Dear Parents and Carers,

Term 1 has got off to a flying start with a fantastic swimming carnival, beautiful Opening School Mass, Gundagai Show school display ‘Walking Together’ theme and Shrove Tuesday pancakes, all enjoyed and celebrated in the first few weeks of this term. This morning the students enjoyed a pancake feast followed by the Burning of the Ashes liturgy in preparation for our Lenten journey which begins tomorrow on Ash Wednesday.

WELCOME BBQ and PARENT INFORMATION EVENING TONIGHT:

We are looking forward tonight to enjoying a welcoming BBQ combined with an opportunity for parents to also find out more about teaching and learning programs in your child’s classrooms. Our CATALYST program has seen the introduction of some new and exciting teaching programs which we are keen to share with parents. Our first session begins at 5.30pm and last session finishes at 7:00pm.

WELCOME TO NEW FAMILIES:

This week we are also delighted to welcome three new students to our St Patrick’s School community. Ethan Wu in Year 3, Ammy Wu in Year 5 and Cindy Chan also in Year 5. We also welcome their parents Jenny and Huang together with Carrie and Luke. It is always a pleasure to have new families join our great school community.

CHILDREN’S HEALTH PROGRAM:

As you are aware, we are offering students and families, the opportunity to be involved in the Children’s Health Program funded by Murrumbidgee Health. The students first program will be The Mad Food Science Incursion next Wednesday 1st March for all students K-6. Parents are also being offered a FREE ONLINE parent session next Tuesday 28th February at 7pm. Information and a link, to access this parent forum has been sent home today to enable you to join the online program in the comfort of their own homes. We hope you enjoy this opportunity that will provide ideas and tips to encourage healthier food choices for your family.

Topic: St Patricks Primary School - Parent Session
Time: Feb 28, 2023 07:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney

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Meeting ID: 284 997 1201
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CATALYST Update:

Teachers are focused on delivering high quality, explicit teaching programs to our students as we continue to embrace the CATALYST model. The Science of Learning underpins the pedagogical approach to teaching and learning in classrooms. Our High Impact Teaching Practices are being utilised in the classrooms to maximise student engagement and learning.

This term our focus has been on Daily Review. Daily Review is an important component of instruction. It helps strengthen the material learned in class. Research shows that repeated practice enables students to shift information from short term to long term memory. Automatic recall frees working memory for problem solving and creativity.

Every blessing as we move into the Lenten season of prayer, reflection and a time to think more about others.

Christine Baron

Principal

Opening School Mass

Last Friday we celebrated our Opening School Mass. We welcomed our new students and Mr Makeham, as well as the commissioning of our School Leaders for 2023.

Father Joe celebrated his first school Mass at St Patrick’s and was very impressed with the children’s reverence, participation and singing.

Shrove Tuesday and the Burning of the Palms

Today is Shrove Tuesday, and this morning the children observed the custom of eating pancakes. Pancakes are traditionally associated with Shrove Tuesday, the day preceding Lent. In years gone by, the making of pancakes were a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of Lent, when we try to go without.

This morning we gathered in the amphitheatre to burn the palms that were blessed last year on Palm Sunday. These palms symbolise those that were waved as Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey to prepare for the Passover Feast.

The ashes created from the burning of the palms, will be used during our Ash Wednesday Mass by Father, who will trace the sign of the cross on our foreheads.

Ash Wednesday and Lent

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, this the first day of the Christian season of Lent. Lent is a time when we pray, give up things we enjoy, in order to give to others, and do kind things for other people, as we prepare to celebrate the great feast of Easter.

For forty days, we are asked to follow Jesus on his journey to Calvary. The ashes that will be placed on your forehead on Ash Wednesday are a reminder to us of the Lenten promises we will make in our own lives, and to encourage us to give ourselves to others, just as Jesus did for us.

Welcome to Father Joe

Father Joe has quickly settled into his role of Parish Priest of the Tumut Mission. Father has a very bus schedule, fitting in all his commitments.

Father will be in Gundagai on Fridays and Saturday evening for Mass at 6pm. This is a great time to see Father, if you may wish to speak with him in person. He is contactable through the Tumut Parish Office – 69474599 or email gundagai@cg.org.au at all times.

Father Joe would love to meet and get to know our school families. We have arranged to have a morning tea after our St Patrick’s Day Mass. Father would love to see lots of school and parish families there to meet him and share a cup of tea and a delicious morning tea (see below).

St Patrick’s Day Arrangements

Claiming the date: St Patrick’s Day

When: 17^th March  Where: St Patrick’s Church

 Time: 9:30 am

St Patrick’s School and Parish invites you to attend Mass to celebrate the feast of our Patron Saint.

After Mass, please join with our fellow parishioners in the Hall to celebrate with morning tea.

Kate Howe

REC

Lenten discussion groups will run on Fridays at 10:30am in St Patrick’s Church. The program will be led by Father Joe. The program is open to anyone who is interested in attending.

TONIGHT: Tuesday 21^st February

Kindergarten and Year 5-5.30-6.00pm

Year 1 and Year 6-6.00-6.30pm

Year 2 and Year 3/4-6.30-7.00pm

Join us for a FREE Barbeque and Parent Information Session

Thursday Sport

Call for Coaches/Managers/Assistance 

Parents are always welcome to volunteer to train or assist sporting teams in preparation for Gala Days. Not only is it rewarding but alot of fun! If you would like to participate in any of the following events please contact Mrs Wilson 

Thursday 9th March - Soccer Gala Day at Tumut for Yr 3/4 and Yr 5/6 (private transport arranged) Tarron Makeham and Lisa Wilson teachers in charge

Friday 24th March - School Cross Country for K - Yr 6

Tuesday 9th May -Mortimer Shield at Twickenham Oval Tumut (more detail at a later date) this is for the Yr 5/6 Rugby League Tackle and Girls Leaguetag.  

Rugby Union - Years 3-6  March 31 Gala Day 10’s Tumut

Trent Barrett - Year 3/4 Gundagai  Date TBC, Rugby League and League Tag

**Please note travel to and from most  gala days is provided by parents. **

Last Thursday the weather was kind and we were able to successfully have our swimming carnival.

It was a great day with lots of cheering and support for the competitors in the water.

The results from the carnival are:

 AGE CHAMPIONS:

Junior Girl- Eliza Graham, Runner up- Molly Lott

Junior Boy- Lachlan Hargreaves, Runner up- Lane Johnson

Intermediate Girl- Corby Rose, Runner up- Skye Somerville

Intermediate Boy- Taite Johnson, Runner up- Joey Gailey

Senior Girl- Emmay Gaskin, Runner up- Tessa Crowe

Senior Boy- Jack Ryan, Runner up- Jack Paton

The winning house was DONOVAN.

23 students will be representing our school at the Western Region swimming carnival this Thursday in Young. We wish them all the best.

Thank you to the staff and parents who helped with the smooth running of the carnival and a big thank you to the Gundagai Swimming Club, for the use of the awesome timing system on the day.

Thank you also to Kay and Craig and their team at the pool for everything, especially the yummy lunches.

Congratulations to Taite Johnson,Year 5 who was part of the Canberra Goulburn Touch Football team that competed in MacKillop trials last Wednesday in Yass.

Taite played 4 games against Sydney, Parramatta, Wollongong and Wagga Wagga and was a vocal and eager team member.  The games were fast paced and at a high level of skill. Taite defended well and tried to involve himself at every opportunity. In the last game he even scored a try in a quick step and dash down the sideline.  This is a big achievement for a student in Year 5 and he will have another opportunity to represent again in 2024.

Just a reminder to students participating next week to be at the courts at the following times.

Year 6 Team - Arrive 9am to play at 9:30am

Year 5 Team -  Arrive 9am to play at 9:30am

Year 3/4 Arrive 9:30am to play at 10:10am

 A canteen will be operating but students will need to bring their own water and food.

A draw will come home tomorrow.

A notification was sent out yesterday afternoon regarding the delay in posting Term 1 School Fees via our new Compass System but for the families that may have missed this notification the below message was sent:

Firstly I want to apologise for the delay in sending out the Term 1 School Fees.  We are working on a new finance system and currently dealing with a few issues that have been identified in relation to Compass Privacy issues.  The importance in getting this information correct is a high priority.   We anticipate that these issues will be rectified shortly to enable me to process and send out to our families.   

If you have your updated BPay and Customer Reference Number which was provided last term then you can set up your own BPay payments that are managable for weekly, fortnightly or monthly.   

I apologise for the delay in processing and thank you for your patience. 

Good Lunchbox Food = Great Students

• Did you know that your child’s lunchbox has a DIRECT impact on how well they behave and concentrate in the classroom?
• The Mad Food Science Parent Seminar is coming to our school this Term. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about what’s really in your child’s lunchbox food, and how it might be affecting their ability to learn well at school.
• You’ll also learn how easy it is to make healthy changes to your child’s lunchbox, and help your child be their best in class.
• Make sure you attend the FREE Parent Online Seminar on Tuesday 28^th February at 7pm. Please use this link or alternatively paste it into your web browser.

Topic: St Patricks Primary School - Parent Session
Time: Feb 28, 2023 07:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2849971201?pwd=a0JZcE5nOTJiellvSzVudlNFVHR0UT09
Meeting ID: 284 997 1201
Passcode: 1ABP6Q

This year we are excited to welcome back to our school the Healthy Harold Life Ed program.  Its been quite a few years since this program has been offered to our school and we thank the Community Council for their assistance in funding this program. 

The Life Ed program is designed  to be integrated into the primary K-6 and taught in Australian Schools.  The core program consists of areas that include physical health, safety, social and emotional wellbeing.   

The visit is scheduled for two days 26th and 27th of April.  More details regarding this activity will be posted towards the end of the term.  This is a very educational program for our teachers and students.  There will be a small fee charged per student but we will advise our families shortly of all the information. 

There will be merchandise to purchase from the Van should your child wish to buy anything and a list will be provided in due course. 

Thank you to our wonderful parents for volunteering to cook cupcakes, cookies and to volunteer your time on a Friday to work in the canteen.  We are extremely grateful for your time. 

Friday 24th March: 

NO MORNING TEA AVAILABLE DUE TO CROSS COUNTRY. ONLY LUNCH ORDERS (SAUSAGE SIZZLE) ORDERS ON SCHOOL24 APP

Canteen Volunteers: Leanne McDonnell & Sam Johnson 

Monday 27th March (Cupcakes)

Cupcakes: Liz Ferguson & Lisa Peterson

Friday 31st March (LAST CANTEEN FOR THE TERM):

Cookies: Amy Ryder & Lisa Ryan 

Canteen Volunteers: Bec Gaskin & Lauren Gailey

NO CUPCAKES ON MONDAY 3RD OF APRIL

We would like to wish the following students who recently celebrated a birthday a special birthday wish:

8th February - Andrew Cole 

14th February - Lance Crowe

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