Dear Parents,

To support students with understanding and meeting our School Wide Expectations (SWE’s), we have created some visual cues. These visual cues provide a quick reminder for students on what safe, respectful and responsible looks like at St Patrick’s. The visual cues are displayed in each of the classrooms throughout the school. The visual cues are pictured below.

If a student’s behaviour doesn’t meet our school wide expectations of safe, respectful and responsible, then staff refer to our consequences framework to determine how best to deal with the behaviour. Our consequences framework, is not about punishing students for inappropriate behaviour, it is about supporting students to learn from their mistake, understand the impact that their behaviour has had on others and develop strategies to better deal with a similar situation in the future. 

The following behaviour framework, supports students to understand the different levels of behaviour and the actions displayed at that level. 

Whilst there are times at St Patrick’s when a student’s behaviour does not meet our school wide expectations, on the whole, our students are very safe, respectful and responsible. We are really proud of the efforts of our students consistently make in the classroom, in the yard and at special events. We often receive positive comments from visitors and event organisers about the behaviour of our students.

School Advisory Committee 

Last Wednesday evening we held the School Advisory Committee AGM. At the meeting, we accepted nominations for new members on the committee. I would like to thank those parents that were interested in joining the committee and accepted their nomination. Our new School Advisory Committee members are: 

• Elise Denny 
• Rebecca Barker 
• Matt McDonald

I would also like to acknowledge the outgoing School Advisory Committee members; Chris Nock, Amy Aeschlimann and Hayley Bartlett. These three parents have provided many years of commitment to St Patrick’s and the School Advisory Committee.

State Athletics Championships

On Wednesday, we had 5 students represent St Patrick’s at the State Athletics Championships at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park. Ruby Mowat and Sonny Johnson competed in individual events, whilst the 12/13 Boys 100m Relay team of Sonny Johnson, Jack Bartlett, Kit Barberio and Myles Witt also competed.

Ruby competed in the 100m, where she progressed through the preliminary heats to make the final. Ruby did really well and finished 10th in the final. Ruby also competed in the Triple Jump. Despite Ruby saying that she didn’t jump as well as she could, she again finished 10th overall.

Sonny Johnson competed in the High Jump. Sonny jumped 1.33m, which was below his best of 1.45m from the previous round, to finish in 15th place. 

The 12/13 Boys relay team unfortunately dropped the baton in their heat, which proved costly, with them going on to finish last. 

We are really proud of all these students who represented St Patrick’s at the State Championships. These students have won their way through the St Patrick’s, Heyfield and District, Wellington Division and Gippsland Region Carnivals just to qualify for the State Finals. What a huge achievement!

Grade 3/4 Activities Day

On Friday, 20th October, the Grade 3/4 students from St Patrick’s had their activity day at Coonawarra Farm Resort. The day was a lot of fun with the students having the opportunity to complete four adventure activities, including, Rock Climbing, Flying Fox, Giant Swing and High Ropes Course. Whilst it was a huge day for the students (and the teachers), it was an absolutely fabulous day and it will definitely be a highlight of the Grade 3/4 students’ year.

2024 Planning

Planning is well underway for 2024. If there are any children not returning to St Patrick’s in 2024 for any reason, can you please contact the office and let Sharon know.

4-Day Long Weekend

Just a reminder that this weekend is a long weekend for all students and staff. Monday 6th November is a Time in Lieu School Closure Day, whilst Tuesday 7th is the Melbourne Cup Public Holiday. All students will return to school on Wednesday 8th November.

Grade 5/6 Camp

Our Grade 5/6 students will be attending camp at Karoonda Park, Gelantipy next Wednesday 8th, Thursday 9th and Friday 10th November. The Grade 5/6 students will also complete a number of adventure activities, including white water rafting (Grade 6 only), horse riding, flying fox, abseiling and orienteering. We wish them all the best and know that they will have a great time.

Kind regards,

Joel