Term 2 - Week 6 (belated)
Message from the Principal
Loving God,
We thank You for the gift of Catholic education.
Thank You for our school community—
for our students, teachers, families, and staff—
who come together each day to learn, grow, and live out the Gospel.
Bless our Catholic schools,
that they may always be places of faith, hope, and love.
Help us to follow the example of Jesus in all we do:
to seek wisdom, act with compassion,
and serve others with generous hearts.
May our schools be shining lights in the world—
places where every student is valued,
every voice is heard,
and every person is encouraged to become who You created them to be.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Dear Families
Welcome to the Term 2 Week 6 newsletter
Last Thursday we celebrated Catholic Schools Week with a beautiful liturgy, open classrooms and a picnic lunch. The liturgy was a moving tribute to our school’s rich Josephite heritage, beautifully highlighting the values that guide us: learning, loving and serving together through Jesus.
Led entirely by our students, the celebration brought the story of our school’s founding to life through a beautiful liturgical movement of the Sisters of St Joseph’s being called to establish a Catholic school at Swansea. The students’ leadership, reverence, and creativity made the liturgy not only a moment of spiritual significance but also a powerful reminder of the pride we share in being part of the St Patrick’s community. The day was a beautiful example of faith in action and a reflection of the strong, vibrant spirit that defines our school.
Last Friday, our staff gathered at the beautiful St Joseph’s Spirituality Centre in Kincumber for a day of reflection and renewal. The retreat provided a meaningful opportunity to step away from the busyness of school life and reconnect with the heart of who we are as a Catholic community.
The focus of the day was on the Catholic identity of our school and the powerful role it plays in shaping our culture. Through guided prayer, quiet reflection, and thoughtful discussion, we explored how our shared faith and values are lived out in our daily work — in our relationships, our teaching, and in the way we nurture a sense of belonging for every student.
It was a day of inspiration, insight, and shared commitment. As we return to school this week, we do so with a renewed sense of purpose — ready to continue building a school culture that is grounded in the Gospel and alive with the spirit of St Patrick.
Have a wonderful week.
Lucy Harvey
Principal
OOSH
Several concerns have been raised regarding the change of provider for the before and after school care our families currently use at Caves Beach Public. The new provider will not be continuing the bus service. I have been in contact with Lisa Tierney Chief Operating Officer for the Diocese who has been working to find a solution for St Patrick’s. Our current numbers are not viable for our system to operate an OOSH on site, however they would consider transporting our students to St Nicholas Belmont OOSH at St Francis Xavier Primary. Before the Diocese looks any further into this option, we would need to know how many of our parents would be happy with this arrangement. ALL parents who access OOSH are requested to complete the survey that was sent out on Compass today. Responses are due this FRIDAY.
New staff
We are delighted to welcome Miss Ellen Drinkwater to the St Patrick’s staff. Ellen will be covering Ms Wakely’s maternity leave for the remainder of 2025 on Year 4. Ellen joins our staff with great enthusiasm and a passion for student wellbeing. We look forward to the gifts Ellen will bring to Year 4. Welcome, Ellen!
New students
This week we extend a warm St Patrick’s welcome to Lucas Muir (Year 3), his mum Chantelle and dad Scott, who join our school community. We’re excited to have you with us Lucas and look forward to getting to know you!
We also say welcome back the Turner family – Carolyn, Chris and Lewis (Year 5), who are returning to St Patrick’s—it's great to see your familiar face around the school again, Lewis!
We hope both of you feel right at home and enjoy all that our community has to offer.
Kinder 2026 Update
We have concluded our interviews for the 2026 Kinder families and will be sending offers of enrolment out this Friday. We are excited to welcome so many new students to St Patrick’s.
Athletics carnival
Congratulations and thank you to Mrs Browne and Mrs Schneider for a smoothly run athletics carnival. A huge amount of effort goes into these days, and we are extremely grateful for your tireless work. We were blessed with fine weather and enjoyed sharing our day with St Pius X Windale. Thank you also to all our wonderful volunteers who assisted on the day. From assisting with judging, field events, novelties to feeding the hungry masses – we cannot run these days without you. THANK YOU!
Winter Uniform
All students should be in full winter uniform. Please contact me if you have difficulties meeting this request.
Reports and Interviews
As the end of the term draws closer, the staff are busy completing assessments and writing Semester 1 reports. The reports will be made accessible to parents on your child’s Compass profile on Friday 27th June.
During Week 10 this term we will hold 3-way conferences (parents, teachers and students). During these conferences the students will have the opportunity to share their learning goals in Mathematics and Writing with you. Bookings will be available soon on Compass.
Extended leave from school attendance
A reminder to all families who wish to take extended leave of 10 or more days from school that an application form must be completed prior to leave of absence. The online form can be accessed from Compass under the Community Heading then School Documentation folder.
Term 2 Week 7
Term 2 Week 8
Message from RE Coordinator
Catholic Schools Week
Last week, we celebrate Catholic Schools Week with the theme: ‘One Call. One Mission. Pilgrims of Hope.’ Our students have been reflecting on the hope that St Joseph embodied throughout his life, as well as the hopes we hold for the St Patrick’s community.
Last Thursday, we came together as a Catholic community to honour our faith and celebrate our shared heritage. It was a proud and meaningful moment to see our students lead us in prayer and highlight the rich history shared between our school and the Sisters of St Joseph.
Thank you to all the parents, carers, families, and friends who joined us in the classrooms to celebrate the students’ hard work and achievements.
Bishop Michael’s Flood Appeal
In response to the recent floods affecting many families and individuals across our Diocese, Bishop Michael has launched an appeal to provide vital support during this time of need. Every donation—no matter how small—offers genuine hope to those impacted, with all funds directed to local parishes to deliver on-the-ground assistance and help people rebuild their lives.
If you are able to offer financial support, please refer to the flyer below for more information.
Mr Daniel Lockwood
RE Coordinator
Message from Assistant Principal
Story Dogs News
Exciting News – Welcoming Our New Story Dog Team!
We are excited to announce the arrival of a new Story Dog team at St Patrick’s! Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Boji and Alex, who will be working with our Year 2 students to help make reading a fun, rewarding, and confidence-building experience.
Starting Friday, 20th June, Boji and Alex will visit us each Friday morning for two hours, working closely with a small group of students. As part of the Story Dogs program—a unique partnership with classroom teachers designed to enhance students’ confidence, literacy skills, and love of reading—Boji and Alex will meet weekly with the same six students for one-on-one reading sessions lasting 15–20 minutes.
Boji is a charming French Bulldog with a gentle nature and a patient ear. He’s a non-judgmental listener who simply enjoys a good story, no matter how many stumbles along the way. With Alex’s calm and supportive presence, students will feel relaxed and encouraged to grow in a positive, pressure-free reading environment.
Boji has been busy at home preparing for his new role—practicing on his Story Dog reading rug with plenty of books at the ready!
We look forward to seeing the smiles, growth, and confidence that this wonderful program will inspire in our students.
Mrs Janine Schneider
Assistant Principal
Diverse Learners Team News
Learning Support – Occupational Therapy (O/T)
Last week I attended a short presentation by the Occupational Therapy Clinic run by Newcastle University. It really clarified for me what an Occupational Therapist can do to address difficulties that affect everyday living.
An OT works with children and families to help them achieve what they need to do, want to do and are expected to do. Some of the areas an OT can address might be:
Self-care skills - feeding (inc. mealtimes or eating certain foods), dressing (inc. sensitivities to textures or types of clothing), sleep, toileting (inc. holding on), hair/ teeth brushing.
Learning (the job of the child) - communication (expressing wants and needs appropriately), can I be with my peers (play, reading social cues, routine group activities), taking in / understanding/ remembering/ responding to information, readiness for school (managing energy levels, following someone else’s plan, motor skills - are they transferable to the new setting).
Play (the other job of the child) - birthday parties (coping with the chaos, being with others); activities outside of school (sports activities, following directions)
The three key questions we can consider for the child that might benefit from OT would be:
Can I be with others?
Can I communicate with others?
Can I follow the lead of others?
The University of Newcastle Occupational Therapy Clinic is available to families who are unable to access NDIS.
The service at the uni is an on-campus clinic at Callaghan. No GP referral is needed, the parent or an advocate can call and complete an online intake form.
High Potential & Gifted Education
🏆 Spelling & Math Bee Stage Finals – A Celebration of Excellence! 🧠
We’re thrilled to share the excitement from our recent School Spelling and Math Bee Stage Finals! After friendly class competitions, our top two students from years 1-6 were able to showcase their spelling and mental math skills in a Stage final.
In the Spelling Bee, finalists wowed the audience with their vocabulary mastery, confidently spelling words that would challenge even adults! Meanwhile, our Math Bee competitors impressed with lightning-fast calculations and problem-solving prowess under pressure.
A big congratulations to all our finalists for their hard work and determination, and a special shoutout to our champions, who demonstrated outstanding focus and poise.
We’re so proud of all the participants for their enthusiasm and courage. Events like these remind us of the joy of learning and the incredible potential in every student.
The winner from each Stage has progressed through to the Lakes Region Spelling and Math Bee final to be held on Friday 13th of June at St Joseph’s Kilaben Bay. We wish them all the best of luck!
Gifted Awareness Week
Last week marked Gifted Awareness Week (GAW) 24 May - 1 June – a time to deepen our understanding and celebrate the unique strengths and needs of high potential and gifted learners. These students are found across every classroom, and thrive when their learning needs are recognised, valued, and supported.
We invite you to explore the resources below:
- GAW Podcast - Celebrating Gifted Awareness Week - Catholic Schools of Maitland-Newcastle | Podcast on Spotify
Mrs Jo Simes
Learning Support Teacher
Mrs Cathy Curk
Gifted Education Mentor
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education
Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Meeting
Two weeks ago, our three Junior AECG leaders, Cooper Ballard-Totten, Will Bevan and Ryker Hendersen, joined other students within our Powaikaliko Malang (grow together) Catholic Community of schools, at St Francis Xavier’s Primary School, Belmont.
Our students shared ideas about our preparations for National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week as well as our upcoming NAIDOC celebrations. Each school also received a beautiful purple flower, donated by Minimbah AECG in recognition of the ongoing strengths of the Stolen Generations survivors. We will plant this in our school grounds.
Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week
Last week we gathered to commemorate Sorry Day and to celebrate National Reconciliation Week with a liturgy in our hall. Aunty Fern (Orlando’s grandmother) joined our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to make beautiful Sorry Day flowers, bracelets and badges to remember the Stolen Generations. This was a very meaningful and memorable activity for our students, and we sincerely thank Aunty Fern.
Our students also participated in lessons, decorating flowers for Sorry Day, making Reconciliation posters in their peer support groups and drawing their own symbols for their vision of Reconciliation.
NAIDOC Fundraiser
Mrs Liz Walker
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education Teacher
Aspire News
DANCEFEST
Last week, two of our talented students, Beth Newell and Lilah Ward participated in DanceFest 2025. Both girls enjoyed this wonderful opportunity, working with professional dance instructors and Lauren Harvey, dance director from ASPIRE.
ASPIRE YOUNG SCRIPTWRITERS
In Week 4 this term, our talented Scriptwriting team completed their first workshop, joining students from several other schools in the Lakes Region.
Under the expert guidance of Anna Kerrigan, artistic director of ASPIRE, Jaymie Tisdell, Eloise Ayshford and Imogen Walker will learn the craft of scriptwriting over a series of workshops, culminating in a performance of each student’s script at the Warners Bay Theatre in November. Congratulations girls on being selected to participate in this wonderful program.
SchoolTV Article: Confidence & Motivation
Sport News
Athletics Carnival
We were blessed with a day of sunshine for our Athletics Carnival last Tuesday. I was impressed by students’ ‘have a go’ attitude as they smiled, jumped, threw and ran their way through a variety of events.
Thank you to our many volunteers for assisting to make the day a happy and successful one, your help is very much appreciated.
Ribbons and certificates for place getters will be presented at our Awards Assembly on Friday 27th June (Week 9), and our team for the Regional Athletics Carnival (24th of June) will be announced on Wednesday.
Pathways Sport
I’m excited to announce that Vincent Walker and Egan Joyce will be competing at Polding Cross Country Championships on Wednesday. Competing at this level is a fabulous achievement and we wish both boys the best of luck!
Netball NSW Cup
St Patrick’s is entering a Senior Girls team into the competitive division of the Netball NSW Cup in August. We are very grateful to one of our Mum’s, and Central Coast Hearts Opens Head Coach, Kirstie Fuller, for once again dedicating her time and expertise to coaching the St Patrick’s Team. Stay tuned for more information.
Weekend Sports Stars
If your child is a Weekend Sports Star, please email details and a photo to so we can celebrate their success in our next newsletter.
Mrs Claire Browne
Sport Coordinator
Office News
Volunteering at St Patrick's
If you would like to register to volunteer at St Patrick's, can you please complete the "Volunteer Registration Form" by clicking on the link here.
St Patrick's will be notified by the Catholic Schools Office once you are cleared to volunteer.
If you are unsure if you have clearance, please email the office at admin@swansea.catholic.edu.au to enquire.
2025 Fee Information
For families that opted to pay annually, school fees are due in full by the 30th June 2025.
Please commence payments as per the preferred frequency (weekly, fortnightly or monthly) prior to 31st March and then continue on that frequency to erode the fees over the course of each month and be finalised to a $0 balance by 30th November 2025. In April, any family that has not yet commenced fee payments will be deemed in arrears of the March component of the account.
If you have any queries please contact the office to discuss.
Applications for school travel passes through Transport NSW
The School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) gives eligible school students free or subsidised travel between home and school on NSW public transport, including trains, buses, ferries and light rail.
Depending on where students are travelling, they may receive a free school travel pass, a School Opal card, or both.
Please visit Transport NSW in the link below, to learn about eligibility criteria and apply for a travel pass which will help support transport options for our school community.
https://transportnsw.info/school-travel-apply
Other useful links and resources can be found here.
Rachelle McKenzie
Senior School Officer
P&F update
All are welcome to join us at our P&F meeting tomorrow evening.
If you can help out with one or all, please reach out to the school or directly to our committee via email - stpatrickspf1@gmail.com
Thanks again.
Elise Moncrieff
St Patricks P&F President
Community Notices
“Sometimes less is more! Try these SWAP IT tips. For more fussy eating tips, visit: www.swapit.net.au/fussyeating”
