Newsletter 81-December 16th 2022
Prayer of the Week:
On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of Jesus. This final candle, the “Angel's Candle,” symbolizes peace.
Dear Heavenly Father, this Advent season, we especially are in need of peace. War rages on in parts of our world. It impacts the daily lives of millions in different ways. This year, as much as ever, we need Jesus, Prince of Peace, in our world and in our hearts. We pray that Jesus transforms our world as we await His coming again.
Amen
Principal's Report:
Welcome,
As we come to the end of the school year I thank the staff, students, and families for their support through what has been another, at times challenging year. The genuine community atmosphere of St Patrick’s is what makes it such a special place. I wish you all a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year period. I hope that you all have a chance to rest and spend some quality time with your loved ones.
This week as a school we have acknowledged the service of the many volunteers who provide such an amazing service to the staff and students. We held our annual Classroom Helpers Morning Tea and School Advisory Council end-of-year dinner. The school is always on the look out for more people for both these groups so if you are interested please contact me.
I would like to thank Michelle Jess for her support and guidance as a member and chair of the School Advisory Council. Michelle’s care for the school and the staff is truly amazing and she will be missed greatly next year. I would also like to thank Ellie Reading and Marg McGaffin who are finishing up after many years of service as classroom helpers. They have helped countless students and teachers over the years. Thank you!
It was wonderful to acknowledge the primary school journey of our Grade Six students at this week’s Graduation Mass. As I said on the night, it is a time of mixed emotions, there is excitement for what is coming next as well as some sadness for what is being left behind. We wish all our Grade Six students the very best on their educational and life journeys.
I would also like to acknowledge the following families who will finish their time at St Patrick’s: Hemley, Jess, Jones (Teepika), Hanns, Kuchel, Evans, Job, McKinnis, Kane, Oram, Monument, Ross, Smart, Seehusen, Thomas (Nate), Martin, Monaghan and Scott. We wish them all well and remind them that they are always welcome back.
Unfortunately, we also have some other families who will be leaving us at the end of the year as they move on from Stawell. I would like to wish the O’Kwor, Komerelly, Daniels and Kuriakose-Parayil families all the best with their next adventures.
With Faith in our Future
Chris McAloon
Wellbeing:
Wow, what a quick Term/year this has been, thank you so much for continuing to help us improve Mental Health and Wellbeing of all our students and staff.
The festive season is a busy time for most. There is so much to do, attend and plan, which can bring up feelings of being overwhelmed, anxious, stressed, and depressed. Conversely, this is also a time where people may feel acutely aware of the void left by the loss of a loved one, and their own personal loneliness.
Who can be affected?
Holiday depression, anxiety and stress can affect anyone at any age. Sometimes, these feelings are triggered by a specific eventor life experience. There are many things happening around the holidays and Christmas in particular that can act as triggers.
Below we have compiled a list of tips to help look after you and your mental health this festive season:
Eat Well
Christmas is typically a time of overindulgence, but what we eat can sometimes impact on how we feel. For example, too much sugar can have a noticeable effect on your mental health and wellbeing in the short and long term. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a little bit of overindulgence, but a good tip is to balance this out over the festive period – everything in moderation! Be sure to include plenty of fruit and vegetables into your diet, the more colour the better.
Take a Break
The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to take some time out of your day to day life and gain some perspective to reflect on the year. Whether spending time away from home or having a stay-cation, re-energise by giving yourself a change of scene or pace. Practising mindfulness can help you unwind.
Keep Active
Research shows that doing exercise releases chemicals in your body that can make you feel good. Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and help you to concentrate; sleep and feel better. Exercise also keeps the brain and your other vital organs healthy. So, use that Christmas spirit for physical health as well as mental health and get moving!
Learn when to say ‘no’
Lots of us find ourselves inundated with invitations leading up to Christmas and in the week before New Year’s Eve, and it is very difficult to turn them down. After all, we tell ourselves, it only happens once a year. But over-doing it with the parties can turn a chance for some well-deserved R&R into a recovery period, so you end up back at work feeling like you need another holiday. The key is to learn how to say ‘no’ to invites — not to all of them, of course; just enough to allow you to have some real down-time.
Ask for help
At times, especially over the Christmas period we all get overwhelmed by how we feel, especially when things go wrong. If things are getting too much for you and you feel you can’t cope, ask for help. Your friends and family are there to lean on and to support you all you have to do is ask!
Care for others
Present-buying is not the only way of showing that we care about others. Christmas is the perfect time to reach out to loved ones who you haven’t spent much time with in the past year and ask them how they are. Caring for others is an important part of keeping up relationships with people close to you. It can also bring you closer together and make you feel good.
See your GP
The Christmas period can be a stressful time of the year and many of us may experience feelings of anxiety or depression which are heightened around this time. If you have any concerns, please reach out to your GP, they are there to help and can discuss options with you including care plans for supporting you and your mental health and wellness.
How can I help a loved one?
Supporting a loved one who is experiencing holiday depression, anxiety or stress can be difficult. You may not understand why your loved one feels or acts a certain way. Some people who experience this feel like they have to do things a certain way or avoid things or situations, and this can create frustration or conflict with others. You may feel pressured to take part in these behaviours or adjust your own behaviours to protect or avoid upsetting a loved one.
Here are some general tips:
- Ask your loved one how you can help them.
- Be patient—learning and practising new coping strategies takes time.
- If your loved one is learning new skills, offer to help them practise.
- Listen and offer support but avoid pushing unwanted advice.
- Set boundaries and seek support for yourself, if needed.
Our friendly and caring team at St Patrick’s wish you all a merry Christmas and a safe, happy and of course HEALTHY New Year!
Thank you,
Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator - Lillie Comitti
Teaching and Learning:
What a massive year it has been for our teachers and support staff. This year we embarked on the first of our three year journey with Corwin Visible Learning. This has seen all staff learn and explore current research to ensure best practice in our school. Our Junior teachers have continued their journey with teaching literacy according to new researched evidence based practice in Science of Reading which has seen significant growth in our reading results. Middle year teachers took on a new reading and comprehension program which likewise saw some excellent growth in our students' comprehension. We will also start off on our journey with Structured Literacy in 2023. This will be an evidence based literacy approach in all year levels. It is exciting to think of the positive impact this will have on our students and teaching.
We are so blessed at St Patricks to have an outstanding team supporting our students and each other's learning. The strength of commitment found in our staff who continually strive to do their very best and learn best practice to ensure our children learn is appreciated by all. We see this each day when they go above and beyond their duty. The professional way in which they meet many challenges and care unconditionally for every child and each other in our school without exception is admirable.
"Let us thank all those who teach in Catholic Schools. Educating is an act of love; it is like giving life." Pope Francis.
Maryanne Comitti Teaching & Learning Leader
Grade 6 graduation and Christmas Caroling:
Living in Faith:
Fundraising Term 1, 2023: Fundraising efforts in Term 1 2023 will continue to focus on St Vincent de Paul sponsor a student program. If you are able, please save up your 5 cent pieces and drop them in the tub in the classrooms. We will have the 5 cent challenge & Friday Zooper Dooper day happening . Wishing you all a Happy and Holy Christmas. Hoping you all have a chance to have a break and may 2023 be a year full of blessings and joy.
Maryanne Comitti Religious Education Leader
As we come to the end of the school year and celebrate the achievements of our students and staff, I would like to acknowledge the commitment of our school community for the support you give in our shared mission of Catholic schooling. Catholic Education looks different to that of other schools. We have a way of educating and forming our young people with a deep understanding of the value the holistic education of the whole child - mind, body and soul. At St Patrick’s we have a relentless focus on ensuring all students succeed academically but we strive to ensure this holistic approach is reflected in all our decisions and actions at St Patricks.
Fundraising 2022: Living out our mission and wow, we have certainly done that here at St Patricks this year.
The total amount we have raised is $ 3304.00.
The following organisations have benefited from your generosity and support:
Mary McKillop foundation
https://www.
$285
Supporting education and life skills programs.
IndigenousLiteracy
https://edu.greatbookswap.org.
$514
Funds for the support of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
Caritas Australia
$696
Some of the ways this money may be used are providing healthy meals for young people in Western Sydney. Providing training for 25 farmers in Zimbabwe in conservation agriculture.
Catholic Mission
https://www.catholicmission.
$559
This money will be used to support children and their families in Ethiopia. Possibilities are purchasing of goats, providing support for farming care takers program.
St Vincent de Paul - Assist a student program (from Term 4 2021 and Term 1 2022)
https://www.vinnies.org.au/
$1000
10 students will be sponsored in primary, secondary or tertiary education in one of St Vincents partner countries.
Thankyou to the wonderful social justice students that take time out of their lunchtimes when we have fundraising events happening. Students that are living “aspiring not to have more but to be more” Oscar Romereo.
Of course living out our Mission is not all about fundraising. Throughout the year, we have joined in prayer for many causes, held our harmony day celebrations, made cards and gifts for Eventide residents and made cards and Christmas decorations for Stawell Interchurch Council.
Well done to our students on creating some beautiful cards and Christmas decorations that were collected from Stawell Interchurch Council representatives at last Fridays assembly as seen below.
Last day of school events - Friday 16th December, 2022
Free Sausage Sizzle lunch for students.
We will be providing a free sausage sizzle lunch for our students. This Friday the 16th.
Assembly - Whole school community invited to attend
At 2:50pm we will gather for our final school assembly of 2022 in the school hall. Our Grade 6 students will be hosting. We will show their Year 6 Graduation imovie.
We will also present our 2023 School Captains and Vice-Captains to our community.
Catholic School Parents Victoria - Newsletter
As we head towards the end of the school year, please find a link below for our December issue of CSPV Connect News.
Click to download the email update - CSPV Connect
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.
Henry received this week's Mary McKillop award for assissting a fellow student to learn how to go across the monkey bars.
Thank you and well done!
Around Our Community:
Upcoming Events:
Friday 16th December - FREE Sausage Sizzle LUNCH
- Last Day for all students 3:15pm finish after Assembly
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.