Principal's Message
Wow! What a Performance!
The performance of "Ali Baba and the Forty Bikies" at the Walcha Multipurpose Centre was a huge success last night. The evening was a memorable showcase of the exceptional talent of our students, who demonstrated remarkable commitment by diligently working all term to perfect their lines and choreography.
The performance instantly captivated the audience, transporting them into the enchanting world of deserts, heroes, villains, glamourous hotels, treasure, and a genie! The authenticity of the show was significantly enhanced by the stunning sets and props, which were beautifully designed and created through the incredible, tireless efforts of our dedicated staff and parents.
This was the first time I had seen the performance from beginning to end and although I am very biased when it comes to anything associated with St Patrick's, I thought it was one of the best school shows I have seen.
The show was a was a resounding success, and it is a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of the students here at St Patrick's. This show wouldn't have been an outstanding success without the many helpers that we had. I would like to thank Mrs Davey and Mrs Harrison for all their tireless work coordinating the performance, as well as all of the staff members who contributed in many ways. Also, thank you to all of our parents for organising the costumes for the students and last of all the Laurie, Goodridge and Young families for the creation of all of the props and sewing as well as some of our parents for assisting with the hair styling.
I am definitely looking forward to seeing what the students will perform in 2027.
End of Year Presentation Morning Tomorrow
Tomorrow, Thursday 12th December, we will be having our annual Schools Presentation Morning under the school COLA, followed by morning tea, where all members of our school community are invited to join us. All families are reminded that the students are required to wear their normal summer uniform tomorrow, instead of their normal sports uniform.
Alsostudents can order their lunch through compass - BBQ.
End of Year and Year 6 Graduation Mass -Tomorrow, Friday 12th December at 12.00pm
Tomorrow, all of the staff and students will be celebrating our End of Year and Year 6 Graduation Mass at St Patrick's Catholic Church at 12.00pm. Everyone is welcome to join us for this special event.
Carols by Candlelight
Our school community enjoyed a beautiful night of celebration at the Carols by Candlelight evening, held on Tuesday at McHatton Park.
We extend a huge thank you and congratulations to the forty five students who proudly represented St Patrick's Primary! They captivated the audience with their enthusiastic performances of two Christmas favourites: the lively 'Aussie Jingle Bells' and the classic 'The Little Donkey'.
Our students were wonderful ambassadors for the school, showcasing not only their talent but also their festive spirit. Thank you for making the evening so special!
Staffing for 2026
As mentioned in a letter that were sent to all families recently, I would like to sincerely apologise for the delay in announcing the Class Teachers for the 2026 academic year. I understand that families are keen to have this information as quickly as possible.
Unfortunately, we were recently unable to fill the advertised 0.8 temporary teaching position, and this has required me to make some immediate, necessary adjustments to our staffing allocations to ensure every class is properly supported.
The largest structural change for 2026 involves our Year 1-2 cohort. Due to a significant increase in enrolments, this cohort is expected to have 31 students. Combining these 31 students into one composite class for the entire week is simply not a fair or sustainable arrangement, both for the students' learning outcomes and for the demands placed on the dedicated teacher leading them.
To best serve these students, we will be implementing a split timetable for the Year 1-2 classes. Years 1 and 2 will operate as separate, dedicated classes from Monday to Thursday, ensuring a lower teacher-to-student ratio during the crucial core learning periods. The two cohorts will then combine every Friday for integrated activities, collaborative projects, and joint lessons. I believe this model provides the necessary targeted instruction while still fostering a strong, connected Year 1-2 community.
Listed below are most of the staffing arrangements for next year.
Kindergarten- Ms Megan Wilson
Year 1- Miss Cian Cattelini (Monday-Thursday and Year 1-2 on Friday)
Year 2- Mrs Meggie Davey (Monday-Thursday)
Year 3-4- Mrs Sarah Hoy (Monday-Thursday) and Mrs Libby Makeham (Friday)
Year 5-6- Mrs Anna Flanagan (Monday-Wednesday) and Mr Dallas Hyatt (Thursday and Friday)
Updated 2026 School Fees Structure
Last week, while attending the Principal's Conference, I received important information from the Armidale Catholic Schools Board regarding the school fee structure for the upcoming academic year.
The Board has determined that school fees across all schools in our diocese will see an increase of 5% for the 2026 school year.
I understand that any increase requires careful planning for our families. This adjustment is necessary to ensure we can continue to provide high-quality education, resources, and staffing to benefit all our students.
I want to confirm that St Patrick’s will be continuing with the Annual Excursion Levy as part of the 2026 fee structure.
This levy ensures that all programmed excursions and activities throughout the year are covered, including major events such as:
- The Canberra trip for our Years 5-6 students.
- The Lake Keepit experience for our Years 3-4 students.
All other local and educational excursions that classes will be involved with throughout the year.
This consistent approach is designed to provide you with a clear and predictable understanding of your total school commitments for 2026, eliminating the need for frequent, ad-hoc requests throughout the academic year.
New School Fee Payment Structure
We have receieved advice from Armidale Catholic Schools that there will be a new school payment structure commencing in 2026. All parents will transition to a monthly instalment payment schedule.
* Monthly Statements: You will receive a monthly statement clearly outlining the instalment amount due for that period.
* Payment Frequency: All school fee instalments must be paid monthly.
Overdue Payment Policy
To ensure the smooth operation of the school and the continued provision of high-quality education, it is essential that payments are made on time. The following procedure will be strictly followed for any overdue instalments:
* Overdue SMS Notification: If a monthly instalment is not paid by the due date, you will receive an SMS notification requiring payment within 7 days.
* Formal Letter from the Principal: Should the payment remain outstanding after the 7-day period stipulated in the SMS, you will receive a formal letter from the Principal regarding the overdue account.
Option to Pay in Full
You are welcome to pay the full amount of your school fees at any time during the year. However, until the full payment is received, the minimum monthly instalment payments must still be met.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we implement this new system. We believe this structure will make fee management clearer and more consistent for all members of our school community.
I appreciate your understanding and support as we implement these changes to maintain the standard of education and experiences offered at our school. If you have any specific questions regarding the new fee structure, please contact the School Office.
School Opening hours
To ensure the safety of students, please remember students should not be dropped off at school any earlier then 8.30am. The main school gate will be opened at 8.30am. There is no supervision of students prior to this time.
Semester 2 Reports Released Today!
Earlier today, Semester 2 reports were made available to families through Compass. These reports provide valuable insights into each student's progress and achievements across the second half of the year, highlighting their growth and dedication.
How to access the Semester Two reports on Compass today and in the future:
Log into Compass
To view the Semester 2 report, click on your child's profile and select report.
Dates for Term 1, 2026
The official start date for the 2025 school year will be Thursday 29th January 2026 for all students in Years 1 - 6.
Kindergarten will commence Monday 2nd February 2026 following Best Start Assessments.
2025 Remaining Staff Development Days
Thursday 18th December (Last day of Term 4)
Contacting Your Child's Teacher
Teachers welcome contact from parents, if you need to talk with staff please either contact the class teacher by phoning the school – 67772328 or email the school at spwadmin@arm.catholic.edu.au.
SCHOOL HOURS
Supervision of students commences at 8:30am. Students should not be on-site until after 8:30 AM.