Newsletter 169- June 12th 2025
Prayer of the Week:
Heavenly Father,
We come before you with humble hearts, seeking your guidance and strength as we prepare to support those in need.
Grant us the wisdom to recognise the signs of distress and the knowledge to provide effective care.
Fill our hearts with compassion, that we may offer comfort to those who are suffering and hope to those in pain.
In moments of urgency, calm our minds and steady our hands.
Let our actions be a reflection of your love and mercy.
Protect us as we serve, and bless those we assist with healing and peace.
May our efforts bring relief, and show the care and concern that you have for all your children.
We ask this in your holy name.
Amen.
From the Principal’s Desk:
There’s plenty happening at St Pats! Our building works are progressing steadily, with the cost plan now complete and preparations underway for the project to go to tender. We’re still anticipating that works will begin on-site during the September holidays, and we’ll continue to keep you updated.
Families wishing for their child to make the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Term Three are encouraged to contact me directly so we can connect you with Father Neville and the parish community.
We’d like to advise that the Year 3/4 classroom, previously taught by Claire, will be led by Tracey and Fiona throughout Term Three. We thank Claire for her time with us and wish her all the very best.
As we move into the cough and cold season, we sincerely thank families for keeping unwell children at home, helping us limit the spread of illness across the school. Our classroom tissue supplies are running low—if you’re in a position to donate a box, it would be gratefully received and will help replenish our cupboards.
Finally, we hold Marnie, 3/4 Learning Support Officer, in our thoughts and prayers following the recent passing of her mum. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her and her family at this time.
Bettina
Parents and Friends:
A gentle reminder that Wellbeing Day lunch orders are due back TOMORROW Friday 13th June. To avoid your childs disappointment please return by the end of this week as late orders will not be accepted.
President,
Kate Field
Wellbeing:
Seeking Family Support for Wellbeing Day on June 20th
We’re excited about our upcoming Wellbeing Day on the 20th of June and would love to involve our school community in making it a memorable event for our primary school students. If you have any skills, services, or activities that could contribute to the day, we would greatly appreciate your involvement!
We’re looking for contributions such as:
- Yoga or stretching
- Drawing or Craft
- A fun game or dance session
- Storytelling or relaxation sessions
- Reading a story or leading a quiet activity
- Sharing healthy food ideas
If you’re able to help or have an idea to share, please get in touch via email lbroadbent@spstawell.catholic.edu.au or Dojo. Your support means a lot and will help make the day extra special.
Supporting Kids with Anxiety: The BRAVE Program
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges faced by children and teenagers today. If your child worries a lot, avoids certain situations, or struggles with separation, they’re not alone - and there’s support available.
What is BRAVE?
BRAVE is a free, online, evidence-based program designed to help children and teenagers (aged 8–17) learn how to manage anxiety.
Developed by leading psychologists at Australian universities, BRAVE uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) strategies in a fun, interactive way.
Key Features:
- Self-paced sessions for kids, teens, and parents
- Helps with separation anxiety, social worries, phobias, and general anxiety
- Includes relaxation tools, practical strategies, and support for parents
You can complete it together with your child or let them work through it independently.
Learn more or register:
https://brave4you.psy.uq.edu.au
If your child is struggling with anxiety or school refusal, please don’t hesitate to contact us - we’re here to help.
Lauren Broadbent
Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader
Teaching and Learning:
School Assemblies: Our assemblies happen each Friday afternoon starting at 2:45pm in the school hall. Students are dismissed from the hall on this day. We invite all our community to come along.
Week 8: Junior C
Week 9: Junior B
Week 10: Art
Week 11: Commendation Badges Presentation
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 2 Week 9 & 10-
Middle J:
It’s hard to believe we are already over halfway through Term Two. It feels like only yesterday that I met my wonderful class of Year 3 and 4 students, all eager to learn. This term, Middle J has continued to work hard and show great enthusiasm for learning across all areas of the curriculum. It has been a term filled with curiosity, creativity, and teamwork.
In Literacy, we have been learning about plurals and suffixes, expanding our vocabulary and understanding of how words change. We have also been working on our narrative writing by reading and retelling Dreamtime stories, with a particular focus on The Rainbow Serpent.
In Religion, we have deepened our understanding of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and explored stories from the life of Jesus, including Jesus Cleanses the Leper. Students creatively retold these stories using puppets, comics, or Google Slides. We also reflected on how we can show compassion in our everyday lives.
In Inquiry, we have been investigating Australian symbols and emblems. Students explored their meaning and significance by reading and viewing a variety of information sources. They completed a fact quiz to test their knowledge and broaden their understanding. As part of our learning, students also looked into the origins of particular flags and emblems, encouraging critical thinking about the key concepts of significance, sources, and perspective.
In Art, we explored optical illusions and how artists use lines, shapes, and colour to trick the eye. One of the illusions even transformed into an image of Jesus – it really made us look twice! This week, we’ve started working on our final copies, and the creativity on display has been fantastic.
In Mathematics, Year 3 students have been learning the compensation method for addition – a mental strategy that helps make addition quicker and more efficient. Meanwhile, Year 4 students have been working with written algorithms, developing their understanding of step-by-step methods for solving more complex addition and subtraction problems.
In Sport, we’ve been playing football (soccer). Students have been practising passing, dribbling, shooting, and learning how to work together as a team. It has been wonderful to see their skills developing alongside their sportsmanship.
It’s been another busy and rewarding term in Middle J. We are incredibly proud of all the hard work, creativity, and growth we’ve seen in the classroom. We’re looking forward to even more learning and fun in Term Three!
Miss Claire Joyce
Junior C:
It is hard to believe that we are halfway through 2025 and nearing the end of another term.
It has been a busy time in Junior C full of lots of awesome learning. From learning a range of trigraphs in InitiaLit, to writing our narratives in writing. From learning about 2D shapes and quadrilaterals in Maths, to our continued theme of Participation in Religion. In every learning area, we have been learners and using our five Learner Superpowers to do the best work we can!
As we come to the end of another big term full of fun, excitement and awesome learning, and with assessments well under way, I am proud to see all the wonderful growth that each and every one of the students have experienced so far this year! I will now turn it over to the students to share some of the wonderful things that they are proud of so far this year.
Archer - This year I am proud of the hard work I have been doing in maths and art.
Chelsea - This year I am proud of my work in art, maths and sport.
Chevy - This year I am proud of maths because I’m being challenged. I am also proud of my writing.
Elektra - This year I am proud of doing athletics day because I came first in high jump.
Ethan - This year I am proud of making comics with Harry and my other friends, sport and playing football with my friends.
Evelyn - This year I am proud of coming first in athletics running.
Evie - This year I am proud of the counting I have been doing in my counting group.
Finn - This year I am proud of athletics day that I came first.
George - This year I am proud of sport because I have fun and I try my hardest.
Hariklia - This year I am proud of my writing because I can always think about the character and setting. I am proud of getting student of the week and Mary Mackillop.
Harry - This year I am proud of sports day because I got two ribbons in discus and sprints.
Imogen - This year I am proud of maths because I am good at my doubles.
Kaison - This year I am proud of my maths, my narrative in writing and sentence a day.
Mackenzie - This year I am proud of my 2D shapes and sentence a day.
Madilyn - This year I am proud of my writing in Sentence a Day / SAD and I am proud of my ribbons on Athletics Day.
Mia - This year I am proud of my writing because I have improved so much and I am proud of my maths.
Nasar - This year I am proud of maths because I am proud about my adding big numbers like 100+100=200.
Oliver - This year I am proud of doing my best running at the athletic sports.
Ruby - This year I am proud of the counting I have done in my counting group.
Scarlett - This year I am proud of coming third place in my sprint.
Valeria - This year I am proud of my neat handwriting and my narrative in writing.
Zoey - This year I am proud of my running in the sprints and my Sentence a Day / SAD
Mr Josh Cunningham
As we prepare end-of-semester reports, teachers are using a range of tools to accurately determine each child’s current learning progression. This process, known as triangulation of data, involves drawing on a combination of Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT), DIBELS reading assessments, and ongoing classroom observations and work samples. These measures together provide a well-rounded picture of student achievement and growth.
While assessments like PAT and DIBELS provide valuable insights into specific skill areas, teacher professional judgement—based on daily learning tasks, participation, and growth—is equally important in determining progression points.
We encourage families to have gentle conversations with their children about how they felt during these assessments. It’s important for students to understand that their reports are not based solely on test scores, but on a broad and balanced view of their learning journey throughout the semester.
Students of the Week:
Week 7:
Ailani Cooper - For consistently giving your best effort in your learning and reading sentences during InitiaLit with confidence. You continue to make meaningful connections with your learning and share your knowledge with others
Patrick McKay - For showing creativity in your diorama of God’s Creation. You took great pride in your work and made meaningful connections to how you can care for God’s creation.
Anthony Truong - For displaying all of the learning superpowers - Risk Taking, Resilience, Self-Motivated, Curious and Collaborative each and every day. Thank you for making our classroom a better place!
Scott Duxson - For the fabulous results you have achieved in your spelling tests. Congratulations and thank you for the wonderful efforts you are putting into your work, both at home and at school!
Zoey Tyler - For the fantastic sentences you have been creating during our Sentence a Day writing this week. Keep up the awesome work Zoey!
Evie Gready - For the wonderful progress you have made in all your learning areas. Keep up the great work!
Lexie Bailey - For the amazing efforts you have been putting into consolidating and extending your mathematical understanding. Well done Lex!
Bonnie Wickham - For the beautiful and creative illustration of your dream house and your dream for the world during our recent Religion lessons. Well done Bonnie.
Wilem Lovett - For the way you’ve been tackling challenging maths problems with confidence. Your effort and attitude are impressive!
Edie MacPherson - For the way you support others in group work and always encourage your team to do their best. A true team player!
Stephanie McKenzie-Barber - For being a wonderful new addition to our class. Welcome to St. Patrick’s!
Lily Hine - For taking risks during Winter Sports. For your first time playing netball, you were an absolute superstar! Well done.
Lily Sanderson - For your willingness to work with a wide variety of your peers during group work. Keep it up Lily!
Tamieka Austin - For being a risk-taker in class by sharing your thoughts and ideas in front of your classmates. Well done Tamieka!
Week 8: No Awards due to short week
Living in Faith:
Winter food appeal
As the winter season approaches, we are reminded of the importance of community support and solidarity. Many families in our community struggle to provide enough food during the colder months, and your generosity can make a significant difference.
Our Mini Vinnies group is organising a non-perishable food appeal for those in our community who are in need. If you are able we would appreciate any donations of non-perishable food. Each classroom will have a tub where donations can be put. These donations will be collected by a member of our St Vincent de Paul society from our parish and will be donated to the Stawell Cottage for local distribution.
Let's come together to make this winter a little warmer for everyone in our community. Thank you for your generosity!
Do you or someone that you know need some help?
If you need help with groceries and shopping vouchers go to -
The Cottage 20 Sloane St Stawell. Open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 10:30am and 12:30pm. In out of hours emergencies ring 0408 038 949.
If you need help with fresh fruit and vegetables go to -
Stawell Neighbourhood House 42 Sloane St. Open Mondays – Fridays 9am -5pm.
If you need help other than groceries and food, contact – Stawell St Vincent de Paul Society – 0437 344 324 and leave a message. They will contact you within 24 hours.
Mary Rita Thomas
Sec. and Public Officer, Stawell Inter Church Council (welfare Cottage)
President, Stawell conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society
FUNDRAISING:
Each Friday our MiniVinnies group will be selling Zooper Doopers for $1.00 each St Vincent de Paul Sponsor a student program. As always we thank our St Patrick’s community for your support.
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.
“We have much to be thankful for” Saint Mary MacKillop
Charlie
For seeing someone in need and offering assistance. You are always a helpful person.
Thank you for your Kindness.
James
For showing kindness and being inclusive of others
Thank you.
Birthdays:
Congratulations to these students who celebrated their birthday in the last fortnight:
Amelia, Oyin, Scarlett, Oliver P, Ada and Prithvi
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
Please find below the link for the March 2025 edition of “Our Diocesan Community”
This Magazine is a way to share the good news stories of our schools, parishes and agencies across the diocese.
https://www.ballarat.catholic.
Around Our Community:
Please follow us on instagram; stpatsstawell
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.