2024, Term 4, Week 10 Newsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

In the second week of Advent, we light the candle of peace, a reminder of Christ's role as the Prince of Peace. This week invites us to reflect on how we can bring harmony into our lives and the world around us. Through prayer, acts of kindness, and fostering understanding, we prepare our hearts for the peace that Christ offers, encouraging us to be peacemakers in our homes, schools, and communities.

The Koroit Carols was a wonderful community celebration, and our students shone brightly as they shared their voices in song, adding to the festive spirit of the evening. A heartfelt thank you to Monique Brown and Arwen Bounds for their dedication in preparing our students for this special event. We also extend our gratitude to Bridget Van Den Broek and Rhiannon Lumsden for representing our school with such enthusiasm and pride. It was a truly memorable evening that showcased the talent and community spirit of St. Patrick's.

We’re excited to remind everyone about our Orientation Day today, running from 11:35 am to 1:35 pm. During this time, students will have the opportunity to step up into their new classes for 2025 and meet their new teacher.

This is a wonderful chance for students to get familiar with their classroom environment, start building relationships with their peers and teacher, and get a sense of what next year will look like. We look forward to seeing the enthusiasm and excitement as everyone takes this important step in preparing for a fantastic year ahead!

Best Wishes to Our Year 6 Students today as it marks an exciting milestone for them. They begin their high school journey with a full-day transition experience. This day provides a wonderful opportunity for them to familiarise themselves with their new school environment, meet future classmates, and start building connections for the next stage of their learning adventure. We are incredibly proud of all they have achieved and know they will embrace this new chapter with enthusiasm and resilience. Best of luck to our Year 6 students – we can’t wait to hear all about your first day!

We warmly invite our school community to join us in celebrating our Year 6 Graduation next Monday at 6:00 pm in the church. This special occasion honors our wonderful Year 6 students as they conclude their primary school journey and prepare to embark on an exciting new chapter in high school.

Let’s come together to reflect on their achievements, share in their memories, and wish them all the best for the future. All are welcome to attend and support our graduating students as they take this meaningful step forward.

Coming up

Christmas Concert - 3.30 Thursday
End of Year Mass - 9.15 Monday
Grade 6 graduation - 6pm Monday
Colour run - 1pm Wednesday

Have a wonderful week.

Kind regards,

Tegan McDonald 

Principal

End of Year Activities

We are excited to be celebrating lots of end of year activities across the various year levels.

In line with our SWPBS guidelines, there is an expectation that our students behave in a Responsible, Respectful and Safe manner.  This expectation extends to our behaviour on our end of year excursions.  

Students will be reminded of the expected behaviour prior to excursions and if they do not behave appropriately, parents will be called to collect their child.

Christmas Concert

***Please note different details from last week regarding food as BYO picnic - the information in this is picture is the same as what was published on ClassDojo.

Christmas Cookies - Wednesday Canteen

Special canteen offering for this Wednesday is Christmas cookies thanks to our clever canteen co-ordinator Virginia. Bring along some money to enjoy a delicious festive treat.

Hooptime State Finals

What a great experience for our Grade 5/6 Future Stars team to reach the State Finals of Hooptime last week! 

From 774 teams across the state, we made it to the top 32 to appear on finals day at the magnificent facilities at the State Basketball Centre.

We came up against some very tall, strong teams and finished the day with 2 wins and 2 losses.

Many thanks to our coach on the day, Kate Foster (who stepped in for Mrs O’Connor who had coached the team in the preliminary rounds) & to Warwick McEachern for scoring all the games.

Thanks also to all the parents who made the trip - these opportunities can only happen with your support and you were an awesome cheer squad!

Open Water Swimming

Room 7 have had some great times down at the beach enjoying their Open Water Swimming Program!

Folk Festival BBQ

We are commencing the planning for our involvement in the "St Pat's BBQ" at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. 
The BBQ is ran in conjunction with St Pat's Port Fairy, is a long standing fundraising event which attracts significant funds from outside of our school community.

We are calling for expression of interest for volunteers interested in working at the BBQ stall & also for the pack up crew on Monday afternoon.

Working at the BBQ requires commitment of two x 5 hour shifts over the weekend, in exchange for an Adult Folk Festival ticket, free meal and drink on both shifts as well as a $200 credit towards your school volunteer levy.
The Pack Up crew work on the Monday afternoon for approximately 2-3 hours packing up the stall and returning all items to storage at St Pat's Port Fairy (having a ute is handy but not essential). This role attracts a volunteer levy credit of $25 per hour worked, but no Festival ticket.

We welcome volunteers from family & friends of St Patrick's to be involved in this event.
Please register your interest on the form linked below. If you have more than one family member wishing to volunteer, please register separate registrations.

We will be in contact early into the 2025 school year confirming volunteers and then BBQ shifts will be confirmed closer to the festival.

Thank you

PFFF St Pat's BBQ - Coordinators

Register here: 2025 Folk Festival Volunteers 

Catering 2024 Update

Over the past couple of weeks the Catering Team has catered for DOBCEL Review Panel members over two days, Catholic Education Ballarat - Learning Diversity Southern Zone Professional Development Session, we hosted our zone Principals and finally sandwich making for a 21st this week-end.

Thanks to Virginia Martin, Mary Gleeson, Emily Batt, Leah Brown, Kristy Milward and Tammy Langdon.

Poke Bowls
Vietnamese Salads
Burrito Bowls
Quiche
Sandwiches
Scones/Muffins/Cakes/Fruit and Yogurt Cups
Flowers

We already have events booked for next year so if this is an area you would to be involved in please speak with Bronie or Kate in the office and a Catering Team Member will be in-touch. Helping with Catering Events can be supplying brought or home made goods, serving, setting/packing up and cleaning kitchen.

We have had an increase in requests for post funeral catering recently, once again if this is of interest to you please see Bronie or Kate.

We can not express how thankful and appreciative we are for Bronie and Kate, they are the glue that keeps us delivering catering for events, filling the gaps ensuring the gathering spaces are set up and equipped with the needs of our visitors. You are valued by our Team.

The Team would like to thank everyone who has contributed this year, we would also like to farewell and thank those people who have contributed for many years who leave us, as their child/children finish their Primary School journey with us.

Season Greeting to all our School Community and see you in 2025.

Regards
Catering Team

Parents & Friends

Planning for 2025

As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited to invite new faces to get involved with one or more of our fabulous Parents and Friends subcommittees (see image below). Our P&F operates with an executive model, with coordinators for each of our key fundraising events: Port Fairy Folk Festival BBQ, Koroit Irish Festival, Picnic in the Paddock, and Student Engagement.

In addition to these subcommittees, we also run an amazing catering group all year round that provides delicious home cooked food and baked goods for events hosted by St Pat’s. This group not only provides our school community with yummy food, they also contribute significant fundraising for our school!

This setup allows families to volunteer at various events throughout the year without the need to commit to regular meetings. You can simply lend a hand when it suits you! Whether it’s helping with a specific event or activity like organising the disco, a family picnic, or milkshake day, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.

The coordinators will meet with the principal and the principal’s delegate periodically to plan and review activities, but there’s no ongoing time commitment for volunteers—just jump in where and when you can.

We’d love to see more families join in and help make our school events successful and fun! If you would like any further information, please contact either myself or Todd Noble on todd.james.noble@gmail.com.

Tegan

Colour Run t-shirts

If you are after a t-shirt for the upcoming Colour Run, we have a selection of long & short sleeved t-shirts in a range of sizes in the old white school uniform style (see photo for example).

Gold coin donation.  See Bronie or Kate in the office.

Further information about the Colour Run on the last day of school will be provided in the coming weeks.

MacKillop Family Services

MacKillop Family Services is calling on the Koroit community to make their home a haven for vulnerable children and young people. Throughout the region there continues to be a high demand for foster carers who can provide nurturing care and support for children in their local community.

Foster carers come from all walks of life. They can be working, not working or retired; married or single; in same-sex relationships; and can own or rent their home. The most essential criteria is that they care, can provide a safe and nurturing home, and have room in their home to support a vulnerable child or sibling group.

MacKillop supports foster carers with comprehensive training, ongoing support, respite care and an around the clock helpline.

If you think this is a role that you and your family are ready for, call MacKillop Family Services on 1300 791 677 or visit mackillop.org.au/fostercare for further information or to make an enquiry.

If you would prefer to speak to a local worker about what is involved or how you can help spread the word about foster care, Bianca at the Warrnambool office would love to hear from you! You can email her at bianca.schultz@mackillop.org.au or phone her at 03 5500 2071.  

Calling for Nominations - DOBCEL Board Consultative Committees

The DOBCEL Board is now inviting people interested in helping shape the direction and development of Catholic education in the diocese to nominate for a position on one of six consultative committees commencing in 2025.  

Let’s work together to connect with as many potential applicants as possible!

Applications close Sunday, 19 January 2025. 

DOBCEL Strategy Outline

Please find below the letter to the DOBCEL community from Tom Sexton and Chair Terry Harney re the DOBCEL  Strategy 2035.

Library Book Returns

With the end of the year fast approaching, we would love to get as many of our books as possible sorted and back on the library shelves.  If you have any books at home, please send them in.

Thanks.

Directwear Uniform - Ordering cut off

Please note that ordering cut off for uniform required for Term 1 is December 31st.

Directwear will be closed for all of February 2025.

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

Grey Shorts Clearance

Grey Shorts (available through CDF Pay) are on clearance at $5/pair. 

NCCD/Program Support Meetings

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

Sports Uniform

If anyone has any school sports uniforms at home from any representative sports events, could they please return them to Mrs Swarbrick ASAP.

Hats

In line with SunSmart requirements, students are required to wear hats outside during recess and lunch.  Please ensure your child brings their hat to school each day.  

If you do require a new hat, they can be purchased through CDF Pay.  (For Grade 6 students without a school hat - we don't expect you to purchase a new school hat with just a few weeks to go but do expect a plain broad brimmed style hat with plenty of sun coverage).

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.

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.

Canteen & Cake Raffle Rosters

A huge THANK YOU to everyone for their support of the Canteen & Cake Raffle throughout the year!

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

Canteen Roster

Day	Date	Volunteer
Wednesday	11/12/2024	Virginia Martin
Friday	13/12/2024	Emma Read
Friday	13/12/2024

TheirCare School Holiday program

TheirCare are offering a School Holiday program in Port Fairy and Warrnambool during December and January - please refer to their website or the attached flyers for further information.

www.theircare.com.au

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Charlotte Lilley who is celebrating her birthday this week! We hope you have a fantastic time celebrating with family and friends!

Star Of the Sea Parish Bulletin

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