Week 3, Term 4 2018

Principal News Jenny Hawkins

Prayer for our teachers on World Teacher's Day

We pray for all teachers: that their hearts may be full of love, justice and compassion.

We pray for all teachers: that their hearts may be full of acceptance, kindness and understanding.
We pray for all teachers: that their hearts may be full of passion and enthusiasm for their calling. 

We pray for ourselves: that we may value and appreciate our teachers who strive to make a difference in our world. 

Lord, hear our prayer,

Amen

St Pat's Award recognised STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) Project 
Congratulations to our Year 6 leaders who were chosen to present their innovative STEM projects to other school teachers and leaders at the Catholic Leadership Centre in the city yesterday. St Pat's has stepped forward as a STEM recognised school. You can read more about STEM by going to our school website and scrolling down the page at this link.

Our Year 6 leaders at the Catholic Leadership Centre

OUTSTANDING 2018 NAPLAN RESULTS FOR ST PAT's
This week we shared our 2018 NAPLAN results with the Education Board. Again, St Patrick’s are very proud of the outstanding results achieved by our students, who outperformed the state in Reading, Writing, Spelling and Numeracy. This is a trend we have witnessed for the last 8+ years. The staff are in the process of ‘drilling down’ various aspects of the data to determine how we can continue to improve our Learning and Teaching, and better cater to individual, group and cohort needs, including the continued extension of our many high performing students. Well done to the students and thank you to our staff.

Prep 2019 Transition
Thanks to the large number of parents who joined Liz and I for the parent session while the children were happy in the classrooms. Twenty-five parents signed up for the new 6 week parent helper course next year. This is such a great way to support the children and get to know other parents at school.

Hall Kitchen 

Work is booked to begin on the hall kitchen immediately after the election on the 26th November. We had to wait until after the election to guarantee there was no disruption to the use of the hall as an official voting centre for the State Election. Parish funds from both the 2016 and 2017 fetes will cover the cost of the new kitchen.

New Look School Community Event 2019
Last week, a working party met to plan the new community event for next year. Special thanks to Nadine Power and the parents who attended the meeting as well as the large number of parents who put their names forward to support the new community event. The event will take place in October 2019. We will share more news with you very soon.

Sunsmart Policy
Our school is an accredited Sunsmart school. Term 4 is a good time to revisit our Sunsmart Policy and ensure we are all doing our best to keep our children safe in the sun. As parents, it is also important to understand the role we all play in keeping our children safe in the sun.
Here is a link to the Sunsmart Policy on our Learning Community Site

Social Media - New Instagram Account
Along with our school Facebook Page, we have set up a new school Instagram account to share images of our school community with you. You can access the images @stpatsmbna

Kids Artworks

The children have been busily preparing their art piece (under the creative guidance of Miss Karin) for the annual 2019 Kids Artwork calendar.  These make great Christmas presents.

For those wanting to see the finished piece before purchase, they will be available to view under the portico from 3.15pm next Friday November 2nd.

The calendars will be $15.00 and the children will be bringing home the order forms today.  The order forms need to be returned to school.  Payment can be made in cash or through Trybooking. Please note if  you are paying through Trybooking, please write the receipt number on the form instead of the cash amount.

Important Term 4 Dates:

Monday 29th October              Catholic Missions Week commences
                                                  Assembly Year 6
Thursday 1st November           Sports Day
                                                 Orders close for booklists if pick up is required from school.
Monday 5th November            School Closure Day
Tuesday 6th November            Melbourne Cup Day
Friday 9th November               Orders close for Kids Artworks calendars
Tuesday 13th November          Prep Information Night @ 7pm
Wednesday 21st November      School Closure Day
Monday 26th November          Swimming Program  commences (P-4)
                                                 Year 5/6 Beach/Sailing program commences
Wednesday 5th December        Booklist collection
Friday 7th December               Music Melodies Concert
Wednesday 19th December     Last day of term 4 (children dismissed @ 1pm)

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Week 2, Term 4

Principal's News - Jenny Hawkins
Family Mass

We are looking forward to joining the Parish community for Family Mass on Sunday at 9:00am. This Sunday is Mission Sunday. Everyone is welcome to join us.

The theme of this year’s Mission Sunday is “Together with young people, let us bring the Gospel to all,” echoes current synod of bishops, from October 3-28 in the Vatican. World Mission Sunday is the one Sunday in the year when the entire global Church comes together in support of mission. All the donations from these worldwide Masses go entirely to support churches, hospitals, schools and vocations in countries where the Church is new, young or poor.

East Malvern RSL Project AwardsYesterday I joined the judging panel to view the Year 6 leaders present their outstanding RSL projects for 2018. The purpose of this annual community activity is to research an event or person that has made a significant impact in Australia. The winners and highly commended projects are recognised at a special East Malvern RSL Remembrance Day Service where the projects are displayed along with those from other participating schools.

Staff News for 2019
This is the time of the year where plans are made for 2019. I am taking this opportunity to share some of our staff changes with you.

Paige Tomlins is sadly leaving us to relocate and join her partner in sunny Queensland. Sarah Nolan is returning to home to be with her family in Ireland. Matt Hale is taking leave for twelve months to care for his young family while his wife Dana returns to full time employment. Fortunately Matt will still be available to come and do part time emergency teaching work for us. Anne Mullans is leaving full time teaching and continue in a part time capacity as our RE Leader for two days a week during 2019.

I am pleased to announce that we have appointed three new talented and enthusiastic members of staff to join our expert teaching team next year. We welcome:

• Laura Adcock, an experienced junior school teacher, currently teaching full time and completing a Masters of Learning Intervention.
• Natalie La Fontaine, an experienced senior school teacher also currently teaching full time with recognised strengths in Maths
• Luke Daidone, a graduate teacher with a Masters in Education and a Double Degree Bachelor of Business and a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science. Luke was the Year 12 College Captain of Salesian as well as Football and Swimming captain.

We will get an opportunity to meet our new staff when they join the children for a transition visit later this term.

NEWS FROM OUR STUDENTS

On the 16th and 17th of October the Grade 1 & 2 students had an incursion to learn more about Safety.

We had Kerry from St.John’s Ambulance come and speak to us about First Aid.

‘We learned that D is for Danger. Look, Listen & smell for danger.” Mia & Rosie

“R is for Response.  If someone is lying on the floor, not waking up, you yell Hello hello can you hear me?” Macie & Luca

“ If the person does not respond to your yelling, use your crab claws t(fingers & thumbs) o squeeze their shoulders from behind..” Rose & Rhiannon & Christian

‘Put your thumb & pointer finger together to make an O and stand your other 3 fingers up straight to remind us to ring 000 in an emergency.” Max & Viviana

“If you burn yourself, run cold water over it for 20 minutes” Jake & Joe

“ First Aid means the first person to help you.” Alex & Beatrice

“If you have a blood nose, squeeze the end of your nose, lean forward & put your hand underneath your chin to catch any blood. If you get bitten by a snake lie very still on your back & call out for help.” Barnaby, Charley & Kaleb

Lisa, from the RACV Street Scene program, came to talk to us about  passenger, bike, scooter & skateboard safety and pedestrian safety.

“When you go bike riding wear bright colours and at night you must have fluorescent clothes & a light.” Noah

“If a child 7 and older,  has to sit in the front seat of the car, slide the seat back as far as it will go. This will protect the child from the airbag if you are in accident.” Jack & Nancy

“If you are shorter than 145cm the RACV recommends that you sit in a booster seat.  The law says you must be 7 years old to sit without a booster seat.” Raphaelle & Matilda

“Check that your helmet is fitted correctly by doing the two finger test. Put two fingers on your eyebrow to  measure where your helmet sits on your forehead. A two finger space should be left between your chin and the strap.” Ivy & Layni

“If you see a sign with a bike with a red cross through it means you must get off your bike & walk it over the crossing.” Emma

We had lots of fun learning about safety and hope we can put these things into action if we find ourselves in an emergency!

Beachside Basketball Play-Off 2018

On Tuesday the 16th October 2018, the following year five girls - Bridgid, Mackenzie, Shani, Ivy, Alice, Sienna, Emma and Luciana went to the Beachside Division Basketball Tournament at Oakleigh Basketball Stadium. 
The first game was very competitive- we played our very best right to the last second but still went down by 11 points (19 to 8). There was a brief break before we had to get back on the court again.
The second game was the toughest we played - mostly because we knew people on the opposition from club basketball. We stood strong but went down by 11 points (16 to 5).
It was third time lucky for us- we won by 11 points (15 to 4).
It was a great effort by all the girls finishing third overall. On behalf of all the team, we would like to say a big thanks to Rob M (Coach), Pip C (Team Manager), Kylie (Support and Scoring) and Mrs. Barclay for organising our team. We can’t wait until next year!

Go St Pats!!

Hoop Time reporter - Luciana (5J)

Important Term 4 Dates:
Tuesday 23rd October              Prep Orientation for Groups 1 & @ @ 2.15pm
Wednesday 24th October         Yr 5/6 Camp Meeting 2019 @ 6:15
                                                  Parish Education Board Meeting @7pm
Monday 29th October              Catholic Missions Week commences
Monday 5th November            School Closure Day
Tuesday 6th November            Melbourne Cup Day
Tuesday 13th November          Prep Information Night @ 7pm
Wednesday 21st November      School Closure Day
Monday 26th November          Swimming Program  commences (P-4)
                                                 Year 5/6 Beach/Sailing program commences
Wednesday 5th December        Booklist collection
Friday  7th December               Music Melodies Concert
Wednesday 19th December      Last day of term 4 (children dismissed @ 1pm)

COMMUNITY NOTICES

St Patrick's Parent's & Friends

Week 1 Term 4 2018

Principal's News Jenny Hawkins

Welcome back to Term 4. Our term has got off to a great start. We are trialing new bell times (see below for more information) and practice for Sports Day has already begun. 2019 Prep Orientation sessions are also underway.
The future is looking promising for Catholic primary schools with both major political parties providing a remarkable vote of confidence in Catholic education. They have not only endorsed the quality and strength of our school system, but its significance to the state. This will be helpful for us going forward when we apply for funding to contribute towards the refurbishment of our school as part of our Masterplan.

Family Mass Sunday 21st October
We welcome Fr Leenus Neetany to St Patrick's as our Parish Priest during Fr Paul's leave. Fr Leenus has met with both Mrs Mullan and myself about class, family and school masses going forward. We are looking forward to our next Family Mass on Sunday 21st October and hope that as many of you as possible can join us.

October is the month of the Holy Rosary. Is is a special time to pray the Hail Mary to Our Lady

Here is a message from Fr Leenus: Our Parishes of Murrumbeena and Ormond are blessed with two Schools, namely St. Patrick’s and St. Kevin’s. We can all be proud of them and thank God for them. The 4th and the last Term of the School Year has just commenced. As a large family, we ask God for his continued blessings upon all of us. May, everyone involved in the life of our Schools experience an unfailing guidance of the Lord in teaching, learning and other extra-curricular activities as well. 

New Look Community Event for 2019 Meeting Tuesday 16th October 6:30pm
Due to a shortage of volunteers to run our traditional St Pat's fete for 2018 (see the fete review meeting recommendations at this link), the fete committee decided to postpone and instead create a new look event for 2019. It was agreed that the fete in its current capacity needed to be reinvigorated and scaled down. The aim is to create a different community event with the same positive outcomes.

We are grateful to Michaela Kelly and the wonderful team of organisers and helpers who worked hard during past years to make the original fete such a success.

Nadine Power has kindly volunteered to lead the coordination of a new event. We are looking for volunteers who are keen to make plans going forward. We invite you to join us in the staffroom this Tuesday 16th October at 6:30pm for our first meeting.

Yr 5/6 Camp Information for 2019 Wednesday 24th October 6:15pm

There will be a change of venue for the 2019 camp which will take place from the 11th -13th February. You are invited to come to an information session to learn more on Wednesday 24th October at 6:15pm. You will receive more details closer to the time.

Bell Times

This term we have altered the bell times to create two equal play break sessions during the day. Many schools have moved to this option over the last few years with positive outcomes for both learning and play. 

Instead of the traditional twenty minute morning break and a fifty minute lunch play break, we have two forty minute play breaks. There is still a ten minute supervised eating time before each break. Some children are choosing to eat their lunch before the first break and their snack before the second and vice versa. As the trial continues, we will review the delivery of lunch orders to ensure this suits all children. 

The times are as follows:

8:50              First bell to enter classrooms (supervision in the school grounds begins at 8:40)

9:00 - 11:15  Learning Sessions 1 & 2

11:15- 11:25  Eating Time 1

11:25 - 12:05 Play 1

12:10- 1:40    Learning Sessions 3 & 4

1:40 -1:50      Eating Time 2

1:50- 2:30      Play 2

2:35 - 3:30     Learning Session 5
At the end of play breaks, the children are lining up in different areas to ensure safe entry after play into school.We value your feedback around these changes. Please email principal@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au

Flexi Buzz Absences

As we continue to ensure the safety of all children arriving at school, it is important that you use the Flexi Buzz app to notify the office of your child's absence. This will ensure that the automated SMS messages only get sent to families who have not notified the school of the absence.

Garden Group Meeting Monday 15th October 2:30pm Staffroom

Special thanks to one of our parents Francoise Tran who has volunteered to coordinate our Garden Group. Francoise and any other parents who are willing to become involved in this group, will be meeting this Monday at 2:30 pm in the staffroom with our Year 6 Environment Leaders to make some plans going forward. You are welcome to join us.

Share the Dignity #itsinthebag charity drive

This term one of our parents, Liz Cosgrave, is collecting handbags for "It's in the Bag" charity drive for Christmas.

This is run by Share the Dignity, an Australian charity that aims to improve the quality of life of women who have experienced domestic violence in a number of ways.

Please see their website for more details:www.sharethedignity.com.au

Each November, Share the Dignity run the #itsinthebag charity drive where they collect handbags filled with personal care products and distribute them to vulnerable women who are homeless, at risk or experiencing domestic violence.

HOW YOU CAN HELP?
Choose one of your handbags that’s in good condition that you no longer use.
Fill it with personal care and sanitary items that would make a woman feel special and pop in a thoughtful note or Christmas card. Items such as shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, sanitary items would be great - anything useful and/or little luxuries. Please see the website if you’re looking for inspiration!

Drop the bag in at the front office by WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 28 and Liz will deliver all handbags to one of the Share the Dignity drop off points so they can be distributed to women in need

Important Term 4 Dates:
Monday 15th October              Assembly (presentation by 4W)
Tuesday 16th October              Prep Orientation for Group 2 @ 2.15pm
                                                 Community Event Meeting @ 6:30 pm Staffroom
Tuesday 23rd October              Prep Orientation for Groups 1 & @ @ 2.15pm
Wednesday 24th October         Yr 5/6 Camp Meeting 2019 @ 6:15
                                                  Parish Education Board Meeting @7pm
Monday 29th October              Catholic Missions Week commences
Monday 5th November            School Closure Day
Tuesday 6th November            Melbourne Cup Day
Tuesday 13th November          Prep Information Night @ 7pm
Wednesday 21st November      School Closure Day
Monday 26th November          Swimming Program  commences (P-4)
                                                 Year 5/6 Beach/Sailing program commences
Wednesday 5th December        Booklist collection
Friday  7th December               Music Melodies Concert
Wednesday 19th December      Last day of term 4 (children dismissed @ 1pm)

COMMUNITY NEWS