Newsletter 58 - June 10th 2022
Prayer of the Week:
A prayer for wellbeing.
Loving God,
We thank you for the gift of life.
We also thank you for the gift of all the wonderful people who accompany, inspire, stretch, challenge, love and encourage us on our journey.
Bless them with good health, peace and joy.
We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen
Principal's Report:
Welcome,
Around the School
As is the case in many industries at the moment, staffing in schools is a challenge at times. We have been quite lucky at St Patrick’s that we have been able to maintain adequate staffing levels so far this year.
However, it has been increasingly difficult to find Casual Relief Teachers to cover classes when teachers are away. This has meant that our Deputy Principal, Maryanne Comitti, and I have spent lots of time teaching classes this term.
Although this is not an ideal situation, it does provide me as the Principal with a great insight into exactly what is happening in classrooms and an opportunity to get to know students better. I must acknowledge how impressed I have been with the students and the staff every time I have taught in a class this year. The learning programs are well planned and the students are engaged in their learning.
I have been particularly impressed with the IntiaLit program which was introduced in the junior area last year. This research-based approach builds students' sound-letter knowledge in a systematic way. I have seen from our school results that this approach is effective but being in the classroom and seeing it in action really brings it to life.
Winter Sports
Last week I had the pleasure of taking on the role of soccer coach as part of the Black Ranges Winter Sports Day. Students from St Patrick’s represented the school in Aussie Rules, Netball, and Soccer. It was a very chilly day at North Park and Central Park for the participants and spectators. I was very impressed with the students' skills as well as their sportsmanship and fair play. Well done to everyone involved.
Wellbeing Day
This week we had Wellbeing Day where students participated in a range of wellbeing-focused learning activities. This included a yoga session facilitated by Jo Brown, a nature walk, and gratitude and craft sessions. We all know how important it is to build our young people’s wellbeing and resilience. Our whole school Wellbeing Day was yet another way this area is a real focus at St Patrick’s. Another highlight was having our Grade Six students working with their Foundation buddies for the day.
2023 Foundation Enrolments
Over the past few weeks, I have had the honour to show prospective families around our wonderful school. It has been great to have such high numbers of prospective students for Foundation 2023. If you or someone you know has a child starting school next year please contact the school office as soon as possible.
For those families who have completed enrolment forms, interviews will be held in early Term Three and offers will be sent out in August. This will be followed by a transition to school program in Term Four.
Assessment and Reporting
A reminder that Student Reports for this Semester will be sent home in hard copy format and made available electronically via PAM on Wednesday, June 22nd. Due to the fact that this term is only nine weeks long, Parent/Teachers Interviews will be held in early Term Three.
As a school, we have decided that this Semester’s report will focus on the areas of English, Mathematics, Religious Education, and Personal and Social Capabilities. Reporting on our other subject areas will be included in our Semester Two Reports.
With Faith in our Future
Chris McAloon
A Word from the Office:
Wellbeing:
What a fabulous day on Tuesday we all had partaking in a five senses walk and draw, yoga with Jo Brown and we are all different fishes swimming together in the same school.
More photos and sharing next week.
Teaching and Learning:
Assembly:
It is fantastic to once again have our Friday school assemblies happening. Our assembly is not on this week due to Staff PD.
Assembly roster for term 2:
Week 7 No Assembly
Week 8 Senior M 5/6
Week 9 Foundation
Professional Development:
Week 7
Friday 10/6/2022 Professional Learning - Religious Education Whole staff
Please note this is a school closure day for all.
Week 8
Tuesday 14/6/2022 Visible Learning - Leadership day. Mr McAloon, Ms Comitti, Miss Comitti, Miss Ryan, Mr Moloney.
Professional Development - Education is a never-ending process.
At St Patrick’s we are committed to staff Professional Development to ensure the best learning outcomes for our students. It is through continual education that staff can improve their skills and become more proficient in their professions.
On Friday our whole staff will be taking part in our Religious school closure day. On this day we will be looking at the topic "In the Footsteps of Jesus as Mary MacKillop Showed Us"
We look forward to sharing our learning with you next week.
Who was Mary Mackillop & why is she important to St Patrick’s school:
Mary was an ordinary Victorian farm girl who devoted her life to the service of God and did great things for Australian and New Zealand families.
Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day is celebrated on the 8th of August. This is also the date of her death in 1909.
- In 1866 Mary MacKillop and Father Tenison Woods started the religious order of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart (the Josephites) and in 1867 Mary MacKillop became a nun – Sister Mary of the Cross.
- Mary and the Josephite nuns set up schools in Australia and New Zealand.
- They also set up houses for elderly women, young girls and women without jobs. They gave their life to people in need, often giving comfort to the sick and dying and even visiting people in jail to give them whatever help they could.
- At times in her life Mary MacKillop met people who made it hard for her to perform her good works but she never gave up and today the Sisters of St Joseph are still doing the work that she started
- Mary is Australia’s first Saint.
St Patrick’s primary school was run by the Josephite nuns for approximately 80years. This is why we celebrate Mary Mackillop (pictured below) and the Josephite tradition which has been very much part of our school life.
Thankyou Maryanne Comitti Teaching & Learning Leader
Writing moderation
Teachers gathered together Monday afternoon to analyze each individual student's writing. Using writing “I can statements” aligned to the Victorian Curriculum standards teachers discuss and moderate each student writing. Writing moderation allows teachers to identify achievements and areas for future learning.
Reports
Teachers are busy assessing and preparing student reports. Reports provide us with the progress students have made to date and give us information on how to best support them going forward. Reports will be sent home in Week 9 (starting 20/6/22) and will provide parents/carers with valuable information on their child’s progress during Semester 1. Due to Term 2 being a short term with only nine weeks we will be providing an opportunity for Parents/carers to meet with classroom teachers for Parent Teacher Interviews early in Term 3, a date to be determined. At St Patrick’s is committed to working in partnership with our parents/carers as we know when we work together we achieve the best outcomes for our children.
Winter Sports News:
Students from St Patrick’s represented the school in Aussie Rules, Netball, and Soccer. It was a very chilly day at North Park and Central Park for the participants and spectators. We are very impressed with our students' skills as well as their sportsmanship and fair play. We feel the grade 6's particularly enjoyed playing competitively one last time together. Well done to everyone involved.
* Family photo forms are available from the front office.
Living in Faith:
Please keep our children who are preparing for their Sacrament of Reconciliation which will take place in early Term 3 in your prayers.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation in the past has also previously been called Confession. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of two sacraments of healing in the Catholic tradition (the other being the Anointing of the Sick). Reconciliation celebrates God’s love and mercy towards us. It is about acknowledging and naming those times when we know we have done wrong, and then making peace and restoring the relationships with those who have been affected by our poor choices.
Birthdays:
Congratulations to these students having a birthday this week:
Savannah Farrel
Eleana O'Kwor
Around Our Community:
Please follow us on instagram @stpatsstawell
Upcoming Events:
Friday 10th June - School closure day for Students - Staff RE PD day
Monday 13th June - School closure Day for staff and students - Queens Birthday public holiday
Tuesday 21st June - Discovery Day at the SSC - for the Grade 6's that booked in.
Wednesday 22nd June - School Photos 😁 and reports to go home.
Friday 24th June - Last day of term 2 early dismissal - 2:15pm
Monday 11th July - First day Term 3
Tueday 9th August - Marian College Orientation Day
Thursday 1st Sept - Fathers Day Stall - TBC
Friday 2nd Sept - Black ranges Athletics Day - TBC
Wednesday 7th - Indigenous Book Swap - TBC
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.