2024, Term 2, Week 10 Newsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

Principal's Message

Dear parents and carers,

As the term is coming to a close, I wanted to acknowledge the support and hard work of our amazing staff, the commitment of parents, and most importantly, the perseverance and achievements of our students. These collective efforts have been a huge part in creating a productive and nurturing learning environment for all. I am very grateful for the community we have built.

This is a reminder that Monday, 24th June marks the beginning of our last week of Term 2 and will also be a school closure day. On this day, staff will be onsite engaging in professional development to refresh and enhance our skills in reframing and creating trauma-informed learning and teaching environments (ReLate). This ongoing work is crucial to our commitment to providing quality education for all students and aligns with our child safety policies. We look forward to sharing our new insights and approaches with the whole school community shortly!

Student reports will be release via PAM (Parent Access Module) which is linked on the school website or via Szapp on Wednesday 26th June by close of business. Should you need any help in accessing the reports please contact the office.

Term 2 concludes at 2:30pm, Friday 28th June 2024 Note the early finish time of school for all students on the last day of term.

Have a fabulous 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.

School Closure Day/End of Term Break

A reminder that there is School Closure Day for Staff Professional Development on Monday 24th June.

In addition to this, the last Friday of Term (28th June) is a 2.30 finish.

NCCD - Nationally Consistent 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

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

Found - Jewellery

Two bracelets have been found in a small black pouch in the vacinity of the school.  If you think these may yours, please come to the office.

Lost Property & Second Hand Uniform

With the onset of colder weather, you may have noticed you are missing a school jumper (ot two!). Please take a look in the lost property basket to find your lost items. 

If you could please remember also to label your uniform items so your uniforms don't end up here!

Also, if you would like to get an extra jumper or clothes for wash day, please get in touch with our second hand uniform coordinator, Becc Sanderson on 0423 956 556.

Beanies

Keep your head warm in winter! School Beanies are available for $15 on CDF Pay.

Parents & Friends

Catering

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.

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 the feature book for Issue 4. 

Hands On Learning - Merri River School Visit

This week we visited the Merri River School to learn about the doughnut enterprise their year 12 students are involved in. They have a commercial kitchen and equipment in which they produce large numbers of doughnuts every Tuesday. We discussed the hygiene requirements of food service and the safety mechanisms and procedures around their machinery. We even got to taste the product! Next term we will be taking orders for a one-off delivery of fresh doughnuts on Tuesday July 23rd. We'll let you know when orders open.

Book Fair

Our Annual Book Fair will commence sales on the second Monday 22nd July and conclude on Tuesday 30th July.

Students will have an opportunity to preview the books & bring home a "wish list" from which you may like to purchase (this can be done by making an online payment and sending the receipt details to school where your child can collect their books).

You can also visit the Book Fair with your child at the end of the school day to make purchases. 

A portion of sales is returned to the school to allow us to purchase new resources.

Please note that this is different to "Book Week" which is held later in August.

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 Sadie Langdon and Mavrik Cuolahan who celebrate their birthdays this week! We hope you have a wonderful time celebrating with family and friends.

Star Of the Sea Parish Bulletin

TheirCare Newsletter

Student Awards

Room 1

Chad Collins for your enthusiasm and hard work in Maths. It has been wonderful to see you confidently solving and recording subtraction problems. Keep up the great work!

Amelia Johnson for your hard work in Reading this term. It has been wonderful to see your enthusiasm for reading grow as you become more confident sounding out CVC words. Keep up the great work!

Room 2

Anika Nagorcka for showing resilience this week. You are becoming a very confident learner that gives everything a go even when you’re unsure. Anika, you always come into the classroom with a positive attitude. Thank you for brightening everyone’s day!

Atticus Sherry for being an optimistic learner and displaying a positive attitude in the classroom. You are always eager to share your ideas. Good job, Atticus.

Hector Warrick, this week you have shown you can be an attentive listener and you have completed your work with attention to detail and care. You have been an exceptionally motivated learner this week, keep up the good work. Well done Hector!

Room 4

Mimi Martin for being a very focused learner this term. Mimi, you have challenged yourself in your learning, listened to feedback and created some amazing things, such as your artwork and writing pieces. Well done!

Sam Wood for showing good sportsmanship and being respectful of your team mates. Well done, Sam on always including others.

Room 6

Tayla Milward for being a responsible learner and creating a fantastic presentation on aboriginal native foods. Tayla, we can see that a lot of work has gone into your presentation and the attention to detail is fantastic. Well done.

Zephyr Lane for being a responsible learner and working so hard on your basketball project. You worked quietly and completed your task to a high standard. Good job, Zephyr.

Olivia Foster for being respectful towards your teachers, especially during your group work with Wendy. You participate fully in your sessions and work hard to achieve good results. Well done Liv.

Room 7

Myra Quill for demonstrating greater confidence in Maths this term, enabling you to share your thinking and solve problems accurately.  A great effort this term Myra, particularly with partitioning addition and subtraction problems.  

Tessa Shanahan for editing your recent narrative about the mysterious door, to be organised in paragraphs, use detailed descriptive language, and more complex punctuation accurately. Well done Tessa. 

Dominic McEachern for being an engaged learner and joining in class discussions. It is great to hear your opinions on history and global topics Dominic, and you capably share your thinking in Maths and spelling. Keep up the good work.

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