Principal's Report

Dear Parents,

I would like to thank our entire community on the success of our first ever colour run.  The day was a lot of fun for all students and it was a very successful fundraising event for our school.  Overall we raised over $25,000 for our P & F, and the funds will go directly to our new senior playground.  The playground is scheduled to be installed in early January so it will be ready for the 2025 school year.  We will shift our fundraising attention to replacing the Junior playground which will be relocated to where the Chicken coop is.  The chicken coop is moving to the back corner of our kitchen garden.  Thanks to Danny for his hard work in these spaces.

Year 4 Bike Ed Camp

Congratulations to our Year 4 students on an amazing Bike Ed camp last week.  I had the pleasure to attend camp and I was very impressed with the students positive attitude to the camping experience.  We had many compliments from the camp staff about how well behaved our students were, and how well they participated in the activities.  My sincere thanks to the St. Patrick's Staff who looked after the students so well - Mr Matthew Hale, Mrs Maria Scalzo, Miss Issy Simioni, Mrs Di McNicholas, Mrs Christabel Vaz, Mrs Karen Beyrooti and our 2 student teachers - Miss Michaela Torpey and Mr Ben Griffin. 

Remembrance Day

My thanks to the Year 6 SRC students for attending the Mentone RSL on Monday to observe Remembrance Day. They were excellent ambassadors for our school community.

Prep 2025 Orientation

Last night we held our parent information session for the 2025 Prep Cohort.  It was a very successful evening and I would like to thank the many families that were in attendance. My thanks to Miss Stephanie Murnane, Mrs Emily Thorley and Miss Nikahla Short our 2025 prep teachers for their work already in this space.  Special thanks also to Mrs Kathryn Ady, Mrs Bianca Latto, Mrs Joelle Diakrousis, Mrs Christine McMahon, Mrs Ann Easton and Mrs Leanne Brown for their support of the team.

Our Prep orientation session are scheduled for:

19th November - Prep 2025 Orientaton Session #1

26th November - Prep 2025 Orientaton Session #2

Enrolments for 2025

If your family/child is not returning to St. Patrick's in 2025 can I please request that you contact me via the office on 9583 5033 or alternatively on principal@spmentone.catholic.edu.au so we can accurately plan for the 2025 school year. 

Class Placements 2025

The staff have begun the very important job of placing students in their 2025 classes. Please note that we are unable to take specific requests from parents for the placement of their child as this would make a very difficult job even harder, as well as undermine the work currently undertaken by class teachers.  

Our process involves the students making a list of 5 people in their year level they would like to be in a class with, and then the teachers, on balance, create the class lists.  We endeavour to have at least 1 friend from students lists in their new classes.  All lists of 5 are recorded digitally for accuracy.  

Considerations to be taken by the staff across the 3 year level classes include: gender balance, academic balance, social and emotional needs balance, friendships and clashes of personalities.  No class list is going to be perfect, and it is important that we encourage our children (and parents) to develop resilience around this.

P & F AGM

My thanks to the P & F group for their dedication to St. Patrick's Community.  We held the Annual General Meeting this week and I am very pleased to report that we have filled all executive positions.  I am looking forward to working with the team next year.

School Advisory Council

If you are interested in joining our School Advisory Council in 2025, I encourage you to contact me via the school office ASAP.  We currently have 2 places available for our next 3 year cycle.

Once in a life time opportunity!

Have you ever wanted to own a piece of history? If your answer is yes, then look no further!  We are selling our main props from the school production at the unbelievable bargain price of $50 each (Donation to the P & F).  Below are the listed items, first in - first served.  No holds, take ASAP!  The 4 items include the Stingray Bike, Whale, Turtle and a spare large yellow tricycle (Adult size).

Upcoming School Closure Days

Monday 25th November - School Closure Day for Staff Professional Development and 2025 planning

Congratulations

Congratulations to Mr Colin Edwards who is curently representing Australia in the Masters Hockey world cup.  Australia have qualified for the final with a thumping win over Canada in the semi finals 8-0.

School Calendar

Please use the following Google link to add the school calendar to your own calendar for ease of information exchange. School Google Calendar HERE.

God Bless,

Pat Berlingeri

Principal