Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,

Grade 3/4 Coonawarra Camp

Over the past two days the Year 3/4 students have attended school camp at Coonawarra. The Coonawarra camp is an adventure camp that challenges the children to go outside their comfort zone and try a variety of outdoor activities. This year’s activities included; The Labyrinth, Climbing Wall, Giant Swing, Flying Fox and High Ropes. All of these activities challenge the children both mentally and physically and it so pleasing as teachers to see them take on these challenges in such a positive way. It is a highlight for the teachers to see the smile on their faces when they have successfully participated in these activities. This years Year 3/4’s took on these challenges and should be all really proud of what they have achieved.

Another challenge of going away on camp is that the children are away from families for the night. For some of the children, this is the first night that they have slept away from home. Like most years, there were a couple of tears and a few nervous moments, however all of the children did an amazing job.

Thank you to all of the teachers and support staff who attended camp. Your dedication to the students of St Patrick’s is greatly appreciated.

Grade 5/6 Hoop Time Basketball

Last Friday, we had a girls and a boys’ team compete in the Hoop Time Basketball Competition at the Gippsland Regional Sporting Complex in Sale. This was the first time since 2019 that the competition had been held, so it was great to be able to once again compete. Both of the teams played St Thomas’ Sale, St Mary’s Maffra and St Michael’s Heyfield in the pool games. Despite neither side winning a game, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day and represented our school beautifully.

Foundation Students 100 Days of School  

Last Friday, our Foundation students also celebrated their 100^th day at St Patrick’s. This was a fantastic celebration, with the students thoroughly enjoying the day. I’m sure that you will all agree that the Foundation students have learnt so much in their first 100 days and we can’t wait to see what they achieve in the future. Thank you to all the parents who supported the day and to Miss Boyd, Miss Barclay and the support staff who made the day such a success.

School Closure Day – Friday, 12^th August

Next Friday, 12^th August is a whole school closure day. All the staff at St Patrick’s will be attending a professional learning day in Lakes Entrance that will focus the Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour Support. By continuing this focus, staff will continue to develop their knowledge and skills in supporting and managing positive behaviours throughout St Patrick’s.

Kind regards,

Joel

Catholic Identity and Religious Education News 

Great news, we have five children within our community who are currently preparing for their First Communion. Please keep these children in your thoughts and prayers as they complete the preparation program with their families and supported by our school and Parish :-

Patrick Shaw, Jessica Boyd, Lavinia Ross, Archie and Xavier Stringer.

What is Eucharist?

Eucharist is the sacrament that completes the process of initiation and is when one can fully participate in the Eucharist by receiving Holy Communion. 

Eucharist is unique among the sacraments as it is at the heart of our faith. For Catholics, the Eucharist, or Mass, is the most powerful way we encounter the real presence of Jesus Christ. Sunday after Sunday (some, of course, gather everyday), Catholics gather to celebrate the Eucharist, the ritual in which, by the power of the Holy Spirit, bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. We who celebrate are also transformed, becoming Christ’s presence to others, and recognising the presence of Christ in others.

Children are invited to prepare for their First Holy Communion- usually in Grade Four . It is the choice of the parents as to when they think their child is ready to receive the sacrament. For a child to be ready, they must be familiar with the religious rituals of the Church. This means they must have some understanding as to why we celebrate the Eucharist, what it means to receive Holy Communion and why they have a desire to participate in this experience.

The Mass is a ritual representation of the last supper of Jesus and takes the form of a meal.  Yet the Last Supper ( which we now recall on Holy Thursday evening before Good Friday and each time we celebrate Mass ) gains its true significance from the fact that Jesus associates his words and actions at that supper with the sacrifice of his life on the cross that he would make on the next day. 

 PAM (Parent Access Module) 

 Thank-you to all our families who have registered your PAM Account.

Please find link below for a quick and easy way to log in to PAM.

https://pam.stpstratford.catholic.edu.au/

Please note, that it is the responsibility of parents to ensure their child’s medical and contact details are up to date and complete. In the event of an emergency the school staff will rely on the information provided via PAM.

St Patrick's use PAM as a tool to send permission forms, emails, notifications and your child's school report.

Reminder: - Please login to PAM to report a student absence.

Thank-you.

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ST PATRICK'S BY CHECKING OUR CALENDAR ON OUR WEBSITE.  

Go to: www.stpstratford.catholic.edu.au