St Pat's News

Term 4 - October 20, 2022

Acknowledgement of Country

We Acknowledge the Gunditjmara people, the Traditional Owners of the land on which we are gathered today.

We respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past, present and future. We acknowledge their stories, traditions and living cultures on this land and commit to building a brighter future together.

From The Principal - Olga Lyons

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

It was glorious to be able to enjoy the beautiful sunshine earlier this week. Classes got out into the sunshine to participate in the National Bird Count.

Our School Advisory Council AGM is being held on November 8th.  Matthew Porter and Andrew Prosser have served us well on the SAC and are now leaving their positions. I thank them for their commitment to representing the parents and supporting the school's growth and direction.  We are looking for 2-3 parents to join our SAC for the 2023-2024 term.  Parents can nominate themselves or can be nominated by another parent (with agreement from the nominee). Please read the SAC membership information in this newsletter.

Regards,

Olga Lyons

2022 School Closure Dates

Term 4 - Monday November 21 (Report Writing)

Our School Advisory Council Needs New Members

How our School Governance works

Under our DOBCEL Governance model the role of the local School Advisory Council is to:

  • assist with stewardship of the Catholic vision, ethos and culture of the school
  • provide strategic advice and support to the principal on matters relating to school operations and ongoing improvement
  • fairly represent the views and needs of the school community
  • assist with promoting the school and Catholic education generally in the local community
  • have what is best for the students at the heart of all advice it offers.


As outlined in the DOBCEL Governance Guidelines, SAC members do not have any financial or non-financial decision-making powers.

The School Advisory Council is intended to:

  • provide a voice for members of the school community
  • actively support, in collaboration with the local parish, the Vision and Catholic Identity of the School
  • provide input into and support for the strategic planning and directions
  • actively support and promote child safety practices including the National safeguarding principles for Child Safe Organisations
  • provide input and contribute advice in the processes of school improvement and school review
  • support the Principal in meeting his/her responsibilities and accountabilities for educational outcomes, effective stewardship of resources, and annual reporting
  • actively support the Principal in the encouragement of family engagement
  • support the ongoing sustainability of the SAC and its members in its succession and learning.

Ongoing members of our School Advisory Council include Mrs. Olga Lyons as our School Principal, the Deputy Principal, a teacher representative, a Parents & Friends representative and parents elected by the parent community.  

Each member serves a two-year term with the limit of two consecutive terms, being a maximum of four years. There are 6 meetings for the year. 

At the end of this school year 2 of our members will finish their tenure and we are seeking expressions of interest from our parent community to fill these vacancies to commence in 2023.

If you are interested in joining the School Advisory Council please email the Principal on principal@spportfairy.catholic.edu.au stating your current role and interests, and what you believe you could bring to this committee. If you have any questions and would like to discuss this first you may call Olga for an informal chat first.

Leading 4 Learning

Four of our Leadership Members have completed a Leading 4 Learning course with Catholic Education Ballarat.  I'd like to congratulate Hannah Wilson, Eliza Dwyer, Abby Lee and Benson Steere for successfully completing this course and for leading the school in their research project. They are a fantastic asset to the Leadership Team. 

Working Bee - Term 4

This term's Working Bee has been postponed until the building project has been completed. 

Changes to COVID-19 isolation requirements

It is strongly recommended that students: 

  • With cold like symptoms conduct a RAT. 
  • Who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five days.
  • Should not attend school after five days if still symptomatic.
  • Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school.
  • Who are household contacts with a positive case, should wear a mask at school.


Where students become symptomatic at school, they should: 

  • Be collected by their parents/carers.
  • Undergo testing for COVID-19. 


If families require RAT kits, please contact the school office. They will no longer be provided to all families  periodically. 

COVID-19 reporting requirements.

The Department of Health recommends that a person who tests positive for COVID-19 should inform those with whom they have recently been in contact, including their workplace, school and household. 

Schools are required to continue reporting positive COVID-19 cases to DOBCEL each Friday via the covid@dobcel.catholic.edu.au email until further notice.

Schools no longer have to alert their school community of positive cases, however we will continue to do this informally.

Face masks.

Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask should be supported to do so, and schools should continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors. 

The Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home. 

Additionally, the department recommends that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19 for 10 days after a positive test when they need to leave home. 

From The RE Leader - Eliza Dwyer

Wellbeing

Food Share Recipe from a 5/6 Student

Wellbeing Webinar Series.

We are pleased to offer the Wellbeing Webinar Series, in partnership with Converge International, to all DOBCEL staff and their families. These virtual sessions are accessible from anywhere. 

Up next: Session Four – Growth Mindset When: Monday 24 October 2022, 4:00pm to 5:00pm

  • Understand the difference between growth and fixed mindsets 
  • Learn how our mindset can help us to create stability during challenging times 
  • Discover how you can connect to your mindset to achieve your desired outcomes 
  • Highlight how to maintain resilience for self and for the team 
  • How to access further support  

Click here to join the meeting    

Our last Wellbeing session: 

  • Session 5: Mental Fitness (10 Nov, 4-5pm

All upcoming session details, including participation handouts and links, are available via the PDF below.  

Learning and Teaching

What is happening in 3/4LG

3/4 Investigations and the Fine Arts

The middle children are enjoying gathering information and experiences to build their understanding of Art and its importance in our communities.

We have experienced the Art Gallery exhibitions in Warrnambool and participated in an exploratory walk amongst the street art during our visit.

Liam Murphy has shared his art work and life as an artist with us, explaining his journey to becoming an artist.

We are investigating key movements in art across history and how this has influenced society. Art - it is everywhere. We are looking forward to making art and presenting our learning about art in speeches at the end of term. 

Class & Give Yourself to Goodness Awards

PE News

Hooptime Report

Congratulations to our Year 3/4  Hooptime Boys Basketball team for their efforts last Tuesday at Hamilton for the 2022 Hooptime Regional finals.

The boys had 3 wins and 2 losses for the day.  We defeated Merrivale Primary School, St. Patrick’s Primary School Camperdown, Horsham West and Haven Primary School.  

Hamilton Gray Street Primary School and St. Joseph’s Primary School, Warrnambool had narrow victories over us but our 3 wins were enough for SPPF to make the qualifying final in a rematch against Hamilton Gray Street  in our sixth game of the day. However, we were unable to find a way to win against the home team.

The boys were great sports all day and a big thanks to Tracey, Deb, Jo, Wendy, Kristee, Anna and the Hamiltons for helping support our team throughout the day and providing transport.

Sustainability

Bottle Lids Wanted

Cyber Safety

Learning Diversity

Growing with DLD

Strategies to support communication with people withDevelopmental Language Disorder (DLD) across the lifespan.

For All Ages

- Give your full attention

- Nod to show understanding

- Use pictures and written notes to support understanding

- Speak loud enough

- Make writing clear and legible.

Download

ADHD Awareness Month - October

ADHD is one of the most common mental health conditions affecting children and adults. An Australian national survey of 1,000+ primary, secondary and tertiary educators reveals that while there’s an estimated 1 child with ADHD in every classroom, teachers feel that institutions aren’t preparing our next generation of educators to accommodate ADHD student learning styles. ADHD Awareness Month's goal is to correct these misunderstandings and highlight the shared experiences of the ADHD community. 

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting both children and adults. It is described as a “persistent” or ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that changes the way they function in daily life or develop. Individuals with ADHD may also differ in their attention, executive function (or the brain’s ability to begin an activity, organises itself and manage tasks) and working memory.

Grandparents Day - Monday October 21

School News

Buddy Program

St. Patrick's has a Buddy Program that has traditionally been between Year 6 and Foundation children.  Each term the two cohorts get together to do joint activities and the Senior Buddies look out for their Foundation buddies in the playground.

Given that the 2023 Year 6 cohort is significantly smaller than the incoming Foundation cohort, some Year 5 students in the relevant house groups will be assigned a Buddy.  This is in preference to a Year 6 having multiple buddies.  

Colour Fun Run - Thursday December 1

We’re holding a School Colour Run as a major fundraising event this term! The event  will be held on THURSDAY, 1st DECEMBER. We are really hoping to raise $8000 which will pay for the RESURFACING of the BASKETBALL/ NETBALL  COURTS.  

Keep your eyes peeled for the sponsorship forms which will be sent home with your child tomorrow. Once you have the form, you should sign up for a Student Profile Page at  schoolfunrun.com.au. You’ll be able to access online fundraising and can win a  $20,000 Ultimate Family Package! 

Students who raise $10 or more will receive a reward, and the more money you raise  the better the reward, and the more you help the school! 

We’re looking for all students to participate and we’re organising a great day for our school community, so we’d love as many people on the day to come and cheer the kids on! We’re also looking for some helpers, so if you’re available  please call the school on 03 5568 1371.

If you have any questions about the Colour Run please contact the School Fun Run Office on 1800 FUN RUN. 

Thanks for supporting the school and we hope to see you at the event! 

Scholastic Bookclub

Orders for the latest Scholastic Bookclub order close on October 24.

Sporting Schools - Term 4

Sporting Schools will commence on Tuesday October 11th.

Sporting School will run each Tuesday and Wednesday during Term 4 for 7 weeks. The last session will be on Wednesday November 23.

Parents are to use the form in Skoolbag to sign up their child/children. A form must be filled out by 11am for each session they will are attending.

Upcoming Events

Monday October 24 - Socktober Activities @ 9.30am

Tuesday October 25 - F - 2 attending Mass @ 10am

Friday October 28 - Assembly at 2.40pm

Monday October 28 - Grandparents Day @ 9.20am-11.00am

Monday October 31 - P & F Trunk and Treat 4pm-6pm

Thursday November 3 - Year 5 Emmanuel Visit

Thursday November 3 - Yr 1 Extended stay until 5.30pm and Yr 2 sleepover

Tuesday November 8 - SAC AGM @ 7.30pm

Monday November 14 - Kinder Transition to School @ 9am-11am

Tuesday November 15 - P & F AGM & Thank You Evening

Friday November 11 - Assembly @ 2.40pm

Friday November 18 - Yr 6 Surfgroms commences

Monday November 21 - Pupil Free Day - Report Writing

Friday November 25 - Yr 6 Surfgroms

Friday November 25 - Assembly @ 2.40pm

Monday November 28 - Kinder Transition to School @ 9am-11am

Thursday December 1 - Colour Fun Run

Friday December 2 - Yr 6 Surfgroms

Monday December 5 - Kinder Transition to School @ 9am-11am

Tuesday December 6 - End of Year Mass @ 10am

Friday December 9 - Yr 6 Surfgroms

Friday December 9 - Last Day of Swimming Lessons

Monday December 12 - School Carols Night @ 6pm-7pm

Tuesday December 13 - Whole School Transition Day

Wednesday December 14 - Yr 6 Graduation

Thursday December 15 - 5/6 Fun Day

Friday December 16 - Last Day for Students 

Trunk or Treat - Help Needed!

The P & F would like to thank the families who have already put their hand up to decorate their car for our school 'Trunk and Treat' on October 31. We are asking a few families to volunteer on the night. If you have any questions Rhea Thomas is happy to answer them. There are some great prizes for the best decorated car and the best costume.

We thank everyone for their help and support.

This button takes you directly to PAM for Absences, School Activities, Reports, Learning Conversations, Numeracy & Literacy Interviews

Port Fairy & Koroit Parish Masses

Port Fairy St Patrick's & Koroit Infant Jesus Mass Times

Sunday Mass - 9.00am at Koroit

Sunday Mass - 10.30am @ Port Fairy

Community News