Our PB4L focus for next week (Week 7) is the Apology Script.

The purpose of this focus is to provide a scaffold for students to construct a sincere apology in order to begin the healing process should a conflict have arisen that was not resolved peacefully.

Our PB4L focus for Week 8 is Respectful, Responsible and Safe Waste Managenemt

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

•  Putting my food waste in the compost bin 
•  Putting paper and cardboard waste in the recycling bin
•  Putting foil, plastic bags and Gladwrap in the rubbish bin
•  Taking uneaten food home in my lunchbox

Examples of behaviours that negatively impact respectful, responsible and safe Waste Management to be taught include:

•  Throwing food scraps in either the rubbish or recycling bin
•  Leaving my rubbish in the classroom, breakout space or on the playground
•  Throwing away uneaten food 
• 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 in Weeks 4 and 5, 52 Citizenship, Merit, Library or Uniform Awards or Playground Affirmation Awards were given to students. There has only been 1 incident of Inappropriate behavior recorded during that time.

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

Please continue to act respectfully, responsibly and safely.

On Monday the students enjoyed 15 minutes of extra play to thank them for playing respectfully, responsibly and safely last week. There weren’t any incidences of inappropriate behaviour recorded in the Playground Incident Folder.

Mr Gavan Hoctor - Assistant Principal

REC Update – W6 – T2

Bread Clips & Bottle Caps – Year 6 Community Leader Update

This year we have begun to collect plastic bottle caps and bread clips. This is helping to reduce waste by recycling the plastic, and also creating wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs for people who were born disabled or had an injury which made them disabled. 

We need to collect 500-800 bottle caps to make one prosthetic limb, and 100kg of bread clips to make one wheelchair, but that isn’t a problem! As a school we have already collected 6426 bottle caps and bread clips in the space of a few weeks! 

To make things exciting, we are holding a competition. The class who collects the most caps and clips will get to choose the theme for our end of term mufti day! So far, in the lead is year 4 with 2000 bread clips and bottle caps and year 5 is trailing close behind with 1800.

So come on St Patrick's! Get behind this great cause to reduce landfill and help those in need.

200 years of catholic education in Australia Mass – Vice Captain Report

On the 24th of May, Mr Mattas, Lukas M and myself were invited to attend the 200th year anniversary of Catholic education in Australia at the Co-Cathedral, St John Vianney’s in Fairy Meadow. All of the Catholic schools in the Wollongong diocese were invited to come to the mass, both high schools and primary schools. When we arrived we were greeted and taken inside the massive cathedral. Inside were all the other schools socialising and finding their assigned seats. Once we found our seats all the children representing each school had to do a procession and go to the front of the cathedral when we were called. The mass had begun with an Aboriginal welcome dance and  welcome to country. A lovely choir sang the hymns and during the entire mass. Bishop Brian was there leading the mass along with the clergy. We listened to a message from the prime minister, Scott Morrison about how every Catholic school from the cape of Australia all the way to Tasmania are celebrating this special day. Once the mass had finished the hosts had kindly prepared some food and refreshments for the guests in the school's hall. When everything was over all the teachers were handed a book about the history of Catholic education in Australia and all of the teachers and students returned back to their schools. The day was an amazing experience and overall a great time.

Abbie L

Vision & Mission – Parent Survey

The staff at St Patrick's are in the process of reviewing and potentially renewing our school's vision and mission statement. Naturally, an integral aspect is to include parent voice in this process.

Attached is a link to a parent survey about our school's vision and mission. We would be very grateful if you would consider taking the time to complete the survey. 

Confirmation – Year 6 Families        

A friendly reminder for parents of Year 6 students that the enrolment forms for Confirmation are due in the Parish Office by TODAY (Thursday May 27^th) if you haven’t already handed them in.

All the best,

Mr Sam Mattas

Religious Education Coordinator 

Pastoral Support Update – Mrs Neilsen

During the past fortnight, the games group teamed up to play a game of Pictionary. It was a joy to see the excitement on the students' faces, as they worked together to figure out what their teammate was drawing whilst trying to beat the timer.

My cardmaking group is growing. I have a group of students who are currently in Year 5 who have been making cards with me since they were in Year 2. Today I had a group of students from Year 2 who came to card making for the first time. It was a delight to see the older students working with the younger students. I hope this opportunity will mean that the older students will mentor the younger students and allow them to foster an enjoyment for crafting. This week I challenged the students as I showed them how to create a Crossover Pointy Card. Check out the pictures of their creations.