Friday 28 May 2021

Community Update #2.8

Prayer for a Time of Pandemic

May we who are merely inconvenienced remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home remember those who must choose between
preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips remember those that have no safe place to go.
As fear grips our state, let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbours. Amen.


Flexible Learning During Current Lockdown

Plans for Monday 31st May, Tuesday 1st, Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd June

Prep A and Prep HB

The prep children took home their home learning packs yesterday. A flexischools notice was sent to all prep parents and more messages will follow. Please turn on your notifications.These packs will contain activities for your child to work on starting Monday. On Monday please go to the school's Learning Community Site to access the daily planners that will then inform you which day your child will work on a particular activity.


Years 1-6

All of the learning is still accessible on the Year Level pages of the Learning Community Site and your children can complete what they can to the best of their ability from Monday to Thursday.

There is one specialist day for all children on Thursday. During this time, teachers plan and prepare lessons and the learning packs for the following week if required. All specialists will upload a program for their current classes onto the specialist pages under the specialist tab on the Learning Community Site.

Zoom Meetings

Teachers will set up Zoom meetings to connect with classes and share learning activities.

We ask that the children wear their school uniform to help get them into the learning mode.

For this lockdown, there will be two Zoom calls a day - one at 9am for roll call and a second one around 1pm. These are times during the day for the teachers to check in and connect with children, talk with the children about their learning, as well as record attendance.

The Zoom link for each year level is available on the Flexible Learning page on the Learning Community Site under the Year Levels tab as well as on the page at this link. Choose the Year level, click on the arrow and you will find the drop down box. Click onto Flexible Learning.


With all of that in mind, we will continue to provide continuity of education for your children in the best way possible.
The learning activities will link to the current level work plans and will be adapted to suit the online environment as best as possible.
We thank our parents and teachers for their ongoing hard work and support during this challenging time.
Parents can email Jenny (principal@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au) or Liz Hills ( lizh @spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au) for help or support at any time.

Absence


For all families - A child's absence must be notified via Flexischools as normal.

Onsite Students

  • Children enter the school from 8:45. Please wait on the crosses under the portico.

  • Children wear their school uniform

  • There will be temperature checks at the front office

  • Please bring your devices to school if you have one

  • No lunch orders during lockdown

  • Children will be sent home if unwell

 

PSG Meetings

PSG Meetings scheduled for Wednesday 2nd June will be conducted via Zoom meetings.

 

Cyber Safety: Raising Kids in a Digital World 2021 will now be an online webinar

Presenters: Marty McGauran & Carley McGauran

Date: June 3 2021

Time: 7.30pm

 

Here is the link for parents to register for the webinar:

www.bit.ly/spmurrumbeena 

Once parents register (with an email address and name), they will be emailed a link to the webinar. They will also receive a reminder email 15 min before the webinar begins. The following day, they will receive a link to access the replay. Therefore we recommend even if parents are unable to attend the live webinar, they register to ensure they can access the replay.




 


Thursday 27 May 2021

Interim Community Update #2.7

 Dear Parents & Carers,

As per today’s lockdown announcement, please be aware of the following important arrangements and a new alert with regards to our school:

  • Tomorrow, Friday, is allocated as a Wellbeing Activity day for all students to allow time for teachers to prepare resources / packs (Preps) and upload planners ( Yr 1-6 ) to the Flexible Learning Site for next week. Further details will follow tomorrow.
  • Year 1-6 students will bring home their devices in their bags today. Prior to leaving school we will ensure water bottles are emptied to prevent spillages.
  • Due to the highly contagious nature of this Covid variant and in order to ensure the health and safety of all students and staff, there will only be very limited staff onsite at all times. If both carers are essential workers and absolutely cannot make arrangements to keep their children at home then you must email principal@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au by 2pm today so that we can make the necessary arrangements. Team Kids will still operate before and after school care only for students that qualify as per above.
  • ALERT: We have just been alerted to the fact that one of our Year 6 students was in the Carnegie Bike shop at the same time as a confirmed positive case and has been asked to isolate for 14 days. Given the virulence of this new strain, please be aware that symptoms may present themselves within 24 hours.

Please email me if you have any questions or concerns as we work together to support our community to remain safe and well during this challenging time.

We keep everyone in our ongoing prayers.

Jenny Hawkins

Principal

Friday 21 May 2021

Community Update #2.6

 

Reconciliation

This week we joined the Year 4s and their parents for the Reconciliation Information Evening. It was a reflective and reverent occasion with thanks to Tim Moran and Alex Reid (classroom teachers) and Natalie LaFontaine (one of our RE Leaders). We all look forward to sharing with the Year 4s the Sacrament of Reconciliation on June 16th.


Cross Country

Last Friday the Dendy District Cross Country carnival took place. The new shield has been dedicated to Mrs. Barclay.



All St Patrick's students were very encouraging of each other and had the extra aim of doing their best and running for Mrs. Barclay.

Everyone who participated put in incredible individual efforts. Here are some of the results:

1st Place: Eliza ​P, Millie P

3rd Place: Noah B, Tara M

Top 10 Finishers: Matilda C, Grace M, Katy D

Top 20 finishers: Eliza J & Ewan BS

Nearly all our runners finished in the top 40 which is an amazing effort considering the huge number of competitors. Overall St Pats came 3rd. Mrs. Barclay's husband Mal made a very memorable and heart warming speech about the biggest day in Mrs. Barclay's sport calendar being the Cross Country Carnival, Mrs. Barclay was the most amazing leader and she inspired us all to do our best always. By Millie & Tara Yr 6


Golf superstars in the making!! 

This week we had the pleasure of hosting Paul Boxall from Golf Australia to teach some of our students the mastered skill of putting. Years 5 and 1 were lucky enough to put their abilities to the test with some surprising students excelling at this acquired sport. Coach Paul will be back again for a few more sessions during the term to further develop our students golfing talents.
Our students seemed to love the lesson and some very competitive sides came out to play, with many ‘hoop’ in 1’s scored. Well done to one of our Year 1 students William Luck who hit 3 out of 3! Amazing efforts. 
For more information on golf and how to learn more, please visit the My Golf website 


Reminders:

Cyber Safety Evening for Parents 7pm Thursday 2nd June (Save this date)

We invite all parents to a special Cyber Safety evening in June. Marty McGauran (School Lead Teacher and Education Consultant) and Carley McGauran (Psychologist and Mother of Three) presented to our families a couple of years ago and parent feedback was very positive. Marty and Carley have the most recent Cyber Safety information to share with you to support you to raise your children in a digital world. We ask every family to send a representative to this evening.

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund 

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you have a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. 
Please see the attached flyer and complete the application form or collect forms from Kellie in the office.

Payment amounts this year are $125 for eligible primary school students. Payments are made direct to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions and sporting activities for the benefit of your child. Completed forms must be handed into the office or emailed to Kellie (kmascaro@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au) by Tuesday 22nd June 2021.


Extra Curricular Activities offered @ St Patrick's

DRAMA TIME, DANCE TIME & YOGA TIME

We are so excited to be starting our programs at St Patrick's Primary School in Term 2 !
Call 0438 610 310 to enrol your child

We can confirm the following sessions:

Monday Drama - P-2 Break One - 11:25-12:05pm
Monday Drama - 3-6 Break Two - 1:50-2:30pm

Wednesday Dance P-2 Break One - 11:25-12:05pm
Wednesday Dance 3-6 Break Two - 1:50-2:30pm

Friday Yoga Break One - 11:25-12:05
Friday Yoga 3-6 Break Two - 1:50-2:30pm

Year 7 2022




2021 Term Dates

Term 2 

PSG's Parent Support Group Meetings.     May 25
PSG's Parent Support Group Meetings.     June 2
Soccer Lightning Premiership                     June 2
Parents Cyber Safety Evening                     June 3 7:00pm
Year 4 First Reconciliation                           June 16 6pm
Netball Lightning Premiership                     June 10
Football Lightning Premiership                   June 11
Soccer Lightning Premiership
PEB Meeting                                                   June 16 7pm
Parent teacher meetings                               June 17 (1pm finish on this day)
End Term 2                                                     June 23 at 1pm
Closure Day Staff PL Day 2                          June 24
Closure Day Staff PL Day 3                          June 25

Term 3
Beginning Term 3                                          July 12
Closure Day  Staff PL Day 4                         Aug 20
School Concert                                              Aug 24
Dendy Athletics                                             Sep 7
Year 3 Reconciliation                                    Sep 8 10:30am 
Rugby Gala Day                                             Sep 15                                
End Term 3                                                     Sep 17

Term 4
Beginning Term 4                                          Oct 4
St Pat's Sports Day                                       Oct 14 
Year 4 Reconciliation                                    Oct 20 6pm
Year 4 First Communion                               Oct 23 9:15am (4R or 4M - class to be confirmed Week Monday 3rd May)
Year 4 First Communion                            Nov 6 9:15am (4R or 4M - class to be confirmed Week Monday 3rd May)
Closure Day Assessment                             Nov 1
Closure Day Planning 2022                          Nov 19
School Swimming                                         Nov 29 - Dec 10

End of term                                                    Dec 15 at 1pm

Friday 14 May 2021

Community Update # 2.5

 Congratulations

Special congratulations to all of the Year 6 children who made their Confirmation last Friday evening. Thank you to Fr Brendan, Fr Siby and all of our staff and parents, sponsors, families and friends who supported the children to make their Confirmation.


Congratulations are also in order for the Year 5 children who made their First Eucharist on Saturday. We have another Year 5 class due to make their First Communion tomorrow. Again we thank Fr Siby and the staff, parents and families who supported the children.


Parish News

Assembly Awards & Morning Prayers

Here are the awards for this week. Starting in Week 5 we welcome parents of children being presented awards at assembly to join us in the school hall on Monday morning. You will need to scan in with the QR code in the office and collect a visitor lanyard.
We continue to welcome parents into the classrooms for morning prayers at 8:55am on Wednesday and Friday mornings. Last Friday, 50 parents joined in with morning prayers.

Parish Education Board Meeting News from 12th May

The main focus of the meeting was around the new School Advisory Council model for school boards as set out by MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools).  The current PEB guidelines will now be replaced by the new School Advisory Council (SAC) Terms of Reference (These will be shared with the community once they are adopted by the current board at the next meeting).

Jenny led the PEB through the new MACS SAC model outlined in a SAC PowerPoint presentation and also the Terms of Reference which document each element of the new SAC model in further detail.

There are a few changes between how the PEB and the new SAC model should
operate, including:
1. SAC members will be made up of 7 members, Principal, Parish Priest, Chair,
Secretary, Teacher Representative / Deputy Principal (alternate meetings), Parent and Parish
members making a total of 7 SAC members.
2. Meeting frequency will be 6 SAC meetings per annum, one meeting in Term 1
and Term 4 and two meetings in Term 2 and Term 3.
3. Members will write to the principal to express interest to join the SAC. The principal and the parish priest will nominate members to a 2 year term.
4. The SAC acts in an advisory capacity for the principal and the parish priest.



Parents & Friends News


Mothers & Special Friends Day Gifts - Thank yous
We hope that all the Mums and Special Friends within the St Pats community had an indulgent Mothers' Day last weekend. A huge thank you goes to our wonderful art teacher Rebecca Maddocks for inspiring and guiding the children's beautiful artistry on the pots that went home. We trust that you loved the pots as much as the children loved to make them. Our hard-working P&F committee spent a few hours together sealing the pots after they were painted, re-potting the succulents and later transferring the pots into the bags for the journey home. Thank you to those members of the committee for their time and enthusiasm, particularly Christie Alexander for her leadership on this project. We were also lucky enough to receive support from our local Bunnings at the Links in Oakleigh - so any residual money from parent payments will be donated to the school to go towards the Michelle Barclay Memorial Running Track to be installed at the school.
20210513_215238.jpg
IMG-20210502-WA0006.jpg

PatCare - A Connected Community - Can you help?

A quick reminder about the PatCare initiative, which supports families or members of the school community during times of need such as illness, birth of a child, bereavement or other difficulty. PatCare most commonly provides meals through a network of volunteers who are coordinated by Grade 1 mum Sarah Luck. Sarah works closely with Liz Hills to provide support for this confidentially. If you can help make a meal once or twice a year, please let Sarah know by dropping her an email: sarah.luck@coles.com.au

Everyone Welcome: next P&F Meeting - Tuesday 18th May at 7.30pm

Our next P&F Meeting will be next Tuesday evening 18th May at 7.30pm in the school hall. All members of the school community are welcome to come along for a cup of tea, to meet other parents and contribute your ideas. We will be discussing a mid-year social event for Parents, and separately - ideas for fundraisers for the remainder of the year. Coming to P&F meetings is a great way to meet parents from all year levels in the school, and contribute to making our school even more fabulous. If you can't make it in person, you are welcome to join via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85627096842?pwd=NDVKYWFFcmtqdkZrMFFIMXBPaEtXQT09

Meeting ID: 856 2709 6842
Passcode: 656462


Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund 

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you have a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. 
Please see the attached flyer and complete the application form or collect forms from Kellie in the office.

Payment amounts this year are $125 for eligible primary school students. Payments are made direct to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions and sporting activities for the benefit of your child. Completed forms must be handed into the office or emailed to Kellie (kmascaro@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au) by Tuesday 22nd June 2021.

Cyber Safety Evening for Parents 7pm Thursday 2nd June (Save this date)

We invite all parents to a special Cyber Safety evening in June. Marty McGauran (School Lead Teacher and Education Consultant) and Carley McGauran (Psychologist and Mother of Three) presented to our families a couple of years ago and parent feedback was very positive. Marty and Carley have the most recent Cyber Safety information to share with you to support you to raise your children in a digital world.




Please find attached the latest Term 2 TeamKids Newsletter for your school community.

This edition has the following special features for your families:
Printable Weekly Family Planner - https://teamkids.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/TK_Weekly_Planner_Sheet_A4_blank.pdf

Family Therapist Heidi Rogers’ 3 Minute Parenting Playbook - https://www.totalparentingtransformation.com/anxiety/3-minute-parenting-playbook-anxiety

Plus a TeamKids update video from your Director of Service. Password: 123 - https://vimeo.com/543416183

2021 Term Dates


Term 2 
Year 5 First Communion   5J                        May 15 9:15am
Parents & Friends Meeting                           May 17 7:30pm
Year 4 Reconciliation Parent Workshop     May 20 7pm
PSG's Parent Support Group Meetings.     May 17
PSG's Parent Support Group Meetings.     May 25
PSG's Parent Support Group Meetings.     June 2
Soccer Lightning Premiership                     June 2
Parents Cyber Safety Evening                     June 3 7:00pm
Year 4 First Reconciliation                           June 16 6pm
Netball Lightning Premiership                     June 10
Football Lightning Premiership                   June 11
Soccer Lightning Premiership
PEB Meeting                                                   June 16 7pm
Parent teacher meetings                               June 17 (1pm finish on this day)
End Term 2                                                     June 23 at 1pm
Closure Day Staff PL Day 2                          June 24
Closure Day Staff PL Day 3                          June 25

Term 3
Beginning Term 3                                          July 12
Closure Day  Staff PL Day 4                         Aug 20
Dendy Athletics                                             Sep 7
Year 3 Reconciliation                                    Sep 8 10:30am 
Rugby Gala Day                                             Sep 15                                
End Term 3                                                     Sep 17

Term 4
Beginning Term 4                                          Oct 4
St Pat's Sports Day                                       Oct 14 
Year 4 Reconciliation                                    Oct 20 6pm
Year 4 First Communion                               Oct 23 9:15am (4R or 4M - class to be confirmed Week Monday 3rd May)
Year 4 First Communion                            Nov 6 9:15am (4R or 4M - class to be confirmed Week Monday 3rd May)
Closure Day Assessment                             Nov 1
Closure Day Planning 2022                          Nov 19
School Swimming                                         Nov 29 - Dec 10

End of term                                                    Dec 15 at 1pm

Friday 7 May 2021

Community Update #2.4

 Mother's Day



Prep HB led a beautiful Mother's and Special Friends Day liturgy in the church this morning. They showed us their special actions to the Hail Mary prayer. May is the month of our lady Mary, the blessed mother of Jesus.

We wish all mums a very special Mother's day and hope that you enjoy the gifts that your children made for you with love and kindness. We also remember those mums that are no longer with us and keep their families in our thoughts and prayers.

Confirmation

Tonight at 7pm the Year 6 children will make their Confirmation and be filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We thank our Faith and Community Leaders, Mrs O'Dwyer and Ms La Fontaine, the Year 6 teachers and all staff and parents who supported the children to prepare for their Confirmation. We thanks the school choir and the Year 5's who are able to attend. We also thank Father Siby and Father Hayes.

First Communion

Tomorrow at 9:15 am one of our Year 5 classes will make their First Holy Communion. Again we thanks our Faith and Community Leaders, Mrs O'Dwyer and Ms La Fontaine, the Year 5 teachers and all staff and parents who supported the children in their journey to receiving this special sacrament. We also thank Father Siby.

Assembly Video 

Here is a short video of the children accepting their awards at assembly this week.

Cyber Safety Incursion ( Thursday 6th May) and evening for Parents 7pm Thursday 2nd June (Save this date)

We invite all parents to a special Cyber Safety evening in June. Marty McGauran (School Lead Teacher and Education Consultant) and Carley McGauran (Psychologist and Mother of Three) presented to our families a couple of years ago and parent feedback was very positive. Marty and Carley have the most recent Cyber Safety information to share with you to support you to raise your children in a digital world.

Yesterday,  all of the Year 1-6 children had a Cyber Safety incursion with Marty and the staff had an informative session after school. Ask your children what they learnt.

We continue to work towards gaining our accreditation as an e smart school.


NCCD Information Sheet for Parents, Carers and Guardians

Please find attached a link to the National Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) information for School Students with Disability.

Parents & Friends Updates


Mothers Day Gifts 
Thank you to all the families who have already made a payment for the beautiful handcrafted Mothers Day gifts. These will be coming home with the children this afternoon. We hope all the Mums enjoy their weekend and are spoiled with lots of special treats and cuddles.
For those who were unable to make a payment late on Thursday and early Friday morning, please accept our apologies. We have now fixed the glitch in the CDF Pay settings - and payments will be available to be made until Sunday 9th May 10pm. Payment status today will not affect your child bringing home a gift. Thank you for your understanding.


Second Hand Uniform Stall - Looking for assistance
Over the coming weeks, the Second Hand Uniform Stall will be returning to being on-site at the school. We sincerely thank Kellie Heathcote who has been running it from her home for the last year.
We are looking for a parent or group of parents who are able to help run the stall. The stall has traditionally been open from 3.00pm to 3.25pm one day a week, and is located just inside the foyer near the doors to school hall. If you are able to help, please let the P&F know. The stall is a fabulous way to meet other parents, and the day of the week is flexible. If you would like to help - please email pandf@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au

Community Notices





2021 Term Dates


Term 2 

Year 6 Confirmation                                      May 7 7pm
Year 5 First Communion   5S                       May 8 9:15am
Week 4 Year 3 & 4 NAPLAN week
PEB Meeting                                                  May 12 7pm
St Pat's Cross Country                                 May 14
Year 5 First Communion   5J                        May 15 9:15am
Year 4 Reconciliation Parent Workshop     May 20 7pm
PSG's Parent Support Group Meetings.     May 17
PSG's Parent Support Group Meetings.     May 25
PSG's Parent Support Group Meetings.     June 2
Soccer Lightning Premiership                     June 2
Parents Cyber Safety Evening                     June 3 7:00pm
Year 4 First Reconciliation                           June 16 6pm
Netball Lightning Premiership                     June 10
Football Lightning Premiership                   June 11
Soccer Lightning Premiership
PEB Meeting                                                   June 16 7pm
Parent teacher meetings                               June 17 (1pm finish on this day)
End Term 2                                                     June 23 at 1pm
Closure Day Staff PL Day 2                          June 24
Closure Day Staff PL Day 3                          June 25

Term 3
Beginning Term 3                                          July 12
Closure Day  Staff PL Day 4                         Aug 20
Dendy Athletics                                             Sep 7
Year 3 Reconciliation                                    Sep 8 10:30am 
Rugby Gala Day                                             Sep 15                                
End Term 3                                                     Sep 17

Term 4
Beginning Term 4                                          Oct 4
St Pat's Sports Day                                       Oct 14 
Year 4 Reconciliation                                    Oct 20 6pm
Year 4 First Communion                               Oct 23 9:15am (4R or 4M - class to be confirmed Week Monday 3rd May)
Year 4 First Communion                            Nov 6 9:15am (4R or 4M - class to be confirmed Week Monday 3rd May)
Closure Day Assessment                             Nov 1
Closure Day Planning 2022                          Nov 19
School Swimming                                         Nov 29 - Dec 10

End of term                                                    Dec 15 at 1pm