Dear Parents and Carers,

Habemus Papam! Welcome to our newly elected Pope Leo XIV. Excitement has prevailed with the appearance of white smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday 8 May signalling to the world that a new leader of the Catholic Church had been elected. Pope Leo X1V celebrated the Mass of Inauguration of his pontificate on Sunday which marks the official beginning of his papacy. Please find below a short life summary of Robert Francis Prevost, a humble man who has served as a missionary in Peru, lived and walked among the poor and who will now be known to the world as Pope Leo X1V!

In 1975, Robert Prevost was at the top of his game.

A math teacher in Chicago.

Accepted into Harvard Law.

But he chose a different path — he became a priest.

He joined a missionary order and moved to Peru.

Not to the cities.

To the remote villages — where children die from treatable diseases,

and families walk miles just for clean water.

Robert didn’t just live among the people —

he became one of them.

He learned Quechua, the sacred Incan language.

Carried food for days on foot.

Slept on dirt floors.

Taught math under broken rooftops.

Carried the sick on donkeys.

Prayed under the stars.

His acts were not broadcast,

but they echoed through the Andes.

Bishops noticed.

The Vatican noticed.

They called him back to lead the Augustinian order across 40 countries.

He kept his sandals.

He walked with the poor.

He rejected luxury.

Rome brought him closer:

• Archbishop (2020)

• Cardinal (2023)

• Pope Leo XIV (2025)

Even then, each year he returned to those same villages.

Sat on dirt floors.

Held hands of the elderly and sick.

Because for him, leadership is about presence, not position.

The Vatican didn’t just see a priest.

They saw a leader with soul.

The rest is now history. ?

Enjoy the week ahead and please continue to pray for much needed rain.

Christine Baron

Principal

St Patrick, Pray for us

National Volunteers Week

This week is National Volunteer Week in Australia. The theme for 2025 is "Connecting Communities". This week is a national celebration of volunteering and the important role volunteers play in Australian communities. With gratitude we thank all the volunteers in our community for the wonderful work they do and their families for the support they give to these volunteers.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Please continue to keep our Year Three children from St Patrick’s and four children from the Primary School, who are preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in your prayers. This preparation is being supported by the Year Three/Four class as a whole. This Sacrament highlights God’s forgiving and healing love and how we can become closer to God in a renewed way.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated on Friday 30^th May.

Sacrament of Baptism

St Patrick’s Parish welcomed Josie Anne Lott through the Sacrament of Baptism on Saturday. Father Joe along with Josie’s family celebrated this special occasion. We congratulate Josie as she moves along in her Sacramental journey.

Project Compassion Donation  

Thank you to our wonderful families for the very generous donation of  $356.50 through our Project Compassion effort. If anyone still has their boxes at home, please send them in asap and we will forward our donation to Caritas Australia.

Pope Leo XIV

Over the weekend we watched the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV into his role as head of the Catholic Church.

In his first Mass, Pope Leo spoke about being ‘United in love and unity’. Pope Leo said, I was chosen, without any merit of my own, and now, with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother, who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God's love, for he wants us all to be united in one family."

"Let us build a church founded on God's love, a sign of unity, a missionary church that opens its arms to the world, proclaims the word, allows itself to be made restless by history, and becomes a leaven of harmony for humanity," Pope Leo said. 

We pray that Pope Leo XIV be strengthened in his ministry. May he continue building bridges that connect us to one another. May he be an example of faith, hope and love. Amen.

Kate Howe

REC

Meet Your 2025 Executive Committee
We’re pleased to introduce the members of the St Patrick’s Community Council Executive Committee:

• President: Bec Nicholls
• Vice President: Sam Johnson
• Treasurer: Elizabeth Ferguson
• Secretary: Marg Nicholls & Louise Crowe
• Fundraiser Coordinator: Carla Barton
• Committee Members: Bonita Taylor & Madeline Ryan

Facilities Update
Term 1 ended on a high note with the exciting approval of a new bathroom block and a Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA). Construction on the bathrooms is now in progress. Although there have been some unexpected delays, the revised completion timeline is around 16 weeks. The builders are collaborating closely with the school to minimise disruptions, and we commend our students for their resilience and adaptability during this time.

Mother’s Day Raffle – A Heartfelt Thank You!
A huge thank you to our students, families, and wider community for your generous support of our Mother's Day Raffle. Thanks to your efforts, we raised $3,356! Part of these funds will go towards creating a special new outdoor space for our Year 6 students, featuring a cement slab, table, and umbrella.

Digital Sign Approved
We’re excited to share that the school's digital sign has been approved! It will be installed at the corner of Sheridan Street and Homer Street—keep an eye out for updates, news, and events.

Looking Ahead – Fundraising Fun
We’re already planning exciting events for Terms 3 and 4. Coming up in Term 3 is our Spring Disco—a night of neon, glow sticks, and bright colours! It promises to be a fantastic event for our students.

Regards,
Marg Nicholls (Secretary)
On behalf of the St Patrick's Community Council

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK: National Reconciliation Week (NRW) will be celebrated from 27 May to 3 June. The 2025 theme is ‘Bridging now to next’. This theme encourages Australians to reflect on the past, look ahead to the future and continue the journey towards reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. St Patrick’s will host a number of activities to promote National Reconciliation Week.

NATIONAL SORRY DAY: St Patrick’s will hold a special liturgy on Monday 26 May at 12.30pm to acknowledge National Sorry Day. National Sorry Day acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’.

CULTURAL DAY: Mrs Hughes our Aboriginal Contact Teacher, has also organised a special Cultural Day for Thursday 5 June (Week 6) with Lachie Everston and Libby Goodsell (CECG Teaching and Learning Support Officers-Aboriginal Education) along with our local Wiradjuri elder, Aunty Sue Bulger. The students will participate in a variety of engaging Indigenous rotational activities that help promote respect and inclusion of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Thank you to all who joined us for the wonderful celebration of all mother figures Friday fortnight ago. We had over 65 mothers join us for morning tea! Perfect weather conditions prevailed on the day as mums, aunts, grandmothers and even some great grandmothers gathered to enjoy a delicious Mother’s Day spread with many able to stay on for the beautiful Mother’s Day Mass.

Construction on our new student amenities block continues this week. Underground work has been completed and a new concrete slab laid over the weekend. Construction of ceilings and partitions are now underway.

Mrs Baron will be attending the Association of Catholic Schools Principals (ACSP) Conference this week. Mrs Wilson will be in charge during this time.

Students from Years 3-6 will be participating in our annual WR Public Speaking competition this term in readiness for the finals in early Term 3. The topics for each class are:

· Year 3-If animals could talk, what would they say? (2 mins)

· Year 4-A much needed invention (2 mins)

· Year 5-What would I do with a time machine? (3 mins)

· Year 6-What mistakes teach us? (3 mins)

Two class representatives from each year level will be selected to participate in the speak off with McAuley Catholic College which will be held on Tuesday 24 June at McAuley. More information to come.

WEEK 4

· Thursday 22 May-Gundagai Ex Services Club Cancer Council morning tea-K/1/2 singing

WEEK 5 - National Reconciliation Week

· Monday 26 May-National Sorry Day Liturgy 12.30pm Learning Hub

· Thursday 29 May-SPG Athletics Carnival

· Friday 30 May-9.30am First Reconciliation liturgy in St Patrick’s Church

-12.00pm Year 3/4 Class Mass

-2.30pm Week 5 Award Assembly

WEEK 6

· Thursday 5 June-Cultural Day Activities (Reconciliation Week)

· Friday 6 June-9.00-11.00am Little Learners Program begins

ROAR (Reach Out And Relax) is an early intervention mental health service that provides support to children and young people up to the age of 18, along with their families by providing case management support.

This program is free of charge and is non-clinical, a GP or Mental Health Plan is not required for a referral. We tailor our support to assist with the goals and needs a young person has, and we can offer short-term assistance for individuals or small groups (6-8 sessions) or intensive long-term support (support from 6-12 months).

Geoff Dewar is a Child, Family and Community Worker and is currently working in Gundagai on Wednesdays and Fridays. 

This program will be available in 2025 for any families wishing to reach out.

Our online referral form is here - ROAR referral process - Intereach

Last newsletter we published an overview of NCCD to explain to families what NCCD involves for students, families and schools. 

This week we explain how is a disability defined? If you would like more information please contact the school or Mr Ferguson.

Thank you to our wonderful children and families who have already purchased tickets in this raffle organised by Mrs Carberry and the Yr 3/4 class.  We will continue to sell the raffle tickets for a few more weeks so there is still plenty of time to purchase tickets.  Extra items will also be added to the raffle over the next week so keep your eyes peeled. 

This is a great way for our children to reach out and assist our little mates.  Cash Donations will also be accepted to assist the family and can be left at the front office. 

Great start to Term 2 for our weekly awards for Week 2 and Week 3.

Week 2 - Friday 9th May 

Kindergarten : Charlotte Grange for being a kind and considerate student at all times

Year 1/2 : Sophia Knight-Gregson for her impressive PAT Maths results and excellent class manners

Year 3 : Isabella Melksham for effort across all areas (absent from photo) 

Year 4 : Archie Peterson for always trying to improve

Year 5 : Maeve Ryan for consistently striving for excellence in all subject areas

Year 6 : Ollie Crowe for increased confidence and initiative towards tasks (absent from photo)

Week 3 - Friday 16th May 

Kindergarten : Ned Phelps for big efforts with his letters and sounds 

Year 1/2 : George Ryan for being engaged and participating in Maths lessons

Year 3 : Lucy Nicholls for her application in Maths 

Year 3 : Harley Rose for excellent participation in Spelling Mastery

Year 4 : Lachlan Barton for consistent homework efforts 

Year 5 : Mackenzie Little for developing independence and positive mindset on challenging set tasks 

Year 6 : Molly Lott for determination and enthusiasm towards all learning

Congratulations to our WildCat Awards for Week 2 and Week 3. We love seeing the positive learning and behaviours during class and play time. 

RESPONSIBLE :  Harley Rose, Fletcher Smith, Phoenix Rose x 2, Lachlan Hargreaeves, Eddy Smith, Fred Miller, Zoe Morgan, Harry Barton

SAFE : Claudia Worldon, Lilly Ferguson, Lottie Worldon, Harry Barton, Billy Eccleston, Toby Nicholls, Olivia Smart, Lilly Barton

RESPECT : Harry Ryder, Lotus Li, Hazel Miller, Harley Rose, Maeve Ryan, Leila Gaskin, Lachlan Hargreaves, Harry Barton, Remi Taylor, Leo Lewis, Bodhi Bolger, Imogen Graham, Lachlan Barton, Isabel Knight-Gregson, Ryan Robinson

Thank you to our wonderful mums for your continued support of our canteen each week.  The children and staff look forward to a treat on a Monday and Friday.

Welcome Back to Term 2 of Radio News with our Yr 5/6 Students.

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.

We apologise for last week's missed radio news. We had Indi Cole and Charlie Ryder waiting patiently but unfortunately we were unable to get through to the radio station due to a busy phone line.  

Week 6 (4th June) - Molly Lott and Zoe Paton 

Week 7 (11th June) - Emma Brown and Lotus Li

Week 8 (18th June) - Lachlan Hargreaves and RV Calub

Happy Birthday to the following students who have celebrated a birthday. 

12th May - Bodhi Bolger 

15th May - Emma Brown 

18th May - Kaydee Smith and Zoe Paton