Dear Parents and Carers,

For four days this week I have been in Bowral for Principal meetings, Director's Day, and the Principal retreat. This year our retreat has been led by Sr Margaret Ghosn, the Executive Principal of the Maronite College of the Holy Family in Sydney. We have reflected on the theme of In the image of God. One quote that struck a chord with me as a leader in a Catholic school is from Meister Eckhart, 'You may call God love, you may call God goodness. But the best name for God is compassion. Whatever God does the first outburst is always compassion.' At St Patrick's we aspire to a compassionate approach to all who enter our school.

St Pat's Staffing Thank you for your understanding and support as staff changes occur at school. Sometimes there are extenuating circumstances including those related to personal health or family that instigate the changes. We are appreciative of your understanding of the privacy of staff when they make decisions about work.

At the end of Week 8 we farewell Mrs Inca Lyon-Guthrie from St Patrick's. Inca has been a highly valued member of the St Patrick's student support staff, dedicated to helping students both in class and in small group intervention programs. Mrs Guthrie has secured work to further her passion in early intervention. We wish her well.

For personal and health reasons, Mrs Leanne Bateman will be on leave until the end of 2023. We are working on recruiting the new teacher for 34G and will communicate as soon as this is finalised.

Learning and Play At St Pat's our students enjoy two 40min breaks during the day for recess and lunch. They are supervised for 10min to eat, they are encouraged to eat the healthy food and then any treat. For close supervision, students sit in cohorts for eating. K-2; 3-4, 5-6.

At play time there are a variety of activities that students enjoy.

In K-2 they play on the playground, games in the COLA, soccer on the grass, fun in the cubby house and garden and handball on the concrete. There is sport equipment available to them from which to choose.

In 3-6 they play handball or skipping on the concrete outside the hall, soccer or a ball game on the middle and lower flats, running games on part of the flats, or on the playground.

For all students their are clubs in which they can participate at lunch break. Things like craft, drawing, LEGO, knitting, drama are explored in club time. 

We notice that children who choose an active play are much more successful than those who choose to just sit or wander around. Please join us in encouraging your child to get involved in active play at their play breaks.

See you next week at our St Patrick's Day afternoon: Friday 17th March, 2.30-4.30. Wear some green and enjoy a St Pat's community connection event.

Blessings

Jo