Dear Parents,

Welcome to Week 10 and our final week of Term 3! We are extremely grateful that we have had 10 weeks of on-site learning. Although restrictions have prevented some of our regular programs going ahead, we have had 10 weeks of continous teaching and learning in our classrooms. As always, our students are to be congratulated on their positive attitude and engagement in learning which they have maintained throughout the year. Staff and students are certainly ready for a well earned break.

I would like to say a personal thank you to the school community for the incredible and very generous support I have received since my shoulder incident. I have been unindated with messages of thoughts, gifts, cards, transport offers and food. I have been very touched by the generosity and kindness of everyone. Thank you so very much to each and every St Patrick family. It is times like these, that I am so grateful to be part of such a caring community.

Special thanks must be given again to Mrs Lisa Wilson for stepping up as the Acting Principal over the past few weeks. Lisa has once again shown her capabilities as a dedicated member of the leadership team. I am extremely grateful to Lisa for keeping me abreast of school happenings and involving me in key decisions while I was on leave. Many thanks must go to all other staff members as well for also taking on extra responsibilities to ensure the school continued to run smoothly and regular teaching programs were adhered to. Many thanks to all our fantastic relief staff especially Mrs Hughes, Mrs Maher and Mrs Reardon for ensuring continuity of the Year 5/6 teaching program. It has been greatly appreciated.

Term 4 will resume for all staff and students on Monday 12^th October.

Wishing everyone a safe, restful and relaxing holiday.

Christine Baron

Principal

Reconciliation

Last Wednesday eight special children from our Parish celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. The children and their families gathered for the Liturgy which was celebrated by Father Namora. We congratulate Amy Cotterill, Tessa Crowe, Emmy Gaskin, Harvey Graham, Darby Jones, Riley Lott, Charlotte McDonnell and Nate Tozer not only for receiving the Sacrament but for the reverent way they took part in their preparation. We also thank their parents and families for their support and commitment as they walk with their child in their faith journey. May Jesus the Good Shepherd bless these children and their families.

Making Jesus Real

Our Term 3 MJR Program is almost completed. The children have enjoyed meeting in their Peer Support Groups discussing how we can follow in Jesus’ footsteps by our words, thoughts and actions.

Last week’s theme was – Happiness and Inner Peace. Groups brainstormed all the things we are thankful for in our lives. These are the responses from Christyne Caleb and Abigail Bock.

Archbishop’s visit

Last Thursday evening Archbishop Christopher Prowse celebrated Mass in St Patrick’s Church. Archbishop Christopher was delighted to see so many St Patrick’s families past and present represented at Mass.

We thank our School Captain’s Asher, Sadie, Sam and Will and their families for representing our School and demonstrating the leadership values that their badges promote.

The Archbishop’s message was of hope in this current situation that faces us. He asked us to reach out to everyone in our community, to check to make sure that people are ok. It could be a smile, a phone call or a simple hello but this act or gesture demonstrates that we are connected within our community.

Letter Writing

All children throughout the School have been writing letters to the residents of Uralba and Long-Term. This is a way we can reach out to members of our community who are impacted by COVID restrictions. The letters and drawings from the children are full of fun and will be gratefully received by the residents.

Reconciliation for Years 3 – 6

Next term Father George and Father Namora will provide the opportunity for our children to go to Reconciliation. Father will make a classroom visit where a liturgy will be held, following time for each individual child to speak privately with Father. We are grateful to Father George and Father Namora, for making time available for us, to admit our failings and to be forgiven through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Kate Howe

REC

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. 

Due to the postponed Youth Week 2020 activities which were meant to be earlier in the year Cindy Smith from our local town Library has advised that the Library has some organised activities to keep the children busy in the holidays.  

Gundagai Library members can also pick up a take home Art and Craft that we are preparing and giving away in the holidays to keep children busy. This also starts on the 28th September and numbers are limited so first in best dressed.  

Their list of holiday fun is as follows -

• The Crazy Covid Holiday Hunt (12-25yrs) (more info below)
• Star Jars holiday Art pack (Primary age) Free  
• Marble Mugs Art pack (Primary age) Free 
• Storytime Craft mini kit (Preschool age) Free
• Library Bingo (All School age children) Free

Crazy Covid Holiday Hunt - 

Youth Week event for 12 -25 yrs

 The "Crazy Covid Holiday Hunt" This fun event is a collaboration between of CGRC and the library, NSW Youth Action and the Gundagai and Cootamundra Youth Councils. It consists of 9 days of social distanced scavenger hunt type challenges - Some challenges require real items to be verified at the library and others require digital validation via upload to the QR form or facebook. 

Each days new challenge will uploaded to social media the night before and will include the QR code with instruction on the challenge and how to submit (whether virtually or physically) Points are gained for each successfully completed task and will be tallied up at the end to find the top competitors.  

We have some great fitness packs up for grabs.  They include fitness mat, dumbell, resistance bands, circuit rope, workout dice, drink bottle, GCY/CYC bag and other bits and pieces for the top 20 competitors.

If you would like more information just call the library on 69440270

Calendar Orders: 

Its that time of the year again when we get our Calendar orders happening and give families the opportunity to order some great products, purchase some wonderful Christmas presents and raise a little money for our school in the process. 

An order form along with a a blank piece of art paper has been sent home recently.  if you require additional paper before the end of term please call into the office to collect extra paper.   Please return completed order form, artwork and payment to the front office NO LATER THAN  FRIDAY 16TH OCTOBER (First week back in Term 4) 

Our Annual Street Stall will be here before you know it.  Please contact Simone Jones and Kate Graham to advise if you are able to help out in any way.   Please mark the dates on your calendar. 

Parents are reminded that as part of our school uniform policy, regular haircuts are an expectation for all students. Please do not allow students to have unusual patterns or shapes cut into their hair styles during school times. We appreciate the support of our parents in adhering to our school policies. The Uniform Policy can be found on our school website for easy reference.

Congratulations to our Week 8 and Week 9 Class Awards

Week 8 - 11th September 2020

Kindergarten/Yr 1 -  Savannah Manns for giving 100% effort with all classwork 

Yr 2 - Essie Norden for working hard on a descriptive information report 

Yr 3/4 - Eliza Hargreaves for her improved use of efficient strategies in Maths and her consistent fluent reading 

Yr 5/6 - Jack Peterson for working quietly and consistently in all KLA's 

Kindergarten/Yr 1 - Mackenzie Little for improved writing and increased confidence

Yr 2 - Emily Ryan for being a quite achiever and working hard in all subject areas 

Yr 3/4 - Tessa Crowe for her use of expression during reading groups 

Yr 5/6 - Juliet Pearce for using a variety of descriptive language in her writing

Congratulations to our Wildcat Awards for Week 8 and Week 9 

RESPONSIBLE - Nick Little, Conor Cotterill, Lane Johnson, Maeve Ryan, Dale Paton, Lachlan Hargreaves

RESPECT - Leila Gaskin, Jasper Rui, Lachlan Hargreaves, Emma Brown, Conor Cotterill, Ollie Gailey, Jack Peterson 

SAFE - Ollie Crowe