2023, Term 4, Week 10 Newsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

St. Patrick's School acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work, the Koroitch-gundidj people of the Maar Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. 

Principal's Message

Dear parents and carers,

What a busy week we have had and there is another coming up next week!

This week saw the End of Year Mass, Christmas performance, sausage sizzle, Room 1 and Room 2 triathlon experience and the  Room 1 and Room 2 Excursion to Warrnambool Fire Station.

Still to come we have the Koroit Carols on Sunday 3-5pm, Orientation Day Graduation Ceremony, Fun Days and the Students final day. School concludes Friday 15/12/23  at 3.20 p.m. 

This year's Grade 6 students do not attend St Pat's on Orientation Day.  You should have received communication from your secondary school for your arrangements for the day.

Thank you to everyone who has contrubuted the planning and conducting of these events. 

Irish Festival Catering Coordinator - Help needed
Our school is looking for a volunteer to take over the coordination of the Irish Festival Catering that our school has been doing for many years. Tammy Langdon and Amy Perry are stepping down as joint coordinators. An incoming coordinator/s would receive a comprehensive handover and guidance from Tammy to ensure the role is well supported. 

The Irish Festival Catering has been a tremendous fundraiser for our school, last year raising $10,000 for the school, however, has avereaged $7,000 over the years. 

Traditionally, the school has sold baked potatoes on the village green on Saturday and provided pre-ordered meals to the theatre on the Saturday night. Last year toasted sandwiches were also introduced at the village green. Our commitment for 2024 has yet to be confirmed with the Irish festival, it has changed from year to year.  

The role of the coordinator involves rostering volunteers, ensuring ordering of supplies, liaising with some local businesses for donations of supplies and working on the weekend to ensure the hoards are fed! 

If you think this is something you or you and a friend (could be a joint role like previously) may be able to help the school with please make contact with the school office or email Nick principal@spkoroit.catholic.edu.au to express you interest. 

Alternatively, if you would like to talk to Tammy (0428 466 129) or Amy (0407 558 895) about the role feel free to give them a call to find out a little more. Any incoming coordinator/s would be well supported. 

Regards,

Nick

Restructuring our Parents and Friends group - A proposal

Over the past two terms our Parents and Friends group and our School Advisory Council have discussed, at various times, the idea of restructuring our Parents and Friends group. The reasons for this are: 

• Our fundraising approaches have evolved over time
• The busyness of modern families
• The continuation of the incredible tradition our school’s Parents and Friends has with raising valuable funds for the school each year.

Why is fundraising important to our school?

Each year our school receives approximately 85% of funding toward the overall cost of running our school from the Federal and State Governments. Consequently, our school community is required to raise the remaining 15% each year to provide the tuition, programs and resources our children need to ensure the best education. This 15% is raised through School Fees, Student Levies, donations and fundraising. Fundraising is important to us!

Proposed Model

The model that I would like to present to our school community is that of an executive group that comprises a co-ordinator from each of the following school fundraising areas; Port Fairy Folk Festival BBQ, Koroit Irish Festival, Picnic in the Paddock and Student Engagement. Please see the infographic below to help outline this a little further. 

This would enable our school families to volunteer at various times / events throughout the year without having to commit to being on a committee that meets regularly throughout the year. The coordinators for each of these four areas would be the ‘go to people’ for anything related to these areas. There is also scope for people to volunteer / help with specific items with these areas too, e.g. coordinate the disco, family picnic or milkshake day within the Student Engagement area (as examples).

The four coordinators would meet with the principal perhaps termly and as needed throughout the year as needed in preparation and reflection of fundraising activities. 

It is hoped this model will provide a sustainable platform for our school’s fundraising into the future. 

If you have any input or questions, can you please direct these to Nick. 

There is also another model that incorportes and acknowledges our schools amazing casserole bank AKA Food Fairies!

2024 Student KK

Don't forget - Class KK gifts will be exchanged next Friday.

Unisex gift to the value of no more than $10 - place under the tree in the classroom.

Chicken Sitters

If you are able to help with feeding & watering the school chickens over the  holidays, could you please contact the office.  Even if you are able to do a week, that would be great - many hands make light work.

Koroit Christmas Carols

Students who are joining Monique for Carols at the Koroit Village Green stage on Sunday:

- Please meet Monique near the "Spud Picker" from 2.45pm

- Wear Sports top and an optional touch of Christmas

ALL WELCOME! 

Foundation and Grade 1 "Try"athlon

This week our Foundation and Grade 1 students participated in a bike lesson in PE on Wednesday.  Following this, Mr Varley and Donna ran a mini "Try"athlon for them on Thursday.  Great fun for all!

Port Fairy Folk Festival 2024 - St Pat's BBQ

We are commencing the planning for our involvement in the “St Pat’s BBQ” at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. The BBQ, run in conjunction with St Pat’s Port Fairy, is a long standing fundraising event which attracts significant funds from outside of our school community.

We are calling for an expression of interest for volunteers interested in working at BBQ stall & also for the pack up crew on Monday afternoon.

Working at the BBQ requires a commitment of 2 x 5 hour shifts over the weekend, in exchange for an Adult Folk Festival ticket as well as a credit to your school volunteer levy.

The Pack Up crew work on the Monday afternoon for approximately 2-3 hours packing up the stall and returning all items to storage at St Pat’s Port Fairy (having a ute is handy but not essential). This role attracts a volunteer levy credit but no Festival ticket.

We welcome volunteers from family & friends of St Patrick’s to be involved in this event.

Please register your interest on the form linked below. If you have more than one family member wishing to volunteer, the form allows multiple responses.

We will be in contact early into the 2024 school year confirming volunteers & then BBQ shifts will be confirmed closer to the festival.

Thank you.

Our Diocesan Community - November 2023

Please find attached a link to the November Issue of the "Our Diocesan Community" Newsletter.

This newsletter features articles on our former Parish Priest and the most Irish Dutchman you will ever come across, Fr Bill Van de Camp as well as local resident, Fr Lawrence O’Toole who are both celebrating 50 years in the priesthood.  Congratulations to both Fr Van de Camp and Fr O'Toole on their Golden Jubilee and thank you for your service to our community.

Singing Lessons at St Pat's

Singing lessons are on offer at St Pat's in 2023! Please contact Danielle directly on the details in the flyer if you are interested in this for your child.

Beginner Guitar Lessons

From Term 1 next year, beginner guitar lessons will be offered here at school. Please see below for information and register your interest with Dylan.

Star Of the Sea - Parish Bulletin

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Tilly Van Rysingen and Charlotte Lilley who are celebrating their birthdays at this time. 

Canteen Roster

Please see below for the current version of the Canteen Roster.

Directwear Uniform

As stock runs out at school Directwear will start supplying the items, they will be available to buy on their website at www.directwear.com.au  

Uniforms can be collected from the Directwear home address in Warrnambool or posted to you.

Items now available on the website are:

Short Sleeve Polos - sizes 8 & 10    $28.95

Black Sports Shorts -sizes 6, 8 & 14   $32.50

Grey Pants - sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 & 16   $54.50

Black Trackpants  - sizes 6, 8, 10, 12   $40.00

Black Skorts - sizes 8 & 10 $32.50

School Dress - All sizes $38.95

Contact details for Direct wear are:

email info@directwear.com.au or phone Dion Jansz: 0412 654 406

Dates to Remember

REMINDERS

December

10th- Koroit Christmas Carols at the Stage

12th- Oriendation Day (Grade 6 to Secondary School)

13th- Grade 6 Graduation

14th- End of year excursions

15th- Final Day of School (Students)

January

29th- Staff First Day 2024

30th- Students First Day 2024

Community News

Local Santa Photos