Friday 28 February 2020

Week 5 Term 1 2020

    Family Mass Sunday 5pm St Patrick's Church
    All families are invited to join us for our Family Mass this Sunday 1st March. Thank you to the children who offered to participate in the mass. We look forward to coming together as a parish and school community and giving thanks for the blessings of our beautiful families.

    Parent Meetings
    Thank you to all of the parents who attended the parent meetings this week. Feedback from parents and teachers was overwhelmingly positive. Thank you to the teachers for spending the time preparing for the meetings.

    Dendy Swimming Results
    On Monday we had 30 students represent St Patricks at the Dendy Swimming Carnival in Oakleigh. All students swam beautifully with many of our talented swimmers finishing in 1st or 2nd position in their age groups. Our St Pats team went home with 1st prize winning the % Points School Champion, and 2nd Overall Champion School. We had a total of 16 students qualify for Beachside, whom of which will go to represent the Dendy District next Friday 6th of March. Congratulations on such an outstanding effort and we look forward to Beachside.


    Melbourne Football Club visit
    On Wednesday, we were fortunate enough to have 5 AFL football players from Melbourne Demons FC visit 60 lucky students at St Patricks. The players ran a special Leadership clinic to our Year 6 Leaders, speaking to them about the tools and skills needed to become an outstanding leader. This was then followed by a practical skills session for a select group of Year 4-6 students, learning basic football skills through fun drills and activities. The students were then able to meet the players, receive some autographs and prizes. It was a great afternoon and opportunity to meet some elite sport performers.



     Important dates for Term 1 2020
    1st Mar  Family Mass 5pm
    03 Mar -7.30pm – Parent’s & Friends Meeting #2
    27 Mar - 6.30pm - Parent’s Social Evening at Murrumbeena Bowls Club
    16 Mar – 19th Canberra School Camp Years 5-6
    17th Mar St Patrick’s Day
    25th Mar Parish Education Board AGM  End of Term 1 1pm finish.
    14th April School resumes for Term 2


    Parents & Friends News
    P&F meeting #2 next week - Tuesday 3rd March
    The next meeting of the P&F will be on Tuesday 3rd March at 7.30pm in the staff room. All welcome!  We are always looking for parents who are interested in becoming general committee members, and welcome anyone who just wants to pop in and see what happens.
    Seeking assistance - Secretary role for the P&F
    We are currently looking for a new Secretary for the P&F - please contact Kim Johnston or Jenny Jones via: pandf@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au  if you are interested, or would like more information about the role.
    The 2020 Pink List!!
    Thankyou to all parents who provided updated or new details to Christie Alexander - our indefatigable Pink List Coordinator. We hope to have the Pink List in your hands imminently. We have made a few tweaks to the format to recognise those businesses who have recently supported the school. Next year, we'd love to be able to support our St Pat's families by advertising your businesses for free. We will be reminding you of this opportunity in the second half of the year. Our sincere thanks to Christie for all her work.
    Thank You to the Grade 2 P&F Reps 
    A huge thankyou goes out to our industrious Grade 2 P&F reps Bianca, Danni, Rachel & Kate and their troop of helpers for organising pancakes for the whole school for Shrove Tuesday. The pancakes were delicious and kids always love to celebrate the imminent start to Lent in this way.
    The Entertainment Book - now digital
    Each subscription entitles you to 100's of discounts at cinemas, theme parks, restaurants, car hire, flights, hotels and more. These vouchers can also be easily shared with family and friends. And now that it's all online so much easier to use and redeem.  It takes no time at all to get your value for money and to make it even a greater deal St Pats receives 20% of every subscription purchased! If you buy before the end of February you also get 4 months extra for free!!!!
    Use this link to contribute funds to our school, and share the link with family & friends: https://www.entertainment.com.au/orderbooks/180788k  
     St Pat's Parents' Social Night - Friday 27th March
      10 BLACKWOOD STREET, CARNEGIE 3163 (Melway Ref 69 A4) 
    St Pat’s Parents’ Social Night: Friday 27th March 2020
    The P&F would like to invite all parents and carers to a child free night of fun at
    the Murrumbeena Bowls Club from 6.30pm
    Tickets $15 per person - please use link below
    Includes a drink, a burger or a sausage and bowling.
    Veggie burgers and gluten free available (to be indicated on the booking please).
    Bar Open 6.30 - 9.30 NO BYO alcohol or soft drink.
    For those who “love to bowl” or would like to give it a go, some lovely club members will be in attendance to advise and instruct. 
    Bare feet or flat soled shoes only please.
    Please RSVP via CDFPay (see the details below) by Monday the 23rd March below to assist with catering.
    You are also welcome to bring any food or snacks that you would like.
    We know that school holidays have started but we hope many parents and carers can make it.
    Come along to welcome our new families and show them what a wonderful community we have.
    ********
    PLEASE NOTE: IT IS NOT THE BOWLS NEAR THE FOOTY CLUB :)

    ********  

     




    Friday 21 February 2020

    Week 4 Term 1 2020

    Ash Wednesday Mass 9am Wednesday 19th February
    The whole school will attend mass on Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer.

    Ash Wednesday takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday, and is chiefly observed by Catholics, although many other Christians observe it too.

    Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolise the dust from which God made us.

    Priests administer ashes during Mass and all are invited to accept the ashes as a visible symbol of penance. Everyone is welcome to receive the ashes. The ashes are made from blessed palm branches, taken from the previous year's Palm Sunday Mass.

    Confirmation Workshop
    Thank you to the families who supported the interactive workshop on Wednesday. Special thanks to Natalie La Fontaine, Jo Guscott and Marg O'Dwyer who ran the workshop. Please keep the Year 6 confirmants in your prayers as they prepare to make the Sacrament of Confirmation on the 7th May.

    Parent Teacher Meetings Wednesday February 26th
    Bookings for Parent/Teacher meetings are open.  Thank to everyone who has booked so promptly.  To make bookings please go to the "interviews" tab in Flexibuzz.
    Please remember that the children will be dismissed at 1pm on Wednesday.

    Dendy Tennis Trials Results 
    Last Friday, we had two students represent St Patrick's School at the Dendy Tennis Trials held here at St Pats tennis club. Lachlan (Year 5) and Patrick (Year 6) were selected and displayed outstanding efforts all day, competing against other schools within the district. Both boys played a total of 5 games each under hot and tiring conditions. Lachlan finished his matches undefeated in his pool, and Patrick finished in 3rd position in the same pool. Lachlan earned his spot going through to the semi final, where he was matched up against a year 6 student. Lachlan put up a good fight but unfortunately lost 0-4 and did not go through to the next stage. The boys were outstanding and we would like to congratulate them both on their amazing efforts and persistence throughout the day.



    CDF Pay - Cash - free platform
    We understand there are many times when you may need to provide cash to your child to pay for fundraising and events. But cash isn’t the only option in today’s world; which is why we want to make it convenient for you to make payments.

    We are introducing CDF pay which is a cash-free solution for our fundraising and event payments.This solution is an online payment platform offered by the Catholic Development Fund Melbourne (CDF).

    We will be encouraging all parents to use this simple, cash-free platform in the future. Please be assured that we will not turn away parents/students who choose to pay via cash, however to ensure the success and drive the full benefits of this program we encourage your participation.

    The benefits of our school going cash-free with CDFpay are:
    • Greater security: a safer option where you don’t have to be concerned about your child losing cash from their bags and pockets.
    • Anytime, any device: order and pay for fundraising and events from your mobile, tablet or computer at any time.
    • Fast & easy payments: it allows credit card or bank transfer payments. Stored credit cards make the process of payments faster and easier than ever.
    • Reduced administration: counting and handling cash is costly for the school. CDF pay will help eliminate admin fees so we can better distribute funds for other activities.
    We look forward to working with you as we implement CDF pay in our school community.

    If you have any questions, please contact Kellie in the school office.




    Important dates for Term 1 2020

    25th Feb Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day)
    26th Feb Ash Wednesday 9am
    26th Feb Early dismissal - Parent/Teacher meetings from 1.30pm
    1st Mar  Family Mass 5pm
    Mar 16th – 19th Canberra School Camp Years 5-6
    17th Mar St Patrick’s Day
    25th Mar Parish Education Board  End of Term 1
    14th April School resumes for Term 2







    Friday 14 February 2020

    Week 3 Term 1 2020

    Family Mass Dates 2020
    The first Family Mass will be Sunday 1st March at 5pm. The Faith and Community team lead by Natalie La Fontaine and Marg O'Dwyer will share more information with you in the coming weeks.
    Here are the Family Mass dates for the year:
    Term 1
    March 1st
    Term 2
    May 3rd
    June 7th
    Term 3
    August 2nd
    September 6th
    Term 4
    November 1st
    December 6th

    Confirmation Workshop for Year 6 students 6pm Wednesday 19th February
    In preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, parents and children are invited to attend the Confirmation workshop. This is an opportunity to explore the importance of the Sacrament of Confirmation and will begin the discussion and inquiry for students in deciding which Saint they feel drawn too, who demonstrates the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Miss La Fontaine and Mrs Guscott will lead the workshop.


    School Photos
    School photos take place this Monday 17th February.  Children should be in full school uniform, (refer to the flexibuzz message that went out earlier).  There will be no school assembly on Monday. Students are requested to hand their photo forms in to the photographer on Monday (Any photo forms returned to school already will be handed to the photographer by the class teacher). If you have paid online you do not need to return the envelope but please tell your children that you have ordered them online. ALL students will have a portrait and group photo taken but they MUST have a sibling form to get a Sibling photo.

    School Shoes
    With school photos on Monday, this is a timely reminder to ensure that your child is wearing black leather school shoes. A number of children are wearing black runners and these are not part of our school uniform, other than on sports days. We are very grateful to the many parents who are working with us to ensure that the St Patrick's Uniform Policy is adhered to. It is frustrating for both parents and students when some children continue to wear runners. School shoes are still available in the shops (very reasonably priced in Kmart and Target) if you are yet to purchase them. Please do so over the weekend.

    Parent Teacher Interviews
    Bookings for Parent/Teacher meetings on February 26th opened today.  Thank to everyone who has booked so promptly.  To make bookings please go to the "interviews" tab in Flexibuzz.

    PARKING around the school
    Please be aware of parking restrictions around the school.




    Important dates for Term 1 2020
    Monday 17th Feb School photos
    19th Feb Confirmation workshop 6pm
    19th Feb Parish Education Board Meeting 7pm
    25th Feb Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day)
    26th Feb Early dismissal - Parent/Teacher meetings from 1.30pm
    26th Feb Ash Wednesday
    1st Mar  Family Mass 5pm
    Mar 16th – 19th Canberra School Camp Years 5-6
    17th Mar St Patrick’s Day
    25th Mar Parish Education Board  End of Term 1

    14th April School resumes for Term 2

    COMMUNITY NOTICES





    Friday 7 February 2020

    Week 2 Term 1 2020

    Beginning of the Year School Mass
    Thank you to our families who supported our first mass of the year. Special thanks to our Faith and Community Leaders, Miss La Fontaine and Mrs O'Dwyer for preparing a beautiful mass to start off the year. All of the staff came to the front and Bishop Elliott commissioned us for the 2020 school year as we prayed we would be inspired by the teachings of Jesus.
    Our first Family mass will be at 5pm on Sunday 1st March. We look forward to our families joining us to give thanks to all of the blessings we have received from our loving God.

    Connection Event
    Thanks to those parents and carers who were able to join us in the hall for our Connection Event on Wednesday. Below are the slides with some of the information we shared. Thanks to our enthusiastic team of staff who all attended and were available to meet the parents. Classrooms and learning spaces are looking wonderful. It was also a great opportunity to see the new furniture.


    Here is a link to our School Improvement Plan (SIP) 2020-2023. 
    You can also access it on the communication page of our Learning Community Site at this link.

    Class Newsletters for Term 1, curriculum overviews and specialists timetables can be accessed on the relevant pages of our Learning Community Site at this link.
    Go to the Year level tab. Click on the arrow beside the Year Level.
    Click on the drop down box for timetables, newsletters and Maths Overview.

    Please contact Jenny if you can't locate the information you require. 

    Information about casual clothes on birthdays for new families
    Last year, one of our Year 6 leaders put forward a special request to wear casual clothes to school on their birthday. We agreed that the children can wear casual clothes with runners on their birthday.  Here are the guidelines:
    1. This is optional. Your child can still choose to wear their school uniform.
    2. Birthdays that fall in the weekend (celebrate it on the first day of the school week) or the holidays (birthdays in January and early February choose a day during Week 3 or Week 4, term holidays choose a day in Week 1 or 2 of the following term).
    3. If the birthday falls on an excursion day, for safety reasons, they must wear their uniform and choose a different day during the week of their birthday to wear casual clothes.
    4. If the birthday falls on a PE Day then they must wear suitable casual clothes for PE.

    Important dates for Term 1 2020
    Monday 17th Feb School photos
    19th Feb Parish Education Board Meeting 7pm
    25th Feb Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day)
    26th Feb Early dismissal - Parent/Teacher meetings from 1.30pm
    26th Feb Ash Wednesday
    Mar 16th – 19th Canberra School Camp Years 5-6
    17th Mar St Patrick’s Day
    25th Mar Parish Education Board  End of Term 1

    14th April School resumes for Term 2