limited spots available so the sooner that the parents/careers are able to register their young person the better. All the information they will need is on the posters 

 If you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out

 Kind regards,

 Arianna Vettos |Creating Connections  (she/ her)

Youth Support Wimmera

Uniting Wimmera

 185 Baillie Street, Horsham VIC 3400

P: 03 5362 4000   M: 0481 063 747

unitingvictas.org.au

St Patrick’s Parish mass times for Holy Week are as follows:

Psalm Sunday  10:30am Stawell 

2nd Rite Reconciliation Wed April 6, 5.30pm Stawell 

Holy Thursday 7pm Mass Ararat 

Good Friday 3pm Passion Stawell 

Easter Sunday 8.30am Ararat // 10.30am Stawell