From the Principal

Dear families,

It is with heavy hearts and deep appreciation we remember Clare Madden, a cherished and beloved member of the St. Patrick's School community. Clare, who had dedicated many years of her life to our beloved school, left us last Thursday. Her presence at St. Patrick's has left an indelible mark on our hearts and the legacy she leaves behind is one of kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, inclusivity, and gentleness.

Clare's association with St. Patrick's School spanned decades, making her an integral part of our extended family. Her warmth and unwavering commitment to St Patrick’s have not only enriched the lives of countless students but have also significantly contributed to the development of the vibrant, community-centered charism that defines our school.

A gifted pianist, Clare shared her musical talents generously with our students throughout the years. Her passion for music served as a source of inspiration, fostering creativity and a deep appreciation for the arts among generations of young learners. 

Beyond her musical talents, Clare was a person of remarkable character. Her kindness knew no bounds, and her acts of goodwill touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her. In a message directed at the children of St. Patrick's, she encouraged us to embrace the values of love, kindness, and compassion, emphasising that these qualities are the means to reshape the world we live in. She made it clear that the responsibility for this transformation lies with each one of us, setting a compelling example for both students and staff.

In honour of Clare's unwavering dedication and the lasting influence she has had on St. Patrick's School, the decision was made in 2009 to name our multi-purpose room as the ‘Madden Room’. In 2020, in collaboration with Clare and her family, we introduced the Clare Madden Award for School Spirit. This award acknowledges exceptional service to the school and honours individuals who exemplify the qualities that Clare held close to her heart - care, love, acceptance, respect, and empathy. It stands as a testament to the enduring legacy she leaves behind and will continue to inspire forthcoming generations to emulate her compassionate example.

Clare Madden's memory will forever remain in our hearts, and her spirit will continue to guide us in the principles she so wholeheartedly upheld. St. Patrick's has lost a true gem, and her absence will be deeply felt. We extend our deepest condolences to the Charles and Madden families and loved ones during this time of grief. As we mourn her passing, let us also celebrate the incredible life she lived and the enduring impact she has had on our school and community.

Class Allocations for 2024

Our staff have begun working on our class groupings for 2024 and much thought, discussion and reflection goes in to this. The next stage in the process is to allocate students to classes and this will be done over the next couple of weeks. 

At St. Patrick’s school we don’t believe in creating classes according to academic ability alone which is referred to as streaming. Instead we look to create workable groups which allow for students to develop at their own rates and stages. 

As part of the process, the children have completed a survey where they were asked to name some people who they believe they work well with and we will always try to put the students with at least one of the names on their list. Sometimes we receive input from parents who have a request for their child and when this happens it may override the student’s selection. 

If you believe that you have information regarding your child’s learning that you think might be of assistance to the teachers, you are invited to contact the office and request an information sharing sheet to be sent home. Please feel free to fill out the sheet and return it to school by Wednesday 25th October for consideration. The purpose of this information sharing is not to request a class, student or teacher but to provide us with any information that might assist us as we place students into classes for next year. Any information you may wish to share must be provided in writing, and due to time constraints we will not be able to act on any information received after 25th October.

Drummo Community Conversation

I would like to invite you to be a part of a transformative discussion about the hopes and aspirations for the learning opportunities at St. Patrick's in 2024 and beyond. Your insights and perspective are invaluable, and I would be most appreciative of your input into these important conversations.

Where: 

Glowrey/Mackillop Room at St Patrick's Cathedral (where the disco was held)

When: 

Wednesday 22nd November

Session 1: 9:00-10:30am

Session 2: 5:00-6:30pm

Carols on the Turf

Save the date - it's going ahead! On Tuesday December 5th the builders have kindly agreed to open the turf for our whole school gathering. If you're interested in helping out with the Carols on the Turf please let me know - we're keen to involve as many people as possible!

Have a great week ahead!

Kind regards,

Ben Shields