Orientation information for 2021 Year 7 students

Dear Parents, Carers and Guardians of 2021 Year 7 students,

Welcome to St Patrick’s College.

We hope that, as your son embarks on his journey as a secondary school student with us, his days are filled with wonder and excitement as he learns the skills and builds the relationships that will serve him well for the rest of his life.

As you know, our usual transition plans for incoming Year 7 students will look different this year, due to restrictions placed upon us by the COVID-19 virus.

However, such disruption has also enabled us to rethink some aspects of our transition program and we hope the following information provides you with reassurance that all will run as smoothly as possible, even in the absence of a traditional orientation day.

ORIENTATION DAY/FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Unfortunately, our scheduled Year 7 Orientation Day on Tuesday, December 1, has been cancelled.

Typically, on this day, your son would have met his Pastoral Care teacher and his classmates.

In 2021, as a replacement for Orientation Day, the College has decided to make amendments to our schedule for the first day of school. We will welcome Year 7 students and Year 12 students only back to school on Friday, January 29. (Students in Years 8-11 will have their first day of school on Monday, February 1).

On this first day we would encourage all Year 7 students to come to school through the front gates and we will ensure staff and Student Council leaders are there to welcome them in reception and guide them to their pastoral care homeroom. We will also structure the day to ensure the Year 7 students are able to spend time with Year 12 students and learn their way around the school.

Your son will also meet his teachers and classmates on this day and will be given a padlock for his locker.

As per a normal orientation day, we advise all Year 7 students to ensure they bring their food and water bottle to school on this day as they will not have access to the canteen.

Students will be expected to wear full summer uniform for their first day at school.

UNIFORMS

In Term 1 and Term 4 students should wear a full summer uniform. In Term 2 and Term 3 they will wear a winter uniform.

Please click this link to learn about the uniform requirements.

School uniforms must be purchased through the College Shop which is located next to reception. We highly recommend you act now to purchase your son’s uniform. The College Shop is open from 8.15am to 3.45pm and will remain open until December 9 before re-opening on January 18. The College Shop can be contacted by calling 5322 4313.

MUSIC – INSTRUMENTAL SELECTION SURVEY

Normally, on Orientation Day, your son would have been tested by the Music Department to determine which instrument best suits him. As this is not possible this year, we need all parents to fill out a brief survey at this link immediately. Note that to enable our Music Department to sort instruments for your son you must complete this survey by Thursday, December 3.

BOOKLIST

The Year 7 booklist is now available online at this link. All required books and stationery are included on this list. The College will supply some resources for certain subjects as needed.

IT DEVICES

Your son will be given his laptop on Friday, January 29 which will be followed by a Year 7 ICT Boot Camp on Monday, February 1.

Further information relating to the purchase and insurance of your son’s laptop will be issued in the coming weeks.

BUS/CONVEYANCE ALLOWANCE

For boys who will be travelling to school by bus in the areas listed below it will be necessary to advise the appropriate bus company of your son’s intention to travel for the 2021 school year.

Families who live in the Daylesford and Bacchus Marsh areas please make contact with the appropriate bus company listed below:

Christians Bus (Bacchus Marsh Coaches) Phone: 1800 775 295

Littles Coaches (Daylesford Area)               Phone: 5339 6600

If you live in other country areas, you will need to contact the Ballarat Bus Co-ordinator to advise of your intention. Ballarat Bus Co-ordinator   Phone: 5334 3579

For all other areas, you will need to contact CDC Bus Lines for information regarding bus / train routes.  Phone 5331 7777.

School Student ID and Student Pass application forms are available at this link.

The College also strongly encourages parents to refer to the DEECD website to download the School Bus Program’s policy and procedures and eligibility brochure.

Further information regarding claiming conveyance allowance will be provided by the finance office at a later date. Should you have any further queries regarding bus travel please contact Mrs Maureen Ralton at the College at accountsreceivable@stpats.vic.edu.au

FEES

The College is set to finalise tuition fees and other charges in the coming days and further correspondence will follow once this process is complete.

Fee notices are generally issued towards the end of January for you to commence your payment plans.

PAM

The Parent Access Module (PAM) will become your key portal for ongoing communication with the College. This will be the place where you can upload and update crucial student information such as medical and dietary requirements (these are required prior to your son starting the school year). It will also be the place where you will provide permission for your son to attend excursions/camps etc. Should your son be absent from school you must use PAM to notify the College. Through PAM, you will also be able to monitor your son’s academic progress and contact his teachers. Your PAM login details will be emailed to you before your son commences school.

YEAR 7 CAMPS

Year 7 camps in 2021 will be held between February 8 and 12.

On allocated days, each class will spend a day at Log Cabin Camp (Creswick), from 9am to 4:30pm. Parents will then be asked to pick up your son from from St Patrick’s College at 5pm.

Students should wear casual clothes/swimming gear to the day camp.

Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided.

Specific dates for classrooms will be communicated early next year.

PARENT WELCOME EVENING

All parents of Year 7 students will be invited to attend a Parent Welcome evening on Monday, February 1 meeting in the College Gym at 7pm.

At this event you will have the opportunity to hear from new Principal Steven O’Connor before being able to spend some time in your son’s pastoral care room with his teacher. Students are not required to attend this evening. Further details will be sent in the coming weeks.

Once again we thank you for your patience and understanding as we negotiate different transition processes.

Should you have any questions about the orientation process or about your son’s requirements before his first day at school please contact the College Registrar Mrs Caitlin Bennett on 5322 4449 or at enrolments@stpats.vic.edu.au

We wish all in our community a wonderful Christmas and a relaxing holiday period.