School Newsletter - Term 4 Week 4- 2025

News from the Principal

Dear Families,

Konnichiwa, everyone! (That means “hello” in Japanese!)

I am looking forward to being back at school for Week Four, after a refreshing two-week holiday in Japan. What an incredible country — full of history, beauty, and the friendliest people. From the bright lights of Tokyo to the peaceful temples of Kyoto, every moment was a learning experience. I even had the chance to practice a few words of Japanese along the way — arigatou gozaimasu (“thank you very much”) quickly became one of my favourites!

Now that I’m back, I’m feeling re-energised and ready for the busy weeks ahead. Term 4 is always an exciting time — we have our upcoming Mission Day Fete, our end-of-year celebrations, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate student achievements. I’d like to thank our dedicated staff for keeping everything running so smoothly while I was away, and our students for continuing to show such wonderful commitment and kindness.

Prior to my Long Service Leave one last action was to interview candidates for the Business Manager role following Julie's announcement of her impending retirement at year's end. School was pleased to appoint Teresa Fletcher to the position which will commence in November for Teresa to meet families and understand the new business administration suite being adopted by all Catholic schools. I look forward to working with Teresa and families meeting her across the remaining weeks of the school year. Staffing announcements for 2026 will be forthcoming in the coming weeks once all have been finalised. 

I also add information below regarding our Literacy approach for 2026. We have been working on Phase A of FLARE this year and implemented elements across our approach to structured literacy. Explicit instructions are clear, step-by-step directions that fully explain and demonstrate a skill or concept. This structured teaching approach involves the instructor modelling the task, providing guided practice, and giving frequent, targeted feedback until the learner achieves independent mastery. Key components include setting clear objectives, breaking down content into smaller steps, and using "I do, we do, you do" to move from demonstration to independent practice 

As the Japanese say, ganbatte! — “Do your best!” Let’s carry that spirit into the rest of the term as we finish the year strong, together.

Arigatou,

Paul McDowell
Principal

Improving Learning For All Learners at St. Patrick's

St Patrick's is proud to be moving successfully through DOBCEL's Flare Literacy Improvement process. As a school, we have committed to learning all about evidence-based literacy instruction across the course of 2025, with a view to implementing this learning from Foundation to Year 6 in 2026.

Structured Literacy is the approach recommended by national and international experts, including the
International Dyslexia Association. In a Structured Literacy classroom, all the aspects of literacy are taught in a systematic and explicit way that ensures all children can read, write and spell at an appropriate level. DOBCEL's award-winning Flare Structured Literacy methodology is being enacted across the diocese in partnership with La Trobe University, and literacy outcomes are steadily improving.

If you'd like to find out more about Structured Literacy, the following resources may be of interest.

You may also reach out to our Learning leader Miss Lucy or contact Emma Rutherford, the leader of Flare Primary Literacy, erutherford@dobcel.catholic.edu.au with any questions you may have.

Reading Rockets - Structured Literacy, The Basics
International Dyslexia Association - Why Schools Should Use Structured Literacy
Grattan Institute Report - The Reading Guarantee

Our Literacy Approach - Parent Flyer

Paul's Japanese Adventure

Important Dates - Term Four

Start Term Four - Monday, 6th October

Summer Uniform - school hats required for recess and lunch play

No School Hat - No Play

Mission Fete - Friday, 31st October (BBQ lunch stalls from 1.30pm - 3.30pm)

Curriculum Day - Reporting (Pupil Free) - Monday, 3rd November

Melbourne Cup Public Holiday - Tuesday, 4th November

Curriculum Day - Literacy (Pupil Free) - Monday, 10th November

2026 Foundation Orientation Days: Monday, 17th and Monday, 24th November

and Monday, 1st December

2026 Orientation Day: new classes for all students - Monday, 1st December

End of Year School Mass and Christmas Carols - Wednesday, 10th December @ 5.30pm

Adventure Park - Thursday, 11th December - Grades 5/6

Afternoon Tea - Friday, 12th December - Celebrating Julie

Graduation Dinner - Wednesday, 3rd December - Grade 6

School Christmas Dinner - Monday, 8th December TBC

Tour de Gordon - Bike Ride - Monday, 15th December. Gordon Football Oval - F - 6

Student's Last Day for 2026 - Wednesday, 17th December. School conclude at 1.15pm

Staff Last Day - Thursday, 18th December

- COLOURING COMPETITION ARTWORK ALREADY WENT HOME WITH STUDENTS -

Like many communities in our region, Daylesford is considered one of the highest bushfire risk communities in Victoria - surrounded by heavily forested areas that have experienced severe rainfall deficiencies in recent times, leaving fuels and vegetation extremely dry and highly combustible. In these conditions, fires can be exceptionally difficult to contain and can spread with alarming speed. In December 2024, a fire in the Grampians expanded from approximately 500 hectares to more than 5,000 hectares in just a single day – despite this, like so many people in rural and regional Australia, residents still believe the “get prepared” and “have a plan” message is NOT intended for them and consequently don’t have a plan.

On Saturday, 25 October 2025 (from 10am to 2pm) I’m coordinating an Emergency Services Expo at Victoria Park Recreation Reserve in Daylesford. It will bring together all major emergency agencies — CFA, SES, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Agriculture Victoria, DEECA, Life Saving Victoria’s rescue helicopter, the Royal Flying Doctor Service flight simulator, NBN, Telstra, VicEmergency and more — to help raise the awareness of what is shaping up to be a very challenging bushfire season.

 As part of the Expo, please find attached a colouring-in competition that we’re running. Entry is open to all ages, one entry per person. The winning entry will be randomly drawn, and the winner will receive a Xtreme Bounce 10 x Multi Pass, valued at $180! Xtreme Bounce is Ballarat’s family-friendly centre with a variety of trampoline-based fun, fitness, sports, training and entertainment attractions for people of all ages.

The Expo is significantly larger than last year, featuring more than twenty exhibitors having a range of equipment on display – from the Westpac Life Saver Helicopter, CFA presenting more than 16 appliances including hourly live fire demonstration, and a range of Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and SES vehicles. A DEECA Unimog and a G-Wagon will be part of a display that also features our largest earth moving equipment that we use to create fire breaks (excavator, dozer and a grader). We’ve got a number of exhibitors that relate to animals this year - the Search and Rescue K9 dogs will be doing multiple demos, Agriculture Victoria is trucking in their mobile command centre and Hepburn Shire Local Laws will have lots of information about looking after your pets in an emergency.

There’s also plenty of free family fun, including 3BA outside broadcast, free show bags for all attendees, free BBQ lunch, coffee, donuts, and ice cream, plus face painting and giant games. Don’t forget to enter our Lucky Door Prize Draw at the welcome desk for your chance to win one of five Creswick Woollen Mills Fire Blankets, each valued at $149.

Everybody is welcome.

Regards

Jai Edwards, Community Recovery Officer, Hepburn Shire Council

Wellbeing @ St. Patrick's

Miss Jacinta is on staff every Tuesday to support students and families with a range of issues around wellbeing and offering support and strategies. Peaceful Kids is a program around relationship and friendship which is currently running. If  you wish to speak with Jacinta you may contact her through the office each Tuesday or by emailing Paul and he will pass on your details for a call from Jacinta.

A reminder that  School TV on our school website  is a wellbeing resource that can support you in the challenges relating to modern-day parenting:  https://spgordon.catholic.schooltv.me/

This award-winning resource helps build relationships, foster connections, enable understanding and break down barriers to navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. It can assist in starting conversations on topics that are sometimes awkward or difficult to tackle.

Out of Hours School Care 

We have wonderful staff in Lisa, Chloe and  Jess ably  supported by Emily and staff  from YMCA at our school. Students are treated with respect and are engaged in fun and varied activities Before and After School.

The strength of the program relies on families using the service so I encourage families to sign up and continue to use.

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. 

St John Defibrillators – Ready to help you save lives

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is one of the leading causes of death in Australia.

Defibrillators have the power to change this, with the potential to save thousands of lives if they are located within 1-2 minutes of where people work, live and spend their leisure time.

Having a defibrillator means you can step in with the tools to save a life before paramedics arrive – every minute counts. Research shows survival rates of up to 70% can be achieved if an AED is on hand.

We have a defibrillator located in the front foyer of St Patrick's Primary School - this is a lifesaving tool for our community.

Health Update For All Families: Winter Ashtma Plans

Dear Parents,

As part of our commitment to ensuring the ongoing safety and well-being at all students at St. Patrick’s, we are reaching out to inquire about any  asthma or allergy plans that may be in place for your child as we enter Winter that school is not aware of. We start to see children being prescribed for Winter asthma or a puffer just in case.

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.

Due to policy updates we will no longer be able to store or administer medications such as Panadol, Nurofen, pharmacy only medications (including zyrtec & claratyne) or other non-prescribed medications at school. 

As a result of this policy; medications will only be allowed on school property with a document signed by your doctor. This could include an action plan, letter or treatment plan. 

We thank you in advance for your support keeping all of our children safe.

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

Playgroup

Join Us for Playgroup!

Playgroup is a fun, welcoming time for children, parents, families, and the wider community to come together for play, connection, and social time. It’s a great chance for children to explore and build friendships, while adults enjoy a warm drink and friendly conversation.

Playgroup runs every Monday from 9:00am to 10:30am in the school hall. The space is cozy and inviting—heaters keep it warm and comfortable, and tea and coffee are available to help everyone feel right at home.

Each session finishes with a special story time led by our Foundation teacher and students—a calm and engaging way to end the morning and encourage a love of books.

All families are welcome, whether you’re new to our school or a familiar face. Come along and be part of this relaxed and friendly group—we’d love to see you there!

If you have any questions or would like to know more, feel free to contact the school office on 5368 9495.

School Term Dates

Gordon Parish Mass

Parish Bulletin - 19th October

Music lessons

We are now taking bookings for 2026 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.