Another Term Nearly Finished! Again!

Hi everyone, I hope all of you have had a great week so far. It definitely has been a hectic week at St Patrick's and like the heading for my weekly reflection, it is quite unbelievable that we quickly approaching the final stages of yet another term. While I was at Moree earlier this week, I was wondering where has the last nine weeks gone. But when I was listing all of the events that the students and staff members have been involved in, the last nine weeks have definitely been quite hectic but very rewarding. I was speaking recently to all of our Year 6 leaders and it is difficult to fathom that they only have just over one term left before they begin a new chapter in their lives and for our Year 5 students, excitement builds as I know some of them are already preparing their leader's speeches for next term.

It seems that 2023 is the year of different sporting World Cups as our rugby team has had their first win in ages on the weekend, the Cricket World Cup is taking place early next month, we were victorious in the Netball World Cup and who could forget the Matildas achievements very recently. A large number of our students have been participating in their own Mini World Cups as I know some of our outdoor hockey players played in their respective grand finals on Saturday. Our soccer players play their final round matches this upcoming weekend, the rugby season has finished, and a number of our students played in various indoor hockey semi-finals and grand finals last Thursday. Well done to all the victors and commiserations to the students who lost either their semi final or grand final. I wish I could have come and watched but thank you Covid for stopping that idea.

Tomorrow our Years 3-6 students will be participating in the Diocesan Gala Day at Tamworth and it is great to see that we are able to enter two netball and soccer teams. Good luck to everyone involved, I know it is going to be a great day! Remember we will be having an early start as the bus is leaving the school at 7.15am and we should be returning around 3.30pm. Who knows, maybe next year, we may have enough players to have a weekend netball team. Fingers crossed!

Term 4 Excursion Update

Very soon all classes will be participating in their major excursions for the year. In the first week of Term 4, all K-2 students will be traveling to Tamworth to watch 'Possum Magic' at the Capital Theatre. More information was sent home to all K-2 families earlier this week.

Thanks again to all of our Years 3-4 parents who have indicated that they would like their child to participate in the overnight excursion to Thalgarrah Environment Education Centre on the 23rd and 24th of November. Mrs Makeham and myself will be supervising the students on this excursion.

Also, more information went home to all of our Years 5-6 families in regard to their major excursion to Coffs Harbour from the 23rd to the 27th October. Mrs Davey and myself will be supervising the students on this excursion and looking at the itinerary, we are going to have a great time. Parents need to be aware that they need to complete their child's registration on the online portal before Monday 9th October. The link to access the online portal is included in the note that went home to all families via Compass earlier this week. Thanks again to over half of the families who have already completed the online portal.

Thank you to all the families who have paid the full cost of the Coffs Harbour excursion. Please be reminded that all students attending the excursion need to have payments finalised by the 30th September 2023.

The link below is a copy of the letter that was sent home to all of our Years 5-6 families. If anyone is encountering any difficulties and/or has any further questions/queries in regard to the Coffs Harbour Excursion, please feel free to contact the school.

BushFest

Last week NECOM hosted BushFest – a fantastic choral workshop day for the local primary schools in which NECOM staff teach. The event was the brainchild of Nicole Mackson, NECOM’s Co-ordinator of School Curriculum and included students and staff from Ross Hill Public, Danthonia Community, Newling Public, St Joseph’s Uralla, St Patrick’s Walcha, Hernani Public, Chandler Public, Armidale City Public, Rocky River Public and Kelly’s Plains Public – 310 in total! Paul Jarman, one of Australia’s leading choral composers and conductors, and Warwick Dunham, renowned composer, conductor and jazz pianist, led the workshop. The day concluded with a wonderful concert of individual school items as well as two massed choir pieces.

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