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Prayer to End the School Term
God of wisdom,
we thank you
for all the gifts you have given us
throughout this school term.
We praise you for giving us life,
for saving us in Christ,
and choosing us to be your people.
As we come to the end of this school term, we voice our gratitude
for the good things you have done in us,
and we praise you for all who have shared
in the work of this school.
We ask you to bless them in your love
and give them refreshment and peace
We praise you, God,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns forever and ever.
Amen
A Metaphor for Change
Spring is a metaphor for change. Some changes we eagerly await, and some we abhor. Some changes we plan and others arrive uninvited. To all these changes we ask the gift of Your perspective beckoning us to expectation, hope, and rebirth.
May the sunlight and the rain be reminders that You are at work renewing the earth. As a God of renewal, You are ever at work in our lives, too.
Open our eyes and lives to the needed changes in our lives this Spring. Awaken us to new life and perspective, for we pray in Jesus’ name.
Author Unknown
Dear Parents
On behalf of all the staff, I would like to thank all parents for their patience and understanding during the challenges of Term 3. It has not been an easy term for the students given that they have been unable to participate in excursions, assemblies and other activities. We will continue to plan alternative activities for the students as we move through Term 4, especially for those students in Year 6.
Thank you to our P&F for their involvement in assisting the school to continue our canteen and helping to support the special events happening for our boys and girls.
FRIDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER
MUFTI – we will be having a fun day ( NO cost involved) organised by our Year 6 students. Please make sure that children wear covered shoes and a hat for the day.
Principal’s Appraisal
Every four years of a Principal’s contract, a Principal’s Appraisal is undertaken. Last week was my appraisal and I am very happy with the process and pleased with the outcome. The appraisal panel consisted of Dr Michael Slattery ( former Principal and Director of Schools in the Newcastle/Maitland Diocese) Ms Gayle McMahon ( CEO Leadership and Growth team) and Mr Danny Sykes ( Principal) .
Surveys were sent out from Catholic Education Office ( Wollongong) and staff and parents. On Wednesday Father Mark DiBattista , CEO staff, St Patrick’s staff, students and parents were interviewed.
Thank you to all the members of our school community who participated in the appraisal via survey and/or interview. I am very appreciative of your support and time throughout the appraisal process
This Thursday I will return any unclaimed items with children’s names on them, however the following items are still in the basket outside the office.
Cardigan
Size 6
size 8
Jumper
Size 12
Sports Jacket
size 8 x3
Size 10
Hat
59cm
57cm
Uniform
Students are to wear their full summer uniform from the start of Term 4 . Can you please ensure that all items of clothing is marked especially as we near the end of the year and swimming lessons will start? Every boy and girl should wear a hat particularly as the weather will be heating up. Special thanks to the P&F who will provide a Sunscreen bottle ( Cancer Council) for each class. This was a request at the last P&F meeting.
This is the last newsletter for the term, it is hard to believe that we are heading towards the end of the year. This is the time of the year when you can truly marvel at God’s creation. We are very privileged at St Patrick’s in having our wonderful garden – a place of peace, learning and enjoyment. The teachers this term have been looking at ways we use our garden not only for learning but for prayer and mindfulness. I hope you are able to enjoy this break with your families and be able to get outside and enjoy this great weather.
Peace and best wishes for the weeks ahead
Mrs Anne Duggan - Principal
Newsletter Week 10 Term 3 2020
Positive Behaviours for Learning (PB4L)
Our PB4L focus for Week 1 of Term 4 will be Self respect.
In the explicit teaching lessons the expected behaviours taught will be:
- Completing my work to the best of my ability
- Following the school rules
- Accepting responsibility for my own actions
- Being honest
- Learning from my mistakes
Examples of behaviours that negatively impact on Respect for Other People to be taught include:
- Not trying my best
- Not following the school rules
- Being dishonest
- Blaming others for my behaviour
Our PB4L focus for the following week (Week 2) is Respect for Other People.
In the explicit teaching lessons the expected behaviours taught will be:
- Looking at others when they are talking
- Speaking courteously to others
- Accepting other people’s differences
- Listening to other people’s opinions
- Encouraging friendships
- Keeping personal space
Examples of behaviour that negatively impact on Respect for Other People to be taught include:
- Minding someone else’s business
- Taking someone else’s belongings
- Speaking unkindly to someone or about someone
- Bossing people around
- Physical aggression
- Invading someone’s personal space
- Keeping friends to myself
We would very much appreciate your discussing these weekly focuses with your children and reviewing the expected and non-acceptable behaviour 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 throughout this Term, up to and including last week, 199 students were given Citizenship, Merit, Library or Uniform Awards or Playground Affirmation Awards whilst there were just 15 incidents of Inappropriate behavior recorded.
Congratulations and thank you boys and girls. Please continue to act respectfully, responsibly and safely.
ST PATRICK’S SCHOOL AND PARISH BONANZA RAFFLE
Term 4 will start off with a bang. We are working towards our Bonanza Raffle which will include all of the donations we received from you for our Great Fete.
There are just a few more details to organise before the launch early In Term 4.
Mr Gavan Hoctor - Assistant Principal
There will be two Pupil Free Days in Term 4.
The first will be Friday October 30 -
Staff Wellbeing Day.
The second will be Monday November 9 -
Staff Spirituality Day.
Please note these days in your calendar to assist with the organisation of your children.
Stage 3 Christmas Story Art Competition
Throughout the early weeks of Term 3 Year 5 and 6 students were participating in the Stage 3 Christmas Story Art Competition. Each year, Stage 3 students across the diocese are invited to create an artwork that is based on a specific scripture passage relating to the Christmas/Advent story. Along with the artwork, the students need to include a 200 word description of the artwork and how it relates to the scripture passage and the meaning represented in their artworks.
The staff then voted on their top 3 favourite artworks from each class, and these artworks have been sent to the Catholic Education Office in Wollongong. From there, the top 50 from the diocese were chosen to be displayed at the Wollongong Art Gallery. Unfortunately, none of the artworks created by children from St Patrick’s were chosen to be displayed at the art gallery, however the artworks created were nonetheless fantastic! Well done to the following students:
Year 6: Khalilah Zipparo, Ella Yates, Madi Grainger
Year 5: Lily Meizer, Madi Mineeff, Emily Woods
Kind Regards,
Mr Sam Mattas
Religious Education Coordinator
Emily Woods - Year 6
LIBRARY AWARDS
DISTINCTION
Cooper Pucillo - Year 2
MERIT
Sofia Mineeff - Year 3
PARTICIPATION
Leena Carolan - Year 2
Milla Lokys - Year 2
Marco Alves - Year 3
Imogen Aquilina - Year 3
Nikihil Carolan - Year 3
Abbie Lokys - Year 5
Lucas Pucillo - Year 5
Sophia Cappetta Alves - Year 6
Zahli Gladden - Year 6
DISTINCTION
Sofia Mineeff - Year 3
Abbie Lokys - Year 5
CREDIT
Hannah Dos Santos - Year 2
MERIT
Joseph Harb - Year 2
Milla Lokys - Year 2
Jacob Svarc - Year 3
PARTICIPATION
Marco Alves - Year 3
Imogen Aquilina - Year 3
Christian Naumovski - Year 3
Simona Stojcevski - Year 3
Madeleine Mineeff - Year 5
Samuel Stojcevski - Year 5
Zahli Gladden - Year 6
Annika Janevski - Year 6
A big congratulations to the children in Year 3 and Year 4 who were selected to join the SPLICED Program this term. The students were required to pick a project that they were interested in and worked towards this project throughout the term. Well done boys and girls for your hard work!
Port Grocer is a new community run supermarket on Wentworth Street.
At Port Grocer we are trying to benefit our community by providing a wide range of affordable products and minimise waste. We are largely staffed by volunteers and opened via a grant from the NSW government and the local community voted this project as one of 2 to be funded.