No doubt you will have heard the announcement by Premier Daniel Andrews yesterday.
We believe that with your support, we can safely welcome every student back onsite on the first day of Week 2.
We are thrilled to be welcoming ALL students (Prep - Year 6) back onsite on Monday 12 October. We can't wait !!!
We wanted to provide you with our details well in advance to give everyone a chance to prepare.
We are keen to ensure that Term 4 is the best term ever for all of our students !! We have included some extra event dates below for the whole community ( there are still more to come ). Along with this, there will be a surprise activity for all year levels every Friday. Of course, our Year 6 students have a number of special Year 6 events planned too. Once we can confirm modified end of year graduation plans with Father Leenus, we will share these with you too.
Below are the reviewed arrangements we are putting in place to ensure we maintain physical distancing especially at the start and finish of the school day.
Please email principal@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions about these new arrangements.
Team Kids will work with us to ensure all students are accommodated at all times.
Staggered start and finish times based on family surnames
Based on our past experiences and your feedback, families to drop off and pick up at the same time. Therefore, the times below are based around the first initial of your child's surname.
All children will enter the grounds independently and proceed straight inside to their classrooms.
Parents and carers are reminded not to linger on the footpaths outside the school grounds to prevent congestion for other families especially around the entrance gates.
Children arriving via scooters and bikes can enter via the front gates ( Prep, Years 1 and 2) and the backyard gates ( Years 3, 4, 5 and 6) and proceed straight to the bicycle storage area.
Extra points to note:
Children will need a drink bottle
Hand sanitiser will be supplied, children can also bring their own
Children will wear Summer uniform and MUST have their Summer school hat
A reminder about sunscreen
Lunch orders will recommence on Monday 12 October
School loaned devices must be returned on Monday 12 October
Next week we will share further details once we receive the updated Term 4 Operating Guidelines from Catholic Education Melbourne.
Second Hand Uniform
The secondhand uniform shop is operating remotely. Please email heathcote.kellie@yahoo.com for enquiries stating the type and size of uniforms you are looking for. Good quality secondhand uniforms, hats and bags are always gratefully received (no holes). Please also email Kellie for drop off location. Items must not be dropped at school.
Term Dates
Beginning of Term 4 October 5 (Flexible Learning at home P-6) Onsite supervision for children of permitted workers
"I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Ps. 9:1
Congratulations and Thank you
This is the seventeenth community update for this term - what a term it has been for all of us !! Amidst the many challenges of the Stage 4 lockdown restrictions, we can be satisfied that our combined efforts to educate the children to the best of our ability have been well worth it.
On behalf of the staff, I thank all of you for the way you worked in partnership with the school to ensure Term 3 Flexible Learning was a success. We have received numerous emails of thanks for our staff and we are all grateful for the positive feedback you have shared with us. Here is some of our feedback:
" ...We appreciate the teachers have gone above and beyond to support us and the kids.." Prep and Yr 2 parent
"..A big thank you to the wonderful staff at St Patrick's...they keep the kids busy whilst providing regular positive feedback..." Year 3 parent
" ....is so energised and happy to log on each morning..the home schooling has been a great experience because of how well prepared and energising you were each day." Yr 6 parent
"..Thank you for your commitment, support and care..I am certainly seeing growth, resilience and maturity...thank you for the key role you are playing..." Yr 6 parent
"..we are loving your work in the school assemblies absolutely fantastic to watch. Shows so much passion for what you do thank you.." Yr 1 parent
'' .. thank you for all your great work..is flourishing under your direction and support..." Yr 5 parents
".. we really appreciate the time you take to review each piece of work, the feedback and messages you write back... feel connected, stay accountable and be motivated..." Yr 4 parent
"..can I once again thank you and your team for the selfless and supportive way in which you have helped us. .. we appreciate everything you are doing to support our children..."
I am so proud of our staff who continued to rise to the challenge of Flexible Learning this term. The staff record their weekly student interactions, including the class, group, individual and social sessions and share them with me every week. This has enabled us to gather data across the school and continue reviewing and reflecting on our practise to ensure we meet the needs of all students.
My time spent with the SRC leaders gives me an opportunity to connect with children from Year 1 to Year 6 and learn what is important to them. They are representative of their classes and their ideas for being a voice in the community are invaluable. Their focus on wellbeing with tips to encourage us to express our gratitude and to remain positive are vital. At yesterday's meeting, the SRC voted to share their own thanks to the community.
Here is one heartfelt message of thanks:
We look forward to welcoming all of the children onsite next term after a well deserved break.
Thanks from the staff
Special thanks from the staff to the P&F for the thoughtful treats provided for every staff member at the end of the term.
SRC 2 Wellbeing Tips #3 After lockdown
What are you looking forward to after lockdown ?
Virtual Assembly Video #14
Thanks for the feedback around the assemblies.
We will keep working on those transformations !!
Onsite restrictions Term 4
At this stage, the Term 4 guidelines for children onsite remain the same as for Term 3. Both parents need to have a workers permit and be working away from home. Please email principal@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au for further details or enquiries.
Hugh in Year 1 came up with a great idea. He created the Little Tree house swap box and put it out in front of the family letterbox each day.
The family let everyone in Year 1 know on the group whatsapp chat and it was a huge success. They've had lots of visitors and created a stop off for those that are out on their daily walk.
Here is a photo of Hugh, a very happy young man with his idea.
School Fees Update
As expressed in previous updates, please contact principal@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au for circumstances of financial hardship.
At the start of Term 4 we will send updated school adjustment letters in relation to credits for Camp fees and Sports Levies.
Many of the year levels have already held incursions and are planning further incursions in Term 4. We will notify you of any further credit adjustments to the fees including information on the Sacramental levies next term.
Second Hand Uniform
The secondhand uniform shop is operating remotely. Please email heathcote.kellie@yahoo.com for enquiries stating the type and size of uniforms you are looking for. Good quality secondhand uniforms, hats and bags are always gratefully received (no holes). Please also email Kellie for drop off location. Items must not be dropped at school.
Term Dates
Beginning of Term 4 October 5 (Flexible Learning P-6)
Prep 2021 Parent's Orientation October 6
Parent Teacher Meetings. October 8
Prep, Years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Return October 12
Session 1 Prep 2021 Transition October 13
Session 2 Prep 2021 TransitionOctober 20
Session 3 Prep 2021 Transition October 27
Parish Education Board October 28
Little Food Festival For all those in lockdown over the holidays the Little Food Festival will be held virtually this year on September 30th. Sponsored by Monash Education and the City of Melbourne it combines great guest speakers and children's activities including sustainability, cooking, gardening, growing food in suburban environments and Citizen Science Mine-craft build challenges and games. Families can register online to download the program, activities and resources
As the Coronavirus numbers start to decrease, we pray and hope that we will all be back at school very, very soon 🙏.
Year 6 - The best Term 4 ever !!!
We are all aware that by the time our Year 3-6's come back onsite, the Year 6's won't have much time left until they graduate. Our staff have come up with a "roadmap" to graduation for the final term for Year 6. It will be the best term any Year 6 class has ever had and we can't wait for it to begin.
Parent Teacher Meetings
Parent Teacher meetings will take place from 8:30am to 4:30pm on Thursday October 8th
Optional Parent Teacher meetings will take place via Zoom on October 8th for all classes (except for 2V only which will be next week on Thursday 17th September), between 8.30 and 4.30.
If your child has already had a PSG meeting over the past few weeks, you will not be required to make a Parent/Teacher meeting.
Bookings will open in FLEXISCHOOLS APP on Monday 14th September at 2pm.
(To find the quicklink for PARENT/TEACHER MEETINGS in Flexischools, go to >news >more>parent/teacher meeting tabs.)
Interviews will be strictly 10 minutes only. To allow for technical issues it is vital that everyone keeps to this schedule and end their appointments in a timely manner. If you think you will need more time, please discuss this with your teacher at the appointment or via an email prior.
These meetings will rely on technology and the internet all working the way they should so please allow time to login 3-5 minutes before your appointment time.
Your child is not required to sit in on these meetings.
Further instructions will follow in your booking confirmation emails.
If you have any further enquiries, please contact the school office on 9569 7487
Readiness for 2021
We firmly believe that no child should be disadvantaged because of their Flexible Learning experience. Our goal is that teachers will pick up the learning from where the child is and move them forward with confidence to succeed. We have made plans for ensuring every child is in a position to have their potential recognised by the end of the year.
Here are links to the Term 4 readiness for 2021 plans we have in place for all children to guarantee their success.
So far, I have hosted 4 meetings with the Semester 2 SRC leaders from Year 1 to Year 6 and the children have demonstrated to me that Flexible Learning has enabled them to develop their confidence as self-directed learners. I believe that all of our children are already flourishing in ways that will surprise you and I can't wait to see them back at school.
Here is the latest video about staying positive from the SRC leaders.
SRC Video - Wellbeing Tips #2 Staying Positive
Wellbeing Wednesday 16 September
THANK YOU to all of the parents who shared their support around our wellbeing days for Term 3. There will be activities available online for those who wish to complete these.
FOOTBALL & FAIRY DAY - Last day of Term 3 Football/Fairy Day is a long-standing tradition at St Pats and allows the children to dress up as a footballer/fairy/supporter/umpire OR a combination. Normally this happens at school. Instead they can dress up for their Zoom session.
Virtual Assembly for Week 9
Blue Ribbon Foundation Message
Blue Ribbon Day is 29 September, which coincides with National Police Remembrance Day. Aleks in Year 1 from St Patricks is a Blue Ribbon Foundation Ambassador and actively involved in supporting this foundation.
Blue Ribbon Day is a chance for the community to say thank you to those who protect and serve our community and ensure that those who have fallen are never forgotten.
This year it means more than ever. 2020 has been a difficult year and it has been especially challenging for Victoria Police, tragically losing four members in April, providing front line response to the devastating bushfires and now supporting our efforts in the fight against COVID-19.
We hope everyone will support the campaign to remember the 170 Victoria Police Officers who have died in the line of duty and say thank you to all Victoria Police officers for their work in serving & protecting our community.
Maybe you can join Aleks in sending a thank you letter to the Police or just simply thanking any Police member you see in September 2020 for all that they do.
God our Father, we give you thanks and praise for fathers young and old.
We pray for young fathers, newly embracing their vocation; may they find courage and perseverance to balance work, family and faith in joy and sacrifice.
We pray for fathers around the world whose children are lost or suffering; may they know that the God of compassion walks with them in their sorrow.
We pray for men who are not fathers but still mentor and guide us with fatherly love and advice.
We remember fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers who are no longer with us but who live forever in our memory and nourish us with their love.
Here is a special Father's Day liturgy prepared by our Faith and Community Leaders Mrs O'Dwyer and Miss La Fontaine. You can also access it through the RE Tab on our Learning Community Site.
Year 6 Father's Day / Special Friend's celebration
It's a tradition at St Pat's for the Year 6's to celebrate Father's Day with a special breakfast in Rovira House. Sadly, that couldn't go ahead this year. Instead, we hosted a Zoom breakfast celebration with a quiz, lucky prize draw, break out room time and a slideshow of family photos. Special thanks to the P&F for sponsoring the celebration and the Year 6 parent reps for preparing the brekkie packs, quiz and slideshow.
Congratulations to Will and Michael O'Shannessy for winning the $50 Rebel Sports Voucher.
"I would just like to pass on our thanks for this mornings Fathers Day breakfast, it was a great idea and was fun.We enjoyed catching up with fellow year 6 children their Dads via Zoom, and the Dads trivia was a classic.
I really appreciate you doing this and please pass this on to everyone involved". Year 6 Dad
"A very special thank you to all those involved with organising the Father’s Day breakfast. While navigating a challenging time for our children, this was a wonderful way for them to enjoy one of the special occasions year 6 has to offer. For our family this will be the last after 18 years at St. Patrick’s and the carefully planned presentation of today’s gathering, while different, still had the special and extraordinary qualities that reflect the wonderful community of St.Patricks.
Well done and again many thanks to all involved." Year 6 Mum
"Thank you all for organising and running the Father's Day breakfast this morning everyone, it was very greatly appreciated. It was so great to connect and see so many faces from school for the first time in over 6 months." Year 6 Dad
"Thanks so much for facilitating this morning’s ‘meeting’. It was lovely to be able to do something, and great to include the quiz etc. It made me teary! " Year 6 Mum
We are collecting photos of the Year 6's with their dads enjoying the breakfast celebration. Please email them to principal@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au
Virtual Assembly #12 Week 8
Term Dates
Wellbeing Wednesday #2 September 16
End of Term 3 1pm Finish Footy & Fairies Dress Up Day September 18
Beginning of Term 4 October 5
Prep Parent's Orientation October 6
Parent Teacher Meetings. October 8
Here is the Team Kids Virtual Newsletter for this week
SPECIAL REPORT: Riding the Corona Coaster
Dr Carr-Gregg provides tips for parents/carers on looking after their wellbeing during this challenging time.
In this presentation, Riding the Corona Coaster, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg explores how the uncertainty of not knowing what will happen next may impact students, families and staff in school communities. He examines increasing concerns regarding mental health issues and emphasises the importance of promoting help-seeking behaviour and reducing stress levels at home.
