Newsletter 04/08/2025: Term 3, Week 3

From the Principal

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all in the school family for the warm welcome I received upon my return to school this week. The children’s kind words, thoughtful gestures today, and your continued support during my recent personal leave have truly meant a great deal to me. 

It is a privilege to be part of such a caring and connected school community. I’m grateful for the way everyone worked together and continued on in my absence, ensuring our school remained a place of learning, belonging, and support.

I’m looking forward to the term ahead and to continuing our work together to continue making this a wonderful year for all.

'Bullying No Way' Day will be acknowledged on Monday 11th of August. This year's focus is on giving bystanders to bullying the skills to have a voice in stopping these incidents. 

This Bullying No Way Week St Pat’s are participating in an Australia-wide primary school initiative to join in the largest ever anti-bullying lesson. 

Created by qualified Kids Helpline Counsellors, the lesson is curriculum-aligned and will provide students with expert tips, tools and strategies to respond to bullying. Participating schools receive exclusive access to a range of bonus classroom resources to use at a later date. 

If you can’t make it on the day, a recording and exclusive resources will be made available to all registered schools such as ourselves.  Homerooms will have a focus on the theme during that week.

Have a great week everyone,

Darren.

Taster Day Change of Date

Community Meal - 5/6A

Next Wednesday the 13th of August is our next date for the Community Meal.

5/6A are in charge on the day.

If your child is in this class, they should have brought home a note last week in regard to this. Could all families please return this note by this Thursday the 7th of August, indicating what you family can donate on the day.

Spelling Championships

Our annual grade 5/6 Spelling Championships are starting.

 Grade 5 & 6 students should have received their list of words last week.

Test 1 will be held on the 19th of August, Test 2 on the 26th of August, Test 3 on the 2nd of September & Test 4 on the 9th of September.

CATHOLIC SCHOOL CULTURE

Diocesan Newsletter

Please find below the link for the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat newsletter July 2025 edition.

https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ODC-July-2025-web.pdf

LEARNING AND TEACHING

World Scout Day

Last Friday, Scouts across the globe celebrated World Scout Day, honouring the founding of the Scout movement by Lord Baden-Powell in 1907.

We’d like to take this opportunity to recognise two of our own students, Abby Mulholland and Lucy Kleinhenz, for their ongoing commitment, enthusiasm, and service as Scouts. Through their involvement, Abby and Lucy are building resilience, leadership and a strong sense of community—qualities that enrich not only Scouting but also our school community.

We’re proud to celebrate your dedication and the positive difference you make every day. Well done, Abby and Lucy!

LEADERSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

Pupil Free Days

There is only 1 remaining school Closure Day which is on Friday September 19th, the last day of term 3.

Our staff will participate in a Professional Development Day on Structured Literacy.

Students are not required to come to school on this day.

The final day for students in Term 4 is Thursday the 18th of December 2025.

WELLBEING

Book Week Dress Up Day

Please mark Friday August 22nd in your calendars for our Book Week 2025 Activities Day. There will be a parade in the morning followed by activities later that morning and in the afternoon.

The theme for 2025 is Book and Adventure.

School Dates 2025

Friday 8/8                            5/6 All Stars Basketball

Wednesday 13/8               Foundation 2026 Taster Day

                                                Community Meal 5/6A 

Friday 15/8                          5/6 Rookies Basketball

Friday 22/8                         3/4 All Stars Basketball

                                                Book Week Dress Up Day

Friday 29/8                         3/4 Rookies Basketball

Friday 5/9                           Father's Day Afternoon Tea

Friday 12/9                          Trivia Night - Raffle drawn

Saturday 13/9                    Eucharist 6.30pm Cobden

Sunday 14/9                       Eucharist 11.00am Camperdown

Friday 17/10                        Grade 1 excursion to Cudgee Wildlife Park

Mon 20/10-Wed 22/10   Grade 6 Camp to Melbourne

Sunday 26/10                    Whole School Parish Mass

Tuesday 28/10                  2026 Foundation Interviews 

Tuesday 4/11                     Melbourne Cup Public Holiday

Tuesday 9/12                    2026 Move Up Day

Tuesday 16/12                   Grade 6 Graduation 6pm

Thursday 18/12                 End of School Year Mass and Awards

Noone's Uniform

Noone's now have stock of all our new uniform for purchase. You can pop into the uniform shop to try on.

The shop is located in the Mercy Regional College building.

In Term 3 the uniform shop is open on the following days -

Monday 12.00pm - 4.00pm & Thursday 8.00am - 12.00pm

Birthdays

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

Airlie L, Elvie B, Frederick C, Harry N & Pyper D

Community Events

Banana Splits Kindergarten Information Session

MRC Cinderella

Port Campbell Nippers

Save the Date-Camperdown Show

Thank you to the sponsors of our 2024 raffle!