Welcome to Term 2
Welcome to Term 2
Good afternoon Parents & Carers,
I sincerely hope that the school holiday break provided welcome opportunities to relax, renew and spend quality time with family and friends. I take this opportunity to welcome you to the start of term filled with fresh possibilities and many learning and cultural experiences for our students. Term 2 is a chance to build on what we’ve started, support each other, and continue creating an environment where our students can thrive. I encourage you to always keep an eye on your COMPASS app for notifications and school news particularly our newsletter each fortnight which is the source of truth and information about all school events.
I am sending this Mini Welcome Back Newsletter as there is some important information I wanted to share with you at the commencement of the term. With our first newsletter due the end of Week 2.
Easter Reflection
Over the school holidays, we celebrated the joy of Easter and remain in the Easter Season until the feast of Pentecost. Today students participated in our final Holy Week activity – the Resurrection. Mrs Greenup will share our Holy Week Journey in the first Newsletter.
Death of Pope Francis
As many of you would be aware, last Monday we were informed of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. His death marks the end of a remarkable chapter in the life of the Catholic Church, inviting prayer and reflection on his 12-year ministry as our universal pastor.
“Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis encouraged people of faith to act. He urged the world to care for the marginalised, protect our common home, and to build a Church that reaches outward rather than turning inward. “We give thanks to Pope Francis for his impact and pray for the eternal repose of his soul. His legacy will live on, not only in remembrance but in action." - Bishop Michael Kennedy.
This is a significant and emotional time for many within our Catholic Communities. Teachers are teaching students about the rituals associated with eth death of a Pope and the process of electing the next. Today I visited Year 6 who were in deep discussion around these rituals and the process of electing a new Pope. We will continue to use this time as a teachable moment with our students throughout this process.
On ANZAC Day we commemorated all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations, and the contribution and suffering of all those who have and continue to actively serve.
Today, we enjoy the freedom won for us by the ANZACS. May we, and those who follow, prove worthy of their sacrifice.
Thank you to the staff and students who gathered and participated in the ANZAC March and commemorations here in our Cessnock community. ANZAC Day is a time to gather and a moment to pause in solidarity not to champion war, but to pray for peace…in our hearts, in our relationships, in our families, our communities, and between all nations and all peoples across the world.
Today as a school community, students and staff gathered for a ANZAC Service and commemoration. Thank you to Mrs Green up and Miss Amie for their preparation. Photos will be shared in our first newsletter.
MAT Lifeskills Program – INFANT CLASSES (K-2)
This term our Infant classes will be participating in the MAT Lifeskills program as a part of their Sport lessons. MAT Lifeskills is a therapeutic Martial Arts Program. The program focuses on active mobility that combines the principles of mental wellbeing and emotional regulation with those of therapeutic martial art training techniques, games, metaphors and stories. Its format engages and empowers young people to learn lifeskills, and to better manage the challenges in their lives.
The program at St Patrick’s will be facilitated by trained instructors Darius and Leisa who have designed the program to meet the needs of our students and context.
Stage 1 will have their lessons of a Monday and Kinder of a Friday.
There are a couple of dates in the term which clash, and students will have lessons on an alternate day one being this week.
Due to the Pupil Free day on Monday STAGE 1 will have MAT this Thursday 1st May. Due to the activities, it is important students are in their SPORT UNIFORM.
Therefore YEAR 1 and 2 need to wear their sport uniform THURSDAY AND FRIDAY THIS WEEK. I understand this is two days in a row so if their uniform is too dirty on Friday it is ok for students to wear their formal uniform on Friday this week. Next week we revert back to normal procedures with Sport Uniform Monday and Friday each week.
Changes to Bus Route
Please note due to road works on Wollombi Road at Bellbird there are diversions in place for all bus services between Francis Street and Keelendi Road. Temporary bus stops are in place as shown on the map below.
Mother's Day Celebrations
Our Mother's Day Stall will be held on Wednesday 7th May. All students will have the opportunity to purchase a gift for Mum, Nan, Grandma etc.
There will be $3, $5 and $10 gifts available.
Please send a shopping bag with your child to carry their gift/s home in.
Athletics Carnival
The school athletics carnival will be held on Friday 16 May at Turner Park, Aberdare. A note providing full details has been sent home with each student today. A copy of the note is also attached here.
I am looking forward to a wonderful term with our community.
God bless,
Petrina
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