Dear Parents,

What a busy and productive first term we’ve had!  The students have worked enthusiastically right up until the end and are to be commended for their positive attitudes and work ethic in the classroom.  As a school we have much to celebrate and be proud of.

Congratulations Finnegan! 

The drought has finally been broken with Finnegan winning the Cross Country by only 12 points. They were presented with The Hargreaves Cup at Monday’s assembly.  With Donovan winning swimming and now Finnegan with cross country, this means that the winning house for 2025 will be decided by the Athletics Carnival.

Congratulations to the Age Champions:

8/9’s - Pippi Nicholls and Levi Bayley

10 yrs - Remi Taylor and Lane Johnson

11 yrs - Leila Gaskin and Reuben Smart 

12 yrs - Molly Lott and Lachlan Hargreaves

13 yrs - Conor Cotterill

Rugby Union Gala Day Success 

Congratulations to our Rugby Union teams for their mighty efforts at last Friday’s Gala Day in Tumut. Both Mr Ferguson and Mr Makeham were impressed with how quickly they picked up the skills of the game and acknowledged their fair play and teamwork. 

Thank you to Mr Ferguson for preparing the teams with training sessions in the lead up. The 5/6 team never gave up all day and should be proud of their perseverance and team play. The 3/4 team won all games on the day and were winners in the Grand Final over McAuley. They will now progress to the next level in Wagga in early Term 2.  Special thanks also to the parents who assisted with transport and supported the teams on the day.

SRC Initiatives

Thank you to our SRC representatives and Mr Makeham for all their hard work this term.  

They have organised worthy fundraisers and awareness initiatives for our school. This Wednesday they will finish their term focus with an Out of Uniform fundraising day for Caritas with their Water Walk and Rice Day. 

We look forward to them continuing their great efforts in Term 2.

Toilet Amenities Block Project

Demolition for this project will begin this coming Friday 11 April and is expected to take 12-14 weeks to complete. In the holidays a temporary toilet block will be placed on the blacktop and bubblers relocated ready for students in Term 2.  The school may experience some minor disruptions in Term 2 but we look forward to finally having brand new toilet facilities for our students. 

ANZAC Day Parade/March

This most important date falls in the school holidays when we come together to commemorate all Australians who have served in times of peace and war. 

We look forward to marching proudly as a school group in the second week of the holidays on Friday 25 April. If your family is at home during the holidays and your child/children would like to participate proudly in this special tradition, please meet outside the Family Hotel at 10:15am for a 10:30am start of the march up Sheridan Street. A wreath laying ceremony will take place at the Cenotaph and then the parade will return along Sheridan Street, finishing back at  the Family Hotel.

Students may wear their Summer uniform on the day with a fleecy jumper if the weather is cool. 

Pupil Free Days Friday 11 April and Monday 28 April

Just a reminder that students last day for Term 1 is this Thursday 10 April and their first day back will be Tuesday 29 April.

Term 2 Winter Uniform

After the holidays the students can return in full winter uniform.  Please ensure a woolen jumper or navy jacket is worn everyday, leaving the fleecy jumper for Sports Days. 

Year 6 may wear their Year 6 polos when they arrive with their sports uniform on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Thank you parents for all your support throughout the term and we hope your Holy Week and Easter holidays are a chance for you and your family to gather for some special time together.

May you have a happy and holy Easter.

Lisa Wilson

Assistant Principal

Altar Serving

Thank you to those children and families that responded to our call for Altar Servers over the Holy Week/Easter Celebrations. We still need servers to fulfil the Good Friday ceremonies. If you can assist, please contact the school asap.

Holy Thursday 6pm  - Archie Peterson & Harry Peterson 

Good Friday - Stations of the Cross 10am - Lachlan Hargreaves and (HELPER REQUIRED)

 Week 10 - Holy Week activities 

Holy Week is the most important week in the Church’s calendar. This year the Holy Week/Easter celebrations fall in the school holidays. Throughout this week, each class will observe this important time and will be focusing on the events that occurred in Jesus’ life.

Year 5/6 have created some beautiful artwork depicting ‘The Stations of the Cross’.

Year 3/4 have looked closely at relevant Scripture passages and created symbols that reflect each memorable event.

Year 1/2 have created the Holy Week timeline in the form of a story wheel.

In Kindergarten we are walking with Jesus commemorating these events through Godly Play, story and reenacting each event through dramatization.

Wednesday

• David Enever Concert – 11:30 am
• Water Walk
• Rice Day lunch

These activities are focusing on social justice issues to help those people in our world who need assistance to live in better conditions. The funds that we will raise as part of Project Compassion will help to bring clean drinking water and better hygiene to communities around the world. The SRC will provide some activities that will open our minds and hearts to the plight of others.

Water Walk – Can you image not having clean water?

Or having to walk 6 km to get water?

This is daily life for some people.

Rice lunch - For lunch the children will receive a bowl of plain rice and a cup of water symbolising how many people across the world live. Hopefully, the children will be able to witness the inequality of life.

**** Remember to come to school on Wednesday*****

• Out of uniform – dressed in colours of purple (for LENT), blue or white (the colours of Samoa)
• Bring a gold coin donation

Project Compassion Boxes

Thank you for your family contributions to Project Compassion during this Lenten period. These boxes can be returned after the holidays or if they are ready for collection, send them to the front office.

Remember every contribution counts.

Sacramental Program – Reconciliation

Next term we will begin our preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This year there will be a change to the way we will conduct our preparation, with lessons being done during class time for the children at St Patrick’s. Lessons will be done on Tuesday afternoon after school for those children from other schools.

**** The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held on Friday 30^th  May at 9:30 am in St Patrick’s Church.

Families will present their children to Father to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Extended family members are most welcome to be part of this special Sacrament.

A celebratory morning tea will follow at school.

*** PLEASE NOTE***** – the date in the last Newsletter was incorrect.

Have a wonderful holiday, enjoying time with family and friends. May the blessings of Jesus be with us all.

Kate Howe

REC

LAST FEW DAYS FOR EASTER RAFFLE 

Just a reminder that ALL raffle tickets and money needs to be returned to school by Thursday morning.  The raffle will be drawn at our end of term assembly at 2.15pm after awards presentation. 

Thank you so much to the families who have returned their raffle tickets and sold so many extra books for our fundraising projects.  You are all AMAZING.

SRC Day Term 1 - Project Compassion

In the morning session the classes will watch a video of Toefutata'lga where she will describe her story. Classes will then discuss how our lives would be different if we did not have easy access to clean water like Samoans. The students will also have the option of plain rice and water for lunch. 

The school will also perform a Water Walk around the oval in their peer support groups. Groups will be challenged to carry a bucket of water as far as possible without spilling.

So, remember to come to school out of uniform on Wednesday 9th of April wearing purple, blue or white for the day.  Remember to also bring a hat.

We are pleased to announce that St Patrick's Primary School has recently introduced the BPoint Enterprise Solution to manage direct debit arrangements for the payment of school fees.

What is BPoint and What Do You Need to Do?

BPoint is a secure Commonwealth Bank payment processing platform designed to facilitate online payments, while ensuring the highest security standards. This system safeguards your financial information using industry-leading security measures.

Our new direct debit platform will allow you to pay school fees using either a bank account or a credit card (excluding AMEX). Please note that payments made via credit card will incur a 0.5% surcharge.

Establishing Direct Debits.

Shortly, families will receive an email outlining estimated weekly, fortnightly, and monthly repayment options to ensure all fees are paid by the end of the year. These amounts will also include any outstanding 2024 balances.

What next?

You will receive an email that will provide a start date for direct debits and options for selecting your preferred payment frequency. Once a payment frequency is selected, you will be directed to enter your bank/credit card details. Once the information is entered, you will receive an email from no-reply@bpoint.com.au . The email will contain two links,

1. The first link requires confirmation of the direct debit arrangement. Please note that the link will expire within 7 days.
2. The second link provides a copy of the eDDRSA for your records.

While using the direct debit payment option is not compulsory, many families find it helpful in staying up to date with their financial obligations.

More on this at the start of Term 2. 

Mrs Hughes has been very busy with our Yr 5 / 6 art lessons by creating self portraits and what the class spirit animal would be.  Check out their photos they are amazing.

Well Done students and Mrs Hughes.

Friday 11 April

- Demolition works begin on the current student facilities

Friday 11 April - Monday 28 April

- Demolition, removal and clean up of the site will take place

- Temporary Ablution Block for students will be erected

- Temporary relocation of students’ bubbler and water station

- Site blocked off for work to begin. Students will not be permitted in this area once tradespeople begin their work.

Tuesday 29 April onwards

- Building of new students amenities. Various trade groups will then be sequenced to come in and out to complete different sections of the work. Given the small area they will be working in, only one trade group will come in at one time.

Just a reminder that Term 1 Fees are due this week. Thank you to all of our families who have already paid their fees and continue to make weekly/fortnightly payments. 

The Parish relies heavily on volunteers to attend to the day to day tasks that must be done to keep the place functional and effective.  These tasks include but not limited to:

* The daily opening and closing of the Church to enable visitations 

* The weekly cleaning of the Church, laundering and pressing of linens and arrangement of flowers on the altar

* The preparation of the altar for the celebration of Mass and the reverse on completion of Mass

* The maintenance and repairs of the fabric of the Church 

* The maintenance of the Church grounds

* The Music Ministry 

* The weekly administration of the Eucharist to those in the Hospital, Uralba and house bound at home

* The Acolyte Ministry

The number of volunteers has been rapidly dwindling because of death, age, disability and relocation. 

The Parish is at a critical point. To address this situation Mr Peter Gain will chair a meeting of all current volunteers who are able to attend.  This will be held AFTER MASS on SATURDAY 12th APRIL.  If you are unable to attend Mass on Saturday but would wish to offer some assistance, make suggestions you can contact Mr Peter Gain on 0417 060 155 or email prgainconsulting@westnet.com.au 

Term One Canteen another success. Thank you so much to all of our wonderful cooks for your beautiful cooking during term one. The children really looked forward to peering in the canteen window at 11am on Monday mornings to see what treats they can buy. Thank you for making this a special monday morning treat. 

If you would like to assist with volunteering on "Bake-It Monday" or Cookies on a Friday please reach out to Louise Crowe or Kate Hufton and they will add your name down on the roster during Term 2 and Term 3.  You only have to do it once if that is all you can do. Every little bit helps. 

Congratulations to our Week 8 and Week 9 Class Awards

Week 8 - 28th March

Kindergarten : Hallie Butt for trying hard in all areas and always learning with a smile

Yr 1/2 : Harry Ryder for busting out big dance moves with Footsteps

Year 3 : Harley Rose for quick and accurate number work 

Year 4 : Fletcher Smith for consistently trying to improve across all areas

Year 5 : Mackenzie Little for increased confidence and initiative in Literacy Novel study 

Year 6 : Ollie Crowe for creative and enthusiastic dance moves

Week 9 - 4th April 

Kindergarten : Leo Lewis for always being ready for work and doing his best in all aspects of school life

Year 1/2 : Lilly Barton for consistently working at a high standard and for having beautiful manners

Year 3 : Phoenix Rose for excellent all round behaviour and work ethics 

Year 4 : Kingsley McDonnell for fabulous sportsmanship and encouragement of others 

Year 5 : Jasper Rui for quick and accurate calculations in complex multiplication and perimeter problems

Year 6 : Eliza Graham for maximum effort, initiative and maturity when approaching all learning

Congratulations to our Week 8 and Week 9 WildCat Awards. Well done to all of our students for your continued positive behaviour

RESPONSIBLE : Isabel Knight-Gregson, Anastasia Chittick, Maeve Ryan, Eliza Graham, Molly Lott, Lennox Smart,  Bodhi Bulger, Macie Hand, Levi Bayley, Daphne Simpson, Ned Phelps

RESPECT : Anna Nicholls, Indi Cole, Mackenzie Little, Lexie Bayley, Isabel Knight-Gregson, Jaxon Wolley,  Eddy Smith, Chelsea Crowe, Sadie Nicholls

SAFE : Macie Hand, Lennox Smart, Leo Lewis

Welcome Back to another year of Radio News with our Yr 5/6 Students.

Tune into "Sounds of the Mountains" radio station (FM94.1) every Wednesday at 2.15pm to hear about what our classes and school have been up to over the week.

 Week 10 - Wednesday 9th April : Reuben Smart and RV Calub

Wishing the following students a HAPPY BIRTHDAY

1st April - Sophia Knight-Gregson 

3rd April - Liam Estacio

5th April - Jaxon Wolley 

6th April - Clancy Smart

We hope you all had a wonderful birthday with family and friends