2024, Term 2, Week 11 Newsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

Principal's Message

Dear parents and carers,

e made it through Term 2! I hope you all have a restful, enjoyable, but most importantly, safe term break. Take this time to relax and recharge. I can't wait to hear all about your adventures when Term 3 returns!

Please note that Term 3 begins on Monday, 15th July.

I am thrilled to share some heartwarming news about our beloved calves, Daisy and Dash - calves the students raised with so much love and care last year! Thanks to the generous efforts of the Brown family, Daisy and Dash have been sold. The money raised goes towards our school fundraising as well as giving our students an invaluable opportunity and experience.

Dash made $655 and Daisy was sold for $587! That’s a whopping $1,242 raised! Well done! Raising Daisy and Dash has been an incredibly rewarding experience for our students. It has taught them valuable lessons about responsibility, compassion, and the joys of animal care. 

We can’t wait to welcome some more calves into our St Pat’s family this year!

Enjoy the holidays and see you soon!

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.

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.

STEM Resources

In term 3 in STEM, we are focussing on the Olympics and are making mini versions of some of the events. I would love for families to help contribute to getting some of these resources for our classes to use. Below is a list of resources I am after. 

-cardboard

-tin cans (e.g. diced tomatoes, tinned spaghetti or beans)

-cardboard tubes (cling wrap, al foil, baking paper. NO toilet rolls please)

Please make sure any food products have been washed and dried before bringing them to school. There will be a box in the STEM room for students to put resources in once we come back to school. 

Thanks for your support,

Bridget Van Den Broek

STEM Teacher

Primary Performers

Congratulations to Harper Cuomo who this week is appearing in the Primary Performers production of "The Little Mermaid" in the role of a Lagoon Creature.

Harper has been busy rehearsing in preparation for the big event.  As they say in the acting world "Chookas, Harper" - we hope you have a great time and enjoy your time in the spotlight! 

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.

Nuggets & Chips Special Food Day

Thanks to the Social Engagement team for organising the the Nuggets and Chips Day yesterday - very much enjoyed by all the students as an end of term treat.

If you would like to help out with future events, please speak with Mel Lilley.

Hands On Learning - Merri River School Doughnuts

HoL team are taking orders for delicious doughnuts produced at Merri River School.

They passed the taste test last year (and again when the HoL group visited last week) so a one off Doughnut Day is planned for delivery on Tuesday 23rd July. 

All money raised will go towards the St Pat's Hands on Learning team projects and the Merri River School Year 12 end of year camp.

Orders can be made via CDF Pay. Students can collect a fresh doughnut at lunchtime Tuesday and/or collect a bag of doughnuts to bring home.

Orders close Monday 22nd July, 9am.

1 for $1.50

2 for $2.00

Pack of 6 for $5.00

Doughnuts contain gluten, egg and milk.

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 3.  We appreciate everyone's help with Canteen - without your assistance, it can not run.

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. 

Canteen Sign Up Sheet - volunteersignup.org/ACK7W

Cake Raffle Sign Up Sheet - volunteersignup.org/PTFPM

CAKE RAFFLE ROSTER

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to Tarneisha Harris, Ayla De Graaf, Chad Collins, Olivia Foster and Bronie who celebrate their birthdays this week and over the holidays! We hope you have a wonderful time celebrating with family and friends.

Star Of the Sea Parish Bulletin

TheirCare Newsletter

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

Or access the details via this link: https://www.warrnambooltheatrecompany.com/colouring-comp