Dear Parents,

Term 4 draws to a close next Wednesday the 18^th December. It is really hard to believe that we have reached the end of the 2019 school year. It seems like only the other day, I was beginning my first week at St Patrick’s, wondering what the year ahead would hold. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to a most enjoyable and happy year. It has been wonderful to be part of this vibrant and happy school community and I look forward to continuing to work with your children and families of the Gundagai community into the future.

Some of the highlights of the 2019 school year include…………………..

• Great teaching and learning from K-6
• Year 6 embracing their new leadership positions
• Engaged and happy students
• Individual Student Achievement in Writing, Music, Poetry and Sport
• Mother’s Day Pampering session and Father’s day BBQ
• Harmony Day celebration of cultures
• Parish Sacramental Program
• Sporting achievements
• Robotics Day
• Family Masses
• Community Service
• Writing Day Celebration
• Wild Cat Class Celebrations
• Pirates vs Mermaids Production

This Friday we will celebrate the school year and some individual student achievements. All students deserve to be congratulated on their wonderful efforts and application across the year, regardless of whether or not they receive an award. Following this, Mass will be held at 12pm to thank God for the gifts of the school year and an opportunity to bid a special farewell to our wonderful Year 6 leaders. We wish our Year 6 students, all the best as they head to new schools and begin the next phase of their educational journeys. Good luck, Ella, Alix, Molly, Lily, Henry, Max, Isaac and Benny.

There are always so many people to thank as a school year comes to a close and this year is no exception. Thank you to the wonderful St Patrick’s staff team for all their support, passion and investment in the students, the wonderful parents for their support across the school year, the  members of the Community Council for their advice, wisdom and dedication to the school. Most of all a huge thank you to the 76 amazing students who come to school every day with a smile on their faces endeavouring to give their best at all times. It is an absolute pleasure to work with you all.

Wishing everyone a happy and Holy Christmas and a wonderful holiday break.

Christine Baron

Principal

First Holy Communion

What a beautiful occasion was celebrated at St Patrick’s Church on Saturday 23^rd November with our ten candidates receiving their First Holy Communion. The children were so excited and participated fully in the Mass by reading and offering the gifts during the Offertory. When receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the children reverently received Jesus in most sincere manner.

We congratulate the children and thank them and their parents for the way they committed to preparing for this beautiful Sacrament. We also thank Father Namora, Father George and the Sacramental Team for guiding the children in their faith journey. In his Homily, Father Namora spoke about a hamburger. He said that we don’t just have one hamburger we continue to have this food. Just like the Eucharist we don’t just experience once we are lucky enough to be able to experience this gift as many times as we choose to partake in this Sacrament.

Advent

The Church season of has begun. Advent is the time when the Church longs for the coming of the Lord. It is a time of preparing and getting ready for Jesus’ birth. As Christians we are asked to walk in God’s light being respectful and loving towards each other.

The first candle of the Advent Wreath, the Prophecy Candle or Candle of Hope, is purple. The second, called the Bethlehem Candle or the Candle of Preparation, is also purple in colour. Likewise, the fourth Advent Candle colour is purple. It's called the Angel Candle or the Candle of Love.

St Vincent de Paul Appeal – Help a Family Celebrate Christmas

How do you celebrate Christmas? What sort of food, presents and traditions does your family have at Christmas?

At our Graduation / Thanksgiving Mass on Friday 13^th December our families are asked to donate an item for the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal.

With 3 million people living below the poverty line in Australia, including over 739,000 children, your donation allows the St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/ Goulburn to provide more than immediate help, it provides something much more valuable – the opportunity for a better life. This year we are again inviting schools to join us in making a difference to people’s lives, by donating food items that will help us create a Christmas hamper. It’s important to remember your hamper must contain non-perishable food items.

Where do the hampers go? Hampers are received by individuals and families in our local community.

Each class has been allocated a particular food group or item.

Kindergarten: Drinks (non-alcoholic)

Year One: Dinner Savoury Pantry (pasta, sauces, 2 minute noodles)

Year Two: Party Pantry (biscuits, nuts, chips, popcorn)

Year Three: Tins and Cans (fruit, soup, vegetables)

Year Four: Cleaning and Toiletries (spray & wipe, toothbrushes, laundry powder) Year Five: Breakfast Savoury Pantry (cereals, spreads, food bars)

Year Six: Sweets and Desserts (mince pies, custard powder, chocolates, puddings)

YOUR GENEROSITY MAKES A REAL DIFFERENCE

Please come to our Mass and celebrate with everyone the wonderful year, the coming of Christmas and offer something very practical and appreciated to those in most need.

Kate Howe

REC

This Friday we will be holding our Annual Awards Presentation and Year 6 Graduation.  The awards morning will start at 9.30am sharp.   We will be holding a morning tea with the 2019 Year 6 students and their families.  

We would also love for all families and parish community to join us for our whole school Thanksgiving Mass at 12.00pm 

If you are able to assist in Altar Serving over the Christmas period could you please email the school so that a roster can be drawn up in preparation for our Christmas Mass. If you could email the school by Tuesday 17th of December so a roster can go home with your children.  

Please contact the office if you have not received your Altar Serving Roster

Saturday 7th December: William Gaskin & Jessica McDonnell 

Saturday 14th December: Locky Eccleston & James Reardon 

Saturday 21st December: Juliet Pearce & Eliza Hargreaves

Saturday 28th December: Lily McDonnell & Sophie Graham 

Saturday 4th January: Max Graham & Hugh Ryan 

Congratulations to all our students, teachers, parents and volunteers in making our Pirates vs Mermaids production such a wonderul performance.  The students costumes and enthusiasm was amazing and each and every student should be proud of their performance.  A special mention to Lena Elphick who supplied the video camera for the evening's show.  Lena has edited the DVD and we are hoping to produce copies in the near future.   

Melissa our School Counsellor will be returning in 2020.  If you are a current or new family who would like to speak with Melissa when she visits you will need to complete a new referral form for the 2020 year.  Forms can be collected from the front office.  

The St Patrick's Monster Raffle has been extended and will now be drawn on the St Patrick's Day Variety Night in 2020.  For those families that still have their ticket books and money at home could you please return it by this Friday 13th December.  If you would like more tickets to sell over the Christmas holidays please visit the office to pick up a book. 

On behalf of all members of the Community Council - Craig Hargreaves, Kim Paton, Emma Peterson, Jacki Tozer, John Morgan, Michelle McDonnell and Michael Leane  - I would like to thank all parents, carers and community members for their ongoing input and support for our school community throughout 2019.  All the fundraising, event management, cooking, tuckshop duties, uniform coordination, maintenance, class support and the list goes on - You are all appreciated.  We wish you all a safe, happy and holy Christmas with family and friends. 

Best Wishes

Renee Lindley 

Chairperson 

Week 7 - Term 4 2019

Kindergarten/Year 1 : Dale Paton for writing very informative story about harvesting 

Year 1/2: Christyne Calub

Year 3/4: Harry Crowe - Being a well-fired "Head of Security" 

Year 5/6: Lily McDonnell - An outstanding portrayal of Captain Scarypants in Pirates vs Mermaids

Week 8 - Term 4 2019 

Kindergarten/Year 1: Lachlan Hargreaves - using creative ideas in his stories 

Year 1/2: Tessa Crowe - showing initiative and independent work habits always

Year 3/4: James Reardon - Developing knowledge, skills, understandings of creative writing 

Year 5/6: Maggie Peterson - Her continued committment and enthusiam towards all literacy tasks

Wildcat Awards 

Week 7 - Term 4 2019

RESPONSIBLE: Emmy Gaskin, Archie McDonnell 

RESPECT: Sarah Scott 

Week 8 - Term 4 2019

RESPONSIBLE: Jessica McDonnell, Lachlan Morgan, Pippa Ray, Emma Ferguson, Flynn Leane

RESPECT: Pippa Ray 

SAFE: Pippa Ray 

Many Happy Returns to the following children who have recently celebrated a birthday

27 November: Tyler Manns & Charlotte McDonnell 

5 December: Montanna Manns & Nate Tozer

6 December: Max Graham 

We would also like to extend our birthday wishes to the following children who will celebrate a birthday next week and during the holidays

11 December: Indi Cole

17 December: Lochie Eccleston 

17 December: Asher Jones 

18 December: William Gaskin 

25 December: Emily Ryan 

28 December: Christyne Calub

28 December: Garvita Joshi 

29 December: Darby Jones 

31 December: Anson Chew