Dear Parents

Well Winter finally hit us with a final icy blast and an abundance of rainfall over the past fortnight and now the sunshine is certainly good for the soul and easily lifts our spirits!  We look forward to the slightly warmer weather and new growth.

Student and Family Wellbeing

We are very aware of the current Covid situation and the effect it is having on students and families. We are trying to keep a sense of normality but with special events to boost morale. eg Little Champions gymnastics, Creative Arts rotation, Beanies for Brain Cancer, Year 5/6 Leadership opportunities and leading Making Jesus Real MJR groups on a Friday.

We are striving to maintain positivity and optimism within our school community and also promote and maintain good connections with our students and families. The staff  are working hard to maintain a well-structured and positive school where we can try and be as “normal” as possible. Please reach out to the school or your child’s teacher if you need any support regarding your child’s mental well being or learning.

Mrs Baron’s Recovery

Mrs Baron is finally out of hospital and recovering at home.  She would like to thank the school community for the support, concern, well wishes and meals! 

Medical specialists are advising at least two weeks recovery, full time at home then a part time gradual return possibly in week 8/9.  I will remain off class as Acting Principal with the 5/6 class arrangements as follows:

• Carolyn Reardon and Justine Hughes covering in week 5 and 6;
• In week 7 and 8 Kate Maher will be four days and Mrs Hughes her usual Wednesday. 

Continuity of learning for 5/6 is assured with the intended Term 3 program being delivered as normal.

COVID Guidelines

Last week we received updated advice from NSW Health and Catholic Education for all schools.

One  major change is that students and staff absent or sent home due to flu-like symptoms need to be tested.  

The student and staff member must be tested for COVID-19.  

Staff and students must not return to school or work until they return a negative COVID-19 result and are symptoms free.

Schools are required to ask for a copy of this result and file this ensuring the privacy of this information Schools must sight the negative COVID-19 test result prior to allowing students and staff to return to school

For any children waiting at home for their test results. Parents can contact the school and teacher for online work that ensures continuity in learning.

We remain at Step 2.2 on the Catholic Education Roadmap as far as restrictions go.  Sadly, this has led to the cancellation of Year 6’s excursion to Narrabeen and Mortimer Shield.  We are hopeful that Year 6 may be still able to do an excursion of some sort in Term 4 and Mortimer Shield has also been delayed to later in the year.

We will continue to pass on any updates in a timely way.

2020 Satisfaction Surveys 

All families, staff and students should have received the email links to the 2020 Satisfaction Surveys over the past few weeks.  These surveys are helpful to our school and as a leadership team that we use your positive thoughts and suggestions as part of our future planning.  Your vital input assists us to move forward in a strategic and positive manner. 

Many thanks to all families for your continued support,

Lisa Wilson

Acting Principal

Archbishop’s Visit

Archbishop Christopher Prowse will be visiting our Parish on Thursday 17^th September. Archbishop will say Mass at 5pm and afterwards meet Parishioners in the Hall for a light supper.

This is an open invitation to all families to attend this special Mass and supper. More information will follow closer to the date.

Sacramental Programs

New COVID Guidelines from CE have advised us that there is to be no activities that result in the mixing of students from different schools and from different regions on school sites. These Guidelines therefore have implications for our planned delivery for the Sacramental Program. At the moment,  discussions are taking place as to how the Sacramental Program will now be delivered. Further information will be provided as soon as possible.

MJR Progress Report The children have settled into their Peer Support Groups to fully participate in the Making Jesus Real Program. Our focus over the past two weeks is promoting a positive attitude in everything we do and say. We try to be WEST people (Welcoming, Encouraging, able to say Sorry, and saying Thanks, rather than being a NASTY PASTIE, who demonstrates negative and hurtful behaviour.

We ask ourselves:

- Which type of person do you want to be?

- Which person is more like Jesus?

At St Patrick’s we are being encouraged to have a positive attitude towards life and focus on the good things that can build people up, not put them down.

Women’s Reflection – Responding to the Call

All women are invited to participate in an Archdiocesan Women’s Reflection Afternoon which will be livestreamed to all corners of the Canberra Goulburn Archdiocese this Saturday 29^th August from 2.00pm to 4:30pm.

Gather with friends at home, in the parish or at school to hear inspiring talks and participate in short guided prayer experiences.  Register for free at www.bit.ly/WomensReflectionAfternoon 

More info at https://www.catholicvoice.org.au/event/womens-reflection-afternoon/

Enquiries email catholic.women@cg.org.au or ring/text Lara on 0429 192 869

This event is hosted by the Archdiocesan Women’s Taskforce https://womenstaskforceacg.org/

Kate Howe

REC

COVID-19 Reflections

Later in the year Archbishop Prowse will be visiting regional parishes. He has requested that he would like some written feedback regarding how each parish feels like their parishioners are coping during the COVID-19 pandemic. We would love to hear from as many of you as we can- as little or as much as you would like to share- both positive and negative experiences. 

If you would like to share any experiences/ reflections, please email them to jessica.eccleston@cg.catholic.edu.au 

The Parish Council will then collate the reflections into a short story to give to Archbishop when he visits. 

Thankyou.

Jess Eccleston on behalf of the Parish Council. 

Catholic Education has again offered financial assistance in Term 3 to help families who have been financially impacted as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.  No child/children will be denied a catholic education because of financial circumstances.   To apply for the fee relief you will need to provide a Covid-19 Fee Assistance Request Form which was emailed to families today (Tuesday 25th August).  If you would like to discuss your options or whether you are eligible then please call the office to arrange a suitable time to speak with Lisa Wilson confidentially. 

Heidi Luff has 2 female guinea pigs for sale. $60.00 for both.  If you are interested please contact Heidi Luff on 0437 659 587

Just an update on our Yr 5/6 knitting project.  The students have enjoyed this session during class. Lots of laughs and fun has been the focus with this knitting project.  The students are progressing along with their blanket. Harry Crowe has mananged to finger knit 32 metres and is extremely proud of his neat knitting.  Stay tuned for the final reveal. 

All women are invited to participate in an Archdiocesan Women’s Reflection Afternoon which will be livestreamed to all corners of the Canberra Goulburn Archdiocese this Saturday 29^th August from 2.00pm to 4:30pm. Gather with friends at home, in the parish or at school to hear inspiring talks and participate in short guided prayer experiences.  Register for free at www.bit.ly/WomensReflectionAfternoon More info at https://www.catholicvoice.org.au/event/womens-reflection-afternoon/

Enquiries email catholic.women@cg.org.au or ring/text Lara on 0429 192 869

This event is hosted by the Archdiocesan Women’s Taskforce https://womenstaskforceacg.org/

Lara Kirk, Chair, Archdiocesan Women’s Taskforce

Speakers:

Clara Geoghegan is the Executive Secretary to the Bishops’ Commission for Evangelisation, Laity & Ministry.  Clara has lectured in Church History and Spirituality at Catholic Theological College (Melbourne). Clara is also the Co-Director of the Catherine of Siena Institute, Australia. Clara hopes to inspire the women of the Archdiocese to respond to their baptismal calling to intimacy with Christ and to co-responsibility for the mission of the Church.

Brigid Cooney Official Delegate from the Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn to the Plenary Council of Australia Brigid is a 21-year-old native Canberran. Since working on the Youth Mission Team in 2017 and 2018, Brigid has been studying a double degree in History (ANU) & Teaching (ACU) and hopes to make a difference to young people by teaching history and religious education.

Our Student of the Month awards for Week 5 Term 3 were presented on Friday at our afternoon assembly. Unfortunately again we were unable to have parents attend our special presentation due to Covid-19 restrictions but we couldn't be prouder of our Week 5 Term 3 recipients. 

Kindergarten - Jasper Rui 

Year 1 - Lachlan Hargreaves 

Year 2 - Christyne Calub 

Year 3 - Charlotte McDonnell 

Year 4 - Akacia Winchester 

Year 5 - Locky Eccleston 

Year 6 - Abby McDonnell 

Congratulations to all students. 

Congratulations to our Week 4 and Week 5 Class Awards 

Week 4 - 14th August 

Kinder/Yr 1 - Emma Brown for producing more written work during writing time 

Year 2 - Andrew Cole for putting his thinking cap on when he reads and writes 

Year 3/4 - Nate Tozer for working quitely and conscientiously 

Year 5/6 - Harry Crowe for publishing a piece of writing in a timely manner 

Congratulations to our Week 4 and Week 5 Wildcat Awards 

RESPONSIBLE - Jess McDonnell, Lachlan Morgan, Conor Cotterill, Zoe Morgan, Savannah Manns, Leila Gaskin, Ollie Crowe, AB Ryan

RESPECT - Sophie Graham, Maeve Ryan, Zoe Paton, Ollie Crowe, Lane Johnson, Dale Paton, Lachlan Hargreaves, Indi Cole, Savannah Manns, Eliza Graham x 2, Emma Brown

SAFE - Ollie Gailey, Jasper Rui, Dale Paton

Due to our previous milk and juice provider being unable to stock our canteen with products Leanne McDonnell (Canteen Coordinator) has been able to source another product. Nippy's Iced Strawberry and Iced Chocolate will be availabe in the canteen this Friday.  These milks are 250ml so bigger than our last product.   

Please note that there will be a price increase:

Milks - $2.50

Juices (4 flavours) - $1.50

Thank you to all our Canteen Mums for your continued support and volunteering your time to assist in Canteen every Friday. We are extremely grateful for your help. 

Week 6 - Friday 28th August - El Williams and Leanne McDonnell 

Week 7 - Friday 4th September - Renee Lindley & Alicia Hargreaves 

Week 8 - Friday 11th September - El Williams & Gemma Crowe 

If you are unable to do your rostered day could you please arrange to find a replacement or swap dates.  Please contact the office so that these changes can be made. 

We have had a few birthday celebrations since our last newsletter. 

12 August - Tahlira Rose &  Harrison Crowe 

15 August - Sarah Scott & Lincoln Fallon 

17 August - Corby Rose 

23 August - Jessica McDonnell