2022, Term 3, Week 5 Newsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

St. Patrick's School acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work, the Koroitch-gundidj people of the Maar Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. 

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

To begin our newsletter this week I would like to pray for our First Eucharist candidates who are preparing for the Sacrament on August 21st. 

Basketball Court Shade Structure

Many of you would have noticed a lack of activity on our worksite at the basketball court. The reason for this is an ongoing conversation between the school, DOBCEL and the building company regarding the specifications of the structure. I can provide our community with the most recent update, pending council approval. The shade structure is going to be shortened very slightly at the Anzac Ave end and the entire roof height raised to accommodate the fall of the court and to allow for all ball sports to be played more freely under the structure. 

Sport in Schools program Term 3 - Gymnastics

Students from all classes will be participating in a gymnastics program in Warrnambool at the Springers complex this term. This program is due to grant funding that Mrs Swarbrick and Bronie apply for at various times throughout each year. Springers provide an engaging program that complements the existing physical education lessons students participate in each week. 

DOBCEL School Closure

A reminder that school will be closed Friday 12th and Monday 15th August.

Assembly Change

Due to the school closure tomorrow, the Room 4 assembly has been rescheduled to Friday 19th August.

Kind regards,

Nick Murrell

Principal

Eucharist

See below for some key dates. If anyone has any questions regarding the modules or working through them from home, please contact Tegan McDonald tmcdonald@spkoroit.catholic.edu.au

• Week 1  - 25th July Module 1 Theme: Celebrating Being Christian 

• Week 2  - 1st August Student photos displayed at parish Masses, Module 2 Theme:  Remembering Jesus 

• Week 3 - 8th August Module 3 Theme:  Jesus Present 

• Week 4 - 15th August Module 4  Theme:  Called and Sent Out 

• 19th August Liturgy practice (S)

• 21st August Celebration of First Eucharist  - Sunday 21st 9.00am

The Lion King @ Brauer

This week our Year F - 3 students were lucky enough to go to Brauer College to see their performance The Lion King. This was an amazing experience for our students, with everyone attending taking a lot away from the performance. Mrs Swarbrick has also seen some sensational recount writing in Room 4 as a result of the students being so inspired by the excursion. 

Picnic in the Paddock

CECV Update - Revised Statement of Commitment to Child Safety

Please see below for a revised Statement of Commitment to Child Safety from the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria. 

This statement has been updated in light of the revised Child Safe Standards coming into effect from 1 July 2022 and the supporting Ministerial Order No. 1359.

COVID - 19 Updates

Masks in schools 

We are once again asking for the support of students, families and staff to ensure that we are remaining as safe and healthy as we all can be during the winter period. A joint education sector statement released (please see below) this week is strongly suggesting that students aged 8 years and above wear masks when inside the school. We are asking all students in this age bracket, staff and visitors to our school to wear a mask. 

Reminders for us all to be COVID safe

- Wearing a mask indoors

- Practising thorough hand hygiene

- If you are a household contact, ensure you test daily prior to attending school. 

- Communicating to the school about any student COVID cases. 

- Working in well-ventilated areas where appropriate. 

Reduction of Testing and Isolation Exemption Period.

The period of time when someone is considered a recently confirmed case and therefore exempt from testing and isolation requirements has been reduced to 4 weeks. Previously, this period was 12 weeks.

This means, staff or students that have recovered from COVID-19, are not required to get tested or isolate/quarantine again if they are re-exposed to a case within 4 weeks of ending the isolation period.

After 4 weeks, the relevant advice must be followed depending on the type of contact.

Additionally, where a student or staff member who is a household contact wishes to attend school (and not isolate for 7 days) they must:

• Continually test negative using a rapid antigen test, on at least 5 days out of the 7-day period (ensure tests are spaced at least 24 hours apart)
• wear a mask indoors when outside your home (for those over 8 years of age)
• notify their employer/school, and
• not visit hospitals or care facilities.

Rapid Antigen Tests

RATs will continue to be provided to the school for the remainder of Term 3. We will distribute these to families as they arrive at school. 

Cake Raffle Roster

OSHC Changes - TheirCare

Our out of school hours care program has changed to ‘TheirCare’ which is held at Koroit and District Primary School. From Monday 18th July, the school bus will stop at St Patrick’s first (3.30pm) to accommodate this change. The bus will drop our out-of-school hours care children to ‘TheirCare’ at KDPS. All families who currently utilise this service already have been notified of these changes. If you wish to enrol in this service going forward, please visit www.theircare.com.au and register by clicking on the blue ‘book now’ button. If you would like assistance, don’t hesitate to contact the school office. The service offers before and after school care as well as holiday programs.

Thank you.

P&F News

Dates to Remember

REMINDERS

August

26th - School Closure Day

31st - Parents & Friends Meeting  7.30pm

September

10th - Division Table Tennis

12th - 14th - Grade 5/6 Roses Gap Camp

16th - Footy dress up day

Last day of Term

October

3rd - School Returns

7th - Regional Athletics Ballarat

10th - Moyne Big Bash Cricket

12th - Parents & Friends Meeting  7.30pm

14th - Division Cricket Warrnambool 

18th - Gr 3 / 4 Junior All star girls Hooptime Regional Final, Hamilton

30th - Picnic in the Paddock

November

15th - Moyne Try-Athlon

South West Volunteers Expo

Folk Festival Camping

Koroit FNC

Foster Care