Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome: This week it has been wonderful to welcome 4 new students to St Patrick's. Meeval (Kinder), Angelo (Year 1), Anatsa (Year 1), and Aneisha (Year 3) have been happily welcomed by their teachers and classmates. We are delighted to have these new families in our school community.

MacKillop Athletics Championships Congratulations to the 5 St Pat's students: Amelia, Arly, Aidan, Archie, and Thea who competed at the MacKillop Athletics Championships in Sydney on Wednesday. We are so proud of you! A special congratulations to Amelia who won the 13 year girl 100m event.

As we approach the school holidays, it’s a wonderful opportunity to keep the joy of reading and learning alive at home! Here are some fun and engaging ways to encourage your children to explore new worlds through books and activities:

1. Reading Challenges: Create a holiday reading challenge! Set a goal for the number of books to read and reward your child with small prizes or a special outing when they reach their target.

2. Storytime Adventures: Turn reading into an adventure! Choose a theme (like space or animals) and read books related to that theme. You can even dress up or create crafts that relate to the stories.

3. Library Visit: Make a trip to our Bega library to stock up on some books and check out if there is a holiday program to suit your children.

4. Book Clubs: Encourage your child to start a mini book club with friends. They can choose a book to read together and discuss it over snacks—what a great way to build social skills!

5. Interactive Learning: Incorporate educational games and apps that promote reading and critical thinking. Many online resources offer interactive stories and quizzes that make learning fun.

6. Family Reading Time: Set aside time each day for family reading. Everyone can choose their own book, or you can read a chapter book together, taking turns to read aloud.

7. Creative Writing: Encourage your child to write their own stories or keep a holiday journal. This not only enhances their writing skills but also allows them to express their creativity.

By integrating these activities into your holiday routine, we can ensure that our children continue to grow as enthusiastic learners. Thank you for your support in fostering a love of reading!

Happy holiday!

Blessings

Jo