Week 8 Term 1 - 22 March 2024
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Week 8 Term 1 - 22 March 2024
Sam Mattas
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
What a week we've had! The St Patrick's school community has celebrated St Patrick's Day all week beginning with a Parish Mass on Monday afternoon in which the school sung for the first time publicy our new school song that Mr Hoctor wrote and Mr Tim Hart (teacher, singer and songwriter) from the Catholic Education Office Wollongong, created the music for. There was a great sense of school pride at the end of the Mass with the children singing loudly. There is still some work to do in terms of producing this song professionally and sharing it with the school community more broadly.
On Tuesday , Year 4 spent the day in the garden making it look amazing. Wednesday, we welcomed families in to the classroom to engage in some fun activities, there was student artwork for sale and we finished with some delicious wood fired scones with jam and cream as well as tea and coffee under the COLA. A big thank you to Chef Mattas for firing up the pizza oven, and thanks to all of our families for attending. The students love having their family members join them in the classroom.
Thursday was a fun filled day, in which students and staff could dress in green mufti to celebrate St Patrick's day, have fun photos with Paddy and play fun activites to round out the day. There was a great buzz in the air and lots of smiles all round.
Next week, we enter the solemn time and most significant time in the Church calendar, Holy Week in which we remember the events that led to the death of Jesus Christ. Students will participate across the week in Stations of the Cross, with selected students dramatising the events. We look forward to celebrating the risen Christ on Easter Sunday.
Well done to all of our Year 3 and 5 students who have completed their NAPLAN testing over the past couple of weeks, they gave their best effort and we are very proud of them.
I wish you and your families a happy and Holy Easter break. I hope you are able to spend time celebrating with friends and family.
Mitchell Elks
Principal
Our PB4L focus for Week 9 and Week 10 of this Term is celebrating Easter. In the explicit teaching lessons, the expected behaviours taught will be:
We would very much appreciate you discussing these weekly focuses with your children and reviewing the expected and non-acceptable behaviours in an endeavour to see that St Patrick’s is a more respectful, responsible, and safe learning community for all.
PB4L Data
It is with pride that I inform you that over the last fortnight 38 students were given Citizenship, Merit or Library Awards whilst there were 13 incidents of Inappropriate behaviour recorded. Please strive to act respectfully, responsibly, and safely girls and boys.
It is with pride that I inform you that over the last fortnight 38 students were given Citizenship, Merit or Library Awards whilst there were 13 incidents of Inappropriate behaviour recorded. Please strive to act respectfully, responsibly, and safely girls and boys.
Gavan Hoctor
Assistant Principal
St Patrick’s Week!
A huge thank you to everyone who was able to make it to our annual St Patrick’s Week celebrations! We had such a blast and it was a wonderful way to celebrate as a community.
A huge thank you to everyone who was able to make it to our annual St Patrick’s Week celebrations! We had such a blast and it was a wonderful way to celebrate as a community.
Monday was an absolute cracker celebrating St Patrick’s Day Mass and launching our school song ‘Strong in Faith’, lead by Tim Hart.
Tuesday saw Year 4 spend the day in The Living Classroom, and were joined by a number of parents and carers. The garden is looking incredible and ready for a huge autumn seedling planting in Week 11.
Wednesday was the big one, with hundreds of family members visiting classrooms to check out some fun learning and teaching. Visitors were also treated to some top notch scones (if I don’t say so myself) baked in the woodfire pizza oven.
Thursday was a blast, the children dressed head to toe in green. We were also blessed to have Paddy the Leprechaun visit for the day to take some celebrity photos with the girls and boys. The afternoon was filled with fun and games lead by Year 6.
Friday was cross country down at King George Oval and the students ran their hearts out! They were treated to some yummy ice creams on their return, with all money raised going to Project Compassion.
Thanks to all involved for an awesome week, can’t wait for next year!
Thanks to all involved for an awesome week, can’t wait for next year!
Holy Week – Stations of the Cross
A gentle reminder from last fortnight’s newsletter regarding Holy Week. Please see below: We are celebrating Holy Week this year with students in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be presenting the Stations of the Cross, and with students in Years 1 & 2 presenting a liturgical movement. These will take place during Week 9 in the Parish Church. All family and community members are welcome to attend.
Please see the schedule below:
A gentle reminder from last fortnight’s newsletter regarding Holy Week. Please see below: We are celebrating Holy Week this year with students in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be presenting the Stations of the Cross, and with students in Years 1 & 2 presenting a liturgical movement. These will take place during Week 9 in the Parish Church. All family and community members are welcome to attend.
Please see the schedule below:
Religious Education Co ordinator
Our annual Easter Hat Parade will be held on Tuesday 2 April at 9:00am. There is no need to go to any sort of expense, just get creative and use things you have at home. Our P&F Easter Raffle will also be drawn after the parade, and there are some wonderful Easter Prizes to be won. Thank you to our amazing P&F for all their organisation.
A reminder that this Tuesday 26 March is school photo day. Please ensure that children are dressed in complete school summer uniform, polished shoes and wearing white socks covering the ankle as stated in the Uniform Policy. Hair must be tied using green hair ties only. Children with their hair out will be asked to tie it up. No make up or nail polish is to be worn.
Year 2 worked with Year 6 students to design and make a Marble Run for Science &Technology. Together they were investigating gravity as a force that pulls objects down. We all had a lot of fun and made amazing scientific observations. Thanks Year 6 for helping us!!!
Mrs Papadopoulos
Year 2 Class Teacher
Wishing all the children celebrating birthdays all the very best wishes.
Alice Ryan - Year 3
Ivy Dimovski - Year 4
Leonardo Medina - Year 5
Luis Cowan - Year 2
Leo Reiher - Year 4
Ethan Fargnoli - Year 3
Nicholai Mangos - Kinder
Cruz Wallace - Year 1
Luani Felix - Kinder
Visit the SWAP IT website for some delicious recipes you can use for your own lunch: www.swapit.net.au/recipes
The school holidays are approaching, if you’re looking for an engaging family show at Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, then, Whalebone (19 – 20 Apr) is for you!
From the mind of inventor and tinkerer, Jens Altheimer (winner of the Adelaide Fringe Award for ‘Best Production for Children’), Whalebone makes theatre, science and technology cool with elaborate gadgets and contraptions, virtual reality and flying objects. Kids and adults will love this rollercoaster of fun when Artificial Intelligence and humanity collide.
Kids will also enjoy the 5-day Merrigong Creativity Camp (15 – 19 Apr). Merrigong is a registered provider for the NSW Government's Active and Creative Kids Voucher Program. Visit or call our Box Office for more information on using your $50 Active and Creative Kids voucher.
OUr friendly Box Office team is here to help you book tickets either online at merrigong.com.au or by phone (02) 4224 5999.