Week 3, Term 4 2017

First Communion
Congratulations to two of our Year 3 classes who have already made their First Holy Communion. The masses were beautiful. Special thanks to Fr Paul, Mrs Mullan and the children's teachers and parents for helping to ensure this occasion was a memorable one.
The third class will make their First Communion this Sunday at 9am. Please continue to keep the children in your prayers.

Sports Day
A very big thank you to our talented PE Teacher Michelle Barclay for coordinating such a wonderful sports event. We were blessed with fine weather despite the heavy rain during the night.
Extra special thanks to our parent helpers, especially those who helped with transport, first aid and the running of activities.
Thanks to our wonderful Year 6 leaders who lead their houses with pride and enthusiasm.
Congratulations to Bainbridge (Blue) who were the overall winners of the Family Sports Day shield and Tobin (Green) who won the Team Spirit Award trophy. All children participated with energy and enthusiasm and are to be commended.
Thanks to all families and friends who supported this year's Sports Day especially the pre schoolers who stole the show when they ran a full 400 meters !!

RSL Projects

Our Year 6's have risen to the high benchmark set by past students for the RSL projects. Well done to all of the children for their quality work. You can view their projects outside the entrance to our school hall. You can view photos of the Year 6's presenting their projects on our school Facebook Page at this link.

Special Congratulations

Congratulations to Emma Middleton from Year 4 who recently ran at the Regional Athletics and came 6th out of 9 competitors. Emma was the fastest 9-10 year old. Well done Emma, we are all very proud of you.

Absences
Just a reminder that all student absences should be logged by 9am (whenever possible) on Flexibuzz, even earlier if your child's class is heading out of the school for sport or on an excursion.  Thank you.

Booklists
Booklists for 2018 were sent home this week.  As in previous years, these can be completed online or returned to the school by 1st November.  If you are wanting to collect your order here at school, this will take place on Wednesday 6th December.

Camp dates for 2018
When planning for next year, the grade 5/6 camp to Canberra will be March 19th - 22nd.  The camp is a core part of the curriculum and attendance is compulsory.

Hug Charity Fundraiser

Last term St Patrick’s held a fundraising day for the HUG charity in Uganda. The school community showed overwhelming support on this day. The total raised through the sale of goods and from donations was a fabulous $3,447.90! These funds have now gone directly to the children, the ladies, the secondary school and the foundation, to support them in caring for their families’ basic needs, school fees and towards establishing a school library. During the holidays, I received messages from the people expressing their great thanks as they have received the funds already. I have been asked to pass on “Big Hugs” to you all.

We still have a collection of “African” style greeting cards which years 5 and 6 have made which will be on sale at the office. $3 each or 4 for $10. Please see Sandra or Deb.

Great result.

Thanks

Karin Dornbierer

ST PATRICK'S FETE 18th November

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
Sun 29th October          Communion 9am  
Mon 6th November       School Closure Day
Tues 7th November       Melbourne Cup Day holiday
Tues 14th November     Host Family Night
Sat 18th November       St Patrick's Parish Fete
Wed 22nd November    School Closure Day
Mon 27th November     Swimming commences P-4
Mon 4th December       5/6 Sailing program
Wed 6th December       Buddy afternoon (Year 5s and new preps)
Fri 8th December          5/6 Beach program
Wed 13th December     Carols Night 6-7pm
Wed 18th December     Year 6 Graduation
Wed 20th December     Last day...Mass  9am, Assembly 12noon, students dismissed 1pm

Week 2, Term 4

Communion Masses
We look forward to the Year 3's making their First Holy Communion this Sunday and next Sunday. Please continue to keep the children in your prayers.

SCHOOL SPORTS DAY

We are looking forward to Sports Day on Wednesday 25^th October at Duncan Mackinnon Athletics Track.

A few reminders:

- Lunch and snacks should be in a named plastic bag and schoolbags left at school

- Clothing- wear your house team colours! Sunscreen should be applied in the morning and hats MUST be worn, as stated in our SunSmart policy.

- Parent viewing area is at ground level in front of the grandstand

- At the conclusion of the event, any parents wishing to take their child home must sign them out on the class roll.

Many thanks to all of the parents who have offered to assist on the day!

Lost Property
The change in weather has seen a huge influx of lost property into the cupboard outside the hall.
If your children are missing items, please check this treasure trove!

ST PATRICK'S FETE 18th November 

Calling all Crafters

The craft stall welcomes the following donations of any type of handmade craft items. Jewellery; little girl skirts, dresses, aprons, art smocks, bags and fairy skirts; adult tote and cosmetic bags and aprons; gift items such as candles, soaps, bath bombs and lavender bags; greeting cards; hair accessories (esp. in school colours) wheat bags; decorative homewares such as cushion covers, dreamcatchers, terrariums/mini gardens, pot plant covers and macramé pot plant hangers; items for kids to buy for a gold coin: bag tags, stationery, lollies, wands and finally Christmas items: wreaths, decorations, stockings, reindeer "food", gift bags, tags and cards.

Any items of handmade goods especially handmade greeting cards (birthday, Christmas, birth, weddings etc) for the Craft Stall. They always sell out and are a good drawcard for the stall.

Contact Craft ladies Lydia Pakpoy 0414568520 lydiapakpoy@icloud.com Jane O'Shannessy damo.jane@bigpond.com

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
Sun 22nd October         Communion 9am & 5pm
Tues 24th October         Prep Orientation combined groups
Wed 25th October         St Patrick's School Sports
Sun 29th October          Communion 9am  
Mon 6th November       School Closure Day
Tues 7th November       Melbourne Cup Day holiday
Tues 14th November     Host Family Night
Sat 18th November       St Patrick's Parish Fete
Wed 22nd November    School Closure Day



COMMUNITY NOTICES

Week 1 Term 4 2017

Welcome back to a new term, the fourth and final school term for 2017. Our Year 6's are preparing to graduate and are being supported to make a smooth transition to high school. Our Year 5's are getting ready to be buddies and leaders for 2018. All of our children and staff have begun the new term with enthusiasm as engaged and motivated learners always faithful to our loving God.
Please keep our Year 3's in your prayers as they get ready to make their First Holy Communion in the coming weeks.
October is the month of the Holy Rosary, a special time to pray the Hail Mary prayer to Our Lady.

Prep Orientation
On Tuesday we had the first 2018 Prep Orientation afternoon and evening. Special thanks to four of our Year 6 leaders who spoke to the parents about their experiences at St Patrick's. Thanks to our existing families, new families and staff who supported the sessions. We look forward to welcoming our new Preps next year.

Thanks to Elliott, Tom, Audrey and Charli.

Let's celebrate our 2017 NAPLAN Results

Last term we received the NAPLAN results for our current Year 3s and 5s. Once again, we were very pleased to see the evidence of the children’s efforts and the effectiveness of our teaching and learning program here at St Patrick’s. For the 6th consecutive year, St Patrick’s out-performed the state in all areas in both Year 3 and Year 5.

Here is a summary of our performance in Literacy and Numeracy. The yellow bars represent the state and the red bars represent St Patrick's school.

Fundraising this year
Special thanks to our Parents and Friends Committee for their continued hard work and support of our school through fundraising and the organisation of school events and activities.
This year, the funds raised are going towards the upgrade of the adventure playground and technology hardware.
As many of you know, last year's fundraising went towards the hall kitchen upgrade. The plans have been prepared and we look forward to being able to inform you of the next steps as soon as we hear more.

Child Safety, alcohol and the fete
The P & F Annual General Meeting will be held this Monday 16th October at 7pm in the school hall. This will be followed at 8pm by the stall holders meeting for the fete.
Following the implementation of the Victorian Child Safe Standards in 2016, we have had to review all activities on our school grounds. Stronger processes in all schools, parishes and community organisations have been implemented to align with this legislation. This has meant some changes in order to protect the well being and safety of all children and young people. Some of the new changes for the 2017 Parish fete include no alcohol on the school grounds and the necessity for Working With Children Checks for many of the stall holders. We hope that the reasons for these changes are clear and that you understand this is not only a school decision.

Congratulations
Congratulations to  Emily C (2M), Mae O (4V) and Fabian T (2M) who were selected from hundreds of entries and made into the finals of  the Marshall White "My Dreamhouse" art competition.

Planting Club
Just a reminder that children participating in the Planting Club on Fridays must bring along a pair of gloves.  We also would like to request clean tin  cans such as spaghetti or fruit cans  so that we can start preparing our plantings for the fete.  These can be dropped off at the office.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:

Tues 17th October         Prep Orientation Grp 2
Tues 24th October         Prep Orientation combined groups
Wed 25th October         St Patrick's School Sports
Sun 29th October          Communion 9am  &  5pm
Mon 6th November       School Closure Day
Tues 7th November        Melbourne Cup Day holiday
Tues 14th November      Host Family Night
Sat 18th November        St Patrick's Parish Fete
Wed 22nd November     School Closure Day



COMMUNITY NOTICES