NEWSLETTER 39 - 6th December 2022

WHAT ARE YOUR BE-ATTITUDES? 

Usually, at the beginning of any year, most of us  are working on our goals, listing our desired outcomes, and enthusiastically creating our plans for getting thing done. How many of these resolutions do we generally achieve?

Another way to think about the dawn of a new year is to not just consider the the “to-do’s” we want to think about the “to-BE’s”.  

I ask myself these questions: What do I want to BE next year? What attitudes do I want to embody? What kind of energy do I want to carry?

Upon reflection here are some of my BE-attitudes so far:

• BE awake – to the possibilities and opportunities that exist everywhere even in unexpected places
• BE present – to live in the moment, to pay attention, to be mindful
• BE kind – to myself and others in all situations
• BE grateful – to look for things to appreciate everywhere
• BE creative – and open to new ideas, color outside the lines
• BE focused – on my goals and outcomes but not attached to them
• BE organised – in my thinking and in my physical environment so I can accomplish more with less effort
• BE my “Best Edited Self”- to think more before I open my mouth and learn to speak more concisely so I can talk less and listen more
• BE real – be truthful and genuine
• BE intuitive – to listen, beyond the words
• BE curious – to let go of pre-judgments and learn the art of wondering
• BE reverent – to walk lighter on the earth
• BE loving – to choose love and spread love
• BE adventurous and try some new things
• BE positive – to put in active practice all that I teach, to have a bias for the affirmative, looking for the good and the gift everywhere
• BE trusting – that God, and the Universe has a plan for me and that whatever happens is in alignment with that plan

In order to make it achievable I will need to narrow my focus.  As the year draws to a close, Christmas is coming closer (whether we are ready for it or not), and the arrival of the new year is only weeks away, and we consider  New Year resolutions, I wonder what ‘to-BE’s’ would be on your list?

Kind regards

Melissa Marshall

Acting Deputy Principal

2022

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

2023

Term 1 - Friday 3rd February - Thursday 6th April

Term 2 - Wednesday 26th April - Friday 7th July

Term 3 - Monday 24th July - Friday 29th September

Term 4 - Monday 16th October - Thursday 14th December

*Student Free Days Monday 25th April, Monday 24th July, Monday 16th October.

School Office Reopens 

Monday 23rd January 2023 (Office hours 8.00am - 4.00pm)

Closed - Thursday 26th (Public Holiday) & Friday 27th January.

Uniform Sales 

Monday 30th January  - Thursday 2nd February 

December 

January

Students in Years 1 & 2 enjoyed the opportunity to participate in a day excursion on Country with Uncle Hank in Deloraine and Mole Creek. Prior to the day, students reviewed and discussed digital resources on The Orb, including a digital tour of kooparoona niara with Uncle Hank explaining a variety of bush tucker, the construction of a temporary shelter and the use and significance of ochre in ceremonies. Kooparoona niara is the Aboriginal name given to the Great Western Tiers and means Mountains of the Spirits. Students also explored a range of picture books to deepen their understanding of how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples use science in their daily lives. A specific focus was on the use of the Earth’s natural resources and how these resources are conserved.

Uncle Hank guided students along the kooparoona niara Cultural Trail in Deloraine. Students were very interested in locating symbols along the path and listened attentively as Uncle Hank shared stories of his childhood and of his Elders. The Cultural Trail showcased a range of native plantings, bush tucker and many statues/symbols, each conveying their own meaning. At the end of the Cultural Trail, Uncle Hank seated us at the stone yarning circle around the fire pit. He explained the significance of the symbols covering the fire pit and discussed the Tasmanian’s Nine Nations.

After a snack and a play at the Deloraine Train Park, we were welcomed by Uncle Hank to his home where we were invited to share in a traditional smoking ceremony. Students carefully placed gum leaves on the fire and listened as Uncle Hank explained the cleansing nature of the smoke billowing around us. Many students chose to sample bush pepper straight from the shrub and tasted the delicious damper that Uncle Hank had prepared for us. Students engaged respectfully in listening to Uncle Hank play the didgeridoo, received ochre onto their bodies, and examined a range of animal skins as Uncle Hank explained traditional hunting methods. Many students were intrigued about Uncle Hank’s explanation of how to use animal droppings as clues for more effective hunting. All students thoroughly enjoyed trying their hand at throwing waddies and attempting to throw spears with the support of Mr Atkins. Many even hit the target!

It was a privilege to have been invited to share in Uncle Hank’s culture at his home. We look forward to learning more from Uncle Hank about how important Mother Nature is to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. 

This term our History unit has focused on The First Fleet. We have explored what life was like in Britain in the 1780’s, the conditions faced by convicts in prison and then on the ships that sailed to Australia. Students were asked to present an aspect of their learning as a diorama. The diorama was accompanied by a piece of factual writing explaining what life was like and a fictional diary entry of a convict.

This morning our students enjoyed some time in their class for 2023. Most year levels, except for Year 4, also had their 2023 teacher with them. This was a good opportunity for the students to make a good first impression on their new teacher and to get a feel for their new room. Students completed tasks that will help their new teacher to gain a better understanding of them ready to hit the ground running in 2023.

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

Prep: Jude Robinson for your positive approach towards all tasks and for trying your best. Thank you for being a kind and caring friend. 

Year 1: Olivia Turner for a well prepared and entertaining presentation of your “What I’d like to be” sharing topic.  

Year 2: Tahlia Simmonds for taking pride in her work and completing colourful, detailed and quality colouring in.

Year 3: Caleb Banks for his improved application and for his great results in Mathematics.

Year 4: Jakk Burgess for his welcoming and friendly interactions with his peers.

Year 5:  Hailey Mitchell for consistently being ready to learn and striving to always do her best in all subject areas.  Well done Hailey!

Year 6: Lincoln McQueen for his willingness to respond to questions posed and contribute to classroom discussions.

Congratulations to our House Raffle winners this week: 

Dooley - Zarli Dolega  Martyn - Egan Bos 

Byrne - Thomas Marshall 

To help us in our planning for 2023, any families that are not returning to St Patrick's next year for any reason can you please contact the office on 64261626 or email stpatslat@catholic.tas.edu.au at your earliest convenience. Thank you. 

Parents are welcome to contact Mr Atkins, Mrs Marshall or Mrs Badcock at any time to discuss issues relating to their child’s education. It is important for parents to always make contact with the leadership team (Mr Atkins, Mrs Marshall & Mrs Badcock) or their child’s teacher if they require elaboration or clarification on any issue. Contact to the school can be made by either phoning the office between 8.00am - 4.00pm (after-hours phone calls will now go to the school message bank) your child's diary, or by making an appointment. 

Student End of Year Reports will not be printed this year and instead will only be available via Compass. Reports are easy to access via Compass and instructions for this will be made available in future newsletters. We will however print reports if requested by parents/guardians. This can be requested after the reports have been made available on Compass. Please note the reports from previous years and the Mid Year Report from this year can also be accessed via Compass (either in the App or the web version).

Please contact the school office if you are unable to access Compass or do not know your login details. 

‘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.

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.