Term 3 - Week 6
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers
Welcome to Term 3 Week 6 newsletter.
Today we celebrated all fathers and father-figures. It was so lovely to see so many dads, stepdads, grandads and uncles join us for a bacon and egg breakfast and a beautiful liturgy hosted by Year 4. Our liturgy gave thanks for the precious gift of all fathers. We gave thanks for the friendship, support, encouragement, love, laughter, hard work and dad jokes that our fathers give to us. My dad passed away at the young age of 56 and I am so grateful that he was my dad and for being the best role model, a daughter could ask for. So, to my dad I say, “Happy Father’s Day to the man who gave me wings to fly and roots to come back to.” Wishing all dads and father figures a wonderful day on Sunday.
Last Friday, our Year 1 and Year 6 students presented a beautiful and emotional liturgy to celebrate Grandparents Day. Our liturgy focused on Joachim and Anne, Mary’s parents and grandparents to Jesus. Together Joachim and Anne nurtured their daughter Mary and brought her up to be a worthy mother of God. It was their example of parenting that Mary then followed as she brought up her own son Jesus. It was their faith that laid the foundation of courage and strength that allowed Mary to stand by the cross as her son was crucified.
The students set our sacred space to start our liturgy with symbols that helped us remember our grandparents and how they help us:
They brought a lantern, a symbol of the light of Christ. The light reminds us that grandparents are a light in our lives.
They brought books which remind us of the learning we do all our lives.
They brought forward a photo album as a symbol of family events and memories which are important to many generations.
They brought forward a phone which lets us talk with our grandparents.
They brought forward a lolly jar, a symbol of the fun and joyful celebrations we have within our families.
Each year we have more and more grandparents coming to our Grandparents Day, and we sincerely thank you for taking the time to be with us at St Patrick’s. We hope our day created special memories for all to treasure. We would also like to acknowledge how special we think the many grandparents are who play such an integral role in the daily lives of the grandchildren at St Patrick’s. You are incredible!
Have a great week
Lucy Harvey
Principal
Father’s Day BBQ & Stall Thank you
The bacon and eggs were a great hit this morning! Huge thanks to Elizabeth, Bree and the staff for cooking and serving. Huge thanks to Cass for organising the stall and to her band of helpers – Elise, Nat, Jess Heidi and Kellie!
Summer Uniform
The warmer weather has certainly arrived. Students may transition to their summer uniform.
Sandflies
It’s that time of year again when the sandflies make themselves known. The students may need to start applying insect repellent. Please remember that aerosol sprays are not permitted at school.
2025 Enrolments - Fee clearance
Families that have children enrolled to attend St Mary’s Gateshead in 2025 and have concerns about finalising the school fees by 30th November are requested to please contact the school to discuss with Lucy or Rachelle.
Your enrolment will be on hold until such time that the fees are finalised in full (or an adequate payment plan in in place).
Safety Online
We have recently been made aware of some inappropriate interactions between students using online platforms to communicate with each other outside of school. Whilst we acknowledge that this is a family issue, we share great concern as the issues are often brought back into school, impacting the students teaching and learning time.
The staff will be reminding students again about being safe online and the seriousness of the consequences to self and others of what they post. We respectfully ask that you closely monitor your child's online activity and have the appropriate conversations about digital reputation and respectful interactions. Below are some resources you may find useful. Our School TV link is an excellent resource.
Digital Reputation | St Patrick's Primary School - Swansea (schooltv.me)
Good habits start young | eSafety Commissioner
Kids | eSafety Commissioner
P&F
Our next P&F meeting is Monday night at 6pm in the Library. If you have any agenda items please send to the admin and we will pass onto to the P&F President, Elise Moncrieff.
Term 3 Week 7
Term 3 Week 8
Message from the Assistant Principal
Next week is National Child Protection Week. The Catholic Schools Office have provided a list of free online webinars that you may wish to register for. Please see below for times, dates and links to register.
Date | Time | Webinar |
Tuesday 3rd September | 12:30-1pm | Understanding how to support your child with online gaming (e-safety commissioner) |
Wednesday 4th September | 7-7:30pm | Evening story telling for the family with a celebrated author! (Catholic Council of Catholic School Parent’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee). See flyer below. |
Thursday 5th September | 12:30-1pm | An introduction to online safety and emerging technologies (e-safety commissioner) |
7-8pm | Online Safety and Wellbeing (Cyber Safety Project). See Flyer below. | |
Wednesday 11th September | 7-8pm | Breaking Point- Unpacking the crisis into youth mental health’ with Dr Justin Coulson (Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT). See flyer below. |
Register now: Free webinar ‘Understanding how to support your child with online gaming’ presented by the e-safety commissioner
Is your child asking to play games, online? Or perhaps they already do? Either way, then don’t miss this important webinar presented by the e-safety commissioner.
The webinar provides an overview of selecting quality games, understanding how to reduce the risks of gaming and how to create better gaming habits.
It's suitable for parents and carers of children and young people in primary and early secondary school.
Key details:
Time: 12.30pm – 1.00pm
Date: Tuesday 3 September
Location: Online (link provided when you register)
Register now https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/6473655519180514400
Register now: Free, evening story telling for the family with a celebrated author- all from the comfort of your home!
Grab your children and nestle in for story time with Aboriginal Australian author Anita Heiss, who will read her book Bidhi Galing.
Bidhi Galing (Big Rain) tells the story of the Great Flood of Gundagai in 1852 and the Wiradyuri heroes Yarri and Jacky Jacky who paddled bark canoes through raging floodwaters, risking their lives to save countless others.
The story boasts beautiful pictures and by taking part in this live story time with a celebrated author, you will be helping your child to build their literacy skills!
This event is hosted by the Catholic Council of Catholic School Parent’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee and is designed to coincide with Indigenous Literacy Day; an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Stories, Cultures and Languages.
To find out more refer to the attached flyer.
Key details
Time: 7.00pm-7.30pm
Date: Wednesday 4 September
Location: Online (link provided when you register)
Register now https://ccsp.schoolzineplus.com/form/63
Register now: Free webinar ‘An introduction to online safety and emerging technologies’ presented by the e-safety commissioner
You are encouraged to attend this webinar, presented by the e-safety commissioner, which will provide you with an overview of the opportunities and risks posed by emerging technologies including artificial intelligence (commonly referred to as AI) as well as generative AI (GAI).
By attending, you will enhance your family’s digital literacy, learn about the potential harms and how to protect your children online.
It's suitable for parents and carers of children in primary and secondary school.
Key details:
Time: 12.30pm- 1.00pm
Date: Thursday 5 September
Location: Online (link provided when you register)
Register now https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/8077245949908148062
Register now: Free webinar ‘Breaking Point- Unpacking the crisis into youth mental health’ with Dr Justin Coulson
You are invited to attend a free webinar entitled ‘Breaking Point- Unpacking the crisis into youth mental health’, presented by Australia’s leading parenting expert- Dr Justin Coulson.
Justin is a captivating speaker who aims to leave his audience with genuine ‘how-to’s’ so they can help their kids right now.
In this webinar, he'll cover:
- The root causes behind the deteriorating state of mental health, and who (or what) is responsible
- The tools you need to reverse this trend for your children
- Science-backed, relationship-focused strategies to remedy school refusal
- Realistic approaches for managing screen time in a way that protects your child's wellbeing without completely alienating them from their peers
- Creating margin in your home and family life to protect and promote mental wellness
Join the conversation and be part of a dynamic, interactive experience where we collaborate to reshape the future of your children's mental health. Hear real stories, explore innovative solutions, and discover practical strategies to empower your kids.
This webinar is proudly hosted by the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT.
Key details:
Time: 7.00pm-8.00pm
Date: Wednesday 11 September
Location: Webinar (link provided when you register)
Register now: https://ccsp.schoolzineplus.com/form/61
Janine Schneider
Assistant Principal
Message from RE Coordinator
Grandparents Day
Thank you to all the grandparents and families that were able to join us at last week’s Grandparents Day. The hall was full and there were plenty of smiles, hug and kisses as we gathered to praise the significant role that these loved ones play in our lives. Special thanks to all the staff, especially, Mrs Stewart and Mrs Walker, for their assistance in preparing the liturgy on the day.
Father’s Day
Thank you to all the fathers, grandfathers and significant male-figures that were able to join us today for breakfast and our liturgy. There were many egg and bacon rolls consumed and luckily no injuries from soccer and basketball. Thank you to the Year 4 students and Miss Murray for preparing our liturgy. It was amazing to see so many fathers fill our hall and be there for the students of St Patrick’s.
Parish Masses
This term the students will be attending Parish Mass with Fr Gerard. Parents are most welcome to join us to celebrate the Eucharist at these occasions.
Year 5 & 6 - Friday 13th September at 9.30am
Kinder, Year 1 & Year 2 - Friday 27th September at 9.30am
Mr Daniel Lockwood
RE Coordinator
Save the Date
- 2nd September P&F 6.00pm
- 3rd September Powaikaliko Malang Story Pole Workshop Years 2/3/4/5 (Indigenous Students)
- 5th September Lakes Region Netball Gala Day Years 3/4/5/6
- 11th September Kinder 2025 Parent Information Night 6.00pm
- 13th September DIO Athletics
- 16th September Kinder Excursion to Shark & Ray Centre
- 17th September Soctober
- 27th September Last day of Term 3
- 14th October First day of Term 4
From the Diverse Learners Team...
Learning Support – Handwriting
Handwriting in the earliest grades is linked to basic reading and spelling achievement; for example, when children learn how to form the letter m, they can also be learning its sound. Attention to the linkages among handwriting, reading, and spelling skills can help to reinforce early achievement across these areas.
The early years of schooling are especially critical for handwriting instruction; once children have formed habits in handwriting, such as poor pencil hold or inefficient letter formation, those habits can be difficult to change.
When children are learning to form a new letter, it is helpful to begin with large movements such as forming the letter in the air; have children use a sweeping movement with the entire arm, not just the hand. This initial practice should emphasize learning the motor pattern with correct formation of the letter rather than writing the letter on paper with perfect legibility or size.
Teaching children to form the letters correctly while they say the corresponding phoneme (letter sound) is a very powerful process. Overcoming b and d confusion can be quite tricky, however there are evidence-based strategies that can be used, including writing practice. In the initial stages a simple memory hook may prove useful to get the correct letter direction and formation, for example, d becomes “round in a circle up and down” and b becomes “down, halfway up and around” or, “b is bat before the ball”.
Essentially, we must allow plenty of time for practice. Practice makes permanent and builds automaticity, which reduces the cognitive load that handwriting places on the reading and spelling process and frees up working memory for other tasks.
Gifted Education - ASPIRE Young Scriptwriters program
This term, two of our talented writers have been working with the Aspire Team to create their own scripts for a performance in Term 4. This will be performed by some of the Aspire actors at the theatre at Warners Bay. Eloise and Imogen have already attended two workshops at St Francis Xavier, Belmont and an additional online workshop hosted by Anna Kerrigan (the director of Aspire). The girls have been learning about different genres, how to write stage directions, and what makes a good script. Other primary schools in the Lakes Region have been part of the program, providing a great opportunity to work with other students across the Diocese and see their work too. It promises to be an entertaining evening.
Mrs Jo Simes
Learning Support Teacher
Mrs Anne Turner & Mrs Karen Devlin
Aboriginal Education Teacher
Library News
Book Week
We will continue to celebrate the shortlisted books this term. All classes got in the spirit by helping their teachers decorate their classroom doors. Don’t they look amazing!
Book Fair
Thank you to all of the parents and grandparents who supported our book fair. Commission from the sales will allow us to buy some new books for our library.
Book Parade
We saw so many fabulous costumes at the book parade and even more smiling faces.
Mrs Karen Devlin & Mrs Penelope Hale
Library Teacher and Library Assistant
Year 1 News
Year 1
Year 1 are loving their Science unit on Living Things. We’ve made and grown grass heads and watched how seeds need sunlight and water to grow grass. This week we have started learning about how mushrooms grow. We’ve learnt that unlike grass, mushrooms do not need sunlight, only water. We’ll have to wait a couple of weeks but there’s a few students who are keen to try our first crop.
We also enjoyed our NAIDOC celebrations with our sister schools St Francis Xavier, Belmont and St Pius X, Windale.
Mrs Louise Stewart
Year 2 Teacher
Tournament of Minds
St Patrick’s will participate in Tournament of Minds for the third year in a row. Seven of our talented Year 5 students volunteered to be part of this wonderful, team-building opportunity. The students are:
Imogen Walker, Florence de Champlain, Sara Corbet, Beth Newell, Jaymie Tisdell, Eloise Ayshford and Billie Joyce.
St Patrick’s has achieved outstanding results in the Tournament, bringing home the Highly Commended title for the last two years. Students from schools all over our region will compete at Newcastle Grammar School on September 8th. The winners will then go on to compete in the National competition and then finally the International competition.
What is Tournament of Minds?
Tournament of Minds (ToM) is an international program designed to give participants the opportunity to participate in creative activities involving stimulating open-ended Challenges which demand experimentation and reward divergent thinking.
Miss Murray and I have had the pleasure of guiding the students for the past 4 weeks as they prepare for their Challenge. We are so proud of this group of inspiring, motivated students who have enthusiastically and willingly given up their lunch and recess breaks to challenge and extend themselves in many ways.
The students have chosen an ARTS challenge which involves choosing and interviewing a local community member and then retelling their stories using three art forms. The students are required to write a script, perform and choreograph a dance, show details of the persons journey through visual arts, select and record music for their item and make all the required props for their performance. This is a massive undertaking with many layers.
We congratulate our students on their work so far and wish them good luck in the challenge.
Liz Walker and Chloe Murray
Aspire
Sport News
If your child attends a Pathways Sport or Trial, we’d love to see your photos and include them in our next newsletter.
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
If your child is a Weekend Sports Star, please email details and a photo to so we can celebrate their success in our next newsletter.
Mrs Claire Browne
Sport Coordinator
Office News
The Diocesan agreement for settlement of school fees requires payments to commence by 31 March and continue with regular instalments each month until fully settled by 30 November each year.
If you haven't already commenced weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments as agreed, reminder sms, phone calls and letters will be sent home to these families. Please check your monthly fee statement and process payments as required.
Please contact the office if you would like assistance with calculating your weekly, fortnightly, monthly deduction amount.
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 Community Fund website www.myccf.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.
Volunteering at St Patrick's
We have many events still planned for the remainder of the year. Please get in early and register so you won't be dissappointed in missing out.
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.
WWCC exemptions apply for volunteers who are a close relative of a student enrolled at the school. There is a "Statutory Screening Selection Tool" included in the online registration process to assist you with this.
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.
Rachelle McKenzie
Senior School Officer
P&F
Uniforms
Preloved Uniforms
We have some uniform supply delays with our transition to Lowes and we are desperately seeking preloved uniforms in good, clean condition. In particular we are seeking:
* Sports shirt Size 8 & 10
*Sports shorts Size 10
* Girls winter tunics Size 10
All hand me downs welcome. If you have any uniforms no longer being used, please drop them off to the front office so they can be put to good use.
Community Notices
