Dear Parents and Carers,

As I speak to others about how the experience of life in 2020 I have come to realise that we are all experiencing the impact of the disasters in very personal ways, and this recent history and present time is giving us time to reflect on our lives. This ‘conversation with God’ by author John Roedel provides food for thought for us as we process 2020 challenges and personal change.

Me: Hello God.

God: Hello...

Me: I'm falling apart. Can you put me back together?

God: I'd rather not.

Me: Why?

God: Because you're not a puzzle.

Me: What about all the pieces of my life that fall to the ground?

God: Leave them there for a while. They fell for a reason. Let them be there for a while and then decide if you need to get any of those pieces back.

Me: You don't understand! I'm breaking up!

God: No, you don't understand. You're transcending, evolving. What you feel are growing pains. You're getting rid of the things and people in your life that are holding you back. The pieces are not falling down. The pieces are putting in place. Relax. Take a deep breath and let those things you no longer need fall down. Stop clinging to pieces that are no longer for you. Let them fall. Let them go.

Me: Once I start doing that, what will I have left?

God: Only the best pieces of yours.

Me: I'm afraid to change.

God: I keep telling you: YOU'RE NOT CHANGING! YOU'RE BECOMING!

Me: Becoming, Who?

God: Becoming who I created you to be! A person of light, love, charity, hope, courage, joy, mercy, grace and compassion. I made you for so much more than those shallow pieces you decided to adorn yourself with and that you cling to with so much greed and fear. Let those things fall off you. I love you! Don't change! Become! Don't change! Become! Become who I want you to be, who I created. I'm gonna keep telling you this until you remember.

Me: There goes another piece.

God: Yes. Let it be like this.

Me: So... I'm not broken?

God: No, but you're breaking the darkness, like dawn. It's a new day. Become!! Become who you really are!!"

                                                            Author John Roedel

Changes to Staffing for Semester 2: Today we share the news with you of some changes to the St Pat’s team for next semester. It is with sadness that we will be saying farewell, by the end of this term, to four important members of our school staff team: Miss Russell, Mrs Kite, Mr Reynolds and Mrs Kettle. Letters to the community from these staff are at the end of the newsletter. As Mrs Kite writes in her letter, we do not know the full impact we have had on the people with whom we have worked, and yet it is true these four members of our team have had significant and lasting positive impact on the growth and development of our St Pat’s kids over their time in our school. I know they will be missed by many. I ask you to join me in wishing these four members of the staff well with their new endeavours both near and far.

We are currently recruiting for these positions and I look forward to sharing the new members of the team when this is finalised.

Now for some photos out and about at St Pat’s!

 

 

 

  

Being a St Pat’s Kid

Can you imagine the conversations your child may have in their minds?  Their little minds are trying to make sense of so many things, including social situations. As adults we know interacting with our colleagues, peers, friends, and relatives all involve social skills. These skills are complex and are developed over time. Parents and teachers are a primary source of encouragement and development for students.

I wonder if your child has ever thought anything like this?

I really like school, I like my teacher, I especially like the classroom. When I am in the classroom, I know what to do and my teacher always helps me if I am not on track.

When I go on to the playground there are more children and less teachers. My teachers are not with me, I have to make my own choices. Sometimes I am upset, and I don’t know what to do.

When I do not know what to do, I sometimes hurt other people, but I don’t mean to.

Can you help me? I need some help in what to do when I feel upset.

I love you and need your help.

ESafety

Please Click here or follow the link https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/blog/5-things-look-for-app?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=5%20things%20to%20look%20for%20in%20an%20app&utm_content=5%20things%20to%20look%20for%20in%20an%20app+CID_c3ae598f802d95b046ab04b14785dbdd&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=5%20things%20to%20look%20for%20in%20an%20app to read about 5 things to look for in an app that will keep you child SAFE.

12 June 2020

Dear Parents and Carers,

At the end of this term I am finishing teaching at St Pat’s. I have loved working at St Pat’s for the last 12 years, and have many treasured memories: of the students, I’ve taught, the daily celebrations and laughs, the successes in learning, my beautiful colleagues, and also some tears and heartbreak – we’ve been through it all. There is something very special about the people at St Pat’s and the way they lift you up to be the best you can be.

But now in my life, it’s time for a change. I can’t imagine having the energy to sustain another 20 years of teaching and sometimes you just know when it’s time to do something new. I am passionate about my community, having grown up here and returned to raise my own family. I have taken up a position with the Bega Valley Shire Council, working in community development. I am excited about starting this new role but also sad to be leaving my class, my colleagues and the support network I have made within the school.

Teaching is a gift. It is hard work, yes, but a gift just the same. Many days you feel like you’re swimming against the tide, trying to make a change, trying to reach that child, trying to get that programming done, trying to stay positive when your patience is being tried, trying to teach when you keep getting interrupted. But then you have magic days, when a child won’t stop reading because they are enjoying the story, when a child writes half a page after writing nothing for a week, when a child makes a new friend, when you have a joke with a child in your class because you know them and they know you, when a child’s face lights up because the just understood something new.

Last year I was at Melbourne University open day with my daughter and I heard some young man calling, ‘Mrs Kite, Mrs Kite’ across the auditorium. It was one of my students that I taught in 2012 and it was so delightful to see him and hear about his life now. This is a gift teaching gives – to know you had an impact, even just for one student.

So I am leaving St Pat’s and teaching, but I carry with me the love and memories. Thank you for your support, understanding and allowing me the gift of teaching your kids. I look forward to bumping into you around town, on the sidelines of a footy game, at the beach or somewhere in the future.

Mary Kite

12 June 2020

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am writing to inform you that I will be leaving St Patrick’s at the end of Term Two.

I made this decision in order to work closer to home and devote more time to my young family.

My time at St Patrick’s has been invaluable both personally and professionally. I feel privileged to have worked alongside many outstanding professionals, in their expertise, delivery and work ethic.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the St Patrick’s community for embracing me with such warmth and kindness. Thank you Parents and Carers, for your commitment to education. Thank you for supporting the teachers at St Patrick’s in their efforts to bring out the best in every child.

It has been an honour to teach the children of St Patrick’s, many of whom are firmly cemented in my heart.

With deep gratitude and warm regards,

Emma Kettle

12 June 2020

Dear Parents and Carers,

It is sadness that I announce that I will be leaving St Patrick’s at the end of Term 2. My family and I are moving to Queensland to follow some new and exciting opportunities. While my time at St Patrick’s has been short, I have really enjoyed my time here split between teaching PE from K-6 and 2/3R.

I will miss the students dearly, and I would like to wish the students in 2/3R all the best for the rest of the year with Miss Reid as their full-time teacher.

Best wishes,

Brendon Reynolds

Making Jesus Real

This week our Mini Vinnies members have been on the lookout for St Pat’s Kids Making Jesus Real.

Here are just a few of our students who received MJR’s

First Reconciliation 

For Year 3 students participating in the Sacrament of First Reconciliation families can book their session with Fr Luke by clicking this link: https://www.trybooking.com/BJWSI

The full information pack is available via Skoolbag.

Thank you to all families who have paid their Term 2 school fees.  School fees are due the 19^th June.

Live Streamed Marriage Seminars Sundays in June

The local Archdiocese has organised a series interactive live-streamed presentations for Marriage & Family Month immediately after the 11am Online Mass at St Christopher’s Cathedral https://www.catholicvoice.org.au/mass-online/ for the next three Sundays (14^th, 21^st, 28^th June).

Listeners will be able to interact online and ask questions of our impressive line-up of international, interstate and local Catholic couples speaking at 11.45am each Sunday from mid-June. See full program at https://www.catholicvoice.org.au/marriage-family-month-june-2020/