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Dear Parents and Carers,
A busy term of learning has come to fruition and our students, your children, are ready for the opportunity of rest and relaxation that the holidays will bring. Can I commend to you the careful planning of a good dose of nothing for some time during the holidays. Often holidays can be so planned and full and busy that the children might not get enough time just to rest.
Yesterday was the perfect day for our school cross country carnival, but the growing ill health in our community paused proceedings! we look forward to starting the term with a run around the showgrounds! Everyone has 2 further weeks of practice time to get their stamina up to the run.
Tuesday was a great day for the rugby league tag gala day for our Year 5/6 students. Mrs Scott and Mrs Collins were SO impressed by the sportsmanship of all students who participated. Well done to all the students who joined in on the day!
Thanks to the Community Council, and in particular Carmen Shoveller, for the wonderful Easter raffle which was a huge success. There was a lot of excitement and anticipation at the prize draw this morning. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who supported the raffle. The Easter raffle prizes are purchased by the Community Council from the proceeds of the sale of 2nd hand uniform. Thank you for donating your children’s uniforms when they have grown out of them!
We end our school term on Holy Thursday and we await the joy of the resurrection on Easter Sunday. I’d like to share a reflection on the Easter Sunday gospel from God’s Word to help us contemplate the season of Easter.
‘The gospels stress that Jesus’ resurrection was completely unexpected by his disciples, even though Jesus had told them on a number of occasions that he would rise from the dead. It seems they did not understand what he was saying. In John’s gospel account of the Easter Sunday story we see Mary Magdalen going to the tomb early in the morning while it is still dark. She is like you and me going to the cemetery to visit the gave of someone we love who has died. She is going to mourn, to grieve, to remember him, perhaps even to ask the question ‘Why?’ though she doesn’t expect an answer. When she finds the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, she is shocked and confused. She thinks someone has stolen the body. The thought that he has risen doesn’t enter her mind.
Later, while still searching, she meets a man she thinks is the gardener and she asks him if he knows where they have put Jesus’ body. The person says simple ‘Mary’ and suddenly, totally unexpectedly, she realises that she is in the presence of the risen Christ.
We also will meet the risen Christ in unexpected moments during the Easter season. Surely, we will meet him in the Mass and in the sacraments, and in moments of prayer. But, like Mary, we will also meet him in our brothers and sisters, perhaps in the gardener, or in the stranger we meet along the way, or in those in need: ‘ For I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was frightened and you comforted me, alone and you came to see me.’ Then, like Mary, our joy will be full.’
May you have a blessed Easter and happy holiday. I am looking forward to being on Pilgrimage in the Holy Land quite soon after the celebration of Easter and being present in the places where Jesus lived, died and rose from the dead. In my absence we welcome Mrs Grant to the role of Principal (acting), and in Mrs Sheahan's absence at this same time, we welcome Mrs Ferris to the role of Assistant Principal (acting). The other staff changes for the short duration of the first weeks of term will be communicated at the start of term.
Of note, if you know any teachers who are looking at moving to the Bega Valley please tell them we have a position advertised right now! Thank you.
Kind regards,
Jo
One word
Frees us of all the weight and pain of life:
That word is love. SOPHOCLES
Canberra Excursion
What a wonderful 3 days our senior students had in Canberra last week! It was an extremely busy few days, with a lot packed in. Everyone enjoyed themselves and consolidated their learning from this term about Parliament and Democracy. Below are some highlight from students.
‘On the second night, we went to the A.I.S (Australian Institute of Sport). Everyone was having fun. There was soccer, basketball, AFL, skeleton run, bikes, wheelchair race, arm wrestling, pull ups, rock climbing and one where you had to throw a ball at a target. It was so good. I loved it!’
By Alyssa
‘On the last few days of March, the Year 5/6 of St Pat’s went to Canberra for a 3-day camp. One of the things we did there was go to the War memorial. Once we drove into Canberra, we went to the War Memorial to learn about the people who have died in the war. It was very interesting. There were a lot of people who died. We saw some bombs that didn’t go explode that were put in the museum.
After the first day, we drove to camp to find out what cabins we were in. After we were all settled in, it was time for dinner. We had burgers and they were really yummy, then we got onto the bus again and went bowling.’
By Maya
‘At Parliament House, we got to watch the House of Representatives and Senate. The first thing we did there was go into this room with a Lego recreation of Parliament house that had people, animals, cameras and the Prime Minister. When we were watching the House of Representatives and Senate, we sat in boxes that were attached to the ceiling. They were in two rows of seats that looked down to the Parliamentarians. I saw Kristy McBain sitting next to a lady dressed in full pink. I also saw former Prime Minister, Scott Morrison. ‘
By Aodhan
‘Everyone who went to camp had to get there at 6:45am to catch the bus. Everyone was tired! We went to so many things. We went to the AIS on the second night. All the 5/6’s loved it. There was bikes, basketball, wheelchair races, rock climbing, soccer and so many more things. On the second day, we went to Questacon. I’m just going to talk about one room. The gravity room. When we went into the gravity room, all the 5/6’s ran to line up to go on the slide. The Slide is a slide, but you hang on a bar and then drop. Some of the slide is dead straight so when you drop for a second it’s the same feeling as if you’re in space flying around.
By Arly
The Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program is an Australian Government initiative that provides financial assistance to support students on-site learning about our nation’s capital. We have been very fortunate to receive this support to enable our students to have this amazing Canberra experience.
Religious Education - Sacrament of Confirmation
During Term 2 our Senior Primary students will be preparing for Confirmation. Within our Parish the children are prepared for this Sacrament within a Family based Parish Sacramental Program. This is also an opportunity for you to re-examine or renew your own faith commitment.
If you would like your child to participate in the Sacrament of Confirmation, please complete the online enrolment form:
Previously enrolled – Last year’s first communion and reconciliation
https://forms.gle/rPYDf5p2dmK2JiB26
New enrolment – everyone else
https://forms.gle/4pCgdaomV63Yfgea6
Dates for your Diary
Information Evening: Thursday 27th April 6pm
Enrolment Mass (Family Mass): Sunday 30th April 9:30am
Retreat: Wednesday 10th May 9:00am-3:00pm St Patrick’s Church
Sacrament: Sunday 28th May 9:30am
Youth Group: Thursday 1st June 3:15pm
Religious Education - Holy Week
Throughout Holy Week classes have visited the church for scripture readings that depict the events leading up to Easter. It has been a time of deep questioning and reflection.
Charlie, Aiden and Chase travelled to Canberra to trial for the Canberra Goulburn soccer team. The three boys played hard with Charlie being selected the top 16. Unfortunately, only 14 were selected for the final team. Aidan and Charlie will be in the same age division again next year.
Our cross country will now be held the first day back after the holidays, Wednesday 26th April. The regional carnival is scheduled for Friday 28th April at Wolumla. This is a very short turn around but due to the circumstances, unavoidable. The new start time for our school carnival is 11.45am line up for 12pm start.
Our senior primary children had a fun day at the rugby league gala day on Tuesday. AFL and Rugby league, as local sports, put these days on for our local schools. We would love to do some soccer, hockey, or netball days but unfortunately the local clubs don’t offer these services.
Next term we have employed a tennis coach to work with all children during sport lessons. Hans Zeegers operates out of the Sapphire Coast tennis club in Merimbula. Hans is also holding a coaching clinic during week 2 of the holidays. If this is something your child may be interested in please visit the link below to register.
St Patrick's will once again proudly participate in the ANZAC day Commemoration on Tuesday 25th April.
Students able to attend are to wear their everyday school uniform and Hat. Assemble at Gipps St (outside Club Bega) at 10.30am for a 10.45am start.
Uniform Shop is now closed for Term 1. We will be open again on Friday 28 April 2023.
You may continue to place orders on QKr! throughout the holidays and we will fill them when we return on the 28 April 2023.
If you would like to come in for an appointment or have any queries, please email us at stpats.uniform@gmail.com.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Easter holiday!
Kind regards,
St Pats Uniform Committee - Helen, Roz & Carmen
EASTER RAFFLE WINNERS
K Yellow
Elora
Elijah C
Thea A
1/2 Red
Mackenzie S
Lucas C
Amelia G
1/2 Green
Logan
Olivia
Levi Mc
3/4 Red
Milton
Abby
Aaron
3/4 Yellow
Evelyn
Alyssa
Trinity
3/4 Green
Liam C
Bella
Makadde
5/6 Red
Noah O
Alex
Amy
5/6 Yellow
Sophie
Eli
Mr Broughton
5/6 Green
Shelby
Thomas
Drew
Weekend junior mixed hockey team
St Pat’s are hoping to put together a weekend junior mixed hockey team.
It will be in the Kooka 8’s format which is a half field variation with 8-10 players on each team between the ages of turning 9-13 years.
We are also looking for enthusiastic parent/s or helper to coach the children, but if we don’t have a volunteer the committee will arrange for a suitable coach.
To register go to:
Registration - Sapphire Coast Hockey Inc
Contact Angus Johnston via SMS on 0409 223 805 or angusjohnston86@hotmail.com for further information.
