17 April 2024 — Week 1, Term 2
Welcome from the Principal
Dear Families
Welcome back to Term 2. I hope the Easter break provided you and your family with some opportunities to relax and rejuvenate. Speaking of rejuvenation, my extended leave was absolutely amazing. It was quite surreal for me to once again visit London and visit family in both Edinburgh and Dumfries. Being provided the opportunity to disengage from work life was extremely beneficial and as a result, I have returned with an increased vigour in my step. Whilst it is difficult to identify the best experience on our trip, visiting and exploring Ireland is certainly up there in terms of highlights. Ireland is such a beautiful country inhabited by respectful and happy people who love talking to Australians. With a flat 15% company tax rate, Ireland is home to major international organisations such as Meta, Google and Facebook. The economic investment in Dublin is clear as high rise cranes dot the skyline. I have included two images which will stick me. One is the Cliffs of Moher where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Irish coastline. The other is an image of the Potato Famine Museum in Dublin where in 1850, out of a population of 3 million people, 1 million migrated to places like North America and Australia whilst 1 million perished due to the potato famine. Although I could talk about my trip for days, I also need to acknowledge the staff of St Patrick’s who under the leadership of Miss Preston, ensured the school continued to thrive. I am forever in your debt.
In other news, on Thursday 18 April, I will undertake the formal part of my Principal Summative Review. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the review panel to school. The panel consists of Marty Savage: Senior Education Leader, Madonna Sleba: Director: Education Services and Michael Ball: Principal, Mater Dei Primary School. This review will provide an avenue for myself, as Principal, to reflect on the past three years and to identify areas for improvement which will ultimately provide better educational outcomes for our students and staff.
Attached to the Newsletter is a flyer inviting all parents to an ‘Internet Safe Education’ presentation on Tuesday 30 April commencing at 6pm. In an age of social media and misinformation, navigating the challenges of the internet is extremely difficult. I encourage every parent to attend this session as you will experience a relevant and thought-provoking presentation on how to keep your children safe online. Please put this date into your diary and register your interest via the link provided. https://forms.office.com/r/6gUJVx6uE8
Keith Blaikie—Principal
Keith.Blaikie@twb.catholic.edu.au
General Information
ANZAC Day
As in previous years, students from St Patrick’s School will march in the Allora ANZAC Day parade. The parade will begin from the corner of Drayton and Herbert Streets at 10:40am.
We encourage all St Patrick’s students to participate in the march. This is an extremely important and reverent occasion for our students to remember the sacrifice and service of our Australian Defence Force personnel.
For those children representing St Patrick’s School in Years 1 to 6, they need to wear the regular formal summer uniform (that is not sport uniform) and, especially, their school hat. Prep students will wear their normal uniform which is the regular sports uniform. They will also need to bring a water bottle and we ask that sunscreen is applied before the children march.
Students are required to assemble at the Sports Museum at 10:15am which is located on the corner of Drayton and Herbert Streets. The march will commence at 10:40am and will finish at the Allora Cenotaph on Warwick Street. Students may be collected after the ANZAC Service has finished. Please see your child’s classroom teacher before you leave the Allora Cenotaph.
St Patrick’s School will also commemorate ANZAC Day on Wednesday 24 April with a liturgy commencing at 2:00pm. The students from Glengallan will lead this commemoration. Our ANZAC Liturgy will be held on the grass near the Shrine. Everyone is most welcome to attend.
PERTUSSIS (Whooping cough) – Darling Downs Public Health Unit
The Darling Downs has seen an increase in pertussis notifications. These cases are predominately in children less than 18 years old. Pertussis (whooping cough) is a respiratory illness caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis can cause sudden episodes of violent coughing, often resulting in difficulty breathing, strained inspiration (whoop) and vomiting due to the strength of the cough. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce the spread of this disease. It is important that educators are vigilant to reduce the spread of disease in the community.
Vaccination
- Parents should be reminded to ensure all children are up to date with their immunisations. Pertussis vaccine is part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule in Queensland and a booster dose available at Year 7.
- Pregnant women are recommended to have a pertussis-containing vaccine from 20 weeks in every pregnancy.
- Pertussis vaccination is recommended every 10 years for early childhood educators and people in close contact with infants (does incur a cost). Please speak to your GP to discuss vaccination.
Tuckshop
This is just a reminder about ordering Tuckshop online via the Flexischools app/website for Amy's Cafe. Families were able to place orders up until 5:30am on Friday morning and they were proptly delivered to school in time for lunch at 10:45am. Families will have the ongoing option of ordering tuckshop for their child via Flexischools each Friday of term.
If you have any feedback in regard to Tuckshop please let either Kathryn Hoey (P&F) or Keith Blaikie (Principal) know. This feedback will be given to Amy's Cafe to either steamline or improve the delivery of Tuckshop to our school community.
Winter Uniform
The St Patrick’s School winter uniform will be worn from Tuesday 7 May. Once the weather warms up in September then a date will be communicated to you when students may resume wearing their formal summer uniform. If you require any advice on the school’s winter uniform, please contact the school or access the St Patrick’s School website for more information.
Teaching and Learning
School Attendance— Paul Murphy | TCSO Senior Education Leader
Whilst the percentage of school attendance at St Patrick’s School for Term 1 hovers around 95%, it is crucial that attendance at school remains a strong focus for our school community. From our perspective, every minute counts and the creation of a positive learning environment with access to an expert teacher is at the forefront of student success. There is in no doubt that many parents would have seen this article in previous Newsletters but neverthless, it is always pertinent to keep student attendance fresh in our minds as move into another term.
The Forrest Review: creating parity (Andrew Forrest, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet), identified that if a child’s school attendance falls below 90% (ie they frequently miss more than half a day of school a week) their education is considered at risk. If attendance falls below 80% (ie they miss a day of school every week) their education is significantly diminished. In other words...
- less than 80% attendance - no better than no schooling at all
- 90% attendance is required for a child to receive the education needed for job readiness
attendance is even more important than the quality of the school.
This research is powerful stuff that really quantifies what teachers and principals have known for years.
A recent State of the Sector Report from the Queensland Catholic Education Commission identified that in 2022, the Semester 1 attendance rate for Queensland Catholic schools was 88%.
So what can we do practically from our perspective - here are some suggestions from the Victorian Education Department.
- Addressing individual student needs
Identifying risks of student disengagement from education needs to happen early so that actions can be taken to reduce or avoid these risks. - Engaging with the family
Managing issues of non-attendance can be difficult, particularly in circumstances where there are apparent stress factors within families. Working with a family in a way that can prevent attendance issues is critical. Successful school-family relationships will be underpinned by open and effective communication. - Attendance student support group
When student attendance issues are identified and it becomes apparent that a student may require ongoing intensive support in order to remain engaged in school, an Attendance Student Support Group should be convened. - Referral to school or community-based wellbeing professional
When exploring attendance concerns, schools may identify behavioural, health or social issues such as anxiety, depression or bullying for an individual student.
There is no doubt that chronic poor student school attendance is a challenge that is increasing for all schools and will require ongoing attention and persistence.
Religious Life of the School
A minutes reflection – Paul Grealy | Education Officer: Mission and Identity
The Universe embraces us especially during our journey through Lent…a journey of love…giving. “…love does not need you to be extraordinary!!!" (The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse by Jon Croker and Charlie Mackesy)
We all need a reason to keep giving, and love is that reason.
It is an authentic love, that love that begins with freedom of self. Sister Ilia Delio writes that this applies to both the nonhuman and human alike.
'Nature can do nothing other than be itself, and in being itself it is truly free. A tree does nothing but be a tree, and in this 'tree beingness' it expresses its own being-in-love. It is in the beingness of self that God is revealed (The Unbearable Wholeness of Being Ilia Delio p99).
Thomas Merton continues, …therefore each particular being, in its individuality, its concrete nature and entity, with all its characteristics and its private qualities and its own inviolable identity, gives glory to God by being precisely what He wants it to be here and now (New Seeds of Contemplation Thomas Merton p29-30).
I think, as I have gotten older, our 'ego' though a good thing that can drive us on, is so fragile in us that in fact it gets in the way of us truly being who we need to be. We get so worried about what others think, so caught up in their perception of us that we fade into their dominant shadow. Imagine how we would be if we were less afraid.
Imagine if we all moved to the rhythm of that beat, as Antoine Saint-Exupery wrote, “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people, collect wood, and don’t assign them tasks, but rather teach them to long for the immensity of the sea!!” It is that for which you now have stewardship. The immensity of our continually evolving universe brings with it so much beauty, challenge and imagination.
Remember “…the great illusion is that life should be perfect” - it is messy, and disorganised – but our God reaches out in all of that mess and “…the beauty of the world is our God’s tender smile for us coming through matter”.
Upcoming events - March
- Wednesday 17 April - Newsletter
- Thursday 18 April - Principal Summative Review
- Wednesday 24 April - ANZAC Day Liturgy commencing at 2:00pm near the Shrine
- Thursday 25 April - ANZAC Day Public Holiday - Allora ANZAC Parade commences at 10:40am (students to assemble at 10:15am)
- Friday 26 April - Whole school assembly commencing at 2:15pm in the Church
- Wednesday 1 May - Newsletter
- Monday 6 May - Labour Day Public Holiday (School closed)
- Tuesday 7 May - Winter uniform
- Wednesday 8 May - P&F Meeting at 6:00pm
- Thursday 9 May - Mothers's Day Liturgy commencing at 10:00am in the Church followed by Morning Tea
- Saturday 18 May - St Patrick's P&F Golf/ Bowls Day from 12pm. PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE DATE
See the Sentral calendar for more information about these events.
Reminders
Uniform Days
Sports
Wednesday, Friday
Formal
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
Please remember that we are a...
‘Nut Aware’ School.
Times for Mass at St Patrick's Church are as follows:
1st Sunday - 9am 2nd and 3rd Sunday – 5.30pm
4th & 5th Sunday Liturgy of the Word with Communion - 9am
