Week 4 Term 2

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Dear Parents, caregivers and friends,

During the week of the 15- 19 May 2023, we celebrate Catholic Schools Week. This is an annual event that recognises and acknowledges the sacred work of our schools and how they seek to journey with every student. Each moment of that journey presents opportunities to encounter the mystery and love of God: through our relationships, our learnings, our liturgical celebrations.

This year our Catholic School Week theme is, ‘Encounter: Journeying Together,’ which reminds us that we are called to be Easter people – those who are committed to building joy-filled communities who are constantly seeking unity and belonging. Such times call for us to accompany others along the road, meeting them where they are at and listening. Like the two disciples heading towards Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), Jesus does not tell them to turn back, rather he walks alongside and listens deeply. He doesn’t just talk to them at a distance, he meets them and encounters them.

As we accompany one another, we become Christ for one another. This is at the heart of our theme this year.

During this significant week, may we strive to live in active service of Jesus and his mission as we celebrate together during Catholic Schools Week and always.

Thank you to the many parents and grandparents who were able to join us on Tuesday of this week for our Catholic Schools Week Liturgy, open classrooms and a shared lunch. It was wonderful to see everybody.

A huge thank you to the many parents who gave up their time last week to assist children with purchasing items from the Mother’s Day Stall and to the parents who assisted in any way towards the special morning tea for our mums that was held on Friday.

Dennis Nolan

CALENDAR EVENTS

Friday 19^th May - National Walk Safely to School Day
Monday 29^th May – Winter Uniform
Tuesday 30^th May – Pupil Free Day
Thursday 1^st June - NSW Police workshops
Friday 9^th June – Year 2 Excursion to Tocal Homestead
Monday 12^th June – Kings Birthday – Public Holiday
Thursday 15^th June – School Photos
Friday 16^th June – Year 3 excursion to Civic Theatre
Monday 19^th June – School Athletics Carnival
Wednesday 28^th June – Year 4 Excursion to Goat Island
Wednesday 30^th August – 1^st September – Year 5 Great Aussie Bush Camp
Wednesday 1^st – 3^rd November – Year 6 Canberra Camp

IMPORTANT MESSAGES FOR PARENTS

SCHOOL PHOTOS

Our school photo day is booked for Thursday 15^th June 2023

Your 2023 school photos are now ready to order through the Compass Portal. You should have received a compass notification with the link to login for your 2023 photos

All students are required to wear full winter uniform for school photos.

FEES – IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Thank you to those parents who have been making regular payments towards fees as per the commitment made on enrolment of your child. 

Fee payers who have not made regular payments or opted to make annual payments, will receive a letter this week in regard to payments which need to commence immediately in order to acquit the debt by 30th November - obviously if setting up direct debit or BPay you will need to calculate the payments to reflect the total amount owed. 

Follow up of fees with parents is essential so that you understand your debt position and we are able to have the funds required to meet our debts and provide resources for each child.

As always if you are experiencing significant financial hardship, please make contact with Mrs Grant School Finance Officer or Mrs Wilkinson School Principal regarding a fee interview or application for concession.

WINTER UNIFORM

All children must wear full Winter uniform from Monday 29th May 2023 (Week 6), you are welcome to use your discretion and children can wear Winter uniform in the event of cooler weather for the two weeks prior to this date commencing Monday 15th May 2023 (Week 4).

WINTER UNIFORM – KEN LANES MENSWEAR

Winter Uniforms

Winter uniforms are now available at Ken Lane Menswear in High Street Maitland and online at:

NATIONAL WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL DAY

Primary school aged children across Australia will make those important steps towards a healthier future by participating in National Walk Safely to School Day on Friday 19 May 2023. National Walk Safely to School Day is a community initiative that aims to raise awareness of the health, road safety, transport and environmental benefits that regular walking (especially to and from school) can provide for the long term well-being of our children. Now in its 24th year, the annual event encourages parents and teachers to teach road safety skills and support the importance of regular walking, not just on 19 May, but every day.

You may wish to consider changing the way the get to school on Friday, 19^th May to celebrate this special day!

WE ARE COLLECTING AGAIN

Help St Patrick’s save plastic bread bags from heading to landfill. We will be collecting bread bags until July 7th. Empty out those crumbs, send in those empty bags, and help St Patrick’s receive some sporting equipment, as well as saving over 30kg of bread bags making their way into landfill.

Green Team and Stewards of Creation.

ORGANISATION & MANAGEMENT

CANTEEN NEWS

Look out for some nice belly warming Monday specials coming soon now the weather has started to cool down.

Except for Kinder any child who does order the Monday special, needs to come to canteen to select their drink or ice block if that is part of the advertised special.  Children in Kinder are given a selection of drinks to choose from however they still need to collect ice blocks if they are a part of the meal deal.

Thank you to all the amazing volunteers who are offering their time so specials like these can go ahead.  I would also like to thank those who respond at short notice to help at the canteen.

GOVERNANCE MATTERS

IS YOUR CHILD SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME GAMING?

There is no magic number of hours, but your child may be spending too much time playing games if their gaming starts to have negative impacts on them or your family. 

Look out for signs such as:

• less interest in social activities like meeting friends or playing sport
• not doing so well at school  
• tiredness, sleep disturbance, headaches or eye strain 
• changes in eating patterns
• reduced personal hygiene
• obsession with particular websites or games
• anger when being asked to take a break from online activity, or appearing anxious or irritable when away from the computer
• becoming withdrawn from friends and family

In some cases, setting firm limits as a family may be enough to help address too much gaming. But there may also be underlying problems like depression and anxiety that are linked to problematic internet use.

Source- E Safety commissioner website

To read more, click on the following link:

CURRICULUM NEWS

ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER NEWS

SPORT NEWS

CROSS COUNTRY

23 children from St Patrick's represented our school and region as they competed in the Diocesan Cross Country event on Wednesday. Congratulations to all our amazing athletes who made it to this level and a special congratulations to Phoenix Russell, Leura Russell, Eli Unicomb and Sienna Proctor who have advanced through to Polding Cross Country at Sydney. Here, they will represent the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese and compete against other children in Catholic Schools across Northern NSW.

We wish them the best of luck!

AFL

On Monday of Week 4, Scarlett Crouch, Leura Russell and Phoenix Russell, travelled to Batemans Bay to represent the Mid North Coast and Inland Australian Football team. Over 2 days, these girls competed against regions from all over NSW and their team won the final 12 - 8, crowning them the best team in the state. From these games, an All-Schools NSW team is selected, and we would like to congratulate Leura Russell for making this team! In August, Leura will travel to Lavington to compete in the Australian Football Girls 12 Years and Under Championship. We wish her the best of luck!

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM

CHILL AND PLAY

Chill and Play is an alternative passive play space that is available to students at recess break, Monday-Thursday. Tabletop activities, board games, skipping, craft and coding activities are available for children who may have different social preferences and would rather a quiet space to play at lunch breaks. This provides a great opportunity for learning support staff to support students with social skills and social engagement.

LIBRARY FOCUS

PARENTING PAGE