SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 NEWSLETTER

CHILD SAFETY STATEMENT

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and Carers,

Our Year 3 & 4 camp this week was very successful and enjoyed by all.  Thank you to the amazing staff who made the camp possible.  

Today is R U OK Day.  Students can wear yellow tomorrow (or something yellow with their school uniform if preferred) and Benson Steere, our Wellbeing Leader, has organised a Wellbeing activity program for the afternoon.  

We welcome Sophie Gapes for work experience this week. 

Year 3 will present our final assembly for this term next Wednesday afternoon. 

Olga Lyons

Pupil Free Days

Thursday September 18 and Friday September 19 are Pupil Free Days. The staff will be attending 2 days of professional development. 

School will finished for students on Wednesday September 17 at 3.30pm.

FROM THE RE LEADER - ELIZA DWYER

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Adelaide Stokie and Matthew Watts on the recent arrival of their daughter Claire. Claire is a sister to Noah and Harper.

YEAR 6BM NEWS

CLASS AWARDS

FOSTER CARE WEEK

MacKillop Family Services is calling on communities of the South-West to understand the need for local foster carers and highlighting the positive impact foster carers make to children’s lives.

8-14 September is Foster Care Week, when MacKillop celebrates the work foster carers do for children temporarily unable to live at home.

People like Rachael and Matthew Buck, who have provided respite and emergency care to over 100 children and young people.

See their story here: www.mackillop.org.au/theirstory and visit www.mackillop.org.au/fostercare for more information.

ASSEMBLY - WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 18

Assembly will be held on Wednesday September 18 at 2.40pm. This is the last day of Term 3 for students.

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!

SWIMMING PROGRAM - TERM 4

Our swimming program will start on Friday October 11 at Belfast Aquatics

Swimming lesson times 2024

10.00am - 10.30am Foundation

10.30am - 11.00am Yr 1 

11.00am - 11.30am Yr 2 

11.30pm - 12.00pm Yr 3 

12.00pm - 12.30pm Yr 4 

12.30pm - 1.00pm Yr 5 

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: 09/09/2024 - Judi Seath

Week of: 16/9/2024 - Ruth Everitt

Week of: 07/10/2024 - Nieka Geekie

SPORTING SCHOOLS

Sporting Schools is finished for Term 3.  Sporting School will recommence the second week of Term 4.

COMMUNITY NEWS