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Dear Parents and Carers,
We have welcomed more new students in recent days and weeks to St Patrick's.
Welcome Rithik, Ridoan and Rohan.
This week Ian Luscombe has visited St Patrick's again to continue to support our school based processes for positive behaviour at St Pat's. Ian is a presence in each classroom and around the playgrounds coaching our staff in proactive engagement to support our students to follow every direction.
I am pleased to communicate our Teaching Team for 2024
I wanted to share with you an excerpt from the latest 'Lifeskills Group' Newsletter, you may find the tips and their website / blog posts of use with your children.
"Technology is nothing. What's important is that you have faith in people, that they're basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they'll do wonderful things with them." Steve Jobs, Co-Founder, Apple
As adults, we often underestimate the value of the life skills we have acquired over the years. These skills are an integral part of our daily lives, yet we often neglect to pass them on to the younger generation, only realizing their importance as we enter adulthood. Children face many challenges in the modern world.
"Here are 3 strategies to improve children’s social awareness:
- Challenge Your Child to Understand Everyday Situations
When your child has witnessed you having a conversation with another person or family member, discuss it with them. Then ask what they noticed in terms of language, body language, and facial expressions which were exchanged over the course of the conversation. This can be a good exercise to show children how when you treat people with respect it is likely reciprocated.
- Encourage Children to Participate in Group Physical Activity
Giving your children access to yoga classes is a great start, whether it be at school or at home with others. Yoga provides fundamental movement, flexibility as well as improving coordination and energy levels.
- Be a Role Model
When demonstrating that you can show compassion and empathy towards others as a respected caregiver, this is the best possible reason for a child to follow suit. In their formative years, such a strong example can not only positively reinforce emotional intelligence but also help children understand that adults to make mistakes. No one is perfect and when children know this, they can then learn to develop this empathy with parents and teachers as well as peers - which is invaluable.
To learn the practical methods to implement the above strategies check out our newest blog post 3 ways to help children build better relationships."
Blessings on a restful weekend.
Jo
Behaviours for Learning - Supporting Students through Transitions
This week I travelled to Canberra to meet with Classroom Support Teachers from the Diocese.
One of our sessions focused on schools sharing how they are establishing a strong and successful start to school by engaging with high-quality transition practices for children and families.
Over the past three years we have refined the St Patrick’s preschool to Kinder transition plan. This plan now includes collaboration with local early childhood services and preschools in the year prior to school, including reciprocal visits to create a shared understanding of pedagogies and begin relationships with children and families. This transition plan also involves four ‘Big Steps’ sessions and three ‘Kinder Start’ Sessions. With each session having a focus on establishing the foundations of the behaviours for learning in Kinder.
On Wednesday we hosted our second Kinder Start Session. This session focused on building connections and relationships with current St Pat’s students by introducing the 2024 Year 6 buddies.
Online Triple P - Positive Parenting Program
Parents and carers are offered access to free online parenting courses developed in Australian by the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, thanks to Australian Government funding.
What does this mean for children and families at your school?
Triple P’s free online programs help parents and carers to:
• Feel more confident in their parenting skills
• Tackle problems before they grow
• Promote children’s resilience, self-regulation, problem-solving and social skills
• Encourage children to express and cope with emotions in healthy ways
• Build strong relationships with their children Families can easily choose a program course that's right for them, whether it’s navigating common challenges during childhood, helping children who often feel anxious or preparing for pre-teen and teen years. Plus, an upcoming program will provide positive parenting strategies for those going through separation or divorce.
Please follow the link for more information or to register for one of the programs.
https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/au/triple-p/
Emma
Future dates for the calendar
- Week 7 Chapel Mass 9:15am, 3/4Y
- Week 8 Chapel Mass 9:15am, 5/6R
- Week 10 Graduation Mass, Thursday 14th December 6:00pm (Please ensure that notes for guest numbers are returned as soon as possible so we can allocate seating)
This week, Mini Vinnies have been working on the organisation of our annual St Vincent De Paul hamper drive. Please read the information below written by Rowan and Lizzy for further details.
Dear Parents and Carers,
We are collecting non-perishable food and toiletries for St Vincent De Paul’s Christmas appeal. Every year, St Pat’s collects items to donate to Vinnies Christmas appeal to give to people in need. Items that would be useful include; tinned food, lollies, biscuits, pasta, rice, cake mix, tinned soup, chips, popcorn, noodles, crackers and especially toiletries like toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo and conditioner.
Please do not bring any foods that are out of date or foods that go off easily if not kept in the fridge.
Items can be placed in the office under the Christmas tree in the baskets provided.
Thank you to families who have paid their Term 4 fees.
A reminder the preferred method of payment is BPAY. The new BPAY details are listed on your monthly statement.
BPAY payments can be made via a lump sum or a weekly/fortnightly payment plan can be set up. Payments made in instalments (that don’t cover fees in full before the due date) must be arranged and approved by the school. Please contact the Office on 6492 5500 if you need to make an instalment arrangement.
If you are currently experiencing financial difficulties, please make contact with the school office. Please remember that if we don’t know your circumstances, we are not in a position to provide assistance. Applications for fee concessions are managed by the Principal in a confidential and sensitive nature.
Sticky Beak Bags (Canteen Bags)
Sticky Beaks bags have now arrived and are ready to be ordered on Qkr!.These can be ordered in blue or pink. We encourage you to purchase these for canteen to help reduce food packaging waste.Please remember to check them weekly and give them a little wipe out when needed.
Nicole
