Dear Parents and Carers,

WELCOME TO 2025! A very big welcome back to everyone as we begin another exciting school year. We hope the holidays were relaxing and filled with many memorable family times. It is always such a joy on the first day to see students returning to greet their teachers and friends and the excitement that a new year, classroom, teacher and class group brings! An extra special welcome is extended to our new families the Bulger, Butt, Chittick, Estacio, Grange, Hand, Lewis, Phelps, Wilde, Wolley and Simpson families. We are delighted to have you join our St Patrick’s school community.

KINDERGARTEN: It has been delightful to welcome 18 very excited Kindergarten children to our St Patrick’s School family. A big welcome to Lexie, Bodhi, Hallie, Anastasia, Liam, Charlotte, Macie, Isabel, Leo, Hazel, Sadie, Ned, Eddie, Lenox, Tess, Jaxon, Daphne and Dixie as they begin their educational journey here with us. All our new students have settled in beautifully to our school and are already a valued part of our school family. We look forward to journeying with them throughout their Primary School education years.

JUBILEE YEAR ‘PILGRIMS OF HOPE’: Pope Francis has announced that the 2025 year will centre on the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. The Jubilee year is celebrated every 25 years in the Catholic Church. The Jubilee Year is a time to ‘rekindle our hope’ for ourselves and our world. It is a special year of celebration, renewal and hope. This theme formed the focus for our staff prayer gathering on Monday.

“Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future will bring.” Pope Francis – Jubilee

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING: St Patrick’s School staff have engaged in two days of fantastic learning prior to students returning. Along with our other CECG Systemic Schools, the online System CATALYST Day was another great opportunity of professional learning. Keynote speakers were Natalie Wexter who presented ‘The Knowledge gap: What it is and how to Narrow It’, followed by Professor Daniel Willingham who led us through a discussion on ‘Developing Independent Learners’. Both sessions promoted in-depth professional discussions among staff around how these concepts apply to our current teaching programs together with the inclusion of High Impact Teaching Practices (HITP). Continued commitment to creating positive classrooms where all students are engaged in purposeful learning, was the outcome of the days.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL/OPENING SCHOOL MASS DATES: We have several important events coming up this week at school. Our St Patrick’s School swimming carnival will be held THIS Thursday 13 February at the Gundagai Pool commencing at 9.30am. Kindergarten and Year 1 will join in the fun from 11.30am onwards.  Our Opening School Mass is scheduled to take place on Friday 21 February at St Patrick’s Church commencing at 12pm. Year 6 leaders and SRC class representatives will be formally inducted during the Mass and also a special welcome and presentation to our Kindergarten and new students. Parents and family members are most welcome to join us for both events.

Best wishes for a happy week ahead.

Christine Baron

Principal

St Patrick, Pray for us