• MONDAY 9 DECEMBER 5.45PM - 9.00PM YEAR 6 GRADUATION DINNER AND CEREMONY

• WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER - LAST DAY FOR YEAR 6 STUDENTS 3.10PM

• THURSDAY 12 DECEMBER - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL TERM FOR RECEPTION TO YEAR 5 CHILDREN - NORMAL FINISH TIME 3.10PM

Dear Families,

ADMINISTRATIVE DIMENSION:

We remind families that school for students in Years Reception to Year 5 concludes on Thursday 12^th December.  Students in Year 6, finish the day before on Wednesday 11^th December.

Library resources: Please ensure that all school resources that have been borrowed, such as library books and class reading books are returned by Monday 9^th December (the last week of school)

Behaviour expectations: This week sees three different groups of students across the school participating in end of year excursions and incursions. Please ensure that your child has sunscreen applied prior to attending and remind them to reapply throughout the day. These are always a great way to celebrate the years’ work and let off a bit of energy. However, I remind students that school rules and expectations must be followed to ensure a safe and enjoyable time for all involved. Parents, please speak to your child and reinforce this with them.

As we near the end of the term, at this busy time of the year, there are often many distractions both at home, school and the media. Please support your child to stay focussed and calm as much as is possible. Remind them to be kind and gentle with their fellow students.

Year 6 Graduation:  This will take place next Monday 9^th December at the Croatian Sports complex. Parents of these students, please ensure that you have booked and paid for family members who are attending. This is always an emotional time as students transition from Primary to Secondary school and we wish them well for the next stage of their learning journey.

End of Year Whole School Mass: This was held on Wednesday 4 December. It was a wonderful celebration of the past year and giving thanks for the goodness and generosity of all in our community. It was also an opportunity for the students to farewell the Year 6 cohort .

Final Assembly:  This will be held next Wednesday at 11.30am. You are invited to join us as we farewell staff and students who are leaving.

LEARNING DIMENSION:

Congratulations: Achuil Achuil (pictured above) from Year 5/6DF for representing the State in track and field in a competition in Sydney this week. The competitors came from all across Australia and were very extremely fast. On this occasion Achuil didn't come away with a medal but instead made new friends and had a great learning experience on and off the track.  We wish Achuil all the best for his track and field future and hope to be cheering him at an Olympics Games one day.

School Reports:  Reports will be distributed on Wednesday of Week 9.

Learning success: I wish to take this opportunity to thank all teachers and support staff across all areas of the school for their dedication and commitment over the past year. It is this commitment that has seen growth in learning for all students. Every step forward is a step towards success in future learning. For some, it may have been limited and in others there have been great leaps. It is satisfying as an educator and Principal of a school to recognise student achievement whether it is academic or social/ emotional growth. We know that both of these can be challenging for some children, however I am proud of the work our staff undertake to ensure all children strive to be the best they can be. With the strong  focus on Mathematics and phonetic acquisition this year, children are better prepared as they move into their new year level in 2025.

COMMUNITY DIMENSION:

Morlandcourt Residential Care visit:

On Wednesday of last week , I had the privilege to accompany the Year 6 students on a visit to the RSL  Morlandcourt residential village. It was heartwarming to see our young people interact with the residents freely and comfortably. We sang Christmas carols together and one ‘young man’ even got up to dance. The visit certainly brought a smile to the residents and I know it had an impact on the students as well. Thank you to their teachers Mr Faulks and Miss Hartley and Mr Proctor for coordinating the visit. We hope to continue this tradition into next year.

Volunteers Morning Tea: You are invited to the volunteers’ morning tea from 8.30am in the Hall. This is to extend our thanks to those parents who have been able to support the school through providing their generous time. The work of volunteers is a vital part of a school community and we encourage you to participate in the life of the school which in turn supports your child’s learning. A Catholic Police clearance is required for you to be acle to volunteer in school programs.

RELIGIOUS DIMENSION:

I take this opportunity to wish all families a safe holiday season. May the message of joy and peace of the Christ child bring comfort and happiness to you and your families. May your God watch over you as you travel over this time and we look forward to seeing you back at school in the new year.

For me, I wish to extend my gratitude for the time I have been able to spend at St Patrick’s as I bring to a close a 42 year career in education.  I thank all who made me feel so welcome I returned to the place I began my teaching. To the children, I wish them all the very best for their future success in learning and in life.

May God’s blessing be with you.

Gennaro Mannella

Acting Principal

APRIM Reflection and News

‘May God be generous in increasing your love and make you love one another and the whole human race.’ (Thessalonians 3:12) 

In the lead up to Christmas, and in the Season of Advent (a time of waiting for the coming of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ), we are encouraged to love one another and to assist those in need of compassion, according to our means. Often it is the small acts of kindness that make a difference in the lives of others. 

I was fortunate to witness the interactions of our Year 6s and singing of Christmas carols, when they went to the RSL SA Residential Care last week. It was wonderful seeing them in conversation with the elderly, listening to them singing and witnessing their courteous behaviour. At one point of the singing, an elderly gentleman got out of his seat and danced. A Moment of Joy! 

Vinnies Christmas Appeal  

In the season and Spirit of Christmas we are inviting families to help our St Vinnies members, by contributing non-perishable food and drink items, used to make up hampers or donating gifts for children.

Donations of food and drink items can be taken to the classrooms and be stored in plastic tubs and gifts and wrapping paper for children can taken to the Front Office Christmas Tree. We ask that all donations be brought to school by Friday 6 December.

Morning Tea for Volunteers 

All  parents and carers who have helped out the community as a volunteer this year are invited to a morning tea on Tuesday 10 December at 8:30am in the Hall.  

Community Events for the remainder of Term 4: 

who have celebrated a birthday or will be celebrating a birthday soon

• 7 December - Serene
• 11 December - Kim & Diana
• 13 December - Christina
• 14 December - Abhijot
• 16 December - Teliyah & Jassie
• 18 December - Huy
• 19 December - Annie & Dylan
• 20 December - Priscilla
• 21 December - Sake & Adhieu
• 23 December - Victor
• 27 December - Louis
• 29 December - Tanaz
• 31 December - Sophie

A friendly reminder to those families, who do not have a direct debit set up, that school fees for the year are due to be finalised before the end of this Term.  

We offer direct debit, BPay, EFTPOS and also direct deductions from Centrelink payments to cater to the changing financial needs of our families at St Patrick’s School. When the direct debit payment option is selected your school fee payment is calculated over the full school year right up until the 31^st December 2024. This means smaller payments are required, making this method the most affordable way to budget for your commitment.

Please come into the office or ring me on 83034500 if one of these options would better suit your financial requirements.  

School Card 2024 is applied for online if you haven’t already applied for this year please arrange as soon as possible as the cut off date is early November. Instructions on how to do this are available at the front office. School Card must be applied for each year.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL FAMILIES:

Please be aware St Patrick’s School has changed their bank details. These new bank details do now appear on your school invoice.

If you pay a direct debit the bank details are automatically updated.  The new details are as follows:

CTB

BSB 066-782

Account number 100000262

If at any time you are having trouble meeting your school fee commitment, or have any queries, please contact me on 83034500 to discuss this matter.

Christine Lavender

Finance Officer

Hi Everyone,

Due to the end of the school year being nearly upon us,  just a few reminders:

• We do not have the Rocketeers Programme here at St Patrick's School.  It is located nearby at St Margeret Mary's School at Croydon Park and Woodville Primary.  The program is online now for you to view.  You just have to add the school on your parent portal
• 2025 BOOKINGS:  If you do not need to change your bookings for next year they will continue as they are.  They roll over in our system automatically.  If you need to change a booking then you need to do it on your parent portal or update any details. 
• LAST BOOKINGS FOR 2024:  We will open as normal on Thursday 12 December as the school finishes at 3.10pm
• We are NOT OPEN on Friday 13 December

If you require our service next year you can go onto www.campaustralia.com.au and register just be sure to select St Patrick School, Mansfield Park.  You can also call 0447 141 518

Thank you Michele

PLAYGROUP

St Patrick’s Playgroup 9.30am- 11.30 am (Wednesday and Friday)

Welcome all children 0-5 years and their parents-carers residing in City of Port Adelaide Enfield, City of Charles Sturt

Goals of Playgroup:

• To provide individual support, engage with families and raise awareness of other Community Resources
• To promote Children’s interactions with others and learn basic English
• To facilitate a smooth transition for both Child and Parent into a new schooling environment
• To promote, encourage the opportunity for parents and children to learn and play together
• To promote a friendly and safe environment for parents and children to form social networks and establish new friendships

All parents and carers are responsible for the children they bring to playgroup

Communities for Children is funded by the Australian Government  Department of Social Services

Please contact Chau Tran or Huong Nguyen on 8303 4500 if you would like further information.