2025, Term 2, Week 11 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,

Welcome to week 11 - the final countdown!

As announced on ClassDojo last week, 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.

Welcome Back to Helen and thank you to Keely

As we wrap up Term 2, we would like to warmly welcome back Helen Swarbrick, who returns from her long service leave next term. We know Room 6 students will be excited to see her and hear all about her adventures.

At the same time, we say a huge thank you and farewell to Keely West, who has done a wonderful job stepping into Helen’s role this term. Keely’s warmth, dedication and connection with students and staff have been greatly valued and her support with teaching and reporting has been outstanding.

Thank you, Keely. You’ll always be part of the St Pat’s family!

Grandparents’ Day

A reminder that Grandparents’ Day will be held on the first Friday of Term 3. All grandparents and special visitors are warmly invited to attend.

The morning will begin with a liturgy in the hall at 9:50am, followed by recess outside with their grandparents. We kindly ask you to provide morning tea for your student/s to share with their Grandparents or special visitors.

After recess, we will begin open classrooms from 11:35am to 12:35pm, where students can proudly share their learning and other fun activities with their guests.  We look forward to a wonderful morning celebrating our school community.

End of Term Reminders – Friday 2.30pm Finish

This Friday marks the final day of Term 2. Please note that school will finish early at 2:30pm.

Students will also have the exciting opportunity to attend Brauer College’s production of ‘I Spy’ during the day – a fantastic way to celebrate the end of term.

Semester 1 Reports will be released to families on Friday. We hope you enjoy reading about your child/ren’s learning journey and celebrating their progress. Remember, success isn’t only reflected in academic results, it’s also found in the way our students show kindness, take responsibility, and treat others with respect.

Wishing all our families a safe and restful break!

Kind regards,

Tegan McDonald

Principal

Enrolment Information

2026 Foundation enrolments are still open until the 4th July. Spots are filling up quickly, which is a wonderful celebration for our amazing little school. We look forward to welcoming our existing families and new Foundation students and families to our school community from next term with Little Learners, Kinder Transition and Foundation Interviews.

SWPBS -Positive Behaviour at St Patrick’s

At St Patrick’s, we follow the School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework. This is all about creating a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment where every child can thrive.

We have three clear expectations for all students:
Be Safe – Be Respectful – Be Responsible

We teach and model these behaviours every day so students understand what is expected, both in and out of the classroom. We use positive reinforcement like our ladder system, Class Dojo points, prizes, and other acknowledgements to celebrate students making great choices.

When behaviour falls short of expectations, we follow a clear and fair process, helping students learn from their mistakes and make better choices next time.

We also keep track of positive behaviours and any challenges that arise. This helps us see patterns, support students early, and make sure we are always improving.

Just like we teach children how to read, write and count, we also teach them how to behave. As the quote says:

“If a child doesn’t know how to read, we teach.
If a child doesn’t know how to behave, we teach them how to behave.”

Respectful behaviour at home.
The way we speak and act around children, especially in moments of frustration, has a lasting impact. Together, when school and families work as one, we can help all our children grow into kind, confident and respectful young people.

A Thought from Karen Young - Words Matter

Children are always listening, even when we think they’re not. The way we talk in front of them helps shape how they see themselves and how they behave.

As Karen Young reminds us:
"Our words become their inner voice. When we speak with calm, respect and understanding, especially during challenging moments, we teach them how to respond to the world and to themselves."

When we model calm and kind communication, we give our children the tools to do the same.

Communication Process
If you have any concerns about your child’s behaviour at school or at home, please contact your child’s classroom teacher in the first instance. From there, the teacher will raise the concern with the appropriate school leader if further support is needed.

Teeth On Wheels

Teeth On Wheels is all about making dental care fun and stress-free while teaching children the importance of oral health. They specialise in working with children, offering services such as check-ups, cleans, and more—right here at the School! The team is specially trained to provide compassionate and tailored care for neurodiverse patients, ensuring a respectful and supportive experience for everyone.

If eligible under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), your child may even receive FREE dental care. 

To participate, either complete the hard copy form and return it to school by July 2nd or complete the E-form by the cut-off date August 5th 2025.

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 

Book Fair

Watch out for a transformation of the foyer into a book shop with lots of great titles for all ages!

The Book Fair will be available for sales from 23rd July to 4th August. A preview pamphlet will come home this week but the book fair will have many more titles on display.

Picnic in the Paddock

The call is out for any young creatives (15 years & younger) who might wish to have a stall at the the Little Makers Market at Picnic in the Paddock this year. Please see flyer below for more information.

NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It's a time for all Australians to learn about and acknowledge the rich heritage of First Nations peoples and their ongoing connection to the land.  This year's theme for NAIDOC Week is  "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy".

Poster title - Ancestral Lines

Artist - Jeremy Morgan Worrall

Ancestral Lines is a visual representation of the lines and ties that follow a generation and the songs that come with it. 

When I think of the next generation I think towards my Ancestor Lucy Wright, Enoch Wright, Nonie Wright, all the way from my Nanna Audrie to my Mother Vanessa. 

When I look back at my mob it helps me see towards the future, it gives me hope and strength knowing what my mob have survived through and accomplished amid adversity. 

Each person in the painting depicts a series of lines akin to songlines, that represent what they know, who they were and what they have passed on, the first being that of lore (interpretive), hunting, protecting, and tracking, the second of care, weaving, fishing, and love. 

The third is when we see the two combine into one, and the last two take unfinished elements of them all, to show the passing down of knowledge and care. 

Above them is the essence of the land they live and protect/care for. It is a depiction of my home the cold skies of Tenterfield with the swirling clouds and giant moon, a place around the fire is where the next Generation find their strength, vision and legacy.

NCCD Information

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.

Student Awards

Congratulations to the recipients of the Student Awards, announced at assembly in Week 9 (apologies that these were missed in the newsletter last week):

Room 1

Amelia Stafford: You are a shining light in our classroom! Your kind heart, positive attitude and determination to always do your best make you a joy to teach. You always try your best, encourage others and bring a cheerful energy to everything you do. Keep up the great work! 

Lenny Shanley: Lenny you are an absolute superstar! You always begin each day with a positive attitude and are ready to take on whatever the day brings. It’s been amazing to see your confidence grow this semester. This week you’ve been doing an amazing job solving simple addition problems using the count on strategy. Keep up the great work! 

Room 2

Layla Bidmade: Layla, you light up our classroom with your positivity, big smile, and can-do attitude! You're kind and respectful to everyone, and your hard work in writing really shines through, your work looks amazing! Keep it up, superstar!

Hazel Purcell: Hazel, you’re such a bright spark, always excited to learn and try new things! This week, you rocked number bonds and had so much fun doing it. Keep shining and smiling, you’re amazing!

Jackson O’Grady: Jacko, you bring such good vibes to our classroom! You're always ready with a joke and make learning fun. This week, you’ve been a writing legend, smashing sentence fragments like a pro! Keep up the awesome work, you’re a rockstar!

Room 4

Logan Huckstepp - For your in depth paragraph you wrote about solar panels this week. You have taken your new knowledge and were able to transfer this into a variety of great sentences. Thank you for always engaging in your learning.

Milla Leishman - For your active listening and problem solving during learning subtraction this week. You were able to watch, listen and transfer your knowledge to solve the worded problems. Thank you for always being an active listener in our classroom.

Room 5

Ora Cuolahan: Well done Ora for always trying your very best and approaching everything with kindness and warmth. You are a kind and encouraging friend who brightens everyone’s day with your warm smile and thoughtful nature. It’s been so wonderful to see your focus and confidence grow as you continue to give your best effort in everything you do. I am so proud of the amazing progress you are making. Keep up the great work!

Lachlan Gallogly: Well done Lachlan for being a vibrant and valued member of our classroom who brings thoughtful insights, great ideas, and plenty of personality to every discussion. Your enthusiasm and energy make our class a better place. Thanks for being such an awesome part of our Room 5 team!

Room 6

Jobe Dobson: You continue to show your initiative each day and show kindness to others. You also actively contribute to our classroom discussions and ask questions to clarify your learning. Well done on a great term Jobe!

Harry Atwell: You continuously show respect to others on a daily basis. You also continue to try your best each day with your learning and implement the feedback you're provided with. Well done on a great term Harry!

Room 7

Jack Lane: Well done, Jack, on an amazing first half of the year! You always try your best in everything you do and show great leadership in the classroom. You set a great example for others and bring lots of smiles with your kind and funny personality. Keep up the great work, Jack!

Ava Monnier: Congratulations, Ava! You’re a superstar in our classroom and always show our school values in everything you do. You did an awesome job at Netball last week and made our school proud. Well done, Ava!

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 2 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

Assembly Roster

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Harper Buchanan, Grayson Lenehan, and Ayla De Graaf who celebrated birthdays in the last week.  We hope you had a fantastic time celebrating with family and friends!

Star of the Sea - Parish Bulletin

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

See the attached link for further details about these Vacation Care programs -