From the Principal

Dear families,

As we approach the end of Term 3, it’s a wonderful time to pause and reflect on the many highlights of the past months. From classrooms alive with learning to the energy of special events, excursions, and community gatherings, it has been a busy and rewarding term. The effort and enthusiasm of students, staff, and families continue to shine through in all that we do.

There is still plenty to look forward to in these final weeks. Our junior students are eagerly anticipating their excursion to Her Majesty’s Theatre tomorrow, and of course there is much excitement building for the upcoming school concert. A friendly reminder to book your tickets soon to avoid disappointment - we can’t wait to share this special event with you.

Father's Day

It was great to see so many special guests come to visit yesterday morning! I would like to make a special mention to our parent helpers who helped with our Father's Day Breakfast and for the work with the Stall that will be held tomorrow  - your help is greatly appreciated and your contributions continue to make St Pat's an amazing place! 

Wishing all dads, grandfathers, and father figures a wonderful day filled with love, laughter, and appreciation this Sunday.

Peace with Creation

Season of Creation - September 1, 2025. Pope Francis promoted the Season of Creation as an annual, worldwide ecumenical celebration for Christians from September 1 to October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. This month-long period serves as a time for Christians to pray, reflect, and take action to care for the environment, emphasising ecological conversion, simpler lifestyles, and advocacy for climate justice. The theme for 2025 is Peace with Creation.

At St Patrick’s School, we nurture in our students a deep appreciation for God’s creation and the shared responsibility we all hold in helping it flourish. We invite families to engage in meaningful conversations about how we can care for the environment and embrace sustainable practices in everyday life. Every thoughtful choice, no matter how small, contributes to a healthier, more vibrant world.

Important: Before School and After School

Before School Supervision

A friendly reminder that students should not be on the school grounds prior to 8:30am. Supervision begins at 8:30am, and access to the grounds is from this time. For special circumstances only, gates will open at 8:20am to allow students to enter and wait on the decking area until supervision commences.

After School Supervision

The school day ends at 3:15pm, and students should be collected no later than 3:30pm. After school care arrangements are available through Extend (OSHC service provider) from 3:15pm–6:00pm, Monday to Friday. If you would like more information about these arrangements, please contact the school office or Extend directly.

Launch of School Colour Run

At the conclusion of tomorrow's whole school prayer, our school leaders will be announcing the launch of our fundraising initiative for the Stevens family. 

Please keep an eye out for a parent letter and booklet that students will bring home. There are some great prizes to be won and the students are already super excited....I'm sure there will be even more excitement tomorrow afternoon!

SchoolTV 

This week on SchoolTV you will find a special report on Celebrating Father's Day.

Over the centuries, the role of fathers has evolved. During the industrial revolution, fathers were more detached, spending long hours working in factories, whilst mothers took on the role of primary socialiser and educator of children. Men tended to show their love and devotion from a distance, choosing to leave the child rearing to their wives.

Today things have changed dramatically with many Dads being celebrated for being sensitive, caring and more hands-on. Research has shown that the amount of time fathers are now spending teaching, helping and playing with their children, has trebled. This has transformed our understanding of how fathers shape their children’s lives from the start, challenging conventional ideas of parenthood and gender.

Fathers who involve themselves in physical activity with their children, play a key role in influencing them to learn self-control, face challenges, regulate emotions and take manageable risks. However, to be a great Dad, you need to also indulge in a little self-care and look after your own mental health. This allows you to be more responsive to your child’s needs, and engage more readily in play and learning activities.

If you are a Dad and struggling a little bit, it is advisable to seek help from a medical professional. Or, if you just want to talk to someone who understands, you can call one of the following organisations.

In Australia, phone MensLine on 1300 78 99 78 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36.

Click on the link below to access a wealth of videos, articles, and resources on the aforementioned topics.

All Editions | St Patrick's School - Ballarat (schooltv.me) 

Kind regards,

Ben Shields