OCT 13 2023 NEWSLETTER

CHILD SAFETY STATEMENT

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and Carers,

Congratulation to the students who went to Ballarat last Friday to represent our school at the Regional Athletics Competition.  It is such an achievement just to get to this level.  There were some amazing results and some personal bests.  Well done!

Our Government Opening went well last Friday.  Thank you to the Parents & Friends for organising the lovely morning tea and the SAC and P & F representatives who attended.  

Olga Lyons (Principal)

FROM THE RE LEADER - ELIZA DWYER

HOLIDAY SCRIPTURE UNION PROGRAM

Scripture Union is a Christian volunteer movement working with children, young people and families, developing leaders, and empowering communities. One of the ways that Scripture Union looks to achieve these aims is through camps and holiday and school programs. Port Fairy SUFM is one of the many programs held across Australia over summer, and more generally throughout the year.
In tangible terms, what this means is that every summer a team of ChildSafe certified, Christian volunteers run a free holiday program in the Port Fairy Botanic Gardens. This consists of a morning program with music, dramas and age group activities, and a daily community event in the afternoon. 
SUFM has been running in Port Fairy for decades with many of the current volunteers having 3 to 10 years experience. In response to ongoing interest from previous participants, this year we are also starting a program called Theos which is aimed towards late teenagers and young adults.
Families staying in the caravan park have long enjoyed the opportunity to make new friends, reconnect with old friends, and have fun in this safe, welcoming environment. Our hope is that local families would also be aware of the opportunity to participate.
This year, the Port Fairy SUFM program will be running from 28 December 2023 to 5 January 2024 (excluding New Years Day). If you would be interested in learning more about what we do and potentially sharing it with your community, my fellow directors and I will be visiting Port Fairy from 29 September to 3 October or otherwise would welcome the opportunity to talk further with you over email or phone.

Kind regards,  Rachel Bell

Co-director for the Port Fairy Scripture Union Family Mission (SUFM)

GOVERNMENT OPENING CEREMONY

Last Friday Senator Raff Ciccone, Senator for Victoria, visited St. Patrick's to officially open our new and renovated building.  The Federal Government made a contribution of $600,000 to the 2.3 million dollar project.  The Moyne Shire Mayor, Cr Karen Foster and the Executive Director of DOBCEL, Tom Sexton also attended the ceremony.  MP Roma Brittnell was an apology.  Architects from Morton & co and the project manager from Magellan Project Builders also attend.  It was very fitting that Sue Paulka and Peter Sanderson, past Principals, were present as the grant and design process began under their leadership  We are very grateful to all who contributed to the magnificent building that we are priviledged to work and learn in today and into the future.  We particularly want to acknowledge and thank all the parents over the years who have contributed financially to the school to make this project possible. 

CLASS NEWS 34CF

Holiday Reflections

We were blessed with beautiful weather and time with our families over the September holiday break. Here are the things we were most grateful for in 3/4CF.

I was grateful to be able to spend lots of time with my daughter Hazel and for spending time in my garden over the spring holiday break. - Mrs McCartney 

I was grateful to spend lots of time with my cousins during the holidays. - Henry

I was grateful to spend lots of time with my family. - Darcy 

I’m grateful for having more friends because friends are funny, happy and last but not least, they always have your back. - Aleera 

I am grateful that I got to go to my ju-jitsu grading and I tried as hard as I could. I got my second stripe. I also got to hang out with my cousins. - Elsa

I was grateful that my birthday was in the holidays and for how many gifts I got. - Evie 

I’m grateful for seeing Mackenzie Falls in Halls Gap. - Leah

I am grateful for the CRUISE my family went on because we got to eat chips for lunch and dinner everyday, and desserts for every meal. We had so much fun in the pools and waterslides and best of all, we got to relax. - Taj

I am grateful that I could hang out with my cousins at bounce in Geelong. - Perry

I’m grateful for all of the hot weather and sunshine we got. - Ollie 

I am grateful for the warm weather we had because we went to the beach a lot. - Amala 

I was grateful to go to Great Western with my family because we spent lots of time together. - Isla 

I am grateful for going to Bendigo with my nan, pop and Ava. - Lilly 

I was thankful for the nail-biting AFL grand final game.  It was my favourite final ever. - Angus 

I am grateful for spending my awesome holidays with my beautiful family. I am grateful for my dad taking Inala and I to the sandy shores of East Beach, to crash into the ginormous strong waves. - Patrick

I am grateful for surfing Bells Beach for the first time in my life and for getting a surf skater for my birthday. - Billy 

SPORTS NEWS

Congratulations to our St Pat’s athletes who represented their school at the Greater Western Regional Primary School Athletic Championships in Ballarat.

Ethan Gramss jumped 1.15m in his 10 year old high jump event to advance to the third round of competing.

Royce Sheehan finished in 8th position for the 11 year old long jump.

Lylah Hamilton, Rose Greene, Mackenzie Hallam and Charlotte Versace competed in their 4 x 100m relay and came in 7th position for their age group.

In distance running events, Occy Hayes finished in an impressive 8th position for his 1500m run, whilst Charlotte Versace also had two equally impressive top ten finishes coming in at 6th in the 1500m and 8th in her 800m run.  

Well done everyone and a big thank you to the mums and dads who transported and supported the students today.

HANDS ON LEARNING NEWS

This has been a big week for our HoL teams. On Tuesday the Yr 4 team visited Volcanic Produce. They harvested Spring Onions, Red / White Cabbage, Bok Choy and Lettuce for Food Share. All students had a chance to taste Radish, Cabbage and Volcanic Produce’s scrumptious strawberries.

On Wednesday the Yr 5/6 HoL team delivered two timber shelving units to the Kindergarten. The team has used recycled pallets to make these new shelves. We hope they will be home to the Kinder’s toy trucks and cars for years to come. 

REFERENDUM POLLING BOOTH

PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT

RIDE 2 SCHOOL

SWIMMING LESSONS

The Swimming Program will run for 10 weeks each Friday until December 8. Parents are welcome to attend junior lessons to assist with dressing after lessons.  These parents will need to have a current Working With Children's Card registered with the school and sign a Volunteer Responsibility Agreement and Safetguarding Children and Young Adults Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is on our Passtab sign in system.

Swimming lesson times 2023

10.00am - Foundation

10.30am - 1/2D

11.00am - 1/2OR

11.30pm - Year 5

12.30pm - 3/4MM

       34L and 34CF will swap times for this week only

1.00pm -  3/4L

1.30pm - 3/4CF

GRANDPARENTS AND SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY

FROM THE OFFICE - SCHOOL FEE PAYMENTS

Just a reminder that we are nearly three quarters of the way through the year!!  Our governing body is looking at our fee collection and will be asking questions about any fees that haven't either been paid, have a payment plan or signed paperwork, very soon.  It is a requirement by DOBCEL that all school fees are paid by the end of the year. If you haven't set up a payment plan yet or signed paperwork stating how you intend to pay, please contact the office ASAP.
If you need any assistance or have any questions please contact Olga or Bec, on Monday or Thursdays 9-3, or send an email to rlawlor@spportfairy.catholic.edu.au 

ADVOCATING FOR NEURODIVERSE CHILDREN

Want to be your child's strongest advocate but you're unsure where to start?

Listen to Amanda Lecaude and Rachel Stewart, who are both coaches and parents who are passionate about impacting children through a partnership approach to advocacy, working collaboratively with schools and health professionals. 

Learn how to master the skills needed to advocate effectively in various settings, from school meetings to specialist consultations.  The webinar link is below. 

COMMUNITY NEWS

MOTHERS WHO PRAY FOR THEIR CHILDREN

This prayer group for mothers is held each Friday at the Infant Jesus Church in Koroit at 10.45am.  All are welcome!