School Newsletter - Week 7 Term 4
News from the Principal
Dear Families,
The term has moved so quickly and as we approach the close of another busy and productive school term, we want to take a moment to reflect on the hard work, achievements, and growth that have defined this term. It’s been a term full of excitement, new challenges, and countless moments of learning—both inside and outside the classroom.
We have had a successful Orientation this week with our newest Foundation students and next Monday we will welcome them all back again. The joy they bring only continues to add to the culture of St. Patrick's.
At this time I would like to share our proposed class structure. 2025 will see us with the learning communities titled:
- Foundation / Year One
- Year Two
- Year Three / Four
- Year Five / Six
Learning for each student at St. Patrick's is always individual. We prioritise the ability for all to flourish and progress across a twelve month period. St. Patrick's tracks children's learning in several ways to monitor progress, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that educational standards are met. These methods typically include a combination of formal and informal assessments, teacher observations, and data-driven tools.
The way we assist students learn will be shared by class teachers in 2025 but incorporates all the features of the best approaches to learning in the key areas of literacy and numeracy. It adds to what we value at St. Patrick's, namely our collaborative learning across F-6 on a weekly basis, discovery play for junior classes and our well being program as a sample of what we feel adds to the learning of all students.
We have continued to grow as a student body and as I enter my fifth wonderful year as principal we will have grown form 43 students to at present 73 enrolments for 2025. This will likely increase before January and across the new year. At present we will have a cohort in the 80s in 2026.
The highlights of graduation, end of year school excursions and our Mass and awards recognition followed by Christmas carols on Wednesday, 11th December commencing at 5.30pm (NEW time not 5.45pm) are the things we look forward to to end the school year.
Enjoy your weekend and the warm weather.
Paul McDowell
Principal
Jump Rope for Heart
Well done to everyone for their participation in Jump Rope for Heart, that took place on Thursday, 21st November.
Our school raised a magnificent total of $3,139.
This donation will go towards helping powerful new research to help end heart disease.
SCHOOL FEES
Dear Families,
As we enter Term Four, we kindly remind all parents and guardians to ensure that school fee payments are up to date.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us at the school office.
Thank you for your co-operation and support.
REMINDER - Late Arrivals/Early Departures
All parents/caregivers who are dropping off late or collecting students early please report to the school office.
It is a legal requirement that all schools keep up to date records of students throughout the school day.
Please also remind your student to see the front office if arriving late.
Thunderstorm Asthma - be prepared this pollen season
What is Thunderstorm Asthma?
Thunderstorm asthma is a serious and potentially life-threatening phenomenon that can occur during specific weather conditions. It is common throughout all parts of Victoria, particularly during spring when thunderstorms coincide with high levels of pollen in the air.
This combination can trigger severe asthmas symptoms, even in people who have not previously experienced asthma or allergies.
Epidemic thunderstorm asthma events are uncommon and don't occur every year. In south-east Australia they can happen during grass pollen season from October through December.
What Causes Thunderstorm Asthma?
During a thunderstorm, pollen grains can be swept up into the clouds, where they break into smaller particles due to moisture. These tiny particles then get blown down by the winds and spread across a wide area. Because they are so small, they can be easily inhaled, reaching deep into the lungs and triggering asthma symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
Preparing for Thunderstorm Asthma
- Stay Informed: Keep track of pollen forecasts and thunderstorm warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology and the Vic Emergency app.
- Check the epidemic thunderstorm asthma risk forecast: Epidemic thunderstorm asthma risk forecasts in Victoria are available from 1st October to 31st December (the typical grass pollen season)
- Download the Vic Emergency app from Google Play or the App Store and set up a 'watch zone' form your school location to make sure you are notified of the risk of an epidemic thunderstorm asthma event occurring. You can also visit the Vic Emergency thunderstorm asthma webpage for updates and information.
- Have Asthma Action Plans: Ensure that students with known asthma have an up-to-date asthma action plan and make sure staff are trained in asthma first aid.
- Indoor Safety: On high-risk days, consider holding activities indoors to minimise exposure to allergenic particles.
Schools should have staff trained in asthma first aid, and DOBCEL will monitor the Vic Emergency app to receive thunderstorm warnings and notify schools, and when appropriate, students should be kept indoors when weather forecasts identify greater risk.
By raising awareness and being prepared, schools can protect their students and staff from the risks associated with thunderstorm asthma, ensuring a safer environment for everyone.
Find out more
Further information regarding thunderstorm asthma can be found at:
https://asthma.org.au/triggers/thunderstorm-asthma/
and
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/environmental-health/epidemic-thunderstorm-asthma-risk-forecast
OHS Update
Concussion
Children often bump or bang their heads, and it can be difficult to tell whether an injury is serious or not.
Any knock to the head is considered a head injury.
When a student suffers a concussion at school it is deemed a Worksafe notifiable incident.
It is important for schools to be made aware of a concussion that has occurred outside of the school setting (on weekends or during extracurricular activities) to ensure that on return to school the student is monitored for ongoing symptoms.
Concussion - Important information
If your child has experienced concussion, it is important that you follow recommended medical advice. Returning to school can be a graduated approach with the aim of increasing tolerance to a full day, the same situation could occur with sport. It is always important to check with your doctor and seek medical treatment after a child sustains a concussion.
It is important to inform the school if your child has sustained a concussion outside of the school setting so we can monitor for ongoing symptoms and adapt activities if required.
This factsheet link below from the Royal Children's Hospital is valuable to read and understand.
https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Head_injury_return_to_school_and_sport/
There is also a great evidence-based app from the Murdoch Children's Research Institute that walks you through what to do in the result of a concussion.
https://www.headcheck.com.au/
Out of Hours School Care
We have had a smooth transition across the term 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 look forward to continue with The Y in 2025.
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 Four Dates 2024
Thursday, 28th November - 2025 Foundation Interviews
Tuesday, 3rd December - Bike ride/walk to Gordon Football Oval - Foundation - Year 5
Tuesday, 3rd December - Year 6 Secondary Transition Day
Wednesday, 4th December - Stay back - junior students
Thursday, 5th December - Graduation Dinner - Year 6 Families
Wednesday, 11th December - Whole School Mass & Christmas Carols - 5.45pm
Friday, 13th December - Whole School Christmas Lunch - hosted by school families
Wednesday, 18th December - Last day of Term 4 - concludes at 1.15pm
Term One Dates 2025
Wednesday, 29th January - Students commence
Wednesday, 5th February - Foundation rest day #1
Wednesday, 12th February - School Closure Day - Literacy Professional Development
Friday, 28th February - St Patrick's House Twilight Sports - School Oval - 5.30pm - 7.00pm
Monday, 10th March - Public Holiday - Labour Day
Sunday, 16th March - Ballan Autumn Festival
Wednesday, 19th March - Moorabool Sports - Mason Lane Bacchus Marsh - Whole School
Friday, 4th April - Easter Hat Parade 9.15am
Friday, 4th April - Term 1 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.
