2024, Term 2, Week 8 Newsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

Principal's Message

Dear parents and carers,

This week, we had the privilege of hosting seven members of the Missionary of God’s Love Sisters as they led a parish mission. Our students and staff were treated to a delightful performance of music, dance, and drama. It was a wonderful experience that brought joy and inspiration to our school. Thank you to Rhiannon Lumsden and Fr Bill for organising it.

Our Year 5 students have been enjoying their visits to the kinder as part of our transition and leadership program. These visits help prepare the kinder children for school and develop our Year 5 students' leadership skills. Next term, the kinder children will visit St Pat's to experience life at our school. 

Enrolments are still open! Please bring your enrolment forms to the office as soon as possible to assist with our planning for 2025.

On Wednesday, we welcomed Goldie Bea Griffin to the world! Mum, dad and Goldie are all doing well. We can’t wait to meet little Goldie and welcome her into our school community!

Have a fabulous long weekend.

Kind regards,

Tegan McDonald 

Principal

While our formal information sessions have been held, we still happy to show prospective families through the school. Please advise any families asking about enrolments to contact the school office to arrange a tour.

For existing families with students starting Foundation in 2025, please collect an enrolment form from the office if you do not already have one. Thank you.

HeapsART Exhibition

We are excited to announce that selected students have been participating in a unique art wellbeing program under the guidance of Anna Schlooz this term. To celebrate their hard work and creativity, the students will host an exhibition showcasing some of their amazing artworks.

The exhibition will feature a diverse collection of pieces, each reflecting the individual talent and dedication of our young artists. This is a fantastic opportunity for families and the community to come together and appreciate the artistic achievements of our students.

All families are welcome to attend and enjoy the beautiful art on display. It will be a delightful afternoon filled with creativity, inspiration, and community spirit. 

We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating the wonderful achievements of our students! 

Many thanks to Anna Schlooz & HeapsART Everyday Creatives

NCCD - Nationally Consisten Collection of Data

Over the coming weeks at St Patrick's classroom teachers are holding Program Support (PSG) Meetings for students who are a part of the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) count in August of each year. If your child is a part of these meetings I will have contacted you via email or phone. I have attached a parent information sheet below for you to read about this process. 

Bridget Van Den Broek

Learning Diversity Leader

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) Framework

St. Patrick's Koroit embraces the SWPBS framework, also known as School Wide Positive Behavior Support, to foster a conducive learning environment for all students. SWPBS involves the establishment of a Continuum of Behavior Support that encompasses the entire student body and emphasises proactive measures to prevent behavioral issues.

OUR THREE EXPECTATIONS: 

• BE SAFE
• BE RESPECTFUL
• BE RESPONSIBLE

At St. Patrick's, SWPBS focuses on primary prevention, which involves explicitly teaching and modeling values by school staff to promote positive behavior and expectations across the whole school. This approach emphasises teaching behavioral expectations and recognising students for meeting them, rather than solely reacting to misbehavior.

Key components of SWPBS at St. Patrick's include:

• An agreed-upon common approach 
• Consistency of language 
• A matrix of positively stated expectations
• Explicit teaching of expectations
• Regular and frequent opportunities for students to practice expected behaviors
• Recognition for meeting behavioral expectations, such as through our ladder system, Class Dojo Points, prizes and commendations.
• Flow chart outlining expectations when positive behaviour expectations are not met 

We track both positive commendations and instances of majors and minors to utilise data for constructive purposes. By monitoring these metrics, we can identify trends, celebrate successes, and address areas needing improvement. This data-driven approach enables us to reinforce positive behavior effectively and provide timely support to students who may require additional guidance (see three tiered model for levels of behaviour support below), fostering a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all. 

SWPBS aims to create a safe and productive learning environment where teachers can effectively teach, and all students can learn. The overarching goal is to establish a climate in which appropriate behavior is the norm.

“If a child doesn’t know how to read, we teach”

“If a child doesn’t know how to write, we teach”

“If a child doesn’t know how to swim, we teach”

“If a child doesn’t know how to count, we teach”

“If a child doesn’t know how to drive, we teach”

“If a child doesn’t know how to behave, we teach them how to behave"

If you have any questions, please make an appointment to see myself or Shona Louden

Below is a statement of how the SWPBS safety value relates to the Catholic Social Teachings of common good and how we, as a school, address learning and behavior needs. At times, things might seem heightened, but it’s about the common good. See below:

Safe Expectation - Common Good 

Common good - The principle of the common good reminds Catholic Christians that they are all really responsible for each other. They must work for social conditions which ensure that every person and every group in society is able to meet their needs and realise their potential. Every group in society must take into account the rights and aspirations of other groups, and the well-being of the whole human family and all of creation.

When we are thinking about the common good, key questions to ask ourselves are:

“Is every group able to share in the benefits of society?”

“Are some groups excluded?”

The common good is “the totality of social conditions allowing persons to achieve their communal and individual fulfilment” 

Benedict XVI, 2008

Religious Education

Families of students in Grade 4, please refer to ClassDojo for information in relation to the celebration of the First Eucharist.  Please register your child via the link in ClassDojo.  Thank you.

Rhiannon Lumsden,
RE Leader

Sports Report - Girls Football

Congratulations to Charlotte Lilley and Mazie Fechete who yesterday proudly represented our school and the Moyne District combine Girls football team in the W.H.P. Division girls football competition in Warrnambool. The team was selected from Woolsthorpe, Grasmere & St Patrick's Koroit girls and they played their first rounds against St Joseph's W'bool, St Pius and Port Fairy Consolidated. The girls had a terrific day winning their way through to the semi finals. A great effort girls!

School TV - Wellbeing Resources

Positive Parenting

Parenting - a tough job for which there is no training or qualification! For the remainder of this term, we will share a link to the School TV "Positive Parenting".  There are a lot of short audio clips with interviews about specifc Positive Parenting topics relating to children from preschoolers to teens and different parenting styles. In addition, there are many articles with tips on helping you on your parenting journey.

School TV - Positive Parenting

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

Shona Louden

Wellbeing Leader

After School Supervision

Our staff members ensure the safety of all students until 3:30 pm in the junior area after school. However, after this time, students will be directed to the school office for continued supervision until they are picked up.

We kindly request your assistance in reminding your children that they should wait with a teacher until they are picked up by the designated person. This ensures proper supervision and minimises any risks associated with playing in the playground or leaving the school grounds unaccompanied.

Your cooperation in reinforcing this message with your child is greatly appreciated, as it contributes to maintaining a secure environment for all students.

Thank you for your understanding and assistance in this matter. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Changes to Maths Reporting

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

Parents & Friends

Catering

It has certainly been a busy term with Catering! The Catholic Education Office has held 6 days of Professional Development over a range of topics at St Pat's this term with up to 46 participants attending on any one day.  Tammy Langdon, Mary Gleeson and the team have served up orange drizzle cakes, various slices, chicken pie, baked spuds, sliders, muffins, scones, fruit and granola cups. The venue also always looks so well presented with table cloths and even floral centrepieces. Many of these items have been provided by families - thanks to Virigina Martin, Emily Batt, Monique Brown, Bernie Monnier, Bronie Moloney, Kate Dobson and Kristy Milward for their contributions.

If you are able to help with supplying food or serving at future events, please indicate on the form below and we will be in touch when we have events scheduled.  If the date/time does not suit you, you do not have to commit to helping when you are contacted.

Catering Support Form

***We did have a someone reply recently who said they might be able to help Monday or Tuesday and supply apples or slices but your name and phone number didn't come through.  If you could call the office or email Kate (kdobson@spkoroit.catholic.edu.au), we will update your response.  Thanks.

Disco Thanks

A big thank you to the disco team - Becc Sanderson, Tahleah Clissold, Jess Morris and Peta Blackburn for organing this event supervising and cooking on the night. Also special mention to Emily Batt for her amazing ballon display and for Kris Povey helping serve disco food on the night too. 

Check out our gallery of photos from the night!

Thanks, Mel Lilley.

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Book Club

Issue 4 of the Scholastic Bookclub is now available.

https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/book-club/

• $5 Credit Promotion. Families who ordered books on Issue 3 can spend the $5 promo code they earned on Issue 4. Plus, they will get another $5 promo code to spend on Issue 5!
• A diverse range of books available for $10 or less throughout the entire catalogue.
• BEST OF THE CLASSICS on page 32
• Forever Fairies is thefeature book for Issue 4. 

Volunteer Levy

There are many opportunities at school to claim off your volunteer levy.

As you would imagine, there are lots of jobs that need to be done at a school.  Between classroom responsibilites and duties during most breaks, there are many things that staff don't get the opportunity to do. In times gone by, some of these would be done at working bees.  In recent years, we have not had great success in attracting families to working bees as times do not always suit. 

If you see a job that needs to be done, that you are happy to take on, we would love your help and can arrange for the credit to your volunteer levy.

Some suggestions - Canteen deep clean, library tidying, lost property sorting.  This list is just a start.

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 Ms McDonald and Hudson Smits who celebrated their birthdays this week! We hope you had a wonderful 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