Term 1, Week 10 2025
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Dear Families,
As we draw to the close of the term, I would like to thank, you, the students and the staff for the very warm welcome that I have been given. I have had a terrific first term back at St Patrick’s. Last week we celebrated ‘Harmony Day’ with a fabulous incursion from Valanga Khoza, an author, musician and storyteller. Students were kept enthralled by his singing and stories of his childhood growing up in South Africa. Thank you to our EAL/D teachers Michelle and Sally for making this possible. It was also fantastic to see so many students in cultural dress and in orange, the colour of harmony. In keeping with the theme of harmony and fostering harmonious relationships in our community I would like to share with you the following quote and research that I came across during the week.
"Relationships are the fabric of our existence, weaving together the threads of connection, belonging, and support that sustain us through life's joys and challenges." - Martin Seligman |
Research has discovered close relationships, more than money or fame, keep people happy throughout their lives protect people from life’s discontents, help to delay mental and physical decline, and are better predictors of long and happy lives than social class, IQ, or even genes. Being more pro-social—engaged in meaningful, authentic relationships, showing kindness and generosity in the world and being part of a supportive community—is the most promising route to sustainably increasing our well-being.
Did you know? |
One conversation, one e-mail exchange, or one moment of connecting can leave you and the person you’ve connected with, with a sense of vitality and can benefit the wellbeing and performance of you both. Studies have found that you can nurture high-quality connections by engaging respectfully with others by being present, listening actively, being genuine, and conveying affirmation. |
Get moving with mates |
When physical meets social, magic happens! Did you know that exercising not only boosts your physical health but also elevates your mental well-being? From decreasing stress hormones to fostering connections with friends, incorporating social interactions into your workout routine can be a game-changer. Whether it's joining a fitness group or simply going for a walk with a friend, make your fitness journey a shared experience! |
HARMONY DAY
I have been meeting with the student leaders on Wednesdays at lunchtime. They are full of enthusiasm and have some terrific ideas for ways to improve our school – from a student perspective. They will be assisting me to run the school tours for new families over the next few days and I am confident they will do a terrific job. One of the initiatives they would like to see increased is the out of uniform days which help raise money for charity. Next week we will have an Easter themed out of uniform day on Thursday with gold coin entry to the school to finalise our Caritas donations. Leaders will collect the coins in large Caritas boxes at the school gates. If you would prefer to have your child wear their school sport uniform and accessorise with Easter paraphernalia that is also acceptable. Thank you in advance for your support of the gold coin donation.
At Midday on Thursday, St Nicholas Early Learning, Kindergarten and Year 1 will parade wearing their Easter hats past students seated outside their Pods starting at Year 2. They will work their way to the COLA where parents will be seated. Kinder and Year 1 students will complete their parade at the COLA. After the Hat Parade P&F will go to the Years 2-6 Pods to deliver the winners of the Easter Raffle (drawn earlier in the day). K/1 winners of the raffle will be announced at the COLA. Once again, your generosity is outstanding. Thank you. We anticipate that this event will take approximately an hour.
Parents wishing to take students home at this time are asked to make their way to their children’s Pods to collect their belongings before going to the sign out area at the COLA.
Our term will end with Holy Week Liturgy on Friday at 9:20am. Unfortunately, due to our library refurbishment our hall will not be able to be used. Students will be sitting under the COLA on the ground so that all can see the presentations. Parents will be seated on the benches off to the side, just as we were seated for today’s assembly.
I look forward to sharing the school family night with you tonight and wish you a happy and safe term break. Please keep Glenn and Tracey Collins and their family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this difficult time.
God Bless,
Niamh
WELCOME TO NEW STAFF MEMBERS
KELLIE LAVER
Hello, I’m Kellie Laver, I’m a learning support assistant. I'm feeling very blessed to be working at St Patrick’s, supporting the teachers and student’s inside and outside the classroom and have been made to feel very welcome. I live in Bolwarra Heights with my Husband and 2 gorgeous girls. I’m a busy mum but in my spare time I love gardening, being outdoors, swimming. I look forward to getting to know all the students and their families at St. Patrick’s.
CALENDAR EVENTS
IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2024
Looking ahead- TERM 1 | |
Week 11 | Monday 7/4 – Wednesday 9/4 – School Tours for families that would like to look at our school prior to enrolment – Registration essential through the school office. 9:30am – 10.45am each morning. |
Wednesday 9/4 – Raffle tickets to be returned to school ready for 10/4 | |
Thursday 10/4 – P & F Easter Raffle and Easter hat parade commencing at 12:00 pm – COLA – Easter Out of Uniform or Easter Accessory & Sports Uniform – Gold Coin donation for this day | |
Friday 11/4 - Holy Week Liturgy – COLA – 9.20 am - Last Day Term 1 | |
Looking ahead TERM 2 | |
Week 1 Term 2 | Monday 28/4 – First Day Term 2 – Anzac Day Liturgy – 9.20 am – School Hall/Cola led by Yr 5 – Submissions Open Aspire Wow Gallery |
Friday 2/5 – School Assembly – 9am – School Hall/Cola – Polding trials for selected students – hockey/netball & soccer | |
Week 2 | Tuesday 6/5 – Mother's Day Stall |
Wednesday 7/5- 9/5 – Year 6 Canberra Excursion | |
Friday 9/5 – Newsletter to be distributed | |
Sunday 11/5 - Mother's Day | |
Week 3 | Monday 12/5 – Mother's Day Celebrations – Liturgy at 12.30pm School Hall – Lead by Kindergarten – Followed by Open Classrooms and picnic lunch – See below for further details – Brenda Matthew – Author Visit Monday 12/5 – Friday 23/5 – Winter Uniform Discretionary Period Commences for 2 weeks |
Wednesday 14/5 – DIO Cross Country | |
Friday 16/5 – School Assembly – 9am – School Hall/Cola – Parish Mass led by Yr 4 & Yr 3 invited to attend | |
Week 4 | |
Thursday 22/5 – Regional Boys Netball Trials for selected students | |
Friday 23/5 – Kinder & Year 7 2026 Enrolment Applications Close – Author Visit – Deb Abela (Yrs 3 – 6) – Year 1 Oakvale Farm Excursion | |
Week 5 | Monday 26/5 – Official Start Winter Uniform – Wellbeing Week/ Tenison Week Monday 26/5 -Wednesday 28/5 – Year 2 CoGat testing |
Wednesday 28/5 – DIO Rugby Union | |
Thursday 29/5 – Year 4 Excursion Bare Island Botany Bay | |
Week 6 | Monday 2/6 – Friday 6/6 – Catholic Schools Week Monday 2/6 Tuesday 3/6 – NSW PSSA Girls Australian Football Championships – selected students |
Tuesday 3/6 - Year 4 CogAt | |
Friday 6/6 – Catholic Schools Week Liturgy/ Assembly 9am | |
Week 7 | Monday 9/6 – Public Holiday |
Tuesday 10/6 - Pupil Free Day | |
Friday 13/6 - Athletics Carnival | |
Week 8 | Monday 16/6 – School Photo Day |
Friday 20/6 – School Assembly – 9am – School Hall/Cola – Lower Hunter Spelling and Math Bee – School/ Parish Liturgy – 9.30 – Year 5 & 6 Attending – P & F Primary Disco – 6 – 7.30pm | |
Week 9 | Friday 27/6 – DIO Spelling and Math Bee |
Week 10 | Wednesday 2/7 – Regional Athletics Carnival |
Thursday 3/7 - Reports Go Live | |
Friday 4/7 - School Assembly - 9am - School Hall/Cola Friday 4/7 - Last Day of Term 2 - Newsletter to be distributed | |
EASTER HAT PARADE/ EASTER OUT OF UNIFORM DAY
Students are invited to come dressed in Easter out of uniform clothing or wear Easter accessories with their sports uniform on Thursday 10/4. Gold coin donations for Caritas will e collected at school gates.
MOTHERS DAY
CHANGES TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF OUR SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
Please note that our school newsletter will change from Term 2 onwards and it will be sent out in week 2, week 6 and week 10 of each term. We will continue to send compass notifications out to parents for anything that requires parents to be updated.
PUPIL FREE DAY
Please note the pupil free date for Term 2
Tuesday 10/6 - Staff will be attending to focus on our PB4L – Positive Behaviour for Learning.
Staff only attend on this day.
ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT
SHAMROCK UPDATE
Here is the Term 1 Shamrock results.
I hope the students enjoy their reward.
DIRKIN 394
3rd MACKILLOP 402
2nd TENISON 429
1st MURRAY 446
CANTEEN ROSTER
Week 11 | 7th April | 10th April | 11th April |
1. | 1. | 1. Rosie Krause | |
2. | 2. | 2.Kasey Hutchinson/Amy | |
3. | |||
4. | |||
RE NEWS
PROJECT COMPASSION
Thank you to everyone for supporting Caritas Australia in their mission of transforming the lives of people living in poverty through Project Compassion appeal.
We ask that the Project Compassion donation boxes are returned to school by the end of Term 1 (Friday 11th April).
QUESTIONS ABOUT LENT
The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle have shared a wonderful article where you can find out what Lent is all about through 10 Questions. In this article they answer some common queries on this important Liturgical Season.
This might be useful if your child has questions or even if you just want to brush up on the information yourself.
Head to https://mn.catholic.org.au/news/10-questions-about-lent/ if you want to have a read.
HOLY WEEK
A reminder that our Holy Week liturgy will take place on Friday 11th April at 9:20am with each grade taking part in sharing a short scene and a song to highlight some of the key parts of Holy Week.
Due to other work throughout the school, our school hall will not be able to be used for this event. We are currently working on an alternative space to hold this liturgy and will update through Compass. This liturgy will be held under the cola.
ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER NEWS
eALd news
St Patrick's celebrated Harmony Day on Thursday 27th March. Many students wore their beautiful cultural clothes, and many chose to wear orange to recognise the day.
We participated in discussions and activities in class which explored the 2025 theme, 'We All Have a Role to Play'.
All students enjoyed a performance in the hall by artist, author and storyteller Valanga Khoza. Valanga played his many traditional instruments from South Africa, and shared music and stories from his culture with our students. Many were lucky enough to try out the instruments themselves!
Valanga had a tour of our classrooms afterwards, and was impressed by the many artworks and activities the students had undertaken to celebrate Harmony Day. He was able to visit most grades, and students asked him thoughtful questions about his culture, childhood in South Africa, experiences of discrimination, the books he has written and the music he plays.
It was a wonderful day, and we would like to thank all students for their enthusiastic participation!
CURRICULUM NEWS
EXTRA CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
Students have the opportunity to participate in extra curricular activities. The activities below are available to students:
MONDAY | |
ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
Chill and Play | Year 3 |
Library –Lunch11:10-11:30 | Library |
TUESDAY | |
ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
Chill and Play | Year 3 |
Library -Lunch 11:10-11:30 | Library |
Craft Club Recess 1:45-2:10 | Year 5 |
Band (Snr)10.50-11.30 1stlunch | Year 4 |
Mindfulness | Year 3 |
Choir 1:30-2:10 Recess break / Hall | Kinder |
Yarning Up | Adventure p/g |
LEGO Club | Year 1 |
WEDNESDAY | |
ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
Chill and Play | Year 3 |
Library- Lunch11:10-11:30 | Library |
Craft Club Recess 1:45 – 2:10pm | Year 5 |
Band (Jnr) 10.50-11.30 1stlunch | Year 4 |
Mindfulness | Year 3 |
Minecraft/ 3D printing | Year 6 |
THURSDAY | |
ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
Chill and Play | Year 3 |
Book Club-Recess 1:30-2pm | Library-Even weeks |
Library -Lunch 11:10-11:30 | Library |
Minecraft/ 3D printing | Year 6 |
Coding club | Year 4 |
FRIDAY | |
Library -Lunch11:10-11:30 | Library |
SPORT NEWS
SPORTING ACHEIVEMENTS
Congratulations to Kiarna Marko and Scarlett Crouch who have successfully progressed to the Diocesan Touch Football Trials.
Congratulations to the following students who have successfully made the Diocesan Team for their selected sport. These students will now trial for the 2025 Polding Team at Bathurst during Term 2:
Soccer - Joseph Hawke
Netball - Scarlett Crouch
Hockey - Sunny Price and Parker Christian
We wish them all the best of luck!
CROSS COUNTRY
Thank you to all parents, staff and students for your flexibility around cross country this year. Congratulations to the following students who met the qualifying times and placed in the top three for their age group in 2025:
Jack Lucas, Sienna Cooper, Josie Wood, Myah Burgess, Jude Russell, Finn Cooper, Sophia Unicomb, Quinn Redgrove, Sadie Cunningham, Hughston Robinson, Grayson Himberger, Cade Fordham, Harper Jackson, Van Burgess, Colby Kelly, Nicholas Conditsis, Scarlett Crouch, Parker Christian, Amelia Haines, Sam Horan, Keegan Cooper, Thomas Power, Tom Proctor.
These students will represent St Patrick's at the Diocesan Cross Country event next term.
PARENTING PAGE
See you in the dark,
The Earth Hour Team
WWF-Australia
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