6 May 2021

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Dear Parents, caregivers and friends,

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

This week we pause to celebrate Catholic Schools Week, giving thanks for those who have gone before us to establish Catholic schools and all those who work today to provide choice for parents. As communicated by Director, Gerard Mowbray, this week we are reminded of what our schools offer the families within the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

Our system of schools, by design, is low fee paying so that all who genuinely seek a Catholic education may be supported in accessing it.

Catholic schooling is aspirational, seeking outstanding outcomes appropriate for each and every student in our schools.

The education provided is holistic – it attends to the social, emotional, psychological, physical, cognitive as well as the spiritual development of the child and young person.

Catholic systemic schooling is recognised as having very strong outcomes in post-school training and employment. Not only do we provide outstanding learning and formation for our young people, I believe equally our great strength is equipping our young people for life. Not only is this evident in their employment prospects, but in the moral and spiritual framework they have for their lives. In our schools we also create the social fabric, norms and morals that instil acceptance, social skills and a deep and profound respect for all that is so vital for our adult lives.

We have so much to be proud of and I trust this week you can truly celebrate the profound work accomplished in our Catholic schools.

This week parents and friends are invited to join TABLOID SPORT ACTIVITIES & PICNIC LUNCH

WHEN: FRIDAY 7TH MAY
LOCATION: St Patrick’s School grounds
WHO: K-6
TIME: 12.20-2.30PM

DETAILS:

• 12noon gates open (entry hall & COLA gates)
• 12.20- 1pm 1st round of activities
• 1pm- 1.50pm Shared picnic lunch…Bring a chair and a picnic blanket AND your yummy picnic treats!
• 1.50- 2.30pm 2nd round of activities

The public soccer ground car park (behind the school) will be open for overflow parking (accessible from Robert Rd).

• Visitors will be required to sign in using the QR code
• Activities will be conducted in Sport House colours to keep siblings together
• All children will wear sport uniform and wear coloured socks to match their sporting house PATERSON GORDON LAWSON KENDALL
• Families will sit together for a shared lunch
• NO LUNCH ORDERS AVAILABLE
• Canteen available for refreshments ONLY (drinks, ice blocks)

STAFFING UPDATE

Mrs Kate Watt has joined St Patrick's in Year 1, replacing Amy Davis in Year 1Y as Margaret Quirk's job-share partner. She will work each Friday, until the end of the year. Please join me in welcoming Kate to the team!

Congratulations to Jessica & Anthony Trappel on the safe arrival of Evelyn Therese Trappel. Born 1:40pm Monday 26th April, weighing 5 pound 6 (2.52kg). While a few weeks early, all is going well with mum and bub.

We now await with anticipation the arrival of Baby Atkins and Baby Harvey to join our St Patrick’s school family. Staffing to cover the teaching roles for Year 4B and the EALD position are underway.

And finally, I extend my best wishes to all mothers, grandmothers and significant mother figures. The impact we have in the lives of our children can never be underestimated.

Creator God,
you weave together the threads of our lives.
We thank you for your special gift of motherhood,
for the miracle of our bodies and
the mystery of our being which gives birth.
Bless all mothers, those in our community,
those who are a part of our lives and
those who have gone before us into eternal life.
We ask this through Jesus our Risen Lord.
Amen

Reading: John 19:25-27

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son, "and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

CALENDAR EVENTS

WHAT’S ON

• Thursday 6th May 2021 – Mother’s Day stall.
• Friday 7th May 2021 – Catholic Schools Week Open Day Celebrations 12pm – 2:30pm
• Friday 14th May 2021 – P & F Meeting – School Hall 9:00 am

IMPORTANT MESSAGES FOR PARENTS

FEES

As you are aware we have moved to an annual billing cycle.

School fee statements will be sent out at the end of May. We ask that parents that have not yet returned their Payment Frequency Form please complete and return to the Finance Office as soon as possible (copy available on Compass).

We remind you that fee payments should have commenced by now and if paying by instalment we ask that accounts are finalised by 30 November 2021. If paying in full please finalise prior to 30 June 2021.

Payments can be made via BPay, direct debit or credit card.

For families experiencing financial hardship, or wishing to discuss other payment arrangements please contact the Office.

KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENT INTERVIEWS 2022

Interviews for new families have been scheduled over the next month to accommodate the increasing demand for enrolment places for Kindergarten 2022.

Current families who have returned enrolment paperwork will be invited to meet Cate Lawler, Learning Support Teacher for their pre-enrolment screener.

EXTERNAL PROVIDERS

If you would like to have an external provider deliver a service to your child at our school please contact the school office by email or phone to request an application for external provider package. The office will then send a copy of this application home in the class note bag with your child.

CURRICULUM NEWS

LIBRARY NEWS

HARMONY DAY 2021

St Patrick's celebrated Harmony Day on the Thursday of Week 8 last term. It was wonderful to see so many students wearing the official Harmony Day colour - orange!

We participated in language, art and literacy activities in our classrooms that celebrated diversity and inclusion in our school community. We also ran a Harmony Day poster competition focusing on the theme for this year, 'Everyone Belongs.'

Congratulations to our Runner Ups, who each receive a $25 Rebel Sports voucher:

Jake Hedges (yr 4)
Olivia Alexander (yr 4)
Emilia Stanuovo (K)
Evie Adams (K)

And an extra big congratulations to our overall Winner, who receives a $50 Rebel Sports voucher:

Adelaide Harding (yr 6)

These posters have been entered into the state wide competition. We wish our winners the best of luck in this competition as well!

COMMUNITY NEWS

Congratulations to Sowmya and Zac representing St Patrick's at the ANZAC Day Service of Commemoration, held at the WW1 Cenotaph in Maitland Park in remembrance of the Allied men and women who served in all wars.

PARENTING PAGE