Mrs Makeham

Before my time as acting principal ends, I want to share some observations that have become very clear to me while sitting in the big chair. What makes our school so special are the people in it.

Our students are truly remarkable. They are resilient, kind, and hardworking, with the spirit and flexibility to succeed both in and out of the classroom. They are a credit to their families and have the foundations to become happy, successful contributors to society.

This is down to you, our parents and families. Your unwavering support for your children and our school is the reason our students are such terrific people. Thank you for being such an essential part of our community.

In observing the broader school community, it's clear that the leadership of Father Anthony extends far beyond his formal role. His guidance and thoughtful presence has a profound impact on our school's culture, providing a clear moral compass and a sense of shared purpose that resonates with everyone...even from a distance.

The dedication of our teachers and support staff is second to none. Over the past two terms, they have given their all, understanding the critical role they play in your child's life. They consistently go above and beyond, investing themselves in the learning and well-being of every single student.

And to Sally and Karen in the office—if anyone thinks the principal runs the school, they should think again. These two are masters of multi-tasking , keeping our school afloat with their unflappable propensity for work and dedication.

So, thank you all for your patience and support during this time. I am delighted to join you in welcoming Dallas back. He has been greatly missed.

Have a good holiday everyone.

Year 5/6 Excursion

This week our Year 5/6 class are experiencing a wonderful excursion at Coffs Harbour Adventure Park! This excursion is all about pushing boundaries and stepping outside of their comfort zones, both physically and mentally. It was a week packed with fun, challenges, and exhaustion!

A massive thank you to Meggie Davey for all her hard work in planning this fantastic trip. We're also incredibly grateful to Sam Lisle and Elyce Laurie for taking time away from their own families to help make this experience possible. We're all eagerly awaiting their return to hear about the week's highlights!

Confirmation and Bishop's Visit

On Sunday, nine students from St Patrick's School were confirmed by Bishop Peter Murphy of Armidale at 10:00 a.m. Mass. It was a significant day for the students' spiritual journeys as they re-affirmed their commitment to their faith just as their parents initially did for them through baptism when they were very young.

Following the service, Bishop Murphy and Monsignor Wilkes joined the students, their families, sponsors, friends, and parishioners for morning tea at the school's Covered Learning Area.

A special thank you goes to Ms Wilson for her excellent organization, Mrs Davey for preparing the students, Mrs Linda Lockyer for her beautiful musicianship, and Mrs Pittman for coordinating the morning tea.

Classroom Teacher - Years 1-2

We wanted to let you know that Mrs Anna Flanagan will be taking Term 4 off for Long Service Leave.

As many of you know, Anna has been navigating a difficult time recently, following the illness and passing of her lovely father, Ray. Taking this time away was a very tough decision for her, as she deeply cares for her students and feels a strong sense of responsibility for their learning, growth and well-being. She truly misses their bright, happy faces every day.

We are so grateful for her dedication and wish her a restful and refreshing break. We look forward to welcoming her back to school in 2026.

We are also pleased to share that Sarah Hoy will be teaching the class from Monday to Thursday next term. Kate King will continue to teach on Fridays. This arrangement ensures a seamless transition for the students, providing a consistent and supportive learning environment for them all.

Pupil Free Day

The first day of Term 4 is a Pupil Free Day. This is a staff development day.

Students return to school on Tuesday, October 14.

Lockdown and Fire Evacuation Protocols

At St. Pat's, we regularly practice lockdown and fire drills, so our students and staff are well-prepared for these procedures if the need ever arises.

Updates to Our End-of-Year Events

This year, we've made some significant changes to our end-of-year Presentation, Performance, and Mass, based on valuable feedback from our families and the availability of priests.

Here are the details for your calendars:

"Ali Baba and the Forty Bikies" Performance: Our annual school performance will be held at the Walcha Multi-Purpose Centre on the evening of Wednesday, December 10, 2025.
Annual Presentations : On the morning of Friday, December 12, 2025, the Annual Presentations will take place at 9:30 a.m. in the school COLA. Immediately following, the school community is invited to a morning tea picnic in the school playground.
Graduation Mass & Whole School Barbecue: The celebrations on Friday will conclude with the Graduation Mass at 12:00 p.m., followed by a whole-school barbecue lunch.

Please mark these important dates in your diary!

First Reconciliation - Postponed

First Reconciliation has been postponed until later in Term 4 at a date to be announced.

Remember your Instruments

There are not many adults who look back on their childhoods and wish they'd never been taught an instrument!

The school band program provides our primary students with an incredible opportunity. Learning an instrument and performing with a group is a valuable experience, and we've invested a great deal financially and logistically to make this program possible for every primary child at St Patrick's.

For the program to be successful, it's essential that all students have their instruments for band lessons and practice on Fridays. Disappointingly, we've noticed that many students are regularly "forgetting" (intentional or otherwise) to bring their instruments to school. When this happens, it disrupts the flow of the practice and makes it difficult for the group to learn and rehearse effectively. Of course we're all human and on occasions we forget things, but not this often!

We understand that things can be hectic at home and we kindly ask for your help in making sure your child remembers their instrument on band day. Hopefully between school consequences and reminders from home, we will see a big difference and ensure every student gets the most out of this great opportunity.

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.