Week 11, Term 4, 2018

May I take this opportunity on behalf of our staff, to wish all of our children and families every blessing for a Happy Christmas and a safe and healthy New Year. We thank you for your valued support during 2018. We wish our leavers well and look forward to welcoming our children back to school on Thursday 31st January,  2019.

Jenny Hawkins

A Prayer for Advent - Love
Dear Jesus, may the light of your love always shine in our hearts. As Christmas draws closer, we marvel at your great love for us. Let your love transform every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter. Our hearts are open to you, Jesus. Amen.

Go and check out the beautiful Nativity Scene in St Patrick's Church

Congratulations to the Year 6's 

We thank Mrs. Oliver, Mrs Pratt and Mr Hale for organising a great graduation evening. I 'd like to take this opportunity to wish all of the Year 6's our best wishes as they leave St Patrick's and go to their high schools next year. 

Congratulations to our award recipients

Congratulations to Lisa Marashiello

Miss Maraschiello is getting married in the holidays and will return to school as Mrs Harris in 2019. The staff celebrated with a special wedding shower. We wish Lisa and Will well for their big day and look forward to seeing the photos in the new year.

Staffing for 2019

We shared some of our staff changes for next year in the earlier Shamrock notices and wish all staff well for 2019.

Last week, Ange Mason shared news of a new teaching appointment. Ange is making a change after 13 years at St Pat's. We thank Ange for her valuable contribution over the years and wish Ange well at her new school.

We welcome Harry Strelec to our teaching team. Harry brings a vast skill set including an Honours degree in psychology, and teaching experience in both the UK and Australia. Harry will teach 4S. The children were excited to meet Harry this morning.

Learning Support Officers

Nayrie Haladjian, Tia Croce, Noreen McCoy, Deb Wrigley

Office Administration 

Sandra Counihan, Deb Dalton

Technology Technician

Russell Lockyer

School Grounds & Maintenance

Robert Norman

Specialist Teaching Staff

Physical Education: Michelle Barclay

The Arts: Karin Dornbierer

Library: Bern Wood, Bernadette Logan

Italian: Veronica Sciullirty

Music/Choir 2019: Marg O'Dwyer

Reading Recovery/Literacy Support: Catherine Fogarty

Classroom Teaching Staff 

Prep Y: Angela Yates / Katherine Hadaway     Prep C: Helen Curry / Maria Blair Smith

Year 1 A: Laura Adcock                                   Year 1K: Madeline Kappler

Year 2 P : Sam Pratt / Jacinta Minter                Year 2O: Nicole O' Halloran

Year 3 D: Luke Daidone                                   Year 3P: Clare Petrovich / Maria Lucas

Year 4 S: Harry Strelec                                     Year 4V: Wendy Verstoep / Bec Maddocks 

Year 5 H: Lisa Harris (Maraschiello)                Year 5J: Paul Jones

Year 6 W: Fiona Walsh / Bern Gallagher          Year 6L : Natalie La Fontaine

Leadership Team

Liz Hills (Deputy Principal, Teaching & Learning T & L), Kerryn Oliver (Student Diversity), Anne Mullan (Religious Education), Angela Yates (Student Well Being/ Child Safety Officer), Nicole O'Halloran (T & L), Lisa Harris (T & L), Bec Maddocks (Digital Technolgies), Jenny Hawkins (Principal)

Thanks Staff and PEB and P & F

Finally, I wish to say a huge thank you to all staff, Parish Education Board and Parent and Friends Committee for your valued support and hard work during 2018.

Frequently Asked Questions Prep 2019

Here is a link to Frequently Asked Questions for our Preps for 2019.

Final Term 4 Date

Wednesday 19th December   Last day for 2018 End of Year Mass Celebration @9:10am,  Principal's  Highlights of the Year and farewell to Year 6 students straight after mass in the Church.
                                                         School finishes @ 1pm

Important Term 1 Dates 2019

Tuesday 29th January  and Wednesday 30th January Staff Professional Learning Days
Thursday 31st January        All children Prep - Year 6 start back at school
Friday 8th February                Beginning School Year Mass Celebration

Week 10, Term 4 2018

Principal News Jenny Hawkins
Prayer for Advent Week 3, Joy
Dear Jesus, help us focus on you during this busy season. May we stay aware of the joy you bring into our lives. We want to find you in the everyday moments and come with hearts of gratitude to your manger on Christmas. Amen.

The final Advent Liturgy will take place on Monday at 2:30 in the Church led by Year 5.
The Year 6 Graduation Mass will take place at 7pm on Monday.
The end of year school mass will take place at 10 past 9 on Wednesday. All are welcome to join us.

Thank You
Thanks to the parents who prepared a delicious morning tea for the staff and did yard duty too!!
We appreciate your generosity.

Good Luck
Noah in 2M has made it to the state relay championships this Saturday at Lakeside – one of the premier tracks in Australia. It is the first time under 9s have made it to this level. They are competing in the 4x200 and the blue ribbon event 4x100. The boys have committed to some serious training including every Sunday afternoon for all of this term. Congratulations on such an outstanding achievement Noah. We are proud of you and wish you well.

Please Note
This is a short newsletter this week to mainly share dates. The final newsletter for 2018 will come out before we break up next week.

Important Term 4 Dates

Monday 17th December          Advent Liturgy Year 5 2:30
                                                 Year 6 Graduation 7pm
Tuesday 18th December          End of Year School Celebration Event, Reports go home
Wednesday 19th December   Last day of for 2018 End of Year Mass Celebration, Principal's                                                       Highlights of the Year and farewell to Year 6 students
                                                 School finishes @ 1pm

Important Term 1 Dates 2019

Tuesday 29th January  and Wednesday 30th January Staff Professional Learning Days
Thursday 31st January        All children Prep - Year 6 start back at school
Friday 8th February                Beginning School Year Mass Celebration



The 2019 St Pats Dads Golf Day has been booked.

Next year we will be heading to Healesville Golf Club in Healesville. Guaranteed fun along with a few social drinks, hearty lunch and some golf I suppose!

The day will consist of a similar agenda to this year that included 4 ball Ambrose, lunch, bus to the course and back, prizes, punters club and drinks. 2 full size buses have been booked to accommodate 80 spots that have been booked. First in will secure the positions.

Date: Friday 29th March 2019
Course: Healesville Golf Course
Cost: $180

If you would like to be part of the fun please send an email to Andrew Pickering apickering@ebosgroup.com.au to book your spot.

Week 9, Term 4, 2018

Bishop Elliott's Celebration
Last Sunday the Parish and the school held a special thank you mass for Bishop Elliott's retirement.
A very special thanks to Christian Engelander who represented the school by reading a Prayer of the Faithful during the mass and all of the families who joined into the celebration.

Fantastic Netball Results - Champions U13 - Div 4
I was pleased to receive the email below and this wonderful photo from one of our parents Cathy Pickering. Congratulations to these Year 6 girls for a wonderful achievement. We are all very proud of you.

This photo represents the hard work, determination and courage shown by 8 AMAZING St Pats girls to take the win for their netball grade U13 - Div 4
The girls have played together as a team for four years and as parents we have watched them grow on and off the court, supporting each other week after week.
Grade 6 Netball Champions for 2018 - Aisling, Alicia, Amelia, Charlotte, Daniela, Evie, Lana and Mackenzie
Kerryn Oliver has a strong affiliation with Glen Eira Netball and is just as thrilled for the girls and the club.

Parents & Friends AGM
A very special thank you to Co Presidents Annie and Bree, Leanne (Treasurer) and all of the parents who have contributed to the Parents and Friends Committee for 2018. It has been a busy, productive and successful year as mentioned in Annie and Bree's report for:

"Whilst providing many fun filled activities for both parents and children we have had success in raising money for the school and parish, however, this hasn’t been the focus. We started this year with the goal to build community cohesiveness and spirit.....

...........It’s been a big year, full of learning and fun. We are proud that we have been able to raise approx. $18,000. This year’s fundraising efforts have contributed to a second set of Flexible classroom furniture for Year 5 and the replacement and refurbishment of classroom projectors for the interactive whiteboards including two new projectors.

We are looking forward to 2019 and really feel that the focus of building community spirit has been very worthwhile. We hope that everyone has a safe and happy Christmas.

Thanks from Bree and Annie

You can go to these links to read the full P & F Presidents AGM Report for 2018 from Annie and Bree and the Principal's P & F Report for 2018

These reports are also available on the Parents and Friends page of the Learning Community Site at this link. 

St. Patrick's P & F are also seeking a treasurer for next year.  Handover support from our outgoing treasurer goes without saying.  Please call Annie on 0438 365 109 or Bree on 0429 849 056.

Time Capsule due to be opened in 2019 Exciting !!!!
If you know of anyone who was a student at St Pat's 25 years ago when the time capsule was hidden away then please ask them to contact principal@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au. We are making some plans for the big reveal.

Important Term 4 Dates

Monday 10 December              Assembly 30                 
Tuesday 11 December             Year 6 Luna Park, Final transition for 2019 classes 10:00 - 12:00
Friday 14 December                Advent Liturgy Prep/Year 6, Music Melodies Showcase 2:30-3:30
Monday 17th December          Advent Liturgy Year 5 2:30
                                                 Year 6 Graduation 7pm
Tuesday 18th December          End of Year School Celebration Event, Reports go home
Wednesday 19th December   Last day of for 2018 End of Year Mass Celebration and                                                                     Final Farewells    School finishes @ 1pm

Important Term 1 Dates 2019

Tuesday 29th January  and Wednesday 30th January Staff Professional Learning Days
Thursday 31st January        All children Prep - Year 6 start back at school
Friday 8th February                Beginning School Year Mass Celebration