The struggles of getting back into routine!

As the new school year begins, I find myself facing the challenge of getting back into the rhythm and routine of school life. The start of the year is always a busy time—setting goals, supporting staff and students, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. While it’s exciting to see the school come to life again, I must admit that adjusting after the break has been a bit of a struggle.

Despite my own struggles, it’s reassuring to see that all classrooms have settled into their routines. From my visits and working with small groups, it’s clear that the students are engaged and giving their best effort.

As Mrs Makeham and I will discuss at the upcoming Parent Information Night, some of our key goals this year are consistency with language associated with the Living Well and Learning Well framework and all students setting regular and realistic learning goals in literacy and numeracy. Through my visits to all of the classrooms and my work with different groups, I can see that both of these goals have already begun.

Anyway, I hope to catch up with everyone either tomorrow at our swimming carnival or at the Parent Information Night this upcoming Tuesday. Take care and I will see all of you soon.

Parent Information Night-this upcoming Tuesday 18th February at 5.30pm

This year, we are pleased to announce that our annual Parent Information Night will be held on Tuesday, February 18th, starting at 5.30pm in the Year 3-4 Classroom. During this event, we will cover a range of important topics including our Annual Improvement Plan, the targets we aim to achieve this academic year, the structure and procedures of different learning areas, and discussions on agreed practices for homework and other related matters. We encourage all new and existing families to attend and participate in these informative conversations.

Once the Information Night component has concluded, the P & F will be having their Annual General Meeting and this will be followed by a Welcome Barbecue for all of our community members. More information about this night has been sent to all families via the COMPASS app.

School Fees 2025

School Fees are now available to view and pay through Compass.

Armidale Catholic Schools receives funding from both Commonwealth and State Governments which is necessary to operate our schools. School fees supplement the income received from the Commonwealth and Statement Government and are essential to help meet the gap between government funding and the cost of providing quality educational experiences and outcomes for students.

School Fees and excursion levies are billed on an annual basis at the commencement of the School Year and our standard payment terms are 10 monthly installments from February to November.

Parents will be issued an annual Tax Invoice/Statement shortly with monthly statements issued thereafter.

St Patrick's has facilities to pay fees by BPAY, EFTPOS or Credit Card and Cash. Our preferred payment method is BPAY.

Kindergarten Parent Best Start Interviews

A letter will be sent home to all of our Kindergarten families with a report of their child's Best Start Assessment results next week. Ms Wilson will be sending home an invitation for Kindergarten parents to attend a Best Start Interview for their child. Please respond with your preferences and Mrs Pittman will confirm your interview time.

Beginning of School Year Mass - Monday 17th February 11:30am @ St Patrick's Church

Our first K-6 School Mass for 2025 will be the Beginning of the Year School Mass, this upcoming Monday 17th February in St Patrick's Church beginning at 11.30am. Our new School Captains, House Captains and School Leaders will have their badges blessed by Monsignor Ted and be formally commissioned. Everyone is invited to join us.

Swimming Carnival - Tomorrow Friday 14th February

Earlier today, the Oxley (Red) and Apsley (Blue) house groups gathered for their final chant rehearsal and last-minute preparations ahead of tomorrow’s school swimming carnival. Wishing both teams the best of luck—may the most deserving team claim victory!

I know tomorrow will be a standout moment, and it’s sure to be an incredible day! My final advice to all students: stay hydrated, apply sunscreen, and most importantly, have fun! Best of luck to all the swimmers—may this carnival be a day to remember for everyone involved. I can’t wait to see you all poolside tomorrow—let’s make a splash!

Well Done Josie, Grace F and Katie!

Last Friday, in hot and challenging conditions, Josie, Grace F, and Katie proudly represented St Patrick’s and the Armidale Diocese at the Polding Summer Trials in Tamworth.

Competing against some of the best tennis players from the northern half of New South Wales, the girls demonstrated great skill, determination, and sportspersonship.

Despite their strong performances on the court, they narrowly missed out on selection for the Polding team. However, their dedication and effort were truly commendable, and they should be incredibly proud of their achievements.

Congratulations to Josie, Grace F, and Katie for their hard work and for representing St Patrick’s with pride. Well done, girls!

2025 National Servicemen's Commemoration Day Service

The Armidale and District National Servicemen's Association will be holding a Commemoration Service on Sunday the 16th February commencing at 11am at the National Servicemen's Monument in Central Park Armidale.

The service is in remembrance of the national servicemen (conscripts) who were killed in action during World War 2 and Vietnam, who died during their service and those who have passed away since completing their military obligations.

Some of our Year 6 students will be laying a wreath in memory of the departed national servicemen during this ceremony.

Family Information Paperwork

A package was sent home earlier this week with all students. The paperwork contains very important information, annual Update Family Details, Medical Plans, Media Permission (on Compass) & IT Code of Conduct. The notes need to be signed and any changes to details made, then return to school by Monday 17th February.

We ask that you take time to go through the contents carefully and update information as required and complete and return forms by the date listed above.

Please return this paperwork whether you have any changes or not by Monday 17th February. THANK YOU

School Hours & Supervision

Teachers commence duty at 8:30am and finish duty when the last bus leaves St Patrick’s approximately 3:10pm.

Supervision begins at 8:30am in the COLA

School starts: 9am (Bell - 8:50am)

Recess: 11:00am – 11:30am

Lunch: 1:30pm – 2:10pm

School finishes: 3.00pm.

SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS

The school office hours are 8:30am to 3:30pm

NAPLAN

NAPLAN testing will take place in Weeks 7, 8 and 9 (Wednesday 12th March- 24th March) of this term. Students in Years 3 and 5 will sit tests for Writing 12th March, Reading & Language Conventions 13th March and Numeracy 18th March. Please refrain from making appointments during school time on these test days. It is important that your child is available on the day unless they are unwell. In the case of illness students will be able to sit the test on Thursday 20th March until Monday 24th March.

Further information for parents and carers can be found here:

https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/parent-carer-support

I encourage all parents of students in Years 3 and 5 to explore the Public Demonstration Site with your child (click on button below). Here you will find sample questions for each of the areas assessed.

https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

Click below to see a short video showing how to navigate the Public Demonstration Site.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ElaxjY7xKzPkl4QijbH_YPs9IRtkr8FU/view

2025 Staff Development Days (PD Days)

All schools within the diocese have been granted a total of eight staff development days for this year. These designated days aim to improve the teaching capabilities of the staff, with a specific focus on the curriculum. Additionally, they provide an opportunity for the staff to implement the new teaching syllabus for the upcoming year. So far, we have already utilised two of the allocated staff development days.

In the past, all of the staff have found that visits to other schools in the diocese to view their literacy and numeracy blocks as well as talking to other teachers have had the greatest impact in assisting them to improve their teaching practices and student outcomes. With this mind, I am planning to take all of the staff on a three day road trip where we will be visiting other schools in the diocese. Dates are not confirmed as yet but I am trying to plan the visits around the Kings Birthday Long Weekend in an attempt to minimise any inconveniences to our families. I will let everyone know as soon as everything is confirmed.

Below are the dates when the other three staff development days will take place.

Monday 21st July (First day of Term 3)

Monday 13th October (First day of Term 4)

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 Assembly

We will be having our first school assembly for the term on Friday 28th February at 2.40pm in the library. We hope to see you then!

School Assembly for the 1st Term Dates

Jelly Bean Cup