NEWSLETTER 2 - 21st February 2023

Leaders for 2023

Congratulations to our school leaders for term 1 in 2023.

School Captains = Jimmy Tueon & Rose Evans

Byrne House Captains = Wynnie Bryant & Frank Dewrance-Milligan

Dooley House Captains = Amaja Scott & Jake Bracken

Martyn House Captains = Zarna Bakes & Egan Bos

We know these leaders will do an amazing job leading our school.

Assembly

From next week, school assemblies will be held once per week on Monday mornings at 8:50 a.m. During the Monday morning assembly, awards will be presented, as well as a focus on our school values, Mercy and WEST, as well as School Wide Positive Behaviour Support. It is important for our students to settle into daily routines where learning can occur from the start of the school day. For this reason, assembly from Tuesday to Friday will no longer take place. We hope to see parents and carers at each Monday morning assembly.

Mobile Online Digital Devices

At St Patrick’s, we have a Student Mobile Online Digital Devices Policy. These mobile online devices include mobile phones, smart watches and any device that allows digital communication. This policy sets clear guidelines in relation to the appropriate use of mobile online digital devices at school and/or during school events. Mobile online digital devices must be left in the school office at the beginning of the school day and signed-in and signed-out at the end of the school day. Parents or caregivers wishing to leave messages for their children should do so by telephoning the school; school staff endeavour to ensure that messages are passed on during class breaks. Compliance with these guidelines will avoid unnecessary interference with teaching and learning, and respect the right to privacy of others. Any use of mobile online digital devices that is contrary to the school policy will lead to confiscation of the device; parents will be notified and asked to collect the mobile online digital devices from the school office. Contact our school office for a copy of the full policy.

Fidget Toys

A number of students are bringing fidget toys into classrooms during learning time.

Fidget tools were designed for students with either chronic or occasional attention problems. Disorders such as ADD, ADHD, and autism can often hinder one's ability to stay focused. In some circumstances, a child's anxiety or stress level may reach a critical high. Simple fidgeting tools such as textured putty or a squeezy ball that allows quiet non distracting movement can be helpful for students with disorders or disabilities to remain calm and attentive. More elaborate toys like fidget spinners and twirling toys may pull attention away from where it should be and can become a distraction for the students and others. 

Fidget toys are written into a student’s learning plan. For this reason, at St Patrick’s only students with a formal diagnosis will be allowed to have fidget tools in the classroom. If your child does not have a Learning Plan, they will be asked to leave their fidget toys at home.

Shrove Tuesday & Ash Wednesday

This week marks the beginning of Lent with Shrove Tuesday which directly precedes Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday was the day when Christians were encouraged to go to confession in preparation for the penitential season. Over the years, Shrove Tuesday not only became a day for Confession but a time for Catholics to feast on eggs, sugar and dairy which are traditionally restricted during the Lenten fast.

In the Roman Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the season of preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday always falls 46 days before Easter. Since Easter falls on a different date each year, Ash Wednesday does, too.

On Ash Wednesday, Catholics are encouraged to attend Mass and receive ashes on their foreheads in order to mark the beginning of the Lenten season. The ashes are made by burning the blessed palms that were distributed the previous year on Palm Sunday. After the priest blesses the ashes and sprinkles them with holy water, the faithful come forward to receive them. The priest dips his right thumb in the ashes and makes the Sign of the Cross on each person's forehead. The ashes that we receive are a reminder of our own sinfulness. As Lent begins, we set specific spiritual goals we would like to reach before Easter and decide how we will pursue them—for instance, we may forgo indulging in luxury foods. St Patrick’s will be learning about poverty and justice in the 6 weeks leading up to Lent. We will be sending home small Project Compassion boxes to fundraise for people living in poverty. If you have any small change to donate, this would be appreciated.

Kind regards

Carmen Aylott 

Principal 

March 

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.

This term, our Parent Teacher Interviews will consist of a goal setting session. Next week, a letter will be sent home from your child’s teacher, which may indicate an area of discussion about setting up goals for your child’s learning this year. The focus may be around a curriculum area, social emotional, or even setting up good work habits for the year. As a parent/carer, if there is an area of focus for discussion you wish to bring to your teacher’s attention, this can be noted on the letter. Please return the letter promptly before the Parent Teacher Interviews. Parent Teacher interviews will occur on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th March. Bookings for Parent-Teacher meetings will be made through Compass and are now available to book. 

Year 6’s have had a wonderful start to the year with the students eagerness in the mornings to organise their learning materials for the day’s lessons and the obvious thankfulness of returning back to school to be with their friends. We have appreciated their welcoming attitude and obvious endeavours to ‘have-a-go’ and do their best. There has been a focus on collaboration and teamwork, as well as leadership qualities. The students have enjoyed being challenged with different teamwork activities where they could display the qualities and skills that relate to the school's values and learning dispositions; communication, collaboration, persistence, patience, respect, encouraging others, cooperation, problem solving and being helpful. We encourage the Year 6’s to apply these qualities and skills to all learning areas, lessons and social interactions. Well done Year 6’s, for a positive start to the school year!

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

Prep

Abhitesh Mann for his excellent listening, following instructions and application towards his work. 

Esther Viney for her excellent application towards her work Esther. Thank you for trying your best. 

Year 1

Thea Methorst  For your outstanding start to the year. Thank you for your wonderful WEST qualities. 

Year 2

Esther Blomfield for the kindness and compassion shown to her fellow classmates.

Olivia Turner for both her positive and persistent attitude toward learning and the kindness and compassion showed to her classmates.

Year 3

Amir Khan for excellent application towards completing his work and for demonstrating respect to others.

Ethan Dick for his conscientious attitude to learning and for being respectful in his interactions with others.

Year 4

Alexander Fawkner for his outstanding attention to lessons and for asking thoughtful questions.

Year 5

Harper Clark for her positive, “can do” attitude and for giving everything a go! Well done Harper! 

Taylor Goss for his excellent participation and focus during class discussions. 

Year 6

Zarna Bakes for being a positive role model to others through her considerate and helpful attitude.

Tanner Davis for using his 'super powers' of self-control and being WEST, during teamwork activities.

Congratulations to our House Raffle winners this week:

Dooley - Ethan Dick  Martyn - Harlan Aherne 

Byrne - Peyton Clarke

The 2023 Devonport Basketball winter primary school roster commences on Friday 17^th March for grades 3 – 6 and Wednesday 22^rd March for grades 1 and 2.

Registrations close Wednesday 1^st March 2023.

Link to register is - https://www.playhq.com/basketball-tasmania/register/86377a

Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the DBC Office on 64242440.

Once registrations have closed and teams have been finalised a school basketball top will be provided to players. 

Will Hawkins and Harper Clark competed last weekend in the Tasmanian Country Club Championships between them they came home with nine medals. Well done Will & Harper! 

All Parent Newsletters, information and upcoming events are shared via a number of ways including:

• St Patrick’s Catholic School Website at https://stpatslatrobe.tas.edu.au/
• Newsletters Via COMPASS - newsletters will now be distributed fortnightly.
• Parental notes and permission slip Via COMPASS
• Hard copies of the Newsletter are available from the school office.
• Student Diaries.
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057514267179  

Please like and follow us on our facebook page

The Life, Marriage & Family Office of the Archdiocese is running a Family Camp at The Lea Scout camp, Kingston, on 4-5th March. There will be loads of fun activities to help families to bond. Please see below for details.

Register now if your family are interested in attending with your family: https://familycamptas.eventbrite.com.au/

Date: March 4-5th 2023

Venue: The Lea Scout camp, Kingston, Tasmania

Summary: Spend a weekend in the Tasmanian bush reconnecting with your family and growing in your faith. Life is busy and sometimes we struggle to make time to connect with the people closest to us. This weekend is a chance to play together with exciting activities on offer, pray together and learn more about your faith in a beautiful bush environment. You will stay overnight in cabins as family groups and all meals will be provided. There will be the opportunity to take part in laser skirmish, orienteering, rope assault course, flying fox and other games.

Get to know other families and have fun with your own. There will be talks and Q&A sessions, movies, a Catholic trivia quiz (with a prize for the victor) and delicious food.

Cost: $250 per family ( up to 10 people) staying in a bunk cabin together, includes activities and all food ( must be over 7 years for laser skirmish. Self-contained units may be available too for $350, please contact Rachel if you are interested in this option.

Bring: Your own bedding for basic cabins, sleeping bag etc, sunscreen, water bottle, long trousers and enclosed shoes if playing laser skirmish

Bookings: https://familycamptas.eventbrite.com.au

Further Information: rachel.bradley@aohtas.org.au or call 0475 222 056

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 start this Friday and run every Friday from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m during school terms. 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!

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.