Community Update #4.13 Farewell for 2021

Dear Families,

This is our final newsletter for 2021.

On behalf of the staff, I wish all of our children and school families a blessed and joy filled Christmas.

May you enjoy some quality family time together during the holiday period.

We wish all of our leavers well for the future too.

May we all return in 2022, refreshed, reenergised and ready to start school with enthusiasm and vigour.

Christmas blessings of  Peace, Love, Hope and Joy

Jenny Hawkins

Thanks to our community for your generous donations to the Parish and support for the wider community in need in the Murrumbeena and Ormond area.

Wedding Bells 

We wish Mr Daidone and fiancee Ingrid every blessing as they prepare to celebrate their wedding during the holiday break.

We also wish Nayrie and fiancee Robert our blessings as they also get married during the holidays.

Thanks to our staff

A special thank you to all of our staff. In particular, thank you to Liz Hills and Kerryn Oliver who are valued members of the senior leadership team and help to ensure we are responsive to our children and families at all times. Thanks to the rest of the leadership team too, who have all contributed in so many ways and met with me every Tuesday morning throughout the year ether via Zoom or in person: Natalie La Fontaine, Jo Guscott, Marg O'Dwyer and Laura Adcock.

Thanks to Sandra and Kellie who are our first port of call at the front office and multi task at all times. 

Thanks to all of our staff, teachers and LSO's for their invaluable contribution this year.

Farewell & Thank you to our Year 6's

We wish all of our graduating Year 6's and leavers our best wishes for the future. We especially farewell and thank the families of our Year 6 graduates who have been associated with St Pat's for several years or whose youngest siblings are graduating and moving to high school. Thanks to the following families:

Allan, Barnes, Cherfi, Comito, Cox, D'Aulerio, Dormer,  D'Souza, Esposito, Gheller, Gioffre, Dattari, Khamu, McMahon, Suresh,  Jimenez,  Mackay, Persi, Pickering, Sanders, Scherian, Smith, Taranto, Tran, Wardlaw, Westcott

Please join us in the front yard tomorrow and form a guard of honour to farewell our Year 6's graduates and staff who are finishing up at St Pat's.

Covid Update

A big thank you to one of our Prep classes who kept their children home on Friday to get tested as advised. Fortunately all of the children were able to return to school on Monday. 

We are pleased to advise that we have had no student cases of Covid at our school since July.

A special vote of thanks to our vigilant parents who have either kept their children home if unwell or  followed requests from external clubs to get tested as advised.

Thanks also to the children and staff who kept the classroom safety bubbles going indoors all term. This meant that we were able to take immediate action for only one affected class as required. 

I am extremely proud of our children, staff and families for supporting our community to get through the final term of the year in the safest way possible.

Please continue to stay safe and well during the holiday period.

Smiling Hearts funds

The Year 5 & 6 Mini Market and the after school stalls raised the phenomenal total of $2188

$758 from year 6 ; $530 from year 5 ; $900 from the after school stalls

Congratulations to all of the children who prepared the stalls,  the generous sponsors who supported the market and to our families who purchased the goods too.

The Smiling Hearts Foundation are very grateful. You can read about the foundation in their latest  newsletter at this link. 

Loretta zoomed with year 5 and 6 on Friday to thank them for all their efforts and to explain what it meant to the SH centre. They also discussed what they would like the money to go towards. Loretta then read a letter from SH cofounder, Hellen in Uganda.

Dear St. Patricks school students,

My name is Hellen Mbabazi in Uganda and I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of our smiling hearts children for your generous support regardless of the effects this pandemic has caused world wide. Thanks for standing with us from day one, you have given a chance to these children to smile again by training in vocational studies, pursue education, feeling loved, building confidence and best of all is that you made the world a better place for them.They are all living a better life because of you, thanks for making their dreams come true, may God bless and provide to you always and your dear families.

Meeting your lovely teacher Karin is one of the best things that happened to me and to all the children of smiling hearts, she is so kind and lovely as you are, we pray that one day we get to meet each other and hug each other, tears of joy are flowing in my eyes while writing, I cant imagine how wonderful, sweet and extra ordinary it is for a child to help another child even when no one know each other by face. You are such a blessing to this world, may you continue shining with your golden hearts and may the good lord bless you with all you need and make your dream come true always.

Virtual hugs from all the children here and always remember that you are in our prayers always, your school, your principal and all the teachers will always be in our prayers because you are one in a million and you mean the world to us. Thanks for healing the world with your giving hands

 God bless you always.

Love you always

Smiling Hearts Uganda, keep smiling.

Thank you to our community

Special thanks to our amazing Maintenance Officer, Lawrence Guerra who has transformed our school into a safe and tidy haven for the children and staff. Lawrence joined the Refurbishment Working Party and is working closely with the architects and principal to ensure our school works will be successful.

A huge thank you to the whole P & F Committee, in particular Jenny Jones for coordinating so many events during the challenges of Covid. You can read more from Jenny below.

Another thank you to Victoria Jones Nguyen and the members of the School Advisory Council: Fr Siby; Christina Cardillo; Brendan Fitzpatrick ; Maggie Pereira ; Patrick Muscat who have all provided feedback, advice and support about our school via our many Zoom meetings. As mentioned in last week's newsletter, we have a vacancy for one parent to join the council for 2022. Please email myself, Jenny Hawkins principal@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au and/or Fr Siby frsibyjohn@gmail.com if you are interested in joining the SAC. We meet 6 times a year at 7pm. You are also welcome to contact our Chairperson Victoria Jones - Nguyen for any further information victoria.jones-nguyen@hotmail.com

Kindergarten News

We are looking forward to our new partnership with GEKA Murrumbeena Kindergarten.  We supported GEKA with a grant application during the year. We are THRILLED to announce that GEKA have received news from DET that they have been successful with the grant application to the value of $400,000, for the establishment of the GEKA Murrumbeena Kindergarten at the St Patrick’s Primary School! Work on the new kindergarten onsite commences in June 2022.

Children intending to enrol at St Patrick's for 2023 and beyond will be able to be part of the new and exciting transition plans to ensure the smoothest of pathways to primary school for children and families

Parents & Friends Notice

 

School Concert BBQ – thank you for your support

On Wednesday afternoon we cooked 600 sausages to feed the masses at the School concert. A huge thank you to Ha Nguyen, Damian Jones, Victoria Jones-Nguyen, Jo Caiafa & Kim Johnston for helping the P&F Committee undertake this massive task, and to the school community for you patience when we ran out of cooked sausages. Our BBQ was working as hard and as fast as it could after a 2 year hiatus.

 

Thank you to the Committee & supporters

In 2021 the P&F Committee have worked behind the scenes to support the school and school community. In another year of snap lockdowns, uncertainty and extended home-schooling the committee, with support of the school & class reps have organised the following:

• Pre-Owned Uniform shop
• PatCare
• Pink List
• Pizza Nights
• Easter Raffle
• Mothers & special friends succulent gifts
• Fathers & special friends frame gifts
• Online Trivia Night
• Disposable Masks Sales
• Mango Fundraiser
• School Concert BBQ

 

All our fundraising efforts this year are going toward the Michelle Barclay memorial running track to be installed at the school. We hope that 2022 allows more social functions to be added to the calendar and look forward to your continued support.

 

A huge thank you to the following members of the 2021 Committee for all of their work:

• Cathy Byrne (Secretary)
• Nadine Power (Treasurer)
• Sarah Luck  & Melinda Vella (PatCare)
• Christie Alexander (Pink List)
• Kellie Heathcote, Sandra Iorlano, Anna Martin (Pre-Owned Uniforms)
• Caterina Slade, Kirsten Tranter, Diana Khamu, Anita Gavolec, Sue Rana (Amazing support team / general committee members)

 

And we welcome new Committee members in 2022:

• Razia Mohamad (Co-President)
• Vanessa Jirjees (Treasurer)
• Tiffany Torcasio (general committee member)

 

Thank you also to all our generous families who have supported the committee and the school through generous donations and by supporting our activities.

 

Jenny Jones

 

IMPORTANT NOTE St Patrick's Calendar of Events - You can access all dates including 2022 dates on the calendar tab at the top of the Shamrock homepage at this link

Term 4 2021 

         Year 6 Graduation                                         Dec 14 6:30pm

End of term                                                   Dec 15 at 1pm

                                           

 Term 1 2022

      Thursday 27th and Friday 28th January    Staff Days        

     Monday 31st January                                   Day 1 for all children

Community Update #4.12

Advent Week 2

We can't wait to see you at the concert on Wednesday and celebrate our community coming together for the first time in almost 2 years. The children and staff are very excited. 

“Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds”

On Wednesday, December 8th, we will be presenting our School Concert.

The Concert will be held outside in the playground at St Patrick’s school. We have hired a very large stage and sound equipment for this community event.

A small number of chairs will be available but we request that you bring your own chairs, and sun hats too (we are hoping and praying for fine weather).

There will be two performances:- a matinee at 12.30pm and a night time performance beginning at 6.30pm. You are welcome to collect your child/ren and take them home after the matinee to rest up for the night time show if you wish (email your child’s class teacher beforehand to advise them if you choose to take them after the matinee). The matinee should finish at about 2.30pm. Students staying at school will be dismissed at the usual time of 3.25pm.

For the evening performance, a bell will ring for all students to meet in their classrooms through the front yard at 6.10pm to get ready for the night time show.

To help cover the cost of the equipment hire and monitor numbers for Covid safety precautions, tickets must be purchased for $15 per family ( this includes extended family members). It is presumed that family members will go to one show only. Please make payments through CDF Pay. Ticket sales are open now and will be available until Monday 6th December at 10pm.

Younger siblings will need to stay with their parents during each performance. For safety purposes, the Adventure Playground will be out of bounds during the performances.

The Parents and Friends Committee will be providing a Sausage Sizzle from 5.30pm, before the night performance - you can order sausages through CDF pay at $1 each. Again the sausage sales will close Monday 6th December at 10pm. Sausages will be available from 5:30pm in the front yard.

Next to the Sausage Sizzle will be a large tub for collection of Parish Christmas Hamper donations. Our school families can support the Parish by donating cans of food, and other non-perishable goods as per the details in the note from Kellie Heathcote. These Christmas Hampers will be distributed to the Housebound and Sick in St Patrick's and St Kevin's Parishes (Murrumbeena & Ormond). Donations will also be accepted at the school front office before the concert too.

The students are very excited to have the opportunity to perform their dances for you, and are practising hard! We look forward to welcoming you to our School Concert.

Special note: Adults and siblings that don't attend St Pat's will not be able to enter the school building for the concert. However, if needed, access to the single bathroom in the Prep corridor will be available during the concert performances. You will need to check in with the Covid Marshall based at the external doors in the back yard and wear a mask indoors. 

Staff Update

I'm pleased to announce that we have appointed another talented new member of staff for Year 5 for 2022. We welcome Ms. Georgia Valcanas. Georgia is currently teaching at St Joseph's in Hawthorn. She gained her Master of Teaching after a career in the legal profession and has been teaching in the Catholic sector across a number of year levels for 10 years. Georgia will spend time at St Pat's on Monday 13 December and meet 5V, her new class for 2022.

Covid Update

Many children are having covid tests due to being close contacts of siblings or adults outside our school community. Please continue to keep us informed of any tests and always send the test results through to principal@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au  for administrative purposes. 

Thank you to all staff, children and families for your vigilance by ensuring that if anybody is unwell that they rest at home. Our year level bubbles are enabling all of our children to stay as safe as possible as we head towards the final weeks of the school year.

Mini Sports Day

Next Tuesday 7th December we will be having a mini version of St Pats Sports Day at Duncan McKinnon athletics track. It will be track events only (sprints and team relays) with a staggered timetable. All students will come to school and walk over with class teachers at their designated time slot.

Students can come to school in their house colours and parents/spectators are welcome to attend and cheer on from the grandstand.

Special thanks to Ms Trott for organising this event at such short notice despite the challenges of the pandemic.

School Advisory Council

This year the Parish Education Board transitioned to the School Advisory Council (SAC). There are new guidelines around the purpose and meaning of the SAC. You can read the terms of reference at this link.

Fr Siby and I are open to expressions of interest from any parents wishing to join the council. As part of the staggered transition (page 4) we have one parent vacancy for 2022. Page 3 & 4 of the Terms of Reference explain the full appointment and induction process. Please email myself, Jenny Hawkins principal@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au and/or Fr Siby frsibyjohn@gmail.com if you are interested in joining the SAC. 

We meet 6 times a year at 7pm. Dates for 2022 will be confirmed at the final meeting of the year next week. You are also welcome to contact our Chairperson Victoria Jones- Nguyen for any further information victoria.jones-nguyen@hotmail.com

School Fees 2022

Thanks to all of our families who have already paid the school fees for 2021.
Here is a link to a letter with regards to the fees for 2022

Smiling Hearts Stall December 7 at 3:25pm

Earlier this year you will remember that Loretta Lilford, the founder of Smiling Hearts in Uganda, inspired St Patrick’s students when she came to share her amazing story. We had planned to have a market stall to sell crafts to the community after Loretta’s visit but unfortunately lockdown made this impossible.
After the wonderful fun of Mini Market on Friday, the Year 6 children will be hosting a market stall for parents and friends in support of the “Smiling Hearts”. Students will be assisting to sell  the Ugandan crafts made by the young people of the Smiling Hearts Centre, as well as items made by supporters of Smiling Hearts.
Sandringham felting artist, Lis Bissett, has created a range of beautiful gift cards depicting life in Uganda. There will be something for everyone and certainly some ideas for Christmas gifts.
Funds raised for Smiling Hearts, will go towards continuing and expanding the Smiling Hearts program in Uganda which supports students with disabilities.
The market stall will operate in the school grounds  at pick up time on Friday Dec 3 and again on Tuesday Dec 7.

Only cash sales will be possible on both days.

Thanking you all for your support.

St Pat's growing leaders at Star of the Sea

Here is a lovely message that one of our parents shared with me. 

We love hearing about the successes of our ex St Pat's graduates. Congratulations to all of the girls

I just wanted to share that today I attended the Star of the Sea girls secondary school leaders investiture assembly. At the assembly I reflected on the fact that many the girls presented as leaders were St Patrick’s graduates.

To put it in context I think 40 students were presented as 2022 leaders from years 10 and 11 and 8 of them were ex St Pats students. From memory I think that is 7 out of 22 St Patrick’s graduates who commenced at “Star” 5 years ago (plus another graduate from 4 years ago).

It is a credit to the St Patrick’s school culture and education as well as to the individuals themselves and their families that they have achieved these leadership roles. There was a group of proud parents there today, including myself, to celebrate this achievement for the following; Phoebe Lea, Violet McAlister, Holly Saunders, Allysa Gallo, Sophie Hillemacher, Tahlia Stewart, Michaela Brooks (all year 11s) and Isabella Turley (year 10)!.

Frequently Asked Questions

Special thanks to Sandra Iorlano-ly, parent of Olivia in Prep A, who in initiated a FAQ booklet for new families at St Pat's. Sandra and the rest of the P&F coordinated the questions and answers ready to be reviewed by the school. Here is the link on the learning community site.

Parents & Friends Notices

School Concert BBQ - Wednesday 8th December - Assistance needed

The P&F is looking for 4 parent helpers to assist with the BBQ before the school concert. Sausages need to be cooked by 5.30pm and the BBQ will close at about 6.10pm before the concert starts at 6.30. If you have an hour to spare from 5.00pm on Wednesday afternoon, we'd be grateful for some help. BYO apron and a set of tongs if you can. Please email pandf@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au if you can assist.

Claim your lost property items &  Pre-Owned Uniforms for 2022

Items of uniform that are not labelled and that remain unclaimed at the end of the school year are donated to the Pre-Owned Uniform Shop. Lost property is kept just inside the glass doors near the school hall in a large plastic trunk. Parents are reminded to have a look here if you are unable to find a jumper etc.

The Pre-Owned uniform shop won't be open over the school holidays, however you can email enquiries to the coordinators: stpatssecondhanduniforms@gmail.com and collect your items once school returns.

At this time of year, we are always grateful to receive pre-owned items in good condition - particularly summer uniform and sports wear, so they can be available to new families. Donations can be dropped at the school office.

P&F Class Reps for 2022

Thankyou to the wonderful parents who have volunteered to be P&F class reps in 2022. Now that classes have been confirmed for Grades 1-6 we'd be grateful for more volunteers. Ideally, there would be one representative per class. Current volunteers for 2022:

• Prep: Alanna Bailey
• Gr 1: Kirsty Gemetzis, Kylie Thompson, Jane Naughtin & Anna McKenzie
• Gr 2:
• Gr 3:
• Gr 4:
• Gr 5:
• Gr 6L: Sue Williams
• Dads Coordinator role?
  

Please email the P&F team if you are able to assist as a class rep or Dad coordinator in 2022: pandf@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au

Team Kids

Staffing Update from Team Kids Management 

Andrew has finished up in his permanent Director of Service role with TeamKids, to pursue a career in Personal Training. While we never like to disrupt the leadership of the service, we are pleased that Andrew has found a role in a field he is passionate about, and thank him for all his amazing work with TeamKids over the last few years, and wish him all the best. 
Pleasingly we have found a great replacement for Andrew in the Director of Service role at the program and have appointed Maree Kraloglou to the role. Maree has been working with TeamKids for many years in Coordinator and Educator roles, and has worked at St Pat’s in the school holidays in the past. Maree is a Qualified Teacher and is very excited to get started in the Director of Service role at the school.
Maree started at the program last week to complete a thorough handover with Andrew, and will be supported by Nick Gooda (Regional Manager) and the rest of the Educators working regularly at the program this Term as well.  Andrew’s last day was yesterday Thursday the 2nd of December.

TeamKids have another amazing SUMMER Holiday program planned!
•  Learn new skills and make new friends
• Qualified and REMARKABLE Educators
• Digital detox with our no screens policy
• Delicious and nutritious morning and afternoon snack
• CCS approved care
Head to teamkids.com.au to secure your spot! Flyer Link for St Pat's in the holidays Murrumbeena Festival Our Preps and Year 3's have made Christmas Decorations with Mrs Maddocks that will hang on the lollipop trees in Murrumbeena. Make sure you visit the Murrumbeena Festival. IMPORTANT NOTE St Patrick's Calendar of Events - You can access all dates including 2022 dates on the calendar tab at the top of the Shamrock homepage at this link

Term 4 2021 

Concert Dress Rehearsal                                     Dec 6

Sports Mini Day                                                     Dec 7

School Concert                                                      Dec 8 12:30pm and 6:30pm

School Advisory Council                                      Dec 9  7pm 

        Last day for lunch orders                             Dec 13

Reports available on PAM                                    Dec 13  

Year 5 Buddies & Prep 2022                                 Dec 14 2:45 - 3:15                         

         Year 6 Graduation                                         Dec 14 6:30pm

End of term                                                   Dec 15 at 1pm

                                           

 Term 1 2022

        

        Monday 31st January                                    Day 1 for all children

Community Notices

Sacré Cœur

Newly Released Bursaries and Scholarships that may be of interest to your Year 5 and 6 families.

2022 Bursaries

New means tested bursaries have just become available for new students commencing in Year 7 – 12 in 2022:

·         Henri Curmi Bursary provides 50% tuition fee remission until the end of Year 12

·         Kathleen McCarthy – Janet Stuart Bursaries provide up to 75% fee remission until the end of Year 12; there are up to two bursaries available.

Applications close: Monday 6 December 2021.

2023 Scholarships

We have also opened applications for our 2023 Scholarships for places in Years 7 – 11:

·         Academic Scholarships for entry in Year 7

·         General Excellence Scholarships for entry in Years 7 - 11

·         Music Scholarships for entry into Years 7 - 10

·         Science, Maths and Creative Arts Scholarships for entry in Years 8 - 9

·         Access Science, Maths and Creative Arts Scholarships for entry in Year 9 for families who may otherwise not be able to access a Sacré Cœur education

Applications close: Friday 4 February 2022

Please contact Ms Julie Muldoon, Admissions Manager on 9835 2713 or admissions@sac.vic.edu.au

Community Update #4.11

 Advent will begin this Sunday.

The first day of Advent is the first day of a new Liturgical (or church) calendar and begins a four week period of preparation in anticipation of the nativity of Jesus at Christmas. The Advent Season is all about reflecting on how we can prepare our hearts and homes for Christ's birth in the world as it is today.

Class & teacher updates for 2022
Farewell
So many people in different workplaces are reassessing their lives after 18 months of the pandemic. Many are searching for a great work life balance and new opportunities after 2020 and 2021 in lockdown. Some of our teachers are spreading their wings for 2022.

After almost 10 years at St Pat's as a valued teacher, we farewell Mr Jones. A huge congratulations to Paul who has just been appointed as Yr 5/6 teacher at another school closer to home. We will certainly miss him. We wish Paul well as he embarks on the next stage of his teaching career. We hope to make an appointment to Paul's Year 5 class as soon as possible and will keep you updated.

We also farewell Ms Guscott. Congratulations to Jo who has accepted a leadership position as Deputy Principal of a primary school department also closer to where Jo lives. Jo has been Year 6 teacher for almost 3 years at St Pat's and we wish Jo great success in her new leadership role. Farewell to our therapy dog Bronte who belongs to Jo too.

San Francisco is calling Ms Kappler who is leaving Melbourne to teach in the US. Maddy joined our team as a graduate teacher 3 years ago and is keen to take her skills and expertise to the states. We wish Maddy well too.

Mrs Verstoep is taking 12 months of well earned leave in 2022. We wish Mrs Verstoep well and hope that she has an opportunity to travel safely next year.

Welcome
We are fortunate to attract a number of enthusiastic, positive and talented teachers to our school and provide opportunities for them to share their talents and skills with our children.

Alex Barrow joined our school as an LSO this year whilst completing a Master of Primary Teaching, this was after obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in media and cultural anthropology. Alex has experience teaching and assisting children with diverse needs in Melbourne, New Zealand and the UK. We are looking forward to Alex sharing her skills and positivity as a Prep teacher at St Pat's for 2022.

Isabel Currenti joined St Pat's in 2020 as an LSO whilst completing a Master of Primary Teaching specialising in mathematics. Isabel has a Bachelor of Business in accounting and has also worked in that field before teaching. Isabel has diverse experience teaching and assisting in Melbourne and London. 

Like Ms Trott our PE teacher, Isabel is also a talented VFLW player and has been active with footy development programmes for children. Isabel will be a Year 5 teacher for 2022.

Anna Jepson is our new Year 4 teacher for 2022. Anna initially completed a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in German Studies and Linguistics and then a Master of Primary teaching. Anna has taught all year levels as a classroom teacher and specialist teacher in Music, PE & languages. She is also looking forward to joining our community at St Pat's.

Classroom Teachers

Prep B - Ms Alex Barrow

Prep HB - Mrs Katherine Hadaway and Mrs Maria Blair Smith 

Year 1Y - Mrs Angela Yates and Mrs Bern Gallagher 

Year 1FM - Mrs Catherine Fogarty and Mrs Jacinta Minter

Year 2R - Mrs Alex Reid

Year 2PT -  Ms Samantha Sutton and Ms Dani Trott

Year 3L - Mrs Maria Lucas and Mrs Lisa Harris

Year 3A - Ms Laura Adcock

Year 4M - Mr Tim Moran

Yr 4P - Ms Anna Jepson

Year 5 - to be confirmed

Year 5C - Ms Isabel Currenti

Year 6D - Mr Luke Daidone

Year 6L - Ms Natalie La Fontaine

Leadership Roles for 2022 

Faith and Community leaders : Ms La Fontaine & Mr Daidone

Faith, Wellbeing and Diversity leaders: Mrs Lucas & Mrs Oliver

Faith and Curriculum Leaders: Ms Adcock & Mr Moran

School Fees 2022

Thanks to all of our families who have already paid the school fees for 2021.
Here is a link to a letter with regards to the fees for 2022

Parent & Friends News

 

Mango Box Fundraiser – Pick up next Tuesday 30^th November after school

Thankyou to all families who participated in our first Mango Box fundraiser. We’re excited to announce that the Mangos will be delivered to school next Tuesday 30^th November, ready for collection at the after school pickup. Members of the P&F will be distributing boxes from the undercroft area until they are cleared (until 6.00pm). If you cannot collect, or arrange collection by a friend before this time, please email the P&F and we will try and get it dropped to your home or arrange an alternative collection. The P&F will be emailing families who ordered boxes this weekend.

 

P&F Class Reps for 2022

We are currently looking for volunteers to be the P&F representatives in each class or year level for 2022. Being a class rep is a wonderful way to meet other parents, and is a huge support to the P&F Committee and the school. Thankyou to those parents who have already volunteered. The main role of the Class Reps is to foster a sense of community within the year level by:

·  Welcoming new families who may join the school 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

If you would like to volunteer, or would like more information – please email: pandf@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au or contact Jenny Jones 0410470647

 

Pre-Owned Uniform Stall – Email us to place your order & Volunteers & Donations Needed

If you are in need of school uniforms the Pre-Owned uniform shop can help you out. A variety of items, in a range of sizes are available for $5 per item using CDFPay. While COVID restrictions continue you can contact us via email at stpatssecondhanduniforms@gmail.com. Please include the items and sizes you require. If we have what you need we will contact you to arrange a suitable delivery/pick up option.

Next year, we hope to run an in-person service at the school. If you have time to assist with this, please contact our second hand uniform coordinator Sandra IORLANO via: stpatssecondhanduniforms@gmail.com. This is a great way to meet other parents and your commitment can flexible to suit your availability.

Pre-owned items in good condition can be donated by having your child drop them at the school office in a plastic bag. We would love to receive Summer Uniform / Sports Uniform items.

Term 4 ( Summer uniform and hats )

      

          School Swimming (Prep- Yr 4)                     Nov 29 - Dec 3

         Year 6 Sailing Programme                            Nov 30

         School Advisory Council                              Dec 1 - 7pm 

        Year 5 Sailing Programme                             Dec 2

        Year 6 Luna Park Trip                                     Dec 2

School Concert                                              Dec 8

        Last day for lunch orders                              Dec 13

         Year 6 Graduation                                          Dec 14 - 6:30pm

End of term                                                    Dec 15 at 1pm

                                           Term 1 2022

        

        Monday 31st January                                    Day 1 for all children

Community Update #4.10

Standing up for religious freedom

Archbishop Comensoli and the Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools have asked all of our schools to share the following information with you:

Across all areas of society, Catholics run organisations with an open and inclusive commitment to all people in their care.

Our excellence in the provision of services including education is recognised by many – evident in the large numbers of students attending Catholic schools and educational institutions.

What makes these schools unique and distinct is the holistic way faith is taught – as a coherent body of teachings, permeating all aspects of life. Our faith is taught not just in the few hours of religious education classes each week, but is part of the very make-up and fabric of each school.

Unfortunately, in yet another move to restrict religious freedom, the Victorian Government is seeking to change the current approach, which is working well.

You can read more at this link Equal Opportunity Laws -Standing up for religious freedom factsheet.

Here is the Letter from Archbishop Peter Comensoli to the the Victorian Members of Parliament.

Archbishop Peter’s letter and the factsheet outline the Archdiocese of Melbourne’s position on the changes to the Equal Opportunity Act. The Standing up for religious freedom factsheet also includes actions that members of Catholic communities can take to stand up for our religious freedom. Together, we can take a stand to protect our schools.

Entry and Exit to and from School Grounds

With the latest lifting of restrictions, I am pleased to be able to welcome parents and carers back into the playground in the morning and afternoon. Thank you for your patience as we continue to make every effort to keep our community safe.

If you need to visit the school building you must enter through the front office and scan the QR code to check in with proof of vaccination.

We will continue with 2 main entry points and revert back to the following:

Front Yard - Entry 8:45am and exit 3:25pm for Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 children

Back Yard - Entry 8:45am and exit 3:25pm for Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 children

The backyard gates close at 8:55am. After that, please ensure your child checks in and gets a late pass from the front office via the front yard gate.

Transition Sessions for all children Prep - Year 5 for 2022

In order to ensure a smooth transition to their new classes for 2022, we have 2 transition afternoons for the children to meet their teacher.

These sessions will take place on Tuesday 23rd November and Friday 26th November from 2:30pm to 3:25pm.

Some of our families have notified us that they are moving interstate or moving house and changing schools for 2022. If you don't wish your child to be part of the St Pat's transition programme then you are welcome to pick your children up at 2:30pm on those days. Otherwise, your children will remain with their current class and join into our transition programme. 

School Concert

The children are busy rehearsing and preparing for the concert. We are planning an outdoor concert on a large stage with a sausage sizzle beforehand.

We are looking forward to our community coming together for a wonderful celebration. We will share more details with you next week.

Term 4 ( Summer uniform and hats )

         Prep 2022 onsite transition                           Nov 23

         Current Prep - Yr 5 2022 transition               Nov 23 & 26 - 2:30-3:30pm

         Year 5/6 Lifesaving Open Water Learning   Nov 25

         Year 5/6 Mini Market                                      Nov 26 9am - 2pm

          School Swimming (Prep- Yr 4)                     Nov 29 - Dec 3

         Year 6 Sailing Programme                            Nov 30

         School Advisory Council                              Dec 1 - 7pm 

        Year 5 Sailing Programme                             Dec 2

        Year 6 Luna Park Trip                                     Dec 2

School Concert                                              Dec 8

        Last day for lunch orders                              Dec 13

         Year 6 Graduation                                          Dec 14 - 6:30pm

End of term                                                    Dec 15 at 1pm

                                           Term 1 2022

        

        Monday 31st January                                    Day 1 for all children