Newsletter 99- June 23rd 2023

Prayer of the Week:

Dear Lord, keep us safe in our activities; give us good rest and good fun.  Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term. We thank you for our St Patrick’s community that cares for each other.  May we always be conscious of you in our lives.  Amen 

Principals Report:

Welcome

End of Term 

As we come to the end of another term, it is a great time to reflect on the achievement and progress of our students. Last week all parents and carers received their child’s Semester One report which provided information on their celebrations and areas of future focus. Formal reports are just one part of an ongoing conversation between school and home. 

This week many parents and carers also took up the opportunity to participate in Parent Teacher Interviews. It was great to see such high levels of engagement with parents. Study after study has shown that strong connection and communication between school and home brings about better outcomes for students. 

Winter Sports 

It was third time lucky for the Winter Sports Carnival last week after two postponements due to bad weather. I was lucky enough to take on the role of team manager for the mixed soccer team. The school also fielded netball and football teams. All of our students represented our school in a very positive manner through their actions on the day. 

A big thank you to all who helped the Parents and Friends group run the canteens at both North Park and Central Park. This was a huge job made even more challenging by the earlier postponements. The Parents and Friends were able to offer a very valuable service to students, staff, and parents of all schools participating on the day. I’m not sure if I would have survived the day without some nice hot coffee and snacks from the canteen. It was very pleasing to receive an email from a fellow Principal who wanted to pass on her thanks to the St Pat’s Parents and Friends for their efforts on the day. 

Staffing Announcement

I am very excited to announce that we will have two new staff members joining us at St Patrick's next term. Zara Fraser (nee Cain) will be joining us in a part-time teaching role on Mondays and Thursdays. Zara joins us from St Michael's in Daylesford where she has taught for a number of years. She and her family have recently relocated back to Stawell and she has already joined us for some casual relief days. 

Cheryl-Ann Duxson will also join our school staff as a Learning Support Officer. Cheryl is a former St Patrick's parent and classroom helper. She has a wide range of professional experience including youth work and customer service. 

Term Three and Beyond 

As you would all be aware, I am finishing up at St Patrick’s in July to take on the position of Principal at St Francis of Assisi in Humpty Doo in the Northern Territory. My final day at St Patrick’s will be July 14th. Maryanne Comitti will take on the role of Interim Principal until a new Principal is appointed. 

I  thank all members of the St Patrick’s school community for their support during my time at the school. I have enjoyed every day working with the staff, students, and families of the school to bring about better outcomes for our students. I have learned a lot both personally and professionally which I will be able to draw upon in future roles. 

St Patrick’s Stawell will always hold a special place in my heart and I know that the school is in a wonderful place moving forward. It is truly a very special school with a wonderful staff and a supportive community. I know that I will very much miss the school and its community. 

With faith in our future

Chris McAloon

A word from the office:

Dear Parents & Guardians,
A couple of quick reminders in the lead up to the school holidays:

• Positions for our 2024 Foundation Class are filling quickly and applications are due to close next week.  If you or someone you know has a child due to commence school next year and you have not yet returned an application for enrolment, please contact the office for an enrolment pack.  Enrolment interviews for Foundation 2024 will be conducted during the week of July 17th to 21st (Week 2 of Term 3).
• If you are paying your school fees via installments per Term, please ensure your Term 2 payment is made by tomorrow and the commencement of the school holidays.  

Thank you all for your ongoing support, enjoy the break!   Kind regards,   Anna Wadge  Business Manager

Wellbeing:

Sleep Health for Students 

While we know sleep is essential for good health, research shows that many children and young peo- ple are not getting enough sleep on school nights. This can affect thinking, concentration, memory, reaction times and mood.

Research shows about 12% of primary school-aged children, a quarter of 12- to 15-year-olds and half of 16- to 17-year-olds don’t get enough sleep on school nights. The recommended amount of time to sleep for primary school-aged children is 9 to 11 hours. For teenagers, it’s 8 to 10 hours.

Signs that your child is not getting enough sleep can include:

• ☺  low mood and irritability during social interactions
• ☺  reluctance or arguing about getting off devices and going to bed
• ☺  falling asleep during the day
• ☺  difficulties waking up for school and sleeping in late on weekends to catch up
• ☺  changes to communicating or interacting at home.                                                                        You can help your child to improve their sleep by:  
  

• ☺  establishing a regular sleep pattern and consistent bedtime routine
• ☺supporting them to avoid using electronic devices such as smartphones before going to bed and in bed
• ☺  encouraging your child to exercise and spend time outside in daylight, steering clear of vigorous activity in the hour before sleep
• ☺  encouraging them to wind down and relax before going to bed.
  If your child is still having trouble sleeping, has persistent problems with low mood, excessive daytime sleepiness, restlessness in bed, severe snoring or waking unrefreshed, despite getting adequate length of sleep, they should see a doctor.
  
  
• For more information on sleep health, you can refer to: · sleep tips for children and Facts about sleep for parents and school staff from the Sleep Health Foundation · why sleep is so important, from the Kids Helpline’s ·sleep explained, from the Better Health Channel.

Teaching and Learning:

School Uniform:

Why do we ask students to wear a school uniform? 

Wearing a school uniform has many benefits and reasons:

It promotes a sense of equality among students.  When everyone wears the same uniform it creates a more inclusive environment. 

1. Wearing our school uniform fosters a spirit of community and belonging. 
2. Students are less likely to become distracted and be subject to peer pressure related to the clothes they wear. 
3. School uniforms make it easier to identify students when we are in an outside environment. 
4. Wearing a school uniform instills a sense of discipline and professionalism.  It prepares our students for future endeavors where adhering to a dress code is required. 

  A reminder that school socks are plain white for girls and plain grey for boys. On sports days plain white socks.  Please note there is to be no visible branding on socks.  Also, students are not permitted to wear nail polish or make up while at school as per the uniform policy. Thankyou for your continued support in making this school one we can all be proud to be a part of.

*Please remember that we do have our school uniform bank if you need help with correct uniforms. 

When I  reflect on the past term at St Patrick’s we are very grateful  to each and every one of our community for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to our school community.

We have had a very successful first Semester filled with academic achievements, extra-curricular activities and a strong sense of community spirit. Our students have demonstrated outstanding performance in all areas and I am proud of the hard work they have put into achieving such success. Once again I also commend our team at St Patrick’s for their tireless efforts in supporting our students both academically and emotionally. As per usual they have gone above and beyond to ensure that our students have had a positive and fulfilling experience at St Patrick’s this semester.  Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable break.  Thanks for your continued support. 

Maryanne Comitti  Teaching and Learning Leader 

Foundation:

Wow, another term has come to an end, what a phenomenal term all of the Foundation students have had. We have all worked extremely hard in all learning areas this Term. 

Term 2 kick started our independent writing following The Writing Revolution structure. Myself and the staff within the Foundation area are extremely proud of how everyone has worked together this Term. 

Our reading skills have improved out of sight and everyone is willing to take on challenges and be a brave and resilient learner. 

Maths has been fun and very hands on this Term looking at how we can build/make numbers. 

I am proud of each and everyone of the Foundation students this Term and couldn’t be prouder of how hard everyone has been working.  See you all in Term 3.  Happy holidays. 

Structured Literacy  - School closure day - Friday 28th July, 2023

All staff will be traveling to Ballarat to St Francis Xavier School to join with other schools in our Diocese who are also studying the Structured Literacy Approach.  

At the start of the year St Patrick’s commenced our journey as part of the SunLit Project which is a Diocese led Structured Literacy Professional Development Project. We are currently developing a  Scope and Sequence (what is to be taught and how we teach it)  for the whole school aligning Science of reading evidence with students expectations at each grade level. This Scope and Sequence will provide a sustainable and school-wide improvement to our  literacy instruction.  Moving into 2024 we will continue to embed effective evidence based literacy practices across our school to ensure high literacy expectations and outcomes for all students. 

Maryanne Comitti Teaching and Learning Leader 

Stawell Gymnastics Club held there In-house competition last Sunday.   Thank you to Miss Bonney who went along to watch our students and sent through a couple of photos to be shared. Well done girls it looks like you had a lot of fun and success.

On the vault the level 3's do a handstand flat back where the level 5's do a front hand spring over a bigger vault. On the floor everyone has a routine with music. On the beam we have to do a routine on the 4inch plank of wood, it's really high off the ground. On the bars there are two different wooden bars at two different heights, from level 4 and up you jump from the smaller bar to the higher bar. Level 3 and below jump from a box. Everyone did an amazing job we are so proud of you all. Lolah and Milla W.

Students of the week:

Mary McKillop 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.

"When I could not see my way God kept my heart full of trust to make all come right".   Saint Mary McKillop

Living in Faith:

Sacrament News: Congratulations to Marianne, Jack,  Isaac, Mac, Oscar and Boston who celebrated their Sacrament of Reconciliation on Wednesday night. Thanks to Fr Andrew for the lovely celebration. 

Thanks also to Sarah D for organising a group dinner and cake afterwards which was really special and highlights the wonderful community we are lucky to have at St Patrick’s. 

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.  

Parents and Friends News:

*A new list of events for the second semester to be be confirmed and shared next term.

Thankyou all for a fantastic start to the year.

Birthdays:

Congratulations to these  students who are  celebrating  their birthday  this week:     Jett, Matilda and Monti  

Parish news:

Mass Times: 
Ararat Sunday 8.30am 
Stawell Sunday 10.30am
Lake Bolac 1st, 3rd, 5th Sundays 6.30pm Vigil Sat 
Landsborough 2nd, 4th Sundays 12.30pm
Glenthompson (Hamilton Parish) 2nd, 4th Sundays 8.30am

Please follow us on instagram; stpatsstawell

Around Our Community:

Upcoming Events:

Our Vision and Mission:

Vision Statement: St Patrick's School is a community which reflects and celebrates Christ as its centre point:  By honoring our story we value our whole community.  By coming together our vision is for a loving, just, compassionate and tolerant world.     Mission Statement  In the tradition of St Patrick, we are committed to: Promoting and celebrating a love of God, self and community.  Recognizing and enhancing the talents and uniqueness of each person through our vision of Prayer, Care and Learning.  PRAYER We nurture and grow our relationship with God as members of a faith community.  CARE We foster recognition of difference, compassion for others and the strength to act on our beliefs.  LEARNING We develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills essential to reaching our full potential as life- long learners.