Principal's News from Jenny Hawkins
Welcome back to a new term. Please ensure you read our weekly Shamrock to keep up to date with our news and keep reading for exciting baby news.
Growth Mindset Assembly
Please join us for a special assembly at 9am this Monday to learn more about having a Growth Mindset.
Confirmation
Our Year 6 children and their parents participated in the Sacramental Family Night to prepare for Confirmation. The children will make their Confirmation on the 30th and 31st May.
This sacrament is called Confirmation because the faith given in Baptism is now confirmed and made strong. The focus is on the Holy Spirit, who confirmed the apostles on Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4) and gave them courage to practice their faith.
Thank you to Fr Paul, Mrs Mullan and the Yr 6 teachers for helping to prepare the children to make the Sacrament of Confirmation. Thank you to the parents who came and supported the family workshop. Please keep the children in your prayers as they prepare to make their Confirmation.
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Rodney Dearing's Farewell
After 14 years as Pastoral Associate in the Parish, Rodney is retiring. Rodney joined the staff do a farewell morning tea to say thank you for all he has done for our school. Rodney has played an important role in the preparation of Confirmation. He has trained and prepared the children's choir for important masses. Rodney's wife Pat, is also retiring from her office role in the Parish. We wish both of them our sincere thanks and joyful blessings.
Code of Conduct Reminder about the process for addressing issues or concerns
Towards the end of Term 1 there were some instances that occurred at the school which require that I draw your attention as parents to some pertinent areas of Our St Patrick's Code of Conduct.
In particular - Our Culture of Respectful Relationships
We expect parents will:
- Respect the innate dignity and worth of every person
- Use open, positive and honest communication
- Act responsibly
In promoting and upholding this culture, we expect that parents will:
- Support the school's Catholic ethos, traditions and practices
- Treat staff and other parents with respect and courtesy
This is a timely reminder of the appropriate and acceptable channels for addressing any issues or concerns.
Please note that any concerns that relate to the school should not be directed towards or via other parents. The flow chart below is the correct way to address concerns.
Email Communication Protocols with Staff
Several staff members received emails from parents during the school holiday period. I wish to advise you that it is unfair to expect the staff to respond during this period. It is important that our staff have a break so that they can return to school refreshed and ready to teach your children with passion and enthusiasm.
As mentioned earlier in the year, this also applies to out of hours emails. Staff will respond to your emails between the hours of 8am to 5pm.
We are blessed to have such a dedicated team of staff at our school and we must respect that they also need quality family time.
Child Safe Team and the Colour Run
The Child Safety team held their second meeting at the end of Term 1. They praised the organisers of the P&F Colour Run event for their detailed Safety Action Plans and Risk Assessments. Special thanks to the main coordinators, Bree Langham and Annie Carrie and the many parent volunteers who helped to ensure the success of this fun community event.
Michelle Barclay, our PE Specialist teacher has volunteered to join the Child Safe Team. Michelle is highly skilled in preparing off site sports events and has a wealth of expertise to bring to the team. Next term we will be sourcing high- vis vests with our school logo on them for staff and parents to wear to increase their visibility at school organised events.
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| Thanks to all of our wonderful P & F parents and MrsBarclay for ensuring we had a safe and fun Colour Run. The school Facebook page will be updated with photos from the Colour Run. |
Annual Financial Audit Recognition of Expertise at St Patrick's School, Murrumbeena
The Catholic Education Office contract DeLoitte Australia to prepare our school Annual Financial Statements. Two certified DeLoitte accountants spent the day on Monday 26th March auditing our financial papers for 2017. I wish to share with you that they described St Pat's as an "extremely clean" school and wished all schools were as thorough with their finances.
Special thanks must go firstly to Deb Dalton and secondly to Sandra Counihan for the excellent job they do in our front office. We also thank James Manche and Mazza Maurizio our school accountants who meet on a monthly basis with Deb and I as we track progress against our budget. We are very pleased to be recognised as a benchmark school. The full financial report forms the basis of the Annual Report due to be published on our website at the end of May.
Staff Conference and School Closure Days for Term 2 and Term 3
Our staff spent two full and fruitful days with the team from the Schools That Deliver Network. Staff feedback about their time together is overwhelmingly positive. We are presently working on the final iterations of a vision narrative and core values to reflect our school vision. Staff have formed research teams to enable them to focus on our vision.
You can read about our staff conference experience at this link.
Please note that there will also be a school closure day on Monday 28th May and Monday 20th August.
MASTERPLAN PRESENTATION TO OUR COMMUNITY Tuesday 8th May 7pm
Are you interested in the future development of our school and grounds. At the end of last term, K2LD architects presented the final iteration of the school masterplan.
You are invited to the presentation of this masterplan by the architects from K2LD on Tuesday 8th May at 7pm in our school hall.
Hall Kitchen Update
In early March the parish engaged Rob Ware from DG Jones Australia to project manage our hall kitchen refresh.
Rob has worked with the parish previously overseeing the renovations to the presbytery and the current upgrade at St Kevin's Church.
We now have a scope of works and sketched floor plans. Y
ou can view this on the Learning Community Site at this link.
The next stage will be for these approved plans to be formally drafted and any necessary permits obtained before putting the project out to tender.
Congratulations
Under normal circumstances Paul Jones would have accompanied our students to Canberra but instead this year, he and his wife Bec had a beautiful baby girl, Isabella Ruby. The new family are all doing well and we wish them many, many fun filled times together.
Grade 5 & 6 Canberra Camp
Our Grade 5 and 6 students went on their annual camp, which this year saw them make the long drive to Canberra, our nation’s capital. Special thanks to all staff and parent helpers who supported this camp and to Mr Jones for organising it. During our 3 night stay in Canberra, our Grade 5 and 6 students participated in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.
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| Thanks to Simon Frost who arranged for the President for the Senate, Senator Hon Scott Ryan to speak to the children during their Parliament House visit |
They visited:
· National Planning Exhibit
· National Library
· Australian War Memorial
· Australian Institute of Sport
· Parliament House
· Questacon
· Royal Australian Mint
· National Electoral Education Centre
· Museum of Australian Democracy (Old Parliament House)
· National Botanical Gardens
The students made the most of every opportunity while on camp in Canberra, from responding to questions posed by our tour guides to having a go at the interactive exhibits which form many of the education programs at the various sites around Canberra.
The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist in meeting the cost of the camp the Australian Government contributed funding under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards the costs of our students participating in the Canberra Camp.
Enrolments
Enrolments for 2019 close at the end of next week, Friday 27th April. If you are an existing family and have not returned your enrolment form, it would be appreciated if you do so by Tuesday 24th April.
School Uniform
We are currently in a transition period between summer and winter uniforms until Friday 27th April. On Monday 1st May, all children will be expected to be wearing their winter uniforms.
It has been brought to our attention that some parents were encouraged to purchase the older style uniform (especially the hat and sports top). We have informed the PSW outlet to only sell the newer styles to our parents, unless they are heavily discounting them as 'spares' for parents. If you are having any difficulties around this, please let Liz Hills know and she will advocate on your behalf with PSW.
CHILD SAFETY CODE OF CONDUCT FORM
Towards the end of last term a very importance letter went home with the eldest child from each family regarding the new legislation around Safe Schools. Attached to this letter was a return slip to acknowledge that each family had received, read and would abide by the school's Code of Conduct around these new government requirements. A lot of these forms seem to have been overlooked so a follow up copy has gone home again today to families whose form is outstanding. Please complete these forms and return them by Friday 27th April.
THANK YOU
A very special thank you to all of our staff and parents who contributed during Term 1 in so many ways. As we begin Term 2, we will continue to ensure our school remains focused on our vision of engaged and motivated learners always faithful to our loving God.
NOTICES
Special Needs Family Support Group Morning Tea
Kim Johnston is kindly organising an opportunity for parents to meet in her home. We fully support this excellent initiative, however, for clarity, this group is a parent led group. The next morning tea is on:
Tuesday the 24th April
Any time after drop off until 11am.
Everyone welcome
Please message Kim for the address Kim@egan.mobi 0450954223
Fete Planning review Meeting
Fete review and planning meeting in the hall on Monday 23rd April 7.30 - 8.30 pm.
Important Term 2 Dates:
Monday 23rd April Grade 6 excursion
Tuesday 24th April Special Anzac Day Reflection @ 9am
Wednesday 25th April ANZAC DAY holiday
Monday 30th April Grade 4 excursion to Scienceworks
Masterplan Presentation Tuesday 8th May 7pm
Mother's Day Sunday 13th May
Dendy Cross Country Friday 18th May
Grade 6 Reflection Day Wednesday 22nd May
School Closure Day Monday 28th May
FORTHCOMINGMon
