Term 3, Week 1, 2024 School Newsletter
News from the Principal
Dear Families,
We've had a great first week - stories to share of our semester break, renewing friendships and of course our celebration with our Foundation students recognising their milestone of 100 days at school. The joy they bring is infectious.
I also thank families for their attendance at Learning Conversations this week - the connection to home is important to ensure students see that we work as a team on every student's Learning journey.
Our school building refurbishments are moving along with plastering almost completed after the remodelling. We might even see the new wooden doors installed this coming week which will allow a viewing window for students to see the remainder of the works being completed. At the completion the boys will have 4 new toilets, up from 2 and the girls will have 4 new toilets. We have also added a new ambulant toilet/shower space for any student requiring this facility. We are hopeful of a completion near the end of Week Five. A big thanks to BJ Eastwood (INC) and contractors for assisting with our upgrade.
Over the term we have some great events - Trivia Evening, Sausage Sizzle @ Bunnings, Book Week, School Camp, Book Week and tenpin bowling courtesy of Sporting Schools Australia. We hope families can be part of all or some of these events.
Enjoy your weekend - keep warm and stay safe if driving in these wintry conditions.
Paul McDowell
Principal
100 Days of School!!
Congratulations to our Foundation students for reaching the milestone of 100 days of school!
Everyone looked amazing dressed up and had a wonderful day celebrating!
Please follow the link below for the latest Scholastic Book Club issue. A hard copy has gone home with students today.
https://www.scholastic.com.au/media/10628/bc_5-24_issuu-1.pdf
Bunnings BBQ
On Saturday, 10th August the Parents & Friends will be holding our annual Sausage Sizzle fundraiser at Bunnings.
This is a major fundraiser for our school and is a big day, so we need as many helpers as possible throughout the day.
Please call Julie or Nadia in the office, or pop into school and write your name down on our roster, we thank you for your ongoing support of us and our fantastic school.
Parents & Friends
Out of Hours School Care - COMMENCING WEEK THREE
Commencing Week Three we will be having The Y (Ballarat) YMCA coordinate our program for the initial period of 6 months with likely extension into a 2 year agreement.
Staff are currently being employed to run our program, incorporating current staff, and we look forward to a wonderful new program supporting our families.
The strength of the program relies on families using the service so I encourage families to sign up - we will forward more details shortly.
Children must be enrolled to attend the program - whether ongoing or casual
TO ENROL PLEASE USE THE ATTACHED LINK:
https://prodadmin.myxplor.com/enrollment_v2/centre/4MxeRH0TsTorIGPLx24356Sh0A
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.
Health Update For All Families
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 Three Dates 2024
Friday, 19th July - Assembly
Friday, 26th July - Libby's Farewell Afternoon Tea
Saturday, 3rd August - Trivia Night
Saturday, 10th August - Bunnings BBQ Fundraiser
Wednesday, 14th August - School Photos
Monday, 19th August - Book Week Dress Up Day
Friday, 23rd August - School Closure Day
Monday, 26th August - Wednesday, 28th August - Years 3-6 Camp
Thursday, 12th September - Sovereign District Athletics
Friday, 20th September - Last Day Term 3 - concludes at 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.
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.
We acknowledge that St Patrick's Primary School is on Wadawurrung Country.
We would like to acknowledge and extend our appreciation for the Wadawurrung People, the Traditional Owners of the land that we are standing on today.
Today, we pay our respects to leaders and Elders past, present and future for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and the hopes of all Wadawurrung Peoples.
We express our gratitude in the sharing of this land, our sorrow for the personal, spiritual and cultural costs of that sharing and our hope that we may walk forward together in harmony and in the spirit of healing.
