St Patrick's Primary School Gundagai eNewsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,

What a spectacular St Patrick’s Day festival we enjoyed last week! Firstly, we had our school celebrations on Friday with a special Mass beautifully presented by Year 2, a lovely St Patrick’s Day cake shared with Fr Joe to welcome him officially to our community and then we finished off with a great afternoon of Irish themed activities.

This was followed by our amazing St Patrick’s Day Fair on Saturday! The weather was perfect, and the crowds came. Thank you to our very dedicated Fundraising committee and Community Council parents, who have worked so hard behind the scenes for months beforehand to make this such a special event. It certainly didn’t disappoint!! Very special thanks to Mrs Sam Johnson who was the mastermind behind the whole event, for the hours of planning, organisation and work that went into the pre planning with her very dedicated parent group behind her. Thank you also to staff members for coordinating class contributions and their invaluable support on the day and our very dedicated students that came along to give a hand on the day. Many thanks to all our wonderful families who supported through donations, cooking and assisting with set up and clean up and to everyone who came along on the day and supported the fete. A huge thank you to our sponsors Ray White (Gold sponsor), GMP, Bellette’s Bins and Foodworks (Bronze Sponsors) for their very generous sponsorship of our fete.

NAPLAN: Congratulations to our Year 3 and 5 students who are currently undertaking their NAPLAN assessments. Last week, they completed the Writing and Reading assessments and this week will complete their Conventions of Writing (Wednesday) and Numeracy (Thursday) assessments. Thank you to parents for ensuring students are at school during assessment times. If your child will be absent, please make sure you contact our front office ASAP, so we can try to reschedule their assessment.

Leave: Next term, I will be taking leave for the first 5 weeks of Term 2. I will be attending a Principal Professional Development Program for the first part of my leave, during which I will be participating in a Pilgrimage to The Holy Lands along with other Catholic School Principals and some CE staff. I feel very privileged to be visiting the areas where Jesus was born, lived with his family, worked as a carpenter and lived out his ministry, including some of the areas where he performed miracles. The itinerary also includes the places where Jesus was condemned to death and his journey to Calvary followed by the place where Jesus’s glorious resurrection took place. This is a privileged opportunity to deepen my faith through the opportunity to walk in the actual footsteps of Jesus. Following this journey, I will also take some personal leave.

Mrs Wilson will be Acting Principal and Mrs Kate Howe will be Acting Assistant Principal during this time. Mrs Howe will also continue in the role as REC during this time. I am very grateful to Mrs Wilson and Mrs Howe for stepping up into higher roles during this time, while I am on leave.

Cross Country: This Friday we look forward to our annual school Cross Country to be held at the Gundagai Racecourse. Thank you to parents for offering their assistance on the day.

It has certainly been a busy first term at school and we still have more activities prior to the end of term including the Footsteps Dance Program, Rugby 10’s Gala Day, Week 10 Awards Assembly and our Holy Week activities.

Thank you to parents for being proactive with COMPASS and ensuring you are keeping up to date with permission notes and activities. It is greatly appreciated by staff.

Best wishes for another great week ahead,

Christine Baron

Principal

St Patrick, Pray for Us

Our sincere sympathy is extended to the Gailey family on the passing of Pete’s Dad. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. May your family find peace and comfort in the days ahead.

Lenten Prayer

Lent is a time of preparation before Easter, when we fast and pray, as we remember Jesus and the sacrifices He made for us. We ask God to help us in the forty days of Lent to be kind and helpful to all we meet.

Altar Servers

A new Altar Server roster will be sent home today. We thank all our servers for their generous effort and dedication to this important ministry. We also thank families for the support and encouragement they give to their children.

St Patrick’s Day Mass

Thank you to Year Two and Mrs Eccleston for presenting a beautiful Mass on Friday to celebrate our patron saint, St Patrick. The mass was attended by many parishioners all wearing a touch of green. Following mass the children shared a cake to welcome Father Joe, while the parishioners shared a ‘welcome’ morning tea. Father was trilled by the festivities celebrated throughout the day.

Sacramental Dates

The dates have been set for 2023 Sacramental Program. Reconciliation and Eucharist involves Catholic children in Year 3 and Confirmation is for Catholic children in Years 5 and 6.

The dates are as follows:

Reconciliation – Friday 26^th May at 9:30 am
Confirmation – Saturday 19^th August (time to be advised 5pm or 6pm)
Eucharist – Saturday 11th November 6pm

The preparation schedule will consist of Tuesday afternoon lessons (children only), Saturday lessons (child and Parent) before Mass followed by Mass.

If you know of children attending other schools who are eligible for these Sacraments, could you please provide them with this information.

Registration forms are available from the Parish Secretary Susan Hall Office Hours: Tue, Thu, Fri – 9am till 2pm phone 69 474 599.

Please place these dates in your diary so that we are organised.

Reconciliation Preparation Program – Term 2

Week 3

Lesson 1 - Tuesday 9^th May 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Lesson 2 - Saturday 13^th May and Commitment Mass 3:45 pm - 4:50 pm

** NB Mass at 5 pm for cooler months**

Week 4

Lesson 3 -Tuesday 16^th May 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Lesson 4 - Saturday 20^th May 3:45 pm 4:50 pm ** NB Mass 5pm**

Week 5

Lesson 5 -Tuesday 23^rd May 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Sacrament of Reconciliation – Friday 26^th May 9:30 am (Week 5).

Confirmation Preparation - Term Three

Week 2

Lesson 1 - Saturday 29^th July 4:45 pm – 5:50 pm - 6 pm for Commitment Mass

Week 3

Lesson 2 - Tuesday 1^st August 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

No Saturday lesson

Week 4

Lesson 3 - Tuesday 8^th August 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Lesson 4 - Saturday 12^th August 4:45 pm – 5:50 pm - 6 pm Mass

Week 5

Lesson 5 – Tuesday 15^th August 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Lesson 6 – Wednesday 16^th August Preparation Day 9:15 am – 3:00 pm

Sacrament of Confirmation – Saturday 19^th August (Time to be confirmed, 5pm or 6pm)

Eucharist Preparation - Term Four

Week 3

Lesson 1 - Tuesday 24^th October 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Lesson 2 - Saturday 28^thOctober 4:45 pm – 5:50 pm - 6 pm for Commitment Mass

Week 4

Lesson 3 - Tuesday 31^st October 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Lesson 4 - Saturday 4^th November 4:45 pm – 5:50 pm - 6 pm Mass

Week 5

Lesson 5 - Tuesday 7^th November 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Lesson 6 - Wednesday 8^th November Preparation Day 9:15 am – 3:00 pm

Sacrament of First Holy Communion - Saturday 11^th November – 6pm Mass (Week 5)

Kate Howe

REC

St Patrick's Parish is desperate for helpers for our Easter ceremonies. Many of our older parishioners are sick and no longer able to help. We encourage anyone who is willing to step up and fill the gap - it is time to pass on the sacred baton.

Palm Sunday (Saturday 1st April 6pm) - 3 x readers for the Passion Gospel

Holy Thursday (6th April 6pm)

- 1 x reader to explain the oils for the Procession of Holy Oils

- 1 x reader for Liturgy of the Word

- 2 x Altar servers

- 1 x computer operator

Good Friday (7th April)

10am - Stations of the Cross

- 2 x responsible children to carry candles (don't have to be Altar Servers)

- 1 x reader for introduction to each station

3pm - 3 x readers for Passion Gospel

- 10 x readers for the 10 Prayers of the Church

- 1 x computer operator

- 2 x altar servers

Holy Saturday

- Altar Servers (on roster)

- 3 x readers for Old Testament Readings

- 1 x reader (already on roster)

- 1 x computer operator

Please contact the school office or Denise Reardon po-de@bigpond.com if you are able to help with any of the above jobs. We would appreciate if parents and families could please let us know by early next week if you are able to help with a job "big or small" would be much appreciated.

The Yr 5/6 students are in the process of raising money for their end of year trip. The Yr 5/6 students have been asked to bring in an easter item to add to our Easter Fundraiser. Tickets will be sold at school in Week 9 and Week 10. Students are asked to bring in coins to purchase a ticket during Week 9 and Week 10. The raffle will be drawn and the winners announsed at Week 10 Student of the Month assembly on Thursday 6th of April. All money raised will go towards the Yr 5/6 Goldfields Excursion later in the year.

We are delighted to welcome Ms Dora Du to our St Patrick’s staff team, as a Classroom Support Assistant (CSA). Ms Du is an experienced CSA and currently works three days per week at McAuley. Ms Du is bilingual and speaks fluent English and Mandarin. She will be at St Patrick’s every Thursday and Friday. Welcome Ms Du!

This Friday for Canteen there will be no recess option on the School24 App due to our Cross Country being held at the Gundagai Racecourse.

Instead of the normal lunch time option we will be holding a Sausage Sizzle down at the racecourse before we head back to school. Parents will be able to order a sausage sizzle meal deal via the School24 App.

Congratulations to the followng students who have recently trialled for MacKillop Sporting teams.

NETBALL - Emmy Gaskin, Charlotte McDonnell & Abigail Bock. These girls joined a combined team of South West and won their division receiving a medallion. Emmy Gaskin is congratulated for making the possibles and probables.

HOCKEY - Congratulations to Joey Gailey for gaining selection in the Canberra Goulburn team playing in Lyneham. Joey will be the goalie.

RUGBY LEAGUE - Riley Smith, Chase Robinson & Taite Johnson trialled for Rugby League. All boys enjoyed their day and trialled in the same team. Congratulations to Chase & Taite for gaining selection in the Canberra Goulburn team to play at MacKillop Trials.

EASTER_2023_APRIL_Clinic.pdf

EASTER_2023_APRIL_Clinic _pdf 164.66 KB

We are happy to notify our families and school community that we have now secured a start date for our new refurbished and landscaped front garden. Andrew Ward from Murrumbidgee Landscaping & Irrigation Services will commence work during the first week of the school holidays and will be finished before the start of Term 2. We are all super excited to see the final project. Some of the existing plants will be relocated to others areas of the school and replanted.

All students are invited to take part in the annual ANZAC Day March on Tuesday April 25th (last day of school holidays for students). Students are asked to wear full summer school uniform and bring a jumper of it is cool.

Students are asked to meet St Patrick’s staff outside Lott’s Family Hotel by 10:15am.

A free sausage sizzle will be held at Carberry Park following the March.

School Captains are invited to attend the Dawn ANZAC day service at ANZAC Grove at 6am to present a wreath on behalf of the St Patrick’s School community.

Every year the Hon Michael McCormack MP, invites local school students from the Riverina area to participate in an ANZAC Day writing competition. We are delighted to announce that Jasper Rui in Year 3 has been announced as one of the 2023 winners. Jasper’s piece was titled ‘ANZAC Day’. Jasper will have his name, photo and a copy of his piece published in Mr McCormack’s special edition ANZAC brochure which will be released shortly. Jasper will also receive a prize for his winning entry and we look forward to presenting it to him. Congratulations Jasper!

ANZAC Day

(ANZAC Stands for Australian New Zealand Army Corps)

by Jasper Rui - Year 3

Today is ANZAC day and we pray for those who sacrificed their lives for us.

The war was awful, why do we keep going to war instead of peace.

We represent people who died in the war with poppies.

All of us will honour those who fought for us in war.

We might have lost a million people but they will always be in our hearts.

We would like to wish Lane Johnson all the best for next week as he heads off to the MacKillop Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday 30th of March. Lane will swim in the 50m age race for a spot in the NSWPSSA Swimming Championships. Good Luck Lane we will be cheering you on.

Safe Travels to you all

Bec Gaskin our uniform coordinator is in the process of sorting through our winter uniform supplies. Now is the time to check your sizes and stock. Remember to order online via the website. There are second hand items available but limited sizes if you would like to check these out as well.

Thank you to the families who have already placed orders online. We are still waiting for items to arrive and that includes the school ties. The families that paid for ties last year will receive them in this shipment. We apologise for the delay

Steps to locate our online ordering for uniforms

* website www.spg.nsw.edu.au

* Hover over Parents Tab, scroll to Uniforms

* Click on the "Online Shop is now Live" link which will take you directly to the website to order uniforms and pay online.

Once order is placed Bec Gaskin will call into the office to pack the orders to be sent home with your children

Next week we are excited to welcome back the Footsteps Dance Program to St Patrick’s School.

All students from Kindergarten to Year 6 will participate in the program, learning many new dance sequences and routines to contemporary music. A disco will be held on Thursday evening for our students in the Learning Hub. We hope to have disco times available soon. This program is very much enjoyed by students and is part of our Creative Arts program.

Families are asked to please provide sunscreen for their child/ren to use while they are at school during recess and lunchtimes. Schools are no longer able to provide sunscreen due to potential allergic reactions.

Footsteps Dance - will be held in Week 9, Monday 27^th March to Friday 31^st March. A disco will be held on Thursday evening for all students K-6.

School concludes for Term 1 on Thursday 7th April.

Term 2

* Term 2 resumes for students on Wednesday 26th April

* Staff return to work on Monday 24th April and will attend a Staff Spirituality Day at McAuley in Tumut with Tumut, Batlow and Adelong staff.

* WR Cross Country - Friday 28th April at Grenfell

* Harmony Day Celebration-Friday 5th May

* Dental Clinic-Week 2 (Day in Week 2 to be confirmed)

Harmony Day, which is traditionally celebrated on March 21st each year, is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the wonderful diversity of cultures that makes up our St Patrick’s School community. Each year St Patrick’s organised a beautiful cultural lunch. As the next few weeks are extremely busy, with the support of our Tuckshop coordinator Mrs Hargreaves, we will now celebrate Harmony Day on Friday 5th May (Term 2). We invite students to wear the colour orange on this day or wear traditional costume.

We would love to hear from families that would be interested in bringing along a tradition dish that the children can try. Last year was such a successful day and we had so many different dishes for our children and staff to sample.

Please contact the school or Alicia Hargreaves if you would be interested in cooking up a dish to share. We have plenty of time but need to have an idea of how many dishes we have to offer.

Thank you to our families and children for your continued support every week for our Altar Serving duties. We will advise our families shortly when our Saturday Mass will change to 5pm during the cooler months but for now if the children could please be at the Church by 5.45pm to allow time to get dressed and greet parishioners.

Saturday 25th March - Harry Peterson & Corby Rose

Saturday 1st April - Tessa Crowe & Oliver Crowe

Saturday 8th April (Easter Saturday) - Christyne Calub & Indi Cole

Saturday 15th April - Nick Quine & Joey Gailey

Saturday 22nd April - Taite Johnson & Riley Smith

Tune into "Sounds of the Mountains" radio station (FM94.1) every Wednesday at 2.15pm to hear about what our classes and school has been up to over the week. Catch up with our Yr 6 leaders as they share our weekly news report:

Week 10 5th April: Emmy Gaskin & Faith Miller

Congratulations to our Week 6 and Week 7 Class Awards

Week 6 - 10th March

Kindergarten: Alfie Eccleston for meticulous handwriting and beautiful artwork

Year 1: Ryan Robinson for working quietly and completing all tasks to a high quality

Year 2: Remi Taylor for trying hard to write sentences independently

Year 2: Harrison Barton for creativity in all aspects of his work

Year 3/4: Emma Brown for her application to her learning

Year 5: Andrew Cole for showing persistence in all areas

Year 6: Charlotte McDonnell for highly descriptive and dramatic techniques when writing

Week 7 - 17th March

Kindergarten: Sophia Knight-Gregson for completing work to a high standard

Year 1: Isabella Melksham for showing enthusiasm towards her home reading

Year 2: Sarah Gailey for always offering to helpo and showing initiative in the classroom

Year 3/4: Lotus Jielan for her consistent application to her learning and for being a supportive class member

Year 3/4: Molly Lott for being a great role model in class

Year 5: Taite Johnson for striving for academic excellence

Year 6: Lachlan Morgan

Congratulations to our Week 6 and Week 7 Wildcat Awards. Keep up the positive behaviour in and outside of class.

RESPONSIBLE : Darby Jones, Justin Sedrak, Kingsley McDonnell, Harrison Barton

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.