House Challenge Day

Our annual House Challenge Day was once again a triumph. The day was packed with memorable moments, as students engaged in various challenges such as creating their own music performances in groups and walking the plank like pirates. Both houses were put to the test with tasks like crafting wedding dresses out of newspaper and showcasing their computer programming abilities by landing their spheros on specific sections of a grid.

Like previous carnivals, the challenge day was fiercely competitive, with both houses maintaining narrow leads all day. After the last activities and final scores were calculated, the Blue House emerged victorious over the Red House, with a score of 119 to 116. This puts the Red House ahead of Blue by two events to one. I predict that Blue will level the playing field at our upcoming athletics carnival in just over two weeks.

POLDING CROSS COUNTRY TRIALS

Congratulations to Angus, Benji and Josie for their outstanding performance at the Polding Cross Country Trials in Sydney yesterday. Competing against top runners from five other dioceses in northern NSW, our students excelled. Josie secured 12th place in the Under 10's Girls Event, Benji finished 29th in the Under 10's Boys and Angus came in 37th in the Under 12's Boy's Race. Unfortunately, Jessica had to withdraw from her event . All the students who represented our diocese should take pride in their accomplishments. Once again, well done to all of you.

MESSAGE STICK AT ST PATRICK'S

The Message Stick is currently journeying throughout the Armidale Diocese and is scheduled to arrive in Tamworth for the 2024 Catholic Schools NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Conference. On Sunday, the message stick arrived in our parish and school.

The message stick conveys the message of unity, education, and communal joy. Historically, these sticks were exchanged among various clans and linguistic communities to communicate important information and relay messages. They were commonly utilised to extend invitations to neighboring groups for gatherings, initiation rites, access to territories, and participation in spiritual practices.

As the Message Stick embarks on its voyage across our diocese, we remain mindful of the conference theme for this year: "Spirit on Country: Collaborative Learning, Past, Present & Future." The message stick will play a significant role in our momentous educational gathering, where we will celebrate the diverse cultures, achievements, and aspirations of our students, while also fostering stronger educational alliances with our schools, communities, educators and parishes throughout the diocese.

During this week, the entire staff and student body actively engaged in a liturgy session led by our Aboriginal Education Assistant, Jenny. She conducted an interactive session, enlightening everyone about the history, meaning, and importance of a particular item. As a result, all the classrooms had an allocated day to proudly display the message stick, that served as a focal point for their prayer focuses.

The Message Stick is set to leave the school tomorrow and will be making its journey to the parish of St Joseph's in Uralla.

The Winner of 'Wearing Uniform With Pride' Award Is.......

Digby has been selected as the recipient of the 'Wearing Uniform With Pride' accolade for this week. We extend our congratulations to Digby for consistently showcasing pride not only in his school uniform, but also in his sports uniform.

Monday 10th June - Public Holiday

I hope all of our families will be able to enjoy some family time this upcoming Monday.

2024 Remaining Staff Development Days (PD Days)

Monday 22nd July (First day of Term 3)

Monday 14th October (First day of Term 4)

Friday 20th December (Last day of Term 4)

Semester 1 Reports

As we head towards the end of the term, all teachers are working hard finalising assessments and writing Semester 1 reports. The reports will be sent home electronically via the Compass parent portal & hard copies will be posted home at the end of Week 9 (Friday 28th June). If parents have any questions after they receive their child's report they can contact the class teacher in week 10.

As a result of the introduction of the updated English and Mathematics Curriculum for our students in Years 3-6 this semester, modifications have been made to the semester one reports to incorporate the additional areas of emphasis outlined in both curriculums. However, the format of the reports for students in Kindergarten, Year 1, and Year 2 remains unchanged from previous years.

The Semester 1 Report provides parents with an overview of their child's achievement in terms of knowledge and skill in each key learning area and their level of engagement; the degree of attention, curiosity and interest they show when learning.

The government requires a five scale grading system. In place of the A-E grade, a new language is being used to describe the level of knowledge and skills demonstrated by each child:

Working towards the expected level of achievement - this is split into two sections - Working towards (D) and Working Well Below (E) the expected level

Working at the expected level of achievement (C)

Working beyond the expected level of achievement - this is split into two sections - Working Beyond (B) and Working Well Beyond (A) the expected level

Upcoming Event Term 4 - New England Sings 2024 Term 4 for Years 3-6

NEW ENGLAND SINGS! 2024 COMBINED PRIMARY CHOIRS REHEARSAL SCHEDULE Armidale and surrounding schools – outreach schools will have rehearsals scheduled at their own school. However, outreach schools are welcome to attend the Armidale workshops if possible.

This exciting event is beginning to take shape, 16 schools (with approx. 500 choristers) in the combined Primary choirs and 14 schools (with approx. 450 choristers) in the Secondary choir.

Ian Jefferson will attend the workshops throughout the year and conduct the Primary choirs at the final weekend of rehearsals and concerts.

St. PATRICK’S WALCHA REHEARSAL with Ian Jefferson

Date: Wednesday 31st July

Time: 9.00-10.15am

FINAL REHEARSAL (all schools, including outreach schools to attend):

Date: Saturday 26th October (directed by Ian Jefferson)

Time: Primary Choir 9:00am – 10.45 am (arrive by 8:30am)

Venue: Lazenby Hall, UNE

CONCERTS: Date: Sunday 27th October (directed by (with Ian Jefferson)

Time: Primary Choir 11:00am – 1:00pm (arrive by 9:30am)

Venue: Lazenby Hall, UNE

St Patrick’s School is an outreach school for the rehearsals but we will attempt to attend two of the rehearsals in Armidale.

Parents will have to commit to the Saturday 26th October - Final Rehearsal and Sunday 27th October Concert. If they wish their child to participate in New England Sings.

A short video on what New England Sings! is all about is included below:

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.

Mini Vinnies

Mini Vinnies Committee