2025, Term 3, Week 7 Newsletter

Child Safe Statement and Commitment

The Child Safety Officers at St Patrick's are Tegan McDonald and Shona Louden principal@spkoroit.catholic.edu.au or slouden@spkoroit.catholic.edu.au

Acknowledgement of Country

Principal's Message

Dear parents and carers,

Grade 3/4 Camp – Sovereign Hill
This week is a very exciting one for our Grade 3/4 students as they head off to Sovereign Hill, Ballarat on Wednesday, returning on Thursday. This will be the first ever school camp for our Grade 3 students, and we know it will be a memorable learning experience full of history, adventure and fun!

On Friday, no new learning will take place for Grade 3/4 students. Instead, it will be a chance to rest and recover after camp. Supervision in classrooms will still be available for those who attend.

Footy Colours & Hot Dog Day – New Date
Due to changes with Hoop Time (beyond our control), our Footy Colours and Hot Dog Day will now take place on Friday 19th September, the last day of term, with a 2.30pm school finish. On this day, our Grade 5/6 students will also be running a Footy Clinic as part of their CIC (Crazy Ideas College) project – a great way to finish the term!

Please note there will be no lunch orders on this day.

Upcoming events for the week ahead:

• Kinder visit Tuesday
• 3/4 camp Wednesday - Thursday
• Father’s Day Breakfast Friday 

Kind regards,

Tegan McDonald

Principal

Prayer

Today we pause together and listen to Paul Kelly’s song Meet Me in the Middle of the Air. This song is drawn from Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd." It is a psalm that has always brought comfort to people in times of grief and hardship.

In Victoria this week, we have seen deep sadness with the police shooting and the school bus crash. Families and communities are carrying heavy loss and shock.

Around the world wars and conflicts continue to bring pain and displacement to countless people. In our Catholic life, the shepherd is the one who leads and protects the sheep. No one gets left behind. Every person is cared for and carried through the darkest valleys. This is what Paul Kelly sings into life in this psalm. He reminds us that even when we are broken and fearful we are never abandoned. God meets us where we are and promises to carry us through.

When we hear the words "fear not death’s dark shadow," we remember that God is close in grief and tragedy. When we hear "every soul shall be restored," we are reminded of hope and healing even when it feels impossible. When we hear "meet me in the middle of the air," we are reassured that God meets us wherever we are, offering peace and comfort.

 As we listen, let us hold in prayer all those in Victoria and across the world who long for healing and peace. Let us also remember that as shepherds in our own schools we are called to lead with compassion, care and courage.

3 Way Conversations & PSG Meetings

3 Way Conversations/Parent Teacher Interviews are now available for booking in PAM.

Monday 8th September
Tuesday 9th September

(Sorry - these were previously advertised with the correct dates but incorrect days).

⏱ Format:

• 10 minutes – Student led sharing of learning (3 way conversation).
• 10 minutes – Teacher discussion with parents.

This is a valuable opportunity for students to celebrate their progress and for parents and teachers to come together to support ongoing learning.

If you have a PSG meeting, the 3 way conversations will happen during that scheduled meeting in addition to the PSG meeting. 

PSG meetings are now available for booking in PAM.

Thursday 11th September
Friday 12th September

School TV - SPECIAL REPORT: Celebrating Father's Day

For many years now, the role of fathers has changed and evolved. During the industrial revolution, fathers were often considered detached and distant due to working long hours in factories. However, today things have changed dramatically with many dads being celebrated for being sensitive, caring and more hands-on.

Recent studies have shown that children benefit greatly from having fathers who are present and interacting in everyday activities. This has transformed the understanding of how fathers shape children’s lives from the start, challenging conventional ideas of parenthood and gender.

Research also suggests that fathers influence their sons and daughters in different ways, which is especially true during their transition to adolescence. Engaging in regular physical activities can play a key role in influencing children to learn self-control, face challenges, regulate emotions and take manageable risks.

In this Special Report, fathers will learn about the positive impact they can have on their child’s mental health and wellbeing, whilst also ensuring they indulge in a little self-care.

Here is the link to your Special Report https://spkoroit.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/celebrating-fathers-day

Father's Day Breakfast

We invite you to join us for Father's Day/Special Persons Breakfast on Friday 5th September.

Breakfast will be held in the Hall from 8am - 9am.

We will have a coffee van on site & the P&F are providing a free coffee for the Dads/Special People to kickstart their Father's Day celebration. (Hot drinks for kids available at your own expense).

Juice box available for kids. Preschool children welcome or this can also be something special with just the St Pat's kids - whatever works for your family!

Please RSVP by 9am Tuesday 2nd September to assist with catering quantities.

RSVP Here for Father's Day Breakfast

Footy Colours & Hot Dog Day

*****UPDATED DATE*****

Please note, change in date - this will now be held on the last day of term, Friday 19th September  - existing orders will be swapped to the new date.

Picnic in the Paddock

Picnic in the Paddock is a major event on the St Pat's calendar and hosts families and friends from all over the south west to come and see our wonderful school and enjoy a really fun day out for everyone. We have a committee who meet twice per term to organise the event. PIP is on Sunday October 26. 

We have 2 meetings remaining before the event:

• Wednesday September 10th @ 7pm (Term 3)
• Wednesday October 8th @ 7pm (Term 4)

If you have been interested to know more about PIP or wondering if you'd like to get involved, please feel free to come along to any or all of these meetings, without any commitment. We will be organising sponsorship packs, sampling some new merchandise, and chatting about tasks to be completed before the event. We'd love to see you there!

Policy Updates

DOBCEL have recently released updates to the Grievance Policy.  School policies are available on the school website.

Student Awards

Congratulations to the recipients of the Student Awards, announced at assembly last week!  See below for Award winners from earlier in the term which were inadvertently omitted from the Newsletter.

WEEK 6

Room 1

Beau Andriessen: For your hard work in UFLI this week. You have been doing a great job making words on your blending board. Keep up the great work! 

Lorenzo Serra: For your fantastic effort in Maths this week. You have done an excellent job making bundles of 10! Keep up the great work!

Room 2

Maisie McElgunn: You have shown us that Practice Makes Perfect, the more you do it the better you become. Maisie, you are smashing your EMP fluency and I can’t wait to see more. Keep shining bright!

Eric Niklason: This week you have shown fantastic critical thinking skills and shown your enthusiasm for learning new and challenging things. Your writing has been outstanding and you should be proud of your achievements. Keep up the great work Eric, you’re a super star!

Room 4

Georgie Atwell - For her amazing work in maths this week. You did a great job at using arrays to solve multiplications problems this week. Well done!

Atticus Sherry - For your amazing work and focus during UFLI. You have been very focussed at following all aspects especially during word work. Thank you for being a respectful learner during this time.

Room 5

Harley Watson: Well done for always being a great leader in our classroom Harley. You set a wonderful example, always demonstrating our school values with positivity and care! Keep up the amazing work!

Maddie Courtot: Well done Maddie for always showing consistency and effort in all your school work, and being a kind and caring friend to everyone around you. Your hard work and positive nature doesn’t go unnoticed and I am super proud of you!

Room 6

Teddy Porter -Teddy, your responsible approach to completing set learning tasks, especially Mathsmate tasks where you carefully work through equations to answer correctly, is to be commended. You are also a wonderful problem solver in our classroom, always coming up with great solutions when faced with a challenge. Well done, Teddy!

Ayla De Graaf -Ayla, your cheerful nature and willingness to help others makes our classroom a friendly place to be. You are a responsible student who always works hard to be the very best learner you can be. Your writing skills show great promise, and I look forward to seeing where they take you. Congratulations on completing a wonderfully descriptive biography on your nan -Gabrielle Mary Batt.  Keep up the excellent work, Ayla!

Jobe Dobson -Jobe, you are a respectful and responsible student who always gives your best effort in learning. You take on new skills and knowledge with enthusiasm and enjoy sharing your strengths with others, especially in writing and maths. Keep up the fantastic work, Jobe!

Lydia Andriessen - Lydia, your positivity, commitment to your learning, and caring nature make our classroom a warm and friendly place to be. You are always ready to lend a hand—whether it’s helping your teachers or supporting your classmates. Your writing skills show great promise—congratulations on your impressive biography of your Grandpa Peter Willoughby Ewing and the wonderful poems you are creating.

Room 7

Whole Class Award 

This award is proudly presented to the Year 5/6 Class for showing outstanding behaviour, courage, and teamwork on camp. You all gave things a go, even when it was outside your comfort zone. You supported each other, had fun, and made camp an amazing experience. You represented the school so well and we are so proud of you all – true camp champs!

WEEK 4

Room 1

Whole Class - 100 days of school! Congratulations!

Room 2

Marli De Graaf - For being respectful and responsible in class. Marli you have been following directions like a classroom superstar, and showing respect to your teachers and classmates. Keep up the good work!

Jackson O’Grady - You make learning FUN with your energy and excitement, and we’re so proud of the way you always try your hardest. Keep up the awesome work, your reading powers are out of this world!

Room 4

Olivia Gleeson - For being a responsible and organised learner. Olivia, you are beginning your day prepared and this week you remembered to return and change your reader on the correct day without being reminded. Well done Olivia, we are very proud of you.

Hunter Noble - For your hard work during UFLI this week. Hunter you have confidently recalled and used the tch and ch sounds as well as had success at using your blending board. Great focus and effort, Hunter!

Room 5

Olympia Jordan - Well done Olympia on making such a fantastic and seamless transition back into St. Pat’s! You’ve approached every day this term with enthusiasm and positivity. Your warm smile, friendliness and kind nature is such a valuable addition to Room 5. Congratulations Olympia, keep up the amazing work!

Banjo Milward - Congratulations Banjo on having a great start to Term 3! You’ve been working hard and giving your best in everything you do. I’ve been so proud of your enthusiasm and courage to try new things, including Hoop Time where you’ve truly shined with your positivity, teamwork and commitment. Well done Banjo, keep up the fantastic work!

Room 6

Hudson Smits    Hudson, for being a wonderful problem solver in our classroom. When faced with a challenge, Hudson, you always come up with great solutions, helping your friends and teachers alike. You are a STAR! 

Eleanor Huckstepp    Eleanor,  your cheerful outlook, dedication to your work, and kindness towards others make our classroom such a welcoming place. You are always willing to help your teachers with classroom jobs and your friends with their learning, whether it’s offering ideas or helping edit their work for improvement. Your talents Eleanor show that you might one day be a wonderful published writer. Congratulations!

Olivia Foster     Olivia, you have been a STAR with your fluency reading this term! You track so smoothly, work wonderfully with your partner, and inspire others with the great example you set. You’re also a very thoughtful and caring student, always ready to lend a hand and share a smile or greeting that lifts everyone’s spirits. Keep up the fantastic effort!    

Room 7

Sadie Langdon - This award goes to Sadie for always jumping in to help whenever she sees something that needs to be done in the classroom. Her initiative, kindness, and willingness to support others sets a wonderful example of leadership for the whole school. Well done Sadie!

Edmund McMahon - This award goes to Edmund for always giving his best in everything he does. He always approaches a task with a positive mindset and produces fantastic work, setting a wonderful example for others. Well done Edmund!

WEEK 3 (Rescheduled from Week 2)

Room 1

Willow O’Keefe: Willow, for going out of her way during our 100-day celebration to include everyone. Willow’s kindness and thoughtfulness helped make the day memorable for all her classmates.

Sam Kelly: Sam, for his ongoing and consistent effort in class. Sam approaches every task with determination and a positive attitude, setting an excellent example for others.

Jessica Keane: Jessica, for always trying her best in everything she does, especially during UFLI lessons. Jessica’s focus and effort in her reading has been outstanding, and her perseverance is genuinely admirable.

Room 2

Ayla Clissold: Ayla, for always listening in class and engaging in the class discussions. Your enthusiasm and awesome thinking helps make room 2 a fantastic place to learn. Keep up the amazing work.

Roy Wright: Roy, you had such a fantastic start to Term 3! I'm really proud of the choices you're making. You're setting a great example for everyone in the class, especially during our UFLI lessons.  You've already achieved so much in such a short time, and I can see how much effort you're putting in. Keep it up, you should feel really proud of yourself. You are AMAZING!!

Hazel Purcell: Hazel you have been absolutely amazing these two weeks. You have shown your love of learning even when things can be a little tricky you stuck with it. Hazel, your enthusiasm is contagious, keep up the good work. You are a Super Star!

Room 4

George Sinnott: for being this week's UFLI champion! You have been amazing at recalling open and closed syllables as well as actively participating in recognising sounds in words when completing our blending boards. Amazing effort this week George keep it up!

Maya Lilley: for your incredible work during maths this week. Maya, you worked extremely hard and were successful at using an algorithm to solve addition problems. Well done Maya, you should be very proud!

Room 5

Sam Wood: Well done Sam for trying your best, always lending a helping hand, and showing kindness to those around you. You notice when others need support and are quick to offer your help without being asked. Whether it’s tidying up, checking in on a classmate, or simply being thoughtful, your kindness makes a real difference. Keep up the amazing work.

Octavia Bidmade: Well done Occy for always giving your best and showing such a kind and caring heart. Your gentle nature, thoughtful words, and the way you treat others with respect and compassion make our classroom a better place. I’m so proud of how you’ve started the term and can't wait to see you continue to grow!

Room 6

Charlotte Wright: Your cheerful attitude, steady dedication to your work, and caring nature help create a positive and welcoming environment for everyone in our class. You set a great example of what it means to be respectful, responsible, and safe. Keep shining and doing your best!

Tadhg Duus: For consistently showing what it means to be responsible, respectful, and safe at school. You set a fantastic example for others to follow with your kindness, compassion, and willingness to help—both inside and outside the classroom. Great job Tadhg!

Fraser Gleeson: Congratulations, Fraser, on an outstanding effort at the recent Victorian Schools State Cross Country Championships—finishing 8th is an incredible achievement from 88,  10/under runners in Victoria! Also, being named as a reserve for the National Championships is a testament to your hard work, determination, and talent—well done!

Room 7

Jonty O’Keefe - For an outstanding start to Term 3! Your enthusiasm for our decimal unit has been impressive, you approach each lesson with confidence and a willingness to share your thinking. Your contributions have helped build deeper understanding across the class. Outside of maths, your endless curiosity keeps our classroom buzzing with ideas, and your sense of humour brings a spark of fun to every day. Keep up the great work Jonty! 

Poppy Martin - You are a true leader in our classroom! You always show kindness, act responsibly, and include others. You follow our school values every day and set a great example for everyone around you. As you head into Grade 6, we know you’ll continue to shine as a strong and caring leader of our school. Well done!

Parent contact information

If you have changed your phone or email, address or wish you update your non-guardian emergency contact details, please send an email to Bronie or Kate so we can update your detail in our database. 

bmoloney@spkoroit.catholic.edu.au or kdobson@spkoroit.catholic.edu.au 

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

NEW ST PATRICK'S SOFTSHELL JACKETS!
Now available to order through Directwear.

We’re excited to introduce our brand new school softshell, waterproof jacket!

These jackets are warm, durable and feature the school logo – perfect for chilly mornings and outdoor play.

✔ Comfortable and weather-resistant
✔ Smart, uniform compliant design
✔ Available in a wide range of sizes

Current families are welcome to purchase and begin wearing these immediately!

📌 PLEASE NOTE:
From 2026, these jackets will become a compulsory uniform item (if wearing a jacket) for all new Foundation students as we begin to phase them in across the school. Current families are not expected to purchase but are welcome to.

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 3 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

Assembly Roster

Happy Birthday

A rare occasion where there are no students or staff birthdays in the last week! Happy Birthday any members of the extended St Pat's community who celebrated their birthdays last week.  We hope you had a fantastic time celebrating with family and friends!

Star of the Sea - Parish Bulletin

Sports Shirts

If you have any Sports Shirts at home from Basketball or other representative events, please return them to Mrs Swarbrick.

Library Returns

There are lots of students with overdue books - it would be great if you could take a look around home for any St Pat's library books & send them in.

Thanks.

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