St Patrick's Catholic Parish Primary School Port Kembla eNewsletter

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Semester One reports will be published for parents and carers on Friday 27 June.

A reminder that last year a new report format was provided. The following will be evident in your child’s Semester 1 report:

A report format released via Compass reflecting the outcomes of the K-10 English and Mathematics syllabuses providing a descriptor for each of the focus areas found in the respective syllabuses
There will be no general comment in Semester 1 reports. This was a diocesan decision and is consistent across all CEDoW schools.
All Kindergarten students will receive a written report in Semester 1 and Semester 2 with a three-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors:

Thorough
Sound
Basic

Students in Year 1 - Year 6 will continue to receive semester reports twice a year with a five-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors:

Extensive
Thorough
Sound
Basic
Elementary

We look forward to sharing your child's learning growth and effort with you and appreciate your continued support in your child's educational journey.

Like last year, there won't be scheduled parent / teacher interviews this term as they occurred in Term One. However, if you have any concerns or questions about your child's report, please contact the school to arrange a meeting with your child's class teacher.

Kindergarten 2026

I am close to officially wrapping up Kindergarten interviews for 2025. Places of offers will go out to families on Monday 23 June. It has been a pleasure to meet so many families who have chosen a Catholic Education for their son or daughter. I look forward to welcoming our newest members of St Patrick's to our school community later this year when the children attend transition to school playgroup.

Something that I hear often from parents is what a good name St Patrick's has in the local community. I feel blessed to lead such a wonderful school community, with dedicated teachers, engaged students who treat each other with kindness and compassion and supportive parents and carers. It is a privilege and responsibility upon us all to keep the culture and spirit of St Patrick's alive and well.

Term 3 Calendar

The Term 3 calendar will be sent out next week. We are pleased to showcase our learning in Term 3 and 4 at our merit award assemblies held on a Friday afternoon. Where this is the case, please note that assembly will begin at 2:00pm. The updated calendar that is upcoming will outline these dates.

Term 2 Calendar Reminders

Tuesday 24 June - Netball Gala Day

Friday 27 June - 9am - Feast of the Sacred Heart Mass

Friday July 4 - 9am - Excellence Awards Assembly

Kind regards
Mr Mitchell Elks
Principal

Our PB4L focus for Week 8 is Playground Soccer.
In the explicit teaching lessons, the expected behaviours taught will be:
1. Use the ball with your class name on it
2. Dribble the ball
3. Pass the ball with the side of my foot
4. Shoot the ball with the side of my foot
5. Shoot the ball in the attacking half
6. Roll the ball when I am the goalkeeper
7. Tackle the ball standing up
8. Keep my hands to myself

Our PB4L focus for Week 9 is Handball
In the explicit teaching lessons, the expected behaviours taught will be:
1. Follow the rules
2. Line up away from the squares and stay in line
3. Stay in your square
4.Serve the ball fairly
5. Hit the ball with an open hand at the height of the ball
6. Hit the ball to another person after hitting to the same person 3 times
7. Take my outs - Fair unanimous decision - vote

We would very much appreciate you discussing these weekly focuses with your children and reviewing the expected and non-acceptable behaviours in our 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 since school has begun 55 students were given
Citizenship, Merit or Library Awards whilst there were 5 incidents of Inappropriate
behaviour recorded.
Please strive to act respectfully, responsibly, and safely girls and boys.

ONLINE SAFETY
You may be aware that we recently had a visit from The Illawarra Area Command Police
Youth Liaison officers Senior Constables Naomi Jones and Danny Kotevski.

During their visit they spoke with our Stage 2 and 3 (Years 3-6) students about online safety. To complement their presentation and conscious of student use of digital technology daily at school and at home, we wish to inform parents and carers of the esafety commissioner (esafety), a government agency dedicated to keeping people safer online.

Their purpose is to help safeguard all Australians from online harms and to promote safer, more positive online experiences. The esafety commissioner (esafety), uses research, evidence and experience to lead and advise on online safety issues and deliver comprehensive services that are compassionate and focused on people.

Should you wish to learn more then please access:

esafety

Kind regards
Mr Gavan Hoctor
Assistant Principal

Upcoming Mass – Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Families are warmly invited to join us for a special Mass celebrating the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday, June 27 at 9am.

This sacred celebration reminds us of Jesus’ boundless love and compassion for all. As a school community, we will come together in prayer and thanksgiving, reflecting on how we can live out this love in our daily lives.

We hope to see many of you there as we mark this important feast day in our Catholic tradition.

St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal
A gentle reminder from last week regarding the Winter Appeal:
This winter, our school is supporting the 2025 St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal by collecting donations of canned soup to help those doing it tough during the colder months.

We invite all families to give what they are able. Every can of soup makes a difference! Donations can be dropped off in the cupboard at the entrance of the office foyer or your child’s classroom.

Donations will be accepted until Friday, June 27.
Thank you for your generous support in sharing warmth and kindness this winter.

Kind regards
Mr Sam Mattas
Religious Education Coordinator

Week 6

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Week 7

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Term 2 has been a great term for borrowing. The children have enjoyed visiting the library to borrow books and for storytime.

This week has been our last week for borrowing for Term 2, so now we need all library books and class readers returned. Your assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Congratulations to Year 2 for completing the Premiers Reading Challenge for 2025 as a class. Thank you to their teachers Mrs Barnes, Mrs Papadopolous and Miss Elchaar for reading the books to them in their class time.

They will receive the award in Term 4.

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Kind regards

Mrs Tracy Carey

Library

School Photos have arrived and been sent home. Sports Photos and Leadership Photos are available to purchase on line only. Please see flyer below for scan code if you wish to purchase. For any further information please contact The School Photographer directly.