Dear Parents and Carers,

It has been wonderful to see all the smiling faces of the boys and girls as they have returned to school this year. There is a wonderful sense of calm in the classrooms and on the playground as students begin their formal learning once again and catch up with friends after a long holiday break.

Thank you parents for ensuring that your children come to school wearing their school uniform with pride. It creates a wondeful sense of school community when students wear the correct school uniform each day.

I'd like to thank the community of St Patrick's for their very warm welcome as I finish my second week at the school. It has been a lovely experience beginning to get to know all the students of the school. It gives me great joy on the playground when some smiling students come up and say hi.

A special mention goes to the Kindergarten students who have started their schooling journey here at St Patrick's. We pray that their years here at school be filled up learning, laughter and friendship. It has been a pleasure to see the caring nature of the rest of the school in welcoming our Kinder students and in particular their Year 5 buddies.

Coming up next week, Leena and Joey represent the school and will accompany Mr Mattis and I for the Caritas Project Compassion launch held next Tuesday at Our Lady Help of Christians Church Rosemedow. The students will share their experience with the school community in the coming weeks are we prepare for Lent.

Next Tuesday night we will hold our annual parent information night at the school, Kinder, Year 1 & 2 will begin at 5:30pm and Years 3, 4, 5 & 6 will being at 6:15pm. We look forward to seeing you there. Finally the P & F AGM will be held next Tuesday night starting at 7pm, a light supper will be served. All are welcome.

I look forward to working with all of you this year to ensure that your children are deeply cared for and that every student has the opportunity to grown in their faith, learning and wellbeing.

Mr Mitchell Elks

Principal