Thank you for a great term!

As you read this newsletter, the final school bell has rung, and our students are officially beginning their well-deserved school holidays.

Looking back over the last ten weeks, I am incredibly proud of the great work and growth our students have achieved. It has been an action-packed term filled with fantastic school events, alongside the focused and dedicated learning happening in our classrooms every day. The enthusiasm shown by our students, combined with the hard work of our staff and the ongoing support of our families, has made this a truly remarkable and successful term.

I hope this time off provides a wonderful opportunity for our students, staff, and school community to rest, recharge, and spend quality time with family and friends.

I would like to wish everyone a safe and relaxing break, as well as a very Happy Easter! I look forward to welcoming the students back, refreshed and ready for another excellent term ahead.

OPEN MORNING for 2027 Kindergarten Students - 19th May 9:30am-11am

St Patrick's School will host our 2027 Open Morning on Tuesday, May 19th, from 9:30 am to 11:00 am.

This event provides prospective parents with the opportunity to discover what our school can offer their children. Guests will be able to meet our staff, take a tour of the campus, and enjoy morning tea. Additionally, children preparing to start school are welcome to attend and participate in activities with our current Kindergarten class.

If you know any families with a child starting school next year, or anyone interested in learning more about St Patrick's, please extend an invitation for them to join us.

LET'S GET READY FOR KINDERGARTEN 2027

Online Enrolments are now open for Kindergarten 2027.

through Compass and website https://stpatrickswalcha.catholic.edu.au/

Easter Hat Parade and Fundraising Results

Earlier today, we held our annual Easter Hat Parade. The Easter hats on display were truly outstanding, showcasing a large range of ideas and incredible creativity from our students. It was a highly successful event, and I extend my sincere thanks to all the parents, grandparents, and supporters who attended.

As part of the day's events, we also drew the winners for our recent school fundraisers. I want to thank our Mini Vinnies members, who spent part of their recess and lunch breaks selling tickets. Through their hard work and your support, we raised a total of $110, which will be donated to Project Compassion.

Congratulations to , who won the "Principal of the Day" raffle Harry F will be assisting Mr Hyatt with his principal duties early next term. Congratulations also to Ellody , who had the closest guess to win the "Guess the Number of Lollies" competition.

Thank you again to everyone who supported these events.

P & F Easter Egg Raffle Results

Thank you to everyone for the Easter Raffle donations & purchasing the tickets. We had 54 prizes! Congratulations to the winners. The P & F Easter Raffles made a total over $1924.50. Thank you.

Jackson Marchant

The Robinsons

Millie Norton

Patrick Manning

Hugh & Evie Whillock

Airlee & Mila Tate

The Robinsons

Thibaud & Tessa

Jack Mansfield

McKenzie Wark

Rachel McMaugh

Harrison Hoy

Riley Curtis

Rachel McMaugh

Jackson Marchant

Ella Waters

Max Mansfield

Blomfield Family

Thibaud & Tessa

Hannah Marchant

Chloe Dangerfield

Penny Wauch

Hudson Cross

Harry King

Georgie Partridge

Amelia & Audrey Curtis

Mae Lummis

Sarah Nivison

Elyce Laurie

Adam Barillaro

Archie King

Sophie Fletcher

Ella Waters

Rebee Wark

Jordy Young

Amelia Goodwin

Amelia Goodwin

Hamish Clark

Shaun Zordrager

Levi & Miley Oakley

Summer Bakewell

Shaun Zordrager

Riley Curtis

Harry Fletcher

Harry Fletcher

Harry King

Phoebe Grills

Cohen Lummis

Hugh & Evie Whillock

Patrick Manning

Kenzi Wark

Airlee & Mila Tate

Ella Waters

Max Mansfield

The Robinsons

ANZAC DAY MARCH EARLY NEXT TERM

St Patrick’s School has been invited to attend the ANZAC Day March. Those children who are available to march on Saturday 25th April, need to assemble with the school at 10:30am at the corner of Hill and South Streets. The service will begin at the end of the march, approximately 11:00am in ANZAC Memorial Park. After the service, the march will go down Derby Street to Fitzroy Street and finish at McHattan Park.

Parents could you please make sure:

*your son/daughter is in the correct school winter uniform, tie, black shoes and school hat

*you collect your son/daughter at McHattan Park after the march

A note will sent home via the Compass app in the first week of next term to find out who will be available to represent St Patrick's at this event.

Premier's Reading Challenge

Exciting news this year as St Patrick's students will again be participating in the Premier's Reading Challenge. We urge all students to take part.

Your child's login details will be sent home shortly. You and your child will then be required to log in, provide the child's information, so they can record their books online.

Many of the PRC books can be found in our school library, where we will encourage students to borrow them during library time. Additionally, we are introducing all students to "SORA" - an app tailored to the contemporary student reading experience. This app enables students to explore and enjoy ebooks and audiobooks from their school, for both recreational and assigned reading purposes. It also includes the PRC books. We aim to have this process completed for students very soon!

Armidale Catholic Schools Response to Hate Speech

As part of our ongoing commitment to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students and staff, we ask our school community to review the Armidale Catholic Schools Response to Hate Speech.

This document outlines our system's shared expectations and the clear steps we take to ensure our schools remain welcoming and supportive places for everyone.

Please take a few moments to access and read a copy of the document via the attachment below.

Important Dates: End of Term 1 & Start of Term 2

As we quickly approach the end of Term 1, I want to provide our families with plenty of notice regarding some important upcoming dates.

The final day of classes for students this term was today, Wednesday, 1st April. Please note that tomorrow, Thursday, 2nd April, will be a Pupil Free Day, as our teaching and administrative staff will be participating in a Religious Education Professional Development Day.

Looking ahead to Term 2, we will welcome students back to school on Tuesday, 21st April. The day prior (Monday, 20th April) will also be a Pupil Free Day to allow our staff to update their mandatory First Aid accreditations.

I understand that having Pupil Free Days at the very end and beginning of the school terms can require sudden adjustments to family schedules and childcare. I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to our families. I deeply appreciate your understanding and support as our staff complete this essential training to best serve our students.

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

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.

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