Message From Our Principal 

It is hard to believe we are already at Week 4 of Term 3! The term is certainly flying by, and it has been wonderful to see our students settled into their learning and routines for the second half of the year.

There has been plenty happening around St Patrick’s, with students continuing to embrace learning opportunities, sporting activities and the many experiences that make our school community so special. As always, I am incredibly proud of the way our students represent our school through their enthusiasm, kindness and willingness to have a go.

Thank you to our staff for their continued commitment to providing engaging learning experiences and supporting the individual needs of every student. I also thank our families for their ongoing support and partnership.

As we head into the second half of the term, there is plenty to look forward to. I encourage everyone to continue making the most of the opportunities ahead and to enjoy another busy and positive few weeks at St Patrick’s.

Wishing everyone a wonderful fortnight!

Staff Spirituality Day – Living Life to the Full

Our staff recently took part in the CESL Staff Spirituality Day, Living Life to the Full, which provided a valuable opportunity to step away from our usual routines, reflect and reconnect with our Catholic identity and mission. The day began with an Acknowledgement, Opening Prayer and Welcome, followed by a plenary session with Bishop Tim Norton SVD, Bishop of Broome. Staff then participated in workshops facilitated by school staff, with keynote sessions featuring Lisa McInnes-Smith, author of Human Performance, Teams and Leadership, and journalist and author Stan Grant. The afternoon included time for personal reflection, an interview with Kate Fogarty and Bishop Rene Ramirez, and a final blessing. It was a meaningful day of learning, reflection and connection, encouraging us to consider how we can continue to live our faith and Catholic mission through our work and relationships at St Patrick’s.

A special acknowledgement goes to Katie Rasmussen, who presented a workshop as part of the day. We are incredibly proud of Katie for sharing her knowledge, experience and insights with colleagues from across our school community. Her willingness to contribute to the professional learning of others reflects the leadership and expertise that exists within our own staff team. Thank you, Katie, for representing St Patrick’s so wonderfully and for contributing to such a meaningful day of learning and reflection.

Upcoming Curriculum Day – Teach Well

Next Thursday, 13 August, our staff will participate in a whole-school professional learning day focused on Teaching for Impact, facilitated by Teach Well and generously funded by Australian Schools Plus. The day will bring together staff from St Patrick’s Tongala, St Mel’s Shepparton, St Mary of the Angels Secondary College and St Francis Nathalia to deepen our shared approach to high-impact teaching and learning. Aligned with Magnify Sandhurst, the learning will focus on strengthening instructional strategies that support improved access to learning for all students, including active and full-participation strategies that can be applied across Ochre resources and other classroom programs. Staff will also have the opportunity to reflect on their current practice and develop action plans for applying these strategies in their classrooms.

Grade 2 Sleepover

What a wonderful experience our Grade 2 students had at last nights sleepover! It was a fantastic opportunity for students to build independence, strengthen friendships and create special memories together outside of the classroom. From sharing plenty of laughs to settling in for the night, the students embraced the experience with enthusiasm and showed just how much they have grown in confidence and maturity. A huge thank you to our staff for giving up their time to make this special experience possible!

100 Days of Foundation!

Our Foundation students recently celebrated a very special milestone – 100 Days of School! It was wonderful to see the excitement as our students reflected on how much they have learnt, grown and achieved since starting school. The day was filled with fun activities and plenty of opportunities to celebrate the number 100. What a fantastic achievement for our youngest learners! We are incredibly proud of how confidently they have settled into school life and look forward to seeing all that they will continue to achieve throughout the year.

NAPLAN

We're proud to be celebrating some wonderful achievements in this year's NAPLAN.

 -80% of our Year 3 students achieved Strong or Exceeding in Numeracy.

 -80% of our Year 3 students achieved Strong or Exceeding in Writing.

-Over 83% of our Year 5 students achieved Strong or Exceeding in Numeracy.

These results reflect the dedication of our students, staff and families, together with our ongoing commitment to the evidence-informed teaching practices of Magnify Sandhurst. Every day, we're focused on helping every student grow in confidence, strengthen their learning and reach their potential.

We're incredibly proud of our students and all they have achieved. 

Thank You!!

A huge thank you to Noah's Nan for her incredibly thoughtful generosity! 

To celebrate the outstanding NAPLAN results achieved by our amazing Grade 3 and Grade 5 students, Noah's Nan surprised them all with a very special treat.

We are so grateful for the kindness and support of our wonderful school community. Gestures like this make celebrating our students' hard work and achievements even more memorable.

Congratulations again to our Grade 3 and Grade 5 students: we are so proud of all your efforts and the fantastic results you have achieved!

Grandparents & Special People Mass

Last Friday we celebrated our Grandparents & Special People's Liturgy, and it was incredible to see our church so full – there wasn't a spare seat!

Our students from Foundation through to Grade 6 did an amazing job leading the celebration. They spoke confidently in front of such a large crowd, sang beautifully and showed such respect throughout the liturgy.

We feel so lucky to have shared such a special afternoon with our grandparents, families and special people. 

After the liturgy, we welcomed our grandparents and special people back to school for a cuppa and afternoon tea before inviting them into the classrooms.

It was wonderful to see so many visitors exploring our learning spaces, spending time with our students, and meeting their friends and teachers. The whole school was buzzing with excitement, and it was a lovely way to finish such a special afternoon.

Fundraising Effort 

Capture Beautiful Memories While Supporting Our School! 

Looking for an updated family photo? Now's the perfect opportunity!

We're excited to be partnering with Photos by Kirsten for a Family Photography Fundraiser, where you can create lasting memories while giving back to our school community.

Choose from a range of affordable photography packages starting from just $60!

Best of all... 80% of every session booked goes directly back to our school!

Your session includes professionally edited digital images, with larger packages also offering beautiful fine art prints and the option to purchase additional products.

 Spaces are limited, so don't miss out! Session dates will run on October 3rd & 4th and you will be contacted direct to book a suitable time slot. 

Book your session, make beautiful memories, and support our school all at the same time: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1621388