Week 6 Term 3 Newsletter

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Dear Parents, caregivers and friends,

This week we celebrate the joy of Book Week. The 2023 theme is ‘Read, Grow, Inspire”. Established with the first awards in 1946, the annual Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards promotes quality literature for young Australians; supports and encourages a wide range of Australian writers and illustrators of children’s books; and celebrates contributions to Australian children’s literature.

Each year, schools and public libraries across Australia spend a week celebrating books, and Australian authors and illustrators. Teachers and librarians conduct activities relating to a theme to highlight the importance of reading.

I wish to acknowledge the enthusiasm and passion of our Librarian Mrs Helena Powell and to all the teachers and staff at St Patrick’s for promoting the joy of reading every day. Reading is so important. It is about connecting and enjoying the experience of exploring story, and travelling to other worlds, other times, other places. Reading assists in creating bonds with others. Within the world of the contemporary child, this is also relevant as they read books and they read to connect through a variety of media.

On Monday, our Kinder families were invited to share in the Readers Picnic. What a fabulous occasion!

We were also blessed to enjoy the talents of Kate and Jol Temple and share in the enthusiasm of this fabulous experience. Thank you to the many hundreds of visitors who joined us to share the fun and generously purchase items from the Book Fair.

CALENDAR EVENTS

IMPORTANT DATES

• AUTHOR VISIT - Friday 25^th August
• STAGE 2 SOCCER GALA DAY - Monday 28^th August
• STAGE 3 SOCCER GALA DAY - Tuesday 29^th August
• GREAT AUSSIE BUSH CAMP EXCURSION for Year 5- Wed 30^th Aug- Fri 1^st September

FATHER’S DAY BREAKFAST AND LITURGY

Please join us on Monday 4th September as we celebrate our fathers, grandfathers and those who are like fathers to us. Through the love and goodness of God, who is like a loving father, we can see how fathers can be models of strength and gentleness, justice and compassion, and mercy and kindness. Celebrations will begin at 7.45am with a sausage breakfast for dads and their children, followed by our whole school liturgy at 9am. We look forward to seeing you and know your children will enjoy sharing this special morning with you.

Please note that children seeking a sausage must be in the company of their father or father figure. Access will be via the Gregory Rd gate from 7.45am.

• YEAR 1 HISTORY DAY (SCHOOL) – Tuesday 5^th September
• PUPIL FREE DAY- System Formation for Teachers. Friday 8th September (Week 8), Please make other arrangements for supervision of your child/children as students DO NOT attend school on this day.
• STAGE 2 & 3 NETBALL GALA DAY – Friday 13^th October

UPCOMING DATES

• 18/9 Mad Monday- Crazy Hair Fundraiser (Catholic Care)
  
• 13/10 Stage 2/3 Netball Gala Day
• 23/10 Socktober – Crazy Sock Day Fundraiser (Catholic Mission)
• 24/10 Regional Choir Showcase
• 1/11- 3/11- Year 6 to Canberra
• 17/11 Mission Day Fundraiser (Catholic Mission)
• 10/11- Year 6 Transition to high school day (St Joseph’s Lochinvar)
• 6/12- End of Year Awards Ceremony- MacKillop Place St Joseph’s College

• 12/12-
• End of Year Mass & Graduation- MacKillop Place St Joseph’s College;
• Year 6 Graduation Lunch
•  15/12- Students finish, Year 6 clapout

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

FATHER’S DAY STALL

Congratulations and thank you to the many volunteers who assisted to organise and run the stall, enabling our children to purchase special gifts for their dads, grandfathers or special people in their lives. We are grateful to those parents who generously gave their time to ensure the success of the day.

PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION

Following our school competition, our finalists have been named to progress to the Regional Finals of the Public Speaking Competition.

The regional final for the Lower Hunter Region will be held on Tuesday 22^nd August at Holy Spirit Abermain.

PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION CO ORDINATOR REPORT

Yesterday Holy Spirit Infants School was the host of the Lower Hunter Regional Primary Public Speaking Event and it was a privilege to have your school representatives and their parents attend.  

The calibre of the speakers this year was excellent and I do ask that positive feedback is provided to all the staff who assisted to prepare the students to be able to participate so confidently and competently in the competition.  

Every student was presented with a certificate to acknowledge their participation at this level. We awarded three place winners (a trophy and two medallions) and everyone present agreed our adjudicators had the hardest job of all! They provided group feedback and encouraged each stage, with particular positive encouragement to the Stage 3 students who will, we hope, continue with their Public Speaking as they enter high school.  

Another special mention to the Stage 2 students who were very friendly and encouraging of one another and enjoyed playing in our playground. As always, Stage 1 speakers amazed everyone with their skills and talents at such a young age.  

Providing our students with this opportunity to shine in what is essentially a cultural activity, is an opportunity I hope every school will continue to support. Seeing the emotions of the students and their families yesterday, not to mention their proud principals, was priceless!  

Results:  

EISTEDDFOD- CHOIR AND BAND

ORGANISATION & MANAGEMENT

MANAGING ILLNESS

We know that it can sometimes be difficult to determine whether your child is too sick to attend school. In the interests of the wellbeing of our whole school community we ask you to consider the advisable periods of time children should be away from school during and after an illness. When your child is sent to school unwell it is impossible for them to focus on their learning. If your child is sent to sick bay due to being unwell, our staff will assess the situation before making a phone call to ask you to collect your child. We appreciate your co-operation with keeping our school healthy and happy.

Ask yourself:

• Is my child well enough to comfortably take part in the day’s activities?
• Will my child pass on their illness to other children or staff?
• Will my child’s teacher be able to care for my child without it impacting on their ability to care for other children?
• If I felt like this, would I go to work?
• If you are unsure, speak to your pharmacist or doctor for advice or access information via the link below.

LOST PROPERTY

We have a large collection of uniforms that have no names, and this is steadily growing. If your child has misplaced a uniform item, please check 'Lost Property' which is in the COLA outside the hall.

COMMUNICATION WITH STAFF

At St Patrick’s, we value our strong relationship with families and welcome opportunities to communicate with parents and carers.

We also recognise that email is a fast and convenient way to contact your child’s teacher or other school staff. Although staff will read their emails at various times throughout the school day, they are generally not expected to respond to emails outside of normal working hours.

In the event of a matter requiring prompt attention or an emergency, please contact the school office on 49307270. Our administration team will address your concerns. If you wish to contact a staff member, please continue to send your emails to admin@lochinvarsp.catholic.edu.au

Your email will be directed to your child’s teacher or another relevant staff member. This helps us to have confidence that we are aware of any matters needing our attention as a team, and that you are connected to the person who can best help. Thank you so much for your assistance and understanding.

If you have any questions about the above, please contact Mrs Wilkinson, Principal.

GOVERNANCE MATTERS

COMPLAINTS & GRIEVANCES

If at any time you find that you have a concern with the school, you are encouraged to contact us by speaking firstly with your child’s teacher, or by making contact with office administration staff. Your concern will be directed to the most appropriate person to deal with the matter, which may involve our executive staff or depending on the context, Mr Nolan, Assistant Principal and/or Principal, Mrs Wilkinson.

It is our aim to work with all members of our school community to ensure that we do the very best we can to provide a productive, safe and enjoyable learning experience for our students and professionally fulfilling experience for our staff.

Parents should be aware that Child Protection Legislation prevents parents from approaching the children of other families to settle grievances, disputes or other negative issues.  It is in place to protect both children and adults in our school community.  If you have a concern regarding an incident involving your child and another student in the school, or if you are concerned for the safety of your child at pick up or drop off times or whilst travelling on the bus, please speak to your child’s class teacher in the first instance or send an email to admin@lochinvarsp.catholic.edu.au so that the matter can be investigated and appropriately managed.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Parents are also reminded that they are to conduct themselves appropriately and respectfully and model Christian values in every interaction with staff and other members of our community. We all deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.

The Catholic Schools Office (CSO) has formal written protocols in place to address complaints and grievances. These protocols are in line with the Diocesan Complaints Resolution Policy, developed to provide a consistent approach for all diocesan schools. This policy aims to address the concerns of parents and carers and the wider community. These concerns may include children’s learning, behaviour and welfare, school organisation and management, student health and safety issues.

SAFEGUARDING at St Patrick’s means...

The Catholic Schools Office promotes an absolute commitment to the safety, welfare and wellbeing of all children, particularly those attending the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

Our school is committed to fostering a community of safety and care. We acknowledge the legal, moral and spiritual responsibilities to care for and uphold the dignity and rights of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

“Protecting children is one of our most sacred trusts.”
(Bishop Bill Wright, 2012)

RE NEWS

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Congratulations to the students who completed their first holy communion over the last couple of weekends.

CURRICULUM NEWS

INDIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

St Patrick's has around 45 students from Indian backgrounds - that's about 8% of our entire student population! They speak many different languages (Punjabi, Gujarati and Hindi are the most popular second languages at our school) and are very proud of their culture. 

Indian Independence day is celebrated on the 15^th of August each year. St Patrick's recognized this special day for so many of our students in different ways. We heard from our Indian students about what the day meant to them and how they celebrate it, we watched informative videos and completed some beautiful artworks. We also enjoyed a delicious butter chicken and naan bread meal deal from the canteen this week!

Thanks to all our Indian students for sharing their culture with us, and to all students who took part in recognizing this day with them. 

Year Six listening to 'Amma's Sari' by Sandhya Parappukkaran

CANTEEN ROSTER

SPORT NEWS

CONGRATULATIONS

The All Schools Under 12's National Competition for Australia Football was held over the past week. All states and territories competed against each other, and after 6 days of Australian Football, the NSW team were crowned as the winners for the first time ever. Congratulations to Leura Russell who played in the victorious NSW team and is now a national champion! An amazing achievement!

GYMNASTICS- TERM 3

ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER NEWS

WHS

I ask parents to please be mindful when you drop your child off at school in the morning that you do not linger at the fence line on Gregory Rd to watch your child or congregate in the area immediately outside of the gateway. Doing so restricts the opportunity for other parents to park safely and tempts our younger children to leave the school grounds to meet with their parents or extend the goodbye. This is a very concerning practice and one that we must address and change. Once children enter the school grounds, they are under the school's duty of care. I thank you in advance for your cooperation in this safety matter.

COMMUNITY NEWS

BUILDING RESILIENCE

A topic that frequently comes up in the media and in our conversations with parents is building resilience. Michael Grose, leading parenting educator and author of 12 published best-selling books for parents, explains that the research shows resilience can be nurtured and developed, particularly when parents themselves are resilient and they actively foster it in their kids.

Parents are in the best position to influence their children’s resilience. Children watch our reactions to adverse events and view firsthand how we look after – or neglect – our own mental health and wellbeing. Focusing on our own resilience is not as difficult as it may seem. If you adopt a resilience mindset you’ll find that resilient behaviour follows. Promoting personal resilience focuses on helping kids cope with life’s hurts, disappointments and challenges in the present, while building strengths for the future. He suggests that parents can coach their kids through some of their more challenging moments and review what they may have learned for next time.

As a parent it is hard to avoid solving all our children’s problems for them but if we do, we can help improve their resilience. Often our children surprise us because they may be more resilient than we are about circumstances.

You can promote a lasting sense of resilience in your children by:

1. Having a positive attitude yourself. Your attitude as a parent impacts your child’s ability to bounce back from some of the difficulties they face. Make sure you model a ‘you can do it’ attitude for your child when they meet some of life’s curve balls.
2. Look for teachable moments. Many children’s learning opportunities are disguised as problems. Make the most of these opportunities so that children can grow and learn from some of the challenges they face. Daily lessons in resilience are everywhere. You just need to be ready to make the most of these valuable lessons when they come your way.
3. Make children active participants in the family. Active participation in a family develops the self-help, problem-solving and independence skills of children that are necessary for resilience. Promoting resilience in children is not a single event but a continuous process that requires adults to be supportive and empathetic when things don’t go their way. It also requires you as a parent to have an understanding of resilience, so that you can have faith in yourself, and your child’s ability to cope.

Developing resilience in kids is like jumping off a pier with some friends on a cold day. In both instances you need to go first!

ASPIRE YOUNG ACTORS PROGRAM

PARENTING PAGE

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