School Newsletter - Term 3 Week 1- 2025

News from the Principal

Welcome to Term 3!

Dear Families,

Welcome back to Term 3! I hope everyone had a restful and refreshing break. We are stepping into a very exciting and busy term, filled with rich learning experiences, special celebrations, and memorable events for students and families alike.

This week we welcomed Miss Megan to our staff for the second semester as our STEAM and Year Two teacher along with Miss Fiona. We also enjoyed the company of Sian and Georgia, two pre service teachers who will be with us for the first 4 weeks of this term.

We’re especially looking forward to celebrating 100 Days of School with our Foundation students—a wonderful milestone that highlights just how much they’ve grown in confidence and learning. Our middle and senior students will be heading off on camp this term, an incredible opportunity to build independence, resilience, and lasting memories with friends and teachers.

Get ready for the colourful fun of Book Week - "Book an Adventure", the creative showcase of our Art Show, and the joy of connecting with families at our Father’s Day Afternoon Tea. There’s also a museum excursion, a Bunnings sizzling Sausage Sizzle, and the much anticipated Trivia Night, where we look forward to seeing our school community come together for some fun and friendly competition.

Please also note there will be a School Closure Day on Thursday 7th August this term—an important time for staff Professional Development in the area of our Catholic Identity.

As always, we encourage all families to stay informed by checking the Important Dates section of this newsletter and keeping an eye on our school website for the most up-to-date information.

Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement in school life. We can’t wait to share another wonderful term of learning, creativity, and community with you all.

Warm regards,
Paul McDowell
Principal

Please follow the below link to the latest Book Club brochure. 

https://scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/issue-preview/

Wellbeing @ St. Patrick's

Miss Jacinta is on staff every Tuesday to support students and families with a range of issues around wellbeing and offering support and strategies. Peaceful Kids is a program around relationship and friendship which is currently running. If  you wish to speak with Jacinta you may contact her through the office each Tuesday or by emailing myself and I will pass on your details for a call from Jacinta.

A reminder that  School TV on our school website  is a wellbeing resource that can support you in the challenges relating to modern-day parenting:  https://spgordon.catholic.schooltv.me/

This award-winning resource helps build relationships, foster connections, enable understanding and break down barriers to navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. It can assist in starting conversations on topics that are sometimes awkward or difficult to tackle.

Out of Hours School Care 

We have wonderful staff in Lisa, Chloe and  Jess ably  supported by Emily and staff  from YMCA at our school. Students are treated with respect and are engaged in fun and varied activities Before and After School.

The strength of the program relies on families using the service so I encourage families to sign up and continue to use.

Children must be enrolled to attend the program - whether ongoing or casual

TO ENROL PLEASE USE THE ATTACHED LINK:

https://prodadmin.myxplor.com/enrollment_v2/centre/4MxeRH0TsTorIGPLx24356Sh0A

Sadly, the number of children in out of home care are increasing while the number of foster carers are decreasing. This often results in very young children residing in residential care, or moving regularly from home to home.

If you or anyone you know may be interested in this worthwhile cause please reach out to CAFS. 

St John Defibrillators – Ready to help you save lives

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is one of the leading causes of death in Australia.

Defibrillators have the power to change this, with the potential to save thousands of lives if they are located within 1-2 minutes of where people work, live and spend their leisure time.

Having a defibrillator means you can step in with the tools to save a life before paramedics arrive – every minute counts. Research shows survival rates of up to 70% can be achieved if an AED is on hand.

We have a defibrillator located in the front foyer of St Patrick's Primary School - this is a lifesaving tool for our community.

Health Update For All Families: Winter Ashtma Plans

Dear Parents,

As part of our commitment to ensuring the ongoing safety and well-being at all students at St. Patrick’s, we are reaching out to inquire about any  asthma or allergy plans that may be in place for your child as we enter Winter that school is not aware of. We start to see children being prescribed for Winter asthma or a puffer just in case.

Your child’s health and safety are our top priorities and your cooperation in providing this information is greatly appreciated.

If your child has been diagnosed with asthma or allergies (also seasonal), we kindly request that you inform us of any existing plans or protocols that should be followed while they are at school. This information will help us better understand your child’s needs and enable us to respond appropriately in case of health related situations.

Due to policy updates we will no longer be able to store or administer medications such as Panadol, Nurofen, pharmacy only medications (including zyrtec & claratyne) or other non-prescribed medications at school. 

As a result of this policy; medications will only be allowed on school property with a document signed by your doctor. This could include an action plan, letter or treatment plan. 

We thank you in advance for your support keeping all of our children safe.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Playgroup

Join Us for Playgroup!

Playgroup is a fun, welcoming time for children, parents, families, and the wider community to come together for play, connection, and social time. It’s a great chance for children to explore and build friendships, while adults enjoy a warm drink and friendly conversation.

Playgroup runs every Monday from 9:00am to 10:30am in the school hall. The space is cozy and inviting—heaters keep it warm and comfortable, and tea and coffee are available to help everyone feel right at home.

Each session finishes with a special story time led by our Foundation teacher and students—a calm and engaging way to end the morning and encourage a love of books.

All families are welcome, whether you’re new to our school or a familiar face. Come along and be part of this relaxed and friendly group—we’d love to see you there!

If you have any questions or would like to know more, feel free to contact the school office on 5368 9495.

School Term Dates

Gordon Parish Mass

Music lessons

We are now taking bookings for 2025 music lessons.  If you would like any information please contact Tim on 0450 904 464 and he can discuss with you. 

We acknowledge that St Patrick's Primary School is on Wadawurrung Country.

We would like to acknowledge and extend our appreciation for the Wadawurrung People, the Traditional Owners of the land that we are standing on today.

Today, we pay our respects to leaders and Elders past, present and future for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and the hopes of all Wadawurrung Peoples.

We express our gratitude in the sharing of this land, our sorrow for the personal, spiritual and cultural costs of that sharing and our hope that we may walk forward together in harmony and in the spirit of healing.