Newsletter 20 - 28th November 2024
- Principal Report
- Term Dates
- Calendar of Events
- Speech Screening (Kinder - Year 2)
- Christmas Soiree - Friday 6th December
- The Christmas Soiree - Important Details
- FIRST Lego League 2024
- BOOK CLUB Issue 8 is out now!
- Crazy Hair Day - Mrs Adams
- Colour Run Fundraiser
- Midford - Back To School Opening Hours & Public Holiday
- Reminder - 2025 Booklist & Packs - Free Delivery finishes Monday 2nd December
- Moriarty Road – Temporary Lane Closure – Percival Street to Last Street – Detour Plan
- Christmas Eve Family Mass - Our Lady of Lourdes
- St Patrick’s Catholic Church
- Inquiring Minds
- Allergy Aware School
Orientation Day
On Tuesday 6th December, we will be having our Orientation Day. Students will move up to the 2025 classroom and meet their new teacher. Year 6 students attending St Brendan Shaw College in 2025 will also have their orientation that day. Students are to make their way to SBSC in the morning and then collected at the end of the day.
Staffing for 2025
Staffing for 2025 has been finalised and new teachers for 2025 include Mrs Maryann Munnings who will work alongside Mrs Megan Meech in Year 1. Mrs Munnings currently works at St Finn Barr’s Catholic School in Launceston in Kindergarten and as a Literacy Practice Leader. Our new Year 5 teacher is Mr Barry Jones, who is currently working as Leader Teaching and Learning at St Joseph’s Catholic School Queenstown. Thank you to the following staff who will be leaving at the end of this year Mrs Frankie Frost, Mrs Jeanne O’Neill, Mrs Sharon Jarvis, Mrs Nyree Elliott, and Mrs Amy Baldock. These staff have come to work with us at a time of need and we sincerely appreciate their commitment to our school during the year.
2025 Teachers
Five Day Kindergarten: Laura Stoessiger: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday / Theresa Locket: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Prep - Jillian Bruni
Year 1 - Maryann Munnings: Monday, Tuesday /Megan Meech: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Year 2 - Melenna Zeleznik
Year 3 - Ann Jak
Year 4 - Jane Stuart: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday / Erin Moore: Thursday, Friday
Year 5 - Barry Jones
Year 6 - Patrice Riordan
LOTE Japanese - Jane Stuart
Music - Leonie Watson Peters
Science - Karyn Kingshott
HPE - Mrs Allison Pegus
Literacy Practice Leader - Megan Meech: Monday, Tuesday
ATSI Coordinator - Karyn Kingshott.
Student Attendance
Most Australian students attend school regularly, however a closer look at data indicates that some students are missing school more than 10% of the time. This means that some students are missing at least one month of school per year. It is particularly noticeable in certain groups of students such as the early years of compulsory schooling, students transitioning to secondary school, remote locations or socio-economically disadvantaged areas.
As a school, we are required to notify parents when their children’s absences are over 5 days per year. A principal may discuss this with the parent or send a letter notifying the parent that a medical certificate or Statutory Declaration is now required as per the requirements of the Education Registrar. In our attendance letters, we advise the requirements of the Education Act 2016 so that parents are aware of their responsibilities, as some may not be aware of these requirements.
If you would like to meet with me to discuss your child absences, or need further clarification of the requirements by the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office and the Education Registrar please make an appointment through the school office.
Reconciliation Tasmania - Youth Speak Out
Our Year 6 class created a presentation in response to reading ‘Us Mob, Walawurru’ by David Spillman and Lisa Wilyuka. The novel touches on significant historical events such as the 1967 Australian Referendum, which started the citizenship rights of First Nations People in our country. The referendum returned a YES vote of 90.77% for change.
Last week, as a part of Reconciliation Tasmania Youth Speak Out, our Year 6 students presented their response to the novel at Parliament House and Government House in Hobart. The students had a great time and even had morning tea with local dignitaries. They represented St Patrick’s with pride. I received an email from Beth Gilligan Co Chair of Reconciliation Tasmania who met some of our students. She wrote:
Dear Carmen,
Greetings.
A quick note from me to say how impressive your Year 6 students were at Government House yesterday as part of our Youth Speak Out. Their work on the National Reconciliation theme and presentation was fantastic. They spoke very well and their video was very engaging.
Afterwards at the morning tea/lunch, they were such fun to meet, incredibly respectful and well mannered and just a pleasure to be with. Full commendation to them and their amazing teacher who I did not get to meet, please pass on my admiration. The work being done to integrate truth -telling at St Patrick's is incredibly encouraging for us.
As those Year 6 students prepare to leave St Patrick's, you and all of the staff can be so proud of the sort of young people they have become under the school's guidance. I feel they will be the sort of young people who will not tolerate racism and any kind of injustice experienced by our First Peoples.
Thank you for the school's great work in this space and my best regards,
Beth
Congratulations to our Year 6 students and their teachers.
Have a great week
Carmen Aylott
Principal
Principal
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.)
2025
Term 1 - Friday 7th February - Thursday 10th April
Term 2 - Monday 28th April - Friday 4th July
Term 3 - Tuesday 22nd July - Friday 26th September
Term 4 - Tuesday 14th October - Thursday 18th December
*Student Free Days Friday 11th April, Monday 21st July, Monday 13th October.
(Easter - Good Friday 18th April, Easter Monday 21st April, Easter Tuesday 22nd April)
November
| Friday 29th |
Public Holiday - Devonport (NO) Show Day |
December
| Monday 2nd |
Pre Kinder Session (3/3) 9am - 10.30am |
| Tuesday 3rd |
St Patrick's Orientation Day Kinder - Year 5 SBSC Orientation Day - Year 6 |
| Wednesday 4th |
Mercy Day Excursion Year 5 & 6 at Our Lady of Mercy Deloraine. |
| Friday 6th |
Crazy Hair Day - Gold Coin Donation LHS Orientation Day - Year 6 Crazy Hair Day - Mrs Adams head shave 2.30pm Christmas Soiree - 5.00 - 7.00pm |
| Wednesday 11th |
Whole School Mass - All Welcome 9.30am School Assembly - 2.15pm |
| Thursday 12th |
Year 6 Liturgy & Leavers Dinner - 5.00pm - 8.30pm |
| Monday 16th |
Year 6 Awards & Leavers Assembly - 1.30pm (new time) EOY Student Reports - Open 3.00pm |
| Wednesday 18th |
Last Day - Students & Staff No School Assembly |
2024 Board Meetings
|
Term 1 |
Tuesday 27th February - Annual General Meeting 6.00pm Tuesday 9th April - 6.00pm |
| Term 2 |
Tuesday 21st May 6.00pm |
| Term 3 |
Tuesday 13th August - 6.00pm |
| Term 4 |
Tuesday 5th November - 6.00pm Tuesday 3rd December - 6.00pm |
We are currently completing our annual speech screening. Mrs Marshall has been completing these with the assistance of Mrs Anthea Denholm (School Service Leader, N-W - Student Support)
Sound Scouts
Between now and the end of the year and early in 2025, when school resumes, we will be testing selected students using the Sound Scouts hearing screening App.
This is a new initiative implemented by Catholic Education Tasmania (CET) and is designed to strengthen our system-based approach to support speech and language development in the early years of schooling.
Who?
Previously, system processes involved school-level speech screening followed by CET Student Support services identifying certain students for further investigation regarding their speech development. Moving forward, the system will broaden its scope to language but also re-examine students who:
- May have been screened previously at the school level but did not meet system criteria for further investigation (between 2022 - 2024)
- Received a speech assessment, but no action was taken as the report recommended private speech pathology, speech errors were age-appropriate, or, there was not an identified need.
- The report may/may not have indicated the need for a screening/assessment the following year (2022 - 2024).
- Have a current speech program and are engaging with a school-based speech program with our Speech Teacher Assistant.
- Have previously had a speech program and engaged with a school-based speech program with our Speech TA
- Have been screened for possible speech support in the past but were not identified for further investigation in previous processes.
Further information and permissions for Sound Scouts will be shared next week.
Christmas Stalls-Produce, Preserve & Treats
Thank you to those who have already indicated they are able to bring along item/s for our stalls. They can be dropped off at school on Thursday (5th Dec) & Friday (6th Dec).
A reminder that if you are making food-the ingredients need to be included on the item and no items with fresh cream.
Carols
The evening will begin at 5pm with the Prep Nativity Play, followed by the other year levels. Families are invited to bring along picnic rugs and chairs to view the carols.
Food
Hamburgers, Chicken Burgers, Veggie Burgers, Charcuterie cups (adult & kids versions) and drinks will be available for purchase in the evening. The Candy Van-food van will also be there for their delicious doughnut treats. This is an alcohol free event.
Supervision
Children are the responsibility of their parents throughout the evening.
Special Visitor
There will be a special visitor in the evening who will be available for families to take individual photos of their children.
Dress
Students and families are encouraged to dress in Christmas themed clothing.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our very first colour run, our prizes have been delivered and distributed to our fundraising students. Thank you to Sarah & Dawson Youd, Michaela Redpath, Ally Chapman, Mikayla Costello & Briar, Natasha Creely, Claire Brooks & Leah Lewis who sorted and packed prizes. The Colour Run raised a total of $5,048.68. What an amazing effort, we are already excited for our next one!!
Our 2025 Booklists and Packs are now available to purchase. This year we have made changes to the ordering/purchasing of book packs, due to feedback we have received from families. The book packs will have two components; a compulsory section and an optional section where you will be able to choose to take out items that you may have left over from previous years. You are still required to supply the total amount of the items that are listed. The compulsory component of the pack is unable to be modified.
There will be two ordering options:
- Any orders placed from Friday 1st November to Monday 2nd December will be delivered to the School for collection from the week starting Monday 9th December.
- Orders placed after 2nd December will be delivered to your home address but will incur a $12.00 delivery fee.
Moriarty Road – Temporary Lane Closure – Percival Street to Last Street – Detour Plan
Date: 25th November to 6th December 2024.
South Bound Traffic: Moriarty Road from Bass Highway. – Detour for all South bound traffic, including access to Hospital and Strathdevon.
Commencement of Roadworks – Moriarty Rd, Latrobe
Further to the recent kerb and pit remedial works on Moriarty Rd in Latrobe, Latrobe Council have contracted Stabilised Pavements of Australia to undertake road rehabilitation works which will commence from late November 2024, with an intended duration of 5 weeks, weather and other circumstances permitting. Work shifts are planned to commence at 7.00am and be completed by 5.00pm. The extents of the reconstruction will be from near the northern side of King’s Creek (North of Forth St junction) to near the Last St junction. Please refer to the attached map of detour.
Detours of the site will be implemented from Wed 25th November 2024 and expected to be returned to normal routes by Fri 06th December 2024 with road works continuing until the 30th of December.
Southbound traffic onto Moriarty Rd from the Highway roundabout will be detoured via Percival St during the works with no provision for local traffic to enter onto Torquay Rd and to Strathdevon all traffic to use detour.
Northbound traffic will be directed through the work site as a single lane along Moriarty Rd, Forth Street to be closed are as necessary at different stages of the works.
Some footpaths may also be closed, and parking spaces will be removed to allow for the works and detouring requirements.
Delay is expected in the final days prior to the application of the final bitumen surfacing so as to allow time for curing. Please refer to the detour plan as a guide.
Latrobe Council would like to thank the community for its understanding and patience during this important roadworks.
Public Transport
Several buses will be required to take the detour via Percival St taking an alternative route for the duration of the works. As a result, the bus stop on Moriarty Rd will be closed for inbound traffic to Latrobe. A temporary bus stop will be positioned outside of 81 Percival St to collect passengers for the 184 Service from Devonport to Sheffield (opposite the existing bus stop outside 80 Percival St). Passengers of the 178 service will need to seek an alternative existing bus stop (eg. Torquay Rd or Gilbert St). Some of the school bus routes may also be affected. Please refer to Kinetic’s website for updates.
Mersey Leven Catholic Parish
Mersey Leven Catholic Parish is a Catholic community 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
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!