2025 Term 1 Week 10

Vision & Mission Statement

Principal's Reflection

John 8:1-11
 Jesus does not condemn the woman caught in adultery.

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. You may read the theme of this week’s Gospel and think – why is Petrina writing this in the newsletter. This is the Gospel this week from our sacred scripture. Not a Parable but a report from John's Gospel of an encounter among Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees, and a woman caught in adultery. This Gospel highlights God’s mercy and our journey in faith. The readings guide us to reflect on new beginnings and leaving behind our old ways. The Religious Leaders at the time were trying to trap Jesus by asking if she should be stoned which was the current law.  Instead of condemning her, Jesus responds with wisdom, saying that whoever is without sin should throw the first stone. This challenges the leaders’ hypocrisy, as they are quick to judge her while ignoring their own sins. One by one, they walk away, realizing their own faults.

This Gospel teaches us about mercy, forgiveness, and avoiding hypocrisy. Jesus shows compassion to the woman, encouraging her to leave her life of sin without condemning her. This reminds us not to judge others harshly, as we all have our own weaknesses. It challenges us to be honest about our own faults and to show mercy and understanding to others.

As you gather as a family this week, I encourage you to observe that when we know people well, we know their faults as well as their strengths. At times, we can be tempted to focus on the faults we see in others.

Discuss what your family life would be like if you always focused on one another's faults.

Observe that in today's Gospel, Jesus refuses to focus on the sin of the woman brought to him for judgment.

 Observe that we can help each other to grow in God's love by refusing to focus on one another's faults and sins.

 In this way, we can help one another to see ourselves as God sees us: with understanding and compassion.

On Wednesday we welcomed Miss Emily Epis to the St Patrick’s community. Miss Epis will be teaching all grades K-6 our Creative Arts (Music, Dance and Drama) RFF lessons replacing Miss Vassel while she is on Maternity Leave for the remainder of the year.

2026 Kindergarten Enrolments are now OPEN

Enrolments for Kindergarten 2026 at St Patrick’s Cessnock are open. Enrolments are now fully online. Please access COMPASS and complete an enrolment form if you have a child you wish to enroll at St Patrick’s for Kindergarten next year. 

It is important that applications for enrolment are made within the enrolment period as the Diocesan enrolment prioritisation structure may result in places filling and late enrolments being unsuccessful. 

If you have any family or friends wishing to seek enrolment at St Patrick’s for next year, for Kindergarten or any other grade, please make them aware enrolments are open and they can enrol online now. If anyone has difficulty with online enrolment they can pop into the office or alternatively call the school on 49903152 for assistance. 

Enrolments close FRIDAY 23rd MAY 2025. 

Year 6 parents please note the enrolment period is the same for Year 7 at St Joseph’s College Lochinvar. I have heard that there are many enrolment applications already submitted for Year 7. Please ensure you apply for enrolment ASAP so your application is in prior to the closing date. I know the College would appreciate all the applications for students from feeder primary schools to be in soon so they are able to determine how many other places they may have available.

Parents who have applied for their child to attend Kindergarten at St Patrick’s in 2026 have been contacted via email regarding an interview time and date. Please ensure you confirm this with the office.

Those who have confirmed, will have received an email this week with a “Getting to Know You” form to complete. This is electronic and the information will assist us with our discussions when we meet with you. Please check your emails and complete this by 6^th April.

We are looking forward to meeting all our new little people and their families in the coming weeks.

Religious Education

What is Holy Week?

A Journey of Faith and Reflection

Holy Week is the most sacred time in the Christian calendar, marking the final days of Jesus' life on Earth and leading to the joyous celebration of Easter. It offers families a chance to reflect on love, sacrifice, and hope. Here's a breakdown of the week and ways to involve your children:

• Palm Sunday: This day commemorates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where people welcomed him with palm branches. Families can discuss the meaning of "Hosanna" and why people celebrated Jesus as a king.
• Maundy/Holy Thursday: On this day, Jesus shared the Last Supper with his disciples, teaching them about love and service. Families can talk about the importance of serving others and consider doing a small act of kindness as a family.
• Good Friday: This solemn day remembers Jesus' crucifixion and sacrifice. Families can create a quiet moment to pray or light a candle in remembrance.
• Holy Saturday: A day of waiting and reflection, as Jesus rested in the tomb. Families can prepare for Easter by decorating eggs to symbolise hope and new life.
• Easter Sunday: The most joyful day of the week, celebrating Jesus' resurrection. Families can attend church together, sing songs of praise, and enjoy an Easter egg hunt. They can discuss the meaning of new life and how it brings hope to everyone.

Reimagining Holy Week

This year, as a school community, we have embraced a new approach to celebrating Holy Week, encouraging students to engage in meaningful opportunities for prayer and reflection. From Monday to Wednesday of next week, reflective prayer stations representing Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday will be set up outside the office, and each will remain in place for its allocated day.

These stations are designed to guide students in exploring different types of prayer while deepening their understanding of the significance of these Holy Week events. Students will encounter themes such as:

• Palm Sunday: Celebrating Jesus’ welcome into Jerusalem and reflecting on the joy of the crowd as they shouted "Hosanna!" Prayer might focus on gratitude and welcoming peace into our hearts.
• Maundy Thursday: Reflecting on the Last Supper and the acts of love and service Jesus taught us. This station may prompt prayers for kindness and the strength to serve others selflessly.
• Good Friday: Remembering Jesus' sacrifice and reflecting on the themes of forgiveness, sorrow, and love. Students may be encouraged to offer prayers for healing and hope.

Families are warmly encouraged to visit these prayer stations with their children, fostering meaningful discussions about the symbols created during their reflections. These experiences offer a unique opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of Holy Week while inspiring conversations about faith, love, and hope.

We look forward to celebrating the joy of the Resurrection together when we return to school in Term 2, following the Easter break. May the spirit of Easter bring hope and renewal to all in our community.

Upcoming Liturgies

Our school will be holding a special liturgy to celebrate Mother’s Day on Friday, 9th May. Stay tuned for further details in upcoming newsletters!

RE In The Classroom

ANZAC Day

St Patrick's will be joining the ANZAC Day March on Thursday 25 April 2025.  All students are encouraged to attend in their full summer uniform and school hat.

Please gather in the car park of the Vincent Street Kitchen and Bar (the old Ex-Services Club) between 10:40-10:45am.  Mrs Ryman, Mrs Ervin, Mrs Simpson, Mrs Blake and Mrs Santoso will be there to help coordinate. We are looking forward to having a large contingency of students to march on behalf of St Patrick’s to commemorate Anzac Day 2025.

Easter Raffle

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible St Patrick's community for your generous chocolate donations for the Easter raffle. Get ready—there are plenty of prizes to be won!

The Easter Raffle will take place on Friday 11 April, and we warmly welcome Parents/Carers to join us for the draw at 2:15pm.

Raffle tickets, priced at 50 cents each, have been sent home. For those who need more tickets, they are available at the office.

PB4L

At St. Patrick’s our PB4L is based around our five Catholic Values that underpin everything we do at our school – Respect, Kindness, Compassion, Forgiveness and Justice.

Our PB4L focus is highlighted each fortnight.  Children work hard to display our focus positive behaviours both inside the classroom and on the playground. 

Our PB4L focus for Weeks 1 and 2 was: Justice (Fairness)

• Following the rules in games and play fairly
• Reports concerns to a teacher
• Show good sportsmanship 

Our PB4L focus for Weeks 3 and 4 is: Kindness

• Include others in games
• Share equipment and share spaces
• Use each space as intended

Library News

Book Club

IMPORTANT NOTE for Book Club Orders - please make sure your childs' class and teacher information is updated in LOOP for 2025.  Class and teacher details are as follows:

Your help with this is much appreciated.

Thank you.

Premier's Reading Challenge

It is pleasing to hear from so many parents requesting their child's login details for the Premier's Reading Challenge website. As mentioned in the last newsletter, all the passwords have been changed by the DET (Department of Education) for security reasons. This week, we sent out some forms to parents for kindergarten children with logon details for their child/children. If you did not receive a hardcopy, it is most likely that I sent you an electronic copy via email. 

Library Bags

Here is one important reminder: there are a high number of students who do not have a library bag; either they forgot it or don't have one. It is important to have a library bag as we had a book damaged this week by a leaky water bottle, which will be a write-off. This week, some children left their books on the seats outside their classrooms. They could not get them in their big bags, so they left them on the seat and forgot to take them home. Fortunately, we brought them back to the library and scanned them back in.

Aboriginal Education

Year 5 students have been crafting artworks featuring Aboriginal symbols, skillfully incorporating wool and foil into their designs. 

Year 3 - Emerald

In Year 3 we have been learning about heat, light and electricity. We made our own thermometers to tell the temperature.

Year 3 - Gold

We’ve had an exciting few weeks in Class 3 Gold! From celebrating Harmony Day to diving into science experiments and exploring maths concepts, our students have been busy and engaged in a variety of fun and educational activities.

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Year 4 - Emerald & Gold

As we reach the end of Term 1, we would like to take a moment to celebrate the hard work, growth, and achievements of our Year 4 students. It has been a fantastic term filled with learning, creativity, and collaboration, and we are so proud of everything the students have accomplished.

Learning Highlights: This term students have explored a range of engaging topics across all subjects.

In Religion we have continued to learn about our mission as disciples to spread the Good News.  We have investigated how we can reach out to help other especially during this time of Lent, just like Jesus did.

In English, students are exploring genre, perspective and context using texts Deadly Science – The Solar System: Book 5 and Meanwhile Back on Earth. Students are learning that genre refers to texts that are grouped according to purpose, subject matter, form, structure and language choices. Students are planning, creating and revising texts considering perspective, context and informative purposes.  

In Mathematics, students have deepened their understanding of number concepts, problem-solving strategies, and measurement. They have demonstrated great enthusiasm for hands-on activities and interactive learning, building confidence in their mathematical thinking. Students are also developing the big idea that fractions represent multiple ideas and can be represented in different ways. Students have been provided with opportunities to partition, label and compare lengths and wholes using fractions.

In History, we have been learning about Indigenous perspectives and Australian history, encouraging thoughtful discussions and critical thinking. Students have learnt about how their community has changed or stayed the same over time. They have investigated aspects relevant to our local community, such as, buildings, transport and infrastructure.

In Science, students are investigating how and why natural processes and human actions change the Earth’s surface over time. They are identifying evidence of change through exploring rocks and fossils and investigating how erosion is caused by human activity. 

Students will question, plan and conduct scientific investigations into the formations of landforms and weathering. Elements of digital technology and human endeavour are incorporated into the lessons. 

Special Events One of the highlights of the term was our St Patrick’s Day celebrations where we enjoyed the walkathon and our fun play at the park. Additionally, we had a fantastic Harmony Day celebration, embracing diversity and inclusivity within our school community.

Wellbeing and Personal Growth Beyond academic achievements, we have been focusing on fostering resilience, teamwork, and a growth mindset. Year 4 students have been practicing kindness, respect, and responsibility in and out of the classroom, creating a positive and supportive learning environment.

PB4L: We have been working hard with our focus this fortnight of looking after our school environment and how we can make a difference being stewards of creation.

Looking Ahead As we move into Term 2, we look forward to even more exciting learning opportunities. We encourage all students to continue their excellent efforts and embrace the next term with enthusiasm and determination.

Thank you to all our families for your ongoing support. We wish you a restful and enjoyable Easter and look forward to another fantastic term ahead!

The Year 4 Teaching Team

Year 5 Emerald

Year 5 Emerald - artwork

Year 5 - Gold

Year 5 Gold: A Month of Fun and Learning!

Year 5 Gold students have had an exciting time over this past month, which has been packed with meaningful celebrations and hands-on learning experiences!

Over the past four weeks, they’ve embraced key religious events, including St Patrick’s Day, St Joseph’s Day, and Ash Wednesday, where they reflected on faith and community. Harmony Day was another highlight, with students celebrating inclusivity and the diverse cultures that enrich our school.

In Science, Year 5 Gold are exploring the fascinating world of forces as part of their Term 1 unit. They tested their engineering skills by designing and building catapults. This fun, creative project helped them learn about motion, energy, and how forces work in real life.

Be sure to check out the photos showcasing their amazing creations and celebrations. Well done, Year 5 Gold, for your enthusiasm and effort in everything you do!

Miss Archer and Mrs Santoso

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Year 6

High Potential & Gifted Education

The da Vinci Decathlon

This week Hugo Grant from Year 5 was privileged to be selected to participate in the da Vinci Decathlon at Bishop Tyrrell College in Fletcher. This is an academic competition designed to challenge and stimulate the minds of school students. It fosters collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity across ten disciplines:

1. Mathematics – Problem-solving, number patterns, and logic puzzles

2. English – Spelling, word origins, definitions, textual analysis, and writing tasks

3. Science – Engage with advanced scientific concepts and apply them

4. Code Breaking – Decipher complex, mysterious codes

5. Engineering Challenge – Design tasks testing problem-solving skills, creativity, and ingenuity

6. Ideation – The process of generating new ideas

7. Creative Producers – Create and perform a short drama or commercial to promote a product

8. Art and Poetry – Develop an original poem and a connected artwork on a given theme

9. Cartography – Interpret spatial information, decipher, and create imaginative maps

10. Legacy – Honour significant people, inventions, and events from the past and present

The theme for the 2025 da Vinci Decathlon was Sustainability, encouraging students to explore innovative solutions for a sustainable future.

We can't wait to hear all about Hugo's day and see what our future might look like.

Virtual Academy

Our Year 5 student Adithyan Pangaparambil Santhoshkumar (or Adi as we know him) has been successful in his nomination to be part of The Virtual Academy for 2025. The Virtual Academy provides a parallel learning pathway for high potential and gifted students from across the Diocese. The Academy offers a unique and innovative learning experience that enables students to connect with like-minded peers whilst maintaining connection and engagement and dual enrolment in their school.

The Virtual Academy is based online and provides students with the opportunity to learn through a conceptual and skills-based framework. The Virtual Academy considers the strengths and interests of each student and enables them to have agency, voice, and choice over their learning. The students work within their school, via web-based platforms, which enables them to be extended and advanced through curriculum outcomes in place of part of their regular class work.

This is an exciting opportunity and we look forward to seeing what Adi achieves in this space. Congratulations Adi.

CogAT

In Term 2 as per the Diocesan Assessment Schedule our Year 2 and Year 4 students will under go CogAT testing in Term 2. The dates are listed below as attendance at school is required. More details to follow early next term.

Testing Dates:

Year 4 Thursday, 15th May 

Year 2 Tuesday, 27th May / Wednesday, 28th May / Thursday, 29th May

That brings you up to date in this space for now but there are lots of opportunities arising in Term 2 so I will keep you updated.

Thank you

Shayne Coxon

(Gifted Education Mentor)

Sports News

Cross Country

Last Friday our annual Cross-Country trials were held at Turner Park. Students who participated in the serious runner's category had their race timed and those students who opted to run for fun had a great time afterwards. This year we have 17 students who have made it through to the Championships. These students have received their paperwork with race day details and further information needed for the day. Hopefully you can find some time during the holidays to go for a run and practice for your event.

Congratulations to the following students:

See you on Wednesday 14^th May 2025 at Maitland Park Touch Fields.

Miss Hoad

Diocesan Touch & Rugby Trials

On Monday 24 March, Parkar Cremona and Henry O'Connor travelled to Maitland to participate in the Diocesan trials for Touch. They missed out this time but represented themselves very well and did the school proud. The following day, St. Patricks was represented again by Parkar, who was joined by Levi Hodge and Elijah Barber. This time, the boys travelled to Salamander Bay to participate in the Diocesan Rugby League Trials.  From reports, all boys performed very well with Elijah making it to the final team. Elijah and his family will be travelling to Bathurst in the months ahead to represent the Maitland Newcastle Diocese. That is an excellent achievement considering there are 44 primary schools in the Diocese. Well done, Elijah.

Mr McKenzie

Rugby League Gala Day Under 10's

St. Patrick's participated in their first Rugby League Gala Day for 2025, when they travelled to Baddeley Park for the Knights 9s Under 10 Competition on Wednesday 2 April. We had 17 students available for a team that only required 9 on the field at any one time, so there was a fair amount of logistics involved in getting them all involved. Our first game took place at 9 o'clock and we were up against our closest school neighbour in Cessnock West Public School. On the adjoining field, Pelaw Main Public School were about to start, but they only had 3 players. St. Patrick's to the rescue. We loaned them 6 of our reserves, so all of our players had a run.

We played 3 more games against St. Brigid's, Raymond Terrace, Holy Spirit, Kurri Kurri, and Pelaw Main Public School, who by then had their complete complement of players. St. Patrick's performed very well and scored some great tries, considering we had several players who had never played before. That is the purpose of Rugby League Gala Days to have fun and to introduce new players to the game. A note of gratitude to Ms. Deb Swift for her assistance on the day with warm-ups and running water, and to Ms. Heather Enright for volunteering to take the jerseys home to wash. That was really appreciated.

Our next Gala Day will be in Term 2 for the Knights 9s Under 12s. This event will take place on Wednesday 30 April at Kurri Kurri Sportsground. There will be an Event notice on Compass next week.

Mr McKenzie

Lower Hunter Cluster Regional Football (Soccer) Trials 

In week 5, we sent 5 of our stage 3 students to trail at the Lower Hunter Regional Football Trials. Our attendees were Hugo Grant, Estelle Horner, Finn Lee, Wyatt Schrader, Jackson Lewis and William Shearer. The students showed good sportsmanship and gave their best efforts. Congratulations to all the students that attended, we are proud of how you represented St Patrick’s with pride. I would like to make special mention and congratulations to Estelle Horner who was selected to trail at the Diocesan level and went on to represent our school on Tuesday. 

Thank you to the parents/carers/families/friends who attended to support the students. 

Miss Larsen

Awards

Week 9:

CLASS CAPTAINS 

MERIT AWARDS   

PRINCIPAL’S AWARDS      

Week 10:

CLASS CAPTAINS  

MERIT AWARDS   

 PRINCIPAL’S AWARDS      

School Fees

School fees have now been invoiced for 2025 and statements have been emailed to families.  Statements will be emailed at the beginning of each month and regular weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments of fees are required with fees to be finalised by 30/11/2025.  For families who have opted to pay fees anually, these fees are to be paid in full by 30/06/2025.  Please call the Office on 4990 3152 or email admin@cessnock.catholic.edu.au to discuss if needed.

Health Care Card and Pension Card Holders / Family Discount on Tuition Fee

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle offer a lower tuition fee to ‘means tested’ low income families such as Health Care and Pension Card holders. This rate is 50% of the Diocesan Tuition Fee full rate for each child.

If you are a fee payer and hold a current Australian Government Health Care Card/Pension card you may be entitled to a discount on your school fees.  Please complete the "Concession Application" form attached below and email the completed form and a copy of your Health Care/Pension card (front and back) to admin@cessnock.catholic.edu.au

Aspire Presents: Dance Fest

Good for Kids - Good for Life

School TV: Cyber Safety

In this edition of SchoolTV - Cyber Safety

Young people today are growing up in an increasingly connected world where technology is part of their everyday lives –– for learning, socialising, and entertainment. While the digital world offers enormous benefits, it also comes with serious risks. From cyberbullying and online predators to inappropriate content and screen time concerns, navigating the online environment can be challenging for young people and their families.

Cybersafety is not just about blocking access –– it's about empowering young people with the knowledge and skills they need to use technology responsibly and safely. This includes understanding privacy settings, recognising scams, and developing healthy digital habits. At the same time, it's important for parents and caregivers to stay informed, have open and judgement-free conversations with their children, and lead by example through positive online behaviour.

In today's digital age, safeguarding a child's wellbeing must also include protecting their online life. This edition of SchoolTV will help you better understand the digital landscape your child is navigating and offer practical strategies to help them stay safe, confident and in control online.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Cyber Safety edition of SchoolTV
https://cessnock.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/cybersafety-au

Community Notices