Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,

We celebrated St Patrick’s Day on Monday 17^th March, as this is the Feast of St Patrick.

St Patrick is one of the most well-known and popular saints throughout the world. Patrick was born in Britain in 387, however at about the age of fourteen he was captured by Irish pirates during a raid and taken back to Ireland as a slave, where he was made to herd and tend to sheep. During his captivity, Patrick turned to God.

Patrick was held captive until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God. In his dream, God told him to leave Ireland by going to the coast. Patrick followed God’s message and went to the coast where he found some sailors who took him back to Britain, where he was reunited with his family.

A few years after returning home, Patrick had a vision of the Irish people appealing to him to come and walk among them as a holy servant. The vision prompted Patrick to join the priesthood. Patrick studied for four years before being ordained a priest. He was later ordained a bishop and sent to take the Gospel to Ireland.

Patrick arrived in Ireland in 433, where legend has it, that the chieftain of one of the druid tribes, tried to kill him. After an intervention from God, Patrick was able to convert the chieftain and preach the Gospel throughout Ireland. Throughout Ireland he converted many people and began building churches.

Patrick often used shamrocks to explain the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and entire kingdoms were eventually converted to Christianity after hearing Patrick’s message. He preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God.

To celebrate St Patrick’s Day the whole school went to the RAAF Base Cinema to watch ’10 Lives’. This was a funny movie about a cat named Beckett who didn’t appreciate the life he had. After he lost his 9^th life, he was given the opportunity to make amends, with 9 new lives to do so. The children thoroughly enjoyed the movie and were treated to a Prima, bag of chips and a bag of lollies.

Following the movie, we returned to school where many of the students were treated to a sausage in bread, Zooper Dooper and another Prima, which was kindly prepared by the P&F.

Throughout the afternoon, the students were split in cross-age groupings where they went to a different classroom to complete some St Patrick’s Day activities.

As a final special treat, the students received a piece of cake.

School Pick-Up

As you are all aware, we have made changes to the way students are collected from school. This has been working effectively, and I would like to thank you all for your support with this. Our priority is always to ensure the safety of our students and this change in pick-up routine has had a positive impact on this. Please ensure that you continue to follow all road rules and obey road signs.

NAPLAN

Over that past couple of weeks our Year 5 and 3 students have been completing the NAPLAN tests. The students have completed tests in Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy. For those students that have been absent, there is a final catch-up day on Monday to complete all of the required tests.

Kinect2Dance

Next week, all classes will participate in the Kinect2Dance program. Each day the students will have a 45 minute dance lessons. Our Foundation – Year 2 students will have their sessions at 1:30pm, whilst the Year 3-6 students will have their sessions at 2:15pm. Next Friday, there will be a performance that parents, families and friends are invited to attend. More information will be provided via Dojo next week.

Easter Raffle Casual Clothes Day

Next Friday 28^th March is a casual clothes day for all students. For the privilege of wearing casual clothes, all students are encouraged to make an Easter donation to our Easter Raffle. This may include an Easter egg or Easter gift.

Kind regards,

Joel

Patrick died on 17^th March 461 in Saul where he had built the first Irish church.

School Photos 2025 – St Patrick’s Primary School

Annual school photos have been taken by Arthur Reed Photos.

To view the images of your child and order photos, you will need to first register online.

1. Go to https://order.arphotos.com.au and enter the 2025 image code for your child (from their personalized flyer)
2. Tap on ‘Add another child’ to enter the image codes of any siblings
3. Fill in your email and mobile details and then review all details before confirming your registration

That’s it! When 2025 photos are ready, you will be notified by email and SMS.

Even if you registered last year, it’s important that you do it again each year using your child’s new image code to link their photos for the current year with your contact details.

To ensure you are ordering school photos for the current year, please wait for notifications that 2025 images are online before placing orders.

In the webshop you can view photos and customize your photo package; Choose ANY layout, ANY image and purchase multiple digital image downloads.

All photo orders will be sent directly to the address you provide when ordering.

REGISTER ONLINE NOW to be notified when 2025 school photos can be viewed and ordered.