Newsletter 18/11/2024: Term 4, Week 7

Week 7 Prayer

From the Principal

Greetings everyone and welcome to a new week.

Bunnings BBQ: On Feb 15th, 2025 our P&F will be conducting a Bunnings BBQ which has always been a fantastic fundraiser- this will take place at the Warrnambool Bunnings. We will be looking for volunteers to assist on this day. 

On Site Dental Van: In Term 1 of 2025 we have engaged a Dental Van to be onsite to conduct dental inspections for families who wish to utilise it. There will be more information at the start of next year but we just wanted to inform parents of this upcoming service.

2025 Class Structure: In 2025 we will be operating 11 classes with the following structure, classroom teachers will be assigned to these classes in the next few weeks. 

• 2 Foundation Classes
• 1 Gr One class
• 2 Gr Two Classes
• 3 Grade 3/4 classes
• 3 Grade 5/6 classes

2025 Class Preferences: Class Placement refers to the placement by staff of each child into an appropriate classroom for 2025 based on learning levels and needs, social development, and classroom size.
The guidelines staff use for student placement at St Patrick’s include academic levels, individual social/emotional/behavioural needs and peer relationships. Other practical factors to impact on the placement will include teacher recommendations, class size, groupings available, and a range of abilities in each class group. 

Families are able to contribute to this process by informing the school of any specific requests or thoughts regarding class placement for your child/children. These requests are to be emailed to principal@spcamperdown.catholic.edu.au no later than Monday November 18th. Any considerations provided after this date will not be taken into consideration. 

In all these processes, professional, respectful co-operation and student welfare will be upmost in all our minds; we thank you in anticipation of your considered support. 

Enjoy the week ahead, Ben.

2025 School Closure Days

In 2025 we have committed to the following Closure Days which will mean that students are not required to attend school on these days.

• February 11th (Structured Literacy)
• April 22nd (ReLATE)
• April 23rd (Positive Behaviour)
• April 24th (School Review)
• June 6th (School Review)
• July 4th (ReLATE)
• September 19th (Structured Literacy)

The first week of term two contains two public holidays - Easter Monday and ANZAC Day (Friday). With the support of our governing body, DOBCEL, Tuesday 22nd April, Wednesday 23rd April and Thursday 24th April will be student free days. St. Patrick’s staff will be participating in collaborative professional learning days with St. Colman's Mortlake, St Mary’s Ararat and St Thomas’ Terang. The focus for these professional learning days will include Structured Literacy and Strengthening our Universal practices in School Wide Positive Behaviours, the third day will be spent preparing for our School Improvement Review which will take place in 3rd term.

This creates a three week break, inclusive of Easter, for our students at the end of Term 1.

I understand that this extended time off can require careful planning for families. I am hopeful that by providing you with advanced notice, you will have ample time to make any necessary arrangements, whether it be coordinating childcare, planning family activities, or simply enjoying some time together.

I appreciate your understanding and support as we work to ensure the best possible educational environment for our students. As always, please get in touch if you would like to chat about this further.

Parent Feedback - We want your Thoughts!

We are asking for parent feedback on the following items  no later than Tuesday Nov 19th.  

Naming of the New Building: As has been tradition in the past, areas of our building have been named and as such, we are open to naming the new building which the Gr 5/6 children will move into shortly. If you have any thoughts regarding this, please feel free to email Ben on principal@spcamperdown.catholic.edu.au

Graduation Celebrations: In previous years, the Graduation ceremony has seen siblings requested not to attend. We are looking at this requirement and asking families for feedback regarding this. If you have an opinion, then please feel free to email Ben on principal@spcamperdown.catholic.edu.au

Student Leadership Positions: For some time now, staff have been discussing the composition of the Student Leadership groups. In the past, positions have been based on gender rather than the best 2 or the best 4. The specific question we are asking is should the positions be based on gender or simply numbers?

Again, we are interested in parent opinions, feedback can be provided to principal@spcamperdown.catholic.edu.au

Bank Deposit

We have had an amount put in our Bank Account on the 14th November with no details attached to it.

If you think that the direct debit could be yours, could you please contact the office.

Junior Swimming Program

Our Foundation to Grade 2 swimming starts this week.

The program runs for 5 days - Wednesday & Thursday this week and Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday next week.

Please find below a timetable. 

Parents & Friends AGM

Last Tuesday night the P&F AGM for 2024 was held by president Belinda Doolan chairing with Principal Ben van de Camp attending along with members Anna, Jo, Ruth, Bronagh, Mel, Laura. Apologies were Claire, Rochelle, Sarah and Tim. 
Tim Bourke sent a message wishing everyone well for the remainder of the year and congratulated the committee for a record breaking fundraising year. We thank him for his support in 2024 and all of his work that went into our events making them a success not only for contributions towards the new build, but for bringing our St Patrick’s community together socially and always with a smile or a strum of his guitar! His music skills will be missed at next years annual trivia night!

Positions on the committee were all opened up for re election and the following roles have been filled for 2025 

• President : Belinda Doolan 
• Vice President : Ruth Barber  
• Secretary : Anna Bourke 
• We no longer hold a treasurer role as this is managed by the school office staff, thank you Deb and Leah for your ongoing support each year. 

This year we sadly say goodbye to Bronagh Bonner as her girls journey at St Patrick’s comes to an end, but her many years of service, organisation and generosity hasn't gone unnoticed. Thank you Bronagh and the Bonner Transport family business for your long support of this group and our school overall. 

School Advisory Council AGM

This Tuesday our SAC will conduct its AGM. There are no vacant places on the SAC this year so all members will remain on the SAC. Tomorrow night we will elect Office Bearers.

Grace Brown Visit

We are lucky enough to have Olympic gold medalist Grace Brown visiting St Patrick's this Friday the 22nd of November. Grace will be here for our school assembly at 2.15pm.

We invite all families to join us!

Nativity Scenes Visit

MAKING A SCENE AT CHRISTMAS is a display of over 100 Christmas Nativities from more than 40 countries.

The nativity scenes will be at our school on display from November 20th - 22nd.

Members of the public are welcome to come and browse the collection on Thursday the 21st of November from 3.30pm until 5.00pm. Entry will be by a gold coin donation.

Children can see and smell real frankincense and myrrh.

• See coins minted around the time the census was called that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem.
• See cultural nativities from Australia, Africa, Asia, North & South America, & Europe
• Nativities that prize social justice and the environment

Container Deposit Scheme

This is a friendly reminder that you can donate your money from the cans and bottles you deposit to our school.

How to claim your refund at a CDS VIC Return Point:

Charity Donation
You can donate some of your 10c refund directly to St Patrick’s School.
You can donate via:
1-the CDS Vic West app
– select your preferred “Charity” as your active payout
– scan your app barcode at the machine
– insert your 10c drink containers and select “Transfer” directly on the screen of the machine when finished. 100% of the donated refund will be transferred to the donation partner you selected within the next 5 to 12 days.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

The Week Ahead

Wellbeing

Parish Bulletin

CATHOLIC SCHOOL CULTURE

LEADERSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

Known Dates

Below is a list of known dates at this stage for the rest of this year.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

TheirCare

Theircare has now commenced at St Patrick's School and it's not too late to enrol.

We are excited to announce that we have now partnered with an independent Outside of School Hours Care (OSHC) provider called TheirCare.

TheirCare provides a stimulating and safe environment for all children. During sessions, children develop life-skills, friendships, confidence, and creativity through play-based programs.

For further information, visit www.theircare.com.au or call our support office on 1300 072 410

Community Events

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to the following students who will celebrate their birthday this week.

Poppy G, Ameranda D, Marlee F, Mia A, Evie W & Coby C-G

MRC Car Raffle

Graze the Day

Camperdown Swimming Pool