Dear Parents,

This will be the last newsletter for Term One as school concludes for the students next Wednesday, the 31^st of March, at 3.10pm.  Thursday the 1^st of April is a School Closure Day.  We will be using the day to continue to work through our School Review process that we are undertaking this year.

It is amazing how quickly Term One has come and gone!  It has been wonderful to be able to be onsite for the whole time and operate in a fairly ‘normal’ way amongst our COVID procedures. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff for their dedication and commitment.  We are blessed to have such a professional staff here at St Pat’s who regularly go over and above what is required to ensure that we can offer the best learning opportunities we can to the students.

Thanks to all families for your support, flexibility and willingness to abide by the procedures that have been in place throughout the term.  I hope all families enjoy a happy and holy Easter and a wonderful break enjoying time together as a family.  We look forward to working with you again next term.

Personally, I will be on Long Service Leave for the first three weeks of Term 2.  Anna Viney and Meg Escalante will be the Acting Principals in my absence.  It is reassuring to be able to be away and know that the school is in such capable hands.  I thank them for their willingness to take on the role.

Cross-Country

Our St Patrick’s Cross-Country is on this Monday.  Parents are welcome to watch but we ask that you please adhere to the following COVID Safe guidelines; scan the QR code on entry, fill in the COVID form that will be in the designated parent area and remain in the designated parent area at all times.  Parents cannot mingle with the students. The approximate running times are listed further within the newsletter.

Staffing News

Mrs Rosa Mitchell (3M) will be on medical leave from today until the end of the term.  Mrs Marina D’Souza will be teaching 3M in Rosa’s absence.   Marina has worked at St Pat’s before and is very familiar with the children.  She is working closely with Rosa to ensure that the children are delivered the same lessons as they would be if Rosa was teaching the grade.

Easter Raffle

Thanks to all of the families who have contributed to our Easter Raffle.  The Parents and Friends Committee are doing an excellent job compiling the prizes.  The raffle will be drawn on the last day of term for the students, Wednesday the 31^st of March.

Carparking

The Avenue carpark is becoming very congested and does not cope well with parents parking and walking into the school.  If you are wanting to park and come onto the grounds it is our preference that you please use the Church Carpark.

Equipment from Home

Please note that there is an ample amount of sports equipment provided at school so we ask that students do not bring equipment or toys from home. Having students only use the equipment provided at school ensures that we can adhere to COVID safe cleaning requirements.

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.

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 your children to walk across to your car unaccompanied. 
• 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 is provided at school so we ask that students do not bring equipment and toys from home.

Important Dates for Your Diary

• Wednesday 31^st March – Term One concludes for the students 3.10pm.
• Thursday 1^st of April – School Closure Day. No school for students.
• Monday 19^th of April – Term Two commences.
• Tuesday 27^th of April – School Closure Day. The staff are participating in a Diocesan RE Day.
• 11^th-21^st May – Naplan.
• Monday 14^th June – Queens Birthday. No school.
• Friday 25^th June – Term Two concludes / Reports distributed.

Camp Dates 2021

• Year 3 – 10^th – 11^th June, CYC Adanac, Yarra Junction.
• Year 4 – 14^th – 16^th July, CYC The Island, Phillip Island.
• Year 5 – 4^th- 6^th August, Sovereign Hill, Ballarat.
• Year 6 – 15^th – 19^th November, Lady Northcote Camp, Glenmore.

Fees

2021 Fees were distributed to all families last week.  Included in these fee statements were the camp levies.  Please contact Fil at office@stppakenham.catholic.edu if you have any issues or concerns.

Regards,

Simon

SIMON -  a Learning Management Software solution for schools.

St Patrick’s Primary school is now using SIMON in the classroom to keep track of your child’s progress and learning as well as attendance.  SIMON will also be used for School Reports and Student Wellbeing.

PAM, SIMON’s Parent Access Module

PAM (Parent Access Module) is our new Parent to School communication platform.   PAM provides real time access to keep parents updated with their children’s progress, important dates and messages. Relevant resources – calendar events, student reports, parent notified absences, absence data and sick bay notes can all be accessed via PAM.

Parents can easily book Parent Teacher interviews through PAM, and access teacher email addresses. 

Parents would have received an email from noreply@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au on Friday 5th March that contains instructions and a link for them to click on.  Please check your JUNK or SPAM mailbox if you do not receive this email.  PAM accounts are linked via your email address that we have in our systems.  If you have recently changed your email or you can not find the email sent on Friday please call or email us on office@stppakenham.cathlic.edu.au

Click on the 'forget password' link to set your password and then verify your email address.  (Email addresses must be verified for PAM to work properly).  Once your email is verified, your email can be used as the username for your account.

Once you have successfully logged in, you can save PAM to your homescreen on your device.

If you have any issues or need help with PAM please contact the school via email, office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au

Parent Notified Absences via PAM

Once you have PAM set up and saved to your home screen you can easily send in Parent Notified absences.   Please use this platform going forward as this automatically syncs with the class roll.   This will fix the issues of receiving SMS notifications even though you had already notified the school. 

Our next Sacrament is First Eucharist in May, and there will be approximately 180 recipients.

An email went out via Operoo on Friday afternoon asking you to book a spot at the parent workshop on either the 21st or 22nd of April.   The note also asked you to book a Mass time for the First Holy Communion.  If you haven't done so please do so ASAP.  We are limited on numbers so if you do not act quickly you may not get your choice of day and time.   Also due to COVID we are limited to the amount of family that can attend.  Only the child receiving the First Holy Communion and a maximum of 4 family members can attend.   

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 have been sent out via Operoo. 

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 - Reconciliation 

Cross Country 2021

St Patrick’s Cross Country Event will be held on Monday March 29th

All students from Foundation to Year 6 are expected to participate. Students have been developing their running skills during PE lessons throughout the term. Whilst there is the opportunity to represent St Pat’s at the next level of competition (Pakenham District) not everyone has the ability to achieve this level. Students have been encouraged to work on improving their individual skills and shifting their mindset to achieve success. This will look different for all students, but some of the things we have spoken about include:

• using a walk/run model
• run with someone of equal ability to encourage each other
• set mini goals (eg: run to the next tree)
• count steps between points on the track
• use a personal tracker to time
• recall your past personal achievements in the lead up to the event and try to meet or exceed them

Years 3-6 will run during the morning block from 9am-11am.

As Years 3-6 will be running outside the school grounds (using pathways around the perimeter of the school block) they will be required to respond to the permission note on Operoo. Any student who does not respond by the due date will still be participating but completing a course of similar length within the school grounds. Students in Years 4, 5 & 6 will NOT be running in level groups but in age/gender groups as this aligns with the next level of competition. Year 3 students WILL run as a level and in gender groups.

Years F-2 will run after recess from 11:30am-12:50pm.

These students will not require permission to run as they will be running inside the school grounds.They have also been developing their running skills during PE lessons.

Minibeast Incursion

On Monday 22^nd of March we went to the portable and Talia taught 2V and 2DG all about minibeasts. First she gave us instructions about the minibeasts then we got to feel some of the minibeasts. Some minibeasts we couldn’t touch because it was too dangerous, like the red back spider and the tarantula. All the animals we saw were snails, a stag beetle, a cockroach, a millipede, a preying mantis, stick insects, spiders, a red back, a huntsman, a tarantula and a scorpion. Some animals were from Queensland. Talia is from Minibeast Wildlife. It was the most exciting day of my life and it was really, really fun.

By Kuei 2V

Our School Incursion

On Monday 22^nd March Talia came to our school from minibeast wildlife. She showed us different kinds of insects and minibeasts.

First 2V and 2DG walked to the portable and we sat down and were waiting. We also sat in a semicircle. Next she showed us the snails and another snail from Queensland. She also showed us some other minibeasts like a praying mantis and a cockroach. Lastly she showed us insects that we can not touch but can see in a jar.

I was excited at the start and at the end I thought it was so interesting because we got to see insects can glow in the dark and some really big insects too!

By Alexandra 2V

We are Back!!

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.  

Operoo allows you to 'share' your account with anyone you choose.   For example if you would like your partner to help you keep track of things here at school all you need to do is click on your child's profile, click on green box that says 'share'.   Then fill in the persons details, ie name and email address,  you can even choose what level of access they have.  You can choose 'view only' or 'view and change'. 

Please click on the link for detailed instructions. 

httpss://supportoperoo.com/portal/en/kb/articles/how-does-a-user-share-a-profile-with-a-second-parent-or-carer

Please remember to update any details in Operoo, 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 in early March. 

If you didn't get a chance to order, do not worry, a code went home with your child yesterday which you can use to order.  If you didn't receive a code and you haven't already ordered photos please contact the photographer directly on the phone number below. 

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