2024, Term 4, Week 11 Newsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

Wow! This is the final newsletter for 2024—what an incredible year it has been!

As I reflect on this year, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the support and encouragement I have received from our wonderful school community as I transitioned from Foundation teacher to principal. It has been an honour and privilege to lead such an extraordinary school filled with inspiring people.

To our parents, thank you for the trust and partnership you’ve shown in supporting your children’s education and contributing so much to our school’s culture. To our incredible staff, your dedication, passion, and hard work have been the foundation of our students’ successes and growth. And to our amazing students, thank you for your energy, curiosity, and achievements that make our school such a vibrant and special place to be.

Together, we’ve shared countless moments of learning, growth, and celebration, and I am truly proud of all that we’ve achieved as a school community in 2024.

We are now in the Third Week of Advent, a time of joy and anticipation as we draw closer to celebrating the birth of Jesus. This week, we light the pink candle on the Advent wreath, symbolising joy. It reminds us to rejoice in the blessings of this holy season and the hope that Jesus brings into our lives.

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, let us take time to reflect on the importance of peace, love, and compassion in our school and wider community.

Advent Prayer

Loving God,
As we journey through Advent, help us to prepare our hearts for the gift of your Son, Jesus.
May we bring joy to others through our kindness and generosity.
Guide us to live out the values of peace, love, respect, safety, and responsibility in all we do.
Bless our school community with unity and hope as we await the celebration of Christmas.

Amen 

Reports

School reports for semester 2 are now available and can be accessed via PAM (Parent Access Module). Please log in to your PAM account to view your child’s report. If you encounter any issues or need assistance, don't hesitate to contact the school office.

Playground

A huge thank you to our incredible P&F Committee, coordinators, and all parents for your outstanding fundraising efforts this year and years past. Because of your hard work and dedication, we are thrilled to announce that a new piece of play equipment will be installed over the holidays (see image below!).

We truly couldn’t have a school as amazing as ours without your unwavering support and commitment. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you do for our community.

Staffing announcement

As we continue to enhance our learning environment and support every student’s growth, I’d like to share an update regarding the class structure for 2025.

The Grade 3 and 4 students will be split into straight grades for literacy and numeracy to provide focused instruction tailored to their learning needs. This structure will allow our teachers to dedicate time and resources to support these foundational areas.

For other subjects, the Grades 3 and 4 students will join together, fostering collaboration and a sense of community within the cohort.

We believe this approach will benefit all students and ensure they continue to thrive academically and socially.

On that note, I am delighted to announce that Meg Hamilton will be joining our St. Patrick’s teaching team in 2025. Meg will take on role of the Grade 3 teacher, focusing on literacy and numeracy.

In collaboration with Helen Swarbrick, who will work with the Grade 4 students in these learning areas, the 3/4 cohort will combine for other subjects, ensuring a dynamic and cohesive learning experience for all.

Meg brings a passion for fostering a love of learning in her students. We are confident that she will make a wonderful contribution to our school community.

Please join us in giving Meg a warm welcome to our school. We look forward to seeing the positive impact she will have on our students.

Coming up

Grade 6 graduation - 6pm Monday 
Colour run - 1pm Wednesday followed by sausage sizzle 

Wishing everyone a safe and joyful holiday season.

Merry Christmas, see you all in 2025!

Kind regards,

Tegan McDonald 

Principal

Christmas Mass Times

Folk Festival BBQ

We are commencing the planning for our involvement in the "St Pat's BBQ" at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. 
The BBQ is ran in conjunction with St Pat's Port Fairy, is a long standing fundraising event which attracts significant funds from outside of our school community.

We are calling for expression of interest for volunteers interested in working at the BBQ stall & also for the pack up crew on Monday afternoon.

Working at the BBQ requires commitment of two x 5 hour shifts over the weekend, in exchange for an Adult Folk Festival ticket, free meal and drink on both shifts as well as a $200 credit towards your school volunteer levy.
The Pack Up crew work on the Monday afternoon for approximately 2-3 hours packing up the stall and returning all items to storage at St Pat's Port Fairy (having a ute is handy but not essential). This role attracts a volunteer levy credit of $25 per hour worked, but no Festival ticket.

We welcome volunteers from family & friends of St Patrick's to be involved in this event.
Please register your interest on the form linked below. If you have more than one family member wishing to volunteer, please register separate registrations.

We will be in contact early into the 2025 school year confirming volunteers and then BBQ shifts will be confirmed closer to the festival.

Thank you

PFFF St Pat's BBQ - Coordinators

Register here: 2025 Folk Festival Volunteers 

Canteen

A huge thank you from Virginia to all the students for their patronage of the canteen throughout the year.

Also, to all our canteen volunteers - it wouldn't be possible without you! Thanks again.

Catering Thanks

Thanks to the following people for supporting catering for a funeral held last week at the KFNC Social Rooms, which included set-up/pack-up, sandwich making, food preparation, providing pies/sausage rolls and serving the attendees - Emily Batt, Kate/Hamish/Ellie Dobson, Mary/Hannah/Chloe Gleeson, Trish Watson, Megan Gleeson, Sarah Shanahan, Jess O'Connor, Kate Foster, Rach Fechete, Sarah Brittan, Leah/Kaitlyn Brown,  Kate/Zoe Dobson, Tammy/Arli Langdon

Often we reflect on why we volunteer our time and support the wider community, I believe the answer appears in the names above, we see our children and past students volunteering as they understand the value of being part of our school and wider community.

Tammy

Parents & Friends

Planning 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

Colour Run t-shirts

If you are after a t-shirt for the upcoming Colour Run, we have a selection of long & short sleeved t-shirts in a range of sizes in the old white school uniform style (see photo for example).

Gold coin donation.  See Bronie or Kate in the office.

Further information about the Colour Run on the last day of school will be provided in the coming weeks.

MacKillop Family Services

MacKillop Family Services is calling on the Koroit community to make their home a haven for vulnerable children and young people. Throughout the region there continues to be a high demand for foster carers who can provide nurturing care and support for children in their local community.

Foster carers come from all walks of life. They can be working, not working or retired; married or single; in same-sex relationships; and can own or rent their home. The most essential criteria is that they care, can provide a safe and nurturing home, and have room in their home to support a vulnerable child or sibling group.

MacKillop supports foster carers with comprehensive training, ongoing support, respite care and an around the clock helpline.

If you think this is a role that you and your family are ready for, call MacKillop Family Services on 1300 791 677 or visit mackillop.org.au/fostercare for further information or to make an enquiry.

If you would prefer to speak to a local worker about what is involved or how you can help spread the word about foster care, Bianca at the Warrnambool office would love to hear from you! You can email her at bianca.schultz@mackillop.org.au or phone her at 03 5500 2071.  

Calling for Nominations - DOBCEL Board Consultative Committees

The DOBCEL Board is now inviting people interested in helping shape the direction and development of Catholic education in the diocese to nominate for a position on one of six consultative committees commencing in 2025.  

Let’s work together to connect with as many potential applicants as possible!

Applications close Sunday, 19 January 2025. 

DOBCEL Strategy Outline

Please find below the letter to the DOBCEL community from Tom Sexton and Chair Terry Harney re the DOBCEL  Strategy 2035.

Library Book Returns

With the end of the year fast approaching, we would love to get as many of our books as possible sorted and back on the library shelves.  If you have any books at home, please send them in.

Thanks.

Directwear Uniform - Ordering cut off

Please note that ordering cut off for uniform required for Term 1 is December 31st.

Directwear will be closed for all of February 2025.

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 Shorts Clearance

Grey Shorts (available through CDF Pay) are on clearance at $5/pair. 

NCCD/Program Support Meetings

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

Sports Uniform

If anyone has any school sports uniforms at home from any representative sports events, could they please return them to Mrs Swarbrick ASAP.

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.  (For Grade 6 students without a school hat - we don't expect you to purchase a new school hat with just a few weeks to go but do expect a plain broad brimmed style hat with plenty of sun coverage).

Lost Property & Second Hand Uniform

With the onset of colder weather, you may have noticed you are missing a school jumper (or two!). Please take a look in the lost property basket to find your lost items. 

If you could please remember also 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.

TheirCare School Holiday program

TheirCare are offering a School Holiday program in Port Fairy and Warrnambool during December and January - please refer to their website or the attached flyers for further information.

www.theircare.com.au

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Mrs Swarbrick, Hunter Erwin, Gabrielle, Atticus Sherry and Leo Wright who are celebrating their birthdays in the coming weeks! We hope you have 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.

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

Link for booking Cookie Decorating - https://events.humanitix.com/cookiedecorating