2025, Term 1, Week 7 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 7!

As we enter the second week of Lent, Catholics focus on themes of sacrifice, renewal, and community. This season encourages us to deepen our faith through prayer, fasting, and helping others. Lent can be a chance for all of us to come together, sharing our unique traditions while embracing our common values of kindness. Let’s come together as a community during this time, celebrating our differences and strengthening our connections.

Grant Applications Coordinator needed

We're looking for a parent or parents interested in applying for grants to secure funding for our school. As the contact person, you would be notified when a grant opportunity arises.

This is a great way to contribute to our school community while also reducing your volunteer levy, as you'll earn $25 per hour for your efforts. If you're interested or would like more information, please reach out! Thank you for your support!

Survey Results

I'm excited to share some new research from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. This study shows that people who attended Catholic schools often enjoy lasting benefits in their jobs, health, and overall happiness in life.

The research indicates that attending a Catholic school can lead to both personal and community benefits. On average, former Catholic school students are more likely to have jobs and earn higher wages—about 4% to 11% more than those who went to public schools. They are also more likely to work in jobs that serve the community and to donate to charity. Plus, the study found that attending a Catholic school is linked to better personal health and higher life satisfaction.

This research was conducted by the Centre for International Research on Education Systems (CIRES) at Victoria University and was commissioned by VCEA. It took into account various individual and family factors to focus specifically on the impact of attending a Catholic school.

Kind regards,

Tegan McDonald 

Principal

This week we are sharing what SWPBS looks like at St Pat's when we are in Play Areas.

Prayer

Loving God,

We enter this season of Lent, a time of reflection inspired by Jesus’ 40 days in the desert.

In our busy, connected world, help us pause—whether from screens, rush, or routine—
to find quiet and meaning.

Guide us to share what we have, caring for each other and our earth.

May this journey, marked by ashes for some, lead us all toward hope, renewal, and a brighter tomorrow.

We ask this in the spirit of love and unity, through Christ who shows us the way.

Amen.

School Closure Dates

A reminder that tomorrow, Tuesday 11th March is a School Closure day.

School Sports - Tuesday 18th March

Our School Athletics sports are fast approaching.

These events are always busy days and we appreciate any parent help we can get.

If you are able to assist with running an event on the day or help with transporting equipment or setting up, could you please get in touch with me via ClassDojo or email hswarbrick@spkoroit.catholic.edu.au.  This year, volunteering 2 hours of your time at the School Sports can be claimed on your volunteer levy.

Further information regarding the school sports is available on the permission form in PAM.

Helen Swarbrick
Sports Co-ordinator

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

Year 5 students need to remember to bring their fully charged Chromebook to school.

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.

Folk Festival BBQ

Thanks to everyone for your support in the lead up to the Folk Festival and over this weekend.  We will share the fundraising results when they are available.

Thanks,

Emily & Celeste
Folk Festival Co-ordinators 

NCCD Parent Information

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

Wellbeing - SchoolTV Free Webinar

Please see the below flyer for information on a free webinar on Digital Media Literacy & Safety featuring Michael Carr-Gregg and Susan McLean.

Lions Eye Health Program

The Lions Eye Health Program is offering Free Vision Screening for children in Foundation, Grade 3 and Grade 6.

This information and a permission form has been sent home today - please return the permission form by Monday 17th March.

It is estimated that 1 in 5 children in Australia have undetected vision problems. Over 80% of what children learn is processed through their eyes, so untreated eye conditions can affect a child’s learning ability, development and self-esteem.

This vision screening program can help identify any children who may require further eye examination by an optometrist.

Members of the Lions club have been specifically trained to perform 4 vision screening assessments including:

1. Visual Acuity - using a Lea 3m -15 line Symbol Chart
2. Colour Vision - using a Quick 6 - Basic Colour Screening Book
3. Depth Perception - using a Stereo Fly Screening Tool
4. Spot Vision Screener – A state of the art portable machine designed to screen for Myopia (near sightedness), Hyperopia (far sightedness), Astigmatism (blurred vision), Anisometropia (unequal refractive power), Strabismus (eye misalignment) and Anisocoria (unequal pupil size).

The individual screening takes just a few minutes to perform. There is no physical contact made with the child and no eye drops are administered. Individual reports will be sent to parent/ guardians. If your child is already under the care of an optometrist, they are welcome to participate in the screening activities but will not receive any results.

*Please note: This is a screening only. We do not diagnose any vision issues. If a potential vision problem is detected, this will be written on the child’s result sheet and you will be encouraged to seek a further eye assessment with an eye health professional.

For more information please visit our website https://lehp.org.au 

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.

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

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 or have ideas of opportunities we can take advantage of, please contact either myself or Todd Noble on todd.james.noble@gmail.com.

Tegan

Easter Raffle

Drawn at the Easter Egg-stravaganza!  Tickets have been sent home.  You can utilise both sides of the tickets.

Thanks for your support.

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 Ava Monnier, Tadhg Duus and Brendan Wilkinson who have celebrated birthdays this week.  We hope you had a fantastic time celebrating with family and friends!

Star of the Sea - Parish Bulletin

Book Club

Issue 2 is out now! 

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.

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

GREY TROUSERS WITH LOGO - We are over stocked and need to reduce what we have.

RRP $59.50

From now until 30th June 2025 unless sold out prior -  $29.75, that's half price!

First in best dressed.

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