Principal's Message
Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,
Welcome to the 2024 school year. I hope that you all had a great Christmas and New Year and were able to spend some quality time together as a family.
We welcomed all the students back on Wednesday and it was great to see all their smiling faces as they entered the school and caught up with their friends. This year we have welcomed 25 new Foundation students and 4 across other year levels. It is always exciting having new students to the school and we look forward to getting to know them and their families.
This year we have welcomed a number of new staff members. I would like to welcome Meg Greenway (Grade 6 Teacher), Kim Garrett (Grade 3/4 ESO) and Bianca Herbstreit (Grade 2 ESO) to St Patrick’s. I would also like to welcome Alli Bigham (STEM Teacher) and Madeleine Glenane (Grade 3&5 Teacher) back to St Patrick’s following maternity leave. We are grateful for having such high-quality new staff members at St Patrick’s in 2024.
Drop Off and Pick-up
With enrolments continuing to grow at St Patrick’s, drop-off and pick-up times are becoming increasingly busy. Can I please ask that you are all being safe and following the road rules and road signs appropriately. I understand that you are all busy, however taking a few extra seconds/minutes to drive at or below the speed limit; park in a designated zone; and encourage your child to cross the road at the school crossing, will help to ensure everyone’s safety. Children are very vulnerable to what they see, so please model these appropriate behaviours.
Healthy Food Policy
St Patrick’s encourages all students to maintain a healthy diet throughout the school day and we would appreciate your support with this. Healthy eating and good nutrition have a major influence on the health and wellbeing of children, and a direct impact on their growth and development.
At St Patrick’s, students are encouraged to bring lunches that consist of simple, nutritious food. Special treats, such as, lollies and chocolates are asked to be kept for after school. Water is the recommended drink. All students should have a water bottle which is used in the classroom and drinking fountains are available for students during recess and lunch breaks. Other drinks are not permitted.
Parent/Teacher Interviews and PSG Meetings
Parent/Teacher Interviews are scheduled for Tuesday 13th and Thursday 15th February from 3:50pm – 6:10pm. Parents are asked to book an interview time with your child’s teacher on one of these afternoons. The Term 1 Parent/Teacher interviews are 10-minute meetings that provide an opportunity for parents to discuss their child with their new teacher and for the teacher to feedback quickly on how they have started the year. Parent/Teacher interviews need to be booked via PAM. If you are unable to access PAM, please contact the school office so that an interview time can be arranged.
PSG Meetings are scheduled for Wednesday 21st and Wednesday 28th February. PSG Meetings are only required for those students that have a Personalised Learning Plan. PSG Meetings are a 30-minute meeting, where your child’s goals and progress is discussed. PSG meetings also need to be booked via PAM. Students requiring a PSG do not need to book a Parent/Teacher interview.
Phones/Smart Watches
We are aware that a number of students bring mobile phones or smart watches with calling capabilities to school. Students should not be contacting parents throughout the day using these devices. If parents need to be contacted, students should do this via their classroom teacher or the school office. If children bring mobile phones to school, these must remain in their bag throughout the school day. If your child has a smart watch, please discuss with them the importance of not contacting you directly throughout the school day.
Assembly
Our first school assembly for the year occurred today. School assemblies occur fortnightly at 3:10pm in the courtyard. Our next assembly will be held on Friday 16th February.
I look forward to seeing you all soon if I haven’t already.
Kind regards,
Joel