2024, Term 3, Week 10 Newsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to our final Friday newsletter for Term 3!

It’s been an exciting week with various activities across the school. Different year levels enjoyed special events, including the Warrnambool Fire Station excursion, a gymnastics trip, and our fun-filled Footy Colours and Hot Dog Day, kindly hosted by our amazing Parents and Friends group! 

A special shout-out to our 5/6 students, who recently returned from camp at Roses Gap. The students showed incredible respect, responsibility, and safety in all activities. The camp pushed students outside their comfort zones, whether it was trying new activities like braving the giant swing, climbing the vertical playpen, and bushwalking, or tasting new foods at meal times. Their willingness to try new things, face challenges with resilience, and work together as a team was outstanding. From supporting one another during activities to showing outstanding manners around camp, they truly exemplified the values we aim to instill at St Pat’s!

A special mention to Shona Louden for organsing a brilliant camp for the students and a big thank you to Rhiannon Lumsden, Arwen Bounds, and Seamus Brady for coming along and making it an enjoyable camp for all. We couldn’t be prouder of how our students represented the school!

A big congratulations to Anna Schlooz and the talented students from our Heaps Art program, who raised $345 from their art work sold at the pop up shop for St. Vinnie's! Their hard work and creativity this term have made a real difference in supporting those in need in our community. We are incredibly proud of their efforts, well done to all involved.

We are excited to announce two new fantastic additions to our team in 2025! A huge congratulations to Amy Jones and Josie Collins for being appointed as our trainees for next year. We are excited to welcome you both to the St. Pat's community, and we look forward to the energy and enthusiasm you will bring to our team!

Today, Miss Lumsden and Mrs. Van Berge, along with our Foundation and Year 1 students, celebrated the opening of our new Discovery Learning Space in the library. This space is designed to help students engage with the social and emotional curriculum, focusing on resilience, rights, and respectful relationships in a play-based manner. It will provide opportunities for students to develop and use oral language skills, practice turn-taking, build social connections, and much more. Stay tuned for the exciting name and details of this innovative space and program!

A reminder that, starting from Term 4, our weekly newsletter will be sent out on Mondays. This change is intended to keep you better informed at the beginning of each week.

Have a safe and enjoyable break! I look forward to hearing about your adventures in Term 4!

Kind regards,

Tegan McDonald 

Principal

School TV - Wellbeing Resources

With much talk in the media about young people and access to social media, we are again sharing the Cyber Safety series from SchoolTV .

There are many articles available in this series including screen time, on line gaming, cyber bullying, internet addiction and more. 

Cyber Safety Series

Knitting/Crochet Supplies

We have some students interested in knitting and crochet - if you have any supplies surplus to your requirements, we would welcome them at school.

Whooping Cough

The incidence of Whooping cough cases is continuing to increase across Victoria, particularly among school-aged children.

Whooping cough is a very contagious infection, mostly spread through coughing or sneezing. 

Symptoms include:

• blocked or runny nose
• tiredness
• mild fever
• severe bouts of coughing, often followed by a ‘whooping’ sound on breathing.

Whooping cough can lead to life-threatening infections in babies.

If your child is unwell, they should not attend school. Please see a doctor if you or your child develops whooping cough symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment will help reduce the spread of the infection.

Students diagnosed with whooping cough must not attend school

If your child is diagnosed with whooping cough, they must not attend school for 21 days after the onset of the cough, or until they have received 5 days of antibiotic treatment.

You must notify the school if your child is diagnosed with whooping cough.

To further reduce the spread of infection to your child and the school community, the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019 require that some students who were in the same classroom as a student diagnosed with whooping cough should not attend school.

Your child should not attend school for 14 days after they were last exposed to a person diagnosed with whooping cough, or until they have taken 5 days of a course of antibiotic treatment if they are:

• aged less than 7 years; and
• not fully vaccinated with 3 doses of whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine.

This exclusion is required by law – refer to the School exclusion table for primary schools and children’s services.

If your child is diagnosed with whooping cough, please contact the school to let us know.

Your support in keeping our students safe and well is greatly appreciated.

For more information about whooping cough, refer to Whooping cough on the Better Health Channel.

Vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk of whooping cough. The Department of Health recommends staying up to date with immunisations, including booster doses. A free booster dose of the pertussis vaccine is covered under the national immunisation program for students aged 12 to 13. If you are unsure about your child’s vaccination status for whooping cough, please discuss with an immunisation provider, such as your doctor.

Catholic School Parents Survey

Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) is running a parent survey in partnership with the University of New England on Student Wellbeing and Learning and are seeking your perspective as parents/carers of children who attend a Catholic School in Australia.

You are invited to share your views on existing and emerging affirmations and/or challenges in relation to your child/children’s wellbeing and learning.

The survey is anonymous, confidential, and completely voluntary.    

For more information about the study and to participate go here.

Student Voice - Room 4 Excursion

On Monday 16th September Room 4 went to the Warrnambool Airport and Strive Gymnastics centre. At the airport we met a man called Terry. He showed us around the airport. We saw a big yellow plane that went to farms and put chemicals on the farm. It was amazing! Then we got to go in the airport building where Terry told us some facts. After that we got to go to the hangar with lots of cool planes. We got to look at and have photos with the planes . Then we got to see a HEMS 4 ambulance helicopter that flew in the air. It was so cool when it took off. The last thing we did at the airport was we asked Terry questions. Then Ryker and Harper got to shake Terry’s hand and thank him. Then we had a photo. 

After, we went back to school we had some lunch and picked up the grade 3/4 class to come with us to the gymnastics. 

At the Gymnastics we first did some exercises and played a game where Rose  said a colour with a body part. We had to race around the centre to find different colours. Rose and Nathan were the gymnastics teachers. Then we all had to go on balance beams.  One of them was where you had to walk backwards, which was hard. After that, we did an obstacle course which was fun. Lastly, we jumped  on the really long trampoline, climbed a rope that went to the roof and went on a giant swing. Nathan asked us if we wanted to go high or normal on the swing. Most of us chose high. Afterwards, we went back to school and packed up.

Overall, we had an interesting, fun and enjoyable day out and can’t wait till our next excursion.

By Ryker and Harper 

NCCD Parent Information Sheet

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

Student Awards

Room 1

Eric Niklason for asking very thoughtful questions at the fire station excursion and knowing the answers to the tricky questions! Well done Eric!

Maisie McElgunn for being a very responsible listener in structured learning time and always volunteering an answer, especially in Maths. Great work Maisie!

Ayla Clissold for being a responsible and organised class helper to Ms Louden, including showing where things are kept and changing the daily date display. Thanks for keeping me organised Ayla!

Room 2

Florence Young for your enthusiasm in trying things that are challenging. You have shown you can achieve a lot with the right mindset. Floss you are a kind and responsible class member who always tries her best. You’re a star!

Bodhi Lindrea for your happy and enthusiastic attitude towards all your learning but especially in Maths. Bodhi, keep up the good work!

Billy Martin You’ve made great progress in all your learning, especially in handwriting. You've improved a lot here, and I hope you keep up the hard work. Well done Billy!

Room 4

Octavia Bidmade for being very confident, organised and always eager to begin work. You have a great work ethic, Occy. Keep up the good work!

Isla Lilley for being an attentive listener, who is focused and always tries her best in completing work. Isla you listen to advice and strive to improve. Keep up the great work!

Mimi Martin for showing interest and enthusiasm in all aspects of learning and being confident to ask and answer questions in group work. Your growing confidence is great to see Mimi!

Tyrone Collins for asking fabulous questions, sharing your knowledge on aircraft and being very helpful on our airport excursion. Your enthusiasm for learning this term  has been wonderful. Well done Tyrone, and keep up the great work in term 4.

Room 6

Eleanor Huckstepp for the amazing progress you have made in understanding fractions. Eleanor, you have worked hard and achieved a lot!

Jonty O’Keefe for working so well with your classmates to solve division problems. Jonty, you explain your thinking clearly and you ask questions when you need help. Great work.

Jobe Dobson, for the excellent results that you have achieved in your division assessment. Well done, Jobe, on using your knowledge of your times tables to help you solve division algorithms.

Tilly Van Rysingen, for the perfect way you use expression and punctuation when reading aloud. It makes the experience for your listeners so enjoyable.

Room 7

Will Foster for your excellent leadership and communication skills during camp activities. We were proud to see you step up and act as a team leader during the vertical playpen challenge. 

Hayden Van Rysingen for your excellent leadership and communication skills during camp activities. It was wonderful to see you helping and encouraging your peers. 

John Kelly for eager participation and resilience during camp. It was wonderful to see you step outside your comfort zone. 

Tarneisha Harris for your positive attitude and eager participation during camp activities. 

Bailey Askew for your resilience during camp. You did an amazing job persisting through the challenges you faced. I was especially proud when you stepped out of your comfort zone and participated in canoeing.

Lost Property & Second Hand Uniform

With the onset of colder weather, you may have noticed you are missing a school jumper (or 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!

Second Hand Uniform

Please speak to Becc Sanderson 0423 956 556 if you wish to purchase or donate some preloved items of uniform.

Mary Poppins

Our very own Arwen is performing in Mary Poppins over the holidays - break a leg Arwen (not literally!).

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

Assembly Roster

Parents, siblings, Grandparents and friends are all welcome to join us for our assembly - held on nominated weeks in the school hall from 2.45pm - any late changes will be notified via ClassDojo.

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/HJWFR

Cake Raffle Sign Up Sheet - volunteersignup.org/PTFPM

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Ora Cuolahan, Ryker Lane and Hayden Van Rysingen who are celebrating their birthday this week and during the holidays. We hope you have a fantastic time celebrating with family and friends!

Star Of the Sea Parish Bulletin & website information

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