AUGUST 28, 2025 NEWSLETTER

CHILD SAFETY STATEMENT

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and Carers,

I'm very happy to be back at school this week after 12 weeks on Long Service Leave. I had some wonderful experiences while I was away in Western Australia, Lesotho and Africa that I have shared below.  A huge thank you to Benson, the Leadership Team and all staff who  kept things running smoothly.  

I have been communicating with Tarryn Delaney, the new Principal for 2026, to arrange some dates for her to visit the school and to lock in some handover dates in Term 4. 

This Sunday, during the 10:30am mass at St. Patrick’s Church, a group of our students and students from Consolidated Primary will receive the Body of Christ for the very first time. For 4 weeks they have been preparing for this important event with their parents. The Eucharist is at the heart of our Catholic faith, and this sacrament marks an important step in our students’ spiritual journey. It’s a meaningful reminder of the deep faith tradition that brings us together as a Catholic school community. Please keep our First Eucharist candidates and their families in your prayers as they take this beautiful step in their faith.

I look forward to the quiz night on Friday night. This is always a great event for parents/grandparents and community members to get together for a fun (and competitive) night out.  Thank you to Elise Ploenges & Myra Murrihy for the wonderful job they have done to source the sponsors for the raffle and to the famous presenters, Liam and Dusty, for the work they have put into coming up with some really tricky questions. If you haven't booked a table please contact Janine in the office asap as the hall is filling up or come along on the night. 

To mark the 150th Anniversary of the Diocese of Ballarat, Bishop Paul Bird composed a special Anniversary Prayer. Its use throughout the diocese is encouraged as a unifying expression of faith and community. (see below)

Olga Lyons

Diocesan Prayer

Blessed are you, God of all creation.  Through your goodness we have received al the gifts we enjoy.  We give thanks for the blessings bestowed upon our Diocese of Ballarat.

We rejoice in the communities who have lived on this land.  We recognise the Aboriginal peoples, here for tens of thousands of years.  We acknowledge our years as the Diocese of Ballarat, a community of communities from the Murray to the sea. 

Inspired by the Gospel and nourished by the Eucharist, may we follow the example of Jesus and the guidance of your Holy Spirit.  May we reach out in humble service, welcoming all and caring for all creation.  May we grow in love day by day. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Mary, Mother of Perpetual help. Pray for us. Saint Patrick. Pray for us. Saint Mary Mackillop. Pray for us. 

FROM THE REL - MICHELLE MALONE

ST PATRICK'S CHURCH PIETY SHOP

St Patrick's Church Piety Shop is open after mass on the weekend or at a time organised with Marita Flannagan.

Items include rosaries, religious statues, crucifixes, medals, prayer cards, candles and gift items for sacraments like Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.

Marita can be contacted on 0402 437 053

NOAMI HARMAN - MATERNITY LEAVE

Today is Naomi's last day before she goes on Maternity Leave.

Naomi and Ryan are expecting Baby No 3, a sibling for Logan & Layla.

YEAR 6 NEWS

RUN FOR THE DOGS

FOOTY COLOURS & SUSTAINABILITY DAY

RAISING BOYS

Neuroscience and brain mapping has over the years helped researchers gain a clearer understanding into the distinct development of the male brain. When comparing male and female brains, it is necessary to take into consideration the psychology of differences. There are many reasons for these including hormonal, physical, environmental, and of course, brain differences. However these should not translate into limitations or affect how a parent acts towards their child, nor should it influence how you treat them. It's no secret that most boys are active, loud, rambunctious and prone to rough play but you need to be careful not to pigeon-hole your child into sex specific behaviours as there is a big cross-over. Boys should not be considered all the same as they do have individual differences.

RAISING GIRLS

It is no surprise that girls today are transitioning to puberty a lot earlier than they did a century ago. The physical, psychological and emotional changes that occur during this time can be challenging for girls but also their parents. Some parents and carers may feel uncertain about how best to support their daughter through the ups and downs of adolescence. With the rise of social media and technology, mental health difficulties in girls are increasing as often they are faced with online images that make it difficult to see themselves as acceptable. Many are being exposed to porn, sexualisation and innuendo from a very young age. Girls need positive role models in their lives to step up and help them shine with self-respect and confidence.

SCHOOL HATS - STARTING MONDAY SEPT 1

School hats are to be worn from Monday September 1. Please check that your child's hat is in good condition and sent to school.

If your child needs a new hat, it can be ordered through CDFpay or purchased from the office.

TRIVIA NIGHT - BOOK YOUR TICKETS!!

 TRIVIA NIGHT IS BACK! 
Get ready to laugh, think and maybe even dance a little! St Patrick’s Primary School’s annual Trivia Night is an event you do NOT want to miss!

Games, auctions, spot prizes, awesome giveaways & live music to follow!

BYO drinks & nibbles

 Tables of 8-10. Come as a group or book solo and we’ll find you a team!

Tag your trivia team, secure your tickets and let the countdown begin! 
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1418091

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS. PLEASE SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE SUPPORTING US!

FATHER'S DAY BREAKFAST

VOLUNTEERING ADVENTURES

This leave period has been the longest I've taken in my 45 years of teaching in the Diocese of Ballarat and I'd have to say one of the most challenging and enriching.  

After catching up with family in Perth, my husband and I travelled up the Western Australian coast in our caravan.  It was a time to unwind and take in the magical beaches and experience the wonders of the Ningaloo Reef, 80 Mile Beach and the unique Broome culture.  We returned to Perth via the Karijini National Park and Newman on the Great Northern Highway. 

I then flew to Johannesburg in South Africa to meet up with 4 friends that I went to University with (all those years ago) to provide  professional learning for teachers in Lesotho.  Lesotho is an independent Kingdom landlocked within South Africa and home to just over 2,000 people.  Lesotho is known as "The Kingdom in the Sky" because it is the only country in the world located entirely above 1,000 meters in altitude with its highest point being 3,482 meters at the summit of Mount Ntlenyana.   Consequently, the weather was freezing cold and there were snow caps on the mountains surrounding our accommodation.  

Lesotho is considered a low income country with significant socioeconomic challenges. Almost half of its population is below the poverty line; living in basic huts with no electricity or heating other than an open fire that they also use for cooking.  They cart water from the local rivers daily which is also used for washing and grazing of livestock.  We were provided with 5 star accommodation at Maliba Lodge. The owners of the lodge and community members have established a Trust to sponsor the development of education and medical support for the Lesotho communities.  

We spent 4 days working with teachers to build their capacity to teach English Literacy skills.  Our only resources were black boards, chalk and any charts and books that we took with us.  The floors and walls were concrete (often cracked and pitted), windows were often broken, no heating or lighting and old, broken furniture.  The teachers were so grateful and willing to learn despite their own challenges with the English language. No technology, not even whiteboards!  

We visited schools in the 2nd week, once the students had returned from their holidays. This was a special time to experience performances that demonstrated their traditional love of dance and song.  I have never see such happy kids who are just so eager to learn.  

For the next 10 days we went on Safari.  Oh boy, that was thrilling and scary all at the same time.  There were some very close encounters with wild animals.  Our trip concluded at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. I hope you enjoy the photo galleries below.  

Volunteering in Lesotho

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Safari in Africa

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Don't miss this webinar opportunity to be equipped to keep your children safe on social media.  Register before the webinar starting date and time. 

SCHOOL DATES - 2025

SPORTING SCHOOLS - TERM 3 & 4

Sporting Schools has started for Term 3. The last sessions will be Tuesday September 9 & Thursday September 11.

Term 4

There will be a change of days for Term 4, the days will be Wednesday and Thursday. Sporting Schools will start in Week 3 on Wednesday October 22 and finishing on Thursday December 4.

SPRING MUSIC FESTIVAL

St Patrick’s School, Port Fairy, are hosting the PFSMF schools concerts on Monday 13th October 2025, in the school hall at 9–11 William Street, Port Fairy. 

St Pat's School's allocated concert time is 2:00pm.

This year’s school concerts are generously supported by Community Bank Port Fairy & District (Bendigo Bank), PFSMF patrons, Moyne Shire and Creative Victoria.

We’re also delighted to confirm that PFSMF is continuing its partnership with Musica Viva to present the 2025 schools concert program. Full details can be found here:
 portfairyspringfest.com.au/2025-festival/education/

Everyone is encourage to attend one of the Festival’s concerts over the weekend. Families may be especially interested in the ‘Kinder Proms’ concert, to be held on Sunday 12th October at 2:00pm, also in the school hall. This is a wonderful event for young children, and children attend free of charge!

COMMUNITY NEWS