Mr Hyatt
What! Week 5 Already!
I always seem to be asking this question recently, where has the year gone? We are nearly in the final stages of Week 5 and that means we are nearly at the halfway point of Term 3. I am composing this notice from my hotel room in Moree as I am currently at the Principal's Conference. I have been lucky enough to have a tour of the various learning environments at St Joseph's Primary, Barraba, which has been very beneficial for myself as the class structures at Barraba are very similar to what we have here at Walcha. Anyway, I am looking forward to being back at school this upcoming Monday.
At the moment the wet and cold weather that we have been having lately has caused a number of disruptions on the local sporting scene. Recently the Diocesan Athletics Carnival that was meant to take place last Friday was postponed due to the inclement weather. Hopefully, the skies will have cleared up and the track dried out for the carnival to take place this upcoming Tuesday 23rd August. We wish our 18 students all of the best of luck!
Also, I have heard on the grapevine that a number of our indoor hockey players have made it to the semi final stage of the competition. I wish you all the best of luck for this afternoon and night. I will definitely be there to watch all the games next Thursday. Good luck to all players and teams.
As mentioned in the COMPASS news feed that I sent out on Monday, the Spring edition of the Regional Lifestyle Magazine has arrived and they have dedicated a feature to Walcha, in which we have a two page spread. It is definitely worth a read. The magazine is available at all newsagencies across the region as well as online for $15.
Our new school beanies have arrived and it was perfect timing with the cold weather that we had at the beginning of the week. I know that I might sound very biased but I believe these beanies look absolutely fantastic. If you would like one as I am sure that we haven't seen the last of winter yet, they are available at the front office for $15.
To finish off my section, the school has just received the preliminary results for the Years 3 and 5 NAPLAN Assessments. As soon as these results will be available to the parents of these students, I will let everyone know. I would like to thank all of the teachers, educational assistants, the students, and yourselves for the amount of effort that all of us have invested in the students learning. Although I am not officially allowed to pass on our results as yet, I have to admit most of the results our students obtained are very pleasing.
Year 3-4 Excursion to Thalgarrah
From all reports and the photos that I have seen, it sounds like our Year 3-4 students had a great time at Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre yesterday. A big thank you goes out to Ms Wilson for organising this excursion, it is very much appreciated.
Walcha Youth Advisory Council Meeting
On Tuesday, I was very fortunate to accompany Hugo and Sarah as they represented the students of St Patrick's at the Walcha Youth Advisory Council Meeting held at Walcha Central. Hugo and Sarah took part in various discussions in regards to some areas affecting the youth of Walcha. Some of the topics that were discussed included: the upgrading of the Lions and Skate Parks, the School Holiday Program, and also a review of the Youth Activity Program.
Kindergarten Transition Program Starting Soon!
It is just over a week before our Kindergarten Transition program commences! We are looking forward to having our 2023 Kindergarten children come to big school next Friday 26th August for their first day of transition. This program will be on every Friday for the rest of Term 3 as well as the first five Fridays in Term 4. Mrs Hoy will be leading transition and she has organised a lot of fun activities that will be conducted throughout the program.
Transition Days for children are significant in helping children familiarise themselves with the school environment and helping to make the transition to ‘big school’ so much easier.
Year 5-6 Canberra Excursion
A fortnight ago, information was sent home to our Years 5 and 6 students in regards to their excursion to Canberra that is happening during Week 9 (Monday 12th-Friday 16th September).
Information that was sent home included an itinerary, School Excursions to the ACT COVID-19 Protocols Parents/Guardians Checklist, COVID-19 Personal Declaration Form as well as details on what to bring, medications, expectations of behaviour, spending money and other various items. Unfortunately some parents still need to send in their child's medical information form. Can these be returned back to school as soon as possible? Also all participants will need to complete their COVID-19 Personal Declaration Form in the 24 hours leading to our departure.
Below are links and attachments for the various pieces of documentation that were sent home.
Personal COVID Health Declaration Form
SCHOOL EXCURSIONS TO THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY COVID-19 PROTOCOLS PARENTS/GUARDIANS/CARERS CHECKLIST
Year 5-6 CANBERRA EXCURSION 2022 GENERAL INFORMATION AND MEDICAL INFORMATION FORM NOTE
Save the Date: Friday 2nd September
Friday 2nd September is definitely going to be an action-packed day with a number of activities that are happening. We will be beginning the day with our annual Father's Day Breakfast and more details are included in the canteen section of this newsletter. Also, in the morning session (9.15 am-11.30 am), we are inviting all of our grandparents to join us for Grandparents Day, where there will be a number of activities coinciding with this special occasion in all of the classrooms. Everyone is invited to call into the library to view our Book Fair Display and we will be finishing off with our annual Book Week fashion parade. The theme for Book Week this year is: Dream With Your Eyes Open and for the fashion parade, we are encouraging our students (including transition) to dress up as: 'What They Want To Be When They Grow Up!'. I better start going through all of my costumes to see what I can come up with. So far I have changed my mind about twenty times on what I am going to wear!
2022 School Improvement Survey
In 2022, the Catholic Schools Office has once again engaged the services of Survey My School to provide a platform for parents to supply St Patrick's School with feedback on our current practices and procedures. These surveys will be emailed to parents at the beginning of next week.
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New England Sings 2022 Term 3 for Years 3-6
Recently a note went home via COMPASS to the parents of our Years 3-6 students indicating whether they would like their child or children to participate in the 2022 version of New England Sings! Thank you to the parents who have already responded. Can I please ask, if you haven't done so already, is that you indicate whether you are willing for your child to take part in this event by this upcoming Monday (22nd August).
Also, Paul Jarman from the New England Conservatorium visited the school on Tuesday to assist with the preparations of our students for this upcoming performance. We are definitely on track with the various songs that the students who will take part in this concert will perform on Sunday 23rd October. Thank you goes out to Mrs Mackson for all of the work that she has done so far, preparing our students in their fortnightly Mini Minstrels sessions.
NEW ENGLAND SINGS! 2022 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 exciting event is beginning to take shape, 16 schools (with approx. 500 choristers) in the combined Primary choirs and 14 schools (with approx. 450 choristers) in the Secondary choir.
The 2022 project will include:
The commissioning of two works from wonderful Australian composers – Justine Clarke for the Primary choir and Luke Byrne for the Secondary choir.
Paul Jarman will be attending workshops throughout the year and will conduct the Primary choirs at the final weekend of rehearsals and concerts.
FINAL REHEARSAL (all schools, including outreach schools to attend):
Date: Saturday 22nd October (directed by Paul Jarman)
Time: Primary Choir 1 9:30am – 11:00am (arrive by 9:15am)
Venue: Armidale Secondary College
CONCERTS: Date: Sunday 23rd October (directed by (with Paul Jarman)
Time: Primary Choir 11:00am – 1:00pm (arrive by 10:15am)
Venue: Armidale Secondary College (Butler St)
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 22nd October - Final Rehearsal and Sunday 23rd October 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: