School Newletter
News from the Principal
Dear Families,
The Term is now half way completed and the busyness is what makes school so exciting. Over the remaining weeks of Term Three we look forward to Middle and Senior Year's Camp, Book Week, Eucharist celebration this weekend, Father's Day, SEED days for Year Five students, along with Mission Fete and athletics with school cross country.
The past fortnight has been such a busy one for the parents and Friends and school thanks each member for the Trivia night preparation and evening, along with the very successful Bunnings Sausage sizzle last Saturday. The school really appreciates the effort families give of their time, energy and participation at events. Students have forwarded to the P and F how they think school could be improved by the addition of several items in the playground. We look forward to sharing the outcome with you shortly.
Last week the School Advisory Council met and approved the updated uniform information to families to simplify how uniforms are to be worn and what should be worn in the Summer/Spring and then in the Autumn /Winter Terms. School photos this week were a great example of how uniforms are to be worn and we continue to have spare, good quality pre loved uniform items on hand at school if families wish to make use of these. Please see the attached document and if you have any questions please let me know. It will then take effect for the 2025 school year.
This Friday we have our Professional Development Day for staff - student free day, to explore our 2025 Literacy approach. Schools are always looking at the how and why of teaching - often referred to as the Science of Learning and Science of Reading. St. Patrick's has always maintained a strong approach to learning but great schools will always review their practice and introduce new ways of learning if required. We will share our Learning Approached before the end of the school year, but each change is always aligned with best practice and what is currently promoted and supported by Catholic Education Ballarat in an evidence researched model.
Enjoy the weekend and I look forward to the costumes on Monday at our Book Parade for this year's theme - Reading is Magic.
A Hint to my costume -“Blast that Peter Pan. If I could only find his hideout, I'd trap him in his lair.”
Paul McDowell
Principal
Congratulations - Award Winners and August Birthdays
Trivia Night
Please follow the link below for the latest Scholastic Book Club issue. (Issues for this issue are now closed)
https://www.scholastic.com.au/media/10628/bc_5-24_issuu-1.pdf
Bunnings BBQ
Thankyou to each and everyone of you for assisting on the day of our annual Bunnings BBQ fundraiser. It was a beautiful sunny day and was great to see so many people out and about.
Total amount raised was a fantastic $2,060! This is great for our school community.
Thanks again for all of your support, we will inform the community in the coming weeks where that money will go in our school.
Parents & Friends
Out of Hours School Care
We have had a smooth transition to having YMCA at our school.
Staff have been employed to run our program, and have made a wonderful start to the 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
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
Monday, 7th October - Term 4 Commences
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.
