As we close in on the end of the 2024 school year, we look ahead to 2025. Whilst our staffing for 2025 will remain consistent, we are unfortunately saying goodbye to one staff member: Sharon Carroll. Sharon has been an integral and much-loved part of the St Patrick’s Primary School staff for 19 years, primarily as an Education Support Officer and Librarian. Sharon has a passion for reading and during her time at St Patrick’s she has supported many students in learning to read and helping them discover a love of books and reading. Book Week has always been a special time for Sharon, and she has made it special for the students and wider school community for many years, with the Book Fair and the Book Week dress up and parade. Sharon will be sorely missed by the staff, students and families of St Patrick’s; however, we wish her well in retirement and know that she will come back and visit when she gets an opportunity.

2025 Classes and Teachers

In the previous newsletter I announced our class structure for 2025. After much consideration as a leadership team, we have elected to change our class structure slightly from what was presented in that newsletter. The needs of the students is always at the forefront of our decision making and we feel that this new class structure will provide the best opportunities for all students. Our new class structure and the assigned classroom teachers for 2025 are:

Foundation – Miss Catherine Boyd

Year 1 – Ms Madison Leenders

Year 2 – Mrs Joanne Kennedy (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)

             Mrs Amy Armstrong (Thursday, Friday)

Year 3/4A – Mrs Leila McDonald

Year 3/4B – Miss Sarah Boag (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) 

                  Mrs Amy Laverty (Wednesday)

Year 5/6C – Mrs Annie Bristow (Monday, Wednesday) 

                  Ms Meg Greenway (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

Year 5/6D – Ms Jennaya Smith

2025 Transition Morning

We will have a whole school transition morning for all students on Tuesday 10^th December. This transition morning will allow students to spend time in their 2025 class with their teacher/s for next year. When selecting classes, we consider a lot of variables, and much time and effort is taken to best suit the needs of all students. If your child will not be returning to St Patrick’s in 2025, please let the school know as soon as possible, if you haven’t already. If your child is not returning, they can still attend our transition day.

Swimming Program

Our school swimming program begins on Monday 2^nd December and will continue each day for two weeks (excluding Thursday 12^th December). The timetable for the swimming program is as follows:

Year 6 – 10.00am

Year 5 – 10.30am

Year 3/4A – 11.00am

Year 3/4B – 11.30am

Year 2 – 12.00pm

Year 1 – 12.30pm

Foundation – 1.00pm

Please note that swimming lesson times will be half an hour later on Wednesday 4^th December due to our whole school mass.

End of Year Mass

On Wednesday 4^th December we have our Whole School End of Year Mass at 9:15am in the Church. All parents should have received an invitation, and it would be great to see some of you come along and celebrate mass with us.

Hoop Time Basketball State Finals

Next, Thursday 5^th and Friday 6^th December, we have our Year 3/4 and Year 6 Hoop Time Basketball Teams competing at the State Finals in Melbourne. Both teams have progressed through two stages of the Hoop Time competition undefeated already and have earnt their position in the State Finals. We wish both teams all the best and look forward to hearing how they go.

Stratford Community Christmas Carols

This year, St Patrick’s will again be involved in the Stratford Community Christmas Carols. The Christmas Carols will be on Sunday 8^th December. The students have already begun practising; however, we would love to have as many students as possible involved. This year we will combine with Stratford Primary School to sing Mary’s Boy Child and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. The Christmas Carols will commence at 6:30pm, with our performance scheduled for 7:06pm. More information will be provided to students and families prior to the event.

Year 6 Graduation

This year we celebrate and farewell 22 Year 6 students. Our Year 6 Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony will be held on Monday 16^th December from 5:30pm. Following the Mass and Award Ceremony, all Year 6 families will attend the Stratford Lawn Bowls Club for dinner and a night of fun.

Christmas Raffle

This year the P&F are coordinating a Christmas Raffle. Like our Easter Raffle, we are seeking donations from families. Each classroom has a theme, and it would be great if families could donate a small gift for their child’s classroom hamper. Information regarding the Christmas Raffle is on the flyer below. Donations can be brought in at any time, however we will have a Christmas Casual Clothes Day on Thursday 12^th December, where these donations can be brought in.

Christmas Presentation

We will again be having a Christmas Presentation this year that we invite the whole school community to attend. The Christmas Presentation will be on the last day of school, Wednesday 18^th December, from 1.00pm and will be held behind the peppercorn trees. This year’s presentation will see the Foundation students acting out the Nativity Story. Throughout the play, the other classes will sing a song that supports a different part of the Nativity Story. The presentation will finish with a whole school song.

Kind regards,

Joel