SEPTEMBER 5, 2024 NEWSLETTER

CHILD SAFETY STATEMENT

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and Carers,

Our Father's & Special Friend's Day Breakfast was a big success, despite the weather.  It was great to see so many dads, grandads and uncles having fun with the children.  Well done to Jo Mackenzie, Lee Malady, Sarah Sheehan for the preparation and coming up with a creative format. 

Our F-2 literacy classrooms were full of parents learning with their children on Wednesday morning. This was an opportunity for parents to observe the Sounds Write Phonics Program in action. Thank you to the teachers for opening up their classrooms. 

I will be on leave next week from Monday to Wednesday.  Eliza Dwyer and Benson Steere will be leading the school on those days.  Tristan Fay is completing his parental leave this week and next week. 

Olga Lyons

Pupil Free Days

Thursday September 17 and Friday September 18 are Pupil Free Days. The staff will be attending 2 days of professional development. 

School will finished for students on Wednesday September 16 at 3.30pm.

FROM THE RE LEADER - ELIZA DWYER

6S NEWS

ASSEMBLY & AWARDS

This week's assembly will be led by the Yr 5 students. Assembly is this Friday September 6 at 2.40pm.

Students who will received awards this week are:

• Foundation - Whole Class
• Year 1 - Millie Leddin & Brax Shiells
• Year 2 - Ikoro Sakate & Jai Coxall
• Year 3 - Otto Carrucan & Ayla Gramss
• Year 4 - Ines Murphy, George Moutsos, Nelly Parkinson & Sully Hayes
• Year 5 - Aleera Hicks
• Year 6 - Ivy Condon, Kolo Sakate, Riley Knoop & Alex Robertson

ASTHMA AWARENESS WEEK

Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions in children, asthma can impact a student’s ability to participate fully in school life, from classroom activities to playground fun. But with the right support, you can help change that!

Asthma Australia has released a new Asthma First Aid with a Blue Reliever video, and it’s perfect for kids! This quick, easy-to-follow guide shows exactly what to do during an asthma flare-up using a blue reliever, and it’s designed with students in mind.

R U OK? DAY

The rise of mental health concerns among young people, including anxiety, depression, and self-harm, is a pressing issue amplified by factors such as academic stress, social media, family dynamics and societal expectations. It is therefore crucial to prioritise early intervention, de-stigmatise mental health discussions, and provide accessible and effective support to address these concerns and promote the wellbeing of young people. This year R U OK? Day falls on Thursday 12 September, an annual National Day of Action and a reminder that every day is the day to check in with your friends, family and colleagues. R U OK? contributes to suicide prevention year round by urging people to invest time in personal relationships and empowering informal support networks to identify signs of distress. Families are encouraged to engage in this initiative, emphasising the importance of authentic human connections and reminding everyone to ask the essential question, "Are you OK?". Parents, caregivers and schools all play a vital role in shaping young lives. Participating in R U OK? Day goes beyond classrooms, showcasing a commitment to holistic student development. By initiating conversations about mental health, schools create safe spaces, where children feel valued, understood, and supported. Parents can help by fostering an open dialogue, normalising emotions, identifying support systems, teaching active listening and addressing any stigmas relating to mental health. Many schools nationwide organise events for the R U OK? message, offering students opportunities to engage. Parents and caregivers can help by supporting their school in this endeavour or choose to organise your own event for your workplace or community group. Participating in R U OK? Day nurtures compassion and demonstrates our dedication to the wellbeing of the whole school community, reaffirming that together, we can make a difference! For more information on R U OK? Day, access to FREE resources or want to host your own event, here are some links you may find useful. Website Resources to support young people Resources for schools Resources for everyday Find help or reach out for support Host an event Merchandise

SOCIAL INNOVATORS - DONATIONS!

SCHOOL HATS

As per our Sun Smart Policy, students & staff are required to wear a school hat from September to the end of April.

If students do not have a hat from Monday they will be restricted to playing undercover. 

175 SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY

Do you have any St Pat's memorabilia that you could loan the school?

If you do please drop them into the school office. Photos will be scanned and the originals given back to you.

 St Patrick's Primary School is celebrating 175 years!

We're hosting a special anniversary event to mark this significant milestone - join us for a trip down memory lane! 

Whether you're a past student, teacher or a first-time visitor, this event is open to everyone. All tickets are free and program details are provided at the link below. Come along to all or as many of the sessions as you like. 

Please RSVP and grab your FREE tickets at: https://spportfairy175.eventbrite.com.au
or phone: 03 5568 1371 (during school hours)

 Help us celebrate this momentous occasion and create more lasting memories.

#stpatricksprimaryschool
#celebrating175years

St Patrick's Student Art Competition - 175th Anniversary

St Pat's is holding an Art Competition to coincide with our 175th Anniversary. If you think your child would be interested in participating in this competition, click on the link below for more information.

SCHOOL DATES - 2024

LIBRARY SHELVING

Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to assist in shelving borrowed books in our Library. You have been rostered on for a week but we only expect you to come in for a short time and later in the week is best.

Week of: 02/09/2024 - Shannon Fitzgerald

Week of: 09/09/2024 - Judi Seath

Week of: 16/9/2024 - Ruth Everitt

SPORTING SCHOOLS

Today was the last session of Sporting Schools for Term 3. 

COMMUNITY NEWS

Foster Care Week - MacKillop Family Services

Next week is Foster Care Week, when we celebrate the amazing work all our volunteer foster carers do, as well as take the opportunity to call on our community for more like them. 

(Become a Foster Carer | MacKillop Family Services)