Welcome back to all of our children and families for the 2018 school year. Everyone is well rested and ready to live out our school vision to be engaged and motivated learners always faithful to our loving God.
Beginning of the Year Mass Friday 9th Feb at 9:30am
It was lovely to have Fr Paul welcome back the children this morning with a special blessing and a prayer. Fr Paul spoke about the the 3 L's - Listening, Learning and Love. All of these contribute to filling our hearts with joy. We look forward to a joy filled year with our children and families for 2018.
All parents are welcome to join us for mass on Friday 9th February at 9:30am.
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| 1M's Joy Mural |
Invitation to come to Masterplan Visioning workshop 7:00-8:00pm Tuesday 8th Feb
The parent visioning workshop will take place this Tuesday 6th February, 2018 at 7pm. We invite as many parents as possible to come along and contribute to the future development of our school. If you have ideas or concerns, eg. Kiss and Drop, parking, playground, buildings etc then come along and have your say.
To help gauge numbers attending for our architects Please complete the RSVP at this link or email ideas and suggestions to jhawkins@spmurrumbeena.catholic.edu.au
New furniture in 5M
5M and 1W have been chosen to be our two pilot classrooms for our flexible furniture. 5M's furniture arrived in the holidays and the children are very excited to be able to trial it. This was chosen in response to feedback from the students around flexible furniture options.
Here are some responses from the students about the furniture.
Pilot Classroom 5M Feedback:
Sienna - I like how the chairs rock.
Catia - I feel like I can concentrate more on work because I can lean and move with the chair.
Mae - I like that we can stand up to work if we want to.
Maya - I like how we can write down ideas on the whiteboard table.
Alice - It’s more comfortable than the old classroom tables.
Ella - I like that the back of the chair moves.
Mimi - It’s comfortable, relaxing and flexible for schoolwork.
Terrence - I like how the chairs have designs on them.
Tom W - I like that we can move tables throughout the day and sit next to different people.
Lucas - I like how the chairs are flexible and not stiff.
Ivy - I like that we have a high table to do work on.
Brigid - I like how we get to move around instead of being stuck in the same spot.
Lara - I think the chairs are perfect for silent reading because we can move back and forth.
James - I like that we have comfortable stools and benches to sit on.
Aidan - I like how the tables are smooth and clean.
Lochie - I like how the tables are up high and we have stools.
Fergus - I am really excited that 5M were picked to be the pilot classroom and trial the furniture.
Tom - I like how we can move around more in the classroom.
Abi - I like that the chair moulds with your body.
Fred - The round tables are great for group work and working as a team.
Craig - I like how easy the chairs are to put up. We just have to slide them.
Jack - I like how we can write on the whiteboard table.
Assembly
Our Monday morning assemblies will resume this Monday 5th Feb at 9am. All parents and carers are welcome to join us for our assemblies.
Connection Event Monday 12th Feb 7:00-8:00pm
All parents are encouraged to come and join us in the school hall on Monday 12th February. It is an opportunity to meet all staff and learn about teaching and learning goals and expectations for 2018 with class teachers.
Please note that the Connection Event will be preceded at 6:30pm by a Prep Information session about reading facilitated by our DP Liz Hills in Room 1 (Prep Y).
Thank you
Thanks to the P & F and Grade 1' s for supplying the welcome morning tea for our Prep parents yesterday. Our preps have got off to a great start and have made a wonderful transition to school.
Thanks from our staff who enjoyed some of the left overs for their morning tea too !
Nut products at school
We have had some queries regarding our nut-free policy. St Patrick's is not a "nut-free" school. We operate under the advice and guidance of DEECD and ASCIA and The Royal Children's Hospital who advise that primary schools (unlike childcare centres and kinders) should not promote themselves as being nut-free.
It is their contention that this can lead to a false 'sense of security' for children with allergies, when in fact they should be ever vigilant of their environment and particularly their food intake.
As a risk minimisation we undertake the following:
* we suggest that parents try to avoid sending nut products to school,
* we discourage food sharing
* we ask parents to complete asthma and anaphylaxis manangement plans and keep them up to date
* we store and manage epipens
* all staff are trained in Level 2 first Aid and Anaphylaxis Management.
Email protocols
Our staff are more than happy to receive email communication from parents. From a pastoral perspective for the well being of our staff, they will respond to parent emails between 8am and 5pm during week days.
Thank You
A special thank you to the children and families who gave me beautiful cards and gifts at the end of the year. I feel very spoilt and blessed to be part of such a thoughtful and generous school community. I look forward to continuing to get to know you all further this year.
Jenny Hawkins
Principal
SPORTS NOTICE - DENDY SWIMMING CARNIVAL
It’s off to a quick start with sporting events in 2018! Children in Years 4-6 are invited to attend swimming trials (Wednesday 7th February at GESAC, 7.15am- 8.30am) for the upcoming Dendy Swimming Carnival. Permission forms, along with the Dendy Code of Conduct have been sent home- please read through these and return asap.
WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECKS
During the year there are many occasions when we will request the assistance of parent helpers with activities. These activities may include: inter-school sports events, school excursions, classroom helpers,cooking,etc.
In line with our Child Safe Policy, St Patrick’s requires that any parents who wish to help in this capacity must have a current Working With Children Check. A copy must be sent to the school office and may also be required when you sign in at the office. WWCCs can be applied for online at http://www.workingwithchild
We strongly urge ALL parents to apply for a WWCC, and to advise the office.
SECONDHAND UNIFORM
Special thanks to Fil Cricri & Tina Stavrinidis for their management of the the Secondhand Uniform over the past couple of years. The baton has now been passed to Kellie Heathcote who has kindly volunteered to run the Secondhand Uniform Shop.Thank you Kellie.
The shop (in the corridor outside the school hall) will reopen on Tuesdays from 6th Feb between 3pm & 3.30pm.
LUNCH ORDERS
Lunch orders have recommenced and we welcome 3 Little Bakers Murrumbeena to our school community. Please see FLEXIBUZZ for the lunch order menu.
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