NEWSLETTER 8 - 22nd March 2022

… Next time you're found
With your chin on the ground
There a lot to be learned
So look around.

… Just what makes that little old ant
Think he'll move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant can't
Move a rubber tree plant.

… But he's got high hopes
He's got high hopes
He's got high apple pie
In the sky hopes.

So any time you're gettin' low
'Stead of lettin' go
Just remember that ant

… Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant
Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant
Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant.

‘High Hopes’ was popularised by Frank Sinatra and complemented by a simple, catchy tune, it is still heard today offering a simple message that promotes positive, hopeful thinking. A common discussion point during our morning school assemblies is what makes an ‘A’ student? Students have heard the message often enough for many hands to instantly be raised and provide the response, ‘Attitude + Application = Achievement.’ For the purposes of our school assemblies, such simple mantras are sufficient in allowing students and staff a ‘tangible leverage’ for gentle prompts when the intrinsic desire to engage in learning wanes, concentration is diminishing and output and achievement decreasing. However, as adults, we are only ‘too aware to be aware’ of relying too much on simple mantras for motivation and hope.

I am reminded that whilst, like the ant immortalised by Sinatra over sixty years ago, our positive attitude and dedicated application may well not result in achieving our goal;  regardless of our best intentions, we could not lift a heavy weight if we are only equipped with a ‘thread of cotton’. Our staff – teachers, teacher-assistants, support workers – do a disservice to a student if we do ‘the heavy lifting’ for a student; rather, we endeavour over the course of a student’s time with us, to add to the threads that a child has at their disposal to undertake the ‘heavy lifting’ that often accompanies learning, hoping that over time the student’s thread becomes a rope that is capable of the heavy lifting in many and varied contexts; this transferability of knowledge, understandings and skills is a key indicator of having mastery learning. Life-long learning is as much about appreciating the need to develop learners to engage in a ‘load-bearing’ life, as it is about key curriculum areas.

Load-bearing principles in engineering have enabled architects and builders ‘build up’ without fear of catastrophic collapse. Early examples of buttresses are found on the Eanna Temple (ancient Sumer), dating to as early as the 4th millennium BC. Education and learning involve students, which implies all of us, seeking the support of others, (which also implies all of us) in both taking on some of the load of responsibilities for the learning of others and equipping others to take on increasing responsibility for learning. My six-month experience working as a farmhand last year taught me an enormous amount about learning, especially through the conceptual lens of ‘load-bearing’ and turning ‘threads into ropes’ – all learning takes time, involves repetition of often simple skills and mastering them before moving onto incorporating new complementary skills, and is encouraged by patient teachers and colleagues who share and support realistic and timely goal-setting.

I am grateful that I work within a school community that is reflective of such principles and supportive of the important educational tenet of avoiding blame and baseless complaint, whilst supporting an optimistic and hopeful future that is based on reality for each learner whose current learning load is characterised by a willingness to accept the challenges of ‘adding threads’ to the rope. From the perspective of learning and the reality of attitude, application and achievement in the perspective of individual capacity to ‘lift heavy loads’ associated with learning, I am reminded of a quote by the nineteenth century social philosopher, William Ward who said, “The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”

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

April

Tuesday 12th April: Parent-Student-Teacher Meetings

Wednesday 13th April: Fruit and Rice Day / Parent-Student-Teacher Meetings

Thursday 14th April: Last Day of Term 1 - Easter Raffle Drawn 

“This has been the best day of school!” This quote by a student last Thursday epitomised the widespread sentiment of our school community celebration of St Patrick’s day, which was further enhanced by an adult who stared, ‘St Patrick’s School celebrated its founding saint like no other school!’ At St Patrick’s School no decision and no event is the responsibility of one person – it is an expectation at St Patrick’s that we all contribute according to our time, talents and availability. We certainly acknowledge and appreciate the leadership of Mr Atkins and the students of the Student Representative Council for their organisation of the afternoon events, Tameika Anthony and the many family members for their leadership of the ‘loaves and fishes’ event that was the morning tea and Mrs Dunn for her leadership and organisation of the morning St Patrick’s liturgy and for helping with the sausages. We would also like to acknowledge and greatly appreciate the efforts of the following people:

• Our Year 6 readers for the morning liturgy.
• Mrs O‘Brien and Mrs Kingshott for helping to organise the Year 6 Readers.
• Miss Moore for volunteering to cook the sausages and for staying behind to clean the BBQs and generally clean up.
• Miss Bailey and Mrs Dunn for helping with the cooking.
• Mr Broos for getting the BBQs organised.
• Mrs Adams, Mrs Tueon, Miss Moore, Mrs Dunn, Mrs Anthony and Mrs Marshall for helping with the serving.
• Mrs Harris for organising morning tea and doing other ordering.

…for everyone else who contributed and helped on the day.

On Wednesday the 13^th April, we hope that students and families will support the fruit and rice day, which will simulate the typical diet of many children in some parts of the world who are less fortunate than ourselves. On this day students are asked to bring only fruit to school as a recess snack and at lunch, the SRC will provide each student with a bowl of rice to eat. This is voluntary; however, it would be wonderful to see whole-school support as a small token of our gratitude in the light of the poverty of so many - ‘For all Future Generations.’

Your child’s teachers are gaining an insight into your child’s strengths and challenges and it is early enough in the year to now sit down and discuss some strategies to ensure 2022 is a year of academic and social growth for your child or children. As part of our reporting schedule, teachers will be making themselves available for parent-student-teacher discussions between 9:00am and 6:30pm on Tuesday 12^th April and Wednesday 13^th April. Students are strongly encouraged to attend these discussions (although there may be a decision made by you and your child’s teacher that determines your child’s attendance at this meeting may not be appropriate). The intent of these 15-minute meetings is to have the opportunity to talk openly and honestly regarding your child’s progress this year, whilst also discussing some areas that might or will require some work. Information on booking a meeting time will be distributed in next week’s newsletter.

Year 2, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 all have class teachers who share the teaching responsibility. Teachers discuss their planning and individual student strengths and challenges regularly and the level of collaborative professional conversation is impressive. Where possible, both teachers will attend parent-teacher-student meetings.

Whole school assemblies have commenced again each morning – parents are welcome; please follow the COVID Safety Plan protocols.

Year 6 had the opportunity to learn about writing poetry from Bilal, who is a professional poetry writer. We joined Bilal at the Sydney Opera House via Zoom. The students' focussed on 'The Metaphor Code Cheat'. Students thought about a subject, an object and something the object could be doing (action). The following is a small example of the fantastic poems the students wrote. 

Animal abuse is a disease that infects everybody with rage and madness. Kyan.

Bullies are a dirty hand smashing cake making the birthday boy cry. Oliver.

Pollution is a rotten apple infecting the earth. Logan.

Animal abuse is a sharp blade that harms whatever comes near it. Suraya.

Our school has in place processes to support the COVID Safety Plan, a summary of which includes:

• Parents ring the school to inform a staff member of a positive COVID test result in the respective household.
• A school leadership team staff member contacts via SMS families of the class from which the notification has been made; all school staff are also informed.
• A school leadership team staff member makes notification to the Department of Health via Catholic Education Tasmania.
• A school-generated spreadsheet is updated that provides an overview of all staff and students who have been affected (positive COVID test result or close contact); this spreadsheet also highlights communications and support offered between school and home.
• A school leadership team staff member, in communication with a family in isolation, offers support (computer access, groceries, meals, advice) to families throughout the period of isolation.
• Students and staff returning to school from isolation are welcomed back to school.

This process appears to average 20 to 30 minutes per person regarding completion of paperwork and regular contact and support. The school leadership team, Mrs Harris and Mrs Leonard are to be commended on including these tasks into an already very busy and demanding list of responsibilities.

Thank you to those families who supported the school photo day by ensuring their child or children were well presented and in full summer school uniform. We have discussed options with the photographer to include photos of students who are isolating, and I wish to reassure those families affected that professional quality photos (individual and family photos) will be taken of any child returning from isolation over the next two weeks and be included in class composite photos, which will be used for class photos this year. More details will be provided to families whose children are isolating or away on photo day on Tuesday 22nd March.

Jennifer, a refugee advocate, gratefully accepted some donations from the school community during yesterday’s morning assembly. Jennifer briefly shared a story of the two Ukrainian refugees who she has been assisting and who will be the recipients of our donations. Please feel welcome to drop into the school office any donation – voucher, clothing, blankets, sheets, non-perishables.

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

Prep: Thea Methorst for trying her best with all of her work. Well done, Thea, brilliant effort.

Year 1: Hudson Duff for his outstanding effort and improvement towards his learning. Great work Hudson. 

Year 2: Alivia Dewrance-Milligan for a considerable improvement in her concentration, quality of work and neat handwriting.

Year 3: Meg Kelly for her positive application and attitude towards completing her tasks and for demonstrating initiative around the classroom.

Year 4: Jed Atkins for setting a positive example for his peers during meditation and applying himself to learning tasks.

Year 5: Buckley Davis for bringing his best attitude and effort to his schoolwork each day

Year 6: Brad Jones for his focussed engagement and enthusiasm for sharing during Year 6's Zoom poetry lesson from the Sydney Opera House.

Congratulations to our House Raffle & Recycling winners this week: 

Dooley - Casey Youd  Martyn -  Jason Richards

Byrne - Lulu Meech  

The school canteen is operating Thursdays at this stage until we secure family support for Friday canteen. Information on the menu, including prices, is available via our school website. To support the operation of the school canteen at the commencement of the school year, the school has allocated some hours that will provide Mrs Anthony and Mr Angliss the opportunity to prepare the lunch orders, however, we welcome assistance with this initiative if it is to be sustained and opened to two days – Thursdays and Fridays. Ideally, we are hoping for a parent or family member to make themselves available to assist with the coordination to help relieve the workload on Mrs Anthony who has worked hard (a considerable amount of time in voluntary capacity) to prepare both the canteen facilities, and in ordering and preparing many items that will be available this Thursday. For the canteen to work as part of a school-parent initiative, and to two days (Thursdays and Fridays) we need volunteers (currently two parents have offered help for some Friday sessions, however, we are requiring more assistance throughout the year on Fridays if this is to be viable) who can commit to assisting on the day. If you consider that you have some time available on Thursdays (or Fridays) please confirm your availability via the following Google document link

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1m2bCVv1V91Dn9rwXv0HV2czv8vfPKv68DuOAebxfrGg/edit?usp=sharing

The 2022 soccer season will commence on Saturday 2nd April with an initial two-week roster as per previous years. If your child has missed the registration period we still have some teams that can take additional players. Please contact Mrs Harris at the school office if you have any queries. 

Thank you to the following parents who have offered to coach teams. Felicity Derin-Reeves (Open 6) Claye Davis (Open 5) and Ben Dick (U8) We are still waiting on the following teams to provide a coach U5, U7, U9, U10. All teams will be required to have a nominated coach, who holds a current WWVP card prior to teams being entered into the competition. Any parent who is required to obtain a WWVP card to take on a coaching role will be reimbursed by the school. 

School Soccer tops will be given to players next week along with rosters as soon as we have received them. Players need to provide their own navy blue shorts, navy blue soccer socks, shinpads (compulsory), and soccer boots. 

 St Joseph's Feast Day 

Saturday 19th March was the Feast of St Joseph.

St Joseph lived a simple and yet very important life, he provided for his family and loved them. St Joseph worked as a carpenter and was a good father to Jesus. In the Bible there are no stories about Joseph doing great things. Joseph was a humble man who did what he could to look after and love his family in a humble and quiet way. St Joseph is the patron saint of workers.

Our school was founded by the Sisters of St Joseph who worked quietly, humbly and practically to help others just as St Joseph did. 

This week we pray for all of the Sisters of St Joseph, that they may know God’s constant love and continue to follow in the footsteps of St Joseph through caring and supporting families and the less fortunate. 

Prayer of St. Joseph 

St. Joseph,

watch over me

and care for me

just as you cared for

the child Jesus;

and by your help,

may I come to know

your Son,

and so grow

in strength

and wisdom

and the favour of God.

Amen

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 3^rd 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: 

• This week (Mon, Tues)

Reconciliation Faith Sharing Sessions  

• Next week 28th or 29th 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. 

Lent

Don’t forget we are still in the middle of the Church season of Lent. Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We will be raising money for Project compassion in the coming weeks, stay tuned for more details.

Third Week of Lent 

(Week beginning Monday 21^st March)

We are now in the third week of Lent with the Project Compassion story of Janice, a Wagilak woman and traditional dancer who tells her family’s stories through movements handed down over generations.

Like many remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Janice’s faces a range of challenges – low employment and education, financial hardship, poorer health and lower life expectancy.

With your help, Caritas Australia supports Djilpin Arts Aboriginal Corporation, which operates a centre for traditional and contemporary Aboriginal arts and culture, providing employment and generating income for local communities.

Janice believes that Djilpin Arts’ work is essential to create opportunities for young people to stay on-country, to share intergenerational knowledge between elders and the younger generation - to promote healing, and to keep culture alive.

Watch a short film about Janice’s story here.

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

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.

‘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.

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.

Karlie offers discrete counselling services to students upon both parent's signed request. Request forms are available from the school office or can be downloaded from the school website.

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.

DEVONPORT REGIONAL GALLERY

These informal, fun and creative sessions will go for an hour with weekly sessions on Wednesday and Thursday 4-5pm this semester for 4 weeks.

This term we will explore sculptural play! Each week participants will explore a new sculptural medium and thought process to create a finished piece over the 4 weeks. We will look at famous abstract artists that create colourful public art, creating our own interpretations as we respond to their work, questioning colour, scale and playing with materials. Participants will have the option to show their work in the PAC entry bay window area for a few weeks at the end of term before taking them home. 

Our free Wednesday sessions 4-5 pm Creative Space DRG are for Primary school ages, dates are – Wednesday 23 March, Wednesday 30 March, Wednesday 6 April and Wednesday 13 April.

Our free Thursday sessions 4-5 pm Creative Space DRG are for open ages, Primary, High School or adult, dates are –

Thursday 24 March, Thursday 31 March, Thursday 7 April and Thursday 14 April.

Spaces continue to be limited due to social distancing.  Covid safe regulations apply to all activities and children under 8 are to be accompanied by an adult. All that is required is a smock, an open mind and desire to have some creative fun!

Email or call our friendly staff to confirm your booking for this free program and for more information! P: 64202900. E: artgallery@devonport.tas.gov.au 

Adult Workshop (ages 18+) titled ‘Pet Project’

This will be held in our Creative Space on the 25 March. This free workshop is facilitated by the University of Tasmania, all materials are supplied and no experience is necessary! Please follow the below link for Pet Project information and its external booking platform.

Expression of Interest DEVONPORT: The Pet Project Painting Workshop 25th March 2022 (jotform.com)