Newsletter 11/07/2022 Term 3 Week 1
Our Prayer
From the Principal
Dear parents, carers and community members,
Welcome back to Term 3. It was delightful to see the happy faces walk through the door this morning and their haste to share their holiday adventures with one another. We are looking forward to an exciting term filled with opportunities for learning and fun.
COVID Resurgence
As reported in the media over the weekend, we are experiencing a surge in COVID cases across Victoria at the moment, so it is vital that we continue the precautions that we have had in place this year to reduce the risk here at school. We have had reports of staff and students impacted over the holidays, so please continue to monitor your family for any symptoms and we strongly encourage you to continue to utilise the RAT tests being sent home to test twice a week.
As you would be aware, following advice from the Acting Chief Health Officer, the Victorian Government recently announced changes to the pandemic orders. There will no longer be a mandated vaccination requirement for staff working in mainstream schools. This change came in from 11.59pm Friday 24 June, so in effect from the start of Term 3. With almost 100% of school staff now vaccinated across Victoria, this will cause little change to our school.
As part of the changes, from 11.59pm Friday 24 June 2022, parents and carers who have COVID-19 can transport their non-COVID-19 children via private vehicle to their primary or secondary school when an alternative person is not available to assist. The parent or carer must travel directly to and from the school only. They must remain in the vehicle at all times, unless it is reasonably necessary to leave the vehicle to walk the child to and from the entrance of the school safely. They must wear a face mask at all times.
Family members are asked to continue reporting positive COVID-19 cases to the Department of Health. You must also let the school know if your child is a close contact. Students who are close contacts and want to attend school should still take 5 RATs over 7 days and wear a face mask whilst indoors if they are aged 8 years or over. Students should continue to stay home if they are unwell, even if they test negative on a RAT.
Thank you for your support as we continue to make these adjustments.
Catholic School Culture
First Holy Eucharist
This weekend, the candidates who are making their Sacrament of First Holy Eucharist will attend mass with their families. Families are reminded to be there 10 minutes prior to the start of mass for seating and also to bring their child’s stole. Please continue to pray for these children as they prepare to make the Sacrament of First Holy Eucharist.
Cobden 6:30pm Saturday evening: Emma Bonner, Rhys Darcy, Luca Macchiesi May, Tristan O’Connor, Beau Ponting, Darby Sinnott, Evie Wagner, Flynn Wagner, Clancey Wagner, Sydney Wagner and Clem Walsh.
Camperdown 11am Sunday morning: Thomas Atkins, Maisie Cunningham, Bailey Fox, Etti Glennen, Alex Huggins, Cooper Mahony, Mali Maskell, Bryce Miller, Edie Molan, Wally Rees, Caitlin Rundle, Elaine Ryan, Abi Sinnott, Harry Sinnott, Vincent Titmus and Taj Woodmason.
Friday Liturgy
This term classes will join with their buddy class to attend one Friday morning mass for the term. This week 1M & 3/4L will attend Friday mass at 9:30am. The Foundation Grandparents Mass will be on Friday 29th of July at 9:30am. All grade 5/6 children will attend their Parish Mass on Friday 5th of August. Parents, grandparents and other family members are very welcome to come along and celebrate mass with the children.
Mini Vinnies - Food Drive
This term the Mini Vinnies children will carry out a Food Drive, collecting non-perishable food items for St. Vincent de Paul. The volunteers will collect these items from the children’s classrooms so please send in donations if you are able to. These items include canned and packet soup, canned fruits and vegetables, canned fish and poultry, rice, pasta, tea, coffee, dried fruits and vegetables, pasta sauce, nuts, long life milk etc.
Circuit Breaker Long Weekend
In recognition of the enormous increase in workload on teachers, the impact on students and the increases of flu infection in schools, DOBCEL have authorised a "Circuit Breaker long weekend" from the 12th to the 15th of August. This will give the entire school community a four-day break in the middle of this term.
The Robbie Burns Art Competition
We were notified at the end of last term that some of our students had won prizes in "The Art Robbie Burns" competition. Congratulations to the following winners:-
Grade 3/4: 1st. Lily Verity
Grade 5/6: 2nd. Annabelle Lenehan
3rd. Hudson Nolan
Kinder Visits
As part of our transition programs our Foundation staff have visited the Camperdown Kindergarten to meet staff and students in preparation for the 2023 school year.
Mr Saunders then did his travelling roadshow to the district kinders and daycare centres to entertain the children and familiarise them with a friendly face that they will meet if their parents choose St Patrick's for their education. We appreciate Mick's enthusiasm and talents in this area.
Enrolments are due in to school by the end of July.
Staff Changes
Amy Wynd has now commenced her parental leave and we have Mel Fox and Georgia Copeland in the Grade 1 room.
We welcome Robyn Fitzgerald who will be working each Friday in the Foundation DB room.
Amy Pemberton will commence her parental leave on Friday 22nd of July so Tarryn Delaney has already taken over in this room and Amy has other duties across the school. This room is now known as Grade 3/4D.
Robyn Fitzgerald and Sarah Gstrein will be sharing the Art role until Sharna returns from her long service leave in Term 3.
Today we welcomed Kristy Middleton to our staff as she shares the LSO role with Laura Woodmason.
We welcome these people to their new positions and we are making every effort to ensure that these changes are smooth and with as little disruption as possible to the school routine.
Vic Cross Country
Harry Sinnott and Gus Fryers will represent our school this Thursday at the Victorian Cross Country Championships in Melbourne. Congratulations boys on your achievement and good luck.
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. Enrolment forms are due in by the end of July.
Birthdays
Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrate their birthday over the holidays or this week.
Sylvia Harkin, William Nolan, Eleanor Bourchier, Aubree Eldred,Ariana Singh, Harper Tongs, Campbell Henderson, Emmy Sinnott, Josh Fleming, Rocco Brooks, Bryce Norton, Emma Taylor, Fred Lillie, Emmett Henderson, Lucy Kleinhenz, Patrick Sinclair, Alexander Mann, Bryce Miller, Grace Barber, Edie Molan, Jimmy Cheeseman, Savanna McGee, Isabella Wain, Archie McDonald, Flynn Wagner, Aidan Vallejo
Our Diocesan Community
The link below is for the July 2022 edition of “Our Diocesan Community”. We have asked for this to be a digital option for families rather than the paper copy sent home each month to save resources and make it more convenient to read.
Parish Bulletin
Student of the week
