Dear Parents/Carers

Welcome to Term 3. We are so grateful that we have been able to return to onsite learning as we once again navigate our way forward with COVID restrictions. Thank you to all our families for your support and positive response to the changes that were announced with little notice prior to the end of the school holidays. We are so grateful for your commitment to work through the various restrictions and requirements with us, knowing that we will more than likely, see more changes in the weeks ahead.

Our students have returned to school with a positive attitude towards learning and as such it was a lovely, settled start to the new term. While we have had to postpone some activities, we are committed to ensuring that students have opportunities to engage in as many experiences as possible. This time is always an opportunity to focus on 'being people of hope' and being grateful for the little blessings in our daily lives.

Confirmation lessons begin this week for our Year 5/6 students. Thank you to the Parish Sacramental Team for their preparation and planning in ensuring lessons could continue for our children during the restrictions. A very special commitment Mass was held on Saturday evening where children and their parents pledged their commitment towards making the most of their preparation time over the next few weeks. Preparations for our school play, ‘Alice the Musical’ are also underway, our new St Patrick’s School Choir and Little Learners Program are set to forge ahead, and Years 3-6 are beginning their preparations for the WR Public Speaking competition to be held in Week 5 against McAuley. We may have to make changes to some of these programs to accommodate restrictions however we will continue to be flexible in our planning.

A special welcome is extended to Mr Braith Crane who has joined our St Patrick’s Staff team in the position of Classroom Support Assistant (CSA). Braith will continue in the role of CSA until the end of the year. He replaces Ms Tina Loukissas who was unable to continue in the position due to family reasons.

Last week I had the pleasure of taking a very exciting phonecall from an ex-St Stanislaus student, Mr Bernie Harrington, who wished to share his gratitude for the wonderful education that he and his good friend Mr Raymond Young (RIP) received at our school many years ago. Mr Harrington (and on behalf of Mr Young) wished to donate money, towards the enhancement of our new school administration area. We are very grateful to both the Harrington and Young families for this extremely generous offer and their continued gratitude over many years, to the school for the valued education they received.

Please continue to keep in your prayers all those communities that have been adversely affected by this recent COVID outbreak. We pray that all in our Gundagai community stay safe and well as well.

Best wishes for a happy week,

Christine Baron

Principal

St Patrick and St Joseph, pray for us