From the Principal

Welcome Mr Chris Smyth Director of Catholic Schools

Today we welcomed Mr Smyth to St Patrick's. It was a privilege to show Chris our amazing school & our well mannered children.  Mr Smyth spoke to the children about their learning.  We thank Mr Smyth for visiting and look forward to his next visit. 

Ms Naomi D'Arcy & Ms Meegan Cunningham

With a heavy heart I announce the resignation of Ms D'Arcy & Ms Cunningham from their positions at St Patrick's. Ms D'Arcy & Ms Cunningham will finish at the end of this term.

Ms D'Arcy has made the difficult decision to resign from her teaching position so she can care for her father who is seriously ill in Sydney.  To care for your elderly parents is a precious gift and this year Naomi has been called to do this. Naomi feels that it is in the best interest of the school if she resigns her position enabling me to get a teacher for second semester. I thank Naomi for her work in Yr 5/6 and her contributions to St Patrick's this year. I wish Naomi all the best and we will keep you Naomi and your father in our prayers.

Ms Meegan Cunningham has been a valued member of staff at St Patrick's for the past three years.  Her dedication and professional care for our school is evident everyday in our beautifully presented clean school. Thank you Meegan for the care and work for St Pat's. We wish you all the joy and success in your new position. 

Welcome Mr Paul Marshall to St Patrick's Yr 3/4 Band from NECOM 

Mrs Vanessa Bartley-Heterick is finishing her time at St Patrick's with our Band. We thank Vanessa for her work with the children and wish her the best with her studies. We look forward to keeping in touch to share our progress. 

Mr Paul Marshall will join Mr James McKay on Mondays for our Yr 3/4 band. Paul is a woodwind teacher, conductor and composer. He studied saxophone performance at the Sydney Conservatorium, before running the Sindel-Marshall Music Studio in Sydney for with his wife, Louisa, for 15 years before moving to Armidale for the start of 2016.

Paul conducts many ensembles including AYO and Tilbuster Wind Ensemble. As a composer, many of Paul’s pieces are included in AMEB exam syllabuses (clarinet, saxophone, bassoon and cello). In 2018, Paul was commissioned by the Armidale Youth Orchestra to compose a celebratory 50th anniversary piece. The Armidale Symphony Orchestra has recently performed his orchestral pieces, Landscapes and Gara Gorge.

Walcha Council Community Resilience Program - Tulip Gift

On Friday the children planted the Tulip bulbs in the front garden that Walcha Council provided for each student. The tulip bulbs are a symbol of what we have dealt with and overcome in the last three years. We are looking forward to the bulbs flowering and making a beautiful picture for all to see as they pass by the front of our school.

Kindergarten 2021 

                                 Kindergarten 2021 Open Morning on Tuesday 23rd June 

POSTPONED UNTIL 

TERM 3 Tuesday 4th August (Due to the current Coronavirus restrictions).

Our Transition Program will be the last five Fridays in Term 3 and the first five Fridays in Term 4.  

If you are aware of anyone wishing to enrol their child for 2021, please encourage them to contact our office as soon as possible for an enrolment package, thank you.

Reporting Semester 1 -Student Progress Reports 

At the end of this term teachers will complete a Semester 1 Progress Report. Due to the Remote Learning during Term 1 & Term 2, we will be providing families with a modified Student Progress Report for Semester 1.  The report will give information on the progress in three KLA's Religion, English, Mathematics & Social Skills areas. Also the Progress Report will have goals for future learning. We will not be giving A-E grades on this semester progress report.

Hygiene & Safety Procedures

The staff are very vigilant in keeping the hygiene & safety procedures in place. We are asking parents & visitors not to enter the playground or classrooms but to come to the front office. All parents & visitors must sign in at the office when entering the school grounds, this is a school & government requirement. We thank you for your support in reducing contact with children & staff. 

Compass

We are changing over to our new School Management System - Compass. It is a web-based program that is being rolled out in all Primary and Secondary schools across the Armidale Diocese by the end of 2020. 

The Compass 'Kiosk' is in the reception for parents to sign in students arriving after 9 am and sign out students leaving before 2.55 pm.  Late students must be signed in by a parent or arrive at reception with a note stating the reason as to why they are late.  

At the end of the Term we will post your son/daughters term 2 progress report in Compass.  We will send families information on how to access your child's report in week 10.

UNIFORM

Please support the staff in ensuring your child/children are fully dressed in their correct uniform each day. St Patrick's has always had high expectations around the school uniform and it is an expectation that everyone wears the uniform with pride.

There are many good quality items in various sizes available in the clothing pool. Please contact or see Mrs Pittman if you wish to access any items of clothing in the clothing pool.

Please, check that you have written your child's name on all belongings so we can return lost items.