Newsletter 20/06/2022 Term 2 Week 9

Our Prayer

From the Principal

Dear parents, carers and community members,

We have come to the end of term and we are delighted to have had an extended period of onsite learning for those who have remained well over the last five months. The imposing of isolation and home learning has impacted on some students more than others and most have shown strong gains this semester. 

Thank you to all our parents who have supported us this term in some challenging situations and we wish all families an enjoyable break together on the school holidays.

Change to PE Time Table

• Foundation - Grade 2                     Sports Uniform to be worn Tuesday 21st June
• Grade 3/4                                              Sports Uniform to be worn Wednesday 22nd June
• Grade 5/6                                              Sports Uniform to be worn Thursday 23rd June

Parent/Teacher Interviews

Our format for these meetings this year is quite different. In the past we have had learning conversations with the children in attendance to celebrate their work and set goals for the future. This year, just our parents will meet with the classroom teacher to discuss each student's progress. 

Parent Teacher Interviews will be held as follows:

• Foundation - Grade 2                     Tuesday 21st June
• Grade 3/4                                              Wednesday 22nd June
• Grade 5/6                                              Thursday 23rd June

Staff Changes

We would like to wish Amy Wynd and Amy Pemberton all the best as they begin their parental leave at the beginning of or early in Term 3. Staffing in these classrooms is not confirmed as yet, however parents of these student will be notified once final arrangements are settled. 

Mercy Transition Visit

The Grade 6 students will have an opportunity to visit the Noorat campus of Mercy Regional College this Thursday the 23rd of June as part of our transition program. Mercy staff will bus the children over at 9:15am to the campus where they will take part in three lessons across the morning. They will return to St Patrick's at 1:30pm for the final afternoon of term. 

History Excursion

This Wednesday the 22nd of June, the four senior classes will visit the Heritage Centre to view a display created by the Camperdown and District Historical Society. The children will walk down from school after first break, visit the centre and then stop for a snack at the Loaf and Lounge on the way home. The seniors have been studying history this term so this visit is a great way to culminate the unit. 

Greater Western Region Netball

Our St Patrick's girl's netball team did a wonderful job on Friday competing for our region in the Greater Western Region Netball day. They won their first game against Horsham by 2 goals and then lost to St Mary's Colac. This gave them sufficient points to play in the semi-finals where they lost to Ballarat Grammar. Well done girls on making it this far and representing your school so well.

Library Book Returns

We are calling for all library books to be returned to school this week please. This will allow us an opportunity to check our stock and reorganise the shelving of the books. 

Covid Testing

With ever changing guidelines on managing the spread of covid, staff and students are still asked to conduct R.A.T tests twice a week on a school day to identify any individual who has contracted the disease. We still have cases occurring regularly in our school community and we are hoping to limit the spread by early detection. 

Please contact the office if you need more supplies. 

AbracaDABra!

After our auditions for our school production of AbracaDABra were completed last week, we can announce that the following grade 5\6 students were awarded a role. Thank-you to all those students who expressed an interest and auditioned. Kristy McKenzie, our artist in residence and Paula McKenzie were most impressed with the talent and courageousness displayed by students to put themselves forth for a role. Classes commenced familiarizing and working on their dances last Monday. Kristy will be back next term to continue working with classes. 

CHARACTERS/CAST

(in order of appearance)

GEORGIE - Greta

HOCUS - Jess MacDonald

POCUS - Sasha

ARIA - Kiara

QUAVER - Tatum

DOUGIE - Archer

KRUMPER - Poppy

DJ - Aidan

FAIRY 1 - Kara

FAIRY 2 - Madi (Understudy - learn all parts)

MERPERSON 1 - Joel (Understudy - learn all parts)

MERPERSON 2 – Ava B

SOLOISTS

Aidan

Halle

Kiara

Jess MacDonald

Duet - Kara and Poppy

Duet - Isabella and Madi

SINGING CHORUS

Evie

Zoe

Jess Mahony

Greta

Orson

Meg

Enrolments Open

We have opened our enrolments for the 2023 school year. New and existing families are invited to obtain an enrolment form from the school office or kindergartens to indicate your intention to send your children to St Patrick's next year.  Tours can be booked by calling the office.

SAC Meeting

We will be holding our School Advisory Council meeting tomorrow night,  Tuesday the 21st of June 7:30pm.

Catholic School Culture

Friday Liturgy

Due to the majority of grade 5/6 children being involved in weekend sport, the grade 5/6 Parish Mass will now be on Friday 5th of August at 9:30am. The grade 5/6 children will attend this mass and carry out the readings and jobs. Parents, grandparents and other family members are very welcome to come along and celebrate this mass with the grade 5/6 children.

World Refugee Day

Today is World Refugee Day where awareness is raised on issues that are affecting refugees. The impact is broadened and we can promote cohesion, harmony and togetherness. A group of grade 6 girls are holding a bake sale to raise money for the Ukrainian refugees. These goods will be on sale tomorrow at second lunch. Donations can also be made through the websites of Caritas Australia and the Refugee Council of Australia. 

Prayer for World Refugee Day 

Lord Jesus, 

You were once a stranger in a new land, whose family sought safety and refuge. Together, we remember and ask you to hold close those who have been driven from and are fleeing their homes. Enliven in us your welcoming spirit, that we may seek to wholly and open heartedly receive those most in need. Give us the courage to advocate for refugees around the world and to help create new homes for them in our own communities. Be a source of strength for those without their home, a solid and secure ground for those feeling unsafe, unsettled and unwelcome. Console them in their time of need, giving solace during a time of great fear and desperation. Keep us from our own fear, that we may only see your face in those seeking refuge. Deliver us all into your mercy that we may share that mercy and love with all your beloved children.

In your name we pray. Amen.

Mini Vinnies - Winter Appeal

This is our last week of collections for the Winter Appeal. The Mini Vinnies volunteers have carried out an amazing job collecting these donations and have loved knowing that they are helping people who need it. Thank-you to all families who have washed and sent in items for the Winter Appeal. Next term the Mini Vinnies children will carry out a food drive, collecting non-perishable food items. More information to follow next term.

First Holy Eucharist

Please continue to pray for the following children as they prepare to make their First Holy Eucharist on the first weekend of next term; Tom Atkins, Emma Bonner, Maisie Cunningham, Rhys Darcy, Bailey Fox, Jed Gaut, Etti Glennen, Alex Huggins, Luca Macchiesi May, Cooper Mahony, Mali Maskell, Bryce Miller, Edie Molan, Tristan O’Connor, Beau Ponting, Wally Rees, Caitlin Rundle, Elaine Ryan, Abigail Sinnott, Harry Sinnott, Darby Sinnott, Vince Titmus, Taj Woodmason, Evie Wagner, Flynn Wagner, Clancey Wagner, Sydney Wagner and Clem Walsh. 

Student Free Day and Staff P.D.

There will be a Student Free Day on the last day of term, Friday 24th of June. Staff will be involved in a Professional Development Day on the Catholic Education topic of Scripture. This day will be presented by Liz Dowling, a highly regarded academic teacher in this subject.

Birthdays

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

Alannah B

Parish Bulletin

Student of the week

COMMUNITY EVENTS