Dear Families,

It has been an action packed second week with the start of year mass and Year 3-6 swimming carnival. A special mention and warm welcome to our new preps, and especially any new families to our St Patrick’s community.

As the Melbourne weather continues to be quite warm, and daily UV ratings high, we would like to remind students and families of sunsmart behaviours. Further information can be found below. Students are encouraged to bring sunscreen to school labelled with their name, which can be applied before recess and lunch. On some days, you may wish to also apply before coming to school.

Today the year level overviews from our teachers will be sent via Audiri, and are also attached below. Please take a moment to review your relevant year level's information.

Tomorrow we are delighted to have Uncle Mark lead a Welcome to Country ceremony at our assembly. Please note the special start time of 2:40pm, all families are welcome.

Regards,

Joelle Diakrousis, Deputy Principal / Learning Diversity Leader

Anthony Speranza, Deputy Principal / Learning & Teaching Leader

Term 1 Week 2 Assembly, Welcome to Country 2:40pm

The Welcome to Country Ceremony is a significant tradition that acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land, pays respect to their Elders—past, present, and emerging—and fosters a deeper understanding of and connection to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. We believe this is a wonderful opportunity for our students and families to come together, learn, and reflect on the history and stories of the land we share.

Uncle Mark Brown, a proud Gunditjmara man (through his mother’s lineage) and a Bunurong man (through his father’s side) will be leading the Welcome to Country at tomorrow’s assembly.

Arriving at School on Time

A reminder for all families to have their children arrive at or before 8:45 am each school day. To allow for this, the school gates will open from 8:30am. Punctuality not only helps students settle into their day smoothly but also maximises their engagement in the learning process. Being present and ready at the beginning of the school day allows students to make the most of instructional time and fosters a positive classroom environment. In the event that your child arrives after 9:00 am, we kindly ask that you sign them in at the school office. This helps us maintain accurate attendance records and ensures that any missed instructions or announcements are communicated to the students promptly.

Bike / Scooter and ball safety on the yard - before and after school

To maintain a secure environment and ensure the safety of everyone, we kindly request that bikes and scooters be walked while on school property. This small but important measure helps prevent accidents and ensures a smooth flow of foot traffic, particularly during busy times. Most are adhering to this request, and we thank you for your cooperation!

A reminder that netballs, soccer balls, basketballs should not be used for play before school. Downball games are permitted.

As we embark on a new school year, we want to remind you of the importance of keeping your contact information up-to-date. It is crucial for us to have accurate details to ensure the safety and well-being of your child. If there have been any changes to your address, email, phone number, emergency contact information, or your child's medical details, please take a moment to make the necessary updates on Operoo, or contact the office.

Random Acts of Kindness

We would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the following students for their outstanding display of kindness and compassion towards others. Your willingness to support, encourage, and uplift those around you has set a wonderful example for our entire school community. It’s incredibly inspiring to see students across different year levels go out of their way to make others feel valued, included, and respected.

Your acts of kindness—whether through small gestures or significant efforts—are powerful reminders of the positive impact we can all have. Thank you for embodying the values that make our school a welcoming and caring place for everyone. Keep up the amazing work!

Week 2

Ella D. (6MH), Jade Q. (6MH), Olivia S. (6LS), Grace M. (6BT), Isabella B. (6MH), Milla C. (6LS) and Elissa B. (6MH) for being a tremendous help to Mrs Diakrousis with beginning of school tasks

Lara J. (4KL) for her consistent politeness and beautiful behaviour in and outside of the classroom

Gisella C. (6MH) and Amelie R. (6MH) for assisting a younger student find her friend when she was upset.

Archie S. (4EC) For always making an effort to ensure his peers feel included

Robert D. (3FH) For cleaning the creek

Huff P. (3FH) For helping to pick up books in the library

Harper S. (3FH) For looking after a friend's brother who just started Prep

James W. (6MH) For his fast action in helping a distressed student on the playground

Year 5 Camp- Portsea

Our Year 5 students will be embarking on a memorable camp at Portsea from the 10th to the 12th of February. This three-day adventure is packed with activities, fun, and opportunities for friendship and personal growth.

This camp is designed to provide our Year 5 students with wonderful opportunities to enhance their confidence, make new friends, and strengthen their connections with teachers. The camp experience is a highlight of the senior years, creating lasting memories that will be cherished by the students throughout their time at St Patrick's and into their teenage years.

For Year 5 families, an operoo permission form has been issued. We kindly ask that this is completed by 6th February. For any questions relating camp, please contact Joelle.

Slip, Slop, Salp, Seek, Slide

A reminder for all students to come prepared with their hats and sunscreen each day at school. As we spend more time outdoors, it’s essential that everyone stays protected from the sun’s UV rays.

Parents, it would be greatly appreciated if you could teach your children to apply sunscreen at home before they come to school in the morning. This not only helps start their day off with good coverage but also ensures they’re familiar with the routine, as students will need to reapply during the day. By building this habit at home, we can work together to keep everyone sun safe.

A helpful PDF on sunscreen is attached below:

A helpful reminder for all of us is the Cancer Council’s “Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, and Slide” slogan. This easy-to-remember message encourages children to Slip on a shirt, Slop on sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Seek shade, and Slide on sunglasses whenever they’re outside. Practicing these sun safety steps helps build lifelong habits that protect skin health.

Further advice is also attached below:

Thank you for your support in encouraging sun-smart habits! Let’s work together to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and healthy summer season for everyone.

Parish Bulletin