2025, Term 1, Week 4 Newsletter

The Child Safety Officer at St Patrick's is Shona Louden. slouden@spkoroit.catholic.edu.au

Acknowledgement of Country

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to week 4!

We are looking forward to seeing everyone this afternoon for our Welcome BBQ and Open Classroom Night! It’s a great chance to explore the school, celebrate your child’s work, and connect as we kick off the 2025 school year. Everyone is welcome, including extended family and friends. 

Upcoming Learning Walk – Tuesday, 25th at 9:45 AM

I invite you to join our upcoming Learning Walk next Tuesday, 25th at 9:45 AM. This time, the focus will be on the Core Knowledge component of our literacy block, where students engage with real-world concepts to expand their understanding and language.

Please register via the QR code. I encourage anyone who is free to come along—whether it’s your first Learning Walk or you’ve attended before, each one offers a new focus and fresh insights. Don’t miss this opportunity to see our students in action!

Kind regards,

Tegan McDonald 

Principal

This week we are sharing what SWPBS looks like at St Pat's when we are working with Technology.

Reflection

Loving God,

May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you guide and nurture the minds and hearts of the young.

May the God of hope grant you wisdom to teach with truth, patience to lead with compassion, and faith to inspire with love.

May you always find strength in the mission to reflect Christ’s light in your service, and may your work bear lasting fruit in the lives of those you serve.

Amen.

School Closure Dates

Student Medical Profiles

Thanks to parents of new Foundation Students who have already navigated the system and created a Medical Profile for their child.  A request has now been issued in PAM for parents to create a profile for all students without a current profile.

The beginning of the year is a timely reminder for parents to review the medical profile for all existing students.

Please follow the instructions below to update a medical profile for each of your children by:

1. Click on link to PAM (found on our webpage or SZapp)
2. Click on student (if more than 1 child, this will need to be done individually)
3. Click on Medical Profile (drop down list)
4. Check all questions and select Edit Details for updates to be made.
5. Once you get to the end of the questions please confirm by clicking on the Green “Update Details” Box found at the bottom right of screen.

As a parent/guardian you are able to access your child/rens medical profile on PAM at any time to update as needed.

If your child has asthma, please ensure the school has a copy of their current Asthma Action Plan.

If you have any queries or require your PAM login details, please do not hesitate to get in contact with the office. 

NAPLAN

NAPLAN  testing for Year 3 and Year 5 students is upon us again. The schedule is set as follows and teachers would really appreciate it if participating students are at school at these times:

Wednesday March 12th, 9.30am - Writing
Thursday March 13th, 9.30am - Reading
Thursday March 13th, 12.00noon - Conventions of Language
Friday March 14th, 9.00am - Numeracy

Further information is also available in the flyer linked below.

Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s classroom teacher if you have any questions.

Kind Regards,
Tegan McDonald
Principal
St Patrick's Primary School, Koroit.

Working With Children Check

Parent volunteers at school do require a current Working With Children Check (WWCC). 

Application can be done through the Service Victoria App and is free of charge for a Volunteer Card. 

When adding St Patrick's as a volunteer organisation, use the email address principal@spkoroit.catholic.edu.au when prompted for an email address for the organisation.

When you receive  your WWCC, please bring it to the office so we can keep a copy on file. Thank you.

Sacrament Enrolment 2025

Those children in our community who are baptised Catholic, are supported through our school, the Star of the Sea Parish and the wider network of Warrnambool and District Catholic schools to prepare for and celebrate the sacraments of Confirmation, Eucharist and Reconciliation. The preparation is very gentle and child centered. 

The key dates for these sacraments in 2025 are: 

Reconciliation (Grade 6)

• February 18th- Parent information meeting, 7pm at St Joseph's Church.
• March 24th- Reconciliation Formation Day at Emmanuel College (school supported).
• 3rd April- Reconciliation celebration, 6pm 

Confirmation (Grade 3)

• April 28th- Parent information meeting, 7pm at St Joseph's Church. 
• May 5th Confirmation Formation Day at St Johns Dennington (school supported)
• May 11th- Presentation of candidates at Mass.
• May 27th- Confirmation celebration 6pm

Eucharist (Grade 4)

• July 29th- Parent information meeting, 7pm at St Joseph's Church. 
• August 5th- Eucharist Formation Day (school supported)
• August 10th-Presentation of candidates at Mass
• Celebration of First Eucharist TBC

Those families who would like their child to participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation this year are invited to email Kayla O'Connor to register your details. A separate call out for Confirmation and Eucharist candidates will be shared at a later date. 

If you have any questions or would like to chat about this further please contact Kayla O’Connor at school or send an email to koconnor@spkoroit.catholic.edu.au

Folk Festival BBQ

Thanks to everyone for their support in volunteering to fill a shift at the Folk Festival BBQ. Our positions are now filled. We appreciate your support.

This year, as another option to contribute to your volunteer levy at the Port Fairy Folk Festival is by donation of drinks and condiments. Please sign up on the link below if this is an option that suits you.

Folk Festival BBQ Donation Items Sign Up

***This is a great option for time poor parents or family demands that can't commit to the volunteer hours to be able to contribute to their volunteer levy.***

Emily & Celeste
Folk Festival Co-ordinators 

The Wellbeing Barometer - 2025

The Wellbeing Barometer survey has become an essential resource for schools, providing valuable insights into youth mental health and wellbeing. By capturing community concerns and understanding the nature of these challenges, schools are better positioned to support families, foster meaningful conversations, and strengthen relationships.

As part of an ongoing longitudinal study, this survey plays a pivotal role in tailoring support for students and their families. It offers a comprehensive view of students' experiences, challenges, and achievements over a 12 month period. By participating in this survey, your school can identify areas of strength, uncover potential concerns, and pinpoint opportunities for early intervention. The survey's findings enable a deeper understanding of young people's lives, supporting a more tailored approach to improving mental and emotional wellbeing.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to complete either one or both surveys below, depending on the age of your son or daughter and the school they attend. We encourage you to complete one survey for each child. There is no limit to how many times you can complete the survey. This will enable you to provide more accurate responses based on individual children.

Please remember, all responses remain anonymous and should reflect observations made over the last 12 months. Survey results are only reported on an aggregated basis. Click on the appropriate survey to start.

Mental Health in Primary Schools

This year St. Patrick's is taking part in the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) initiative that is being rolled out across Victoria.  The leader of MHiPS is called the MHWL (Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader).  At St. Patrick's this will be Shona Louden.  The MHWL works 2 days per week, creating a safe school space for all.

The role is not a counselling role or a clinical role working 1:1 with children.

The role involves a whole school approach to improve :
1. Staff Wellbeing
2. Whole Class Support
3. Small Group Interventions
4. Family Engagement
The jigsaw image below outlines the role of the MHWL.

Wellbeing - CASEA Program

St Patrick's Koroit is fortunate to have been selected to participate in the CASEA program in Term 2.  This is a fantastic opportunity for our students.

CASEA = CAMHS and Schools Early Action, CAMHS = Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

Questacon Science Circus

Tomorrow, we are lucky enough to have an incursion with Questacon Science Circus.

They are also putting on a free community show this Saturday - please see details below. Bookings are required.

Join the Questacon Science Circus for a FREE pop-up science centre experience like no other!  

Come along to spin yourself dizzy, test your reflexes, explore your fingertips under the microscope, and watch some of our spectacular science shows.  

With over 30 hands-on exhibits, the Science Circus pop-up is a fantastic STEM day out for the whole family. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to ignite your curiosity!  

• This is a FREE event, but bookings are essential.  
• Most people spend 1–2 hours at our pop-up.
• Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. 

Hurry, book your FREE ticket now! ️ https://bit.ly/QSC25-VIC 

School Photos

Our School Photo day is on Tuesday 4th March. 

The code for ordering is on the flyer below. Further information is available via the link below. 

A catch up day for any students away sick is Friday 7th March.

Traffic Management - School Drop Off and Pick Up

Could all parents please encourage their children to cross the road at the safest points at school drop off and pick up times. 

Anzac Ave - cross at the flags at the corner.

Queen St - cross at the corner or in front of reception where there are no cars parked.

We know parking is at a premium at these busy times - parents are welcome to use the parking spaces at the Church where no on street parking is available.

STOP, LOOK, LISTEN and THINK: 

STOP one step back from the kerb, or shoulder of the road if there is no footpath. 
LOOK in all directions for approaching traffic. 
LISTEN in all directions for approaching traffic.
THINK about whether it is safe to cross the road – when the road is clear or all traffic has stopped. When crossing, walk straight across the road. Keep LOOKING and LISTENING for traffic while crossing.

~ Kidsafe Victoria (www.kidsafevic.com.au/road-safety/pedestrian-safety)

Easter Egg-stravaganza

You may have heard the exciting news! We are hosting an Easter Egg-stravaganza on Thursday March 27th from 2-4pm. This is an opportunity for us to showcase our wonderful school community to the local kinder families and to encourage families to consider us in their search for a school.

Parents & Friends

Opportunities 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

Canteen & Cake Raffle

The Canteen & Cake Raffle are coordinated by our P&F.

Canteen operates at lunchtime on Wednesday and Friday.  Wednesday is sales of  icy-poles and snacks and Friday includes distribution of lunch orders. 

Click here to sign up for the Term 1 Canteen Roster

Cake Raffle is just something for fun! Students can purchase tickets in the classroom on Friday mornings for 20cents and the raffle is drawn by a student from the family who has supplied the cake.  "Cake" is a general term - the prize does not have to be home made and you can choose to bring whatever you like biscuits, slice or chocolates.

Click here to sign up for the Cake Raffle Roster

You will receive a reminder email from the Volunteer Sign Up platform a couple of days prior to your duty and once we have some people signed up, the roster will be published in the newsletter.

Assembly Roster

Assembly is held in the hall at 2.45pm Fridays. Parents, siblings, grandparents and friends are welcome to attend.  Any changes to assembly times will be notified by ClassDojo.

Student awards are presented at assembly and published in the newsletter the following week. If your child is receiving an award, we do try to notify you beforehand.

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.  

Lost Property & Second Hand Uniform

We've cleared out some long term items from the Lost Property but we don't want to refill it - please remember 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.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Maya Lilley, Ollie Noble and Poppy Martin who have celebrated birthdays this week.  We hope you have all had 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.

Book Club

Book Club Catalogues went home earlier this week - take a look and see if you can pick up a good read for a bargain!

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

Moyne Shire Council is running a free film screening of Rising Up – specifically for youth about plastic pollution and taking action on climate.

 Rising Up - Trailer on Vimeo

Link to book: https://events.humanitix.com/rise-up-film-screening-and-panel-discussion