Newsletter 92 - April 27 th 2023
Prayer of the Week:
God of love and liberty, we bring our thanks this day for the peace and security we enjoy, which was won for us through the courage and devotion of those who gave their lives in time of war. We pray that their labour and sacrifice may not be in vain, but that their spirit may live on in us and in generations to come. That the liberty, truth and justice which they sought to preserve may be seen and known in all the nations upon earth.
We pray in the name of the one who gave his life for the sake of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Wellbeing:
Vic Kids Eat Well is an exciting new state-wide movement that focuses on transforming the food and drink environments where kids spend their time. To do this, we are working with schools, Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) and a wide range of community organisations – such as sports clubs, community facilities and even the local pool to provide healthier food and drink options.
Vic Kids Eat Well focuses on four key actions and provides clear, simple and achievable steps to making healthy food and drink options available for kids. By harnessing the power of community and taking simple steps together, we can create change to give all kids across Victoria the healthy start they deserve. Vic Kids Eat Well is supported by the Victorian Government, and is delivered by Cancer Council Victoria’s Achievement Program, in partnership with Nutrition Australia’s Healthy Eating Advisory Service.
Your work with the Vic Kids Eat Well movement will support your organisation to meet the relevant food and drink policies and guidelines. To progress further, Vic Kids Eat Well sets your organisation on the right path for gaining Victorian Government recognition as part of the Achievement Program’s healthy eating benchmark.
About the Achievement Program
The Achievement Program is a free health and wellbeing program open to all Victorian schools, early childhood services and workplaces. It is supported by the Victorian Government, and delivered by Cancer Council Victoria. Members can create healthier learning and working environments by meeting a series of benchmarks for key health areas including healthy eating, physical activity and mental health and wellbeing. Organisations can receive Victorian Government recognition for the healthy changes they make.
About the Healthy Eating Advisory Service
The Heathy Eating Advisory Service (HEAS) supports organisations to provide and promote healthier foods and drinks as the norm in the places where Victorians spend their time. HEAS provides free information, training, resources, and tailored support to implement Victorian Government healthy food and drink policies and guidelines in: schools, outside school hours care, sport and recreation centres, long day care services, hospital and health services, tertiary education and other workplaces. Their work is about helping these organisations to contribute responsibly and positively to the health and wellbeing of all Victorians through the foods and drinks they provide.
Teaching and Learning:
Senior camp
Towards the end of Term 1 our Senior students, Mr Moloney, Miss Ryan,Mrs Harney and
Vaughan went on a very enjoyable camp at ‘Camp Sunnystone’, near Bacchus Marsh. The
camp involved a lot of outdoor activities including, hut building, archery, raft building, canoeing,
geocaching and a fun survival game.
It was wonderful observing all the students giving each activity a go as well as watching the
enjoyment, problem solving and working together as a team. The camp facilities included a
games room, dining area and several bedrooms. There was also a fire pit where on the first
night we enjoyed a fire and a bit of a singalong which was a lot of fun. You can’t write about a
camp without reviewing the food, which I’m pleased to say was delicious - we had spaghetti
bolognaise and tacos, plus delicious snacks throughout the day.
It was a pleasure taking the Senior students on camp and we felt very proud of how they all
represented our school. A few of the camp staff members made comment to us what a well
mannered group of students. A big thanks to Miss Ryan who stepped out of her Grade 1 class
to join us, as well as Vaughan Allen.
Anzac Day
Some consider Anzac Day the fabric of our society. It is a time for the community to come together to remember and recognise the sacrifice and service of many commemorating the Australian and New Zealand forces landing at Gallipoli in 1915. The Anzac legend for many can often be described as tough, brave, fair, hard working and looking after your mates or something that defines us today, or that it is something we should remember, celebrate and aspire to.
On Wednesday we gathered as a whole school in the hall for an ANZAC prayer.
Thankyou to our School Captains and Vice Captains: Lolah, Jack, Molly and Laila who represented St Patricks so well at the Anzac day service. Thank you to their families for ensuring our school leaders were able to be present.
School closure day - staff professional development
All staff on Monday took part in work on our school review. The review aims to assess the quality of education provided by the school, including the academic standards, teacher quality, student performance and overall effectiveness of the school’s administrative practices. A school review is an assessment or evaluation of a school’s performance. Over the course of the next two terms we will be seeking input from parents, students and other stakeholders to gather diverse perspectives about the schools strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement. The findings and recommendations from the school review can be used to inform decision -making, improve educational outcomes and enhance the overall quality of the school. Staff also took part in their CPR Refresher Course.
What is Visible Learning?
Visible Learning is an approach to learning and teaching, based on evidence based research and writing of Professor John Hattie, that assists educators and students alike to foster an environment that supports and develops critical thinking, measures progress, gives clear outcomes and feedback and promotes reflective tools aiding continually self-aware improvement. Visible Learning looks at what factors have the biggest impact on student learning, and provides tools measuring these to improve teaching and learning throughout our school.
The Visible Learningplus school change model of professional learning is based on one simple belief: every student should experience at least one year’s growth over the course of one school year
We are in our second year of a three year commitment with Corwin Visible Learning. At St Patrick’s we are continually striving to ensure consistency in learning across all year levels and classes thus striving for the greatest positive impact as we work towards the virtue of excellence and at least a full year’s growth for every student every year.
The importance of parents.
An interesting article on Visible Learning which is worth a read. The following extract is from Professor John Hattie regarding the importance of parents/carers working together with schools to ensure the optimum learning for children.
Parents are not “first teachers” but “first learners” – as the parents learn, so do their children. Parental expectation about learning is among the most powerful home influences, and the home needs to promote a “language and love of learning”.
This means parents talk to their children about their learning at school and home. This also means they enjoy the struggle, failures and successes when learning together, and set fair boundaries to take on increased challenges and learning safely.
This might mean being clear about what success looks like for a child cleaning their room. It might mean allowing multiple opportunities to succeed, and talking about errors and failure as opportunities to learn.
The Conversation - Professor John Hattie
Maryanne Comitti Teaching and Learning Leader
Grade 3 and 4 walked to the cenotaph at the end of the Main St in Stawell on Wednesday morning.
The students had watched a short video of the ANZACS then they all praticed their hand sewing and made a poppy which we hot glued together to create a wreath. Our grade 3/4 SRC reps laid on behalf of us all. We held a minute silence and walked back to school for recess.
Living in Faith:
There will be a meeting with Fr Andrew for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation on Wednesday 3rd May, 2023 at 3.20pm or 5:00pm in the Middle/Senior hub.
If your child completed their reconciliation last year you will need to come along to the meeting to check in regarding your child’s preparation readiness for Eucharist and Confirmation.
I am writing to you all with a reminder about help that is available in Stawell for families in need. We are all aware of families who are struggling with back to school expenses. The St Vincent de Paul Society, Stawell, can help. Please contact us by ringing -0437 344 323 and leaving a voice message. We will follow up all requests within 24 hours.
For food and grocery shopping vouchers Stawell Inter Church Council Welfare has:
The Cottage at 20 Sloane St.
Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10.30am - 12.30pm. For out of hours emergencies ring -0408 038 949.
Both these local groups are manned by local volunteers and all that they do is strictly confidential. If you need any more information please contact me.
Yours, Mary Rita Thomas
Secretary, St Vincent de Paul Society, Stawell Inter Church Council and Welfare, Stawell
Please follow us on instagram; stpatsstawell
Save the date - Mothers day/ special persons day celebrations:
When: Thursday 11th May 2023
Where: Junior hub and hall.
Students will know the area they will be in. Please enter via hall.
Time: 12:30pm
Guests to 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.
Parents and Friends News:
Up coming house activity:
Mackillop - Athletics Sports Day Next - Friday 5th May
If you are able to help please contact Kate Field or Melissa Sutherland.
Mothers day stall - Friday 12th May, 2023
Thankyou to our generous parents who have been organising and offered to help to run our Mothers day stall. If you are able to help please contact Libby O’Callaghan.
Volunteers needed: Winter sports carnival (football,netball and soccer) -
Thursday 25th May, 2023 - all teams will be needed to run this event as we will be co-ordinating canteens at both North and Central Parks.
Please let Vaughan, Kate S, or Libby know if you are able to volunteer even an hour of your time
Thankyou to our hard working parents we appreciate and value your support.
Parents & Friends Committee
Birthdays:
Congratulations to these students who are celebrating their birthday this week:
Evie Gready and Callum Reading
Diocese and Parish Bulletins:
Please find below the link for the March 2023 edition of “Our Diocesan Community”: Full of news and information across all schools in our Diocese https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ODC-March-2023-website.pdf
Around Our Community:
All Grade 5 and 6 students parents/carers invited to attend.
Upcoming Events:
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.