Community Update # 4.12 Christmas Blessings

 Christmas Blessings of Hope, Joy and Love to our School Community

The Year 6 special Graduation cakes in front of the nativity scene in the school office

We finished the school year with a very special whole school mass. This was our first mass together since the beginning of the year and our first one with Father Siby. After the mass, we presented the Confirmation certificates, awards and Yearbooks to the Year 6 students as we said farewell to them for the final time. 

A video of the awards and presentations is displayed below. This is an unlisted video to protect the privacy of our students. Below is a video of the full Year 6 Live streamed Graduation and the Graduation Video prepared by the students too.

Year 6 passing on the Light of Leadership to the Year 5's

Year 6 leaders carrying the leadership candles

Congratulations to the following Year 6 students who were recognised with these 2020 awards:

• Higgins Community Leadership - Kayley & Jack
• Spirit of St Patrick - Christian 
• Carol O' Sullivan - Grace
• Core Values - Daniel
• Salesian Scholarship  - Leo

Congratulations to Rhiannon and Scarlett from Year 4 for receiving the Eileen Nelson Award

Farewell and thank to our Year 6 families leaving our community 

We bid farewell to the following families who are finishing with us : 

Aranda, Bolton, Brooks, Crawford, Cromie,  Engelander, Fraser, Gravina, Fernando, Howard, Imber, Joy,  Kirkles, Leeton - Ball, Main, McAlistair, McGrath, Migliorati, Ogilvie, O’Shannessy, Paterson, Pickering, Quayle, Saito, Saunders, Santiago, Stewart, Tippett, Turner and Taylor families.

Some of these families have been associated with our school for several years and will be remembered for the tremendous support they have given our school in numerous ways to help our school community to thrive.

On behalf of all of the staff and students I thank all of these families and wish them and their children well in the future.

The video from Graduation 2020 will be uploaded to this page once it is processed.

Thank you and Christmas blessings from the Staff

We welcome all of the new Prep families and other families joining St Pat's across the school for 2021.

Thanks to all of our current families you who supplied morning teas, special cards and gifts for us all.

Thanks to the Parents and Friends, Class Reps, Parish Education Board members and all parents who supported us during 2020.

We are truly grateful for the support of a very special St Pat's community.

Christmas blessings, peace, love, joy and hope that we may all continue to flourish in 2021.

End of Year Student Reports

End of year reports were released through the PAM Parent Portal on Monday.

You can access PAM the following ways:

1. on the Quicklink bar in Flexi Buzz 

2. on our website - St Patrick's School Murrumbeena >Parent Information>PAM link

3. Otherwise the PAM address which you can add to your homescreen for quick reference is as follows: https://pam.spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au

(Your email address should be the one you provided to the school. If you have forgotten your password please do a password reset ).

The first part of each page of the report  indicates your child’s achievement against the Victorian Curriculum Standards for Religious Education, English, Mathematics, and whichever of the other curriculum areas that have been covered in Semester 2. The second part of the report indicates your child’s achievement against specific outcomes.

Within the dot points you will find one of the following  letters:

N indicates new content progression point 

P indicates the student’s previous  progression point

C indicates  the student’s current progression point

The next sections share information in relation to Social Development and Commitment to Learning, and your child’s school attendance. Finally, the teachers have provided a personal general comment for the end of semester report. 

Secondhand Uniforms

All secondhand uniform requests can be sent to Kellie at heathcote.kellie@yahoo.com.  Donations are welcome too. Please email Kellie to arrange drop off.

2021 Pink List: St Patrick's Community Pages

The P&F would like to support and promote our school families' businesses in the 2021 Pink List by publishing details under a banner of  'St Patrick's Community Pages'.

If you would like to have your business appear in the 2021 Pink List, please send a quick email to us at: pandf@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au so we can start arranging our layout.

We hope that many in our school community will choose to support other families where they can.

2021 Term Dates

Sacrament Dates are published below for your reference. We are still awaiting the Confirmation date from the Archbishop and will publish that once it is announced.

Term 1

Staff only return Closure Day                      Jan 27

All children commence                                Jan 28

End Term 1                                                    March 30 at 1pm

Closure Day Staff PL  Day 1                        March 31

Closure Day Staff PL  Day 2                        April 1

Term 2 

Beginning Term 2                                          April 19

Year 5/6 Camp ADANAC                               April 19-21

Year 5 Reconciliation                                    May 5 10:30am

Year 5 First Communion                               May 9 9am & 5pm

Closure Day Reports                                     June 4

Year 4 Reconciliation                                    June 16 10:30am

End Term 2                                                     June 25 at 1pm

Term 3

Beginning Term 3                                          July 12

Closure Day Staff PL                                     August 20

Year 3 Reconciliation                                    Sep 8 10:30am                                 

End Term 3                                                     Sep 17

Term 4

Beginning Term 4                                          Oct 4

Year 4 Reconciliation                                    Oct 20 10:30am

Year 4 First Communion                               Oct 24 9am & 5pm

Closure Day Assessment                              Nov 1

Closure Day Planning 2022                           Nov 19

School Swimming                                          Nov 29 - Dec 10

End of term                                                     Dec 15 at 1pm

Community Update #4.11

Congratulations to our Year 6 Students 

On Thursday our Year 6 students made the Sacrament of Confirmation. Special thanks to Father Siby, Father Leenus and Father Pat and our staff who supported the students to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation followed by Confirmation. Thanks also to Tia for organising to live stream the service for family members.

If family members wish to receive a copy of the group photo and a photo of their student being confirmed, please email jhawkins@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au Father Siby will present to certificates to the students at their Graduation evening on Monday.

Let's continue to keep our Year 6 students in our prayers as they prepare to transition to high school.

Christmas Carol Event

Congratulations to all of our children who performed so well in the Christmas Carol Event. We are very proud of our children. Families can view the concert at this link  

Mini Market Day

Congratulations to our Year 5 & 6 students for running an exciting Mini market morning for the rest of the school. The children raised the huge amount $1484.45. The funds will go directly towards the special project for Mrs Barclay. Thanks to the teachers for helping to coordinate this special event and to all of the families and sponsors for donating prizes. 

Kaboom End of Year Incursion for the Whole School Tuesday 15 December

All of the children can wear their sports uniform on Tuesday to participate in the Kaboom sport incursion as an end of year treat. 

House Colour Day Monday 14 December for Grabau Children

Congratulations to Grabau for winning the house points for the year. The house points are linked to our core values.

All members of Grabau house will be able to come dressed in their house colour as a special treat on Monday.

2021 Pink List: St Patrick's Community Pages

The P&F would like to support and promote our school families' businesses in the 2021 Pink List by publishing details under a banner of  'St Patrick's Community Pages'.

If you would like to have your business appear in the 2021 Pink List, please send a quick email to us at: pandf@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au so we can start arranging our layout.

We hope that many in our school community will choose to support other families where they can.

Star of the Sea Secondhand Uniform for Sale available from an ex St Pat's parent

2 x summer dress, size 14, great condition $35 each, buy one or both! (retail $85)

 

Blazer – size 14, excellent condition $100. (retail $209)

This blazer has the old logo. A new pocket can be purchased from Bob Stewart in Bentleigh for $20 (you sew on) or $35 they sew on.

All laundered / dry cleaned.

 

I live in McKinnon and please contact me on 0412 525 699. I am happy to deliver.

 

Kate McCulloch

Term Dates

Term 4 2020

Year 6 Graduation 7pm                               December 14

End of Year School Reports                       December 14

Grabau house colour day                           December 14

Whole School Kaboom Incursion              December 15

End of Year Mass  11am                             December 16

School finishes at 1pm                               December 16

Term 1 2021

Staff only return Closure Day                     January 27

All children commence                               January 28

End Term 1                                                    March 30

Closure Day Staff PL  Day 1                        March 31

Closure Day Staff PL  Day 2                        April 1 

Community Update #4.10

 Welcome to Father Siby John

At the Parish meeting on Wednesday evening, Father Leenus was farwelled and Father Siby was officially welcomed as Parish Priest of St Patrick's and St Kevin's Parishes and St Patrick's school. Fr Siby was Assistant Priest at St Christopher's Parish, Syndal. He comes from the State of Kerala in India. He was ordained as a priest in 2004 and belongs to the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (SAC/Pallottines). Fr Siby is looking forward to confirming the Year 6 students on Thursday and meeting our whole school community in the coming months.

Classes Teachers for 2021

Today the children had the opportunity to meet with their teachers for next year as part of our transition programme. Our teaching arrangements remain much the same for 2021 with a few changes.

Congratulations to Mrs Lisa Harris from 1H who is expecting her first baby in the new year and taking leave. Miss Nicole O'Halloran is taking a year's leave to travel and pursue personal interests. We wish both Lisa and Nicole well for 2021.

We warmly welcome Mr Tim Moran to our St Pat's teaching team. Tim is currently a Year 3 & 4 teacher and is looking forward to being part of our St Pat's community. Tim has also taught Year 5 & 6 students and is an experienced junior cricket and football coach. 

We thank Mrs Andrea Arendze for temporarily taking over as art specialist after Miss Karin retired at the end of Term 1. Congratulations to Mrs Bec Maddocks, a current Year 4 teacher at our school, newly appointed to the art specialist role commencing in 2021.

Classroom Teachers

Prep A - Miss  Laura Adcock

Prep HB - Mrs Katherine Hadaway and Mrs Maria Blair Smith 

Year 1Y - Mrs Angela Yates and Mrs Bern Gallagher 

Year 1FT - Mrs Catherine Fogarty and Miss Danni Trott 

Year 1K - Miss Maddy Kappler

Year 2VK - Mrs Wendy Verstoep and Mrs Kristina Krikas

Year 2MP - Mrs Jacinta Minter and Mrs Samantha Pratt

Year 3L - Mrs Maria Lucas and Mrs Marg O'Dwyer

Year 3 D - Mr Luke Daidone

Year 4M - Mr Tim Moran

Yr 4R - Mrs Alex Reid

Year 5J - Mr Paul Jones

Year 5S - Miss Jacinta Stokes

Year 6G - Mrs Joanne Guscott

Year 6L - Miss Natalie La Fontaine

Art Specialist - Mrs Bec Maddocks

Christmas Carol Community Event

We can't wait to share our Christmas songs with you on Tuesday December 8 at 7pm.

Here is the Zoom link for families to join us. The link will open at 6:45pm for a 7pm start.

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82882299488?pwd=UXIwN3ZJOG05eGdjaXZVZ0FEWUdwQT09 Meeting ID: 828 8229 9488 Passcode: 191328

Handy person for caretaker position at St Patrick's school for 2021

We are keen to meet with a grandparent or retired family member or friend who would be available to be interviewed for a part time caretaker position at St Patrick's. Anyone interested in finding out more about this role, please email principal@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au or telephone the school office 03 95697487

Team Kids Holiday Programme

Here is a link to the Summer holiday programme for 2020/2021

Term Dates

Term 4 2020

2021 Prep Transition/Year 5 Buddies.       December 7

Whole School Transition 2021 (2)              December 7

Community Christmas Event                     December 8

Year 6 Confirmation                                    December 10

Whole School Transition 2021 (3)              December 10

Modified Mini Market                                   December 11

Modified Year 6 Graduation                        December 14

Whole School Activity Surprise Day          December 15

End of Term mass/liturgy                            December 16

School finishes at 1pm                                December 16

Term 1 2021

Staff only return Closure Day                     January 27

All children commence                               January 28

End Term 1                                                    March 30

Closure Day Staff PL  Day 1                        March 31

Closure Day Staff PL  Day 2                        April 1 

Community Notice

Anglicare Victoria

Here is a link to a notice from Anglicare Victoria who can offer support to families during the festive season.

Community Update #4.9

 Advent

The season of Advent begins this weekend. Advent is a time of waiting. We wait for the birth of Jesus, who came to show us God the Father's love. We wait for him in our hearts, our classrooms, our homes, our parish community and in the world.

Just as we have spent time during the pandemic waiting to reconnect with family and friends, our appreciation of the joy we feel when we are reunited with our loved ones is precious.

Parish News - There is more information about Advent and the appointment of a new Parish Priest at this link.

Classes 2021 Not returning ?

In order to finalise classes for 2021 could you kindly confirm in writing by Tuesday 1 December principal@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au. if your child is not returning to St Patrick's. Thank you to the families that have already notified me.

Swimming 

GESAC has just confirmed with us that there will be no school swimming programme for 2020. However, we are currently negotiating an extension of our subsidised swimming programme for 2021.

1:1 Chromebook Digital Device Program Year 1-6 2021

Here is a link to the letter that explains in detail our programme for 2021.

Full access to the 1:1 Chromebook portal for purchasing the device is available at this link on our Learning Community Site

Thank you to all of you who have ordered the Chromebooks. This is a reminder that 4 December is the final day for ordering through the LWT portal.

Please contact me directly if you need support principal@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au

Prep 2021 Buddy Time

We are pleased to announce that the Preps for 2021 will all be able to come onsite on Monday 7 December from 12:30 to 2pm to meet their teachers and classes for next year. They will then spend time meeting their Year 5 buddies.

Jenny Hawkins

Principal

Parents & Friends News

The P & F AGM took place on Thursday 26 November. Here is a link to the minutes from the meeting.  

All reports and details can be accessed on the Learning Community Site at this link.

Class Reps 2021

The Parents & Friends Committee are looking for volunteers to be their representatives in each class or year level for 2021. 

The main role of the Class Reps is really to foster a sense of community within the year level by:

 - Welcoming new families who may joining mid year.

 - Being a conduit from the P&F to the families in your class/year in relation to P&F social events or fundraising efforts

- Organising social events for your year level in conjunction with your other year level reps

Given our current inability to socially gather at school it is even more important than ever that each year level have persons who can be a point of contact.

If you would like to volunteer, or would like more information – please email pandf@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au or contact Jenny Jones (0410 470 647).

Thank you in advance for the hundreds of unique ways you each support the school.

Jenny Jones

St Patrick's P&F President

Team Kids News

Term Dates

Term 4 2020

Whole School Transition 2021 (1)              December 4

2021 Prep Transition/Year 5 Buddies.       December 7

Whole School Transition 2021 (2)              December 7

Community Christmas Celebration           December 8

Year 6 Confirmation                                    December 10

Whole School Transition 2021 (3)              December 10

Modified Mini Market                                   December 11

Modified Year 6 Graduation                        December 14

End of Term mass/liturgy                            December 16

School finishes at 1pm                               December 16

Term 1 2021

Staff only return Closure Day                     January 27

All children commence                               January 28

End Term 1                                                    March 30

Closure Day Staff PL  Day 1                        March 31

Closure Day Staff PL  Day 2                        April 1 

COMMUNITY NEWS

MURRUMBEENA COMMUNITY EVENT

We will be creating a row of painted trees and a series of baubles and shapes to decorate and hang on the trees. Come and be a part of creating a mural across the GWS wall, opposite Murrumbeena station. Artists, craftspeople, school kids, families, and all creatives at heart are invited. 

Register your interest at www.trybooking.com/BMZKC 

There are two ways you can get involved:

Come & attend a mural painting day!
Saturday 28th November 11am-1pm & Sunday 29th November 1pm-3pm
Location is behind Daniel Son Cafe, come at any time during these hours.
BYO paintbrushes if you prefer, and your face mask. Hand sanitiser available. 

Come & collect a wooden shape / bauble to decorate throughout the week! 
Register your interest at the link above to organise a pick up/drop off time and location. 

Contact point: Amanda Wyness at awyness@optusnet.com.au

Community Update # 4.8

The children's beautiful memories of Mrs Barclay are displayed on this butterfly tree. 

Karin Dornbierer (our retired art teacher) is coordinating a special project for the memorial garden in the front yard. Karin is getting input from the children and will work on the project over the next few weeks. The project will be finished early in Term 1 2021.

Safety Message

The number of cyclists riding to school has increased significantly this term. This is a great sign ! However, it has led to a need to replace the worn, wooden bike racks with new metal ones which will accomodate the bicycles more easily and safely. The new racks will be installed over the weekend.

Another outcome of the increase in cyclists, is the number of children with bikes waiting on the pavement in the morning outside the back gates. It is becoming a safety hazard for other families and pedestrians walking past. Please note the children can't enter the grounds until 8:45am as per the notice in Community Update #4.3 There is no reason for the children to arrive before that time. A number of children are arriving early and waiting on the street. Starting from Monday, there will be safety cones out in the street and the children waiting will be required to stand on the school side of the cones to allow room for pedestrians to safely go past.

It is also important to remind your children to always cross at the crossing. We remind the children at school but we need your support  in order to keep all children safe. This is vital especially for the children that enter and exit through the back gates.

After school today we will put cones out on the footpath and ask that all parents waiting for children please try to stand on the school side of the cones during peak pick up times especially around the front yard entry gates. Please ensure you enter the front yard to collect your child at the end of the day and immediately exit through the church gate to prevent the bottleneck around the gate entry point. 

We appreciate your support and understanding as we work together to keep our children safe. 

Book Week activities

Thanks to all of the families who supported our dress up day on Monday. The children looked great in their different costumes. The costumes were very creative.

Thanks to Mrs Woods, Miss O'Halloran and Mrs Maddocks who organised the book activities for the week. 

Classes 2021

I have received several email requests with regards to classes for 2021. Due to 2020 being a different year to normal, for consistency and stability, all classes will remain the same for 2021 with some minor adjustments only.

Please email me directly if necessary principal@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au

Children will be able to meet their class teachers for 2021 during our first transition session on Friday 4 December.

We have a number of new families joining our school and they will be able to join the transition sessions too.

Jenny Hawkins

Principal

Parents & Friends - Annual General Meeting - Thursday 26th November

The St Patrick's Primary School Parents & Friends Association will be holding its Annual General Meeting via Zoom on Thursday 26th November 2020 at 7.30pm.

While the P&F has been necessarily quieter than usual this year, we are hoping that circumstances in 2021 will allow us to resume our important work in supporting the school, our children and the wider St Patrick's community. We would love you to be part of our committee in 2021!

Looking for ways to help in 2021?

We are seeking a volunteer to fill the role of Treasurer (no financial background necessary), and we always welcome new general committee members. If you are interested in learning more about these roles, please feel free to contact:

• Jenny Jones - 0410 470 647
• Kim Johnston - 0450 954 223

or email pandf@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au

Anyone from the school community is welcome to attend the AGM, even if you don't want to join the committee:-

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88097387939?pwd=THRDd0h0LzBCMzkzdmJqWDFhaGIyUT09

Meeting ID: 880 9738 7939
Passcode: 443219

Term Dates

Term 4 2020

Whole school photo                                    November 24

Parish Education Board Meeting               November 25

Parents and Friends AGM                          November 26

School Closure Day                                    November 27

Community Christmas Celebration           December 8

Modified Mini Market                                   December 11

Modifies Year 6 Graduation                        December 14

School finishes at 1pm                               December 16

Term 1 2021

Staff only return Closure Day                     January 27

All children commence                               January 28

End Term 1                                                    March 30

Closure Day Staff PL  Day 1                        March 31

Closure Day Staff PL  Day 2                        April 1