Newsletter 71- October 7th 2022
Prayer of the Week:
Almighty Father
We give you our school.
We give you all the teachers and staff who work here,
We give you all the children and community of our school
We pray our school is a place of great discovery, adventure and creativity.
May it be a place where we love to learn and where we learn to love,
A place where everyone is respected and all are deeply valued.
We ask all this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Principal's Report:
Welcome,
Welcome back one and all to our new school term. The beginning of this term marks a personal milestone for me as I have now been the Principal of St Patrick’s for two years. It has been a very busy but rewarding time. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the students, staff, and families of the school community. I look forward to many years to come.
This term is the final term of primary school for our Grade Six students. As a school, we aim to provide opportunities for the Grade Six students and their families to reflect on and celebrate their time at St Patrick’s while also supporting the transition to secondary school.
We have a number of events and activities planned for the departing Grade Six students. On Wednesday, November 30th, and Thursday, December 1st the students will head off for a getaway to Tandara Camp in Halls Gap. Students will take part in a range of activities over the two days. Our Grade Six Graduation Mass and Ceremony will be held at the Church on Wednesday, December 14th. This will be followed by a whole school Christmas Picnic on the School Oval. More details for these events will be shared closer to the date.
New Families
This week we welcomed two new families to the St Patrick’s school community. Dixie and Texas have joined the Foundation and Junior H classes. The Abraham family has come to us from Melton with John in Senior M, Daniel in Middle B, and twins Grace and Monica in Junior R. I am sure that they will be welcomed with open arms.
2023 Planning
Even though we have only just started the term, planning for 2023 has begun in earnest. At this stage, we are looking at there being no major changes in the school class structure for next year. I am currently finalising our staffing needs and will share the classroom teacher placements later in the term.
All students will take part in a transition day on Tuesday, December 13th where they will spend the day in their 2023 class with their classmates and teacher for next year. Our 2023 Foundation students will have four transition sessions starting on Monday, October 24th.
Andrew Chinn Concert
Later this month we are very lucky to have Andrew Chinn visiting our school to work with all students and then perform a concert for the community. Andrew is a former teacher and a much-acclaimed Christian singer-songwriter. I have had the pleasure of working with Andrew in the past and he has an amazing way in which he engages students in music and the stories of Jesus.
Our concert will be made even more special thanks to the catering from Valhalla BBQ. All students should have received a note and order form this week. St Patrick's students are being provided a free meal while adults are being charged $15 and other childer $10. It will help greatly if order forms are returned as soon as possible with the correct amount of cash. Tickets will then be issued for the evening.
Hats
Although the weather the last few days has felt like we are in Winter still, it is Term Four so hats will need to be worn by students when they are outside. If you have misplaced your child’s hat we have a small number of older-style hats in the uniform bank. New hats can be purchased at Fosters Mensland.
With Faith in our Future
Chris McAloon
Term 4 uniform - HATS
* Hats - are required to be worn from the start of Term 4. Please ensure hats are named.
Skort/shorts/dresses - please check these over the holidays to ensure that they are of appropriate length. We have some skorts/shorts/dresses in our uniform shop if needed.
Wellbeing:
Teaching and Learning:
Assembly:
It is fantastic to once again have our Friday school assemblies happening. Assembly starts at 2:50pm every Friday afternoon in the hall. All family and community members are welcome.
Assembly roster for term 4:
Week 1 - Senior F
Week 2 - Junior H
Week 3 - Middle H
Week 4 - Senior M
Week 5- Middle B
Week 6 - Foundation
Week 7 - Junior R
Week 8 - Senior M
Week 9 - Middle B
Week 10 - Middle H
Week 11 - Buddy & Foundation
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 or online which may result in classroom teachers being out of the classroom.
Term 4 Week 2:
12/10/22 Ms Maryanne Comitti The Writing Revolution (onsite)
12-13/10/22 Mrs Lynette Cox-Hayward Planning
14/10/22 Miss Georgia Fleming
Staff PD day Monday 3/10/2023:
Our staff PD day began early on Monday morning with some of us enjoying a yoga session with Jo. This was followed by a delicious breakfast cooked by Mr Moloney. Then we went into a very heavy day of learning continuing with our Visible Learning development. We looked at the importance of using Learning Intentions and Success Criteria at the start of each of our lessons.
What are Learning Intentions and Success Criteria?
The basic premise is that the students have the same idea as their teacher about what learning is occurring, and what they should be learning as a result of doing. Many students are not going to know this unless it is clearly directed- learning intentions (or objectives), and learning outcomes (or success criteria) provide this direction.
Outdoor seating: Thankyou to some of our very clever Grade 6 students who successfully put together our new outdoor seating. This seating will go outside the Middle classroom under our new shade sails. Now all we need is some good weather so we are able to utilise them.
Junior Sport:
We welcomed Miss Melissa Bibby to our Casual Relief Teaching (CRT) team this week. We use CRT staff to cover classes when a teacher is unable to be in their classroom.
The Foundation, Grade 1 & Grade 2 classes where fortunate enough to have Melissa teach them hockey during sport. It was a coincidence that Junior sport were ready to learn hockey as Melissa is an ex Australian Ice Hockey player. The students were in good hands.
Some of the skills taught during the session ranged from pactising fundamental movement skills and sequences and following rules when participating in physical activities.
Senior F:
Maths:
In Grade 6 maths we have been learning about translating, rotating, and reflecting shapes, and lots of people have been finding it very difficult, only a few students have mastered the skill of moving shapes.
Next Wednesday we will be going to the Stawell Secondary College for this year's maths olympics, which are really hard maths challenges where lots of groups compete to win some good
Teepika
In maths, we have been learning about symmetry. You can have horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines of symmetry. To find lines of symmetry you can fold the shape or put a mirror in the middle.
Callum
Art
In Art this week we have been working on our crazy camel worksheets with drawing and when you finish your drawings it will go into a calendar, tea towel blanket or pillowcase.
Bonnie
In art we have been learning about how to sew. We can now sew on a button to things and know how to sew our clothes together or just know how to sew anything.
Lillian
In art, we have been learning about texture and the different types and they are: Smooth, hard, soft, fluffy, bumpy & firm. There is also a song about them that we learned in art class.
Maddison
Around the School:
On the oval the school’s gardener has made a retaining wall to keep all the mud on the oval and reduce the water running off, thanks, Sue.
Over the past 2 days Ryder, Archie R, Tom R, James, Liam N, Zach, and Arlee put together two tables to go outside the 3/4s shade sail.
Tom R & Liam
Sport:
In Sport, we have been learning the basic skills of cricket because we are preparing for the upcoming cricket against other schools in our region. We will be entering two cricket teams, one boy's team and one girls team this will be held at North Park in Stawell. One other thing that we will be doing at our school is a man coming down from Soccer Victoria to our school to do three sessions of A soccer clinic. Also, some people are going to play golf against other schools
By Ryder and Tom
Religion:
Last term in Religion we were looking at Abraham’s covenant with God, we also dressed up on the last day of term to make a donation to Saint Vinnie's.
This term in religion we are exploring solidarity, and we are looking forward to finding out more throughout the term.
Savannah and Akuol
Reading:
In Grade ⅚ reading we have been learning about the difference between plot and theme. Plot is kind of when you do a small summary of a book, kind of like a blurb. On the other hand, the theme is when you describe the book with emotive words for example. The theme of BFG (meaning the big friendly giant) would be fierce, kindness, bravery etcetera. Getting the hang of the plot and theme was very fun.
- Eedie
Wellbeing:
In wellbeing we are learning about empathy and how we can help and make a person happy with just a little random act of kindness. It is as simple as helping someone pick up something or even just kind words. It makes a big difference and helps them to show empathy to others too. Empathy means that you can understand and share feelings of one another. You can share your feelings and you will feel happy and you can show little acts of kindness to others. In wellbeing we made posters that spelled out Empathy and made little cards of what empathy looks like to us. Empathy means to respect feelings. The posters we made are shown below.
Writing:
In writing we have been learning to make sentences that have emotive words and verbs in them. Now I’ll show you two sentences.
1.Terrified, Karen looked at her long dropped fate below, her heart was torn out of her… her blood stood still in her veins, her spirit glided out of her body like a flock of birds in the sky.
2.Fearless, Melissa leaps, wind gushing through her face, closing in first place, ending with an astonishing time.
-Laura & Arlee.
In Chinese we have been learning about fruit. We made a poster and a fruit stand. We had to draw pictures and write their names in Chinese. by Catherine
Living in Faith:
SAVE THE DATE... Wednesday 19th Oct
Andrew Chinn Concert:
*Please note all children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
If you would like dinner could you please ensure that you have completed RSVP form and sent back money prior to Wednesday 12th October, 2023.
These forms were sent home on Wednesday. We look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible.
ANDREW CHINN CONCERT and PICNIC:
Catering - Thankyou to Valhalla BBQ - Matt Cameron (dad of Liam and Jack) who will be catering for our dinner and has generously offered to cater for this at cost price. This is greatly appreciated by our school and community.
* Children must be accompanied by an adult
Valhalla BBQ
American style BBQ, low and slow cooked beef brisket, pulled pork, chicken maryland.
Salads - Tossed salad, coleslaw, potato salad
RSVP sheet sent home Wednesday, due next Wednesday 12th with CASH only payment. Pre-payment is required then tickets will be issued.
When: Wednesday 19th October, 2022
Where: School Hall
Time: All required to be seated by 5:45pm
Concert to start at 6:00pm
Dinner: 7:00pm
Cost: St Patrick’s Primary School children free thanks to Parents & Friends
Adults - $15:00 per person
Children 2-15years - $10per person
Mary Mackillop Award:
Mary MacKillop lived a life dedicated to her faith and serving the needs of others. Wherever and however she could, Mary MacKillop did everything possible to improve the lives of others. This award acknowledges the thoughtful actions of the students at St Patrick’s to help others.
This weeks award was presented to Charles for showing respect and always using his manners with Staff and students.
Church Bulletin:
Birthdays:
Congratulations to these students who had their birthday in the holidays and this week:
Riley Carlsen
Logan Piatkov
Eleanor Erwin
Akuol Kur
Luke Fulton
Ethan Jones
Sophie O'Callaghan
Arli Werry
John Abraham
Emila Jones
Charlie Matthews
Around Our Community:
The Stawell Interchurch Netball competition for Term 4:
Register your child's interest by clicking the above link to particpate in a Wednesday afternoon netball competition.
8 week netball and gameplay from Wednesday October 12th - Wednesday November 30th 2022 - running from 4.30-5.30pm.
Ages 6 - 13 years.
Cost will be $70 for Non Netball Victoria members and $10 for players already registered with Netball Victoria for 2022.
*Please, one form per player.
Details are subject to change at committees discretion.
Please return registration forms to stawellinterchurch@gmail.com by Sunday September 25th 2022.
Stawell Wildcats 
recruiting for their next tour
The Stawell Wildcats Basketbal
https://www.playhq.com/
Payment will be required to co
$80.00 Competition fees
$26.00 for Basketball Victoria
$20 Uniform deposit (U14 and U
Get Active Victoria vouchers a
New cut-off Friday October 7th
Questions to Jemma Clarkson &
Stawell Wildcats - Domestic Ju
Follow: Stawell Wildcats on Fac
This fabulous performance features our very own Eleana and Archie C. Please come along if you can. Thank you.
Upcoming Events:
Friday 7th October - Greater Western Region Athletics - for eligible students
Wednesday 12th October - Maths Olympics Grade 5/6 at the SSC
Wednesday 19th October - Andrew Chinn all day - Concert & Picnic Tea at school 5:45pm RSVP to follow
Friday 21st October - Black Ranges Cricket Day- Grade 5/6
Friday 28th October - Grandparents Day - TBC
24th October - 2023 Foundation 1st transition Day
Tuesday 1st November - Public holiday for Melbourne Cup Day - No School
9th November - 2023 Foundation 2nd Transition Day
14,15 and 16th - November - Grade 3/4 Camp - Monday - Wednesday
18th November - Grade 5 Leadership day - All day onsite at school
23rd November - Wellbeing/Report writing day - TBA
24th November - 2023 Foundation 3rd transition Day
28th November - Junior Swimming Program - 12-1.30pm
29th November - Marian College year 7 Transition Day
30th November - Dec 1st - Grade 6 overnight camp to Tandara, Halls Gap - TBC
7th December - Junior Swimming - 12-1.30pm
8th December - Reports Go Home
12th December - Junior Swimmming 12-1.30pm
13th December - 2023 State wide Transition Day
14th December - Grade 6 Graduation/Mass at Church (School uniform to be worn please) followed by whole School Christmas Picnic on the oval
Friday 16th December - Last Day for all students
Tuesday 20th Last Day for Staff
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.