From the Principal

Dear families,

What an incredible way to finish Term 3! Our school concert was a true celebration of community, creativity, and the performing arts. The energy, anticipation, and enthusiasm from the audience were palpable, and it was heartening to see families, staff, and students come together to share in such a special event.

Our students shone brightly on stage, demonstrating not only their talent but also the grit, tenacity, and perseverance we continue to foster through our work with the Global Competencies. For some, this meant overcoming moments of anxiety or hesitation to step onto the stage - and what a triumph it was to see every child experience success and joy in their performance. These are the moments that help build confidence and character, and we could not be prouder.

We are deeply grateful to the staff who dedicated countless hours behind the scenes, to the parents who supported students at home and in rehearsals, and of course to the students who gave their very best. Together, you created a performance that showcased the very best of our school.

As we turn our attention to Term 4, we look forward to warmer days, exciting learning opportunities in digital and design technology, the joy of welcoming our 2026 Foundation students, and the bittersweet task of farewelling our Grade 6 cohort as they prepare for the next chapter.

What a wonderful way to end the term - and what a term we have to look forward to! Have a fantastic holiday break and we look forward to an engaging and enthusiastic fourth term!

Important: Before School and After School

Before School Supervision

A friendly reminder that students should not be on the school grounds prior to 8:30am. Supervision begins at 8:30am, and access to the grounds is from this time. For special circumstances only, gates will open at 8:20am to allow students to enter and wait on the decking area until supervision commences.

After School Supervision

The school day ends at 3:15pm, and students should be collected no later than 3:30pm. After school care arrangements are available through Extend (OSHC service provider) from 3:15pm–6:00pm, Monday to Friday. If you would like more information about these arrangements, please contact the school office or Extend directly.

Summer Uniform

From the beginning of term 4 students will be required to wear their full summer school uniform. You can find further information about the appropriate uniform items here. A reminder that we are a Sun Smart school and expect that all students wear a hat for outside play, activities and excursions throughout term 4 and 1. 

As part of our uniform policy, it is expected that students wear black shoes with their regular uniform. Solid black shoes are required on these days.Shoes must have completely black soles and uppers, with no visible logos or markings in any other colours.

In terms 4 and 1, we have many students misplacing hats - please ensure your child's name is clearly marked. Children without hats will be directed to play in an undercover area.

Colour Run Fundraiser Update

Our Colour Run fundraiser is off to a fantastic start! We’ve had an incredible amount of interest from students and so much support from our wider school community – well done, everyone!

A big congratulations to 5/6O, who are the winners of our very first competition for creating the most profiles. Your class has won icy poles for everyone – a well-deserved treat!

Our current competition will be drawn tomorrow: every class that has raised over $200 will go into the draw to win a class pizza party. Let’s keep those donations coming in!

And don’t forget – there will be a colouring-in competition running throughout the holidays. Take one home tomorrow, make it as awesome and colourful as you can, and bring it back in Week 1 for your chance to win some great prizes!

Thank you for your amazing support – we can’t wait to see the fun and colour build as we get closer to the big day! 

Trivia Night

Our P&F Trivia Night is just around the corner – and it’s shaping up to be a fantastic evening of fun, laughter, and friendly competition. 

Get in quick to secure your ticket and join us for a great night out with our school community. Bring your friends, brush up on your trivia knowledge, and get ready for plenty of laughs and maybe even a few surprises!

For full details and ticket information, check the Parent Information page.

SchoolTV 

This week on SchoolTV you will find articles on Anxiety & Young People.

"Anxiety is a normal and healthy response to stress. However, when it becomes overwhelming and persistent, it can interfere with a child's daily life. To tackle this problem, it's essential to understand what anxiety is."

Click on the link below to access a wealth of videos, articles, and resources on the aforementioned topics.

All Editions | St Patrick's School - Ballarat (schooltv.me) 

Kind regards,

Ben Shields