Dear Parents,

Family Learning Conversations

Thanks to all families who participated in our Family Learning Conversations (FLC’s) on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Strong, positive home/school partnerships are very important as we aim to work together to develop every child to their full potential.

Headphones

All children in the school have been provided with brand new headphones that they can use when accessing digital technology.  Every child has their own headphones that will be stored in a sealed bag and will be their responsibility.  I am sure that parents would appreciate that this has been a significant expense to the school. We ask that you please speak to your child about the importance of caring for their headphones responsibly as families will have to pay if a replacement is required.

Sacramental Program

Last night the students who missed out on Confirmation in 2020 due to COVID had their workshop.  The Sacrament for them will be celebrated next Wednesday evening, it will be a wonderful experience to be Confirmed by our new Bishop, Bishop Greg Bennet.   On behalf of everyone I thank Bishop Greg Bennet, Fr Janeesh, Fr Paul, Siji, Noleen Chalmers and the whole Sacramental Team. 

Pick Up and Drop Off

It is great that parents now have the opportunity again to park cars and walk into the school.  I remind you that if you do park your car you must walk over and collect your child.  Please do not call your children to walk across to your car unaccompanied.  For safety reasons you must walk over and collect them.

2022 Foundation (Prep) Tours

We are currently taking Foundation enrolments and running 2022 Foundation (Prep) Tours by appointment.  If you know of anyone considering St Pat’s for their child please ask them to call the school Office on 5943-9000 and book a tour.

 Staffing News

Congratulations to Lauren Reitschel who became engaged to her partner Subhuti last weekend.  We wish them every happiness together in the future.

2021 Camps

We finally have confirmation of all our camps and dates.  These are listed below. 

Grade 3 - Adanac Camp - Yarra Junction  10/6/21 - 11/6/21

Grade 4 - CYC The Island - Phillip Island  14/7/21 - 16/7/21

Grade 5 - Sovereign Hill - Ballarat  4/8/21 - 6/8/21

Grade 6 - Lady Northcote Camp - Glenmore  15/11/21 - 19/11/21

COVID Procedures

I remind parents that the following procedures are in place for the safety of all;

• Masks are not required to be worn by parents at all times when in the school, only in situations where you are unable to social distance.
• Parents wishing to come into the grounds to drop off or collect their children must scan the QR code on the way in and wait out the front of the classroom. Please do not enter the rooms and social distance whilst waiting.  You must limit your visit to less than 15 minutes, gates open at 3pm at the end of the day.
• Parents waiting for children in the pick-up lines need to ensure that their children know which carpark to go to.
• If you do park your car you must walk over and collect your child. Please do not call for you children to walk across to your car unaccompanied.  For safety reasons we require you to walk over and collect them.
• Meetings with staff are by appointment only. Any parent that is going to be in the school for more than 15 minutes needs to sign on and complete the COVID form at the Office.
• Please communicate with staff via phone or email.
• The Office is open if required, however, please observe the density limits (maximum of 6 people). It is preferable to phone or email if possible rather than come to the Office.
• All extra cleaning and hand hygiene that was in place is still being adhered to.
• Please do not send food items to share with others when it is your child’s birthday as they cannot be handed out.
• If your child is sick, or displaying symptoms, please keep them at home. Children that present as sick or displaying symptoms at school will be sent home.
• Bubble taps are operational at school.
• An ample amount of sports equipment will be provided at school so we ask that students do not bring equipment from home.

Regards,

Simon

Music - Term 1

As part of their learning about different types of instruments in Music lessons, the Year Twos have been learning about stringed instruments and percussion instruments.  They have had the opportunity to play the ukuleles and hand percussion instruments as part of this learning. The Year Twos have revised the correct way to hold the ukulele and strum the strings, and have also been learning to play three chords on the ukuleles.

The Year Sixes have been performing music on xylophones whilst reading notes from the musical stave. We have focused on rehearsing and performing the theme from “Chess” the musical. The Year Six students have been encouraged to support each other in their attempts to read musical notation from the stave.

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation this week!   Very soon we will start our preparation for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion.  Please keep an eye on your emails and Operoo. 

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM 2021

Sacrament Dates for 2021

First Holy Communion - Grade 4 and Grade 5 Students

21st and 22nd April - Parent Workshop

Communion Masses - Every Saturday and Sunday in May - Booking details will be given out during the Workshops. 

Confirmation - Grade 6 Students

22nd July - Parent Workshop

31st July - 1st August - Enrolment Masses

7th and 8th August - Formation Masses

14th and 15th August - Formation Masses

20th and 21st August - Confirmation Masses

Reconciliation - Grade 3 Students

14th October - Parent Workshop

20th and 21st October - Reconcilation 

Have you installed the new SZapp?   

Skoolbag is no longer being used, install SZapp now! 

 Follow the installation guide below to install the new app on your smart devices.  

Communication is sent via Operoo's email system so please make sure this is set up and up to date.  If you need to update or change an email address please log on to your existing account and click on the 3 lines in the top right corner.  A menu will open up, click on 'My Account' then on 'Change My Email'.  Then all you have to do is follow the instructions.  (Enter your new email and verify it).  Then you will be good to go.   We will be notified of your new email address and we will be able to update it in our system.   

Dont forget to update your contact details in your childs profile as well! 

Please click on the link for detailed instructions. 

https://support.operoo.com/portal/en/kb/articles/how-does-a-user-change-the-email-address

If you do not follow these steps and we update it from our end all the data you have entered will be lost and you will have to create a new account and profile. 

Please log in and accept the ICT User Agreement for 2021 if you havent already done so!

Please remember to update any details in Operooo, for example change of address or phone number,  this will send us a message that your details have changed and we are then able to update our database.

Don't forget to upload your child's hayfever letters including symptoms specific to your child!

If you have any problems using Operoo, please call into the school office preferably on a Monday, Thursday or Friday and we will be able to help you.  

School Photographs for 2021 - St Patricks Pakenham

School Photos were taken today and pre ordering has now closed! 

If you didnt get a chance to order, do not worry, a code will come home with your child early next week which you can use to order. 

Orders will need to be placed online at www.spargophoto.com.au using your unique code.  

If you have any inquiries, please contact us on (03) 5942 5234

Paddy's Kitchen's purpose is to make a difference in people's lives, by providing a fresh, nutritious meal in a friendly environment.  Paddy's Kitchen serves every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month from St Patrick's Pakenham, Parish hall.  Dinner at 6pm 

www.stpatrickspakenham.com.au/paddys-kitchen