Term 1, Week 5 School Newsletter.

Congratulations to Annie, Henry, and Ned on receiving Student Achievement Awards and congratulations to Millicent and Lily who both recently celebrated their birthday.

We are very excited to announce that the Parents and Friends have scheduled an Autumn Ball. 

• • Venue: Donegan's Farm.
  • Date: Saturday, 26th March.
  • Dress: Semi Formal.
  • Time: 6:00 pm - late.
• Door prizes and raffles on the night.
  
• Further details later this week.

Term One Dates

Thursday 24th February - school lunch orders are available from the Gordon Shop.  Please order and pay on Wednesday and lunches will be delivered to the school on Thursday.

Tuesday 22nd February - Parent Information evening for  - 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm.

Wednesday 23rd February - Reconcilation meeting for parents of children participating in the Reconciliation Program at St. Brigid’s Ballan at 7 pm.

Wednesday 23rd  February - Foundation student rest day.

Thursday 24th February - Lunch orders are available from the Gordon Shop

Monday, 28^th February -School Closure Day – Scaffolding Literacy PD for staff

Monday 28th February - NO PLAYGROUP DUE TO SCHOOL CLOSURE

March Dates

Tuesday, 1^st  March-Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day @ St. Patrick’s)

Wednesday 2nd March - Foundation student rest day.

Wednesday, 2^nd March -  Ash Wednesday Mass at St Patrick's Church, Gordon at 9:15 am. 

Thursday 3rd March - Lunch orders are available from the Gordon Shop

Friday, 4th March - School Assembly and Liturgy

Thursday 10th March - Lunch orders are available from the Gordon Shop

Friday, 11^{th  March -}  Twilight House Sports (5.30 pm-7.00 pm)

Monday 14^th  March - Labour Day Public Holiday

Thursday, 17^{th March -} St. Patrick’s Day celebrations

Monday, 21^{st March -}  Moorabool Sports Day (Masons Lane Bacchus Marsh – whole school)

April Dates

Thursday, 7^{th April -} Easter Paraliturgy @ 2.15pm followed by Easter Hat parade

Thursday 7th April - Term One concludes at 3.30pm

Friday, 8^th April -School Closure Day – Christian Meditation PD for staff

PARISH OF GORDON RECONCILIATION PROGRAM

For all parents of children participating in the Reconciliation Program, a compulsory meeting will be held on Wednesday 23rd February, 2022 at St. Brigid’s Ballan at 7 pm.

Parents only are required to attend this meeting to register on the night for enrolment for the start of the sacramental program. A copy of Baptismal certificate will also be needed. The sacramental team will speak about the program.

There will be another meeting in May to discuss the Confirmation and Eucharist program. Dates for Ceremonies will be confirmed later.

The children will be required to attend one of these weekend masses:

Sunday 27st February     8.45 am Gordon 

Sunday 27th February     10.30am Ballan

They will be presented to the parish and receive their purple stoles and information packs. 

A four week program will be required to be completed at home with the celebration for the Sacrament of Reconciliation on:

Tuesday, 22nd March 4pm St. Brigid’s Church, Ballan

Wednesday, 23rd March 4pm   St. Patrick’s Church, Gordon 

Enrolment forms will be available from the Parish Primary Schools and will be needed for the meeting. Any queries please ring Therese Winter 0417518187.

Year 3/4 Camp

Dear Families of Year 3 and Year 4 students,

We are pleased to advise that children from the above class will attend Camp Wilkin in Anglesea for a one night camp from 26 May 2022 to 27 May 2022.

Year 5/6 Camp

Dear Families of Year 5 and Year 6 students,

Your children will attend a two night camp at Campaspe Downs on the 2nd - 4th May, 2022.

2022 SWIMMING AND GYM PROGRAM

Our five week Swimming/Gymnastics Program will take place for all students from Monday 9th May to Monday 6th June.

Children will be transported to and from the Ballarat Aquatic Centre via bus coach company.

Dear Families and Friends,

Please join with our wonderful playgroup on each Monday of term from 9:15 am to 10:45 am. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT NEXT MONDAY, 28th February, IS A PUPIL FREE DAY, SO PLAYGROUP WILL NOT TAKE PLACE.

All community families and friends welcome.

Enrolments and School Tours for 2023 now open.

Enrolments for 2023 are now open at St Patrick's Gordon for all year levels.

We encourage all prospective families to contact our school and we will organise a personal tour with Paul McDowell.

Personal school tours are the first step in the enrolment process. Enrolments are also open for children of existing families who start Prep in 2023.

For more information, please contact the school office on 5368 9495 or Mr. Paul McDowell via email : principal@spgordon.catholic.edu.au

Starting School is a big change for children.
Not only do they have to cope with schoolwork and teachers, but they also have to get
used to being part of a class and a whole school. A lot more is expected of children when
they start school and there are lots more people to get on with. It helps children to know
that there are people at school who will look after them and care for them.

Belonging improves mental health and wellbeing and learning.
All children need to feel that their world is a safe place where people will care about
them, where their needs for support, respect and friendship will be met, and where they
will be able to get help to work out any problems. When these needs are met children
develop a sense of belonging.
A sense of belonging has been found to help protect children against mental health
problems and improve their learning. Children who feel that they belong are happier,
more relaxed and have fewer behavioural problems than others. They are also more
motivated and more successful learners.
Being connected is about knowing you can seek support when you need it, that you will
be listened to, and that you can work together with staff to help your child learn and
develop. Support may come from talking with staff or from making connections with
other families. Sometimes you might be feeling that things are going well, but just want
to have a general chat about your child.
Being connected helps keep parents and carers informed. Parents and carers are better
able to support their children’s early learning experiences when they are informed
about what their children are learning and doing at their school.

Making friends and having positive relationships with teacher’s helps children develop a
sense of belonging at school. Having older ‘buddies’ to turn to helps younger children feel
that school is a place where they can get help if they need it. Looking after younger
children encourages caring and helping in older children and helps to reduce conflicts and
bullying. These are some of the ways that children’s sense of belonging at school can be
supported at St Patrick’s we are committed to building a strong positive relationship with all students and families. This includes things like:

- making the school environment welcoming for all students and families encouraging teachers to get to know all their students and their families.
- identifying ways of improving communication with families focussing on child and family strengths making sure that school policies on safety, welfare and discipline are clearly communicated and support a sense of belonging for children and families.

What parents and carers can do
Parents and carers can work with school staff to help create a bridge between home and school. When the adults responsible for children take a positive interest in what happens at school it helps children feel at home. It also makes it easier to pick up any problems early when they are easiest to resolve.
Find out about the school and what your child is learning; participate in information sessions.
Make time to listen to your child tell you about what he or she is doing at school.
Let your child’s teacher know if he/she is having difficulties and discuss what kinds of things you can do at home and school to help.

Schools can be scary places, and not just for children
Parents and carers also need to feel welcome and at ease to get the most out of being
involved with their children’s school. When parents and carers are involved and connected with school, children are better learners and have better mental health and wellbeing. This is an important emphasis in schools nowadays that may be very different from what parents or carers remember.                                                     

Connecting at school
Being connected at school is not about having mobile phones and computers. It’s about knowing you can get support, that you will be listened to, and that you can work together with school staff to help your child learn and develop. Working together to care for children is the best way for schools and parents/carers to support children’s mental health.