Newsletter 109 - September 13th 2023
Prayer of the Week:
A prayer for R U OK day: Loving God You are always near to us especially when we are weak, suffering and vulnerable. Reach out to those who experience mental illness. Lift their burdens, calm their anxiety, and quiet their fears. Surround them with your healing presence that they may know that they are not alone. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. AMEN.
This Sculpture is by Timothy Schmalz.
It is inspired by the poem “Footprints in the Sand '' Here the sculptor has captured the moment where Christ carries us through our troubled times. It is a symbol of how Christ is always present to help us. https://www.sculpturebytps.com/portfolio_page/footprints/
Interim Principals Report:
Dear St Patrick’s community
As we draw towards the end of Term three, we wish all of our community a restful and enjoyable break. We hope you find some time to recharge and spend quality time with your loved ones.
Thank you to our dedicated teachers, staff and community for their unwavering support and commitment to our students’ success. It is when we all work collaboratively together that we continue to provide a nurturing and enriching community.
It was with a heavy heart on Monday that we heard the sad news of the passing of one of our beloved St Patrick’s community members Mrs Marlene Mornane. Mrs Mornane was a valuable member of our St Patrick’s Church parish and also our St Patrick’s School community. Mrs Mornane volunteered with us at St Patrick’s for twelve plus years . She was not just an educator; she was a mentor, a role model and a source of inspiration to countless students and colleagues over the years. The impact Mrs Mornane has had on our school and community will be remembered and cherished forever.
Mrs Mornane dedicated her life to shaping the minds and hearts of students. Her passion for teaching and her unwavering commitment to education and students left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her.
As a teacher I learnt more from Mrs Mornane than any university lecture, book or exam. Mrs Mornane went above and beyond to nurture the full potential of not only students, but teachers as well and instill that love of learning and teaching.
We keep her family: Simon & Carolyn, Mick & Kim and her grandchildren Alicia, Steph, Ben, Tessa & Kasey in our thoughts and prayers.
God Bless you Mrs Mornane.
“May the angels lead Mrs Mornane into paradise; may the martyrs come to welcome her and take her to the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem.”
With faith in our future Maryanne Comitti
Mrs Mornane Requiem Mass will be offered at St. Patrick’s Church, Stawell on Monday Sept. 18th 2023 at 1.00pm followed by her burial at the Stawell Cemetery.
These are some of Mrs Mornane’s beautiful works that are throughout our school and her much loved chair.
A word from the office:
* Reminder: Early finish tomorrow at 2:15pm and school returns Monday 2nd october.
*Reminder: Whole school closure day/s-Monday November 6th, and Public Holiday Tuesday November 7th 2023.
Wellbeing:
Teaching and Learning:
School Assemblies: Our assemblies are led by a different class each week and tomorrows assembly begins at 1:50pm as students will be dismissed from the hall at 2:15pm. We invite all our community to come along.
Week 10: Whole School Assembly 1:50pm
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:
Wk 1: 6/10/23 Mr Leon Moloney Ballarat sports
Whole school [almost]: Andy Griffith online book launch-
On Tuesday Foundation, Grades 1,2 and 5,6 took part in Andy Griffiths online book launch The 169 - Storey Treehouse. Andy Griffiths is one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors. He and illustrator Terry Denton have collaborated on more than 33 bestselling books since their first title, Just Tricking, was published in 1997.
About The 169-Storey Treehouse
Andy and Terry have built their biggest and most astonishing treehouse yet! It has everything they – and you – could wish for, including an electric pony stable, a SantaLand, a NOISY level, a kangaroo-riding range, a WHATEVER-WEATHER-YOU-WANT dome, a 100% edible gingerbread house and a hall of funhouse mirrors. But Anti-Andy, Terrible-Terry and Junkyard-Jill, their doppelgangers, are trapped in one of the mirrors – and they want out.
Grade 3/4 Camp:
On Monday and Tuesday the Grade 3 and 4's went to camp at Roses Gap.
We did a lot of awesome activities like canoeing and archery which was really fun for all of us. We also went on the giant swing which was lots of fun. A lot of us went all the way to purple which was the highest you could go.
After dinner we went on a duck hunt and we had to find a duck with our names on it which we got to keep as a little souvenir. Then we went to Bob’s Shed where we played lots of games and watched a movie before bed.
We all had a fantastic camp and we were very tired at the end of it.
Archie Coxon
Great Book Swap - happening at St Patrick’s Primary School,2023. Literacy is a major issue facing remote Indigenous communities. Has been temporarily postponed till term 4.
Next term Social Justice will finalise working on The Great Book Swap in support for Indigenous Literacy. The idea is that our school would donate any quality unwanted children’s books, and Social justice will then conduct a Book swap where students are able to purchase any of these donated books for a gold coin donation. All money raised will be donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. *Please send any donated books (in great condition) into school, thanks to those who have already donated.
Living in Faith:
Oodie, hoodie and footy day was very well supported by our students and families. Thankyou for your kind donations. More details to follow next term.
Please follow us on instagram; stpatsstawell
Students of the week:
Scarlett Rickard - For the hard work you’ve been putting into improving your writing skills. Keep up the great work Scarlett!
Oliver Prockter - For the persistence you’ve shown while learning to write your name correctly. Keep up the brilliant work Ollie.
Ace Rowe - For taking risks during maths when writing fact families. You did them all on your own and got them all correct. Keep up the hard work, I'm so proud of you!
Jarli Goodes - For using all your super powers in your learning. You have been working so hard on your goals and have achieved great things. Keep up the hard work!
Johanna Santosh - For your self-motivation towards all of your learning and your excellent results with your spelling. Congratulations on a super term.
Jack Driscoll - For always being such a positive contributor to collaborative learning. Congratulations on a fantastic term Jack.
Akech Kur - For displaying your risk-taker and resilience superpowers when attempting different activities on camp. We are very proud of you.
Lenny Field - For your excellent night time duck hunting skills on camp. Well done!
Fletcher Thomas - For the awesome archery skills and giving some helpful tips and advice to others in your group. Well done Fletcher!
Archie Coxon - For your fantastic use of your collaborative superpower while spotting for others on the low ropes. Great work Archie!
Jayde Lowe - For the excellent progress in reading and comprehensions skills. Keep working hard!
Henry Wadge - For displaying persistence and hard work when creating impressive complex sentences! Keep the great work up Henry!
Milla Woolley - For the risks you are taking with your writing. Your writing pieces have gone to a whole new level.
Savannah Farrell - For the amazing growth you achieved during the last 3 modules of Stepping Stones. Keep working hard Savannah!
Birthdays:
Congratulations to these students who are celebrating their birthday this week: Jack Du, Mackenzie F, Alivia.
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. "No duty is too little to be done well".
This weeks award recipient is Henry.
For his kindness and thoughtful leadership when helping a younger student on the playground.
Congratulations !
Diocesan/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
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.