Dear Parents,

Welcome to our final week of Term 2 and the halfway mark of our school year. This is always the point of time, as educators we stop and reflect on how much the students have grown, matured and changed over the past two terms. It has been a pleasure to read through the students’ Semester One reports and acknowledge their academic, social and personal gains across the past semester. Congratulations to each and every student for their time, effort and commitment to achieving growth since the beginning of the school year.

PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS: Thank you to parents for booking their interview times via the COMPASS portal. This is always a wonderful opportunity to touch base with your child/ren’s classroom teacher and reflect on the positive growth while also discussing how to support your child/ren’s development throughout Semester Two. We look forward to hosting these important conversations with our families and continuing to support each child on their individual educational journey.

FAREWELL RYAN FAMILY:

WEEK 10 ASSEMBLY:

Our Week 10 assembly has been moved to Wednesday 29^th June and will commence at 2:15pm in the Learning Hub. The choir will perform their two songs that were performed at the recent WR Choir Competition, our weekly awards and special awards will be presented along with a special farewell to the Ryan family. Parents will be notified if their child is receiving a special award. Please join us as we celebrate the end of our first school semester.

ROBOTICS INCURSION DAY: Unfortunately, Kevin and Pauline were unable to attend St Patrick’s last Friday for the annual Robotics Incursion Day, due to illness. The Robotics Day will now be held on Tuesday 19^th July (first day of Term 3). The students are keenly looking forward to this exciting event.

COMPASS PORTAL: We ask parents to be proactive with the COMPASS portal and the information that is sent out. ALL our school communication now goes out via the portal. Please make sure you set your alerts to ensure you do not miss important information or school events. Parents are responsible for checking the portal and keeping up to date with events, excursions and information.

We wish all our families a wonderful school holiday and hope that there is plenty of sunshine around. Please take note of our return dates to school for Term 3 as listed below. Thank you to parents for their ongoing wonderful support and commitment to their children and the staff at St Patrick’s School. It is always a pleasure to work alongside our families and school as we work together as partners in education.

Christine Baron

Principal

It is hard to believe that we have reached the end of Term 2. It seems to have passed very quickly and has been action packed.

Ryan Family Farewell

This week we say goodbye to Tim and Madeline Ryan and their children Hugh, Alexander, Maeve and George who are moving on in a new stage of their life. We will miss the Ryan’s and their contribution to our School and Parish Community. Hugh and AB have both been very willing to assist in various roles in the Parish with Altar Serving, reading and being general helpers with Church activities.

Madeline has held the position of Parish Secretary for several years and has worked tirelessly to keep the Parish running smoothly. Madeline has been part of the Sacramental Team, assisting our children in their preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation. Her deep faith and commitment to the faith journey of our Parish children has been demonstrated over many years.

I personally am so thankful to Madeline for all her assistance dedication and organisation in this area. We wish the Ryan family every blessing.

Vinnies Winter Appeal

On Friday 29^th July (Term 3, Week 2) we will hold our Mass, to support the St Vincent de Paul Society in their Winter Appeal.

Help us make a difference to people in need in our local community this winter.  

We propose that the children will come out of uniform and wear a scarf and beanie to emphasis the comfort we have in comparison to those in need.

• A gold coin donation would be appreciated.
• On this day families are encouraged to donate suitable winter clothing, jumpers, jackets, scarfs, hats, gloves, socks, blankets etc.
• We will celebrate Mass on this day, taking our items with us and placing these into the St Vinnies blue bin as we go to the Church.

Can you help and make a difference?

Vinnies need - Blankets, Jumpers, Scarves, socks, beanies, weather coats

 The upcoming school holidays is a perfect time to go through our cupboards

 and find suitable items for donation.

World Meeting of Families Event Cootamundra

Pope Francis is inviting families around the world to gather to celebrate and explore the theme of this year’s World Meeting of Families: “Family love: A vocation and a path to holiness.”

Free circus and celebration of family life, Cootamundra.

Parishioners are warmly invited, bring your children and grandchildren to a free circus and celebration of Family Life for the World Meeting of Families 2022.

2 pm - 4 pm Sunday 10 of July, Sacred Heart Central School, Cootamundra. Places limited.

Register online at https://bit.ly/WMF_FREECIRCUS

Altar Servers

Thank you to all our Altar Servers who will serve the Parish over the holidays.

Prayer for the Parish Mission

Father God, thank you for our Church and its people.

Fill us with your Holy Spirit so that our Church may grow.

Help us to see you in everyone we meet and fill our lives with your grace.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Wishing all our families a safe, happy and relaxing holidays.

Kate Howe

REC

Thursday 30^th June-Protected Industrial Action

St Patrick’s School will be closed on Thursday as there are insufficient staff to care for students. Please contact Mrs Baron ASAP if you are unable to organise alternative care arrangements for this day.

Congratulations to our Year 5/6 Choir group that performed exceptionally well at the Western Region Catholic Primary Schools Choir Festival held in Young last Thursday.

Each choir was judged on their appearance and etiquette, entrance and exit, enthusiasm, musical ability (harmony and clarity), and general performance. Our choir excelled in all areas and are to be proud of their efforts. Congratulations and well done!

We would like to extend a huge thank you to Mrs Alicia Hargreaves, Mrs Anne Field and Mrs Kate Graham our wonderful choir teachers for all time, effort, support and patience in teaching us to sing over the past 10 weeks. Thank you also to all the parents who provided transport and supported our performance today.

We also extend our thanks to the judges, host school Trinity Catholic School and host venue Hennessy Catholic College for providing a wonderful opportunity to share the musical talent of students in the Western Region. Congratulations to St Mary’s West Wyalong, Trinity Murrumburrah and St Joseph’s Boorowa for their achievements on the day.

Our Choir will preform their two songs at the Whole School Assembly on Wednesday afternoon. Religious Song Choice: My Lighthouse and Contemporary Song Choice: On a Cloudy Day.

Due to school finishing on Wednesday afternoon for Term 2 we will be sending home another box of Covid-19 Testing Kits.  Each child will receive a box.  Please notify the office if you do not receive your testing kits. 

WR Athletics Write-up by Taite Johnson 

Well it started with me AB, Chase and Jimmy in the car because we had to take them but when we got out there were just mountains of people and cars once we passed through the gates and went to our shelter. After a couple minutes before my race was called (800m) we did the welcome to country . I was a bit nervous but once my race was called I ran over to the marshalling area. When they told me to line up I was very cold so when we started I was freezing.  In that race I came 3rd. 

After that I had to go to disc - my first throw was not my best I was about 5th then my second throw I moved up to second my final throw I got first, although that was only in my age group 10 years but I’m junior boys so 8s and 9s get ruled into it and 2 of them beat me so I got third in that one.

Straight after I had my 100m I put up a really good fight and ended up winning. I got a tiny rest after that I used it and ate and got more energy than I had to do long jump. I didn't do too good in long jump because of the way it was set out, the mat was tiny and we had to jump over a grass bit and the real long jump.

After that I had to do the 200m. I was in the last heat and I was almost at the back of the line I pulled through and won it.

Then we had the relay AB, Chase, Denver and myself it was a hard race but we got 3rd. 

Then I had high jump. I was going so well until the rain it was called off. I didn't find out until later that I got Runner Up Junior Boy Champion.  I had a great day and I was proud of myself.  

Once again, we will attempt to bring our whole school production of ‘Alice the Musical’ to life this year. Students will begin practicing parts in their classrooms over the next term. 

The following dates that have been set aside for the musical production in Week 9 of Term 3. Wednesday 14^th September for a matinee performance and Thursday 15^th September for a night performance.

Teachers will be in touch shortly to notify parents about costume requirements

The Community Council are excited to announce the return of the St. Pat’s Trivia night fundraiser! Cal and Pete Reardon have kindly offered to run the trivia again this year. They have organised very successful and fun trivia nights in the past and after 2 years of interruptions to our social calendar, this year is guaranteed to be a popular event! Please save the date and start sorting through the costume box. We will run a bar on the night, so if you can please help to run the bar or with catering for a light supper please contact the Community Council. There will also be an auction on the night so please get in touch if you have any ideas for auction items or if you have a local business and would like to contribute, it’s a great way to support the school and promote your business at the same time.

Kind Regards,

Kate Graham

Secretary 

Friday 1^st July: Additional Professional Learning Day for all staff: (Pupil Free Day)

Term 3 Starting date:

Monday 18^th July-Staff Professional Development Day (Pupil Free Day)

Tuesday 19^th July-Years K-6 return

ROBOTICS INCURSION DAY: Tuesday 19^th July

Years 5/6-9.30-11.00am

Years 3/4-11.30-1.00pm

Years K/1/2-2.00-3.00pm 

BOOKFAIR:

• Week 1 and 2 Please note the Bookweek parade will be held later in the term.

NAIDOC WEEK MASS

• Wednesday 27^th July (Week 2)

Years 3-6 will travel to McAuley Catholic Central School to participate in this special NAIDOC Week Mass. Parents are asked to please give consent via the COMPASS portal

Year 5/6 Excursion:

• Monday 1^st August to Thursday 4^th August

CATHOLIC EDUCATION COMMISSION (CEC) SCHOOL VISIT:

• Monday 8^th 14 representatives of the CEC will visit St Patrick’s School for a school tour and lunch with staff.

Congratulations to our Week 8 and Week 9 Student of the Week Awards

Week 8 - Friday 17th June

Kindergarten : Lottie Worldon for excellent listening and identifying sounds within words

Yr 1 / 2 : Sarah Gailey for enthusiastic participation in all class activities

Yr 3 / 4 : Emily Ryan for her concentration and doing well in Mathematics 

Yr 5 / 6 : Akacia Winchester for her leading discussions and always showing initiative in her learning 

Week 9 - Friday 24th June 

Kindergarten : Billy Eccleston for always producing high quality work 

Yr 1 / 2 : Zoe Paton for consistent effort in homework and improvement in reading and spelling 

Yr 1 / 2 : Fletcher Smith for showing big improvement and enthusiastic approach to his reading 

Yr 3 / 4 : Corby Rose for her application to all learning areas and wonderful support to her feers 

Yr 5 / 6 : Hugh Ryan for being respectful and mature in discussions 

Happy Birthday to the following students who have celebrated their birthdays recently.  We hope you all had a wonderful day surrounded by family and friends

16th June : Isabella Melksham, Lachlan Barton and Harrison Barton 

21st June : Eliza Graham 

25th June : James Reardon 

27th June : Maeve Ryan