Deputy Principals Mrs Diakrousis & Mr Speranza
St. Patrick's School
Dear Families,
What a wonderful fourth week of Term 4 we have had at St Patrick’s!
We started the week with a splash of colour as our students and staff arrived at school on Monday dressed in their brightest and most vibrant summer outfits for our P&F Summer Vibes Casual Clothes Day! Despite the rainy weather, there was certainly plenty of sunshine and summer spirit around our school! A big thank you to all our families for their generous gold coin donations and to our fabulous P&F for organising this fun-filled event.
On Tuesday, we were excited to welcome videographers from Whinck, on behalf of PSW, who spent the day capturing footage for a new promotional video showcasing our beautiful school. It was a wonderful opportunity to highlight our vibrant learning spaces, fantastic facilities and, most importantly, the incredible students and staff who make St Patrick’s such a special place. We cannot wait to see the finished product!
Our lucky Year 4 students enjoyed an exciting excursion to Scienceworks, where they had the opportunity to explore the fascinating world of science through interactive exhibits, hands-on experiences and engaging discoveries. It was a fantastic day filled with curiosity, excitement and learning beyond the classroom!
A very special congratulations to our Year 2 students who celebrated their Second Sacrament, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, this week. This is a significant milestone in their faith journey, and we are incredibly proud of the reverence, courage and maturity they demonstrated as they prepared for this important step. Thank you to our dedicated teachers, families and parish community for supporting the children in their preparation for this special occasion.
Finally, we would like to wish our extraordinary St Patrick’s staff a very Happy World Teachers’ Day! Our teachers go above and beyond each and every day to nurture, inspire, encourage and support the students in their care. Their dedication extends far beyond the classroom, and we are incredibly fortunate to have such a passionate, hardworking and caring team. On Friday 30th October, we celebrate not only the wonderful educators they are, but also the positive difference they make in the lives of our students and families.
Thank you for all that you do. We appreciate you, we value you, and we are so proud of you!
Thank you to our SRC and Social Justice Leaders who have been preparing for a special presentation for our teacher's at tomorrow's assembly. All families are welcome.
Wishing all our families a wonderful long weekend!
Warm regards,
Joelle Diakrousis, Deputy Principal / Learning Diversity Leader
Anthony Speranza, Deputy Principal / Learning & Teaching Leader
Child Safety Awareness for October - Child Safety Standard 9
Please see the Child Safety page for further information
Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide
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:
Stationery Lists 2027
Attached are the 2027 Student Stationery Lists for Prep to Year 6.
All items listed can be purchased from your preferred retailer, such as Officeworks, Big W, Kmart or any other stationery supplier.
If you already have any of the listed items at home that are in good condition, free from writing or graffiti, and suitable for use throughout the duration of the school year, there is no need to purchase them again.
We kindly ask that all stationery items are:
Clearly labelled with your child’s name.
Clean, free from graffiti and in good working condition.
Brought to school on Thursday 28th January 2027, the first day of Term 1.
City of Kingston Biketober Challenge!
This Term, our school is taking part in the City of Kingston Biketober Challenge across Weeks 2, 3, and 4!
We are joining forces as one whole school community to see how many active travel trips we can log together. Active travel includes walking, riding, scooting, or taking public transport.
The benefits of active travel include:
A healthy body and mind: Starting the day with physical activity boosts mood, increases energy, and helps students arrive at school focused and ready to learn.
Safer and quieter streets: Every active trip means one less car at the school gate, reducing traffic congestion and improving safety around our school zone.
Environmental impact: Choosing active travel cuts down on local emissions, helping build a cleaner, greener community.
Remember: "Part of the Way is OK"! If you live too far away to travel actively for the entire distance, you can still participate! Consider driving part of the way, parking a few blocks from school, and walking, riding, or scooting the rest. Every step, pedal, and push adds to our combined total.
Seasons for Growth 2026
At times in life, children experience change or loss that can feel confusing, overwhelming, or difficult to manage on their own. To support students during these times, we will once again be offering the Seasons for Growth program at school this year.
What is Seasons for Growth?
Seasons for Growth is a small-group program designed to support children who have experienced significant change or loss, such as the death of a loved one, family separation, friendship changes, moving house, or other important life transitions.
The program:
Helps children understand that change and loss are a normal part of life
Provides a safe space to share experiences (if they choose)
Builds emotional literacy and coping skills
Encourages resilience and connectedness
Sessions will be facilitated by Mrs Diakrousis and will run in small groups during school hours.
Students who participated last year are welcome to continue the program and will build on their previous learning. New students will begin the program from the first session, which introduces the core concepts and foundations of the program.
Please contact Mrs Diakrousis (jdiakrousis@spmentone.catholic.edu.au) for further details.
Resilience Groups - also known as Bounceback!
This term, Mrs Diakrousis will also be starting the Resilience Groups for select students in Years 1–5. The Resilience Group (also known as the Bounce Back! Group) is designed to support students who may benefit from additional social and emotional skills to help them better manage challenges and build confidence.
An email was shared with all families from Year 1-5 to provide an overview of the program.
The lessons will take place once a fortnight from 2:00pm, ensuring that core learning areas are not interrupted.
Through small group sessions, students will learn strategies related to:
the Zones of Regulation (understanding and managing emotions)
managing worries and big emotions
building positive friendships and social skills
developing confidence and independence
problem-solving and coping with setbacks
The lessons are based on evidence-informed approaches to social and emotional learning and are delivered in a supportive, safe environment where students can share and practise new skills.
If you are interested in your child participating, please email Joelle Diakrousis (jdiakrousis@spmentone.catholic.edu.au).
Random Acts of Kindness
We are delighted to celebrate the following students for their exceptional kindness and compassion. Whether through a small gesture or an intentional act of support, you have made our school a more inclusive and welcoming place. Thank you for living our values and serving as such inspiring role models for your peers. Keep up the wonderful work!
Andy K. ( 5CD), Oliver R. (5CD), Charli C. (5CD), and Remy N. (5SB) For being great helpers to staff and students on the playground.
Sienna J. (2SM) For being a kind and supportive friend to others. A true model of kindness to all.
Hazel H. (PNS), Dalija K. (PCS) and Romy R. (PNS) For supporting staff and students in their class. Thank you for being such great leaders.
Phillip L. (PNS), Xavier L. (PNS), George M. (PNS), Christopher G. (PCS), and Levi J. (PCS) Thank you for your hard work and kindness when working together in class.
Oliver B. (3LM) For displaying excellent patience and behaviour when the videographers visited St Patrick's this week.
Emilio R. (1KA) For kindly carrying his friend's school bag when they were injured
Sophia P. (1TC) For displaying kindness and compassion by helping another student who was upset.
Syanne I. (1KA) Syanne kindly shares her supplies with other students when they don’t have their own