Newsletter 28/2/2022 Term 1 Week 6

Our Prayer

From the Principal

Dear parents, carers and community members,

Believe it or not, we are half way through our term this week and the season of Lent is already upon us. We have some large school events happening this week so please read our newsletter carefully for the details of each.

It is wonderful that the impact of covid is lessening as we move through the term with fewer students and staff impacted with the virus or close contact with a case. We will continue to support the safety initiatives at school until we are notified that these have changed. 

"Twosday" Celebration

Our celebration of Twosday last week was a fun way to recognise the remarkable date and to bring Maths alive in the world of the children. Well done to those who were able to bring a tutu from home or make one in STEM class. Thank you to Mr Coop in 3/4 for the initiative and for the other staff who participated. Some of our Grade 2s caught an impressive photo in front of the live clock on their television. We even had children at home joining in on the fun. 

Swimming Carnival

Dear Parents,

Our swimming program ends this week with our final lesson today and our swimming carnival for the 3-6 students tomorrow, Tuesday 1st March. We hope to begin at 9:30am and finish by 1:30pm.  Parents are welcome to attend but there is a requirement of proof of two vaccinations on entry.

• Students wishing to go straight to the pool with their parents must be there by 9.00 a.m. Remaining students will come to school as usual and will walk or be bussed to the pool with their classroom teacher.
• Students can bring lunch, snacks and drinks to last them throughout the day and there will also be BBQ  food and pancakes available at a reasonable cost. 
• Students will need to have a t-shirt in their house colours.
• The weather looks like being quite cool, please send suitable warm clothing to wear when they are not swimming.

• Parents can take their children directly home from the pool if they wish, but need to inform their child’s classroom teacher.

We are hoping to keep the area surrounding the pool free from spectators so we will open the toddler pool gates to allow families access to the hill without cluttering the ends of the pool. 

Paul Kingston is away all this week but we thank him for his dedication and energy with all he has done for our swimming program, the carnival and the district team.

Our team to represent St Patrick's at the district sports has been chosen and these children will be travelling to Hamilton this Friday to swim. 

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Grade 5 Camp to Portsea

Our Grade 5 students will be heading to Portsea for school camp this Wednesday to Friday. We hope to leave at 7am and return by 5pm Friday afternoon. This is an exciting opportunity and the children are excited for the fun ahead.

• Please remember to send lunch in a back pack .
• Masks to wear to and from camp.
• If your child requires medication please have it clearly labelled in a bag with the medication form filled out.

Foundation Rest Days

Now that we have moved into March, our Foundation students will no longer have Wednesdays as a rest day. If, however, your child becomes very tired with five days of school, consider a rest day to regather their strength. 

"Stomp" Dance Company

Today we had a visit from a representative of the "Stomp" dance company to teach the children and share with our school the programs they offer. The children loved the opportunity to get up and move. 

Parents and Friends Meeting

We will be holding our first Parents and Friends meeting tomorrow Tuesday the 1st of March at 7:30pm in the school staffroom. Parents are welcome to join us to discuss the community activities planned for this year. 

Being safe online

These tips will help you stay safe online

1. Explore together — ask your mum, dad, carer or a trusted adult to play new games or apps with you at first.

2. Stay close by — when you use a phone, tablet or computer by yourself, make sure your mum, dad or carer is nearby so you can get help if you need it. Bonus tip — don’t use your device alone in your bedroom.

3. Ask before you download, install or buy anything — check with your mum, dad or carer first.

4. Keep your personal information private — don’t give out your address, which school you go to, phone number or passwords. Find out more.

5. Check your privacy settings and talk about what to share — make your online accounts private and talk to your mum, dad or carer about the kinds of photos and information it is OK for you to share online. Find out more in the eSafety Guide.

6. Cyberbullying — if you receive a mean message, or a message that is mean about someone else, try not to respond and don’t forward it. Tell an adult you trust about it and read our tips on what to do. 

7. If you see something online you don’t like — show your mum, dad, carer or a trusted adult immediately. Find out more.

8. If someone you don’t know sends you a message or you receive a message that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe — tell your mum, dad, carer or an adult you trust straight away. Find out more.

9. Only ‘friend’ or add people you know in real life — remember that not everyone online is who they say they are, so don’t accept friend requests or followers you don’t know.

10. Don’t meet up with online friends — It is best to keep ‘online friends’ online, so if you do chat to other kids in online games don’t meet up with them in person.

Catholic School Culture

Reconciliation

Please continue to pray for the following children as they prepare to make the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Thursday 10th of March at 6pm; Poppy Gaut, Gabriel Capizzi, Leroy Fisher, Roy Molan, Amber Narik, Alexander Huggins, Baxter Huggins, Charlotte Pascoe, Anderson Pekin, Olivia Simmonds, Will Sinnott, George Titmus, Lewie West, Savanna Wright, Pippa Woodmason, Evie Wagner, Flynn Wagner, Clancy Wagner and Sidney Wagner. 

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday is the day before Lent begins. Traditionally Christians clean out their pantries and use up rich foods such as eggs, milk and sugar, making pancakes as their last feast before Lent begins. We also repent our sins and consider our Lenten promises and the sacrifices that we will make during the 40 days of Lent prior to Easter.

Ash Wednesday

On Wednesday we will observe Ash Wednesday which begins the season of Lent. It is a day of repentance which is symbolized when we receive the ashes in the shape of a cross placed on our foreheads to show that we are sorry and ready to start acting as Jesus teaches us. It also reminds us that we are followers of Jesus and we believe that God is always with us. We can be hope-filled people who encourage, inspire and support others by being optimistic and cheerful whilst acknowledging that life is difficult for many people at the moment. Christians refrain from eating meat and commit to our Lenten promises. School children will partake in an Ash Wednesday liturgy at school where they will receive a cross of ashes on their foreheads.

Lent

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 6 weeks as we become reflective and prepare for the resurrection of Jesus on the liturgical calendar. We remember the love of God that was poured out through Jesus Christ on the cross in His death. It is a call for us to take stock of our spiritual lives and set goals that we would like to reach before Easter. We may fast or give up something pleasurable such as chips or soft drink in remembrance of Jesus fasting in the desert for 40 days. We may say extra prayers and find new encouragement to open our hearts to respond to God’s grace. We may give to those in need or commit to acts of kindness and lead others to do the same. We will be in the period of Lent until Easter Sunday.

Project Compassion 

We connect social justice to our faith when we raise vital funds for the most vulnerable people facing poverty and injustice in our world. Our donations can bring food to families, help educate children and provide resources such as vegetable seeds and chooks to grow, sell and earn money. There is less loose change at school these days due to online canteen ordering but please consider taking compassionate action by sending in loose coins or monetary donations to the Project Compassion boxes. Alternatively, you may wish to donate on the Project Compassion website. Your assistance is appreciated and together we can make a difference. 

Mass of the Oils

Mass of the Oils will be held on Monday, April 11, 2022 at St Patrick’s Cathedral Ballarat at 6.30pm. Supper will follow in the Hall and any COVID restrictions applicable at this time will apply to the Mass of the Oils.

Diocese of Ballarat e-news

St Patrick's has featured in an article in the latest edition of the  Diocese of Ballarat e-news. Please click the link below to enjoy the story of our opening year Mass. 

Parish Bulletin

Simon Connect

Simon Connect

We have a new field called simon connect, documents and or questions will be added to this field that require parents to confirm and give permissions.  The document and questions will show in PAM as incomplete Connect Fields, this will not go away until you have reviewed the document and or  answered any outstanding questions. 

If you haven't already done so please click on the incomplete symbol if one appears and review your childs/rens Computer Users Agreement.

Student of the week

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