Voting will close for the people’s choice award tomorrow Wednesday 8 December 2021. One like on our photo equals one vote.

Please help share and like here: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=206776508305364&set=a.206784331637915

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JOLLYBOPS SCIENCE SHOW

On Thursday this week, the students of Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 will be entertained by local talent group Jollybops, who will present a science show called “Let’s Love Water”. The show, which is coordinated by Hunter Water, will highlight simple tips for saving water, including four-minute showers, turning off the tap when brushing your teeth, and sweeping hard surfaces.

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FAREWELL CLAP-OUT

On Wednesday afternoon next week (15th December), beginning at 2.30pm, we will say goodbye for the final time to those students and staff members who are leaving St Patrick’s, including our Year 6 students. We will be implementing some COVID-safe protocols that will ensure that the cohorts of students do not mingle during the clap-out.

Unfortunately, COVID restrictions will not allow us to invite parents and family members on site. However, we will live stream it through our Facebook page. At the conclusion of the clap-out, the departing students will leave the school site via the back gate and proceed into the car park. You may wish to applaud them as they walk through the car park, but we do ask that you physically distance yourselves from other families.

Our apologies for imposing such harsh controls on what will be a lovely and somewhat emotional occasion, but these restrictions are intended to ensure that we are safe.

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CANTEEN

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END-OF-YEAR AWARD RECIPIENTS AND STUDENT LEADERS 2022

This morning we held our annual awards ceremony at which we recognised students throughout the school for exceptional academic achievement, consistent effort and application to their work, and building of community at St Patrick’s. The following students received awards:

KINDERGARTEN

• Academic achievement: Egan Joyce: Egan, from the beginning of Kindergarten, it has been very clear to see that you have a love of learning. You engage in every learning opportunity with enthusiasm and commitment. One of the things we admire most about you is your initiative, and your desire to apply new learning straight away. This is especially evident in writing tasks. You can work independently on more challenging literacy tasks, and you always produce work of a high standard. You are a talented artist . . . this clearly runs in the family! Your artworks are very detailed and they have a particular style and personality of their own. We especially love your creativity and use of colour. You love Mathematics, and you demonstrate wonderful collaborative skills when working with your peers. During home learning, you accepted the extra challenges we offered you with an eagerness to excel. One of your special qualities is your friendly and caring nature. You are sought after as a friend because you are a great friend. You thoroughly deserve this award for academic achievement. Congratulations, Egan.

• Consistent effort and application: Giselle Maddox: Giselle, you have a beautiful, bubbly and bright personality which warms our hearts. When we are in conversation with you, we just want to smile! Every day this year, you have been fully immersed in your learning. Your commitment to every task, across every curriculum area, has been excellent. You arrive each day, full of curiosity and a willingness to strive to achieve your best. You have achieved very pleasing results in all areas because you absorb and retain new ideas through your active listening and participation. You love to draw, and you show natural ability and creativity in your artwork. You also love dramatic play, and you immerse yourself in this at every opportunity. It has been a joy to watch you become the class vet, emergency department doctor and post office worker with all the enthusiasm in the world. You are a warm and loving friend who has a calming presence in our class. You have an impeccable work ethic and a willingness to give 100% to every task, every day. This makes you a very worthy recipient of this award. Congratulations on this wonderful achievement, Giselle.

• Community builder: Nate Fowell: Nate, you show kindness and maturity beyond your years. Your positive, caring presence in our classroom, has helped you to foster great relationships amongst your peers. You have demonstrated a deep sense of empathy for your classmates on many occasions. Mrs Mac and I will never forget your generosity of spirit after the Easter bunny visited our classroom this year. We were one Easter egg short, and when Tori said “The Easter Bunny forgot to leave an egg for me”, without hesitation you walked over to her and said “You can have my egg, Tori”. What a beautiful gesture of love and kindness. There have been many occasions when you have reached out to someone who is feeling sad, with a warm hug or a reassuring smile, and times when you have offered to help someone with their work. Thank you, Nate, for sprinkling kindness upon those around you. The qualities that you possess, and that you share with others, are very admirable. You are so deserving of the Community Builder Award.

YEAR 1

Academic achievement: Ariella Munster: Ariella has achieved excellent results this year in all areas of her learning. She is an enthusiastic student who demonstrates an eagerness for learning. Ariella listens attentively and she can confidently share her ideas with the class or a small group. She is a fluent reader and an expressive creative writer. Ariella particularly enjoys writing persuasive texts. Ariella eagerly attempts mathematical activities and problem solving and she continually seeks to improve her knowledge and skills. Ariella happily accepts challenges and she always responds positively to feedback on how to improve her work. Ariella always gives her best effort to any task. Congratulations, Ariella, on your outstanding achievements this year.

Consistent effort and application: Indigo Hillery: Indigo is a quiet, reliable and hardworking member of Year 1. When we enter the classroom she settles quickly, locates her resources easily and is ready to begin work without fuss. Indigo always listens attentively and she clearly respects the views of others. Indigo always gives her best effort to any task. She happily works either in a group or independently. Indigo’s confidence has grown throughout this year. She has worked hard in all areas and she has shown great persistence with her learning. Well done and congratulations, Indigo!

Community builder: Sebastian Reddie: Sebastian demonstrates a strong loyalty to his friends and he shows genuine kindness towards others. Sebastian happily assists others with their learning and he willingly shares his equipment and resources. He works cooperatively in group situations and he uses encouraging words to assist others to give their best effort. Sebastian respects and values the opinions of others and he always listens attentively to his peers and teachers. Sebastian is a valued member of our community. Congratulations, Sebastian!

YEAR 2 BLUE

• Academic achievement: Jaymie Tisdell: Jaymie has achieved outstanding results throughout the year in all learning areas. It is a joy to watch Jaymie learn because she relishes every opportunity and she works with dedication and motivation. Jaymie is constantly thinking and strategising. She carefully considers her answers before happily sharing her clever ideas with the class. She loves a challenge and she always rises to the task, often working above and beyond. Jaymie is a masterful mathematician, speller, reader, and writer. Her love of writing shines through the creative flair that she adds to her well-structured texts. She is a persistent problem solver who skillfully collaborates with her classmates on challenging tasks. Jaymie always produces a high standard of work, both during home learning and at school. She takes pride in her learning and she completes her tasks with careful diligence. Congratulations, Jaymie, on your outstanding results this year. I look forward to hearing of your achievements in Year 3.

• Consistent effort and application: Billie Joyce: Billie strives to always do her best, and she has a contagiously positive attitude to learning. She approaches each learning task as if it were a masterpiece in the making, taking great care, effort, and attention to detail. She takes great pride in her work and she applies herself with 100% effort. During home learning and at school, Billie has worked diligently not only to complete tasks but to ensure that they are of a high standard. It is a joy to view Billie’s workbooks, as they really are a work of art in every sense. Due to Billie’s consistent effort and application this year, she has achieved pleasing and well deserved progress in many learning areas. Billie, I commend you for your efforts this year. I know that your dedication to giving your best will serve you well as you move into Year 3 next year. Congratulations!

• Community builder: Imogen Walker: Imogen began her journey at St Patrick’s just this year and, in such a short time, she has embraced our community with gusto. Imogen is a shining light in the classroom and on the playground, and her humour is contagious. Imogen acts in the example of Mary McKillop: ‘Never see a need without doing something about it’. She is always willing to help the staff and her peers, and she quickly offers friendly support to anyone in need. She approaches her peers with kindness and respect and she displays a positive attitude to school life. She diligently follows school rules and she leads by example. Imogen is often the first to put her hand up to be involved in her school community. She enjoyed being part of the Green Team and she eagerly volunteers for talent shows and participating in school liturgies. Imogen, we are so pleased to have you as part of our school community, and I thank you for the joy that you bring to St Patrick’s. Congratulations!

YEAR 2 WHITE

• Academic achievement: Lachlan Moncrieff: Lachlan, you have such an inquisitive nature and a real thirst for learning new things. You have really kept me on my toes this year with all your wonderings and questions – so many questions! It has been an absolute delight watching you grow as a learner. Throughout the year you have worked through some really tough and uncertain times before, during and after the COVID lockdown. However, you continued to thrive and flourish throughout these times. You have always applied yourself academically, you accept feedback, and you look for ways to improve. You throw yourself into tasks assigned, and you give 100%, always striving for knowledge. You have achieved outstanding results in all key learning areas. You are always up for a challenge and your grasp of concepts has enabled you to produce work of a very high standard, especially in Mathematics. I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching you this year, Lachlan, and I can’t wait to see all of your wonderful achievements in the future.

• Consistent effort and application: Indiana Dodd: Indy, you are such a quiet achiever, but so motivated. Your hard work throughout this year has not gone unnoticed. You have such a strong drive to succeed in everything you do. You set your mind to a task and you persist to the end. You throw your heart and soul into whatever you do, and you never give up, always producing work of a high standard. You are highly organized and you have such a positive work ethic and a drive that will definitely take you places, both now and into the future. You are a great listener and a problem solver, and you always work well with others because of your polite, friendly and considerate nature. Your focus on doing the best that you possibly can has been an inspiration. You are such a kind, beautiful and sensitive soul, and you are an absolute delight to teach. Indy, I am so proud of how far you have come this year. You have worked incredibly hard in every area of school life and you are so deserving of this award.

• Community builder: Bethany Newell: Beth, you are such a character with a hilarious sense of humour and a big heart. You are so open and welcoming of everyone you meet, and you go out of your way to make others happy. Nothing is ever a problem for you, and you do not expect recognition for anything you do – whether it is working cooperatively in a group situation, or lending a hand to someone who needs help, or sitting with someone if they are feeling down. You just seem to know what to do to put a smile on someone’s face. With your considerate and genuine nature, as well as your happy disposition, others can’t help but want to be around you, both in the classroom and on the playground. Beth, you have so many admirable qualities, and the ways in which you relate to your peers and the school staff is always so kind and genuine. You really are a true friend and a role model to everyone you meet. Thank you, Beth, for being the beautiful person that you are. I feel truly blessed to have taught you this year.

YEAR 3

• Academic achievement: Rhys Stewart: Rhys, you are a quick-witted and funny student who consistently excels in all areas of your schooling. You are hardworking, and when you set your mind to a task you complete it with resounding success. You have excelled in both Maths and English this year, working well with other students when completing iMaths investigations. Not only do you complete each task but you do so with precision. Your inquisitive nature and attention to detail is an asset, and one that should make you very proud. Congratulations on your hard work and academic achievement throughout this year.

• Consistent effort and application: Ahlia Krueger: After a year of distance education in 2020, you entered 2021 with a positive attitude and a clear dedication to your own improvement. Throughout 2021, I have observed your consistent effort and application in your schoolwork, friendships and behaviour. You have achieved excellent results in spelling, writing and maths this year as a direct result of your commitment to learning. You should be incredibly proud of your efforts this year Ahlia, both in the classroom and during home learning. Congratulations!

• Community builder: Sophie Hill: Sophie, you are a thoughtful and caring member of Year 3. You are always willing to show kindness to your classmates, often offering a shoulder to cry on or a hug when needed. There have been countless occasions this year when I have witnessed this. You are a dependable friend and one who is often rallying the troops with energy and excitement for what is to come. You have consistently demonstrated persistence, you always ask for additional classroom responsibilities, and you have a smile and an attitude that lights up our days in Year 3. It was only yesterday that you entered the room in the morning and asked to hand out Christmas cards when all of the students were together to ensure that no one missed out. Well done and congratulations. Sophie.

YEAR 4

• Academic achievement: Jack Ayshford: Jack, this year you have achieved outstanding academic success in all key learning areas, particularly English and Mathematics. This does not happen without relentless dedication and commitment to learning and achieving. Jack, we would like to thank you for your rich contributions to class discussions through the year and the explanations of different concepts you have shared with the class. It has been very rewarding seeing you develop your persistence with challenging activities and your thorough enjoyment of extension activities. We are so proud of your success. Congratulations on your academic achievement in Year 4, Jack.

• Consistent effort and application: Ashley Newell: Ashley, since the start of our year together you have put in 100% effort in all activities inside and outside the classroom. Your application to your school work has been impressive. You have persisted with challenging or difficult tasks, asking for guidance to solve problems independently, always striving for understanding, and completing all work to a high standard. You did this even with the challenges of home learning. Ashley, your work ethic is admirable, and we would like to commend you on your efforts this year. We congratulate your for consistently displaying high levels of learning engagement.

• Community builder: Sienna Reddie: Sienna, this year you have shared your energetic spirit with our class and formed strong friendships with many of your classmates. You offer everyone a chance to participate in games and activities both inside the classroom and on the playground. Your inclusive approach to others in our class and wider school community means you’re a great role model for others. Sienna, through your actions, you have displayed respect towards each individual and you treat others the way you would like to be treated. You have shown great resilience, forgiveness and kindness, even when things have been challenging. We would like to thank you for your contributions to both our class and wider school community this year.

YEAR 5

• Academic achievement: Teddy Beckett: Teddy has achieved incredible feats this year academically. He has participated in extension mathematics programs throughout the year and has been able to push himself to learn and think in new ways. Through his hard work and determination, he has been able to achieve new heights with his creative writing. Teddy has a very open mind and he appreciates when feedback is given. He always completes tasks to a very high standard. Teddy comes to school most days and tells us about his at-home STEM activities that he has been working on, and he often shows us 3D models that he has made. He also teaches us how he has made them and how they work.

• Consistent effort and application: Jye Hendriks: Each day, you have turned up to school with a positive attitude, not only for yourself and your learning but also for your peers. Throughout this year you have grown both academically and socially. You have shown significant progress in your dedication, care and enthusiasm for your work. Even when things get tough, you persist and complete the task at hand. Mr McCarthy and I have watched you mature into an incredible person with growing confidence in your own ability, and we feel that you have begun to see the potential in yourself that we could already see. Jye, we are so proud of you and your commitment to your learning this year. We are very excited and we look forward to witnessing all of your achievements next year.

• Community builder: Layla Wass: Layla, you are a valued and important member of our school community. You are kind, caring and accepting of others and you are always able to make someone smile. Just last week, you saw that I was busy setting things up in the classroom and you asked if I needed any help, giving up your play time at recess. You have been an exceptional mentor this year to your Kindergarten buddy, and you always have people’s best interests at heart. Earlier this year you helped to raise money for the Cancer Council by completing an impressive 28-kilometre walk . . . a fantastic effort that demonstrates your appreciation and your love for your community. Layla, we thank you for being a wonderful leader and for contributing your time and talents to the St Patrick’s school community.

YEAR 6

• Academic achievement: Sheridan Owen: Sheridan has excelled in all learning areas. She engages with big-picture learning and makes connections between her learning in the classroom and the world around her. Sheridan loves learning, she has a passion for reading and she is a critical thinker. Sheridan shows a quiet perseverance in her daily work as she solves problems with curiosity and she always strives to do her best. This level of achievement is never an accident . . . It comes from an energised effort. Sheridan has consistently shown diligence in her learning, an attention to detail on tasks, and a commitment to adopting a more open attitude towards accepting feedback to improve her high standard of work. Sheridan’s attitude to learning is outstanding. She is fully engaged in all learning areas and she has impressed everyone with her knowledge and achievement. Congratulations, Sheridan, on your wonderful achievement. We are very proud of you.

• Consistent effort and application: Tamika Fitzgerald: Tamika’s drive and resolve to achieve throughout this year have been unquestionable. She puts her energy and passion into all tasks that are assigned to her, completing them thoroughly, quickly and accurately. Her attention to detail in all her work has been impressive. When Tamika has found something to be challenging, her determination and tenacity have proven to be prized characteristics. She asked questions, seeks clarification and tries various solutions until the task is completed to her high standards. She works independently and industriously without exception. Tamika’s excellent achievements this year are a direct result of her effort and application, and she should be very proud. ‘Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come.’ (Dwayne Johnson). Congratulations Tamika!

• Community builder: Aisha Krueger: ‘If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.’ (John Quincy Adams). Aisha is a wonderfully kind, fun and thoughtful member of our community. She is an incredibly hard worker and a quiet achiever. She listens carefully, participates enthusiastically and presents her work beautifully, but she demands no attention or accolades. Aisha makes a bigger impact than she realises. She is an accepting, loyal and gentle friend to all. Her calm nature assists others in their conflict resolution, and she encourages all around her to develop positive relationships with each other. Aisha helps to solve problems by showing a mature understanding and empathy. She reliably helps anyone in need and she has a great passion and drive to assist those in need. This has been evident in her involvement for social justice initiatives through Mini Vinnies. Aisha articulates and demonstrates the importance of leadership and community values at St Patrick’s. She makes everyone around her feel special, valued and important. She is such an asset to our class and the community here at St Patrick’s, Swansea, and she will be greatly missed. Aisha, you are a gift to everyone you meet.

MACKILLOP AWARD FOR DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE ST PATRICK’S SCHOOL COMMUNITY

The recipient of the MacKillop Award for dedicated service to our school community is Lacey Joyce. ‘The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention’. (Oscar Wilde). Lacey shows maturity beyond her years. She is inclusive and respectful of everyone. She has a caring nature and she helps others out of a genuine respect and not for personal gain. She has shown these qualities many times through her quiet interactions with her peers, with students on the playground, with staff members and with other members of the school community. Mary MacKillop inspired us with her pensive thought that ‘We must teach more by example than by word’. Lacey is a great role model. She is the type of person who doesn’t wait to volunteer for a job because she has already begun it before being asked. Lacey also carries out all these responsibilities with reliability and commitment. Lacey, your peers respect you and admire you. You set a tone for the classroom and the playground which is positive and happy. You do this by being so present to everyone and allowing them to be comfortable enough to relax, to be themselves and to enjoy your company. Lacey, we know that you find your Happiness in making others happy’, and each day we love to see your generous, beaming smile as you make our school and community a better place. Congratulations Lacey.

SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD

The recipient of the Sportsperson of the Year award is Madison Trembath. This year, Madison has been selected to compete at the following events: Regional swimming, Regional athletics, Diocesan athletics, Polding athletics, Regional touch football, Diocesan cross country and Polding cross country. In addition, Madison recognises the importance of fair play and she is courteous towards other players. She displays ethical behaviour on the sporting field and she displays good grace in losing.

We acknowledge the generous sponsorship of some of these awards:

• The Rotary Club of Belmont who sponsored the Year 2 Community Builder awards.
• Yasmin Catley, State MP for Swansea, who sponsored the Year 6 Community Builder award.
• Pat Conroy, Federal MP for Shortland, who sponsored the MacKillop award.

2022 Student Leaders

In addition, next year’s student leaders at St Patrick’s were announced at this morning’s end-of-year awards. We congratulate the following students:

• School captains: Lara Windever & Hayden Wallwork
• Leaders of Mission: Jessica Quiggin, Emily Brough & Layla Wass.
• Blue sport captains: Madison Trembath, Emma Wilks & Jack Clarke.
• Gold sport captains: Sunshine West & Banjo Hoskin.
• Green sport captains: Lily Hope & Jye Hendriks.

In addition, we have decided to create two new student leadership positions, which we will call “Stewards of Creation. Many of our Diocesan schools, including St Patrick’s, have taken up the challenge be become involved in the “Integral Ecology Network” which provides occasions for involvement in greening projects, and in which schools and families are encouraged to further their spiritual nourishment through connection with the earth. We have appointed Teddy Beckett and Gemma Blacklow to be our “Stewards of Creation”. Under the guidance of a staff member, Teddy and Gemma will lead a group of students in undertaking a variety of environmental initiatives which are yet to be determined, but which might include such initiatives as:

• School audits on usage of water and power, and reporting about them at school assemblies.
• Considering how we might care for our school environment.
• Writing articles for the school newsletter.

Under the leadership of Teddy and Gemma, we look forward to a sustainable future at St Patrick’s.

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YEAR 6 GRADUATION

Date: Tuesday 14th December 2021

Time: 10.00am

The Year 6 parents and carers are invited to attend the Year 6 Graduation liturgy and ceremony, which will be a wonderful opportunity for the school community to celebrate the end of the students’ primary school education.

Due to COVID-19 regulations each Year 6 student may invite only two adults to the Graduation. It will be held outside, and social distancing of family groups will need to be observed. All adults attending the ceremony will need to be fully vaccinated. Hand sanitiser will also be available around the school. On arrival, all adults will need to sign in using the QR code and to provide evidence of their vaccination status. As this function will take place outside, the wearing of masks is optional.

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