Dear Parents,

What a busy and productive term we’ve had!  We are fortunate that the term progressed without any major Covid restrictions which allowed us to go on a Year 5/6 excursion, Pre School visits, Tournament of the Minds in Wagga, host inter school public Speaking and run our Little Learners program.  We are most grateful for these opportunities and normality.

Western Region Public Speaking 

Congratulations to our Year 5 and Year 6 representatives at last Friday’s Western Region Public Speaking Finals, Abigail Bock and Sophie Graham.  Both girls presented their speeches with confidence, creative flair and enthusiasm. Abigail was announced the winner of Year 5 out of six speakers and will now progress to   Archdiocesan level.  Congratulations to both girls for their preparation and participation, special thanks to Mr Peter Gain for sharing his expertise and vast knowledge of public speaking. 

SRC Initiatives

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

Zoe Paton, Lane Johnson, Dale Paton, Molly Lott, Chase Robinson, Corby Rose, Charlotte McDonnell, Abigail Bock, James Reardon, Tahlira Rose and Sophie Graham. They have organised worthy fundraisers and awareness initiatives for our school and given back to the student community with playground equipment purchases and novels for upper primary.  

We look forward to them continuing their great efforts in Term 4.

Book Week Celebrations

We look forward to Wednesday’s Book Week celebration starting with our costume parade at 10am, Aunty Sue Bulger’s storytime readings at 12pm with infants and 12:30 with primary and finishing the school day with the much anticipated Book Trivia afternoon.  Thank you to Mrs Hughes for her efforts in organising an exciting day to finish the school term with.

Pupil Free Days Friday 23 September and Monday 10 October

Just a reminder that students finish on Wednesday 21 September due to Thursday’s National Public Holiday and staff professional development planning day on Friday.  Student’s first day back will be Tuesday 10 October

Term 4 Uniform

After the holidays the students will return in full summer uniform.  Fleecy jumpers may be worn if mornings are still cool. White socks for girls and black for boys please. Year 6 may continue to wear their Year 6 polos with their summer sports uniform.

Thank you parents for all your support throughout the term and we hope the holidays are a chance for your child/children to rest, recharge and hopefully spend some special family time together.

Enjoy the holidays,

Lisa Wilson

Assistant Principal

First Holy Communion

On our first day back of next term (Tuesday), we begin our preparation for the Sacrament of the Eucharist. We have 11 students involved in this preparation - Chase Clout, Indi Cole, Oliver Crowe, Eliza Graham, Lachlan Hargreaves, Beau Jones, Nora Lindley, Jimmy Lott, Molly Lott, Connor Manton and Chase Robinson. Our prayers are with these children as they prepare for this wonderful Sacrament.

Preparation dates are as follows:

Week 1

Lesson 1 – Tuesday 11^th October 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm 

Lesson 2 – Saturday 15^th October 4:45 pm – 5:50 pm

Mass 6pm

Week 2

Lesson 3 - Tuesday 18^th October 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Lesson 4 - Saturday 22^nd October 4:45 pm – 5:50 pm

6 pm Commitment Mass

Week 3

Lesson 5 - Tuesday 25^th October 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Lesson 6 – Wednesday 26^th October Preparation Day 9:15 am – 3:00 pm

• Sacrament of First Holy Communion - Saturday 29^th October 6pm Mass

October Mission Month

This October, we are celebrating World Mission Month, a month dedicated to the life-giving work of missionaries around the world.

This year, we walk hand-in-hand with the Church of Ethiopia and the local communities towards providing life-changing opportunities to those most in need.

Socktober for Mission Month encourages us to engage with mission for children by using our heads to enquire about the reality of the world around us, using our hearts to feel empathy for those in situations of great need, and using our hands to take action for them in whatever way we are able.

World Mission Sunday falls on 23^rd October. As a school community we will come together to raise money and awareness for the work of Catholic Mission. More information to come next term.

October Month of the Rosary

The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. The Rosary has been a prayer recited by Catholics for centuries. The rosary is an invitation to experience the grace of Mary’s spiritual motherhood as she leads us to her Son, Jesus. We know it to be one of the most recited and celebrated Catholic prayers — used to implore our Mother Mary for her intercession and blessings.

We wish you a happy and safe holiday and hope you can enjoy some rest and relaxation with your family.

Kate Howe

REC

Our Crazy Camel Fundraising packs have been sent home.  Each child will be given their own individual pack to design and create their own special artwork into diaries, calendars, cards, pillowcases or tea towels.  Keep an eye out for these packs in your child/children's bags.  Orders are due back to the office by Friday 21st October to allow time to be processed and returned before the end of term 4. 

This Wednesday (21st September) is our long awaited Book Week Parade.  The children can come dressed in their favourite costume.  The theme for this year is "Dreaming with Eyes Open" but children can come as they wish.   The Book Week Parade will commence straight after our Week 10 Assembly which will start at 10am.  All parents, grandparents and family members are welcome to come watch the parade which will be held on our blacktop.  the morning events should conclude around 11am. 

We also welcome Aunty Sue Bulger to our school for storytime readings at 12pm with infants and 12:30pm for primary students.  We will finish a jam packed day with lots of games and activities organised by Mrs Hughes which will include the Book Trivia. Thank you again Mrs Hughes for organising all the activities for the day. 

We would like to send our best wishes and luck to James Reardon and Charlie Hindmarsh who head off to Sydney this afternoon to participate in the MacKillop Athletics Team at Sydney Olympic Park

James is participating in shot put and Charlie is running in the 1500m event.  

Good luck to both of you. Safe Travels

The Archdiocesan Relationship Education Team will be visiting St Patrick’s on Tuesday 11 October (first day of Term 4) to present the My Body, My Life puberty and personal development program.  The school will cover the cost of the day session with students but parents are required to pay $5.00 for the video live link that is to be watched at home prior to the first day back session. Please pay this link via the Compass Portal. The event has been sent out to all Yr 5/6 parents for approval and payment.  Please ensure you sit with your child to watch the short videos.   

As we mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth the Second and commemorate her 70 year reign and service to Commonwealth countries, St Patrick’s school will continue to fly our Australian National Flag at half mast until the day after Queen Elizabeth’s funeral takes place. This is a customary tradition, required of all schools. As a school we have reflected on Queen Elizabeth’s dedicated lifelong service to the Commonwealth and the common good of all people. She was a woman of deep faith, humility, and grace. May she Rest in Peace.

The 2023 Kindergarten Orientation and Little Learners Program will be held on the following dates in Term 4. If you know anyone that wishes to enrol their child for Kindergarten in 2023, please encourage them to come along to these sessions.

Little Learners - Friday 21^st October (Week 2) and 28^th October (Week 3)

2023 Kindergarten Orientation Program

- Friday 4^th Nov 9.00-1.30pm

- Friday 11^th Nov 9.00-1.30pm

- Friday 18^th Nov 9.00-3.15pm (full day)

A Teddy Bears Picnic and presentation of certificates will be held on Fri 25^th Nov 9.00-11.00am to conclude both programs.

Mrs Baron will be taking Long Service Leave this week. Any concerns or issues please direct them to Mrs Wilson during this time. We wish Mrs Baron a lovely time away.

2023 enrolments for Kindergarten are due on Friday 23^rdSeptember. This will assist us in making decisions with class groupings for 2023.

Thursday 22nd September:

Public Holiday to mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth 11.

Friday 23rd September: Staff Development Day

Please note this is a Pupil Free Day.

Monday 10th October: Staff Development Day (No School for Students).  Students will return on Tuesday 11th October

Term 4 begins for all students on Tuesday 11th October. Staff will return on Monday 10th October for a Staff Development day.

Alice the Musical

Matinee Performance: 11.30am Wednesday 16th Nov

Night Performance: 6pm Thursday 17th Nov

2022 Award Day-Friday 9^th December-9.30-11.00am

Year 6 Graduation Mass-Friday 9^th December 12pm

Year 6 Graduation Dinner-Monday 12^th December 6pm at Lotts 

Year 6 BIG DAY OUT-Tuesday 13^th December 

Term 4 concludes-Friday 16^th December at 3:15pm. Year 6 traditional ringing of the school bell will take place from 3.00pm onwards.

We have been informed of a proposed "back up date" for the annual Trent Barrett Shield Carnival which will now be on Thursday 20th of October (Week 2 of Term 4). 

We will be continuing to upgrade our old administration area over the coming months. Plans include painting, recarpeting, and window fittings. You may have noticed new shutters in the current Principal office and old administration room. We have also installed new security blinds in the new administration area.

Just a reminder that Term 3 School Fees are overdue and payable by this Friday 23rd September. Thank you to the families who have already paid their fees and to the families that continue to make weekly/fortnightly payments.

If you are experiencing difficulties please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Baron or Mrs Fairall.  All conversations are kept confidential and private. 

Kindergarten, Yr 1/2 and Yr 3/4 will be heading off on excursions at the start of Term 4.   All information regarding dates, times and payment are all on COMPASS (If not on your home screen than search in Events).  Please ensure you have given consent and paid for your child/children to attend the excursion via the COMPASS portal. 

Yr 3/4 Canberra Excursion Thursday 13th October (Week 1) 

Kindergarten, Yr 1/2 - "Edward the Emu" show at Civic Theatre Wagga Friday 21st October (Week 2) 

Please ensure consent and payment is made prior to dates. 

Alicia Hargreaves our Canteen Coordinator will be working on the Term 4 Roster over the holiday period. If you are able to assist either with cookies or volunteering a Friday to assist in the canteen could you please either email the office or tuckshop.stpats@gmail.com

Thank you 

Congratulations to our Week 8 and Week 9 Class Awards.  

Week 8 - 9th September 

Kindergarten: Clancy Smart for great writing during literacy time

Year 1/2: Jasper Rui for showing creativity whilst writing 

Year 3/4: Taite Johnson for showing initiative and taking home school work to catch up on 

Year 3/4: Skye Somerville for being focused and enthusiatic during core fitness (Miss Bartlett) 

Year 5/6: James Reardon for a persuasive and highly engaging PacMan advertisement 

Week 9 - 16th September 

Kindergarten: Josie Lott for her consistent effort and improvement with sounds and her story writing 

Year 1/2: Fletcher Smith for his focused approach to all learning tasks 

Year 3/4: Denver Blundell for his oral reading fluency and accuracy

Year 5/6: Ryan Huang for his creative CANVA advertisement and brochure

Congratulations to our WildCat Awards for Week 8 and Week 9.  Keep up the great work in class and outside on the playground. 

RESPECTFUL: Anna Murphy, Joey Gailey, Toby Nicholls, Billy Eccleston, Lane Crowe, Akacia Winchester

SAFE: Harley Rose, Phoenix Rose

RESPONSIBLE: Dale Paton, Phoenix Rose, Harley Rose, Toby Nicholls, Harry Campbell

We would like to extend our birthday wishes to the following students who have recently celebrated a birthday: 

11th September - Skye Somerville 

17th September - Denver Blundell 

We hope you had a lovely birthday with family and friends 

We would like to wish all of the staff, families and students a safe and relaxing School Holiday period.  If you are going away we wish you safe travels. 

We look forward to a busy Term 4 when we return on Tuesday 11th October.