NOV 23 2023 NEWSLETTER

CHILD SAFETY STATEMENT

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and Carers,

On Monday evening we had our Parents & Friends AGM.  I want to sincerely thank the out-going executive committee of Bree Porter, Jo Hamilton, Caitlin Down and Lucy Lehne for their commitment to co-ordinating the P & F for the past two years.  They have developed a vision that aligns perfectly with our Catholic Social Teaching of supporting "The Common Good" within our community and a structure that enables a wide range of parents to become involved in facilitating events throughout the year. This creates a culture of sharing the load instead of relying on a small group to people to be responsible for everything.  

In the absence of an executive committee for 2024 I have reluctantly agreed to coordinate the Parents & Friends.  This is not an ideal arrangement as I'm sure you would all appreciate that the job of a Principal is very demanding, but more to the point, this committee is ideally coordinated by parents for parents. So, if anyone thinks they could chair a termly meeting and coordinate the 2024 planned events that are already allocated to parents to run, please let me know. 

We are still looking for 2 more parents to come forward for our School Advisory Council for 2024/25. Thank you to those who have nominated to join the council.  Please contact me if you still have some questions after reading about the role in this newsletter.  

One of our favourite events is the Picnic Tea and Carols night that we hold each year to celebrate the end of the year. This is very different to the Community Carols night being held at Consolidated School on Dec 4th.  At this evening we will be drawing the Christmas Raffle and farewelling any families who are leaving our school. Besides that, what better way to finish off our St. Patrick's school year.  If the weather is not kind, we will set up in the hall and change the time to accommodate the carols only.  Let's hope that isn't necessary, if it is, we will notify everyone during the day.

Olga Lyons (Principal)

FROM THE RE LEADER - ELIZA DWYER

CLASS NEWS - 5/6BM

As part of their assessment in the Performing Arts and Dance section of our Victorian Curriculum Yr 5/6 have been rehearsing a 'Space Musical' - Star Warts the Umpire Strikes Back. 
In a galaxy far, far away, Luke Warmwater and his aunt, Daft Ada, live a lonely life on their secluded space station, Junction 51. But when Princess Nebula's ship crash lands into Luke's bedroom, they soon learn of the evil Umpire and his dark desire to conquer the universe.

Along with Toby Wonky Nosebleed, Zak Solo and Nigel the Nookie, they follow Princess Nebula in her rebellion. Aboard the Millennium Penguin, they whizz warp-speed through the galaxy to the Umpire's High Tower on Planet Wimbledonia. But little do they know, the Umpire is about to strike back!

You are welcome to come and see these galactic goofballs on their space adventure light-years from home as they have close encounters with dippy droids, mad martians, spaced-out Space Rangers and a ferocious pot-plant called Gordon. Can our crazy crew master the power of the sauce to save the galaxy, or will it be game, set and match to the Umpire? 

Our play will be performed in our school hall on Tuesday December 5 at 1pm.

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL VACANCIES

We still will have 2 parent positions vacant for the School Advisory Council for 2024/25.  These are 2 year  positions with 1 meeting per term and an AGM in term 4.  We welcome parents who would like to be involved in the structures and policies of the school to send an email to principal@spportfairy.catholic.edu to register their interest prior to November 25. 

The SAC acts as an advisory body to the Principal in all matters. The SAC supports the principal in the directions/policies of the school. It offers advice, to the and assists with planning for the present and the future operation of the school. This includes:

1. Supporting the ministry functions of schools through assisting with:

• promotion of the school's Catholic ethos and culture
• articulating and enacting the school's vision and mission
• promotion of faith development
  

2. Providing a stewardship role of the school through assisting with:

• present and future capital resource planning and maintenance
• disseminating information about the school- events/directions
• long-term viability of the school: enrolments/ resources/master planning 
• appointment of principal and staff, if required

3. Providing advice and support to the Principal through assisting with:

• implementation of DOBCEL policy, as required
• support of and communication on school and parish matters
• advice, as required, on issues arising such as from the School Development Plan, innovations and enrolment trends

4. Assisting the Principal in stewardship of finances through:

• advising how diocesan policies such as School Fee Collection, might be implemented
• sighting the annual school budget and receiving updates on progressive implementation
• discussing significant changes to school budgets and cash flow requirements
• discussing and providing advice on capital borrowings and development.

PROPOSED JAPANESE STUDY TOUR

Proposed Japanese Language and Culture Study Tour 2024 - (For Year 6 students in 2024)

We are beginning to plan for the proposed 8 - 10 day study tour for September 2024. We will be visiting Doshisha Elementary School in Kyoto. A group of Doshisha students will visit St Joseph’s Warrnambool and St Patrick’s, Port Fairy in March 2024 as part of our partner school exchange. For the trip, we are planning a number of excursions to places such as TOEI Kyoto Studio Park and Fushimi Inari. Students will be staying in hotels or similar accommodation as a group. This study tour is dependent on sufficient student numbers, available staff and support from the Network schools. See attachment for more information.

If you are interested, please contact arobertson@spportfairy.catholic.edu.au or complete the attached EOI Form and return to school by Friday 17th November.

Register your interest in the Information Session for parents and students at St Joseph's Primary School at 4pm - 5pm on Wednesday 22nd November by clicking on this link, https://sjpswarrnambool.schoolzineplus.com/form/220

SPECIAL LUNCH - P & F

ST PATRICK'S CHRISTMAS CAROLS

CHRISTMAS RAFFLE

P & F NEWS

On Monday night the P&F held our AGM. Thank you to all who attended, and to all the parents who have coordinated events, worked in the canteen, helped out/donated food, cleaned churches and supported the events we have run this year. It has really been a TEAM effort, with LOTS of parents getting involved. Many hands make light work, so thank-you all for sharing the load. Together the P&F has raised about $37,000 this year, which is amazing. When we combine this with the 2022 total, we have about $80,000 in profits to spend! $10,000 of this has been used to pay for two Artist in Schools projects leaving us with $70,000 to put towards the court upgrade project. We are in the process of working out what this project will look like and are very grateful for the advice/guidance of James and Tom Taylor who have agreed to help us in planning the next steps. The executive team (Jo Hamilton, Lucy Lehne, Caitlin Down and Bree Porter) have all stepped down (we believe 2 years in a coordinating role is plenty) and so we will have a slightly different P&F structure in place for 2024. Thank you so much to everyone who has taken on a 2024 role. There are still two positions to be filled, please reach out if you are interested in either of them (both positions can be shared by many).

PRIVATE GUITAR LESSONS

Dylan O'Keefe will be available to teach private guitar lessons during afternoons at St Patrick's Port Fairy in 2024.  If you are interested, please make contact with Dylan directly. 

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!