Term 1 - Week 8
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers
Top o’ the mornin’ to ya! Welcome to our Term 1 Week 8 newsletter. It is hard to believe we are quickly approaching the end of Term 1. Today we celebrated St Patrick’s Day with a beautiful liturgy lead by Year 4, an art gallery showcase, open classrooms, a wonderful community picnic and Irish games. We thank Richard Cootes for entertaining us with some Irish songs and light entertainment during lunch, adding to our festivities. We had a massive 150 orders for our picnic lunch. Huge thanks to Elise, Nat, Joanne, Laura and Cass for the tremendous work in the canteen on such a hot day!
We are very proud to be called St Patrick’s. Thank you for helping us celebrate our patron saint.
May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.
Have a great week.
Lucy Harvey
Principal
P&F
As you know, we are reinstating the St Patrick’s P&F. I strongly encourage you to take up the invitation to work in partnership with the school by attending our meetings which are held twice a term. To help with family commitments, we will also be providing a zoom link to the meetings. If you have school age child/children who would be happy to read or do something quietly at the back of the library during this time, allowing you to attend, we are happy for you to do so.
Our first meeting, the AGM, will be held on Monday 3rd April 6:30 in the Library. The zoom link will be sent out that day.
Easter Activities
- Please see attached fliers as a reminder of upcoming Easter activities.
- Don’t forget to order your hot cross buns by next Tuesday.
- Donations of easter eggs and baskets would be greatly appreciated.
- Easter raffle tickets available to purchase on QKR or cash with tickets sent home.
- Easter hat making Monday 27th March at 11:40pm. Come and help or send items in.
- Easter Hat Parade and raffle Wednesday 5th April 10am.
Harmony Day
Next Tuesday 21st March is Harmony Day, a day which celebrates and recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. Orange is the official colour of Harmony Day. Traditionally, the colour orange is associated with social communication and stimulating two-way conversations. A warm and inviting colour, it motivates people to think and have a meaningful talk!
The colour orange also relates to the freedom of thoughts, ideas and encouraging people to develop mutual respect. The colour orange is taken as a symbol of a change in attitude from racism and discrimination to understanding, peace and harmony. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
On Tuesday, students are invited to wear orange or an orange accessory. We will supply all students with an orange wrist band if they are unable to wear orange.
V8 Thank You
Last Friday, the students in Years 4, 5 and 6, along with staff and parent volunteers, attended the V8 Supercars. The students had a great time and I know the parents and teachers were exhausted! Many thanks to Elise and Wade Moncrieff, Belinda and Craig Newell, Rosco Buchanan , Todd Parker and David Wilks for assisting with supervision on the day.
Sad News
Last week Sr Agnes Burke, a beloved resident from Tension and Southern Cross Caves Beach, passed away. On Tuesday I attended Sr Agnes’ funeral on behalf of the school. It was a privilege to hear about the full life Sr Agnes led and how loved she was by her family, friends and students. We send the Sisters of St Joseph our deepest sympathies. May you rest in peace, Sr Agnes.
School Crossing
As you are aware, our friend and crossing guard, Mark, has been absent for the last few weeks. We sent Mark flowers from the school community wishing him a speedy return. We are hoping Mark will be back in his fluro next week. I am very grateful and appreciative to the staff who have filled the role in Mark’s absence, especially Mr Mac who has undertaken the bulk of the days! A replacement crossing supervisor was appointed for this week.
Term Planners
To assist families to plan ahead with work commitments and school functions, we have attached our Term Planners for the remainder of the year. We will add to these planners as events arise and will also notify you through the newsletter. Please note that dates are subject to change.
Photoshoot
Next Wednesday, the Comms team from the Diocese will be updating our website photos with a photoshoot at school. Students will need to come to school in their correct school uniform.
Yr 1 & Y2 History Excursion to Tocal
Parent volunteers wanted
We will need 3 parents from Year 1 and 3 parents from Year 2 to assist on the day. If you would like to volunteer for this event please email admin@swansea.catholic.edu.au. Please ensure you have a volunteer clearance. The first 3 volunteers with their clearance from each class will be accepted.
Enrolments
Enrolments are now open for the 2024 school year. If you require an enrolment pack for a sibling, please contact Rachelle for one to be sent home. We will also be holding Enrolment Open Days for all new families (see attached flyer). Please pass this information on to anyone who know who is looking for a fantastic school to enroll in!
Message from RE Coordinator
St Patrick’s Day
Today we celebrate the feast of St Patrick, the patron saint of our school. St. Patrick was born in Britain and as a young man was captured by Irish pirates and sold into slavery. After six years in Ireland he escaped, returned to his family and trained for the priesthood in Gaul. He returned to Ireland as a missionary bishop. Through his work, Christianity flourished, and the church became organised. St Patrick was known for his sincerity and pastoral care, especially caring for the human dignity of all people. There are many legends about Ireland’s most beloved saint, including his use of the shamrock for explaining the Trinity, and his banishing of all snakes from Ireland.
His story would be ordinary if it were not for his decision to return to Ireland as a well-educated and faith filled priest to give something back to the country where he had such profound experiences of faith. Patrick used his own experiences of being enslaved and then his position of influence as a priest, to overcome evil and offer himself for service to others. He stands as a living witness for the fight against slavery, intolerance and the diminishment of human dignity in our own time. He was someone who made the world a better place.
As a school community, we celebrated St Patrick’s life and his feast with a liturgy. This was a wonderful opportunity to gather as a Catholic community, making connections to our faith and the stories that contribute to our journey here at St Patrick’s. During the liturgy, the Year 4 students lead us through a very reverent service that recapped St Patrick’s life and the message that we can take and live our lives by today. The whole of the students population participated in a liturgical movement to music composed from the prayer ‘The Irish Breastplate’, expressing the presence of God being with us always in the form of the Holy Spirit. Thank you to Year 4 for leading the school community through this faith experience.
Each year, the school community participates in the Caritas Project Compassion campaign. As a school we value the experience of formation that this program offers the teaching students the Catholic Social Teachings of preferential option for the poor and dignity of the human person. To support this initiative students wore a piece of green, for a donation that will be donated to Caritas Australia. Thank you for contributing to this worthy cause.
Mr Daniel Lockwood
RE Coordinator
Message from Assistant Principal & PM
eSafety's Webinars for Parents and Carers
eSafety offer various free webinars giving parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safe online experiences.
2023 webinars include a broad range of topics that will be delivered by an expert education and training team.
Upcoming sessions this month include:
eSafety 101: how eSafety can help you, 21 March 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Navigating online friendships, 29 March 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Please find the Term 1 and full year schedules here: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars
Anxiety Webinar
The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT has arranged for Dr Justin Coulson PhD to present a FREE webinar on the important topic of Anxiety and Resilience.
The webinar for parents, carers and staff in NSW and ACT Catholic schools will be held on Wednesday 29 March at 7.00pm.
Please see the flyer below for how to register.
Mrs Janine Schneider
Assistant Principal & PM
Save the Date
15-27th March NAPLAN Years 3 & 5
- 21st March Harmony Day - wear orange
- 23rd March St Patrick's OPEN DAY 10am - 11am
- 24th March Y1/2 History Excursion to Tocal Homestead
- 27th March Easter hat making at 11:40pm
- 1st April St Patrick's OPEN DAY 9am - 10am
- 5th April Easter Hat Parade and raffle 10am
- 4th April St Patrick's OPEN DAY 4pm - 5pm
5th April Easter Hat Parade
6th April Holy Thursday – last day of term
- 24th April Term 2 return to school
Year 3 News
The students in Year 3 have been learning how to play the recorder in their music lessons over the last few weeks. They are demonstrating persistence and patience as they learn new skills.
The students have also been learning about language devices that authors use to enhance their writing. They had opportunities to work collaboratively to find examples of these devices in some writing samples. Lots of valuable sharing of ideas was evident during these lessons.
Year 3 have shown significant growth and confidence during their gymnastics lessons this term. We are proud of their great participation and commitment.
Mr Lockwood & Mrs Walker
Year 3 Teachers
Aspire News
Earlier this year students in Stage 2 were invited to register for an ASPIRE ‘DANCE CHOREOGRAPHIC PROJECT.’ Four students from Year 4 were accepted into a two-day workshop on the 27th and 28th of February where they met students from a number of schools in the diocese.
Mia and Skye Porter, Evie Buchanan and Beth Newell were immersed into the wonderful world of dance choreography. At the end of the workshop, the students performed a special dance piece for their parents and carers. I have seen a recording of the dance and it was absolutely wonderful.
Congratulations to all the girls for their enthusiasm and participation in this project.
Liz Walker
Sport News
Cross Country
The St Patrick’s School Cross Country will be run on Monday the 3rd of April at Chapman Oval Swansea from 9:15am. Students from all grades will be transported to and from the venue by bus.
Please find order of events and qualifying times for Diocesan cross Country below. If you are a registered volunteer and would like to be a course official please contact me at claire.browne@mn.catholic.edu.au
| Event | Distance | Qualifying time |
Event 1 | Boys and Girls 5/6/7 yrs | 500m - 1km | No Diocesan Entry |
Event 2 | Girls 8/9 yrs | 2km | 13 mins |
Event 3 | Boys 8/9 yrs | 2km | 11 mins |
Event 4 | Girls 10 yrs | 2km | 13 mins |
Event 5 | Boys 10 yrs | 2km | 11mins |
Event 6 | Girls 11 yrs | 3km | 18 mins |
Event 7 | Boys 11 yrs | 3km | 16 mins |
Event 8 | Girls 12/13 yrs | 3km | 18 mins |
Event 9 | Boys 12/13 yrs | 3km | 16 mins |
Please note the first 3 runners in each event who run below the qualifying time will be eligible for Diocesan Cross Country (Wed 10th May).
Pathways Sport
Well done to Lukah, Evan, Hudson and Oscar who represented St Patrick’s at Diocesan Winter Sports Trials this week. Congratulations to Oscar who will be representing our Diocese at Polding Rugby League.
Catholic Schools NSW offers many sporting pathway opportunities for talented athletes. If your child is an aspiring athlete, you might like to familiarise yourself with the CSNSW Sport web page here: https://csnsw.sport/
Sport information specific to our Diocese can be found on the Maitland Newcastle Diocese tile on the CSNSW Sport page https://csnsw.sport/maitland-newcastle/primary/home
Any registrations on these pages must first be approved.
Weekend Sports Stars
Last weekend Aiden represented the Hunter in Water Polo with the Hunter Hurricanes at the Orange Bowl U12 state championships tournament.
His team placed 3rd in the state. Congratulations Aiden!
If your child is a Weekend Sports Star, please email details and a photo to claire.browne@mn.catholic.edu.au so we can celebrate their success in our next newsletter.
Mrs Claire Browne
Sports Coordinator
Canteen
Uniforms
The uniform shop is open on each Monday during the school term from 2.00pm - 3.00pm.
Orders can be placed on the QKR app. The cut-off for orders is 12pm on Monday.
Leisha and Natalie can be contacted via email at stpatricksuniformshop1@gmail.com to answer any questions or to make alternate fitting arrangements.
Thank you
Leisha & Natalie
Office News
2023 School Fees have been invoiced for the full school year.
If paying fees by instalment, your weekly, fortnight or monthly frequency needs to commence immediately, and fees are paid in full by 30 November 2023. If paying fees ‘in full’ as one payment, please finalise prior to 30 June 2023. Our preferred method of payment is either BPay or direct debit. For Fee Payers wishing to establish a new Direct Debit, or adjust their existing direct debit, please complete the form on the Catholic Development Fund website www.CDFmn.com.au.
For those families experiencing financial hardship, or wishing to discuss other payment arrangements, please contact the school office to arrange an appointment with the Principal.
Schools will now commence the school fee management process if there has been no contact with school office or no initial payment received.
An event for the Diocesan Pastoral Contribution has been created, this is a voluntary fee that assists the Diocesan Pastoral Support Programs, you can elect to pay or decline via the Compass Parent Portal.
Rachelle McKenzie
Senior School Officer
Volunteering at St Patrick's
If you would like to register to volunteer at St Patrick's, can you please complete the "Volunteer Registration Form" by clicking on the link here.
St Patrick's will be notified by the Catholic Schools Office once you are cleared to volunteer.
If you are unsure if you have clearance, please email the office at admin@swansea.catholic.edu.au to enquire.