Hopefully the past six weeks of school have enabled families the opportunity to be involved in many insights into learning and the value of having high expectations that are tempered by values such as compassion, respect, hospitality and mercy, qualities that we espouse at school, however, these are only ‘mere glimpses’ when compared to the learning and values that are taught and modelled at home. My children, although now all adults, still gain great pleasure from the experience of being together occasionally as a family, where we can relax and feel a part of a common history and prospective destiny. The importance of the family on inculcating principles of respect for learning is reflected in The Culture of Catholic Schools by Marcellin Flynn, who states, “The school is not the major influence on students’ lives, nor was it ever meant to be. The strongest influence which shapes their deepest values awaits them when, after sport or other school activities, they arrive home each afternoon. The school cannot replace the home in regards the total development of youth”.

Teachers certainly do not expect perfect children and acquiescent parents; I trust parents do not expect perfect teachers or have the expectation for our school to provide every resource and make every correct decision. What we need is reasonable and high expectations, open and respectful communication between involved parties and a desire to consistently work together. This goal is attainable if we all want the best for our children.

I believe our staff show great love for the children in our care - not the ‘insincere’ definition of love that tolerates all behaviours because challenging others might upset the person. Rather, a ‘tough love’ that supports, whilst also inspiring the individual to try to be a more involved and astute reader, a more engaging writer, a faster runner, a more eloquent speaker, a more collaborative team member, a more caring citizen. With the busy lives we all lead, I hope parents can see the efforts of their child or children in responding to their teacher’s sometimes ‘tough love’ in the context of the relatively minimal time that we have, as teachers, to influence and positively challenge.

 William Stein stated eloquently a mantra that is true to all of us when he stated, “Keep high aspirations, moderate expectations, and small needs”. Hopefully all staff at St Patrick’s cherish and act on the understanding that all students are capable and create opportunities for learning of high and reasonable expectations based on the belief that students have yet to be realised potential. With regards providing others with a realistic and clear expectation, teachers need to explicitly state their expectations for student achievement. High expectations can be seen in action in a classroom when teachers are explicit about the relationship between effort and achievement: They teach that students are not necessarily born smart but can become smart by applying effective effort. Low-achieving students often attribute school failure to factors beyond their control – a lack of innate ability, unfairly difficult assignments, falling into ‘bad company’ or bad luck. It is vital that teachers help them attribute failure and difficulty, to things they can control such as studying hard enough and applying the correct learning strategy. Teachers can help students understand that in most classes, students achieve good scores by listening, trying, trying again, reading, asking questions, paying attention, asking for help, being respectful, and reading critically.

Teachers endeavour to convey a powerful three-part message: This is important. You can do it. I won’t give up on you. I believe teachers are generally realistic in the expectations that are placed on students. There is ample evidence in communities of damaging behaviours that are related to the consequences of not establishing clear and reasonable expectations based on mutual respect. Your child will learn more about relationships and life from you than he or she will learn from our staff and I pray often that we strive to be people who are suitable role models for the children for whom we are blessed; people who teach the gospel values by our words and actions and live by the words of St Francis who said, “We must preach the gospel always, and sometimes use words”. I thank all families whose expectations align with those that staff endeavour to express in words and by deeds in our school.

Regards,

Rod Linhart

(Principal)

Term 1 - Thursday 3rd February - Thursday 14th April

Term 2 - Monday 2nd May - *Friday 8th July

Term 3 - Monday 25th July - Friday 30th September

Term 4 - Monday 17th October - Thursday 15th December

*Student Free Day Friday 8th July 2022

Thursday 17^th March: St Patrick’s Day - NW Swimming Carnival, Burnie (Cancelled)

Tuesday 22^nd March: School Photo Day.

No school canteen this Thursday – students will be offered a free drink and a sausage in bread for lunch to help celebrate St Patrick’s day, and morning tea items will be on sale from the canteen at recess for $2.00 as a Caritas fund-raiser. Students may prefer to bring their own lunch on Thursday.

Many thanks to the following generous souls who have volunteered to provide some ‘green-themed morning tea’ to help celebrate St Patrick’s Day this Thursday: Megan Meech, Jane Stuart, D’Arne Adams, Melissa Marshall, Anita Tueon, Kirrilly Jones, Tameika Anthony, Felicity Derin-Reeves, Julie Fawkner, Crystal Winton, Jo Gatehouse, Ally Chapman, Renae Dunne, Christy Alexander, Christa Christie, Julie Dewrance-Milligan, Molly Dezoete, Amy Davis, Amber Reisz, Kendal McIntee.

Thank you to Mrs Anthony and the many parents and friends for supporting the morning tea ($2.00 an item – money raised will be donated to Caritas) and Mr Atkins and members of the SRC for their organisation of the day, which includes:

• 8:50 - 9:40: Morning St Patrick’s Day Liturgy and Assembly with St Patrick’s Dress Up Parade(Parents welcome provided they observe our COVID Safety Protocols – mask indoors, sign-in at the office, observe 1.5 metre distance, sanitise please)
• Recess 11:00: St Patrick’s Day $2 Themed Treats for sale at the canteen (P&F)
• Lunch 12:30: Free Sausage in bread + Icy pole
• 1:10 - 2:45: St Patrick’s Day Activities Rotation (including ‘spud toss’, ‘snake toss’ - St Patrick is said to have driven the snakes out of Ireland, Shamrock hunt, Pot of Gold.

Students are encouraged to wear St Patrick's Day themed costumes (or simply dress in green) on the day. Each class will have an opportunity to come up to the front of the hall to show their costumes. In the afternoon our captains and SRCs will be in charge of running our activity afternoon. We will have six rotations of St Patrick's day themed activities. We will take photos of the day and put these into next week's newsletter.

 Registrations close Today, Tuesday 15th March

Due to the public holiday yesterday, Registrations for the 2022 Soccer season have been extended till today, Tuesday 15th March. Teams will be entered into Devonport Junior Soccer Association tomorrow.

Please register via https://www.playfootball.com.au/ The cost per child to register for 2022 is $70.00 - Ticket to Play will also be available for families to use this year. Please provide the school office with a copy of your Ticket to Play voucher once you have redeemed it. Please contact Tameka if you have any problems with the online registration process.

The 2022 soccer season will commence on Saturday 2nd April with an initial two week roster as per previous years. All teams will be required to have a nominated coach, who holds a current WWVP card prior to teams being entered into the competition. 

From the beginning of the school year on Thursday 3^rd February, 91 students and 16 staff have had to be involved in isolation due to being tested positive or being close contacts, which is approximately 48% of these populations. Although positive test cases are falling, we are likely to continue to experience challenges to supporting ‘usual’ learning and teaching for a few more weeks – thank you to parents, students and all staff for their continued support, especially teachers for their provision of Seesaw activities and regular feedback to students L@H.

Visiting School

• It is important that the number of visitors to our schools at this time are minimised. If you do visit, you must wear a mask when indoors. You must also follow your school’s check in and sign in procedures.

Student Attendance

• Your child is expected to attend school if they are well and symptom free.
• If your child has a medical condition that limits them attending school, we will talk to you about your child’s educational needs

Online Learning       

• Online learning will only be provided for students who are required to isolate because of a positive COVID test, have been directed to isolate by Public Health or have been deemed a household close contact.

Symptom Management

• All students, staff and visitors must not attend or visit school sites if they are unwell, if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or if they have been directed to isolate by Public Health. The most important action you can take is that if your child is unwell, you should keep them home and ensure they get tested.
• Even if they test negative, it is important for your child to stay at home if they are unwell or have any symptoms.
• Please do not attend school if you are displaying cold or flu-like symptoms; stay home and phone your GP or the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
• If a student displays any cold or flu-like symptoms at school, they will be required to return home. Should a staff member display symptoms they will be directed to return home as soon as possible.

Our school photo day will be held on Tuesday 22nd March. Photos will only be available to order online this year. All families have received the online ordering information today as per the below link. The access key is the same for every student, you must use your child/rens enrolled name when ordering photos. Family photos must be ordered by NO later than Sunday 20th March at 5pm. No late orders for Family photos will be accepted. 

BOOK CLUB Issue 2 is out now. There are some wonderful new releases in this issue, make sure you have a look. Orders can be done online or via the sheet at the back of the catalogue. Please have your orders in by the 25th of March 2022.

There are occasions when students would like to share some information about a new or loved toy and teachers can make accommodations during show and tell opportunities. This usually involves some communication between home and school via the diary. Unfortunately, the bringing of toys to school without teacher supervision usually eventuates in someone or a group of children being upset - toys can break or become lost or others are excluded. Please support for our expectations that children’s toys remain at home unless there is a reason as communicated between the teacher and parents. Thank you for your support of this protocol.

Congratulations to the following students who have received Student of the Week.

Prep: Harlyn Newitt, Thank you, Harlyn, for caring for our school. You demonstrate the value of respect.

Year 1: Kashaf Kapila for a pleasing improvement towards your learning and relationship with others. 

Year 2: Fraser Smith for taking more pride in his work and writing and contributing to class discussions

Year 3: Caleb Banks for application towards tasks and for his great work in mapping in Geography.

Year 4: Zita Omogbai-Musa for her focused application to learning tasks and willingness to contribute to class discussions.

Year 5: Melia Sesara for always displaying a positive attitude both inside and outside the classroom.

Year 6: Claire Simpson for her fantastic effort, encouragement and sportsmanship at the swimming carnival.

Congratulations to our House Raffle & Recycling winners this week: 

Dooley - Tyla O'Toole   Martyn -  Claire Simpson

Byrne - Dawson Furley  Recycling - Dexter Eagling 

St Patrick’s Feast Day - March 17th

The dream prompted St Patrick to enter the priesthood and was later ordained a bishop and sent to take the Gospel to Ireland where he was held as a slave. He often used shamrocks to explain the Holy Trinity and entire kingdoms were eventually converted to Christianity after hearing Patrick's message.

Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, travelling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461.

We wish everyone a happy and holy St Patrick’s Day!

Sacramental Program Family Mass

As part of our Sacramental Program this year, we are having a special Family Mass for all Sacramental Candidates on Sunday 3rd April at 4pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, followed by a sausage sizzle in the Parish Hall (beside Church).

This is a great opportunity to get to know each other as we journey together through the sacraments. 

We will be asking for volunteers to read in Mass, if you or your child are interested please let Fr Steven know. 

We are looking forward to gathering together for Fun, Family, Friendship, Food and Faith!

Confirmation Faith Sharing Sessions: 

• Next week Monday, 21st or Tuesday 22nd March 3.00 - 7.00 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church

The Celebration of Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated on the 6th of April at Our Lady of Lourdes Church at 7.00 p.m. Please keep the children in your prayers as they prepare. 

Although not being on social media myself I am aware of some of the benefits of this type of communication in the community. I am aware that some parents belong to social media sites that are related to specific school classes – these sites are not school-supported and are convened by parents and serve a purpose; once again, I am aware of some benefits of this type of informal communication. Staff are aware of one of the maxims that is used in our regular staff communication – “Talk with, not to, not about.” I would encourage any question regarding a school policy, procedure, event to be directed to a person who should be best placed to provide an accurate response, which, if related to a school policy, practice or event is a teacher or myself. Parents are welcome to contact me at any time by ringing the school number (6426 1626) and, if I am not available, I will respond to a message.

A member of our St Patrick’s School community has been instrumental in resettling and welcoming two Ukrainians  to resettle in Australia in about two weeks, hopefully earlier.  They left the southern port city of Kherson about a week ago; this city is now under control by Russia and one of the refugee’s parents appear to be held in detention after being 'captured'. These two refugees will be coming with very little therefore we are asking members of the school community for an offer of some support in the form of donations of basic household items such as beddings, towels business vouchers to enable these two people an opportunity to appreciate the blessings that come from a compassionate community. If you can assist, please either contact Mr Linhart or drop items off outside his office. Many thanks to those families who have already provided generously to this call for donations.

Included in every school diary this year are five important policies: Diary; Homework; Uniform; Jewellery and hair; and Behaviour management. These and other policies are also available on our school website and are a refection of our school governance - I encourage you to be familiar with these five policies in particular. The school Newsletter will feature an aspect of our school policies each week in an effort to raise an awareness of the processes and protocols that support everyone’s learning at St Patrick’s. The following passage is taken from our School Homework Policy:

• Students are expected to allocate time at home to complete unfinished class work, to complete activities or research for projects and to practise their reading skills.
• Reading daily is considered to be one of the most important homework elements for all students.
• There is an expectation that, if there is no reasonable reason provided by parents for students failing to complete homework, that tasks set for homework or other tasks would be completed during part of designated playtime.
• Students are expected to demonstrate pride in their homework by completing the work neatly and returning it on time.

 Second Week of Lent 

(Week beginning Monday 14th March)

This week through Project Compassion we learn about Biru who lives in a rural village in India’s east. He lost mobility in one of his legs, after contracting polio as a child. Biru worked as a shepherd, looking after other people’s cattle, to support his wife and four daughters. Keeping up with the cattle was a challenge.

Biru taught himself how to repair bicycles by watching other people, but he never dreamed of using those skills to start his own business. With your generous support, Biru was able to access an entrepreneurship and livelihoods training program, run by CaritasAustralia’s partner, Caritas India. He gained the support and skills he needed to start his own bicycle repair business. Now, Biru earns enough money to support his family.

Watch a short film about Biru’s story here.

Please support Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.au

Prayer for Ukraine

We pray to you Lord Jesus, 

for the people of the Ukraine who are

experiencing conflicts and deaths. 

Bless the leaders with wisdom, 

vision and perseverance needed to build together

a world of justice and solidarity, 

and to break down walls of hostility and division.

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.

‘Inquiring Minds’ Birth to 5 program - a ‘Set-Up for Success’ Catholic Education Tasmania initiative.

our ‘Inquiring Minds’ birth to 5 program operates each Friday during school term time from 9.00am to 10.30am;This program involves a considerable focus on communicating to parents the learning intentions of important activities that are associated with early years learning. Mrs Klug will be working to engage parents in early years learning experiences that will ensure children who are enrolling in Kindergarten, will be informed in regards to developing key social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills and understandings.