Newsletter 13/10/2025: Term 4, Week 2

From the Principal

Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

I hope you are like me and very excited for the much-anticipated Art Night on Tuesday. I want to take a moment to congratulate all of our students and staff on the incredible creativity that has been on display throughout the school. It’s been truly inspiring to see the imagination, hard work, and passion that has gone into every piece.

Two personal favourites of mine are the Otways Bioluminescence Glow Room—a magical, immersive experience—and the Threatened Species of Eastern Maar Mini Golf Installation, which beautifully blends art, learning, and environmental awareness.

Art Night, starting at 6pm promises to be an event the whole family will enjoy, with a wide range of exhibitions and performances to explore. Don’t miss the musical performances in the McKinnon Room and a very special Auslan performance at 7pm on the Library mezzanine.

I cannot wait for the night to begin—it's going to be a wonderful celebration of our students’ talents and our school community!

This week, we are pleased to welcome representatives from the DOBCEL Board for their annual visit to our school. It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase the vibrant learning environment we’ve created and the many achievements of our students and staff—particularly as we prepare for our much-anticipated Art Night.

There’s always plenty happening in our school community, so I encourage you to read on for the latest updates and reminders. Don’t forget to check the Key Dates section to stay informed about upcoming events and activities.

Have an enjoyable week everyone,

Darren

CATHOLIC SCHOOL CULTURE

Welcome to Country & Smoking Ceremony

This morning, we were lucky enough to have Brett Clarke and his family attend the school to lead Ngootyoong kaaween (smoking ceremony) and perform a Four Directions Acknowledgement dance, which added a powerful element of connection and unity to the experience, tying in with the theme of our Arts Night. 

Our theme for Saint Patrick’s Art Show this year is “Lakes and Craters Country: Where We Live and Learn” This connects beautifully with the local stories of Eastern Maar Country which has inspired many of the creative projects on display.

Camperdown Show Poetry Winners

Congratulations to the following students who were judged winners of the "Out my Window" poetry competition at the Camperdown Show on Saturday. 

Foundation - 1st Agatha D, 2nd Wesley M, 3rd Willow P

Grade 1 - 1st Nia F, 2nd Leo H, 3rd Thomas P

Grade 2 - 1st Emmerson C, 2nd Octavia W, 3rd Mitchell B

Grade 3/4 1st Ariana S & Amelia M, 2nd Orla M, 3rd Emmy S

Grade 5/6 1st Lilah A, 2nd Zahlia H, 3rd Marlee F

Scholastic Book Co-Ordinator

We are looking for a new Book Club Co-Ordinator. 

We thank Anna Raven for her years of service as the Co-Ordinator.

Anna assures us that this an easy job! Anna would be more than happy to help you for the last Book Order of the year. Orders are made once a term in Term 1, 2 & 3 and 2 orders in Term 4.

If you are able to help us out and take over from Anna, please let the office know!

Zooper Dooper Sales

Zooper Doopers are now on sale every day.

They will be sold at second lunch only.

The price is 50 cents each.

TheirCare

Unfortunately, TheirCare have informed us that they can no longer offer their services at our school.

Theircare have officially ceased bookings at St Patrick's. 

Children we be able join the Camperdown College after school care program soon. Bookings are not available as yet. Theircare will let us know when they are ready to have St Patrick's children join.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

St Patrick's 2025 Arts Night Exhibition

Mini Golf Meets Environmental Art at St Pat’s

One Night Only!

Camperdown Tuesday 14 October, 6pm to 8pm.

St Patrick’s Primary School is inviting the community to grab a putter and step into an art show like no other.

For one night only, the school’s students have transformed a simple mini golf course into a wild and wonderful interactive art installation, shining a spotlight on the threatened species of Eastern Maar Country.

From the Growling Grass Frog to the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, the course takes players on a journey through sculpted habitats, all handmade by students. Each hole highlights a local species under threat, including the Orange-bellied Parrot, Silver Banksia, Golden Sun Moth, Dwarf Galaxias, Gang-gang Cockatoo and more.

It’s fun. It’s creative. And it’s carrying a big message: we all have a role to play in caring for Country.

The course, custom made by members of the Timboon Men's shed, has been generously loaned by the Port Campbell Community Park Committee and the students have added their own artistic magic, turning it into something completely unique. Be warned though...there are whispers of feral cats lurking among the fairways...

This year’s art show theme is Lakes and Craters Country: Where We Live and Learn, a celebration of the local landscape and all the life it supports.

Additional Art exhibition items will include classroom exhibits and a Glow Room exhibit, all under the one roof.

A dinner option of Hotdogs and soft drink will be on sale in the Staff Room.

Music children will be performing between 6-8pm in the McKinnon Room (just off the library). Grades 3-6 children are invited to perform an Auslan piece in the library at 7pm. They will need to meet Tracy in the library at 6:50pm.

Student of the Week

WELLBEING

LEADERSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP

School Dates 2025

Tuesday 14/10                   Arts Night

Friday 17/10                        Grade 1 Excursion to Cudgee Wildlife Park

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

Monday 20/10                  Hoop Time 3/4 Next Level Hamilton

Monday 27/10                   Hoop Time 5/6 Next Level Hamilton

                                               Super 8's Cricket 5/6

Tuesday 28/10                 2026 Foundation Interviews 

Tuesday 4/11                     Melbourne Cup Public Holiday

Tuesday 9/12                    2026 Move Up Day

Wednesday 17/12             Grade 6 Graduation - Updated 

Thursday 18/12                End of School Year Mass and Awards 

Athletics News:

Congratulations to our school Athletics students who represented St Pat's very proudly with mixed results at the Regionals in Ballarat on Friday. The relay team finished 3rd, Millie Bourke achieved 3rd in Triple Jump and Emma Lillie finished 6th in Discus. 

Athletics Gallery

Noone's Uniform Shop

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

The shop is located in the Mercy Regional College building.

The trading hours for term 4 are as follows.

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

For online ordering please see the tile on the Schoolzine app, if you order this way the uniforms will be delivered to our office.

Birthdays

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

Harry E, Maggie Mc & Ethan M

Community Events

Brophy Family & Youth Services

We are bringing FREE Mental Health short courses to Corangamite this month!

Course info: Conversations about Suicide

 Friday 17 & 24 October

 Killara Centre, 210-212 Manifold Street, Camperdown

 9:30am–1:30pm (4-hours)

 Morning tea provided

Register via link or QR code: https://forms.office.com/r/etq2DAzzua It’s a great opportunity for people (18+) in the community to learn how to talk openly and supportively about mental health.

More information about the course can be found here.