Newsletter Thursday 22nd February, 2024

We the staff of St Patrick’s acknowledge the traditional owners, the Kulin nations, of the land on which we learn and play.

We pay respects to the Aboriginal Elders, past and present, who are our teachers.

We thank them for taking care of children and country for countless generations.

FGW’s Newsletter

What a great start to the year! The students have settled in well and are starting to learn the routines at school. It is wonderful to see the new friendships they are creating and their willingness to follow our classroom routines we have in place. One thing they already love is our ‘Buddy Programs’. This involves older students being paired with younger students. Older students are sometimes in Years 5 or 6. The purpose of a buddy program is to support a smooth transition for Foundation students starting school. This helps to promote social skills and a sense of community and belonging. It also helps develop relationships between the younger and older students in our school.

A structured lesson is planned by the teacher to support students to get to know each other and to help Foundation students to have a smooth transition to school.

This week FGW and 5RM worked together on a ‘Get to know you’ task. The teachers introduce a new learning tool (Venn Diagram – as shown in pictures) to the Foundation students which helped them find common interests and individual interests. The students enjoy spending time with their buddies and playing with them on Fridays.

Year Level Camp/ Fun Day Dates:

TERM DATES 2024

2024 PUPIL FREE DAYS AND SCHOOL CLOSURE DAYS:

The 4 Pupil Free days ensure that we can manage our commitment for all staff to continue to provide activities such as school camps for our students.
Please note, these dates are separate from our 8 Staff Professional Development days. Those 8 days are for our staff professional learning which will focus on Religious Education, Learning and Teaching and Student Wellbeing.

Dear Parents, Carers and Guardians,

What a hot week we have experienced and yet another storm with incredible lightning that we experienced on Tuesday evening. Today we cancelled our Year 2 swimming lessons as it was just too hot for our students and teachers to firstly, get to the pool, but then be inside that hot arena, would not have been pleasant. The students will complete their swimming this Friday.

This week we had our first Parents and Friends activity and that was Icy Pole Wednesday! Perfect week to start. And what an incredible occasion it was as we welcomed 4 new parents/grandparents to this committee. It was so lovely to have these new and existing parents come together for the greater good of the students, and it was lovely to hear the laughter going on in the staffroom! Once again, I am asking parents and grandparents to consider donating an hour or so of their time to support this great cause! Please ensure you have your Working with Children Check and that you bring the card with you. We then have you on our files.

This week, we have hosted our Family Learning Conversations (FLCs) and it has been a most successful collaboration of the school community and parents working together. During this time, many parents have raised concerns around their child/ren’s actions whilst on social media, in particularly the app Tik Tok and whilst gaming.

I would like to remind all families that the students sign a User Agreement that identifies key items they need to remember and adhere to whilst on social media and these include, respectful and responsible behaviour in both words and actions. I urge all parents to continue to monitor their own children’s behaviours whilst on the phone or iPad. Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

Take care and God Bless,

Meg

Important Reminders

It has been wonderful to see students arriving at 8:30am and taking part in Active Club again. Active Club takes place on the big oval each day. Active Club gives students the opportunity to get their bodies moving before learning each day. Being active every day has a range of positive effects for all. Some things to remember so that everyone can enjoy Active Club: 

• Leave your bag outside your classroom before heading over to the oval or basketball courts
• Walk or jog slowly and carefully and watch out for the younger and smaller students in the school

Below is a link for all parents to seek further information on the benefits of morning exercise.

Just a reminder that parents are only to be waiting outside the classrooms please and not to be on the oval or basketball courts as this is the time the students begin their morning exercise and have the opportunity to be socialising with their peers.

For children and young people (5 to 17 years) | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care 

Our Icy Poles Wednesdays are back !!

Please log onto CDF Pay with the link below to order one for your child. Each icy pole is $1.50.

https://stppakenham.cdfpay.org.au

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

It is a nationwide measure through which parents/carers, teachers, schools, education authorities, governments and the broader community can determine whether or not young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community.

NAPLAN results allow parents/carers and educators to see how students are progressing in literacy and numeracy over time – individually, as part of their school community, and against national standards.  

The tests support monitoring and evaluating of the performance of schools and school systems in these fundamental capabilities. They also provide schools, states and territories with information about how education approaches are working, areas to be prioritised for improvement, and those schools requiring support in the teaching and learning of literacy and numeracy.

The results can assist teachers by providing additional information to support their professional judgement about students’ levels of literacy and numeracy attainment and progress.

NAPLAN tests are one aspect of each school’s assessment and reporting process and do not replace the extensive, ongoing assessments made by teachers about each student’s performance. Each teacher will have the best insight into their students’ educational progress. Parents/carers can use NAPLAN reports, along with other school assessment reports, to discuss their child’s strengths and areas for improvement with their teacher. 

NAPLAN results do not measure overall school quality.

The assessments are undertaken nationwide, every year. From 2008 to 2022, NAPLAN tests were held in May. From 2023, education ministers agreed NAPLAN tests will be held in March. 

NAPLAN is made up of tests in the 4 areas (or ‘domains’) of:

• reading
• writing
• conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation)
• maths

If you have any concerns or questions regarding NAPLAN, please contact your child/ren’s classroom teacher/s.

PSGs will be held in week 6 on Tuesday 5th March and Friday 8th March during school hours.  An invitation to book in your PSG time will be sent to parents of children invited to attend.

CSEF Applications are now due! 

If you have a current Health Care Card you may be eligable for the school fees concession program. 

The applicant must be one of the following:

1. a parent/carer (of a student attending a registered Government or non-government Victorian primary or secondary school) who is:
   • on the first day of Term 1 (29 January 2024), or the first day of Term 2 (15 April 2024)  a holder of one or more of the eligible financially-means tested cards (Centrelink Health Care Card or a Pensioner Concession Card), or
   • a temporary foster parent

The parent/carer must submit an application to the school by 23 June 2024.

If anyone has any questions or would like to discuss their school fee account, please contact the school office. 

Please download and fill in both forms below if you qualify.

If there are any changes from last year, this includes a new child starting at the school or any child who has now left the school, there is an additional form that needs to be filled out. Please come by the school office to collect it.

Please find the school fee schedule attached. Some school fees have gone out, the rest are following shortly. If you have any questions plese contact Cindy in the school office.

Open Day

Saturday 16^th March 10.00am – 2.00pm

Officer Campus Talk and Tour 9.30am-11.00am

13^th February

14^th May

25^th June

6^th August

17^th September

29^th October

Year 7 2025 Enrolment Interviews

7^th May

18^th June

PE uniform and illness/injury

It is important that students wear the correct uniform and footwear on the day that they have PE. The school polo shirt and sports shorts are the expected clothing along with sneakers with either laces or velcro straps. NO SLIP ON SHOES are permitted due to safety reasons. 

If your child is recovering from illness or is suffering from an injury, please advise me as early as possible prior to your child’s lesson day so that the activities can be modified or an alternative learning option can be arranged. 

If your child is suffering from a serious injury or recovering from such (eg: broken bone) please send a doctor’s certificate with a date confirming return to normal activity. This assists with maintaining the safety of students which is a priority at St Patrick’s. 

Contact can be made via PAM or by emailing me directly lbreeden@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au 

Active Club

It has been wonderful to see students arriving at 8:30am and taking part in Active Club again. Active Club takes place on the big oval each day. Active Club gives students the opportunity to get their bodies moving before learning each day. Being active every day has a range of positive effects for all. 

For children and young people (5 to 17 years) | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care 

Some things to remember so that everyone can enjoy Active Club:

• Leave your bag outside your classroom before heading over to the oval
• Walk or run counter clockwise around the outside area of the big oval only (not through the middle)
• You can walk or run
• Encourage each other to be active and to do as many laps as possible - let’s get everyone moving!
• If it is raining, it will be cancelled
• If the oval is too wet, it will be moved to the basketball courts and will be WALKING ONLY
• You must move quickly back to learning spaces when Mrs Breeden is wrapping up so you are ready for learning
• All playground equipment (including items around the oval) is out of bounds due to safety reasons. Students in Years F-2 are allowed on the big oval for Active Club.

Dear Parents and Carers,

Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as the Sacrament of Penance and Confession, is an important element of Christian life where we encounter God's presence and unconditional love.

The Year 3 students are preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation at school. You can help your child prepare in many ways such as family prayer and attending Mass regularly.

PARENT WORKSHOP (ONLY PARENTS)

IT IS AN EXPECTATION THAT ALL PARENTS OF CHILDREN RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION WILL ATTEND ON THIS NIGHT.

When: Thursday 29th February 

Time: 7:00 pm

Where: St Patrick’s Parish Hall

Speaker: Fr Elio Capra SDB

Students receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation and parents are to attend the Commitment Mass on Saturday 2nd March at St Patrick’s Church, Pakenham.

Any student attending St Patrick’s school who is baptised in the Catholic Church, attending Year 3 onwards can register to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Bookings are open now!

The link for registration is below:

https://stpatrickspakenham.com.au/reconciliation/

Please feel free to contact Mary Tresa Andrews, Religious Education Leader, via email at mandrews@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au 

KEY DATES

Regards,

Mary Tresa Andrews

Religious Education Leader

St Patrick’s Primary School

Dear Parents and Carers,

Last week we have entered the season of Lent beginning with Ash Wednesday. As we embrace the season of Lent, a time of reflection, sacrifice and giving, we invite you to join us in this special initiative that aligns with the spirit of the season. This year, we are reaching out to you, our wonderful school community, to get actively involved with Project Compassion!  

You can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes and online by visiting caritas.org.au/project-compassion or by calling 1800 024 413.
 
Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. 

With your support, Caritas Australia has been able to assist communities around the world through income generation, water and sanitation, food security, education, and disaster risk reduction programs. 

Project Compassion 2024 reminds us that the good we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow.

Please give generously to Caritas Australia this Lenten season and help vulnerable people around the world, now and for all future generations.

First Week of Lent (Week beginning Monday 19 February)

This year, Project Compassion brings you the stories of three resilient women from three different corners of the world. They are facing vastly different challenges, but are all united by one dream: to create a better tomorrow for all future generations. ​ Meet Ronita from the Philippines. Ronita lives with her husband and two children in a barangay (local district) in Quezon City, which is situated in Metro Manila in the Philippines. She went back to school to finish her education so that she could earn income to support her children. Meet Leaia from Samoa. Not having access to a reliable source of clean water was very difficult for Leaia and her family. But, with the support of Caritas Australia, a water tank was installed at their home, improving their health and living conditions. Meet Memory from Malawi. Memory, the eldest daughter from a rural Malawian family, trained to become a carpenter and is now a trailblazer for future generations of women in her village.   Throughout Project Compassion, you will get to know the stories of Ronita, Leaia and Memory. Journey with them as they forge a path to a brighter future for all generations.  Watch a short film: Introduction to Project Compassion (Primary school version) or Introduction to Project Compassion (General) Please donate to Project Compassion. You can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes, online by visiting caritas.org.au/project-compassion or by calling 1800 024 413. Photo: Richard Wainwright/Caritas Australia

Please remember to update your contact details and any relevant medical details for your child.  

Most medical profiles have now been updated. Please remember to keep them up to date and upload any asthma/allergy plans that may be relevant.

To update any contact details please contact the school office. 

Have you logged into your PAM account yet! 

We use PAM as our main form of communication.  All emails, Student Attendance, Sick Bay notes, School Reports, commonly used forms, excursion/camp permission notes and Family Learning conversations, will all be communicated via PAM.  

Access PAM via this link   Link to PAM 

PAM - Parent Access Module

PAM (Parent Access Module) is our Parent to School communication platform.   PAM will provide real time access to keep parents updated with their children’s progress, important dates and messages. Relevant resources – calendar events, student reports, parent notified absences, absence data and sick bay notes will all be accessed via PAM.

Parents will be able to easily book Parent Teacher interviews through PAM, and access teacher email addresses. 

PAM accounts are linked via your email address that we have in our systems. 

If you have recently changed your email,  please call or email us on office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au

Click on the 'forget password' link to set your password and then verify your email address.  (Email addresses must be verified for PAM to work properly).  Once your email is verified, your email can be used as the username for your account.

Once you have successfully logged in, you can save PAM to your homescreen on your device.

If you have any issues or need help with PAM please contact the school via email, office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au

PAM Instructions

Parent Notified Absences via PAM

Once you have PAM set up and saved to your home screen you can easily send in Parent Notified absences.   Please use this platform going forward as this automatically syncs with the class roll.   This will fix the issues of receiving SMS notifications even though you had already notified the school.