DATE CLAIMER - FRIDAY 7th May 8.15-9.15am Mother's day breakfast and liturgy in the hall.

Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome to Term 2.

We have had a great start to term, with much joy and many smiling faces around school. We are pleased to hear so many stories about the great fun and relaxing holiday that our students and families enjoyed. As you know happiness in children always leads to productive learning, we are looking forward to a great term of learning. 

 

Enrolling Now

May is the month of the Enrolment period for Catholic Education.

At St Pat’s we begin our enrolment process as the term begins and we will be interviewing for Kinder 2022, and other classes, early in May. Next week on Wednesday 28th April we are hosting an open day for families enrolling or considering enrolling for next year.

Please let your family and friends know they can book a time for a short tour of the school and the opportunity for asking questions and learning about St Pat’s when the tour ends at our school hall.

https://www.trybooking.com/BQERS

SRC

Thank you to Ms Nicholas for leading the SRC meetings each week and helping our student voices and ideas come to fruition in our school. The SRC chose the new morning assembly song and Jasmine and Abbie created the new actions. Thanks girls!

This week the SRC had their term celebration (postponed from Term 1 due to Year 5/6 Canberra trip). Students made their sandwiches, brought treats they had cooked at home, and went to the park for lunch and a play.

Sporting Schools

Great news that we attracted Sporting Schools funding for term 2 to continue the tennis program that we have offered in recent years with this funding. Whilst we are unable to get an outside tennis coach this year, Mrs Harnett with Mrs Symon Dam in assistance will teach all classes the skills and game of tennis.

YEAR 5/6  CAMP

Last term 52 of our Year 5/6 students participated in an education tour of the national capital. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding of $30per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.

NAPLAN 2021

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. Students in Years 3 and 5 participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. All assessments are conducted online except the Year 3 Writing assessment.

The assessment provides parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance.

The assessment window for NAPLAN Online is nine days starting on Tuesday 11th May and finishing on Friday 21st May 2021. A NAPLAN individual student report will be issued by your child’s school later in the year. St Pat's school uses the results to identify strengths and areas to improve in teaching programs, and to set goals in literacy and numeracy.

If you have any questions regarding NAPLAN testing please contact St Pat's NAPLAN coordinator; Val Sheahan (val.sheahan@cg.catholic.edu.au). For more information; see attachment

Australian Early Development Census (AEDC)

Between May and July this year, our school will be taking part in the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). This is a nationwide census/survey of early childhood development held once every three years. The AEDC is an Australian Government initiative run by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment and includes all children in their first year of full-time school.

The AEDC provides vital information to communities about how children are developing in the crucial early years. AEDC data is relied upon by schools, early childhood organisations, researchers and government to inform planning and improve services and supports for children and families.

The AEDC Instrument is completed by teachers about children in their first year of full-time school. The AEDC is voluntary and is not a school test. The information collected gives a picture of how children are developing before they start school in five key areas or domains. It shows what is being done well, and what can be improved. This is why it is important for all children in their first year of full-time school to be included in the AEDC.

Survey's will be carried out by the classroom teacher. Kindergarten parents/carers of students will receive more information and a consent form in the coming weeks.

STEM K-2

Our students in the K-2 space began weekly STEM lessons today. Students were given materials to design and build a boat that would float and sail on water when blown with a straw. Students were able to find out if their boat floated and modify if needed.

Upcoming events & dates

Sunday 25th April - ANZAC March & Service 

Friday 30th May - Chapel Mass 1/2M

Confirmation Enrolment Weekend: Across all Parish Masses over the weekends 1st & 2nd May and 8th & 9th May 

Confirmation 1st Family Mass & Formation: 4:30pm- 6pm Sunday 23rd May 

ANZAC DAY

We invite families to join the ANZAC celebrations in Bega on Sunday 25^th April.

Times & Details:

10:15am – Meet in Gipps street (carpark opposite Club Bega) to prepare for the March. Students are asked to wear full school uniform.

10:45am – March begins, going down Carp Street to the Memorial

11:00-12:00pm – ANZAC service. School captains will lay a wreath

If you have any queries, please email Mrs Grant emma.grant@cg.catholic.edu.au

Confirmation

This term Year 5 and 6 students are learning about the Sacrament of Confirmation. Mrs Grant will be team teaching with classroom teachers as students use scripture to explore the symbols of the Holy Spirit. 

Laudato Si' 

On Monday Professior Br David Hall facilitated a staff spirituality day focusing on Laudato Si'. This term as a school we are focusing on Sustainability and Stewardship. 

Young people absorb the values circulating in their culture, transforming and transmitting them in turn (Tim Campbell New Philosophy, Issue 31, #1/2021, p. 112).

St Pat’s support for families

If at any time your family is experiencing financial hardship due to Covid-19 or any other reason or your family is in need of other support, please contact the school to make a time for a confidential meeting with our Principal, Jo Scott-Pegum to discuss how the school can help support your family.

Sport Reminder & News

The Southern Region Cross Country is being held at Wolumla sports ground next Thursday 29^th April. All outstanding notes and $5 levy need be finalised.

Please note, there is an error on the original permission slip. The time listed for walking the course was 9.30am this was a misprint and should have read 10.30am. Parents taking your children please note this time change.

Several of our students have been selected in the Canberra Goulburn Archdiocesan winter sports teams. We wish Lincoln Thompson and Eloise Deighton good luck for today as they compete in Goulburn against Sydney, Wollongong and Wagga Wagga teams for selection in the MacKillop soccer boys and girls team.

Next Friday we wish Drew Duncan, Clay Hoyland and Kai Schrader good luck. These three boys were selected in the Canberra Goulburn Archdiocesan 11 years and open rugby league teams. The boys will play against teams from, Parramatta, St George, Wollongong and Wagga Wagga for selection in the MacKillop rugby league teams.

These students have shown excellent sporting skills to be selected at this high level from children across the Canberra Goulburn Archdiocese.  

Thanks to the parents who have made numerous trips for selection and training.