Message From Our Principal

Finally some Spring weather! It has been lovely to enjoy the sunshine and this week during our morning assemblies, we have celebrated lost teeth and birthdays. I love that in our school, we are able to share in the excitement of events that happen in each other’s lives and important milestones for all members of our community. 

I give thanks for our close knit community and the way we share ourselves, the good bits and the tricky parts, and that at the end of the day we look out for one another. To me, it’s why we choose to be part of a small, Catholic school. I like this quote by Hugh Van Cuylenberg, “Gratitude, for me, it’s the ability to pay attention to what we’ve got and not worry about what we don’t have.” Enjoy your week and the small things that amount to joy! 

Don’t forget next Monday the 31st of October is a Curriculum Day and Tuesday the 1st of November is a public holiday.

We would like to invite all families to come and see the 2 new classrooms that have recently been renovated. You are invited to visit on Friday the 4th of November at 2:30pm.

In 2023 we will welcome two new staff members to St Patrick's:

Annaliese Crosbie, who comes to us with 25 years teaching experience, in schools including St Mary’s Rushworth, Nazareth Primary School Geelong and St Augustine’s College Kyabram. During the last 4 years Annaliese has been employed by Mansfield Autism. She began this position after completing her Graduate Diploma in Autism Teaching. In this role she supported and worked alongside families, disability support workers and schools, who have or are connected to children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. 

Abby Van Haaster, who comes to us with over 11 years’ experience within the child care industry. She is currently employed as a Certificate III Educator at Shine Bright Kindergarten Tongala. In this role she provides assistance to guide children’s development in all areas. Abby will be a Learning Support Officer in 2023.

We are currently seeking nominations for our School Advisory Board [SAC] 2023. Becoming a member of the SAC is an excellent way for parents to become involved in the life of the school. There is further information regarding the SAC on the website and Keiran Brennan, [Chair], members of the SAC or myself are available for further information. Nominations to be received by November 24th 2022. The next SAC meeting will be the final one for the year and new members will be invited along.

Reduced Uniform Prices:

We have reduced the price of the polo shirts, long sleeve polos and jackets in an attempt to clear the stock we have. The prices are now:

Polo Shirt- $5

Long Sleeve Polo-$5 

Jacket- $10

We have the following stock:

Polo shirt:

Size 4 x 2

Size 14 x 7

Long Sleeve Polo:

Size 6 x 2

Size 8 x 2

Size 10 x 1

Jacket:

Size 8 x 2

Size 10 x 6

Size 12 x 1

Size 14 x 1

The best time to purchase is before or after school, but you can come in any time.

Grade 6 Graduation this year will look a little different than it has in the past. On Monday the 12th of December, at 6:30pm, Grade 6 students and their families will be invited to a Graduation Dinner. The location of dinner will be confirmed at a later date. During this dinner the graduating students will present their individual slideshows. 

At some stage during the last week of school (Monday 12th- Thursday 15th of December) we will have our End Of Year Mass which will be followed by  the Grade 6 Award Presentation and conclude with the Grade 6 guard of honour, as they leave St Pat’s for their final day of primary school. The date of this event will hopefully be confirmed by the next newsletter.

Grade 6 families will receive a formal invitation to this event, outlining the finer details of these events.

The recent rains have brought the mozzies out! We would recommend applying insect repellent on your child each morning and perhaps wearing long shirts/pants until the situation improves.

Protect Yourself From Mosquito-borne Disease 

(a note from Catholic Education Sandhurst)

The floods in Victoria pose an increase in mosquito breeding. Mosquitoes can carry a number of diseases that could make people very ill and, in severe cases, even cause death. It is anticipated that mosquito populations will increase significantly, and the levels will remain elevated through most of the summer. Mosquitoes do not breed in initial flood waters, they breed in warm stagnant water after flood water recedes. Mosquitoes can transmit a range of viruses. These viruses include RossRiver Fever, Barmah Forest Fever, Murray Valley Encephalitis; and Japanese Encephalitis Virus. 

Simple precautions help protect your community against mosquitoes and the diseases they may carry, including:

The most effective and simplest control is to avoid mosquito bites.

• Mosquitoes are most active around dusk and dawn, but can be active at other times, particularly in shady places.

• When mosquitoes are prevalent, seek shelter in an area protected with insect screens if possible.

• As much as possible try to wear long and loose-fitting clothes, avoid dark colours (they are more attractive to mosquitoes).

• Avoid perfumes and colognes (they attract mosquitoes). Use a repellent if in a mosquito prone area - one containing Picaridin or DEET 15-20% is best.

Have a wonderful extra long weekend everyone. Good luck if you have a bet on the Melbourne Cup!

Jackie