18 - 26 Church StreetGympie QLD 4570Subscribe:Subscribe: http://sppgympie.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Email:Email: pgympie@bne.catholic.edu.auPhone:Phone: 07 5482 3293

Fax:Fax: 07 5482 6601

26 October 201626 October 2016

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Pizza and Yarning

On Tuesday our Indigenous families gathered for an afternoonof “Pizza and Yarning”. We were privileged to have thepresence of our local elders, Auntie Barb and Auntie Olive.Thanks also to Mary McMurtrie, Georgina Kadel and DanitaMartin from BCE for their support and attendance.

The warmth, camaraderie and fun of the gathering wereuplifting, and we hope to receive some feedback from ourfamilies as to how the day can be made even better nextyear and how we can continue to work together in educatingall of our community to deepen their cultural awareness andknowledge of our First People.

World Teachers’ Day

This Friday, October 28 is World Teachers’ Day. We are veryfortunate here at St Pat’s to have such a dedicated,hardworking staff who truly love their students and their school.The evidence is there every day, in their care for each child, intheir presence in large numbers at such events as the SpringFair and yesterday’s Pizza and Yarning afternoon; in theirdetermination not to give up on a student, but to ‘go the extramile’ for that child.

If there is something you appreciate about your child’s teacherFriday might be a good time to write a short note or card to letthem know. A note of acknowledgement from a parent meansa lot to a teacher. It lets them know what they are doing rightand helps to build close partnerships.

Class Allocations

Allocating students to classes is quite a complicated processand involves carefully considered and professional input fromclass teachers, specialist teachers, Leadership Team,Guidance Counsellor and in some cases, advice from outsideagencies and parents. These decisions are made very carefullyby considering the best learning situation for all of our children.

When preparing classroom placements for next year, weconsider the match of student and teacher, the blend ofstudents within a room, and the balance of each classacademically, socially and by gender. Additionally, the studentsin a current class will be divided as evenly as possible betweenthe classes available for the next school year. Clearly, it ishelpful for families to have the opportunity to pass on anyinformation that they think might support us in this process.We invite parents to share with us general information that theythink might assist us in placing their child. By that, we meanthat parents can inform us in writing of their view on how theirown son/daughter learns best – the class environment, howthey respond to different styles of teaching etc… or how theywould enjoy having emphasis placed on a particular area of thecurriculum.

Relationships between students are also taken intoconsideration. For instance, if two good friends have been in thesame class for a previous year and play at home together aswell, their parents might prefer that they are separated duringthe school day.

Students are asked to name three other children with whomthey would like to be placed. All things being equal, they will beplaced with at least one of the nominated people. We do not,however, invite parents to comment on which particular teacherthey wish to have for their child in the next school year. Eachone of our teachers offers quality learning experiences that areconsistent with school benchmarks and they also offer their

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own unique qualities as well. If you have issues with a particularstaff member we invite you to make an appointment with thePrincipal to discuss your concerns.

Please note that we are not able to consider placementinformation submitted in previous years. If you have an ongoingconcern with a placement you are asked to resubmit thisinformation each year.

Information provided by parents is considered with all otherinformation. The final decision for class placements rests withthe Principal.

Class allocations are presently in process. Parents wishing tomake an appointment to discuss their child’s placement or tosend their written input are asked to do so by Friday, November4.

Susan GeaneyPrincipal

MISSION & RELIGIOUS EDUCATION andADMINISTRATION MATTERS

Mission and Religious Education

Prayer – opening our minds to the wonder of God’spresence

Thank you very much to 3M and Mrs Major for leading ourassembly prayer on Friday morning and for helping us to reflecton the importance of prayer in our lives. They reminded usthat prayer is talking to God and is a way of developing ourrelationship with God. When we meet a new person you wouldlike to have as a friend you talk to them. We can talk to God justlike we can talk to our friends.

Prayer and the Presence of God

There is nothing we could ever experience; no place we couldever go, where God is not already there. God is always andeverywhere present to us, but we are not always present to

God!

Prayer is all about becoming present to God. This means that– when we pray – we need to bring an openness in our heartsto more than just our own thoughts and feelings. In prayer webecome aware of the Holy One, of God. This time with Godhelps us become more like God! “I am with you always.”

Matthew 28:20

There are many ways to pray. Sometimes we pray with otherpeople in Church. Or we can pray all by ourselves. We canpray prayers from memory such as the Lord’s Prayer, or we

can talk with God in our own words, just like with a friend. Ourprayer does not need to be fancy or pretty. It needs to be

honest and humble. And sometimes we pray without words atall, just sitting quietly in God’s presence.

We can pray anywhere: outdoors, indoors, standing, kneeling,sitting, even on a bicycle! Sometimes we might pray out loud,or other times just in our heads and hearts. We don’t usuallyhear God speak back to us with words. But we can learn to

sense how God does come to us: sometimes in silence,perhaps in a gentle nudge in our hearts, maybe in a new wayof thinking, or just simply in knowing that we are in the loving

presence of someone other than ourselves.

No, prayer does not mean that the world around us will alwayschange in the ways we are wishing. But we can be sure that

God is with us, and hears us when we pray. For the best“result” of prayer is this: when we seek God, we will find God!

It is important to take time to seek God in the gentle sound ofsilence; to let the silence of our hearts and minds open us to

the wonder of Jesus’ presence as we walk through our day …

This will be the focus of our prayer and pastoral time thisweek

What’s Happening?

17th – 21st October - Week 4

25/10

Tuesday 9am 3/4B ParishMass

Church

27/10

Thursday 8:15am MrsGeaney

Staff Prayer StaffRoom

27/10

Thursday 9:30am CaringMass

Church

28/10

Friday 9am 5T Assembly/Liturgy

All SaintsDay

Church

Liturgy of the Word/Reconciliation – 2P

31st October - 4th November - Week 5

1/11

Tuesday 9am 6B All SaintsDay

ParishMass

Church

2/11

Wednesday Somestudentsfrom 6L

& 6B

All SoulsDay

ParishMass

ServingMorning

Tea

ParishCentre

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31st October - 4th November - Week 5

3/11

Thursday 8:15am MrsBailey

StaffPrayer

StaffRoom

4/11

Friday 9am Assembly/Liturgy

All SoulsDay

Church

Liturgy of the Word/Reconciliation – 5T/5SC

Other Administrative Matters

School Uniform

Thank you very much to all parents and care givers for theobvious care and attention that goes into ensuring that allchildren are wearing the correct school uniform.

School Shoes:

Over the last couple of weeks though, we have observedincreasing numbers of students wearing a variety ofmulti-coloured footwear to school. Could parents please bevigilant in ensuring that children are coming to school wearingthe correct uniform and footwear. If for any reason your childis not wearing the correct uniform, could you send a letteradvising the reason for this. There are still six weeks of the term(including this week) remaining so it is important that as muchas possible all students are wearing the correct school uniform.

Plain black polished shoes or black joggers (no colour inserts)are the correct shoes to be worn with the rest of the schooluniform – coloured joggers, basketball boots, high ankle boots,canvas shoes, suede shoes and other sporting foot wear arenot part of the uniform and are not acceptable.

SCHOOL SOCKS: Boys and girls – plain white short socks(shortened cut-off socks or sockettes are not permitted).

And a couple of other reminders …

Hair Ribbons

Blue hair ribbons/bands/scrunchies are to be worn by the girls.

Jewellery

The wearing of jewellery is discouraged at school because itcan cause distraction. Excessive jewellery detracts from theappearance of our uniform and expensive items can be lost orbroken at school. As well as a uniform issue, the wearing ofjewellery is also a safety issue. For the benefit of all students,the following guidelines are required regarding the wearing ofjewellery.

Please note that exceptions will be made in specialcircumstances such as “medical alert” bracelets and so on.These exceptions will occur after consultation between parentsand the Principal.

I hope you have a happy and enjoyable week. Please feel free toapproach me if you need more information about any of thesesubjects mentioned in the newsletter.

Peter CampbellAssistant Principal Religious Education

SPORTS NEWS

Gympie District All Schools Triathlon at Tin CanBay

Last Friday several of our students competed in the CooloolaTriathlon. By all accounts the children had a great time andonce again this event was a major success, giving our studentsanother opportunity to enhance their sporting interests. Thefollowing students competed:

Joshua A Ingrid B GraceB

Lauren C MeganC

Charlee C OliverC-N

LiamC

Joshua C SamD-H

Lucy D JamesD

DilhanG

Connor I Rhys J

Lotte K HannahL

PoppyL

Asha-BellaL

GeorgiaL

Patrick L Joe L TullyM

Maya M JosephM

EmmersonM

TristaM

SlayterM

Jake N HannahO

Callum P WilliamR

RomyS

Connor T MelissaV

Well done to everyone who competed, we are proud of all ofyou. Please see the following Celebration of Success for thestudents who placed in the Triathlon.

School Swimming

School swimming has commenced for Year 2 & 3 and willcontinue for the next four weeks.

• Students may wear only one stud or sleeper in eachear.

• Earrings/studs are only to be worn in the ear lobe.

• Necklaces with a simple holy symbol can be worninside uniforms.

• One single signet ring is permitted (but notencouraged)

• No bangles/bracelets are to be worn at school.

• All jewellery should be of a simple nature and shouldnot depict symbols that are unacceptable to theschool’s administration or contrary to the Catholicethos of the school.

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Sporting Calendar

NOVEMBER

1st Tuesday Year 2Swimming

9 –10am

GympieMemorial Pool

2nd Wednesday Year 3Swimming

9 –10am

GympieMemorial Pool

8th Tuesday Year 2Swimming

9 –10am

GympieMemorial Pool

9th Wednesday Year 3Swimming

9 –10am

GympieMemorial Pool

12th Saturday Hundy KidsTriathlon

Scarness,Hervey Bay

15th Tuesday Year 2Swimming

9 –10am

GympieMemorial Pool

16th Wednesday Year 3Swimming

9 –10am

GympieMemorial Pool

22nd Tuesday Year 2Swimming

9 –10am

GympieMemorial Pool

23rd Wednesday Year 3Swimming

9 –10am

GympieMemorial Pool

Celebration of Success

Gymnastics Achievement

We often celebrate our students’ achievements in the sportsthat are common to our school, but we have many studentswho participate and succeed in other areas, both cultural andsporting.

We would like to acknowledge Melissa V who competed in theQld State Gymnastics Championships at Level 4. Melissa didwell in all four apparatus, Floor, Beam, Uneven Bars and Vault.Well done Melissa!

Athletics

Last week Amelia G & Jimmy D represented Wide Bay at the10 -12 years State Track & Field Championships held at theQueensland Sports & Athletics Centre in Brisbane.

Amelia competed in the 10 years’ girls long jump and came13th (and jumped a new personal best !)

Jimmy competed in the 10 year’s boys long jump and came19th.

Congratulations on competing at State level Amelia and Jimmy.

School Sports Person of the Year 2016

Wow! Lots to be proud of this week. The following studentshave been nominated for Gympie District 10 – 12 Years SchoolSportsperson of the Year for 2016.

CallumP

ConnorI

Dylan C James D JosephM

TristanV

Tully M AmeliaG

LaurenC

Tilly D

The Awards Presentation is on Thursday, 17th November, sowe will let you know the results in our subsequent Newsletter.

Have a great week!The St. Pat’s Sports Team

SCHOOL NEWS

Happy Birthday

We would like to wish the following children a very HappyBirthday for this week:

Hamish M Dean S Rhys J Thomas M Levi W

Emily C

School Fees

School Fees were emailed/posted to families last week,excluding those paying via Direct Debit. Please advise theoffice if you haven’t received your statement.

The total amount of School Fees is due no later than 09November 2016, unless you have set up a Direct DebitArrangement or previously advised the school of anotherpayment arrangement.

Current School Policy allows for us to consider Debt Collectionif payment falls behind in excess of three (3) terms. Thismay lead to both professional and personal credit issues sowe urge you to consider this matter seriously. We can't carrya debt of outstanding school fees and levies. This makes itdifficult for the school to meet its own financial commitments. Ifyou are experiencing difficulty with payment, it is essential thatyou make contact with the Finance Officer to discuss paymentoptions.

Details of how to pay your fees are included at the bottom ofthe statement.

Should you have a query please contact Symone Ph: 54823293 or email: syann@bne.catholic.edu.au.

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What’s Happening in….. Year 4

In Year Four they have been learning about the first settlers,rubbish waste and endangered animals. The best things aboutYear 4 are the teachers, the mental maths and the excursions.Nobody’s had a birthday but they have been playing gamessuch as Heads Down, Thumbs Up and Bin Ball. They have alsowatched movies this week.

The Year 4’s art has been themed on trees, and they’ve beenmaking convict posters and pictures of bats.

This week’s contestants for the funniest person are MrsBorchert, Mrs Hallam, Flynn N and Darcy S.

The Have you met?

Lauren C

Lauren, who is in 5A turned 11 last week.She was hoping for clothes, an iPad miniand new earrings. Lauren is having a partyat the Aqua Fun Park with two friends, andshe is also going to dinner with those samefriends.

Note for Year 5 Parents re Speedway

The Speedway Canteen Roster for the Meet on Saturday 5/11/16 has been finalised. Parents should have receivedconfirmation of your scheduled shift times from SoniaSwinbourne.

If you would like to participate in future fundraising events at theSpeedway, please keep in mind the following dates (they will beduring the school holidays and filling the Roster may be difficultif families are away):

If you can assist on any of these days please email SoniaSwinbourne isgmr@bigpond.com or call 0417 077 500 at yourearliest convenience.

Thank you to those families who have already given us yourdetails.

Uniform Shop Hours

Monday: 2:30pm – 3:30pmThursday: 8:30am – 9:30am

Please drop in to order your 2017 BACK to SCHOOLuniforms

Order form can be found on the newsletter side panel, theschool website or collect one from the office.

Secondhand Uniforms

stock up for next year – all must go!!JacketsPolos

JumpersShorts / Skorts

Tuckshop

Tuckshop Roster

October

Friday 28th Judy Turner & Beth Vowles

Monday 31st

November

Wednesday 2nd Maryterese Chatfield

Friday 4th Maria Norris

Monday 7th

Wednesday 9th Kylie Ellaby

Friday 11th Beth Vowles

Monday 14th

• Saturday 03rd December

• Thursday 29th December

• Saturday 07th January

• Saturday 04th February

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Wednesday 16th Maryterese Chatfield

Friday 18th Kate O’Dwyer

Monday 21st

Wednesday 23rd Andrena Sullivan

Friday 25th Karyn Hewitt

Monday 28th

Wdnesday 30th Maryterese Chatfield

Don’t Forget to Return to Office

ACTIVITY DUE DATE

Prep Fun Run monies ASAP

School Fees Wednesday 09/11/16

Encouragement Awards

Class Name Reason

Prep Blue W AnnalyciaO

For the excellent effort youare putting into your writingin class. You have come sofar this year and we are veryproud of the achievementsyou have made.

Prep Gold F HuddsynR

For always helping to tidyour classroom until it is cleanand everything is put away.Thank you so much!

Year 1 Blue C Brydon B For the positive way youhave been working in classthis term. You are willing toparticipate in all class

Class Name Reason

activities and try to do yourbest. It has been pleasing tosee the progress you havemade.

Year 1 Gold F ImogenO

For great expressivelanguage and detail whenretelling a narrative story.Lovely work Imogen!

Year 2 Blue S Molly L For the quiet yet enthusiasticway you work hard on eachand every task. You aremaking great progress withyour reading Molly. Welldone.

Year 2 Gold P JasmineG

For the wonderful way youhave started at St Patrick’sPrimary. Thank you for beingsuch a friendly student whoalways works hard in class.Thanks Jasmine.

Year 3 Blue M Tiarna K For being a focussed andorganised student whoalways puts in a fantasticeffort to all class activities.You are also an amazinglycreative person and yourartwork brightens up ourclassroom.

Year 3 Gold L BronteC-N

For the outstanding effortyou put into your homework.Each week it is beautifullypresented and you includemuch detail on every topic.

Year 3/4 White B

Bella W For the persistence youshow every day in classwhen ignoring distractionsaround you and not lettingothers divert you from youwork. Well done Bella.

Year 4 Blue B ChelseyM

For her consistentlyenthusiastic participation inclass and immaculatepresentation of homework.You’re a gem Chelsey!

Year 4 Gold H Archer B For the wonderfulorganisational skills youshow with all your learningtasks and the support yougive to others when theyneed assistance. Well doneArcher!

Year 5 Blue T Lila M Thank you for always doingyour best. It is wonderful towatch you grow inconfidence and maturity.Keep it up!

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Class Name Reason

Year 5 White SC Zahra C For the quiet persistence youshow when completing allclassroom tasks.

LachlanC

For your enthusiastic andinformative presentation oncattle.

Year 6 Blue L

Isaac S For going beyond his ownexpectations to share aninformative and interestingpresentation on gaming.

Year 6 Gold B Matilda D For being a person ofstrength, integrity andkindness who lives herChristian beliefs every day,regardless of stresses andpressures. Thank you Tillyfor all that you so generouslygive to our class.

SCHOOL CALENDAR

Please note changes to the Calendar in Bold type

OCTOBER

WEEK 4

10am Prep to Yr 3 S.E.A.T.Fri 28th

12noon Yr 4 to Yr 6 S.E.A.T.

NOVEMBER

WEEK 5

All Saints DayTues 1st

9am –10am

Year 2 Swimming

All Souls DayWed 2nd

9am –10am

Year 3 Swimming

WEEK 6

Tues 8th 9am –10am

Year 2 Swimming

Wed 9th 9am –10am

Year 3 Swimming

Thurs 10th 9am –10:30am

Prep Year 1 & 2 - AVA PetpepSession 1

WEEK 7

Tues 15th 9am –10am

Year 2 Swimming

Wed 16th 9am –10am

Year 3 Swimming

Thurs 17th 9am –10:30am

Prep Year 1 & 2 - AVA PetpepSession 2

9am –10am

Catherine McAuley AwardsPresentation

Fri 18th

12noon–1:30pm

Year 3 Nativity Play

WEEK 8

Tues 22nd 9am –10am

Year 2 Swimming

9am –10am

Year 3 SwimmingWed 23rd

2:15pm Year 6 Spirit of St Patrick’sAwards & Leadership TransitionAssembly - Church

Fri 25th 9:30am–10:30am

Whole School Mass to Celebrate2016

WEEK 9

Mon 28th Whole School Rehearsal forChristmas Concert

Year 4 EoY Excursion – The BigBoing

Tues 29th

6:30pm–7:30pm

Year 6 Rite of Passage

Orientation Day/College TransitionDay (Yr 6)

9:30am Year 1 EoY Excursion

Wed 30th

Christmas Concert – MatthewHoran Centre at the College

DECEMBER

Thurs 1st 9am –3pm

Yr 6 EoY Excursion – Aussie World

10:45am–11:45am

Final AssemblyFri 2nd

12noon TERM 4 FINISHES

P & F NEWS

Spring Fair

The P&F are very proud to announce that we raisedapproximately $8000 net profit from our Spring Fair held onFriday, 14th October.

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What an Outstanding effort! We seriously could not have donethis without everyone’s support on the night, from all whoattended to our stall helpers, and also our amazing P&F.

The feedback we received on the night and also in the daysafter, has been extremely positive and appreciative.

If there are any other ideas or feedback that you would like toadd for our next fete or even future fundraisers, we would reallylike to hear them. Remember that we are your representativesand your voice, so the more ideas and feedback we receive,the better for us.

Again, a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone for this tremendousresult!

LOST & FOUND

Missing Gazebo

The P&F are missing a near new blue gazebo, could everyonewho loaned us one for the Spring Fair, please check that theyhave the correct one. If you find our gazebo please return it tothe school office.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

On Wednesday night 30th November our school ChristmasConcert will be held. This is always a great way to end theschool year and bring our school community and the Christmasspirit together.

The P&F will be selling Food & Drinks and will also have Rafflesand Lucky Door Prizes available.

Don’t forget everybody, dress up in your Christmas T-Shirts,Tinsel and Santa Hats etc.

Please don’t bring wax candles, only battery operated LEDcandles will be permitted in the Hall.

We will be having a Home Bake Stall at the concert and wouldlove it if you were able to bring along plates of Christmasgoodies such as Rum Balls, Apricot Balls, Rocky Road,Christmas Fruit Cake and Cupcakes & Slices for us to sell at theStall. Just not too heavy on the rum, people….Hiccup!!

Also, a reminder to tell your family and friends that it will be heldin the Matthew Horan Centre at the College this year.

Hope to see you all there!!

NEXT P&F MEETING

Thank you to all those who attended last week’s P&F Meeting.This was our last General meeting for the year.

Our next meeting will be our AGM on Tuesday 8th Novemberat 6:30pm in the School Staffroom. All positions of President,Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary will be re-opened forany parents & friends to nominate. After the 2017 Committee iselected, we will have a short General Meeting.

We encourage all parents and friends to come along and joinus at our P&F Meetings. We would love to hear as many ideasand opinions as we can to assist us in building an awesomeschool community and look at ways of providing much neededresources for our children’s school.

Please complete the below form and return to our principal,Susan Geaney before 8th November to nominate for one ofthese positions.

Many thanks for all your support this year. It has meant agreat deal to me and all the parents in our P&F.

Shane LuttonP&F Presidentshanelutton77@hotmail.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

Dental Van News

The School Dental Service is coming shortly to our school.

They are handing out one form per family so parents are to fillin the medical consent form for one of their children. There isan area provided to list other children that you would like seen,including siblings that go to the College.

Once the form is completed, please hand it back to the schooloffice and once the Dental Van arrives at the school, staff willcontact parents to make appointments.

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2016 SUMMER HOCKEY

WHEN: Juniors mixed (12 & Under boys & girls) – Wednesday5:15pmOpens (men’s & women’s 13+) - Wednesday 6:30pmOpens Mixed – Friday 6:30pm

STARTS: 19th October till 7th December – 8 weeksCOSTS: Juniors $40 per player & Opens & Mixed $60 perplayerCONTACT: Ben Fitzpatrick 0448 094 420 orrcd@gympiehockey.org.au for more details.

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