2024, Term 2, Week 4 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,

To mark the 150th anniversary of the Diocese of Ballarat, and in recognition of, and sensitivity to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers, four Message Sticks will simultaneously journey to each Catholic school across the four education zones of the Diocese. The Message Sticks were crafted by Trevor Clark and Vicki Clark OAM, a DOBCEL Board Director and founder of The Aboriginal Catholic Ministry of Victoria (ACMV). They were blessed by Fr Marcello Colasante and presented to representatives of the four diocesan education zones during the Catholic Education Week Mass last Friday. 

The Message Sticks now begin their journey across the Diocese, remaining with each school for approximately one week, before being handed onto the next school community, connecting over time, community to community.

We look forward to having one of the Message Sticks visiting us here at St Patrick’s Koroit.

The Executive Director of Catholic Education Ballarat, Tom Sexton has spoken publicly about this week’s state Government Budget announcement of a $400 School Savings Bonus, accessible only to Catholic school families holding a Health Care Card, but available to all government school families.

“Recognising the overwhelming majority of our families are from low and middle income brackets, we believe it is blatantly unfair they should miss out. We believe the program should be available to all families, regardless of what school they attend, or should at least be means-tested. We will continue to work with government and the Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA) on this and all issues impacting our Catholic schools.”

The full press release from DOBCEL  can be found here.

The tail end of the week is all about the mothers in our community! Thanks to our Social Engagement Team for organising breakfast.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t be there but the photos and stories I have heard tell me it was a successful event for the Mothers and Special people in the lives of our students.  Further thank yous and photos are included below.

Thanks also to Miss Lumsden for her thoughtful Mother’s Day Liturgy.

Going home with students today is a posy of flowers for their Mum or Special Person.  We thank the P&F for supplying these.

I want to take a moment to celebrate and recognize all the wonderful mothers and mother figures in our school community. As a community, we extend our warmest wishes to each of you for a joyful and special day.

We also want to acknowledge that Mother's Day can bring a mix of emotions for some. We understand that this day can be difficult for those who may have lost their mothers, for those who are unable to be with their children, or for any other reason. Please know that we are thinking of you during this time.

To all the incredible mothers and caregivers who play a vital role in the lives of our students, thank you for your dedication, love, and support. Your impact is truly appreciated and valued.

Wishing everyone a great weekend and a happy and meaningful Mother's Day.

Kind regards,

Tegan McDonald 

Principal

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School Closure Days

A reminder for our upcoming school closure days on Friday 17th May and Monday 20th May.

These closure days are for staff to prepare for our School Review which occurs every five years and is part of our school accreditation and improvement process.

School TV - Wellbeing Resources

We share again our School TV item on "Respectful Language".

We encourage you to explore all of the School TV site for a variety of wellbeing resources.

School TV - Respectful Language

Shona Louden

Wellbeing Leader

Religious Education

Please join us in praying from students from St Patrick's who will be celebrating their Confirmation next Wednesday evening, joining with students from St Pius X, St John's Dennington and St Patrick's Port Fairy.

Changes to Maths Reporting

Please see the below letter with important information regarding changes to Maths Reporting.

Book Club

Issue 3 of the Scholastic Bookclub is now available.

https://issuu.com/scholastic_australia/docs/bc_3-24_issuu?fr=sMWM4YzcwNDI5MTA

The feature book for this issue is Roarsome and a $5 promotional credit on this issue when an order is placed through LOOP, plus, people can spend their $5 credit earned from issue 1.

The catalogue includes "Bowerbird Blues" by Aura Parker which we will be reading as part of National Simultaneous Storytime.  There is a diverse range of books available for $10 or less throughout the entire catalogue.

Student Voice - Catholic Education Week Concert

On Monday, the Room 7 students went to Emmanuel College to represent St Patrick’s Koroit, for Catholic Education Week.

Once we got to Emmanuel, we saw lots of other students from St Joseph’s, St Pius X, St John’s, Our Lady Help of Christians and St Patrick’s Port Fairy as well as some of the Emmanuel students. We ate recess and got to spend time with the other students.  Lots of Emmanuel students who used to be at our school came up to say hello to us.

The primary school and year seven students from Emmanuel went into the Emmanuel Centre for the concert.

Tom Richardson from the Find Your Voice Choir was running the event.  His choir is an all abilities choir who have appeared on Australia’s Got Talent but it was just Tom with us on Monday.  He taught us body percussion like stomps, claps and clicks and then we did some singing.

We sang some Taylor Swift songs (We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, The Man and Anti Hero) as well as Hey Jude by The Beatles and Happy by Pharrell Williams.

Overall, the students had an amazing time at Emmanuel College. Thank you to Tom Richardson and the Emmanuel College Principal, Mr Morgan, for making this fantastic event for us to celebrate Catholic Education Week .

- Mazie, Isla and Tarneisha, Room 7

Toastie Tuesdays

There will be no Toastie Tuesday next week (14th May) due to a Professional Development being run by the Catholic Education Office in the Hall.

Parents & Friends

Catering

From time to time, our Catering team provide catering for (mainly) Professional Development sessions held by the Catholic Education Office in our school hall.

We are seeking to collect names of families who would like to help with these catering events by either supplying food (e.g.: Slices, muffins, biscuits or eggs or fresh produce) or helping on the day with preparation and/or serving.

Assistance with catering attracts a credit to your volunteer levy.

If you are able to help with any of these things, please indicate on the form below and we will be in touch when we have events scheduled to request assistance.  If the date/time does not suit you, you do not have to commit to helping when you are contacted.

Thanks,
Tammy Langdon - Catering Coordinator

Catering Support Form

Mother's Day Breakfast thanks

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for our Mother's Day/Special Persons breakfast yesterday.

A fantastic effort pulling it all together by our Social Engagement team with Melanie Lilley, Amy Atwell, Tahleah Clissold, Kristy Milward and Nicole Sawyer on set up duties.  A special mention to Kristy Milward for her floral table arrangements and Kris Povey for the delicious granola cups and muffins.

The mums had the morning off kitchen duties - thanks Josh Lilley, Josh Purcell, Aaron Moyne and Mick Lane for weilding the tongs with perfection - great work!

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If you have any disco lights that you would be happy to loan for the night, please contact Mel on  0419752980

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).

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.

Canteen & Cake Raffle Rosters

Thanks to those who have already signed up for the Canteen & Cake Raffle Rosters. We now have a new Canteen Sign Up Sheet available for Term 2.  We appreciate everyone's help with Canteen - without your assistance, it can not run.

Canteen Sign Up Sheet - volunteersignup.org/BCXRE

Cake Raffle Sign Up Sheet - volunteersignup.org/PTFPM

CANTEEN ROSTER

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. 

There are still lots of gaps in this Term's Canteen Roster. 

CAKE RAFFLE ROSTER (Term 2)

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

Term 2 Assembly Roster

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Elliott King and Dominic McEachern who celebrate their birthdays this week.  We hope you have a great time celebrating with family and friends.

Star Of the Sea Parish Bulletin

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.

Contact details for Direct wear are:

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

Sports Polo Shirts

The School Sports Polo shirts are purchased through the school via CDF Pay.

There has been an increase in the price of sports shirts to $50 - this is cost price from our supplier.

Dates to Remember

Please refer to the public calendar on the school website for the most up to date calendar items.

https://www.spkoroit.catholic.edu.au/news-events

Community News

MIURA MATSURI - FREE COMMUNITY CELEBRATION IN THE JAPANESE GARDEN

We're opening up the gates to come and explore the Miura Friendship Garden, learn about the history of the site and enjoy a great day out! Sat, May 18 2024, 10am - 3pm, Miura Friendship Garden, Albert Park, entrance off Grafton Road, Warrnambool 

Further Information - https://whatson.warrnambool.vic.gov.au/miura-matsuri-free-community-celebration-japanese-garden