2024, Term 1, Week 1 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,

Welcome to a new school year at St Pat’s. As I write my first newsletter as Principal, I am filled with excitement and positive energy to begin a year brimming with enthusiasm and enriching moments for our whole school community!

To our new Foundation families, I extend a warm welcome, and to our existing school families, I express my gratitude for your continued trust and support. The start of a new school year is like the opening chapter of a book, full of endless possibilities and untold adventures. This week marks the beginning of a journey – a journey of growth, learning, and discovery for all.

To our new families, entering a new school can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. You've entrusted us with the education and well-being of your children, and we take that responsibility very seriously. I assure you that our dedicated team of educators are committed to providing a nurturing environment for your child/ren to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally and most importantly, have fun and to develop a love of learning!

For our returning families, your ongoing commitment to our school community is truly appreciated. Your support is the foundation upon which our school's success is built. We are a family, and together, we create an environment that fosters learning, respect, and collaboration. Which brings us to our fabulous Parents and Friends Association. I welcome and encourage all families to participate in our school community. Join the Parents and Friends, become a member of our School Advisory Council, attend school events, and volunteer your time when possible. Your involvement is not only welcomed but essential to creating a vibrant and enriching environment for our students. Please see the message further below regarding the P&F. If you have any questions or simply want to know more (obligation free of course), please contact me..

We have a number of new staff commencing with us in 2024. We welcome the following staff and look forward to them engaging with our school community and contributing to the education of all our students. 

Rhiannon Lumsden (Foundation Teacher and Religious Education Leader)

Kayla O’Connor (Year 3/4 Teacher Monday, Tuesday and Year 5/6 Teacher Friday)

Bridget Van Den Broek (STEM Teacher Thursday)

Arwen Bounds (Learning Support Officer Trainee) 

I am excited about the potential and possibilities that this school year holds. Together, as a school community, we will create an environment where every child can flourish. I am confident that, with your support, dedication, and enthusiasm, we will make this year a memorable and successful one.

Thank you, and here's to a fantastic school year filled with growth, achievement, and joy!

Tegan McDonald

Principal

(Apologies in advance for the bumper edition of the newsletter - there is a lot to catch up on at the start of the year!)

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 22nd 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.

Assembly changes

This year, we are no longer having a weekly assembly.  Please see the attached roster.

The additional class time allow for extra wellbeing lessons.

Assembly will now commence at 2.45pm on the nominated days.

SchoolTV - Wellbeing

SchoolTV is freely available to our school community in 2024. 

It provides a wealth of information in a wide range of areas. 

Some of these include: 

• youth anxiety
• school transition
• managing screen time
• school refusal
• online gaming
• friendships

In accessing school TV, you can be assured that the information you are receiving is approved by experts, including Dr Michael Carr-Greg.  There are short videos of specialists answering common questions, fact sheets, and additional resources.  

We will regularly share snippets from SchoolTV in our newsletter.

St. Patrick's School TV can be found accessed using the following link: https://spkoroit.catholic.schooltv.me/

This link will also be added to our school website in the near future.

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 Tegan principal@spkoroit.catholic.edu.au to express you interest. 

Alternatively, if you would like to talk to Tammy (0428 466 129) 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 Tegan. 

Port Fairy Folk Festival 2024 - St Pat's BBQ

St Pat's Koroit works with St Pat's Port Fairy to run the “St Pat’s BBQ” at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. This 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.

Thanks to those who have already registered - we will be in touch in the coming weeks to confirm shift details.

Thank you.

Lunch Orders/Canteen

Our Friday Lunch Orders are provided by McMahon Family Catering and can be ordered via the CDFPay tile in SZApp.

Our canteen is staffed by parent/family volunteers. At the start of each term, we call for volunteers to assist with serving at the canteen. 

On Fridays, this is two people to sort the lunch orders and then sell snack items (approx. 1 pm - 2.10 pm).  Wednesdays is sale of snack items only (1.25 pm -  2.10 pm) & if possible, the volunteer can supply a "baked item" for sale.

We are trialling sign up for Canteen Duty via the "Volunteer Sign Up" website - please use the below link to sign up:

https://volunteersignup.org/WHHAM

Virginia Martin co-ordinates the canteen, arranging for the stocking of snack items and is happy to take questions from prospective volunteers  - 0419 883 657.

Cake Raffle

The "Cake Raffle" is a fun Friday tradition at St Pat's Koroit.

A family supplies the cake to be raffled at the end of the day. (It does not actually need to be a "cake" and does not need to be homemade - it could be a slice, biscuits or chocolates).

Tickets are sold for 20cents in the classroom on Friday mornings.

If you would be happy to provide a "cake" one week, please use the link below to sign up via the Volunteer Sign Up website.

volunteersignup.org/PTFPM

If you have any questions about the Cake Raffle, please contact Kate Dobson 0408 399 144.

Casserole Bank

The St Pat's community has a wonderful tradition of the "Casserole Bank" where families come together to provide a meal or snacks/lunchbox items for families within our school who are in need of support (for example, a new arrival, family illness or bereavement).

Like the "Cake" Raffle not needing to be a cake, a Casserole Bank contribution does not need to be a casserole or even homemade - just something to ease the daily pressure for another family.

This year, the Casserole Bank will be coordinated through the school office.  If you are aware of a family requiring support, please contact the office.

If you are willing to help out during the year, please register your name details on the google form below & we will reach out when the need arises.  The more volunteers we have, the fewer times people will be called upon to help out.

Student Awards

Room 1

Whole Class: Congratulations on a fantastic start to the school year. You have all done a wonderful job settling into school! Looking forward to a wonderful year with you all!

Room 2

Whole Class for a wonderful start to the school year. You have all settled into your new class so smoothly! Bring on Year 1!

Room 4

Ora Cuolahan Congratulations on a wonderful start to Grade 2! It has been so pleasing to see you ready to learn and showing respect to your teachers and classmates. Keep up the good work!

Ryker Lane For an excellent start to Grade 2, completing a well thought out recount and being a great friend to his classmates. Well done Ryker!

Room 5

Alya De Graaf you've been awesome at making new friends and bravely jumping into class activities. You're a star at settling in!

Mav Cuolahan, we love how you've settled into our class so smoothly, quietly working with Wendy and Jen. Your gentle approach is truly appreciated!

Room 7

Logan Harlock for a settled  and responsible start to Year 6. You have been calm and respectful this week, setting a great example for everyone. Well done!  

Will Lane for being resilient and having a positive attitude, trying everything despite being injured. You have had an excellent start to Year 6.

Star of the Sea Parish Bulletin

Parent Education Opportunities

This webinar on Separation Anxiety has been recommended by our school Wellbeing Counsellor, Jasmine.

https://www.heysigmund.com/upcoming_webinar/separation-anxiety/?fbclid=IwAR0K5s3bEJSCpSF3lN6y-or5Q6m1WBjEAWx27yZA97HoICgvlCyA8aue-D4_aem_AX7PkPPiigNkdVadfc5v73QWh54AvtoJfuP9DoY9TInYnwZrtWxOf5eN44lmj_PeVYTVpi05NzLxJepkA0A3rLcN

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to the students and staff who celebrated their birthday during the holidays: Emily Sensai, Fraser Gleeson, Ruby Hillam, Scout Langdon, Scout Buchanan, Myra Quill, Layla Briggs, Lydia Andriessen, Florence Young and Milla Leishman.

Many happy returns to the students who have begun the school year with a birthday - Spenncer Wood, Tessa Shanahan,  Isabel Jervies and Ella Van Rysingen.

Family Assistance

We are reaching out to our wonderful community in search of families who could generously contribute to ensuring a student gets safely home each night until April. This role provides an opportunity for you to offset your volunteer levy and your help in this matter would be appreciated by both the student's family and the school.

If you can help in any way or have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the office.

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

February

13th- Shrove Tuesday

14th- Ash Wednesday & Opening School Mass - 10am

21st- School Closure Day

22nd- Hockey Clinics

27th- Moyne Tennis/Hot Shots

Community News

Port Fairy Community House - 

Please select the link below if you are interested in any Port Fairy Community House Events.