12 February 2025 — Week 3, Term 1
Welcome from the Principal
Dear Families
Congratulations must go to the St Patrick's School community for a wonderful start to the school year. The students are wearing their uniforms with pride, our Year 6 buddies are doing a superb job with their Prep students and to cap off a very successful Week 1, the school recorded a 100% attendance across every class for three consecutive days. What a way to start the year!
The Allora Show over the weekend was a resounding success, with a remarkable turnout of students participating in various events. One of the standout aspects of the show was the high number of students involved in the livestock competitions.
Having responsibility for an animal offers numerous benefits, and this was clearly evident in the dedication and discipline displayed by the young participants. The level of presentation was impressive, with students donning ties, jodhpurs, and polished boots, adding a touch of elegance to the occasion.
The livestock competitions not only highlighted the students' hard work but also their commitment to excellence. The skills they develop through these activities, such as self-discipline, responsibility, and attention to detail, are invaluable and will serve them well in the future. Congratulations!!
In other news, a letter was sent home on Monday 10 February via email in regard to new documents from TCSO that will come into effect from the beginning of 2025 academic year.
This document, the Toowoomba Catholic Schools (TCS) Parent Code of Conduct is a companion document to our existing TCS Parent Engagement Charter.
The TCS Parent Engagement Charter affirms the relationship between parents and staff which, as we know, works best when it is based on mutual respect and acknowledgement of the unique contribution that each party makes to the education experience of students. Positive, healthy relationships are a feature of a distinctively Catholic community.
The new document, the TCS Parent Code of Conduct, defines the boundaries within which the relationship between parents and the school occurs most effectively. The TCS Parent Code of Conduct makes clear and explicit what has largely been assumed and unwritten in the past. It is what most parents would consider essential and appropriate if schools are to function at their best.
Both documents apply to all schools within the TCS community and form a part of the Enrolment Agreement between parents/legal guardians and the school.
Below is a link to these documents. They can be accessed via the St Patrick’s School website where these documents are stored. Please access for your information:
https://www.allora.catholic.edu.au/policies-procedures-plans-reports
Hard copies of these documents will also be sent home in Week 5.
As you would be aware, student leadership is central to our core values at St Patrick’s School. The students of Glengallan have assumed this leadership role with ease and diligence. In particular, the bond that is beginning to form with their Prep buddies is extremely strong and gentle. The Year 6 leaders will be formally inducted into their roles as part of the school’s Induction and Opening School Mass on Tuesday 18 February. This celebration is a special one, as the Year 6 students will ask God to bless and guide them, as they journey through 2025 as School Leaders of St Patrick’s School, Allora. Together as a community, we look forward to the challenges and rewards that 2025 have in store for us all and the personal and academic growth we will all share.
As always, if you have any queries or concerns, please contact the school.
Keith Blaikie—Principal
Keith.Blaikie@twb.catholic.edu.au
My New Gallery
General Information
Reminders - School Routines
To provide updated information regarding the basic routines of St Patrick’s School for both new and continuing families, the following information is provided.
Normal Drop-off Routine
- School commences at 8:40am and finishes at 2:55pm.
- Students who arrive before 8:10am will sit quietly on the benches outside the front door.
- Students may enter the school from 8:10am. Students will then place their bag in the space provided outside their classroom and proceed to the library. Reading material is provided for all students.
- Students will be supervised from 8:20am until 8:40am by a member of staff in the playground.
End of School Routine
- Parents and Caregivers are encouraged to meet inside the school grounds prior to the 2:55pm bell.
- Students will only be released to the designated pick-up person when visual contact can be made by the classroom teacher. Bus students will be supervised by St Patrick's staff.
- Please inform the office if there are any planned changes to student’s normal end of school routine. Please clearly communicate these changes to your children as some of our younger students become quite agitated and confused if pick-up arrangement changes have not been confirmed prior to the end of day.
- In the event that change occurs during school time, please call and inform the office. Staff will let your children know your requested change before 2:55pm.
- All students must leave the school grounds via the front gates on Arnold Street.
Late Arrival or early Collection Routine
- Please note that students need to be signed in at the school office by a parent if they arrive after 8:40am or signed out at the school office if they need to leave early. Office staff will collect individual students from their classroom.
- Please ring the office desk bell if unattended. Due to the possible disruption to learning, parents are not permitted inside the main corridor of the school within normal school hours from 8:40am to 2:55pm, unless invited to a classroom event.
Central Downs Swimming - Tuesday 4 February (Mahailia W - Year 6)
Last Tuesday, several schools from our area joined together to compete in the annual Central Downs Swimming Carnival.
A handful of students were chosen to represent our school with lots of success in the pool. Congratulations to Katelyn P, Skye M and Mahailia W for making the qualifying time to represent the Central Downs team, at Southern Downs to be held on 25 February at WIRAC. Congratulations also to Skye M and Katelyn P for receiving age champion awards, and Katelyn P for setting a new record.
The weather was perfect, despite a sprinkle of rain. All the students that attended had a fantastic time, both competing and watching other students' races.
On behalf of St Patrick's School, we extend a big thank you to Mr. Nott, Mr. Healy for organising the events, and to Belinda Gregson at the Allora Pool. All the best to the students who are heading off to compete at Southern Downs.
My New Gallery
Teaching and Learning
Library News
As we begin the school year, library has had to adapt to a new temporary home this year. We are now upstairs in the Parish Hall, in the same room as Music. This has forced some small routine changes but we are off and running, with the students all taking this in their stride.
Students in Years 4-6 will continue to develop skills in using our database, Accessit, and Year 3 will begin their learning of these processes. Through this, we gain our access to Encyclopedia Britannica and to our streaming service, Clickview. Please bookmark these links on your home computer, so students are able to fully use these resources at home.
Accessit can be found St Patrick's Allora.
Clickview can also be accessed online Primary Videos, Resources & Worksheets | ClickView.
Students may be offered to sign in using their SSO (which will be easy!) or they will have to log in using their ALLusername@twb.catholic.edu.au. Please have them insert their own username before the @sign. They will then need their school password. If you have any trouble with this or questions, please email me at mandie.tindall@twb.catholic.edu.au
The lower years spend time this term developing routines for the library, learning about our collections and how to use them, as well as listening to lots of fun read-alouds.
Read with me – parent/ carer resource
The staff of St Patrick’s School are extremely excited to promote the resource – Read with me. This video has been produced by TCSO and is designed to support parents as it promotes best practice when reading at home with our students. The following link will direct you to the TCS YouTube channel where the video is stored Read with me – parent/carer resource. The adoption of a consistent approach when reading between the home and school can only improve the educational outcomes for our students.
This week's reading tip:
Religious Life of the School
St Patrick's Sacramental Program 2025
Celebrating a sacrament for the first time is an important step in the life of a Catholic child. Sacraments are vital expressions of our Catholic life. Since the sacraments are so important, they are taken very seriously and as a result, there is a need to prepare, to receive them thoughtfully and thoroughly. The St. Patrick’s Sacramental Program will commence Week 5 of Term 1, with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Students will receive reconciliation during a liturgy in Week 10. Then in Term 2, students will undertake preparation for the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist. These sacraments will be held at the end of Week 1, Term 3. If you would like to register your child for the 2025 Sacramental Program, please contact Karine Preston for a registration form.
Every day is new, every loaf is a new loaf in the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope - Angela Travers TCSO
Welcome back to school life as fellow pilgrims of hope in this Holy Year of Jubilee. In the Catholic Church, a Jubilee year is a special time of spiritual renewal and conversion, marked by celebrations and pilgrimages. This year's theme is Pilgrims of Hope.
Pope Francis emphasises the need for unwavering hope, grounded in the certainty that nothing can separate us from God's love. In his bull of indiction for the Jubilee Year, Spes Non Confundit (Hope Does Not Disappoint), he urges Catholics to be witnesses to hope. This theme calls for spiritual renewal, forgiveness, and a positive outlook, especially considering recent global challenges like war, racism, extreme politics, and environmental degradation.
For the past few years, I've been on a journey to perfect the art of baking sourdough. It's been an adventure requiring hope and patience. Each loaf turns out differently, but I never give up. I'm learning a lot along the way, not just about bread.
Similarly, in our life journey, we need to be filled with hope. We must adapt our thinking and ways, always assured that God is with us.
As we journey through 2025, with its challenges and opportunities, we are reminded that we are always in God's presence. Christ is our companion and source of hope.
Each day offers a new opportunity to understand and empathize with others. By recognising and being signs of hope, we find purpose. As educators in Catholic schools, we are invited to take part in this hope-filled work, reimagining our world, being open to change, and embracing the Gospel's message. Hope gives us work to do together, inviting students and one another to discover our purpose, find Christ within our hearts, and make a difference in the world.
Upcoming events
- Wednesday 12 February - St Patrick's P&F Annual General Meeting commencing at 6:00pm in the library/ or via Zoom - All are welcome to attend either in person nor online!!
- Tuesday 18 February - Leaders' Induction and Opening School Mass commencing at 9:30am in the Church
- Wednesday 19 February - St Patrick's Playgroup commencing at 9:00am at the sand pit
- Wednesday 19 February - Central Downs Tennis Trials (Glengallan students only)
- Thursday 20 February - Whole School Assembly commencing at 2:15pm in the Church
- Friday 21 February - Central Downs Sport Trials (Glengallan students only) from 12:00pm to 3:00pm
- Saturday 22 February - St Patrick's P&F Care and Concern home visits from 9:00am until 11:00am (Please meet in the St Patrick's School carpark)
- Tuesday 25 February - Southern Downs Swimming (Glengallan students only)
See the Sentral calendar for more information.
Reminders
Uniform Days
Summer Uniform
Formal - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
Sports - Wednesday, Friday
Please remember that we are a...
‘Nut Aware’ School.
Times for Mass at St Patrick's Church are as follows:
1st Sunday - 9am 2nd and 3rd Sunday – 5.30pm
4th & 5th Sunday Liturgy of the Word with Communion - 9am
