Week 2 Term 3 Newsletter

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Dear Parents, caregivers and friends,

Term 3 has already begun at a very fast pace, with many events and activities planned over the next few weeks and months. I urge you to note key dates in the Term Planners provided and ask that you keep this close at hand for easy reference. Additional information will be provided through the newsletter and via the Compass app.

As previously communicated, St Patrick’s is prioritising Wellbeing Initiatives as part of our School Improvement Plan. At the end of last term, we focused on Staff Wellbeing. Our pupil free day, targeting the work of Daniela Falecki, drilled down to explore the stress, frustrations and struggles educators face in light of Covid repercussions, pay imbalances and increased workloads, which are contributing to an unprecedented number of staff absences and resignations across all systems. Daniela helped us to explore how vital teacher wellbeing is as the foundation to staff and student success and what we can do to address the current situation. Our work with Daniela will continue into next year.

This term we focus on Wellbeing Initiatives for Students. I have provided an overview of the many and varied ways that students are supported at St Patrick’s. Our work in this space is ongoing and only achievable with the support of many staff members, who share their time and talents.

Watch this space for ongoing initiatives.

CALENDAR EVENTS

IMPORTANT DATES

• NAIDOC Week celebrations- 27 & 28^th July (Week 2)
  Celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities, and to support the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. It is a week of remembering and promoting the rich heritage and culture of Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islanders, the oldest continuing culture on the planet.
  St Patrick’s will hold our celebrations in Week 2 (28^th July). You are most welcome to attend. Details will follow early next term.

• INFANTS ATHLETICS CARNIVAL- 
  Fri 28th July (Week 2 @ 11.30am) Parents are welcome to come along to cheer on our competitors. Entry will be via Gregory Rd gates. Bring a chair and share the fun. Children will wear their sport uniform on this day.

• ST VINCENT DE PAUL WINTER APPEAL- Friday 4^th August (Week 3). In support of the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal students are invited to donate a gold coin for the privilege of wearing PJs or Winter Woollies to school. Do you know that Vinnies focuses on supporting people doing it tough, including older women experiencing and at risk of homelessness. Funds raised will provide assistance with food, clothing, household bills, specialist homelessness services and support people in need to find and maintain secure housing.
• DIOCESAN LEADERS ANNUAL SCHOOL VISIT- Mon 14^th Aug (Week 5)

• BOOK WEEK EVENTS including the Book Fair- Monday 21^st August- Fri 25^th August (Week 6)

• REGIONAL PUBLIC SPEAKING COMP @ Abermain 22^nd Aug

• GRANDPARENTS’ DAY & BOOK WEEK PARADE- Thursday 24^th August
  Theme: The CBCA Book Week theme for 2023 is "Read, Grow, Inspire." As in previous years, children are invited to plan a costume to celebrate the theme, linked to a chosen book. This is a favourite community event that is usually very well supported by students, staff and parents. Get creative!

• AUTHOR VISIT, REGIONAL DEBATING - 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 Parents are advised that numbers will need to be finalised at the beginning of next term. Due to the significant financial outlay by the school for buses, site activities, accommodation, and food components, we must have accurate numbers. It is expected that all children take part in this event, which addresses key aspects of the curriculum. If there is a genuine reason why your child will not be attending, this must be advised in writing by Friday 28^th July. After this date, no refunds will be provided for non-attendance. Please make contact with your child’s class teacher/s or the Learning Support Team, if further discussion is required.
• 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
  

ORGANISATION & MANAGEMENT

UNIFORM EXPECTATIONS

The school uniform is a distinguishing symbol of belonging to St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School and it is expected that students wear it with pride at all times. I understand that supply issues have resulted in a degree of frustration for parents. Patrick Lane, from Ken Lane Menswear, will attend the next P&F meeting to discuss the concerns and provide an update to parents.

Despite the issues, the assistance of parents and staff is greatly appreciated in maintaining a high standard of dress and presentation by all students. Students not wearing the correct or incomplete uniform are required to provide a note from a parent or carer giving reasons why and letting us know when the uniform will be corrected.

If students continually choose to wear the incorrect uniform or ignore our dress code, a parent meeting will be requested.

2024 SCHOOL YEAR

We are fast approaching the time of the year when we begin finalising enrolments for 2024. Each day, our administration staff field a number of enrolment enquiries for grades other than Kindergarten. I ask that if families are moving and will not be returning to St Patrick’s in 2024 that you please let us know in writing what your plans are for next year. This will enable us to determine if we have room for students in grades approaching capacity.

GOVERNANCE MATTERS

Regular attendance at school is essential for students to achieve quality life outcomes.  Every day counts, as regular attendance helps students:

• Develop a sense of belonging
• Develop and maintain friendships
• Be more engaged at school
• Progress with their learning
• Be more aware of career and life options.

Supporting positive school attendance is a shared responsibility - everyone has a role to play in promoting the regular attendance of students.

WHAT TO DO WHEN…

Your child is absent from school?

Parents have seven days to provide an explanation. Please enter this into the Compass App.

Your child is going to an appointment during school hours?

Parents are required to sign their child out of school on the Compass Portal in the front office. Office staff will arrange for your child to come to the office for collection. Parents and carers may be asked to provide ID, if they are not known to office staff. Please do not be offended as we are only ensuring the safety of your children.

Your child arrives late to school?

Parents are required to escort their child to the front office. All absences are recorded on the Class Roll which is a legal and binding document. The principal is only permitted to grant 15 days leave per year per child. This does not include absences due to sickness. Any child requiring more than 10 days’ leave must apply for an exemption through the school office (e.g. travel).

You would like to speak with your child teacher?

Contact the office staff to request a meeting either face to face or on the phone with your child’s teacher. Please note that meetings will generally be after 3pm.

You are seeking approval for your child to engage with an external provider?

Principal approval must be given. Consult Mrs Comerford in the office to check processes.

You believe your family requires the support of the school counsellor?

Counselling requests require a current referral to the school counsellor, organised in conjunction with the class teacher and our Learning Support Team.

You are trying to find Lost Property?

Please label your children’s belongings clearly and check the lost property boxes located outside of the hall.

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

FEAST OF MARY MACKILLOP

A certain sense of God’s wonderful love strengthens me. Mary MacKillop 1873

Over the past few years and in recent months many have experienced varying degrees of turmoil or faced natural and personal disasters. In Australia the plight of the nation and the planet have raised our awareness to the absolute need of being connected. We have witnessed amazing heroism, generosity, and deep sharing in unbelievably big and small ways. On 8^th August, we will celebrate the Feast Day of Australian’s first saint, Mary Mackillop. Mary was a person who spent her life reaching out, giving, and connecting. God’s presence was a dominant feature of her life. The witness we have experience in a nation’s response is Mary’s call to us in everyday life. God is with us in it all, good or challenging.

Courage, courage trust in God who helps you in all things. Mary MacKillop 1874

God of all blessings, you revealed in Mary MacKillop a sensitivity to the rights and dignity of every person, regardless of race or creed. May we learn from her to overcome the obstacles of prejudice and fear. Help us to value the goodness of each person and all the blessings of unity in diversity. We ask this through the depth and unity of you, our bountiful God, who hold all things in being. Amen

CURRICULUM NEWS

ASPIRE

This week many talented students from across the Diocese, come together for production week of ASPIRE.

The pinnacle of the ASPIRE program each year is the production held at the Civic Theatre Newcastle where over 160 talented students devise, create and perform an original piece of theatre over a weeklong season.

ASPIRE’S 2023 production of ‘The Pirate Code’ follows Captain Lucy Dastoor and her swashbuckling crew as they hunt for the lost treasure of Andreas against the backdrop of an over-taxed community under the control of a greedy Governor.

To find it they’ll have to sail through storms, fight off the villainous Cutthroat Crowe and defeat the fabled Kracken as well as proving to everyone around them that women can make some of the very best pirates.

This fun filled adventure is designed to entertain and excite with a host of popular music that punctuates the storyline throughout as well as some sea shanties thrown in for good measure!

We are delighted to have 4 students taking part this year. Erin Kelly and Sakura Nolasco (Dance Ensemble), Ethan White (Drama), and Armani Garland Sherbon (Singing). The children have provided a short report below, highlighting their experiences.

Aspire Dance Ensemble

Our names are Erin Kelly and Sakura Nolasco, and we are in the dance ensemble in Aspire 2023. The dance ensemble is funny, hard and challenging.

For dance in Aspire we have to do about 10 to 13 dances and it a great experience for beginners and people who have been dancing for a long time. Aspire is a place to make good long-lasting friendships and you also get to do a bit of singing and acting here and there but mostly dancing for the dance ensemble.

The struggles we had to go through were having to audition to get in Aspire and another struggle was getting the feel of the set and how different it is do dancing in a studio compared to on stage because there are normally massive props behind and around you. The 2023 Aspire theme this year is pirates, and it is a great theme because you are not just dancing. You are watching people act and you also must act like a pirate and be in the scene wounded or ready to fight.

 As a dancer we have cool costumes and have crazy hairstyles. This takes our parents lots of time to work out. So not only do we have to go to practices every Tuesday, but we also have little sessions with our parents at night trying to figure out our hair. Our favourite thing to do in Aspire is go on the props and make so many new friends. Aspire is a place where you won’t be judged, and you are free in your own element. One thing that we were stoked with was that we could audition for multiple things. Aspire is a great experience for all and the dance ensemble is a time we could never forget. We are both so excited to show everyone the show we are in.

By Erin Kelly and Sakura Nolasco. 

My experience in ASPIRE

The Show

The show is filled with funny lines, jaw dropping dances and beautiful voices. The scenes will bring you to the edge of your seat. There is 2 acts and a 20-minute break in between.

Rehearsals

For term 1 Drama only, we had 2hrs every Tuesday but for term 2 and 3 we had 3hrs. For the last week of term 2 holidays all ensembles were there for the whole day (8hrs).

Friends

You make lots of friends through the whole experience. You will make great memories with everyone.

Overall

It is something you have to try. I don’t regret doing it and I recommend it to everyone.

By Ethan White

Aspire is a blast!

Hi, I’m Armani, and I’ve been going to Aspire for around 6 months now and it has been a blast.

There are 4 main student sections to audition for. These include singing, dance, drama and band.

Aspire opens opportunities for the future. Production week has been amazing. There’s a huge set and everybody is in the show including band. (But I don’t know if band gets to be seen on stage, but I assume so). There are also older, senior, high school auditions for year 9 and up, such as design crew, and a camera man and the teachers for each category. (Singing, drama, band and dance). Overall Aspire is a great experience to meet new people and most importantly embrace your talent. I’m planning on auditioning for Aspire next year again because it’s just too much fun.

By Armani Garland Sherbon.

CLASSROOM NEWS

St Patrick’s celebrates positive behaviours, with the use of Shamrocks. These are collated across K-6 into colour houses. Please see the 1^st Shamrock Update for Term 3.

In 4^th place with 88 TENISON
In 3^rd place with 111 MURRAY
In 2^nd place with 119 MACKILLOP
In 1^st place with 122 DIRKIN

TERM 3 OVERVIEW

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

CANTEEN ROSTER

SPORT NEWS

REGIONAL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL RESULTS AND DIOCESAN ATHLETICS CARNIVAL TEAM REPRESENTATIVES

Congratulations to the 50 St Patrick's children who represented our school at the Regional Athletics Carnival this year and a big thank you to our Sport Leaders; Jaxon Harold, Millie Cronin, Gemma Trappel, and Samantha Lawler who were able to provide assistance on the day.

From this carnival, children are selected to represent our region at the Diocesan Athletics Carnival on Wednesday, August 2^nd at Glendale.

Congratulations to Scarlett Crouch, Sophie Cant, Katie Uren, Phoenix Russell, Leura Russell, Phoebe Toeava, Isabella Crouch, Sophia Unicomb, Sienna Atkins, Mia Smith, Talon Chalker, Jake Hedges, Thomas Power, Eli Unicomb, Kye Hedges, Max Crowther, and Nash McGregor.

We wish them the best of luck!

GYMNASTICS- TERM 3

ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER NEWS

NAIDOC WEEK

WHS

Parents using the Gregory Rd access point for morning drop off will have noticed the placement of sandstone blocks at the gate entry. This measure has been undertaken to provide a visual demarcation, reminding students to remain within the gated area and a physical deterrent or barrier to prevent pedestrians and cars from directly interacting.

Parents are encouraged to deliver their children to the walkway next to the fence, and regularly communicate safe pedestrian behaviours.

A reminder that the Bus Bay on Gregory Rd, closest to the cemetery, is still operational. Any parents parking in this area are risking hefty fines.

PARENTING PAGE

Unless otherwise stated, the advertisements placed in this newsletter are placed by independent third parties who have no legal relationship with the Diocese. The activities or services of the advertisers are not supervised or controlled in any way by the Diocese. The Diocese is not in a position to endorse the advertisers or the services provided and makes no representation about those matters. Accordingly, the Diocese cannot accept any responsibility for the advertisers or the activities or services that are the subject of these advertisements.