Only a week to go but who's counting!

With only one week before the school holidays commence, the final days of the term are packed with events and celebrations across our school community. Tomorrow marks the official release of our Semester 1 school reports, which offer a valuable opportunity for parents and carers to review student progress and discuss goals for the second half of the year.

In sporting news, well done to Archie and Josie for their performances at the Polding Cross Country trials in Sydney on Wednesday. They competed against the region's top runners and were great ambassadors for St Patrick's Primary and Armidale Catholic Schools.

A big thank you goes out to our P&F for organising the recent pie drive. The order arrived safely, and I hope our families are enjoying their pies, sausage rolls, quiches, and other treats.

Looking ahead to next week, the St Patrick’s Primary Handball World Cup tournament will be continuing under the COLA, bringing some friendly competition to our final days.

Finally, I hope to see a number of our families at our final parent assembly for the term tomorrow morning as we gather to wrap up the term together.

POLDING CROSS COUNTRY TRIALS

Congratulations to Archie and Josie for their outstanding performances at the Polding Cross Country Trials in Sydney yesterday. Competing against top athletes from all of the Catholic Primary Schools across the northern half of NSW, both students excelled in their events; Josie secured 24th place in the Under 12 Girls, and Archie finished 41st in the Under 10 Boys. Both of these students who represented our diocese should be incredibly proud of their accomplishments. Once again, well done!

Semester 1 Reports

Reports will be sent home electronically via the Compass parent portal, tomorrow, Friday 26th June. If you would like a paper copy of your child's report, can you please let us know? If parents have any questions and/or would like to have a meeting with their child's class teacher, they can contact them to arrange a suitable time to meet or discuss any matters in regard to their child's learning during Week 11.

How to view your child's report on Compass

Log into Compass

To view the Semester 1 report either click on the link in the newsfeed or select your child's profile (photo) and click Reports, select 2026 Semester 1 Report.

TERM 3 PUPIL FREE DAY

The first day of Term 3 (Monday 20th July), is a Pupil Free Day. Students will return to school on Tuesday, 21st July. I do apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.

ICAS Assessments 2026: Key Dates Approaching

The annual International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) are just around the corner for 2026, offering students a wonderful opportunity to challenge their academic skills across a variety of subjects. These online assessments are designed to recognise and reward academic excellence, while actively encouraging higher-order thinking and problem-solving abilities. I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the many families who have already organised for their children to complete these assessments next term.

ICAS Assessments cover a range of subjects, including:

Digital Technologies
Writing
English
Science
Spelling Bee
Mathematics

For many subjects, the main sitting windows will occur in August 2026.

ICAS provides a valuable benchmark for students, allowing them to see how their performance compares against peers nationally and internationally. All participating students receive a certificate, with top performers also eligible for Distinction, High Distinction, and even medals.

How to participate in ICAS 

If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please: 

read about ICAS subjects and prices here: (icasassessments.com/products-icas) 
go to Parent Portal to purchase tests here: https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/parent-payment/YHA639 
enter the parent’s access code – YHA639
enter your child’s details, select the tests you would like to purchase, then proceed to payment.

Upcoming Event Term 4 - New England Sings 2026 Term 4 for Years 3-6

NEW ENGLAND SINGS! 2026 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 event is quickly beginning to take shape. It promises to be a massive celebration of music, with over 1,000 students participating from 36 different schools across the New England Region.

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 29th July

Time: 9.30am-10.45am

FINAL REHEARSAL (all schools, including outreach schools to attend):Date: Saturday 31 October (directed by Ian Jefferson) Time: Primary Choir 1 9:00am – 10:45am

Venue: Lazenby Hall, UNE

CONCERT:Date: Sunday 1 November Time: Primary Choir 1 11:00am – 1:00pm (arrive at 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 31st October - Final Rehearsal and Sunday 1st November 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:

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.

School Assembly

We will be having next school assembly, tomorrow, Friday 26th June at 9.00am. We hope to see you then!

School Assembly for the 2nd Term Dates

Jelly Bean Cup