A special thank you to Father Mark for celebrating an Ash Wednesday Mass and Liturgy for staff and all students yesterday a wonderful way to begin the Lenten season.

With the Season of Lent upon us and the old problem of “what to give up for Lent” circling around us, perhaps the following might offer some new alternatives:

Fast from anger and hatred – be more patient and understanding.

Fast from judging others – think kindly thoughts.

Fast from discouragement – be full of hope.

Fast from complaining – focus on gratitude.

Fast from resentment or bitterness – turn to forgiveness.

Yr 6 attended the virtual launch of Project Compassion. Every year countless people turn Lent into a demonstration of faith, love and generosity. You can be part of this incredible community who believe that there are simple actions we can all take to “be more” for our world.

Uniform

As presented in enrolment book students need to wear black leather shoes with normal winter and summer uniform, not joggers.  On sport days, joggers and ankle socks not anklets please.

FOOTWEAR

Please ensure that your child wears regulation, clean black school shoes

Developing feet require the support these afford

Plain joggers – not loafers, basketball boots, nor expensive, brightly coloured joggers on Sports days

White Ankle socks – tennis/anklet socks not permitted

 Grass Playground Area

I have had the landscaper in and if everything goes to plan we should be playing on the ground before the end of the term. The playground equipment has been designed to fit the area.

 Canteen

Thank you to Kelly Pucillo and her wonderful group of mum and dads that are allowing us to provide Canteen for the boys and girls.

Naplan  ('National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy' will occur this year in May.

Year 3 will do a paper assessment in writing and online for the Numeracy and Literacy

( Reading and Language Conventions)

Yr 5 all Naplan tests are online .

Mercury

The Illawarra Mercury will be publishing it’s annual “Captains and Principals” special lift-out feature on Friday, February 19.

Good health and best wishes for a great fortnight.

Mrs Duggan - Principal

Ash Wednesday Celebrations

This year we celebrated Ash Wednesday slightly differently due to COVID restrictions. Unfortunately, we are still unable to attend Mass with any members of the public, so instead we celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass for Years 3, 4 and 6, and following this Kindergarten, Years 1, 2 and 5 had a Liturgy of the Word with Fr Mark. Both were great celebrations and the children listened attentively and participated with great interest. We are very grateful to Fr Mark who had a very full day, saying Mass at 9am for the parishioners, then a Mass for the older students and a Liturgy for the remaining students. Thanks Fr Mark!

Catholic Schools Week!

Coming up in Week 6 is Catholic Schools Week, so please keep an eye out in the coming days for information regarding the fun and exciting activities taking place! This will be another significant event that will be impacted on my COVID restrictions; however, we will endeavour to make it as engaging and interactive as possible. There will be a special CSW liturgy, fundraising event/s for Project Compassion, interactive classrooms and a host of other exciting events. Watch this space!

Term 1 Prefects

These boys and girls have been carefully chosen by their teachers as leaders and role models for their class in their role as class prefects for Term 1. They realise the importance of committing themselves to being a safe, respectful and responsible member of our school.

Congratulations to the following students:

Kinder: Nicholas Mineeff & Lucia Sharpe

Year 1: Jackson Harb and Audrey Woods

Year 2: Georgia Stojanovski & Chavez Ntallaris

Year 3: Clara Dray and Jerome Fonoti

Year 4: Marco Alves & Kora Gebauer

Year 5: Alani Tanevski & Sonny Santosa

All the best,

Mr Sam Mattas

Religious Education Coordinator 

Our PB4L focus for next week (Week 5) is Respecting Playtimes

In the explicit teaching lessons the expected behaviours taught will be:

• Use equipment for its right purpose
• Return all equipment to the correct container
• Return other people’s equipment directly to them
• Return food containers to the class tubs
• Tie skipping ropes when returning them
• Walk on the concrete             

Examples of behaviours that negatively impact Respectful, responsible and safe behaviours when Respecting Playtime to be taught include:

• Throwing/kicking balls away from the people playing with them
• Hitting people with equipment
• Leaving equipment out on the playground
• Not tying skipping ropes
• Leaving food containers on the playground
• Playing chasing games on the concrete

Our PB4L focus for (Week 6) is Good Sportsmanship

In the explicit teaching lessons the expected behaviours taught will be:

• Waiting my turn
• Using good manners
• Playing by the rules (playing fairly)
• Encouraging others
• Keeping my hands, feet and objects to myself
• Taking it when I’m out
• Being a gracious winner

Examples of behaviours that negatively impact on Respectful, Responsible and Safe Sportsmanship to be taught include:

• Pushing in
• Talking rudely to others (screaming)Ignoring the rules
• Making hurtful comments (putting people down)
• Being physically aggressive
• Not taking it out
• Being a sore loser             

We would very much appreciate your 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 the beginning of Term 1, 71 students were given Citizenship, Merit, Library or Uniform Awards or Playground Affirmation Awards. 

Congratulations boys and girls. This is wonderful news to share.

Please continue to act respectfully, responsibly and safely.

Mr Gavan Hoctor - Assistant Principal