Dear Parents and Carers

A warm welcome back to all St Pat's families, and a special welcome to our new families. Welcome Liane, Levi, Micah, Alyssa, Cassidy who are new students in our school. Welcome to all our Kinder 2023 students

Thea, Lizzy, Aaron, Ava, Elijah C, John, Mackenzie, Harper, Elijah D, Thomas, Annika, Macey, Cooper, Maddix, Esme, Charlie, Bea, Madison, Maddison, Harvey and Elora.

Student Leaders Today we honoured our Year 6 students at the opening school Mass and presented their leadership badges. Congratulations to all Year 6 students for the roles you will assume this year.

Parent Information Night Next Wednesday night we will have PIN, short for a Parent Information Night. We will meet in the hall at 6pm for short messages from myself and the Leadership Team and to introduce our staff. You will then move to your child's year level /stage for a presentation from the teachers about the year ahead, and some information about the term. Finally, you will get to see your child's classroom. This is a parent / carer event. If you do not have care for your children we will have quiet supervision available in the library for the duration of the classroom part of the meeting.

Faith in Learning Day On Monday our staff gathered with 2300 teachers and support staff from across the archdiocese for Faith in Learning Day. The focus of the day was building knowledge and understanding of both the Science of Learning and the Science of Reading and the implications for classroom practice, as well as connecting and sharing with colleagues from across the system. The day began with three addresses to the gathering from Archbishop Christopher Prowse, our system director Ross Fox, and Noel Pearson. Many nationally and internationally renowned speakers presented throughout the day. We are excited to continue the Catalyst journey at St Pat's this year.

 

Have a great weekend. See you in Week 2!

Blessings

Jo

WELCOME BACK FAMILIES TO 2023

It is wonderful to see all of our student back at St. Pat's, so settled and quickly getting into learning.

VOLUNTEERING AT ST. PAT'S

As part of continuing to grow our vibrant St. Pat's community we are pleased to invite our families to volunteer in our school in a variety of ways. Teachers are keen to have volunteers assist with listening to reading, helping with art activities, support classes on excursions and generally assist in the classroom. You may like to help in the canteen which operates every Wednesday or assist with our school garden.  You will need to have a current Working With Children Permit (you can apply through NSW Government https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-a-working-with-children-check Please note you are a volunteer in the area of education when applying and there is no fee) Once you  have your WWC number please ring the Front Office to organise a Volunteer Induction Interview with myself. 

BUDDY TIME

Our Year 6 students have been connecting with their Kinder buddies at eating times. This is an opportunity for our school leaders to support the Kinders as they transition into school fulltime. It is wonderful to see the happy engaged faces of the students.

Religious Education

Upcoming Dates

Sunday 5th Feb 9:30am - Staff Commissioning Mass 

Wednesday 22nd Feb 2:15pm - Ash Wednesday Mass 

Friday 17th March 12:35pm- St Patrick’s Day Mass 

Thursday 6th April 2:20pm- Easter Liturgy 

Chapel Mass 

Every Friday a class participates in Chapel Mass in the Church at 9:15am. Parents are welcome to join. Here is this Term's roster:

Week 2- 3/4Y

Week 3- 3/4R

Week 4- 3/4G

Week 5- 5/6Y

Week 6- 5/6R

Week 8- 5/6G

Week 9- 1/2G

Term 1 Curriculum Focus

This Term classes will be focusing on what it means to be part of the St Pat's community & parish. Classes will also focus on prayer and Lent. 

Throughout the term I will share ways you can pray at home as a family.

Breath Prayer: Shalom or Peace

• Invite your child/ren to slow down their breathing and notice the pattern of the breath: the in breath and the out breath.
• 'Shalom' is the Hebrew word for peace and wholeness. Invite them to say this word together.
• On the in breath, say SHA …
• On the out breath, say LOM …
• Repeat this word with your breath pattern and come back to it when to you start to think of other things.
• Bring this Breath Prayer to a close by sounding a meditation chime, a singing bowl or prayer bells.
• App: Insight Timer has a variety of bell sounds to call one to prayer and a meditation timer.
• This Breath Prayer could be adapted for younger children by using the word PEACE as a mantra or prayer word.

Supporting Students

As the Classroom Support Teacher my role is broad but may best be described as supporting teachers and parents to best support our students in their whole development. I am regularly in classrooms working alongside classroom teachers and
supporting individuals and groups within the classroom.

The St Pat’s team have worked together to ensure a smooth transition for students however we know that circumstances change, and you may need to touch base about how we can best support your child/ren’s learning and engagement at St Pat’s.
Your child’s classroom teacher is always your first contact so that you may ask questions or share information. It is so important that your child’s teacher knows your child’s current situation and needs.

Further to meeting and communicating with their teacher, you may like to arrange a meeting to discuss the needs of your child/ren with me. To organise a time please email me at emma.grant@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Canteen day will be each Wednesday. 

Qkr! - Please update your child/ren's class to their current 2023 class on Qkr!

Please email office.bega@cg.catholic.edu.au if you are available on an upcoming Wednesday anytime between 10am to 2pm. 

Uniform Shop will be open each Tuesday and Friday during term from 8.30am - 10am.

Please email stpats.uniform@gmail.com to arrange an appointment.