Term 1, Week 5, 2024 School Newsletter
News from the Principal
Dear Families,
It's hard to believe we've passed the halfway mark of Term One with the Easter season almost upon us. We look forward to our Easter Hat Parade and Stations of the Cross on Wednesday, 27th March at 9.00am and 2.45pm respecfully.
We have had another busy two weeks here at St Patrick's. We have had all sorts, with wild weather across our state, our thoughts and prayers are with those affected. With the bushfires now under control, we hope for the beginning of calmer conditions as we begin Autumn.
Since our last catch-up we have had slithery friends visit us, snake catchers out, Twilight Sports, Sacraments, playgroup and a School Advisory Council meeting. The School Advisiory Council have committed to 2 actions that will involve parent feedback:
- A review of our uniform policy to ensure clarity for families, with proposals such as navy socks for all students, long pants for girls as alternative to the winter kilt and House Colour shirts to be added to the unifomr. Once opinions have been sought, we will inform families of the updated policy by Term Three.
- For our upcoming School Porduction I asked if we would alter the timetable to begin school at midday on Thursday, 27th June ensuring all children rehearse at school, travel to Mt. Clear Secondary College togerther by bus and be available for a dress rehearsal at 4.00pm followed by the opening night at 6.30pm. It was agreed to with OurPatch offering supervision between 7.00am - 12.00 noon if required. More details to follow.
Next Monday and Tuesday we will be reshooting our school's Virtual Tour video to replace the one filmed in 2022. School has changed since then and this video will reflect our new direction. The recorders are happy to ahve parent participation so if you would like to share your views on school please see me and we can have you promote school to new families.
I draw families attention to the CHILD SAFETY tab on our school website which has a page titleD WELLBEING. This page has School TV which is a useful resource on many topics around school. Please explore and find how useful it can be to questions we all ask as parents.
It was fantastic to see our community out for Twilight Sports - such a great time of toghetherness for all of us, fun was had by one and all. Congratulations to PATRICK on being our 2024 House Champions.
Parents & Friends
Bakers Delight Hot Cross Bun order forms have gone out to families this week as a fundraiser for Term One. Jenna Toohey will coordinate this, so a big thankyou to one of the new members of our P& F i2024. Please don't forget to fill in the survey of ideas for events and activities so we can have the calendar planned for the year.
I look forward to seeing families across our coming events - Moorabool sports, assembly in Week Seven and our Open Day for new and existing families to showcase what learning looks like at St. Patrick's next Tuesday. Please join me at 9.15am for a chat and then tour school and see what learning looks like at St. Patrick's.
Enrolmensts are now being recieved from families - if you require one for your family please see Julie or Nadia in the office.
Enjoy your weekend.
Paul
Sacrament of Reconciliation
A very proud Mrs J and the entire St Patrick’s community as we enrolled and welcomed into the Sacrament of Reconciliation Ollie, Theo, Michael, Yan, Anika, Mabel and Charlotte.
Twilight Sports
We appreciate all the families that have already completed the below survey. We thank you for your assistance in completing it. If you have not already done so, it would be great to hear from you. It is in regard to Parents and Friends Fundraising and Social events for 2024, it is very helpful in organising events for our school community.
Hot Cross Bun Fundraiser
An order form has gone home this week for families and friends to order Hot Cross Buns from Bakery Hill, Bakers Delight. This fundraiser will be facilitated by Jenna Toohey, we thank her for her time with this. If you didn't receive an order form, or need another one, please reach out to the office and we will send one home.
Order forms can come back to school and handed in to the office no later than Monday, 18th March. Your fresh buns will then be delivered to school on Monday, 25th March.
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
LITURGIES /WEEKLY MASSES | |||||
Day & Time | 1st Sunday | 2nd Sunday | 3rd Sunday | 4th Sunday | 5th Sunday |
Saturday 6pm* or 6.30pm | Dunnstown | Springbank | Dunnstown | Ballan* Clarkes Hill | Springbank |
Sunday 8.45am or 9am* | Gordon* | Bungaree | Gordon* | Gordon* | Bungaree |
Sunday 10.30am | Ballan | Ballan | Ballan | Ballan | |
School Term Dates
Gordon Shop Hot school lunches available every Thursday (unless otherwise advised)
Term One Dates 2024
Tuesday, 5th March - Open Day - 9.00am - 11.00am
Monday, 11th March - Public Holiday - Labour Day
Friday, 15th March - Moorabool Sports Day
Wednesday, 27th March - Easter Hat Parade - 9.15am
Thursday, 28th March - Term 1 concludes @ 1.15pm
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 Wednesday.
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.
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.