MERCY

Be thoughtful, warm and respectful in all you do and say

As Bushfire season approaches in the Summer months, a copy of our Bushfire Plan can be found here on our website - https://www.padcath.wa.edu.au/formsandprocedures

Please check the PCPS community calendar for upcoming and future dates as the calendar is regularly updated https://www.padcath.wa.edu.au/community-calendar

Dear Parents

It has been wonderful seeing the children back at school all excited after the summer break and settling in so well even in the heatwave we have been experiencing lately! Luckily the children had swimming lessons to cool them off.

We are so fortunate to have a dedicated and professional staff who are committed to providing the very best education for the children as well as nurturing and caring for them pastorally. Class teachers have prepared important Parent Teacher Electronic Information for parents to read about your child’s class. Please take the time to read through and if you have any questions, the teachers will be happy to answer them.

Special Welcome to our new staff members for 2024 -

Yr 3 Teacher – Mrs Prior; Yr 4 Teacher Mrs Poggioli; Education Assistant Mrs Browne and our new Finance Manager Mrs Bismark. Please make them feel welcome and we look forward to them sharing their special gifts and talents within our school community.

The 2024 Leadership Team consists of Mrs Margaret Williamson (Principal) and Ms Mac Callisto (Assistant Principal PK-2) and Mr Peter O’Mara (Assistant Principal Yr3-6). We are always available to meet with you at any time should you have any concerns or queries regarding your child’s education however as the first port of call please always speak with your child’s classroom teacher.

We welcome back Father Cyprian, Parish Priest at Our Lady of the Mission and Father Francis, Assistant Parish Priest. We look forward to their spiritual guidance throughout the year. We will be having a combined Welcome and Ash Wednesday Liturgy on Wednesday 14 February at 9am in our hall with our PP-Yr6 children. Parents are most welcome to join us.

A reminder that there is an expectation that all members of the PCPS community are required to adhere to our PCPS Code of Conduct which can be found on our school website by clicking on the Code of Conduct button below -

Our students have a Student Code of Conduct to follow which can be found on our school website and which each teacher works through with their class.

Parents are asked to familiarise themselves with our school website - https://www.padcath.wa.edu.au/ especially the sections on Policies and Forms and Procedures in Our Community section.

P&F Icy Pole Days are back! Icy poles are sold to our children during lunch time every second week on a Friday.

Items include gluten free and sugar free/reduced items.

Big thank you to Nicole Cornwall for co ordinating this for the children this year.

Padbury Cares is a group of school group volunteers (parents and staff) who provide assistance to families in our school community during a time of need (either short or long term) due to illness, bereavement, family crisis, birth of a newborn or any type of change. ​

If you are going through a time of need or if you know of a family that requires assistance, please make contact. The information that is provided to Padbury Cares remains confidential.

We also look for volunteers to be part of this valuable and rewarding program so if you can offer assistance in any way, we would love to hear from you. Some examples of help that we offer are providing a simple family meal that is delivered to the school office for collection; transporting of children to and from school; ironing, cleaning, shopping, baking, gardening, dog walking etc. We would ask you to help once a semester. Please note once you register your name will stay on our database and you will not need to re-register with each new school year.

​Huge thanks to Padbury Cares coordinators Liz de Haas and Chimika Chibiliti for their pastoral approach with our families. Please refer to contact details on our school website or contact the front office, your class teacher or one of the Leadership Team, should you need some assistance or wish to volunteer.

https://www.padcath.wa.edu.au/padbury-cares

Keep hydrated and cool in this heat!

Mrs Margaret Williamson

Principal

As you are aware, the school carparks and Kiss and Ride can become quite busy during drop-off and pick-up times. With this in mind, it is crucial that we all remain vigilant and adhere to safe driving practices to prevent any potential accidents or injuries.

Here are a few important reminders for ensuring the safety of everyone:

Please ensure that friends and family members collecting children are fully aware and familiar with the procedures for drop-off/ pick-up and Kiss and Ride at PCPS.

Follow Designated Traffic Flow: Familiarize yourself with the designated traffic flow patterns within the carparks and Kiss and Ride and adhere to them at all times. This helps maintain order and prevents congestion.

Please do overtake or cut in front of other cars in the Kiss and Ride line even if a space becomes available as this is dangerous. Please wait in line and follow the flow.

In the morning, parking is permitted along O’Leary Road on the school side only – not on the resident side. You cannot park on resident verge on O’Leary Road unless you have their permission.

In the afternoon you cannot park at all on O’Leary Road. This area turns into a Kiss & Ride and must have a moving line of traffic. Please do not block the back gate at the back of the school as cars will need to enter and exit from there.

The parking bays on the far side of the oval are always available.

There is no right turn from O’Leary Road into the school as this halts the efficient flow of traffic. Drivers are asked to drive down to the end of O’Leary Road, turn around at the cul-de-sac and then drive back up to turn left into the school through the gates.

Park Responsibly: When parking, ensure that you do so in designated areas only. Avoid double parking, blocking lanes, or obstructing pedestrian walkways.

Other than the few Visitor bays near the office, there is no parking allowed inside the school gates in the morning in the carpark near admin. This area is a Kiss & Ride drop off area in the morning, which means the line of traffic needs to be constantly moving. Parents are not to get out of their car at the Kiss and Ride.

There is to be no parking in the staff carpark bays nor in the middle of the staff car park due to safety concerns.

Observe Speed Limits: Please adhere to the posted speed limits near and within the school premises, especially in the carpark area. Slower speeds significantly reduce the risk of accidents and allow for better reaction time.

Stay Alert and Vigilant: Keep a watchful eye for pedestrians, particularly our young children who may not always be fully aware of their surroundings. Be prepared to stop suddenly if necessary.

Exercise Patience: We understand that drop-off and pick-up times can be hectic, but it is essential to remain patient and courteous to fellow parents, and school staff. Avoid rushing or making sudden manoeuvres that could endanger others.

Set a Positive Example: Remember that our children often emulate the behaviour they observe. By demonstrating responsible and safe driving practices, you set a positive example for our young learners.

Please email admin@padcath.wa.edu.au if you require a car family name label. Having these speeds up the process of pick-up.

Please be aware that from time-to-time Rangers come out and issue fines for non-compliance.

By working together and prioritizing safety, we can create a secure environment for everyone within the school community.

Our Pre-Primary students have been on a captivating adventure, observing the transformation of tadpoles into frogs. The experience has been truly ribbit-ing as these tiny tadpoles sprouted back legs, developed front legs, and evolved into little froglets and then frogs. Their inquisitive minds have been alive with engaging discussions, ponderings, and captivating inquiries regarding the frog life cycle, and our young learners have thoroughly enjoyed every moment.

What a wonderful start to the term!

Mrs Aleshia Procopis and Mrs Natalie Millar

Pre Primary Teachers

We are pleased to be offering Coding Club once again this year at Padbury Catholic Primary School in Term 2 and Term 3!

Coding Club will run from 7:30am - 8:15am on Tuesday mornings, starting next term from Week 2.

Students from Year 4 to Year 6 are welcome to participate. Unfortunately, siblings of those attending cannot be supervised at this time of the morning.

Coding Club will be open to children in Years 4 to 6 however it will be limited to thirty students only. Should your child not be selected in Term 2, we will run the program again in Term 3. Children must bring their school iPad to Coding Club and the sessions will be held in the Year 5 Orange classroom each week.

Further information to register your interest will be sent out later this term. Parents of students who have been chosen to participate in this round of Coding Club will be notified by email.

We look forward to welcoming our coders in Term 2!

Mrs Danielle Wardrope and Mr Lachie Darby

IT Coordinators

I will be available Mondays and Tuesdays to support students, staff and parents. As is the case with any member of staff, I will be working within the classrooms and playground to assist children to maximise their school engagement and learning and I will be available to assist with day to day ups and downs.

I am also available to provide more individualised and targeted support. If you have concerns about your child’s emotional wellbeing and/or if you feel they are needing additional support or if you as a parent would like some support, please feel free to make contact with me via the front office or by emailing alison.fisher@cewa.edu.au

Mrs Ali Fisher

Social Worker

For more detailed information regarding the PCNC follow the link

https://www.padcath.wa.edu.au/netball

YOUTH GROUP REPORT

We enjoyed a fun games night for our first night of the year at 24:7 Whitfords with stand in youth ministers, Lucy and Michael doing a wonderful job. With close to 20 young people in attendance, it was great seeing familiar faces after the holidays. Everyone enjoyed reconnecting after the holidays in times of fellowship and games held outdoors while it was light. The young people also shared their hopes for 24:7 Whitfords in 2024, and we are excited for the blessings to come for us in the year ahead.

NEXT YOUTH GROUP

Year Six are invited to join the Youth Group. Our next youth group will be in a fortnight’s time (16th Feb). We will be introducing our term theme of Sacraments and Scripture.

God Bless
Caleb and Jasmine
24:7 Whitfords Youth Ministers

All Masses are held in the Church

Saturday - 8:30am; 6:30pm

Sunday - 8:00am; 9:30am; 11:00am; 5:45pm

Monday to Friday - 7:00am; 9:00am

24:7 Youth Group

For all youth in Years 6 to 12

1st and 3rd Friday @ Parish Hall, 7pm

Call Luke 0401822932 for more information.

Rev Fr Cyprian M Shikokoti - PP

Our Lady of the Mission, Parish Website : www.olm.myparish.net.au

Families who are seeking activities for their children see flyer below.

If you have any queries on the program please do not hesitate to reach out to

Cathy Farrell M: 0420 920 051