Dear Parents and Carer’s,

Congratulations to all our students on an outstanding performance of the ‘THE WIZARD OF OZ’ school production! If there was ever a moment in time when you stand back and think wow, this was it! Every student is to be congratulated on their fantastic performance that gave the audience so much fun, laughter and enjoyment. The singing, dancing together with individual and group performances, were such a credit to every staff member and every student. Wow, wow, wow! We are so very proud of everyone.                                            

PARENT ASSISTANCE FOR WIZARD OF OZ PRODUCTION: Thank you to our wonderful band of volunteer parent helpers that spent countless hours behind the scenes making props as well as stage and entrance way decorations. We are extremely grateful to Bec Tobin, Marg & Aaron Nicholls, Bec and Anthony Nicholls, Tash Smith, Amy Ryder, Chloe Knight-Gregson, Louise Crowe, Megan Bayley and Madeline Ryan. Special thanks also to grandparent Mr Dave Howard for making the fabulous windmill. Very special thanks to Bec Tobin for her fantastic promotional ads on the St Pat’s events page. Your support was very much appreciated.

GUNDAGAI HIGH SCHOOL (GHS) ENTERTAINMENT CLASS: A very special thank you is also extended to GHS, Mr Chris Fish and Year 12 Entertainment Team crew members Henry and Amity, for their support of our school play in providing stage lighting, sound and special design effects. We could not have got through the performances without their expert assistance.

WIZARD OF OZ RAFFLE WINNER: Congratulations to Ms Kris Bartlett who was the winner of the Wizard of Oz toy raffle. Ms Dawson drew the lucky ticket at last Friday’s whole school assembly. Thank you to all families and friends who supported the raffle. It was greatly appreciated.

This week we welcome back Mrs Lisa Wilson from LSL. A very big thank you and much appreciation to Mrs Tash Flanagan for all her time, effort, and energy in stepping up as Acting Assistant Principal over the past 7 weeks, particularly with her incredible support of our school play. We simply could not have managed all the props and background changes without her! We also extend our deepest gratitude and thanks to Miss Casey Hiller for taking such great care of our Year 6 students during Mrs Wilson’s absence. Miss Hillier is with us until the end of this week while Mrs Carberry is on leave. Thank you very much Mrs Flanagan and Miss Hillier.

Please continue to keep Mrs Howe and her daughter Emma in your prayers. It has been wonderful to hear that prayers are working, and Emma is improving daily.

Christine Baron

Principal                                                                                                                                                                

We are delighted to announce that Kirra Pendergast, a leading expert in online safety and founder

of Safe on Social, hosting an online Year 3-6 session for our St Patrick’s students as well as other students in our WR Catholic schools! This is a fantastic opportunity for both students and parents to learn valuable skills for navigating the digital world safely and responsibly. We are engaging Kirra due to a concerning increase in online issues faced by our students outside of school, which impacts their relationships and functioning at school. It has highlighted an urgent need for expert guidance on digital safely. Do not miss this incredible, one-off opportunity.

For Students:

• Learn Online Safety: Understand the importance of privacy and how to protect personal information.

• Combat Cyberbullying: Gain tools to recognize and respond to cyberbullying.
• Build Healthy

For Parents:

• Guidance and Support: Receive practical strategies to monitor and guide your child’s online activities.

• Effective Communication: Learn how to discuss online safety and digital etiquette with your children.

• Access Resources: Get comprehensive tools and resources to support your family’s online safety journey.

A separate note has gone home to our Year 3-6 families to provide them with more information. Special thanks is extended to the WR principal’s Association for sponsoring our St Patrick’s students to attend this event.

PARENT SESSION: Parents are asked to please return their note and $10 if they wish to also attend the online parent session at 5.30pm, which is highly recommended. A link will be provided.

SESSION TIMES: Thursday 5 December

• Year 3/4: 10.00-11.00am
• Year 5/6: 12.00-1.00pm
• Staff: 3:30pm
• Parents: 5.30pm (you need to register for this event. Please contact the office if interested)

Parents are asked to please provide consent for their child to attend through the COMPASS portal.

DATE: Wednesday 18 December

MOVIES:

* Year K/1/2-Moana 2 (PG)

* Years 3/4/5/6-Wicked (PG)

All students will receive a bottle of water, popcorn and a lollipop to have in the movies.

MAKEHAM COACHES PICK UP TIMES:

* K/1/2 bus will leave at 9.00am

* Years 3/4/5/6 bus will leave at 8.50am

Please note: Makeham’s coaches to Wagga WILL NOT leave before normal school bus students arrive at school. The coaches will be back in time for the Traditional Ringing of the school bell for our Year 6 students.

As some of you might be aware, the Year 6 students have foolishly challenged the teachers to a three-round competition on Wednesday morning (4/12/24). Each student will have the opportunity to participate in one of the rounds against the combined might of the teachers. The three rounds are:

1. Touch football

2. Trivia

3. Scavenger Hunt.

The SRC students from Years 2-5 will be facilitating the events on the day. To show their support for either team, students are encouraged to bring a gold coin and to come out of uniform wearing something green to support Year 6, or something blue to support the teachers. Year 6 can wear their Year 6 shirts. Money raised will continue to go towards the SRC for the painting and updating of the blacktop games and activities.

Good luck Year 6

Congratulations to all of our Year 5 students on the presentation of their 2025 School Captain speeches, last week. Every Year 5 students is to be applauded for the time and effort they put into their speeches which gave us a sense of them as a person, their families and the values they would uphold as School Leaders. Voting for 2025 School Captains has commenced and are in the process of being counted. 2025 Year 6 Leadership positions will be announced at the 2024 Award Day.

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

Please keep in mind our annual Christmas appeal to support the St Vincent de Paul Society. At the end of year Mass, we are asked to donate food and household items that can be put together as hampers to assist those in our community who need some help during the festive season.

Your generosity will be greatly appreciated.

To ensure we are able to provide a broad range of hamper items we have designated each class a specific item.

Kindergarten: Drinks (non-alcoholic)

Year One: Dinner Savoury Pantry (pasta, sauces, 2-minute noodles)

Year Two: Party Pantry (biscuits, nuts, chips, popcorn)

Year Three: Tins and Cans (fruit, soup, vegetables)

Year Four: Cleaning and Toiletries (spray & wipe, toothbrushes, laundry powder)

Year Five: Breakfast Savoury Pantry (cereals, spreads, food bars)

Year Six: Sweets and Desserts (mince pies, custard powder, chocolates, puddings)

OVERDUE LIBRARY BOOKS

Could all students that have library books at home please send them into school over the next few weeks.  All books need to be marked off as returned before we finish school. 

The Year 6 Graduation Dinner will be held on Wednesday 11 December at Lott’s Family Hotel commencing at 6pm. Year 6 students along with their parents are invited to attend. Notes will go out to families shortly with more details about this special evening. Meal orders and money due back by THIS Friday 6 December please.

Year 6 Graduation Mass: will be held at St Patrick’s Church at 12pm on Friday 13 December. Year 6 parents and family members are most welcome to attend this very special Mass to celebrate our Year 6 students’ journey through St Patrick’s School. This is always a special time of reflection and celebration back across the students Primary School years. Parents and families of Year 6 are more than welcome to attend.

GIFTING MASS: The Year 6 Graduation Mass is also our opportunity to support our local families in need at Christmas time. Classes are asked to bring in items as requested to provide food hampers.

Please see the list below:

Kindergarten: Drinks (non-alcoholic)

Year One: Dinner Savoury Pantry (pasta, sauces, 2-minute noodles)

Year Two: Party Pantry (biscuits, nuts, chips, popcorn)

Year Three: Tins and Cans (fruit, soup, vegetables)

Year Four: Cleaning and Toiletries (spray & wipe, toothbrushes, laundry powder)

Year Five: Breakfast Savoury Pantry (cereals, spreads, food bars)

Year Six: Sweets and Desserts (mince pies, custard powder, chocolates, puddings)

Cricket NSW are once again hosting a FREEE cricket clinic at Gundagai High School in the school holidays.  All the information is on the attached flyer. This clinic is open to kids between the ages of 5-12 years. 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

• Tuesday 17 December: Parent/Teacher Meetings
• Wednesday 18th December - Whole School Excursion to Wagga Forum 6 Cinema - Please ensure you pack a lunchbox, drink bottle and hat for the day
• Wednesday 18 December: Term 4 concludes at 3.15pm

2025 School Starting Dates:

• Friday 31 January: CATAYLST System Day
• Monday 3 February: NSW Staff Planning Day
• Tuesday 4 February: Years 1-6 begin school
• Wednesday 5 February: Kindergarten commence school
• SPG Swimming Carnival: Thursday 13 February-TBC
• Opening School Mass: Friday 21 February
• Ash Wednesday: Wednesday 5 March
• Footsteps Dance: Week 8
• Last day of Term 1 for students: Thursday 10 April
• Staff Development Day: Friday 11 April

Congratulations to our Week 6 and Week 7 Class Awards

Week 6 - 22nd November 

Kindergarten: Anna Nicholls for showing leadership and enthusiasm during the Wizard of Oz performance

Year 1 : George Ryan for enthusiastic towards his learning

Year 2: Isabella Melksham for her dedication to our Jitterbug dance

Year 3: Lane Johnson for determination to succeed

Year 4: Mackenzie Little for always trying her best

Year 5: Connor Cotterill for being a great help to his new buddy

Year 6: AB Ryan for his outstanding effort and enthusiams during tennis lessons

Week 7 - 29th November

Kindergarten: Tannah Elliott for accuracy in reading and sound recognition 

Kindergarten: Sam Hufton for his enthusiastic attitude to his work

Year 1 : Noah Zhu for accuracy in his Maths assessment

Year 2: Lance Crowe for showing a keen interest and ability in Science & Tech

Year 3: Parker Melksham for his perservance with writing tasks

Year 4: Zoe Morgan for displaying a positive attitude

Year 5: Molly Lott for approaching learning tasks with maturity

Year 6: Riley Smith for his effort during writing tasks especially in our persuasive letters and his genius hour

Thank you to all of our wonderful canteen mums for volunteering your time to cook cupcakes or cookies or work in the canteen we are extremely grateful

We only have a few more weeks left of canteen.

Happy Birthday to the following students who has recently had a special birthday 

24th November - Chelsea Crowe

25th November - Kingsley McDonnell 

29th November - Lilly Barton 

3rd December - Fred Miller 

Christmas Eve Family Mass - Tuesday 24th December 6pm

Christmas Day Mass - 8am 

Christmas on Sheridan is a festive community event held annually in Gundagai, bringing the town together to celebrate the holiday season 

Taking place on Sheridan Street, this event transforms the heart of Gundagai into a lively hub of holiday cheer, with local businesses participating in late-night shopping, kids rides and live entertainment 

Families can enjoy activities such as face painting, and visits from Santa Claus, creating a magical atmosphere for children and adults alike 

WHEN: Friday 13th December 5pm - 9pm 

Celebrate the festive season at Gundagai's Carols in the Park, a magical evening filled with Christmas cheer! Join us for live performances of beloved Christmas carols and holiday music, creating a joyful atmosphere for the whole family.

Treat your taste buds to delicious food from local vendors and enjoy the warm community spirit under the starlit sky. With special guests adding to the excitement, this cherished tradition is the perfect way to embrace the season and share the joy of Christmas with loved ones. Don't miss this heartwarming celebration!

WHEN: Sunday 15th December 5.30pm - 9.00pm

WHERE: Carberry Park, 245 Sheridan Street, Gundagai