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Heavenly Father,
As I enter another week of my Lenten journey, guide me to the path that leads to you. Fill my heart with gratitude, patience, strength, and peace as I strive to become the-best-version-of-myself, honestly admitting my shortcomings and sins. As I renew my resolve each day to become a better person, let me hear your voice in the deepest reaches of my heart. Give me rest in you. Help me to accept others, showing them your great love instead of casting judgement. Stay with me through the busy days this week and remind me that when I need comfort, solitude, wisdom, or guidance, I can always turn to you. Help me develop discipline and generosity through fasting and almsgiving, and come closer to you through prayer this Lent. In your name I pray,
Amen.
Dear Parents
Kindergarten 2024
It’s hard to believe it, but we are currently taking enrolments for Kindergarten 2024! Interviews will be held at the beginning of Term 2, so please submit your enrolment form as soon as possible so that we can book in a time for you.
School Photos
Our School Photos will be held next Thursday 9 March. All students are required to wear full summer uniform on this day. While we know you will want your child to look their best, please be mindful this must include hair styles that align with our uniform policy. If you have any clarifying questions about this please speak to your child’s teacher prior to the day. Students may carry their hat on this day to avoid ‘hat hair’.
Education Mass
Last night our staff joined all schools across the Diocese of Wollongong to celebrate our annual Education Mass at St John Vianney’s Co-Cathedral. During this Mass all new staff received a blessing and newly appointed principals from the last three years also received a special blessing from the Bishop. It was a truly lovely celebration of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Wollongong!
Welcome to the Diocese Dinner
Each year Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong hosts a dinner welcoming new staff to the Diocese. This year was the first chance we have been able to attend due to COVID restrictions, but it was a wonderful gathering with staff from the Macarthur, Illawarra and Southern Highlands. Mrs Cudina, Miss Dowsett and myself shared a table with Bishop Brian and Peter Hill (Director of Schools), needless to say we were all well behaved on the night!
CatholicCare Counsellor
Meet Rachel! Rachel is our new CatholicCare Counsellor. Rachel is at our school every Monday and every second Tuesday. If you think your child may benefit from seeing the school counsellor, please contact their class teacher to arrange for consent forms to be sent home.
Thank you so much to the families who responded to the recent canteen survey. We have had some generous cash and food donations come in. Special mention to Rixon’s family who donated the items below. Packets of Zooper Doopers, Popcorn, Killer Pythons, etc are great examples of food donations that can be stored and then sold at the Canteen. If you have any questions in relation to the Canteen please contact Kelly on 0413768894
Easter Hat Parade
We have had a number of questions about an Easter Hat Parade this year. As a Catholic School our Primary focus during Lent is focused on preparation for the death and resurrection of our Lord. The season of Easter runs for 50 days - well into Term 2. In the first week of Term 2 we look forward to hosting an Easter Hat Parade. We encourage the use of recycled and repurposed resources when making a hat with your child during the school holidays. We hope you can join us for this fun celebration.
Our PB4L focus for Weeks 7 and 8 are The Behaviour Matrices
Attached to this newsletter is a copy of the Classroom and Playground
Behaviour Matrices. The purpose of this publication is to define for students,
through examples, behaviours which are classified as respectful, responsible,
and safe in all aspects of a student’s day at St Patrick’s. A significant inclusion
in the revised (2022) Matrices is the inclusion of the Peer to Peer
(Relationships) domain. At St Patrick’s School we are prioritising Building a
Culture of Respect. At our school respect is the building block, the foundation
stone upon which underpins each relationship throughout the day hence the
significant work from the staff with the assistance of CEDOW staff during 2022
to give elaboration to this.
As such we would very much appreciate your discussing the Classroom and
Playground Behaviour Matrices with your children and reviewing the expected
and behaviours in our endeavour to see that St Patrick’s is a more respectful,
responsible and safe learning community for all.
St Patrick’s Week!
I'm thrilled to share with you a huge week-long celebration coming up in Week 8, starting on Monday March 13, which is... St Patrick's Week!
For many years now, Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong would celebrate ‘Catholic Schools Week’ in Term One, where we would have the opportunity to invite parents and community members to a variety of events to showcase our wonderful school. Catholic Schools Week is no longer a systemic event, so we are choosing to do something similar as part of our St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
St Patrick's Day is Friday March 17, so we thought we are celebrating in style with a number of exciting events taking place each day of the week. Parents and families are able to join in the fun at any time that suits!
Please see below a timetable outlining what is happening on each day of the week.
We can’t wait to celebrate St Patrick’s Week!
Report – The Living Classroom Day One
Care of the Earth - Care of People - Fair Share
A fantastic first day had by Year 4 in the Living Classroom on Tuesday of Week 5 in very hot conditions. The children learned about the ethics of permaculture, thoroughly covered garden safety, got a heap of work done and most importantly had a blast! It was a wonderful day, and the girls and boys were joined by our resident permaculture guru Aaron. A few ‘accidental’ sprays of the hose and plenty of water kept the children cool, and it overall it was a rewarding and enjoyable day.
We’re lucky to have a number of parents in Year 4 who are chefs and it’s looking like our first day of cooking in the pizza oven is coming up on our next day in the Living Classroom on Tuesday March 21. Can’t wait!
All the best,
Mr Sam Mattas
Religious Education Coordinator
NAPLAN Reminder
A friendly reminder that NAPLAN testing for students in Years 3 and 5 commences in Week 8 of this term, March 15. Please see below the testing schedule. For parents of children in Years 3 & 5, please refer to the Compass message sent on Tuesday February 28 for further details regarding NAPLAN.
