Week 9, Term 1, 2021 Newsletter
Message from the Principal
All of our students participated in our parish schools celebration of St Patrick’s Day, the feast day of our parish patron saint. Along with the students and staff from St. Brigid’s Ballan, we celebrated a liturgy with Bishop Paul Bird as our celebrant. Our Year 6 school leaders participated in the Liturgy.
All staff, students and attending families then went to Victoria Park, where we were able to socialise and play with students from our other parish school.
On Friday 19th March, our annual Twilight Sports was held at our school. This was a wonderful night, with all families and children socialising and having fun. The weather was perfect and I would sincerely like to thank our wonderful Parents and Friends Committee for catering with souvalaki's, pancakes and drinks. A special thank you to our master chef, Sinisha Pisak for preparing and cooking such delicious kebas. 
I continue to be impressed by the many talents our parents have and their willingness to share them in our school community.
Our Interschool Athletics day will be held at Mason’s Lane Reserve in Bacchus Marsh on Monday. This has traditionally been a fantastic family day, where parents join with their children to support them in their athletic endeavours. Please bring along a picnic rug, camping chairs and snacks and lunch. We hope many parents will be able to come along and catch up with each other, as you enjoy the events throughout the day. Children participate in age groups with schools from around the district.
Have a great week.
Paul McDowell
WHERE DID THOSE YEARS GO?
Kurt & Zoe were in the Moorabool News in 2017 on St. Patrick's Day.
Our 2021 School Captains took a trip down memory lane and posed again for a 2021 St. Patrick's Day photo.
Happy St Patrick's Day
God our Father,
you sent Saint Patrick to preach your glory to the people of Ireland.
By the help of his prayers,
may all Christians proclaim your love to all men.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
Parish Mass Times:
| 1st Sunday | 2nd Sunday | 3rd Sunday | 4th Sunday | 5th Sunday | |
| Saturday 6.30pm | Dunnstown | Springbank | Dunnstown | Clarkes Hill | Springbank |
| Sunday 8.45am | Gordon | Bungaree | Gordon | Gordon | Bungaree |
| Sunday 10.30am | Ballan | Ballan | Ballan | Ballan | Ballan |
We welcome the children who are at Mass this weekend as part of their preparation for Reconciliation. We assure them of our prayers and support on their journey.
Gordon Parish Sacramental Program 2021:
Thursday, March 25 – Reconciliation Ceremony
4pm - St Patrick’s Church, Gordon
EASTER LITURGY AND EASTER RAFFLE
Dear Families,
We invite you along to our school hall to join with us for our school liturgy from 11:45 am to 12:45 pm on Thursday 1st April. This will be followed by an end of term assembly and the drawing of our Easter Raffle. Please remember to bring your raffle tickets back for a chance to win some delicious easter eggs.
Children will break up for Term 1 at 1:15 pm.
EASTER BONNET PARADE 
Children are invited to participate in an Easter Bonnet Parade on Thursday 1st April at 9:15 am. This is a home based activity and there will be prizes for the best decorated bonnet/hat.
Family and friends welcome to join us for the parade in the school hall.
TWILIGHT SPORTS PHOTOS
Moorabool School Sports Day
Next Monday 29th March, our annual school sports day will be held at Mason's Lane Reserve in Bacchus Marsh. We ask that all children and their families are at the Reserve by 9am. A permission slip was sent home yesterday and we would appreciate if this could be returned by Wednesday.
This will be a great day for our parents and families to come along and join in the day. If parents attend the day, your children will be able to leave with you at the end of the day rather than returning to school. Please find attached a timetable of events for the day. We will also need some parent volunteers to assist with some of the activities. Please let us know if you are able to assist in any way.
Attached is the COVID Safe Plan for the day. It will be vital that we adhere to the requirements contained within this plan.
Mother's Day Lunch for our school Mums
Dear Mum's, 
You are invited to celebrate Mother's Day with us by joining us for Lunch at Clyde Park Winery and Bistro on Saturday, 1st May, 2021.
The bus will leave St Patrick's Primary School carpark at 11 am and will return to Gordon at 4pm.
The ticket cost is $90 and this includes champagne on arrival and a two course lunch. Limited numbers, so please reserve your ticket for a wonderful and well deserved day out. Tickets are available at the school office.
For all enquiries or dietary requirements, please phone Bron on 0406 205 308.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
MARCH
This coming Friday, 26th March - Casual Clothes Day – sports theme
Come along this coming Sunday, 28th March - Graze in the Maize, Donegan’s Farm (P and F social gathering). This is a social event for all families. Food and drinks available at Donegan’s Farm Graze in the Maize Bar. For more information visit Donegan’s Farm Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Donegans-Farm-585695984795140/)
Monday 29th March - Athletic Sports for all students and families at Bacchus Marsh.
APRIL
Thursday, April 1st - Easter Bonnet Parade @ 9.00am and Stations of the Cross Liturgy @ 11.45am, followed by end of Term Assembly and drawing of the Easter Raffle.
Thursday, April 1st - School concludes for Term One @1.15 pm
Monday 19th April - Term 2 resumes
- Monday 19th April - Swimming Gym Program - Week 1
- Monday 26th April - Swimming Gym Program - Week 2
- Monday 3rd May - Swimming Gym Program - Week 3
- Monday 10th May - Swimming Gym Program - Week 4
- Monday 17th May - Swimming Gym Program - Week 5
Swimming & Gym Program 2021
Week 1, Day 1, Term 2.
Dear Parents,
All children will be attending swimming & gymnastic classes in Term 2. The program will commence on Monday 19th April (Week 1, Day 1 of Term 2). This program will be running every Monday for 5 consecutive weeks.
We suggest that children wear their bathers under their school uniform. Their uniform for the day will be school tracksuits or sports shorts and polos. We request that children bring a small backpack containing towel, underwear, thongs/sandals and a plastic bag for wet swimwear. It is also highly recommended for your child to have a pair of goggles. All items should be clearly named.
Children will be eating lunch prior to leaving school and we ask that children bring a small bottle of water to have during gym and pieces of fruit for easy eating.
We will be departing from school at approx 11:45 am and returning by approximately 3:15 pm. We will be travelling on a bus provided by Ballarat Coachlines.
Thank you for your support.
Principal and Staff: St Patrick’s School, Gordon.
COMMUNITY NOTICES