St Patrick's Primary School Gundagai eNewsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to Term 3! I hope families enjoyed the mid semester break and had time to enjoy some family time together. We have certainly noticed the change in weather and the wet, wintery conditions that have been experienced lately. As always at this time of year, we ask that students come dressed appropriately for the cold conditions, and always have a jumper, beanie, and coat readily available.

MR BERNIE HARRINGTON:

Bernie was farewelled by family and friends at a beautiful Mass held at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in Rydalmere on Monday 22 July. Several staff attended via the online link provided by the Harrington family. Bernie’s deep connection with the Gundagai community and St Stanilaus/St Patrick’s School were honoured at the funeral when the St Patrick’s cross was placed on his casket and the ‘Irish Blessing ‘song and ‘On the Road to Gundagai’ song were played the family processed out of the church at the end of the service. A very touching tribute to a wonderful gentleman that touched our lives in a special way at St Patrick’s School. Our prayers, thoughts and love have been with the Harrington family during this sad time. Vale Mr Harrington and may you rest in eternal peace.

NAIDOC WEEK: NAIDOC Week was celebrated during the school holidays. The theme for 2024 was ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, loud and proud! St Patrick’s have organised some NAIDOC activities to occur later in term when our CECG Teaching and Learning Aboriginal Support Officer, Mr Lachie Eveston visits our school. Tomorrow, our School Captains will represent St Patrick’s with the local schools cluster NAIDOC Week Mass being held at McAuley Catholic College with Mrs Hughes our Aboriginal Contact Teacher.

CONGRATULATIONS MRS HOWE: The school community have been delighted to congratulate Mrs Howe on the arrival of her very first grandchild on Thursday 25 July. Mrs Howe will be taking some leave to spend time with her family and enjoy some precious cuddles with her precious new grandson. We thank Mrs Eccleston for taking on some extra teaching days during Mrs Howe’s absence.

TERM 3: There are already many special activities planned for Term 3. We ask parents to please ensure that they are on top of COMPASS notifications and communication regarding school events. Prompt action by parents and carers for school activities is very much appreciated.

Stay warm and well throughout the week.

Christine Baron

Principal

Spirituality Day

Staff members from St Joseph’s Adelong, St Mary’s Batlow along with our St Patrick’s Staff gathered in Tumut last Monday for our Spirituality Day. The theme of the day was – ‘Come Holy Spirit.

This spiritual formation was an opportunity for all to deepen their connection with God and embrace the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit is a source of inspiration, guidance, and strength. It is through the Holy Spirit that Christians receive wisdom, discernment, and the grace to navigate the challenges and decisions in our lives.

Lord,

By the light of the Holy Spirit

You have taught the hearts of your faithful.

In the same Holy Spirit

Help us to relish what is right

And always rejoice in your consolation.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

-St Catherine of Siena

Bernard Bass Harrington – ‘In Loving Memory’

We, at St Patrick’s School were fortunate to make new friends in Bernie Harrington and his family in last few years. We were touched by Bernie’s generosity when he made a substantial donation along with his old school friend Raymond Young to his former primary school. We are truly grateful for this gesture and the opportunity to meet and get to know Bernie and his family.

On Monday last, Bernie was farewelled in his beloved Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, where he worshipped for many years. This was a beautiful family celebration with many memories shared. When Bernie visited last, he was presented with a St Patrick’s Cross as a thank you gift. Bernie’s family placed this cross on his casket.

Bernie was remembered as a man who displayed the qualities of loyalty, respect, gratitude, love and a person who bought great joy into the lives of his family. Throughout his life Bernie was a man of integrity, honour, fairness and a man of great faith.

The St Patrick’s School community sends our deepest sympathy to the Harrington family. We have been blessed to know Bernie and his family.

Upcoming Important Events

2^nd August - Year 4/5 Mass (Week 2)
8th August – Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop (Week 3)

9^th August – Mass to celebrate Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day – Year 6
15^th August – Feast of the Assumption of Our Blessed Virgin Mary
16^th August – Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption – Year 3
Archbishop Christopher Prowse’s visit from 15^th – 18^th
30^th August – Year Kinder/Year 1 Mass – Father’s Day

Kate Howe

REC

Congratulations to our Year 3 and 5 students who received their NAPLAN results last week. NAPLAN is a standardised assessment that provides insights into Year 3 and Year 5’s academic progress and areas of strength as well as areas for growth. It provides a ‘snapshot’ of Literacy and Numeracy achievements over the period of testing. We are proud of all our students for their effort and application to their NAPLAN assessments.

Our 2024 Book Fair will be open on Thursday (1st August). Mrs Hughes will be setting up the Learning Hub over the next few days. Children have a "wish list" of books that they would like to purchase. If parents are unable to come into school please can send in the money and we will ensure the books are sent home with your children.

Book sales will commence on Thursday and parents are invited to come into school during lunch and after school to view the books and to make a purchase.

BOOK WEEK DRESS UP DATE: THURSDAY 22ND AUGUST (more information regarding this at a later date - parents and families will be invited to join our special dress up parade)

Our book week dress up theme for 2024 is ‘Reading is Magic’! Our Bookweek dress up day will be held on Thursday 22 August. Students are encouraged to dress up in a costume related to a book they enjoy, on this theme. The possibilities are endless!

It is wonderful to have Ben from Little Champions Gymnastics back to run our K-6 Gymnastics program. The program will run for the first four weeks of Term 3. Students will walk to St Patrick’s Hall to participate in the gym program every Thursday until 15 August.

SCHOOL UNIFORM POLICY: School uniform requirements are set out clearly in our School Uniform Policy. We ask that parents and carers please continue to support the school uniform. The school uniform is endorsed by the St Patrick’s School Community Council. If you would like to address any school uniform items, please contact a SCC representative.

UNIFORM: Please note that our school colours are bottle green, navy and black. The uniform policy clearly outlines the uniform requirements for both boys and girls. This includes hair ties and accessories. Hats are required all year round for outside play and sport activities.

JEWELLERY/MAKE UP: Students are NOT permitted to wear coloured bracelets, rings or necklaces. A religious medallion on a chain worn inside the uniform is acceptable, a solid gold or silver bangles are permitted as well as a plain ring (signet style). Plain gold or silver earrings either studs or sleepers are acceptable. Dangly or colourful earrings are not permitted. Makeup or nail polish is not accepted.

HAIR POLICY: We ask parent support in ensuring that student haircuts are neat and tidy. Unusual haircuts including shaved sides, symbols, mullet style and colours are NOT permitted. Hair longer than shoulder length must be tied back for both girls and boys. Navy/bottle green or black hair accessories only please.

Thank you for your support.

Any families wishing for their child/ren to attend counselling sessions with our our wonderful school counsellor Lucinda, are welcome to contact the school and fill in the online application form. Lucinda has some sessions available this term for new students. Below is Lucinda's email and link to register your child should you wish for counselling sessions during Term 3 and 4.

lucinda.clay@mccg.org.au

https://mccg.my.site.com/housing/s/school-referral-form

Our Little Learners program returns for Term 3 activities this Friday 2nd August from 9.00am - 11am.

This week's theme is "Create It" Explore the world of art and craft and we have lots of activities organised for our creative minds.

Our annual street stall is booked in for 22nd, 23rd and half day 24th August. Please make a note on your calendars for this popular fundraising event.

We will be calling upon our St Patrick's community for donations of baking, fresh produce, plants or plant cuttings, preserves, crafts etc to be sold on the stall over the two and a half days.

We are looking for a major raffle prize to raffle off so if there are any families who would be willing to donate either a load of wood, a dressed lamb or vouchers your kindness would be very much appreciated. Please contact Tash Smith if you may be able to assist with a raffle prize donation on 0402 094 858 or the front office.

We will shortly send out more information including a roster to be filled for those that can volunteer an hour or two of their time to sit on the stall. Thank you in advance for your continued support.

Tash Smith & Lisa Peterson (Street Stall Coordinators)

Are you missing any winter jumpers ???? At the end of Term 2 several jumpers were found around the school grounds and on bag hooks with no names on them. They are second hand jumpers. A box has been place in the front office. If you are missing a jumper please call into the office and have a look through this box.

Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council has been successful in receiving funding from the NSW Governments - Open Streets Program. Together in both Cootamundra and Gundagai they will be holding multiple events under the title of the Starry Nights Festival. The first event – Festival of Gundagai will be held on Friday 20th September 2024 from 4.00-9.00pm.

The event will be held in Sheridan Street (the block between Otway Street and Bryon Street) and in Carberry Park. Festival of Gundagai is a family event that Council hope boosts community spirit and creates strong community connections! The event will be complimented by market stalls, light shows, outdoor movies and kids’ amusement rides.

We are hoping to use this event to showcase all our amazing local talent we have right here in Gundagai.

If you would like to discuss this further or have any questions, please contact Casey Polsen (Tourism & Economic Development Officer for Cootamundra/Gundagai Regional Council) via email casey.polsen@cgrc.nsw.gov.au or call on 1300 459 689 between 9:00am – 4:30pm weekdays.

Marty will now be visiting St Patrick’s School on Thursdays (all day) and Friday’s (9.00-11.00am) to run his music program, due to additional teaching requests. Marty is also planning a music concert for Friday 13 September 9.00-11.00am for all interested parents, grandparents and family members. This will be a great opportunity for students learning a musical instrument to showcase their talents.

We are delighted to be preparing towards a whole school play presentation this year, ‘The Wizard of Oz’.

Class practice sessions have begun! We look forward to presenting this classical musical in Term 4.

Please keep unwell children at home to assist with keeping flus colds and other illnesses to a minimum at school. Parents/carers will be contacted to come and collect students if they come to school unwell. We ask everyone’s assistance in maintaining a healthy school environment please.

Tune into "Sounds of the Mountains" radio station (FM94.1) every Wednesday at 2.15pm to hear about what our classes and school have been up to over the week.

With our Year 5 & 6 class away on their school excursion we will have two of our Yr 4 students present the radio news on Wednesday so be sure to tune in.

Week 10 - Year 4 Students - Zoe Paton & Charlie Ryder

Thank you to our parents and children for your continued support of Altar Serving duties. If possible could the children arrive 10 minutes prior to Mass to allow time to get dressed.

If you are unable to do your rostered day please arrange to have it swapped prior to Mass. If other committments pop up and you have plenty of time to have it swapped could you please notify the office so amendments can be made to bullentin and roster.

28th September - Chase Robinson & Lachlan Barton (Holidays)

5th October (School Holidays) - Nick Quine & Reuben Smart

Day light savings Mass time will change from 5pm to 6pm on 12th October

**** 6pm Mass*** 12th October (School Holidays) - Christyne Calub & RV Calub

19th October - Skye Robinson & Indi Cole

26th October - Leila Gaskin & Lachlan Hargreaves

Congratulations to our Week 1 Term 3 class awards

Kindergarten - Sam Hufton for doing well with his writing

Year 1 - Juno Bock for always showing kindness and compassion to her peers

Year 2 - Lucy Nicholls for her engagement and participation during Daily Reviews

Year 3 - Max Zhu for excellent oral language when asking questions in English

Year 4 - Jimmy Robinson for a great start to Term 3

Year 5 - Indi Cole for achievement across all areas

Year 6 - Archie McDonnell for demonstrating maturity and initiative in Peer Support Training

Congratulations to our Week 1 WildCat Awards. Off to a lovely start of Term 3

RESPONSIBLE - Bella Huang, Lilly Barton, Juno Bock, Leila Gaskin, Reuben Smart

RESPECT - Cindy Chen, Leila Gaskin

SAFE - Leila Gaskin, Charlotte Kennedy

8th July - Alfie Eccleston

17th July - Noah Zhu

28th July - Toby Nicholls

29th July - Nick Quine

31st July - Archie Peterson

WEEK 6:

Wednesday 28 August: NAIDOC activities and Aboriginal Culture Day celebrations

Friday 30 August:

* 12pm Year K/1 Mass

* Father’s Day celebrations - BBQ Lunch

WEEK 7: Family Week

Friday 6 September: Year 3/4 Excursion

Saturday 7 September: 6pm Family Mass (St Patrick’s Church)

Sunday 8 September: Tournament of the Minds Competition in Wagga (Yr 6)

WEEK 8:

Tuesday 10 September: 6pm SCC Meeting

Friday 13 September:

* 9.00-11.00am Marty’s Music Concert

* 12pm Year 2 Mass

WEEK 9:

Thursday 19 September: Christine Wishart Dance Performance K-6 GHS

WEEK 10:

Monday 23-Thursday 26 September: Year 5/6 excursion to Sydney

Thursday 26 September:

* 2.30pm Week 10 Award Assembly

* Term 3 concludes for students

Friday 27 September: Staff Development Day (NO STUDENTS)

Marymead CatholicCare will be holding foster carer information sessions for anyone who has, or is, considering becoming foster carers.

Information sessions will be held in Cootamundra, 6/8/2024, and Young, 7/8/2024.

Young_Cootamundra_Info_Session.pdf

Young_Cootamundra_Info_Session _pdf 1.39 MB