PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Parent, Guardians and Carers,
From the 27th May to the 3rd June we celebrate National Reconciliation Week. National Reconciliation Week started as the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation in 1993 and was supported by Australia’s major faith communities. National Reconciliation Week is celebrated at this time each year as these dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo Decision.
The National Reconciliation Week theme for this year is, Bridging Now to Next, which reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future. Bridging Now to Next calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.
At St Patrick’s, we all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.
Parent Communication
Dojo is a communication tool that is widely used throughout the school by staff and parents. Dojo allows parents and teachers to communicate in a quick and easy way. It is important for parents to note, however, that teachers may not see or respond to your messages throughout the day. During the school day, teachers are teaching the students and may not have the opportunity to check Dojo for communication from parents. All important messages that need to be passed onto your child or their teacher throughout the day should be communicated through the school office.
St Patrick’s Open Days
Last Monday and Thursday we had our school open days. On these days, new and existing families had the opportunity to come to the school and see and hear about the great things on offer at St Patrick’s. On our open days, the families had an information session and then a guided tour of the school, which our Year 6 leaders took. It was great to showcase our school to these families, and we look forward to a long and positive partnership with those that choose St Patrick’s as the school for their child. Next week, I will conduct enrolment interviews with those families that have submitted an enrollment application. These interviews are a great opportunity to get to know the children and their families better.
Catholic Leadership Mass
Last Wednesday, Emma Morrison (Religious Education Leader) and I attended the Catholic Leadership Mass in Beaconsfield to celebrate Catholic Education Week. This mass was attended by DOSCEL staff and leaders from all the Catholic Primary and Secondary schools in the Sale Diocese. Students from some of the schools also attended, where possible. Bishop Greg Bennett, along with other members of the clergy presided over the mass. It was a fabulous celebration. Following Mass, new Principals and Religious Education Leaders were recognised. Emma Morrison, as our new REL this year, was recognised as a part of this.
Year 5/6 Heyfield and District Winter Sports
Last Friday, our Year 5 & 6 students competed in the Heyfield and District Winter Sports Competition. The students had the opportunity to compete against the other schools in the Heyfield and District in netball, soccer and football. This year St Patrick’s entered 3 netball teams, a Girls A and B team and a Boys team, and a soccer team. All the students participated well throughout the day and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Our Boys netball team went through the day undefeated and will now compete in the Wellington Division Winter Sports Competition on the 24th June. Our soccer team also had a highly successful day, winning all their games, without even being scored against, whilst scoring about 50 goals themselves. We look forward to seeing how these teams go at the next stage of the competition.
Confirmation Retreat Day
On Wednesday, one of our Year 6 students, Chase Shaw, attended the Confirmation Retreat Day at St Mary’s Primary School in Sale. Confirmation is the final Sacrament of Initiation in the Catholic Church. The Confirmation Retreat Day allows all Confirmation candidates from across the Primary schools in the area, to come together to learn more about the Sacrament and their faith. Chase found the experience a valuable one and we look forward to him celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday 8th June at the Cathedral.
Foundation – Year 2 Wedge Excursion
Yesterday, our Foundation to Year 2 students attended the Wedge in Sale for a performance based on the Allison Lester book, Imagine. This was a highly engaging performance that the students appeared to thoroughly enjoy. We are fortunate to have a venue like the Wedge so close that provides these extra-curricular activities for our students.
Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser
Today we held a fundraiser at St Patrick’s for Cystic Fibrosis. May is officially designated as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic condition that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. At St Patrick’s we have a student with Cystic Fibrosis, so raising awareness and money for this condition is important to us. Thank you for your kind donations and your support in this event, it was great to see so many people wearing red.
Pupil Free Days and Public Holidays
Over the next couple of weeks, we have a few pupil free days. There will be no school for all students on the following days:
- Friday 6th June (School Closure Day)
- Monday 9th June (King’s Birthday Public Holiday)
- Tuesday 10th June (Pupil Free Day)
Please ensure that you have these dates on your calendar.
Kind regards,
Joel