Newsletter 20 - 5th December 2023
- Principal Report
- Term Dates
- Calendar of Events
- Year 6 News - Mrs Kingshott & Mrs O'Brien
- Prep Nativity Play
- St Patrick’s Make Jesus Day (MJR) sessions - Marty Ogle
- Staff News
- Uniform Shop Transition
- School Sports Tops
- Muffin Monday & Staff Salad Bar - Mini Vinnies Fundraiser
- Reminder - Kris Kringle
- Reminder - 2024 Book List & Schedule of Fees
- St Patrick’s Catholic Church
- Devonport Country Club - Junior Girls’ Golf Scholarships
- Latrobe Lions Club - Christmas & Carols
- Inquiring Minds
- Nut Allergy Aware School
Staff for 2024
Yesterday, we held our orientation session for 2024. Students met their new teachers in their new classrooms.
Next year, we say farewell and thank you to the following staff who will be leaving the school this year.
Mr Shane O’Brien will be taking a year's leave from teaching.
Mrs Kylie Fenton will take a year's leave to work at St Brendan Shaw College.
Mrs Belinda Downward will return to Our Lady of Lourdes where she takes up a teaching position, as well as Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Key Teacher.
Ms Elodie Woodcock will take up a position at Latrobe High.
Ms Kris Brown who has been our Health and PE teacher for the past two years.
Mr David Angliss will be leaving the school when his contract as Chaplain ends this year. David has worked with students in intervention, breakfast club, canteen and provided activities, such as chess, bowls, and volleyball during recess and lunch, as well as assisting with LEGO League.
Teacher Assistants Mrs Carmen Dickson and Miss Molly Kenny will also be leaving at the end of this year. We also sincerely thank Miss Zoey Woods, Mrs Julie Lockyer, Miss Darian Sutton, and all of our relief teachers and teacher assistants who helped out during the year.
We are currently still interviewing for positions for 2024, but we can confirm the following teachers:
Kindergarten / SETUP: Mrs Laura Stoessiger
Prep: Mrs Ann Jak
Year 1: Mrs Megan Meech - Mon, Tues / Mrs Jillian Bruni - Wed, Thurs, Fri
Year 2: Miss Mel Zeleznik
Year 3: Mrs Patrice Riordan
Year 4: Ms Erin Moore - Mon, Tues / TBC - Wed, Thurs, Fri
Year 5: Ms Jane Stuart - Mon - Thurs / TBC - Fridays
Year 6: Mrs Karyn Kingshott - Mon, Tues / Mrs Abbey O’Brien - Wed, Thurs, Fri
HPE: Mr Jarrod Wilson
Music / Drama: Mrs Leonie Watson Peters
LOTE - Japanese: Mrs Kayla Lockett
Aboriginal Mural - Oonah the Platypus
St Patrick’s Catholic School is located on the traditional lands of the Punnilerpanner people of the North Nation. Included in the mural landscape are the flora and fauna found local to Latrobe. Many of the animals in the story have suffered from changes in their habitat due to colonisation. Pacific black ducks have been cross breeding with introduced species, green and gold frog populations have dropped with chytrid fungus and predation, eagles and owls have suffered from rodenticide poisoning, platypus have restricted habitats. Freshwater lobster numbers are down due to farm practices.
The mural is based on the Dreamtime story of Oonah the Platypus. The platypus came to be from Woorah, the pacific black duck, and Lurli, the water rat. The narrator of the story is Erriba, the white cockatoo, who said “A terrible thing happened”, and Tarner, the kangaroo who added, “Lurli and Woorag found a way to trap many frogs”. Rala, the white frog, said “stop them, they’re eating all my cousins.” Other animals in the mural were based on the artwork from students. Rawannah, the snake with the petroglyph design, is the creator of the hills, mountains and rivers, Purinina the Tasmanian devil, Kurina the wedge tail eagle are also included in the mural. The cultural landscape includes a smoking bowl, fire sticks, tree mosaics, the iris, basket with swan eggs and the grinding stone. See if you can spot these when you see our mural.
Child Exploitation
In the lead up to the end of year school holidays, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) is asking education departments to share important safety information within our school communities to help prevent sextortion.
Sextortion is a form of online blackmail where someone tricks or coerces people into sending sexual images of themself and then threatens to share the images unless they comply with their demands. The ACCCE is receiving around 300 reports of financial sextortion per month, with the majority of reports involving 13-17-year-olds. There are serious safety concerns for victims, with instances of self-harm attributed to this crime.
The ACCCE has several resources to support school communities including:
- Downloadable posters
- Animations
- ThinkUKnow online blackmail and sexual extortion response kit
- Messaging kits and social media assets
The Sextortion Messaging Kit provides links to these resources.
For more information and further access to resources visit accce.gov.au/sextortionhelp
Online child sexual exploitation, including sextortion, can be reported to accce.gov.au/report
Advent
Advent comes from the Latin word meaning "coming." Jesus is coming, and Advent is intended to be a season of preparation for His arrival. While we typically regard Advent as a joyous season, it is also intended to be a period of preparation, much like Lent. Prayer, penance and fasting are appropriate during this season.
Advent is not as strict as Lent, and there are no rules for fasting, but it is meant to be a period of self-preparation. The purple color associated with Advent is also the color of penance. The faithful should fast during the first two weeks in particular and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The color of the Third Sunday of Advent is rose. This color symbolizes joy and represents the happiness we will experience when Jesus comes again. The Third Sunday is a day of anticipatory celebration. It is formerly called "Gaudete" Sunday; gaudete means "rejoice" in Latin.
Finally, Sundays during Advent, just as during Lent, should not be given to fasting, but instead to celebration because we celebrate the resurrection of Our Lord every Sunday. It is important to remember, however, there are no particular rules for how the laity should observe Advent.
Retrieved from Catholic Online Definition of Advent - Advent & Christmas Season - Catholic Online
Thank you
I’d like to thank our amazing staff for their commitment and hard work over the year. Thank you to our amazing students for their engagement in learning and demonstrating the values of the school. Thank you to our families and school community for your support of the school throughout the year.
Carmen Aylott
Principal
2023
Term 1 - Friday 3rd February - Thursday 6th April
Term 2 - Wednesday 26th April - Friday 7th July
Term 3 - *Tuesday 25th July - Friday 29th September
Term 4 - *Tuesday 17th October - Thursday 14th December
*Student Free Days Monday 25th April, Monday 24th July, Monday 16th October.
2024
Term 1 - Wednesday 7th February - Thursday 11th April
Term 2 - Monday 29th April - Friday 5th July
Term 3 - Tuesday 23rd July - Friday 27th September
Term 4 - Tuesday 15th October - Wednesday 18th December
*Student Free Days Friday 12th April, Monday 22nd July, Monday 14th October.
(Easter Break - Good Friday 29th March, Easter Monday 1st April, Easter Tuesday 2nd April. Return to school Wednesday 3rd April.)
December
| Tuesday 5th | St Brendan Shaw College Year 6 Orientation - Full Day |
| Thursday 7th | Year 6 - End of Year Excursion |
| Friday 8th | Latrobe High School Year 6 Orientation -Full Day |
| Monday 11th |
Year 6 - Liturgy & Graduation Service 5.00pm Year 6 - Leavers Dinner for students 6.30pm |
| Tuesday 12th |
Final Assembly - Year 6 Awards 9.00am |
| Thursday 14th |
Last Day of Term 4 - Students |
| Friday 15th |
Last Day Staff |
January
| Monday 29th | School Office Reopens 8.30am -3.30pm |
February
| Wednesday 7th | First Day Term 1 - Students Resume |
I recently had the great pleasure to take sessions with the Year 6’s & Year 5’s looking at ‘Hints for High School’ & ‘Leadership’. The year 5’s discovered that the Make Jesus Real (MJR) workbook has a huge number of great sayings that will help them when they are looking to lead in Year 6 next year plus we made a ‘Leadership Acrostic’ to focus on when they return in 2024. We spoke at length about the importance of ‘Active Listening’ and they decided that many of them need to concentrate on the following:
- A) Eye contact
- B) No Fidgeting
- C) Choose carefully who they sit next to
- D) Ask questions to clarify
- E) Don’t interrupt
- F) Be open/don’t judge
The Year 6’s focussed on a number of hints that may help them in their transition from primary to secondary school.
- Attitude is everything
- Everything is so large – more friends available
- Creating routines,- especially with lockers & timetables
- Chance to make new friends who have the same interests as you
- Don’t hang with turkeys – hang out with eagles who want you to fly
- Set targets and standards
- First day impressions are important
- This is just another step in your educational journey questions
- There are high school misconceptions plus don’t get caught up with procrastinations.
They also selected ONE major MJR saying or topic to help them in High School.
One of the questions I asked the classes was ‘Who back chats or talks back at home?’ Sadly, a large number of students put up their hands – some even thought it was funny which I quickly assured them that it definitely wasn’t funny and that it can easily become a hard habit to break. One student asked me what they can do to break this habit. Here are a few steps that families might undertake if this is a problem at home.
- I firstly stated that being a parent is difficult and children need to recognise this and appreciate that they can help alleviate the stresses at home.
- I said to the children a) ‘Who loves their parents?’ b) ‘Who wants to make them happy?’ 100% of the students answered YES to these questions.
- If they really want to break the habit, I advised the students to go home and ask the adults at their home ‘Can you please help me to stop talking back?’
- By recognising that they are doing this, they are half way to solving the habit. So parents/carers please sit with your children and work out a plan to stop this habit.
- Then reward them when they try and stop – work out a reward between you when you sit to discuss trying to break the habit.
I must say that all the classes listened so attentively and I pray that hopefully, what we spoke about will make them better members of a family, of a class and of society.
You should be proud of them and especially their amazing teachers.
All the Best
Marty Ogle
Mrs Downaward worked in Year 1 Monday and Mr O'Brien will work this Friday. Mrs Stoessiger was away today, Mrs Carol-Jones taught in Kinder. Ms Woodcock was away today, and Mrs Lockyer taught Year 5. Mrs Jak will be away next Tuesday, Miss Zeleznik will teach Prep.
Next Wednesday 13th December Midford will be here to collect our remaining uniform stock to transfer to their new shop in East Devonport. In the coming weeks, Midford will supply us with an updated uniform price list, ordering details, and the new shop opening hours.
The Devonport shop will be unavailable for a short period while set up is being finalised, however, orders will still be available online during this time. The shop will be open before Back to School 2024. As we receive information from Midford we will forward this out through Compass.
Anyone wishing to purchase any uniform before next Wednesday is still able to do so from school. The new shorts/trousers and white shirts will only be available when the shop is open, we do not have any of these on-site.
As we are fast approaching the end of the year could all families who have had children participate in school roster basketball and/or soccer please ensure all sports tops have been returned to school by this week. Currently, we still have a large number of unreturned basketball tops and some soccer tops that have not yet been returned. Thank you to the families who have returned them already.
Students have been invited to be involved in a class Kris Kringle. The class teachers have now allocated a classmate for whom they can purchase a small gift. The gift giving will take place on the final day of school, Thursday 14th December.
Please restrict the gift to a maximum value of no more than $10.00. If all gifts could be brought to school before Thursday14th December and left in the classroom, next to the class Christmas tree to help facilitate the joyous anticipation that characterises this special Christian season.
We understand that this is an expensive time of the year, and if we have any families that are not in a position to participate in the class Kris Kringle, please let the office or Mrs Aylott know and a gift will be purchased on your behalf for your child’s Kris Kringle recipient.
2024 class book packs are available for purchase from the school office. These can be purchased during office hours 8.30am - 3.30pm. The school office will close on Friday 15th December at 1.00pm.
Mersey Leven Catholic Parish
Mersey Leven Catholic Parish is a Catholic community made up of many people who seek together to live and share the joy of the Gospel.
Parish Office: 90 Stewart St Devonport
Wednesday - Friday 9am - 2pm
Phone: 036424 2783
Email: merseyleven@aohtas.org.au
See the Parish website for more information
https://www.merseylevencatholicparish.com/
Devonport Country Club is in the fortunate position of being able to offer FREE junior girls’ golf scholarships. We have obtained funding from The Australian Golf Foundation (AGF) to support six lucky teenage girls to pursue the sport of golf. No previous skill is necessary.
Scholarships are open to girls aged 9 to 16. Girls new to golf may also be engaged in this program should they demonstrate a commitment to learning the sport. A willingness to learn a new skill. “This is a terrific opportunity”, said Helen Plaister, DCC Scholarship coordinator. “Not only will girls receive 24 coaching sessions with Alex Hamilton PGA Professional but also a one-year junior club membership that carries playing rights, to ensure girls can participate in club competitions and obtain a handicap”.
The Scholarship program is part of a national campaign to get more girls playing golf. Along with over 160 other golf facilities across Australia, DCC will be working closely with golf’s national body Golf Australia throughout 2024. “All we ask is that applicants display a desire and willingness to learn and therefore improve golf skills, obtain a handicap, play in club competitions (or at least social play) and engage in any extra-curricular activity that fosters friendships between scholarship holders”. A total of 6 scholarships will be available at DCCfor 2024. For further information and to apply, please contact: Helen Plaister, Email: helen.plaister1950@gmail.com Or, Mobile; 0488233905 Helen Plaister - DCC Junior Girls Coordinator.
Research shows that the first five years of a child’s life are critical for their development. The experiences they have can shape who they become as an adult. We realise the importance of these years and ensure that our SETUP sessions are full of play-based activities that allow children to investigate and learn in their own way.
Lots of time spent playing, talking, listening and interacting with you helps your child learn the skills they need for life. These skills include communicating, thinking, solving problems, moving and being with other people and children. That’s why our SETUP sessions allow children time for provocative play and exploring both on their own and with other children. We do offer arts and crafts, storytime, interactive games and activities as well as outside play.
Our sessions run every Friday from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m during school terms. Please bring a piece of fruit, a hat and drink bottle. Tea and coffee is provided for parents/carers. We hope to see you there!
A reminder to parents that St Patrick's is a Nut Allergy School and that we ask that parents not pack nuts or nut products in their children's lunchboxes.