Dear Parents and Carers

Today we have enjoyed another 'Big Steps' program for our Kinder 2023. The Big Steps program is designed to give the new students some school experience with regular visits to help all students have a smooth transition. The focus for today's program was English and in particular reading. The home reader borrowing program also commenced.

Enrolments continue for 2023. Here is another Future St Pat's Kid excited to be coming to school next year!

Congratulations Archie, our newest student in Year 6 for accepting a leadership role as an ICT Minister.

Nicole Grimwood - Teaching 2/3Y for Semester 2

My name is Nicole Grimwood. My husband and two primary aged children have lived in the Bega Valley since late 2016. I have taught in a number of schools in the area and Victorian schools over the last twenty years. I enjoy teaching all subjects with my favourite being Mathematics. I enjoy tennis and reading. I’m really looking forward to getting to know the St Pat’s community. 

Madison Zonneveld - Teaching 5/6G Thursday and Friday Term 3

I’m very excited to be working with 5/6G on Thursday/Friday for Term 3. For the past eight years I have been working in a support unit teaching students with a variety of different strengths and challenges. I am very passionate about working to students strengths and encouraging them to be their best selves. Outside of school I like to spend time with my family, tend to my indoor plants and travel. I look forward to meeting new families at St Pats. 

Junior Ministers @ St Pat's

We have decided to grow student leadership and student voice opportunities through a new initiative to induct some students as junior ministers. Prior to our current student leadership model of parliament, we had an SRC (Student Representative Council) and students were nominated from their class to participate in weekly meetings sharing ideas for our school. Students in Year 3-5 are invited to apply for a junior minister role. The application is simple, the process documentation is at the end of this newsletter.

Finding Happiness....

Current times might be leading us to think more of overcoming hurdles, managing wellness and facing challenges. I recently read a short article from 'Happy Schools' entitled 'Happiness is...' and thought it would be something to ponder.

What does HAPPINESS mean to you? Would more money make you happier, more job satisfaction, more family time, a new car, more travel opportunities? What would make you happier?

Social and brain scientists have been able to ascertain the things that make us happy - but to get there we need to stop our quest for status and stop buying unnecessary possessions.

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin have used CT scans to identify the most active part of the brain during various moods. The most active part of the brain when we are distressed are the amygdala and the right frontal cortex. However, when we are in a positive mood those areas of the brain are quiet and there is increased activity in the left prefrontal cortex. A person’s mood range can be ascertained by noting the baseline level of activity in the right and left prefrontal areas. The further the ratio tilts to the left, the happier their mood.

Buddhist monks, who for centuries have been preaching the art of happiness were a great example. Their baseline point was the furthest to the left. Being happy doesn’t mean everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.

According to Professor Mirko Bagaric, author of “Being Happy and Dealing With Moral Dilemmas”, the things that are conducive to happiness are good health, realistic goals, self-esteem, active pastimes, optimism, a sense of control, close relationships and challenging work.

Blessings

Jo