I hope everything is going well

Hi everyone and welcome to this week's edition of the newsletter. I am currently in Coffs Harbour attending the Principal's Conference and as I am sitting here composing my column for the newsletter early this morning before it gets sent home to all families today, I am realising that I am definitely not a city person. Don't get me wrong, I am not giving Coffs Harbour the thumbs down and the guest speakers at the conference have been so fantastic so far, but I am definitely not handling well the general busyness of this place as everything seems so hectic and the traffic is relentless. I shouldn't really complain but I am definitely looking forward to getting back to Walcha early next week.

I would like to thank everyone who took part in a survey from late last term asking for suggestions, whether we should give our sporting houses an official team to go with their colour. The large majority of our school community supported this proposal with the name to be based on the themes of local landmarks as well as Catholic saints. Very soon, another survey will be sent home to all families and I do apologise for its timing with the School Improvement Survey going home as well. This survey will be asking our families to choose what names our sporting houses should use. Should it be something like Apsley or Tia or another local landmark or do we go with St Patrick and Catherine McAuley? It would be greatly appreciated if you could complete this survey as hopefully at our first sporting carnival in 2024, the students will be able to represent and acknowledge their sporting house name and colour.

Skye Loneragan

I would like to formally introduce Skye Loneragan who commenced her teaching practicum working with the students in Kindergarten and Ms Wilson. Skye will be working with us until the end of Week 7 (1st September). I know that Skye will definitely enjoy her time working with us.

LET'S HANG IT! Art Competition Public Choice Award Nominations Closing Soon!

Again, congratulations to Mackenzie G and Mackenzie L on your wonderful achievement at the Let's Hang It Art Competition. As mentioned last week, there is a People's Choice Award for this competition and voting will close on this Sunday 13th August. It would be fantastic if all of our families vote for Mackenzie L' and Mackenzie G's artwork using the scan code in the poster below. Their artwork is numbered '7' and '8' when asked to enter in your details and number of the artwork when voting. Your vote will be greatly appreciated by both Mackenzie's and it will give them a greater chance of winning the People's Choice Award.

Exhibition Dates 28th July - 13th August New England Regional Art Museum

Save the Date: Friday 1st September

Like last year, Friday 1st September is definitely going to be an action-packed day with a number of activities happening. We will be beginning the day with our annual Father's Day Breakfast. Also, 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. Some of the activities include our annual Book Week celebrations with the fair operating as well as our Book Week fashion parade. The theme for this year is Hats Off To Reading: and for the fashion parade, we are encouraging our students (including transition) to dress up as: 'A Hero' or 'Villian'. I better start digging deeper into my costume box to see what I can come up with. More information will be provided in future editions of the newsletter.

2023 School Improvement Survey

In 2023, 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 the week of the 21st August.

Year One Phonics Screener Assessment

Earlier in the week, all Year 1 students throughout NSW will take part in the Year 1 Phonics Screener Assessment. This is a short assessment that tells teachers how students are progressing in phonics. More information about this assessment is included below:

Kindergarten Transition Program Starting Soon!

It is just over two weeks before our Kindergarten Transition program commences! We are looking forward to having our 2024 Kindergarten children come to big school on Friday 25th 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.

The Winner of 'Wearing Uniform With Pride' Award For This Week Is.......

Congratulations go to Lilah who has won this week's 'Wearing Uniform With Pride' award. Great stuff Lilah, we always notice that you wear our school uniform with pride, you should be very proud of yourself.

Heads Up! Our Years 3-6 Students Will Be Participating in Bushfest

Our Year 3-6 students have been invited to take part in BushFest. This is a FREE choral festival for schools in the NECOM classroom/choral program on Wednesday 6th September at the New England Conservatorium of Music. It is a wonderful opportunity for our students to come together with other regional schools and work with one of Australia’s leading music educators, Paul Jarman.

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.

Classroom Gallery

What A Busy Time Years 1-2 Are Having!