Term 1, Week 3, 2024 School Newsletter

News from the Principal

Dear Families,

Welcome to the end of Week Three and the weather is being our friend  which is always a great Autumn feel. We thank all families who have participated in our Parent Information Evening this week along with those who caught up with staff to keep updated about learning in each Year Level. We as a staff appreciate your support.

I am very pleased to see that our students are consistently in the correct uniform as per our school policy. We will continue to assist families to have the uniform correctly worn with many spare uniforms available at school for free so please visit the office to look through our supplies.  Shoes, socks and correct pants and  shorts are the main areas requiring assistance. Leggings for girls are not part of the uniform and need to be replaced by items such as shorts, skorts or summer dresses in Term One. Regular  communication via Class Dojo or a student diary is always appreciated.

On Tuesday, 27th Febraury the school Advisory Council (SAC) will meet for their first meeting of 2024. If you have any items you wish the SAC to discuss and provide direction, please see or email me or any of the members: Matt Best and Jody Moran (co-chairs) Sharon Waters, Susannah Berens, Marcus Ruthen, Michelle Eastwood, Rosie Nicholson and Janine Donohoe. We will give families a report following our meeting.

At present we have begun accepting 2025 enrolments and encourage families intending to enrol please take an enrolemnt pack from the office. I'm happy to chat about 2025 with you as we look towards expanding our classes with an increased enrolment. To aid in our promotion, a new Virtual Tour is being filmed across Monday-Tuesday, 4th and 5th March to replace our exisiting tour.

I look forward to seeing any parents for a cuppa and chat next Monday morning or afternoon to chat about ideas for our future Parents and Friends. Term One fundraising through Hot Cross Buns will be out shortly - just waiting on Bakers Delight to deliver forms.

I look forward to seeing families across our coming events - School House sports, Moorabool sports, assemblies and our Open Day for new and existing families to showcase what learning looks like at St. Patrick's.

Enjoy your weekend.

Paul

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday is the last day before the fasting of Lent.  So as the last opportunity for indulgence before lent - we at pancakes!!

A big thankyou to Louise, Jenna, Michelle and Jacquie - our wonderful volunteers. The pancakes were delicious!!

On Wednesday, 14th February we celebrated Ash Wednesday as a community with Mass at St Patrick's Church in Gordon.  Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting.  It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and  marks the first day of Lent, the six weeks of penitence before Easter. 

Premier's Award for Victorian Senior of the Year 2021

On Tuesday, 6th February, Ned Tudor was invited to a Civic reception at Ballarat Civic Hall.  This was to witness his Aunty Anne Tudor's recognition for being awarded an OAM and then  Victorian Senior of the Year. 

These awards have been recognised at Government house in Melbourne and witnessed by her siblings and partners,  a huge privilege to attend and tour Government House. It had not been recognised by local Council until now due to Covid and other commitments.  Anne chose to invite a nephew, niece and two grand-nephews and a grand-niece to this occasion to enable them to witness the special occasion. It was a great opportunity for the children to hear caring stories and commitments to  particular causes, particularly Anne’s of course, research into Dementia.  It was a great experience for Ned and his cousins to attend.   

Here we can see Ned with Mayor Des Hudson and Anne Tudor OAM, along with his cousins Freddie Tudor and Davy Mackay.

We are keeping Vivian in our thoughts and prayers for the loss of her beloved father-in-law, Ian Dickson. We offer our condonlences and wish you peace and comfort at this sad time. 

Bless those who mourn, eternal God, with the comfort of your love that they may face each new day with hope and the certainty that nothing can destroy the good that has been given.  May their memories become joyful, their days enriched with friendship and their lives encircled by your love. 

Sadly, the number of children in out of home care are increasing while the number of foster carers are decreasing. This often results in very young children residing in residential care, or moving regularly from home to home.

If you or anyone you know may be interested in this worthwhile cause please reach out to CAFS. 

After a successful grant application  by our dedicated Parents and Friends we have now purchased and installed a defibrillator for our school and the wider community.  It is in the foyer of the building and can currently be accessed from 6.00am - 6.00pm Monday to Friday as we work towards allowing 24 hour access to the whole community and families. 

An absolute lifesaving gift which we hope to never use. 

Information regarding the Sacramental program for St Patrick's Parish for 2024.

The Sacramental program is for students in Year 4 and above.  If families are interested in the preparation for Baptism for all children of school age (7 years and up), please see the section on how you may begin this process.

Enrolment forms are available from the office if you require one for your family.

Dear Parents

As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being at all students at St.
Patrick’s, we are reaching out to inquire about any unnotified asthma or allergy plans that may be in
place for your child.

Your child’s health and safety are our top priorities and your cooperation in providing this information is greatly appreciated.

If your child has been diagnosed with asthma or allergies (also seasonal), we kindly request that you
inform us of any existing plans or protocols that should be followed while they are at school. This
information will help us better understand your child’s needs and enable us to respond
appropriately in case of health related situations.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and please do not hesitate to contact us with any
questions or concerns.

Playgroup

Playgroup is a fun and relaxed opportunity for children, parents, families and communities to come together for  play and social interaction.

It is an inviting and relaxing atmosphere and all families are welcome to join in, it is held from 9am until 10.30am every Monday in the school hall. Heaters are turned on, it will be warm and toasty, tea and coffee making facilities available and story time with our foundation teacher and students. 

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call the office on 5368 9495.

Gordon Parish Mass

School Term Dates

Gordon Football Club

Music lessons

We are now taking bookings for 2024 music lessons.  If you would like any information please contact Tim on 0450 904 464 and he can discuss with you.