“Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me,

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.”

                                                         

St Patrick

              

Dear Parents

We had a wonderful St Patrick’s Day yesterday. We are very grateful for Fr Mark celebrating Mass with us and the P&F for providing green jelly for all the students.  I’d like to thank Mr Mattas for his organisation of the day, and thank all the staff for the energy and Irish spirit that was injected into the day!

We have collated an album of photos from the day that you can view here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1cjmZzm_nvHom5WMhj0_DznUO-4vXEVWg?usp=sharing

Please be mindful that you cannot share photos on your own social media without permission from the parents of the other students.

Uniform Survey

Thank you to the parents who have responded to the Uniform Survey. It’s not too late to contribute to the survey by following the link below:

https://forms.gle/HQsABVA8x4i6xgyD7

If the link doesn’t work for you, please email the office and we can help you.

Can I please reassure you that any new addition to the uniform would be introduced to our 2023 Kindergarten students. I will always take into consideration any financial burden on families and remind you that there is financial support for families in need.

There was overwhelming support for girls having the option of wearing pants in winter.  Our next step is to now consult with Lowes on different options available.  I am hopeful that this option for girls could be available this year.

The majority of parents were in support of a new hat and school bag, however, there were a number of constructive comments that made me realise more information may be required.

Firstly the reason for considering a new hat is that our existing hat does not have our school crest on it.  Other than the letter STP, there is nothing that identities it as our school, a Catholic school.  Rather than simply changing the logo, we believe it is timely to look at other hat options available.  The current school hat has material that fades, is unable to be washed and the cords are often chewed by the students. There are some new options in school hats that address all these concerns.

The school bag that we would consider introducing would cost approximately $55.  It comes with a lifetime guarantee, ensuring it would last your child from Kindergarten to Year 6.  This works out at less than $8 a year.  Introducing a bag like this would also reduce pressure on families to buy more expensive brands each year.  Students would still be able to personalise their bag by adding a keyring.

I have added a new section to the survey titled ‘General Comments’, please feel free to add any additional comments here, even if you have already previously completed the survey.

We will make a decision in the coming weeks once we have consulted all stakeholders.

Parents on School Grounds

This pandemic has provided us an unexpected opportunity to stop and reflect on some of our school processes and procedures.  We have found that during the restrictions, which prevented parents from being on the school grounds before and after school, there have been a number of benefits to our students and staff.  It has been noticeable, across a number of schools, how settled and ready to learn the students have been in the morning.  The current procedures allow the students to settle quickly with their friends, and has increased resilience and independence for all students.  Teachers have also been able to prepare more effectively for learning each day.  The benefits for our students and their learning suggest that this model is our preference moving forward.

We are aware that many parents enjoyed being on the school site before and after school and we are very mindful that parent engagement is critical in strengthening the relationship between home and school.  Therefore, we have begun looking at some very purposeful reasons to have parents onsite again. Our first event will be  the School Cross Country, where all parents and family members are most welcome to attend. At the end of term you will be welcome to attend our End of Term Awards Ceremony. We look forward to sharing these occasions with you all.

Save the Date

We will be having an End of Term Assembly on Friday 8 April from 11.30am. We will present all Principal, Gold and St Patrick Awards at this time, as well as some new special end of term awards. Parents and family members are welcome to attend.

Sports Uniform on Monday

Students are most welcome to wear the sports uniform on Monday as we will be practising for Cross Country. 

Ms Gabi Tobin - Principal

Our PB4L focus for next week (Week 9) is 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 Respectful, Responsible and Safe Respect for Self to be taught include:

• Not trying my best
• Not following the school rules
• Being dishonest
• Blaming others for my behaviour

Our PB4L focus for Week 10 is Respect for Others

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 behaviours that negatively impact Respectful, responsible and safe behaviours when Respecting Others 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 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 over the last two weeks 49 students were given Citizenship, Merit, Library or Uniform Awards or Playground Affirmation Awards whilst there were 8  incidents of Inappropriate behavior recorded.

Please continue to act respectfully, responsibly and safely.

PARENT TEACHER STUDENT CONFERENCES

You will soon be alerted via COMPASS of our upcoming Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences. This Term these conferences will be conducted by telephone call. In the COMPASS notification will be information of how to book a meeting time with your child(s) teacher(s). Please avail yourself of this opportunity as the teachers are looking forward to discussing each child’s response to learning and teaching thus far. Teachers may wish to discuss attitudes, behaviour, goals and homework amongst other matters, some of which may be grade specific. Further it is an opportunity for you to discuss with teachers any concerns and/or aspirations you may have for your child.

AFTERNOON DISMISSAL

Please be advised that there are now two points of dismissal for families collecting students from the Kembla St Entrance. To reduce congestion at the Kembla St entrance families who wait at the gate to walk their child/ren home or to a parked car will meet the child/ren at the single gate nearer to the convent.

Students who are picked up by adults in a car will continue to use the same gate that we presently use.

Mr Gavan Hoctor - Assistant Principal

 Update – W8 T1

St Vincent de Paul Flood Appeal

I’m sincerely amazed at the generosity of our community in raising (so far) over $1800 for the St Vincent de Paul NSW Flood appeal. We are yet to include the donations from the St Patrick’s Day mufti donations, or the photos with Paddy the Leprechaun in the count, so we will easily hit over $2000. A genuine thank you to everyone who have donated!

Should you wish to donate to the NSW Flood Appeal, you can still do so via the link below:

St Patrick’s Day Celebrations!

What a brilliant day we had at school for the feast of our patron saint, St Patrick! The day started with a lovely Mass with Fr Mark, followed by the ever-popular photo with Paddy the Leprechaun, some green treats donated from the P&F and finally an afternoon of fun activities. The students Irish-danced, played some games, searched for Paddy in the garden and played pin the hat on Paddy. It was a brilliant day, and the children had a blast!

Fingers crossed that by 2023 we can all celebrate as a whole community!

 The Emmauns | A Lenten Journey | Week 2

A Series of Six Lenten Reflections

 Please see the Lenten reflection below which was shared with teachers in the Diocese of Wollongong last week.

‘The Tree of Life’ by Dr Miriam-Rose

The yam at the base of the cross represents Jesus’ body.

The tree in the middle represents the Aboriginal people.

Our Catholic community in the Diocese of Wollongong are a people who meet, deeply listen, discern, journey, accompany, become aware, transform and act as bearers of Christ’s love.

We are Emmauns.

As Jesus accompanies us on our journey this Lent, let us:

• slow to his pace
• listen more deliberately
• discern habitually  
• expect confidently to be transformed
• gather and break bread joyously
• act with intent for justice and peace

May we shadow Him with a deliberate focus on the slow, measured, careful movements of the Artisan of Peace.

All the best,

Mr Sam Mattas

Religious Education Coordinator