Dear Parents

Our spirits have definitely lifted with the beautiful sunshine and warmer days.  The children and staff have been making the most of the fine weather.  Our new shade sail went up on the weekend and looks absolutely fantastic!  Many thanks to Tom Gaskin Carpentry for ensuring we are sun safe and ready for the warmer months.

School Wide Targets for Improvement

Every year the executive staff consult with staff and Catholic Education to formulate  an Annual Improvement Plan.  This improvement plan outlines whole school key targets for improvement.  Mrs Baron has previously outlined these earlier in the year, but it is important to note we are still striving towards these 2020 targets:

1. To enhance student learning by having a clear Vision and Mission for St Patrick’s.

 Catholic identity and faith formation

2. To engage students in hands on learning, problem solving by developing STEM Inquiry as a way to deliver the K-6 Science and Technology syllabus.

A culture that promotes learning

3. Increase student achievement through enhancing quality instruction informed by student data.

Analysis and discussion of data

These priority areas are continually actioned through: engaging and liaising with Catholic Education Learning contacts; targeted teacher professional development; staff meetings and extra twilight professional learning.   We are being guided by Mr Tim Smith, our Performance Improvement leader and Dr Phil Pettit Senior Officer Educational Performance.  

SRC leadership Beanies for Brain Cancer

We are thankful for the SRC organising a successful Beanies for Brain Cancer mufti fundraising day last Thursday. All money raised will go to the Mark Hughes Foundation for research into this very cruel disease. We were shocked to find out that brain cancer kills more children than any other disease, and kills more people under 40 in Australia than any other cancer.

COVID Guidelines

We continue to be guided by NSW Health and Catholic Education for all schools.

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.

A copy of a negative COVID-19 test result is provided to the front office prior to allowing students and staff to return to school or 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 would like to thank parents for informing us that they are  keeping their children at home when unwell and that a COVID test is being sought.  Many thanks for your understanding and cooperation.

Gardening Club

Our Gardening club continues to forge ahead with new initiatives and lunch time working parties. The front garden has been weeded, transformed and beautified, plus a watering roster has been created. I would like to thank Jessica McDonnell, Lilly Cotterill and Sarah Scott for leading the way.

Mrs Baron’s Recovery

Mrs Baron continues to recover at home and we were lucky to have her visit us twice last week.

Mrs Baron will return Monday, Wednesday and Friday in week 9 and then in week 10 Monday through to Thursday.  I will remain off class as Acting Principal with the 5/6 class arrangements as follows:

• Kate Maher will remain on 5/6 with Mrs Hughes doing her usual Wednesday. 

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

Have a lovely week,

Lisa Wilson

Acting Principal

Archbishop’s Visit

Archbishop Christopher Prowse will visit 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.  

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Last week several children began their preparation to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The children and their families are committed to coming together as a Parish family to learn about this important and special Sacrament.

We ask you to pray for these children as they continue in their Sacramental journey – Amy Cotterill, Tessa Crowe, Emmy Gaskin, Harvey Graham, Darby Jones, Riley Lott, Charlotte McDonnell and Nate Tozer.

Making Jesus Real

Last week the focus was - Seeing Goodness in Others…

The children discussed – ‘The Great 8’. What are the Great 8?

The Great 8 are the actions that we use to show who we are as a person and how we are blessed by the Spirit of Jesus in our hearts. These are words that you can do, not just say.

There is so much goodness in people. There are so many people with wonderful qualities that we can imitate. Positive people see goodness in others. Let’s all show these positive qualities in our everyday life. 

Class seating in the Church

We love having our parents attend our School Masses and children sitting with their parents. However, we do ask that if your child’s class is presenting the Mass that they remain seated in their class group for the entire Mass. It has become rather disruptive with children moving around the Church transitioning between seats.

If your child is attending Mass without taking an active role they are encouraged to sit with their families. Thank you for your understanding.

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. 

Community Council Update – September 2020

Hello Everyone,

On behalf of the Community Council, I would like to thank the parents and staff who attended our Open Forum on Tuesday 25 August.  Outcomes from the meeting included a plan to have parents assist with some grounds maintenance now that we are coming into the warmer months. A decision was also made to upgrade the pie warmer in the Tuckshop, which will be a very welcome upgrade for our Tuckshop volunteers.

The Community Council updated the group on the additions to our school uniform, including new Winter pants for girls, a new sports skort and sports short. Families are reminded to get their Summer uniform orders in to Bec Gaskin by 11 September.

Our Annual Street Stall is coming up on 22-24 October. Organisers Kate Graham and Simone Jones will soon be calling for volunteers to assist with the stall.

Assistant Principal Lisa Wilson updated the group on the current tender process for the administration building upgrade. Tenders are due very soon, so hopefully we will know more by term 4 the successful tenderer, start dates etc.

The new playground development plans are currently with local Council, so once those plans are signed off, works will commence during the term 3 school holidays.

Lisa also extended her thanks to families for the ongoing support and patience during what continues to be a tumultuous year. The staff are working very hard to keep normality within the classrooms, coming up with new ideas to keep our students motivated, educated and happy. Hopefully, it won't be long before restrictions are eased and parents and friends are able to get back through those school gates.

As a reminder, your Community Council is here to represent the parent body with questions or queries relating to fundraising, building improvements, uniforms, family and social events. Please don't hesitate to contact us should you wish to discuss any of these matters further.

The Community Council representatives are Renee Lindley (Chair), Craig Hargreaves (Vice Chair), Kim Paton (Secretary), Jacki Carberry (Treasurer), Emma Peterson, Michelle McDonnell, John Morgan and Michael Leane. Currently, with eight active parent members, the Council is at capacity, however, should you wish to discuss a future involvement/membership with the Community Council, please contact either Principal Christine Baron or Chair Renee Lindley on 0416 285 262.

We ask that you keep Mrs Baron in your thoughts and prayers as she recovers from her recent fall. We hope to see her smiling face back at school soon.

Thank you!

Renee Lindley

Term 3 School Fees are due on Monday 21st of September. Prompt payment is greatly appreciated. If you require another copy of your invoice please contact the office and Jacki will arrange for one to be either emailed or sent home. 

Please note that you have a number of options available for payment including cash, cheque, eftpos facilities in the office and Bpay option (found on your fee invoice).

If you are experiencing difficulties then please do not hesitate to contact the school. 

Last Thursday SRC organised a "Beanies for Brain Cancer Day". It was a great day and everyone had so much fun coming out of uniform and wearing their beanies. We raised $167.00! It was an enjoyable day and it was so good seeing most the majority wearing their beanies before it gets too hot to wear them.

We will be donating this money towards finding a cure for brain cancer, such an important cause that affects so many families. Thank you SRC for organising such a fun and worthwhile day. Sadie Eccleston 

This Friday 11th of September our school will be taking part in the National Walk Safely to School Day.  A permission note was sent home last week for any children that would be interested in walking to school.  The children will meet at Yarri Park at 8.25am and will walk with Mrs Wilson.  If you would like your child to participate in this "Walk to School" morning and  you have not returned your permission note could you please send it in by Thursday 10th of September.  

St Patrick's Primary School was one of many locals school who were successful in receiving  the generous donation of infant tennis racquets and balls as part of funding for schools with Tennis Australia.  We are very grateful to Birdie Cahill our Tennis Coach and John Ferguson (School Development Sports Coordinator) for assisting our school in securing new racquets for our Kindergarten children. 

Last Friday I attended a masterclass with Jane Rutter (internationally renowned flautist) on 3 September, backstage at the Wagga Civic theatre. 

We learnt about feeling the emotion in music when you play. Playing scales using different beats and accents to make music sound interesting and enjoyable, we also explored ways to overcome nerves for performances and exams. She showed us a deep breathing exercise followed by meditation, feeling warmth and oxygen to every part of our body to calm nerves.

Unfortunately we were unable to play our instruments due to COVID-19 but we were lucky to see her play and watch some of her international performances.

On Friday night Lilah Norden (fellow flautist/friend), Mum and I travelled over to Watch her in concert with a guitarist, Giuseppe Zangari. They played a range of Italian classical music such as Vivaldi, Correlli, Paganini, tarantella and Italian dances. The most amazing piece was a flute solo, the sound technician created an echo and she played a duet with her echo. She played this piece with a wooden barque head joint creating a Japanese flute sound. The Song was like the wind in the willows.  

Overall it was a great experience to see and hear such an amazing musician.

Sarah Scott 

Congratulations to our Week 6 and Week 7 Class Awards

Week 6 - 28th August 

Kindergarten/Yr 1 - Eliza Graham for lengthy, detailed and interesting writing 

Year 2 - Corby Rose for contributing thoughtful ideas to class discussions

Year 3/4 - Jack Ryan for his preparation and presentation of his home learning tasks 

Year 5/6 - Lilly Cotterill for showing persistance and determination in all learning tasks

Congratulations to our Week 6 and Week 7 Wildcat Awards

Week 6

RESPONSIBLE - James Reardon, Lilly Cotterill

RESPECT - Sarah Scott