Dear Parents,

Welcome to another busy week at St Patrick’s. We have certainly been working hard over the past few weeks to ensure the students are able to have as many experiences as possible in this final term of school for 2020. We know it is a busy time for parents to keep up with all that is happening at school level so please continue to keep up with Facebook posts, newsletters and regular email posts to help keep our parents informed.

There was lots of excitement at school today with the St Patrick’s Flemington Races. The ‘fashions on the field’ were exceptional this year and the snail races caused much excitement. Congratulations to all our winners!

Please keep in your prayers Tessa, Charlotte, Amy, Nate, Emmy, Darby, Harvey and Riley who are currently preparing for the Sacrament of First Communion this Saturday evening. The 8 children along with their parents have been meeting regularly with the Parish Sacramental Team in preparation for this very special sacrament. All families are welcome to attend 6pm Mass on Saturday evening in St Patrick’s Church to support the children and their families.

The first of our 2021 Kindergarten Orientation sessions begins this Friday 6^th November. We are very excited to be welcoming 13 new students to St Patrick’s School. Orientation session will be hosted over the next 3 weeks and conclude with a Teddy Bear’s Picnic (9.00-11.00am) on Friday 27^th November.

Our ‘Top Up Breakfast Club’ continues to be a great success with students enjoying the opportunity provided to ‘top up’ before classes begin. Research indicates that breakfast is essential for learning  and that students begin class on a full stomach to assist with concentration and to be able to focus properly. Thank you to Maggie, Will and Finlay who are hosting this opportunity twice a week.

Teachers will be completing assessments over the next few weeks in preparation for school reports. It is essential for students to be at school during this time to assist teachers with completing grading. Our 2021 school leaders are currently preparing their leadership speeches. Speeches will be presented in Week 6. Excursions, Trent Barrett Shield, Remembrance Day, Tennis/Swimming for sport are all on the agenda for the following few weeks.

Best wishes for the week ahead.

Christine Baron

Principal

St Patrick Pray for Us

First Holy Communion

This Saturday our very special children will receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time. We will continue to keep Amy Cotterill, Tessa Crowe, Emmy Gaskin, Harvey Graham, Darby Jones, Riley Lott, Charlotte McDonnell and Nate Tozer in our prayers.

On Wednesday the children will take part in a Retreat Day in which they will have the opportunity to go to Reconciliation, attend a special Mass offered just for the children by Father George in our meeting room as well as visiting the Church to practice for Saturdays Mass.

We congratulate the children for their reverent participation in their Communion preparation and thank their parents and families for their support in guiding their children through this special time.

I would like to thank Father George, Father Namora and the Sacramental Team for their effort in preparing the children in readiness to receive the blessed Sacrament.

Mission Donation

Wow! What a colourful place St Patrick’s was on Friday. We had colourful socks and crazy colourful hair. The children and teachers looked fantastic and a bright vibe filled the air.

This year our Mission Day was a little different due to the current circumstances, but it did not deter our wonderful school. Each class so very generously collected coins in their socks and then added their gold coin donation. The socks were then tipped into a large cylinder and carefully measured. Each class was unbelievably generous with their giving but by the narrowest margin Year 3/4 were awarded the class with the most coins.

This year has been able to donate an amazing $379.00 to Catholic Mission. This money will assist their work in Cambodia. A huge thank you to everyone who supported this wonderful cause.

Classroom Reconciliation

Father Namora visited the Year 5/6 classroom last Friday to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The children appreciated the opportunity to participate in this Sacrament in an informal surrounding. Father will continue with the children this coming Friday.

All Souls Day Mass

Thank you Mrs Wilson, Mrs Maher and Year 5/6 for presenting a lovely Mass yesterday to honour all the departed souls. During the month of November we pray for the holy souls. Unfortunately, this year we could not honour loved ones from our St Patrick’s family in a slideshow presentation due to the projector in the Church being out of order. However, the Mass was offered for our loved ones.

Kate Howe

REC

The Street Stall this year was a great success! We raised approximately $4900!! As always, the baking was in high demand and literally sold like ‘hot cakes’. Thank you to all the parents and grandparents who found time in their busy schedules to cook for the Stall, including those who answered the SOS on Friday afternoon for some more last-minute baking. A special mention goes to Simone Jones and Sam Johnson for their enormous effort and the hours they put in to baking to ensure there was enough to sell for the duration of the Stall. Thank you to the parents and grandparents who gave up time to sit on the Stall over the 2.5 days. It was wonderful to have our grandparents back to help. We have missed them greatly during COVID-19. Their support is so valuable.

There were lots of plants for sale this year which proved to be popular. Thank you to Jan and John Mackinnon (grandparents of Sophie and Eliza Graham) who nurtured the plants for months in preparation for the Stall, to ensure they were healthy and ready for sale in spring. Thank you also to Madeline Ryan for her amazing well potted Agapanthus which were a huge hit for the plant lovers. 

We are lucky to have generous students at our school. Harry Crowe donated dozens of his famous eggs and lemons, and Juliet Pearce designed and created her stylish earrings for us to sell. Thank you to these two little entrepreneurs! Years 5/6 and 3/4 were enthusiastically assisted by Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Flanagan to make pinwheels, pencil toppers and painted pots which were a creative and fun addition to the Stall. Also, thank you to our leaders Asher, Sadie and Will who gave up their Saturday morning to represent the school.

Finally, thank you to the everyone within the school community who visited the Stall and purchased goods or raffle tickets which contributed to the fabulous fundraising result!

Kate Graham 

In week 6, Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th the Year 5 students will present their Leadership speeches to the school.  This is such a special privilege and reaffirming time for these potential leaders as they put forward in a short speech their gifts and talents and why they should be considered as a 2021 School Captain.  Parents of students presenting their speeches are welcome to come to school to hear their child's presentation.  Mrs Wilson will provide the date closer to week 6. In line with restrictions, parents may be on school premises for 10 minutes only for special events. 

Following the last speeches on Wednesday the whole school will vote on Thursday 19th.  

The 2021 School Captains will be announced at the End of Year Awards Ceremony on Friday 11th December.

Our Year 6 children are extremely excited to finally make plans for their end of primary school camp. Mrs Wilson has been busy planning all the fine details for the Yr 6 Camp to Jindabyne in Week 7 Monday 23-Wednesday 25 November.

Just a reminder for permission notes and payments to be made at the front office please at your earliest convenience. Thank you to those parents who have already made the payment of $109.50.  Thank you again to the Community Council for their assistance in funding this trip.

Our Swimming Program will commence in Week 6 (Thursday 19th November) once our Tennis lessons with Birdie concludes. Our final Tennis session will be next week and the children have thoroughly enjoyed Birdie's lessons once again this year.  We thank you very much Birdie for giving us your time and expert advice. 

More information will be provided regarding our swimming program as soon as we have heard back from the Managers of the pool regarding opening dates.   The children will be transported by bus to and from the pool each Thursday until the end of the term.  If you have a pool season ticket could you please provide this number to your teacher. 

We have entered 3 teams to participate in the Trent Barrett Shield for next Wednesday 11th of November (1 boys tackle and 2 girls leaguetag)  A draw will be sent out once all teams are finalised.   Training will be on this Thursday for the boys and girls could all 3/4 boys could please bring in their protective gear on Thursday. 

As per Covid rules no parent spectators are allowed at the venue on the day. 

Mortimer Shield League Tag

Last Tuesday the Yr 5 /6 Girls had their Leaguetag Mortimer shield down at the Gundagai ovals, at 9:30 the Girls had their first game against Gundagai Public school it started to sprinkle and then it eventually warmed up. They played 5,  15 minute games and kept training in between the games

The focus of the day was not about who was winning or losing, it was about meeting new people and making new friends and just having a good time.

The Girls versed 5 different teams which were Gundagai Public, Tumut Public, Tumbarumba Public, Adelong Public and Franklin, All the Girls saw someone that they knew, and all the Girls really enjoyed their Day!

Written by Asher

Player of the day was Asher Jones.

Many thanks to Mrs Eccleston who helped run our team on the day.

Mortimer Shield Tackle

The year five and six boys on Tuesday 27th of October went and played down at Anzac Park.  The boys played their hardest and they came out with one win.  Some boys from St Josephs come and play for our school.  The weather was overcast but the rain held back for the day. 

The boys played some very good teams and they were tired after each game.  A very big thanks to Mick Eccleston for training the boys and coming to coach the games.  A very big well done for the player of the day Sam Turck. Mick said that he could have chosen four boys but there was only one award.   One more thank you to the boys that played, to Finlay Bock and Nick Little for setting up and also to the Teachers.

Written by Alec Bell-Magnone 

Each Wednesday at 2.15pm our Yr 6 Leaders report to Sounds of the Mountains Radio Station FM96.3 for a weekly wrap up of events and upcoming events.  Our radio reporters roster: 

Week 4 - 4th Nov : Finlay Bock and Will Gaskin 

Week 5 - 11th Nov : Lincoln Fallon & Sam Turck

Week 6 - 18th Nov: Sadie Eccleston & Lincoln Fallon 

Canteen Coordinator 

We are still on the search for a Canteen Coordinator to take over the reins from Leanne McDonnell.  Leanne is available for the rest of the year to assist any parent that would be interested in taking over this volunteer role.  Leanne is more than happy to speak with anyone that may be interested to find out what is involved in this role.  

Congratulations to our Wildcat Awards for Week 2 and Week 3 of Term 4 

Week 2 - 23rd October

RESPONSIBLE : Sarah Scott & Tyler Manns

RESPECT : Tyler Manns 

Week 3 - 30th October

RESPECT: Gracie Peterson 

Congratulations to our Class Award Recipients for Week 2 and Week 3 of Term 4. Keep up the great work

Week 2 - Term 4 

Kindergarten/Yr 1 : Dale Paton for his enthusiasm to complete classwork and contribute to class discussions

Year 2 : Riley Smith for working hard in all areas of his learning

Year 3/4 : Tahlira Rose for her application to all classroom work at high standard

Year 5/6 : Nick Little for his perseverance and effort to commit to finishing tasks

Week 3 - Term 4 

Kindergarten/Yr 1 : Maeve Ryan for using effective reading strategies 

Year 2 : Emily Ryan for being an absolute trooper - getting things done with one arm

Year 3/4 : Akacia Winchester for her continued commitment towards all learning tasks

Year 5/6 : Jess McDonnell for a consistent mature approach to all learning tasks 

Happy Birthday to the following students who have recently celebrated a birthday

22nd October - Oliver Crowe