2022, Term 3, Week 10 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,

5/6 Camp

This week our Year 5/6 students went to camp at Roses Gap. The camp was an amazing experience for our students with many adventurous activities. All of our students were challenged on some level with the high-impact activities including; a giant swing, flying fox, vertical playground, crate stacking, canoeing, low ropes and a bush walk. I extend my thanks to our parent helpers Tara Leishman, Andrew McMahon and Nick Monnier, without support from parent volunteers we are not able to make school camps run. I also thank Ms Louden and Mrs Dwyer for their prior organisation and planning to ensure the camp ran as smoothly as it did. Finally, a big thanks to our students for conducting themselves in a respectful, responsible and safe manner while at camp. 

NAPLAN

Year 3 and Year 5 parents and carers will receive their child’s NAPLAN results in the mail over the coming days. We are pleased and proud of all the students’ efforts and results. Some things to remember when reading your child’s NAPLAN results are:

• If you have a student in Grade 5, please ensure that you keep a copy of these NAPLAN results for your child’s enrolment at secondary school.
• Your child/children participated in the NAPLAN assessment in May, now more than 3 months ago.
• These results reflect each student’s performance at a single point in time only, that is on the day they completed NAPLAN.
• Teachers are continually monitoring and assessing students’ learning and NAPLAN adds to this information, but does not replace it.
• These are parent reports. Your child does not have to know the contents. Sensitivity in how this information is shared with students, considering confidence and stage of development is important.
  

SWPBS Minors and Majors Flowchart

At St Patrick’s we use a School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework for creating a positive and safe learning environment for our students. With SWPBS, we define, teach and support behaviours that create a positive school environment. Our three underpinning values at St Patrick’s are - Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Safe.

Part of our SWPBS framework is Minors and Majors, it is an important accountability system. At home you may have heard your children using the terms "minor" and "major". The purpose of sharing this flowchart (see below) is to help parents and carers understand further this process and why it exists. The purpose of our Minors and Majors is to create a safe environment for all at St Patrick's. It is important to remember that this is just one aspect of SWPBS. The social behaviours listed in the flowchart are used to correct and support students when needed.

If parents or carers would like any of this information clarified further please contact Nick Murrell.

At this time

We pay our Condolences to the Mugavin-Brown family at this time. Mary was a local parishioner and long-time volunteer at St Patrick's who has recently passed. We extend our prayers to the family at this challenging and sad time. 

Good Luck to Ella Lewis, Zoe Dobson, and Annabelle Foster who are playing in the netball Grand Finals this weekend, Go Saints!

Employment

We are currently advertising for an Arts teacher in 2023. The position is advertised on all relevant digital platforms. Information regarding the position can be viewed via this link. 

Enjoy a safe and fun school holiday break. 

Kind regards,

Nick Murrell

Principal

Students of the Week

Room 1 &  2

Fraser Gleeson for challenging and extending his thinking during maths! Keep up the great work!

Isla Lilley for trying really hard in reading groups especially when reading her speed sounds! Well done Isla.

Mimi Martin for wonderful writing this week - you have tried your very best and included capital letters, finger spaces and full stops! Great work Mimi!

Tyrone Collins for settling well back into school after a long holiday. You have worked especially hard in reading and blending your words! Great job Tyrone.

Room 4

Bailey Askew for the conscientious and responsible way you approach your learning in Room 4 You are respectful to all your teachers and always try your best. Congratulations on creating your amazing and informative slideshow on ‘Cute Koalas.’

Josie Foard for the enthusiastic and responsible way you approach your learning in Room 4. You are respectful to all your teachers and always try your best. Congratulations on creating your wonderful and informative slideshow on ‘The Big Humpback Whale.’ 

Jordie Quarrell for the responsible way you approach your learning in Room 4. You are respectful to all your teachers and always try your best. Congratulations on creating your amazing and informative slideshow on ‘Cute Penguins.’

Room 5 

Whole Class - for their fantastic efforts on camp. Many of you tried new and challenging things and you showed that you can listen to instructions, help and encourage your team-mates and overcome your fears to have a go at new experiences. Camp staff commented on your manners and how you supported each other. I was proud of all of you. Well done.

Room 7

Year 5 students for their fantastic efforts on camp. You demonstrated resilience and courage for each task and you were each wonderful examples of being Responsible, Respectful and Safe. Your care and encouragement of each other was admirable. Well done! 

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Benji Holscher, Maddison Watson and Ora Cuolahan who are celebrating their Birthday at this time.

Dates to Remember

REMINDERS

September

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

3rd -  Lions Eye Health Program 4-6

15th - Moyne Try-Athlon

Passtab - Visitor Register

We have just implemented "Passtab" - an electronic visitors register.  Please use the iPad at the front desk to Sign In or Out when you visit the school - we suggest you create a "Quickpin" (which will default to your mobile phone number) on your first login.
It should also be used for students arriving late or leaving early.  
See staff if you require any assistance.

Term 3 Library Update

Thank you to Mrs Celina Brown for continuing to improve our library throughout this year and during term 3. This year we have added a further 535 books to our school library. A tremendous amount! We would also like to thank Leah Brown for volunteering her time recently to cover our new books in order to get them ready for circulation. 

Celina has also been focussing on our school's take-home readers for the junior classes. Celina is removing old and worn-out books from circulation as well as ordering replacements. This week we took delivery of 150 new take-home reader books and will be ordering a further 100 early in term 4.  We hope families will begin to see some fresh new books coming home with these improvements and updates. 

Thank you, Mrs Brown!

Hands On Learning

Hands on learning Fun

Picnic in the Paddock

Positive Partnership workshop (free) for parents/ carers based in Warrnambool

Community Events

Spring Holiday Program - Port Fairy

Gardening Program for Children

Warrnambool Vacation Care Program