2023, Term 4, Week 11 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,

It is with mixed emotions that I pen my final message for the newsletter, marking the end of an incredibly enriching chapter in my life. After four years at St. Pat's, the time has come for me to bid farewell to this remarkable school community.

Reflecting on the journey we've shared, I am filled with gratitude for the unwavering support and collaboration that define our school. Together, we have achieved milestones, celebrated triumphs, and weathered challenges. The spirit of unity and resilience within our school has been a source of inspiration and pride.

As I transition to a new role at St Pius X Warrnambool West, I carry with me the invaluable experiences and relationships forged during my time here. I am confident that the seeds of growth planted within these walls will continue to flourish under the capable hands of Tegan and our dedicated educators, staff, and, most importantly, our outstanding students.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to each member of the St. Pat's family for contributing to the vibrant tapestry of our school community. Though my physical presence may change, my fond memories and deep appreciation for this extraordinary community will forever remain.

Wishing you all continued success, growth, and prosperity.

With sincere gratitude,

Nick

School Closure Days 2024

A number of School Closure days have already been booked for 2024. Please note these for your diary.

Wednesday 21st February - Structured Literacy

Friday 1st March - ECSI data analysis

Friday 17th May - School Review Preparation

Monday 20th May - School Review Preparation

Monday 24th June - ReLATE

Tusday 20th August - Structured Literacy

In addition, the school takes Thursday 2nd May as the designated Public Holiday for our Local Government Area for the May Racing Carnival.

Statement from DOBCEL regarding Student Free guidelines and procedures:  Student-free days are days where students do not attend school within the gaxetted attendance period but are designated for staff professional development, school professional development activities, planning and/or report writing. Each year, the first day of term one and the last day of term four will be a student-free day in all schools. 

In exceptional circumstances, the Executive Director of Catholic Education Ballarat or delegate can approve days beyond the normal 6 Student Free Days.

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.

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!

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.

Student Awards

Room 1

Leo Wright for being resilient and trying his best to be brave at school. Keep up the great work Leo!

Oscar McElgunn for his outstanding performance at the Christmas Concert. Throughout all our rehearsals, he consistently demonstrated hard work and unwavering dedication. Congratulations on a job well done, Oscar!

Annie McMahon for her outstanding performance at the Christmas Concert. Throughout all our rehearsals, she consistently demonstrated hard work and unwavering dedication. Congratulations on a job well done, Annie!

Room 2

To my brilliant Year 1’s! A year bursting with cleverness, fun and laughter. Your wit, creativity and joy made everyday an adventure. Here’s to an amazing year and may you continue to achieve fabulous things in Year 2!

Room 4

Fraser Gleeson for being responsible in your dedication to learning and striving to be the best student you could be this year. You have shown enthusiasm for acquiring new knowledge and skills across all subjects, with mathematics being your favourite. Great job Fraser!

Poppy Martin for always showing respectful, responsible and safe behaviour in our classroom and playground this year. Poppy, you are a friend to everyone, always helpful and kind, and always set such a wonderful example for your friends to follow. Thank you!

Olivia Foster  for being a focused learner in all tasks this semester. Olivia, you have challenged yourself in your learning and listened to feedback to make improvements. Well done Olivia and keep up the great work next year. 

Jack Lane for the progress you have shown when reading aloud to others this year. Jack, through your dedication to improve, you can now read confidently, at a good pace and you show that you can use expression to add interest to the story. Well done Jack and keep up the practice!

Room 5

Whole Class - Thank you for being an amazing student this year. Your hard work, enthusiasm, cooperation and participation in all areas of learning this year has made Room 5 an amazing room to teach. Thank you and enjoy your Christmas break.

Room 7

To all Year 6, thankyou for being amazing leaders this year. You will be greatly missed but we wish you all the best in the next stage of your learning journey.  

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

Vision and Hearing Assessments

A message from the Catholic Education Office Learning Diversity team:

If you are concerned about your child’s academic progress, social emotional and/or behavioural development, over the school holidays is a great time to have their vision and hearing checked.

Vision

You can access vision checks through an optometrist free under Medicare.

Hearing

Screen your child's hearing using the Sound Scouts app. The app incorporates the science of a hearing test in a fun interactive game. Click on this link to purchase a discounted testing credit for $25. Download the app from soundscouts.com.au You will require a tablet or smart phone and headphones.

Or via an audiologist in a town near you via a referral, also at a cost.

Autism Awareness Seminars

Please see below for information on a seminar to be held in Warrnambool in March.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Hunter Erwin who is celebrating his birthday this week and to those students with birthdays in the remainder of December - Matthew Lenehan, Bailey Askew, Atticus Sherry and Leo Wright. 

Directwear Uniform

School Uniform is available from Directwear www.directwear.com.au  

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

Tunics (Size 6-12) will available from the middle of Term 1.

Contact details for Direct wear are:

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

Dates to Remember

REMINDERS

January

29th- Staff First Day 2024

30th- Students First Day 2024

Community News

Local Santa Photos