Newsletter 4 - 27th March 2025
- Principal Report
- Calendar of Events
- Term Dates
- Prep News - Mrs Bruni
- P&F Easter Raffle
- St Patrick's Day Family Fun Afternoon
- Building Project
- Principal Award
- School Wide Positive Behaviour Award
- Student of the Week
- Devonport Junior Soccer Roster - Registrations Close Tonight!
- Enrolment Open Night and Guided Tours
- Reminder: School Fees - Second Instalment
- Circle of Security Parenting Program - Term 2
- Neighbourhood Watch - Drawing Competition
- MathsOnline
- AFL School Holiday Program
- Devonport Tennis Club - Holiday Camps
- Inquiring Minds
- Allergy Aware School
- St Patrick’s Catholic Church
Thank You
Thank you to Mark and Samantha Radich from Belly’s Bar & Grill and Belly’s Pizza & Takeaway for supporting St Patrick’s on our Fish and Chip day. The chips were donated for our special lunch for Lent. We are grateful for your generosity.
Morning and Afternoon Supervision Reminder
Morning
Our school opens at 8:30 a.m., and at that time, students are supervised by a staff member. Prior to 8:30 a.m., there is no staff supervision, so we kindly ask that students who are dropped off early sit quietly until the school day begins.
For safety reasons, students are not allowed to play on the playground equipment before 8:30 a.m. When some students are playing because they are being supervised by parents, it can be difficult for others to understand why they need to wait. To help ensure that all students are safe and follow the same expectations, we ask that parents who arrive with their children before 8:30 a.m. keep their children seated until the staff supervision begins.
Afternoon
We love seeing our St. Patrick’s community connect and enjoy time together after school! It’s a joy to watch families interact around the grounds. However, with up to 45 children attending Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) each day, the Educators have a limited amount of time to supervise the children in the hall after school.
To ensure the safety and proper supervision of all children, it’s important that non-OSHC children and parents are not mixed in with the children attending OSHC. Therefore, we kindly ask that families limit playtime on the playground equipment to 5-10 minutes and leave the school grounds by 3:05 p.m.
At 3:05 p.m., the gates on Noone Street will be locked for safety reasons, as OSHC children are being supervised, and to help St. Patrick’s Child Care comply with necessary regulations.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping all our children safe!
School Wide Positive Behaviour - Good Decision Cards
From the beginning of this year, teachers have been explicitly teaching students expectations across the school. We clearly and explicitly define, demonstrate and model what normal behaviour is and what values underpin or justify it. We also explicitly teach routines and what these look like including:
- Entry to a classroom
- Leaving the classroom
- Transitioning between activities
- Getting attention
- Collecting or distributing equipment
- Getting to the lesson or lineup on time
- Correctly wearing their uniform
- Lining up outside calmly
- Storing bags correctly
- Getting the equipment they need
- Taking out their exercise books/whiteboards/chrome books
Well done to all the students this term for stepping up to our whole school expectations this term. We collected many ‘Good Decision’ cards from Martyn, Byrne and Dooley Houses. Congratulations to Dooley House for their amazing effort for having the most cards. They were rewarded with a fun afternoon this week.
Easter Message for Our St. Patrick’s Community
As we approach the Easter break, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for the ongoing support and partnership of our wonderful families. This season is a time for reflection, renewal, and spending quality time with loved ones.
We hope that you enjoy a restful and joyful Easter, filled with peace and happiness. May this time also bring our students an opportunity to recharge and return refreshed for the remainder of the school year.
Thank you for your continued dedication to our school community, and we look forward to seeing everyone after the break!
Have a great Easter and term break.
Carmen Aylott
Principal
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 26th May, Monday 21st July, Monday 13th October.
(Easter - Good Friday 18th April, Easter Monday 21st April, Easter Tuesday 22nd April)
On Monday, 17th March, the school celebrated the patron saint of our school, St Patrick, with a Family Fun Day. We began the day with Mass in the School Hall, with parishioners and families invited. After recess, some of our school student leaders shared shamrock cards with prayers with the local community. Students enjoyed a hot potato lunch prepared by Mrs Adams and parent helpers. After lunch, we invited families to join their children to participate in a range of activities in the school grounds. Activities included a Shamrock Hunt, Gumboot Throwing, Rid the Snakes from Ireland, Choc o Lob, Quoits, Chalk Drawing, Lucky Pots, Guess the Number of Green Smarties, and a market stall. Thank you to our Captains, SRCs and Minni Vinnies for assisting in running activities.
A great day was had by everyone, and it was fantastic to see so many family members who were able to join us and participate on the day. A big thank you to all those who contributed to the day. Thank you to families who were able to donate items towards our stall and lunch. Everyone’s contributions made it a great day of community celebration. The funds that were raised will be used towards making donations to our Outreach Organisations.
Winner of the Guess the Number of Green Smarties was: Eliza Raddich - Congratulations, Eliza!
Registrations for the 2025 soccer season will close today, Thursday, 27th March. Students from Kinder to Year 6 can register to play in the 2025 season. Please register via https://www.playfootball.com.au/
The 2025 Soccer Season will commence on Saturday, 5th April. As in previous years, there will be two rostered games before the first term break for school holidays, and will then recommence on Saturday, 3rd May.
All teams will require a coach who must be registered on the Football Australia website and must complete the school-issued safeguard briefing and hold a current WWVP card. Any teams who do not have a registered coach will be unable to compete in the 2025 season.
I have been assured that the registration website will be much easier to navigate this year! Further information will be forwarded to families as we receive it.
The second installment for 2025 fees is due to be deducted tomorrow, Friday, 28th March. Thank you to families who have returned their Payment Arrangement form indicating their payment plan and payment method. To families who have not returned their Payment Arrangement form, please complete this as soon as convenient. This form needs to be completed and signed by both parents/guardians (as per your child’s enrolment form). The form will then be in place for the duration of your child/s enrolment.
School Fees - Early payment discount
A 3% early payment discount will be offered on Fees (tuition fees only) if paid in full before the 31st March 2025. Please reduce your full fees by the listed discount below if paying in full by the 31st March 2025. To families who have already paid in full, a credit has been applied to your account to be used at a later date.
- 1 student family, discount of $56.70 = $2,143.30
- 2 student family, discount of $113.40 = $3,976.60
- 3 student family, discount of $153.09 = $5,259.91
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your 2025 school fees and payment arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact me via the school (6426 1626) or email (melinda.daunt@catholic.tas.
Please see Mrs Harris for an entry form.
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 offer arts and crafts, story time, interactive games and activities as well as outside play.
The sessions will run on Wednesdays from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. in the school hall. Please bring a piece of fruit to share, a hat and drink bottle. Tea and coffee is provided for parents/carers. We hope to see you there!
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