Term 2, Week 2, 2023 School Newsletter
News from the Principal
Dear Families,
It's been a great week for activities for oue middle and senior students, yet at the same time challenging due to our flu-like episodes that are affecting many families. I thank families for assisiting the community by keeping students at home and as we head into week three we might be able to be back on track.
Camp was a wonderful experience for all students and staff - where we get to spend time having those more general conversations about anything and everything and finding out a little more about each other. The new connections observed between the students was great to observe.
We head into week three with swiming and gymnastics - both beneficial activities for the physical development of students. We'll keep you updated on the next Olympians emerging from the group!
We will be conducting another open day for parents in the next month with a date circulated next week - it's an opportunity for parents to see how learning occurs during the school day. This will be for new prospective parents but also current families wanintg to see how we work with your child on a daily basis.
As we have assembly today we say farewell to Harry Murphy and family-Naeve, Michael and Maddy. We wish them safe travels and all our best wishes as they begin a new adventure in Ireland.
I hope everyone has a restful weekend and we are back to normal next week with all students happy and healthy.
Paul
Camp Wilkin
Swimming & gymnastics program
All children will be attending swimming and gymnastics next Tuesday 9th May. This program will be running every Tuesday for 5 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 a towel, underwear, thongs/sandals and a plastic bag for wet swimwear.
Children will be eating lunch on return to school and we ask that they bring a small bottle of water to have during gym and a piece of fruit morning tea for easy eating.
We will be departing from school at approximately 11am and returning approximately 2.45pm.
We will be travelling on a bus provided by Ballarat Coachlines.
Thankyou for your support.
Caritas Australia
Project Compassion is Caritas Australia's main annual fundraising campaign. It mobilises Australians to raise much needed funds to help alleviate poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity in the most vulnerable and marginalised communites in the world.
St Patrick's Primary school were able to donate $831.30 to this cause due to the generosity of our wonderful families.
These donations were from Project Compassion and the Easter Egg Raffle.
Thankyou and well done!!!
Mother's Day Stall
On Thursday, 11th May and Friday, May 12th the Parents and Friends will have a Mother's Day Stall for students to purchase a gift for their mum and special women in their life.
All gifts are gift wrapped and priced at $5, $7 and $10 each.
There will be activities in the classroom and a cuppa and a scone in the hall for our Mother's Day Liturgy and assembly. All welcome!
We will have activities from 2.15pm in the classroom and the hall. All mums, grandmothers and special ladies are invitied.
Please RSVP via the survey sent vie e-mail for catering purposes.
Walk safetly to school day
Friday 19th May is "Walk safely to school day". Our local police officer, Luke Nolan will be meeting students and families at the Gordon Police Station at 8.30am to walk to school with you.
PAM - (Parent Access Module) User Guide
Dear Families,
Please find instruction attachment for PAM, this provides parents online access to a range of functions and information specific to their children(s), including attendance records, student assessment area and learning areas. It also allows parents to provide medical details, grant excursion and school activity permissions. Please ensure that you have updated all your child's information on PAM. You will not be able to approve permission slips until medical information is entered and approved in the system.
If you have any questions please ring our office.
School Term Dates
Gordon Shop Hot school lunches available every Thursday (unless otherwise advised)
Term Two Dates
May
Tuesday, 9th May, Foundation-Year Six Swim/Gym Program commences (5 consecutive weeks)
Thursday, 11th May & Friday, 12th May - Mother's Day Stall
Friday, 12th May - Mother's Day stall, activites and liturgy - all welcome
Monday, 15th May - School Closure Day - School Review
Friday, 19th May - Active Kids are Healthy Kids - Walk safely to school day
June
Monday, 12th June - King's Birthday - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Tuesday, 13th June - Parent Teacher conferences
Wednesday, 14th June - Semester Reports available to parents via PAM
Thursday, 15th June - Inquiry Expo Afternoon (2.15pm onwards) to celebrate
our Learning for the term.
Friday, 23rd June - Last Day of term Two. Dismissal of students @ 1.15pm
Gordon Parish Mass
Vigil Mass Saturday 6.30pm - Dunnstown
Sunday 8.45am - Gordon
Sunday 10.30am - Ballan
Pastoral Care
Pastoral care is key to our strong sense of community across the School. There are many threads to the programme – both formal and informal – and all have the intention of addressing the well-being of each student at their individual point of need.
Vivian Lunt is the Pastoral Care Worker at our school. She is a qualified and a very professional and caring Pastoral Care Worker employed at our school every Thursday.
Vivian works with individual children on request, small groups and parents and families as required. All interactions remain strictly confidential.
If any family would like to access this service, either for themselves personally or their child, please contact the school office to arrange an appointment with Vivian.
Music lessons
