WHAT'S ON - TERM 1
Wednesday 11th February - Walking Together at St Pat's Family Evening: Parents and Caregivers invited
Sunday 15th February - School Commissioning Mass
Wednesday 18th February - Ash Wednesday Liturgy Mass
2026
Newsletter - Term 1 Week 2
PARENT REMINDERS
Important Dates
FROM THE LEADERSHIP TEAM
From the Principal - Catherine O'Dea
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Welcome to Week 2 of the 2026 school year. We have had a positive and calm start to the year, with all students engaged and ready to learn. Last week all classes engaged with our ‘Flying Start’ curriculum, with students unpacking our school values of Being Respectful, Being Responsible, and Being Resilient in All Things Love under the charism of St Mary Of the Cross MacKillop.
Students have responded positively to the change in our Lunch and Recess with eating time scheduled at the end of play time. As a result, there has been a noticeable decrease in rubbish across our school and students have been calmer in their transitions back to learning after play times.
I invite you to attend our Walking Together at St Pat’s Family Evening this Wednesday 11th February. This is a wonderful opportunity to visit our school and connect with your child’s teachers and other families. Families will collect a map on entering the school gates and then visit areas across the school to get a stamp. Once the map is complete families are invited to meet on the oval side lawn for a Free Sausage Sizzle. Completed maps will go into a draw for prizes.
Thank you for your support during what were challenging weather conditions at the beginning of term.
Warm regards
Catherine
Walking Together at St Pat's Family Evening:
Wednesday 11 February
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
We warmly invite you to come along and meet your child’s teachers, explore our wonderful school, and enjoy a fun and engaging afternoon together with your children. This is a great opportunity to see the learning spaces, chat with staff, and experience the welcoming community your child is part of.
As you walk through each classroom, you can take part in our stamp?collecting activity—a fun way for families to engage with the school environment. Once you’ve collected all your stamps and completed your map, head over to the oval to enjoy a FREE sausage sizzle and enter our raffle.
Families who complete their map will go into the draw to win some exciting prizes, including a free school uniform and even a coffee machine!
We encourage all families to come along, connect with staff, explore the school, and share a lovely time with your children.
All welcome!
For more information, please contact the front office.
St Patrick’s Grotto & Statue of Mary
The St Patrick’s Grotto & Statue of Mary has been temporarily removed while the school undertakes renovations to the entrance and surrounding landscaping. As the school proceeds with this work, we value the input of parishioners and wish to honour and maintain the history and tradition of this sacred space. We invite you to let us know whether you would prefer the Statue of Mary to be included in the newly landscaped entrance area or placed within the Church. You can share your thoughts by contacting the parish office or by filling out the form available at St Patrick’s Mass this Sunday. Thank you for your guidance and support.
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
By the end of this week your child will bring home two forms:
1. Student Update Form
2. ICT Agreement
1. Student Update Form
Please ensure all information on the form is accurate, including medical details. If there have been any changes to your child’s medical information, it is essential that these updates are recorded on the form and returned to the Front Office promptly.
If your child’s medical information has changed, please contact the school office immediately so we can update our records and provide you with a new medical form. This is essential.
2. ICT Agreement
The ICT Agreement is also included for your review and signature. Students and caregivers need to sign these.
3. Photo Permissions Form
The photo permission form is also included for your review and signature.
Please ensure these are retuned by Friday 13 February.
New Communication Tool coming: EdSmart
We will soon be transitioning to a new communication platform called EdSmart, where you will receive emails and electronic forms. There is no need to download any applications to use EdSmart and we look forward to introducing this and making communication between the school and parents and caregivers simpler. More information will be provided soon.
Please note that SEESAW will continue to be used for class?based communication with your child’s teacher so this will remain unchanged.
Hello from our new team members!
Hello! My name is Rachael DeTullio.
I’m delighted to be the APRIM at St Patrick's, continuing our strong Josephite tradition of quality catholic education. I have been teaching for 12 years, including time as an APRIM at another school, and I bring a passion for supporting students, staff, and families in their faith journey.At St Patrick’s, I oversee our Religious Education curriculum, sacramental programs, and initiatives to support student wellbeing. I look forward to nurturing students’ growth in faith, confidence, and community spirit throughout the year.
- Rachael DeTullio
APRIM
Hello, I am new at St Patrick's School and am the new Year 3 teacher. I have just graduated from Flinders University with a Primary Education degree, so this is my first time having a class. I have previously worked as a relief teacher and ESO at Tenison Woods Catholic Primary School. I cannot wait to begin this journey and see what the year brings.
- Sophia Mylidonis
Year 3 Teacher
Hello, my name is Deb Casburn and I am excited to join St Patrick’s as the new Leader of Learning. I bring 27 years of teaching experience, having spent the past 25 years at Mount Carmel College as a Class Teacher and Cultural Inclusion Coordinator.
I am passionate about learning, inclusion, and building strong relationships, and I look forward to working alongside staff, students, and families to support positive learning experiences for all.
- Deb Casburn
Leader of Learning
Limited enrolments now available
We are grateful for the wonderful community we share at St Patrick’s, and we’re excited to announce that limited enrolments are now open for 2026 and beyond, including mid?year intake.
If you know friends or relatives looking for a nurturing, supportive school where children feel encouraged and ready to learn, we’d love for you to share your positive experiences. Your word of mouth truly helps our community grow.
We warmly welcome new families to join us anytime. Come and see our school in action: book a tour today and discover the difference St Patrick’s can make for your child.
We invite your friends and family to book a school tour now and explore what St Patrick’s has to offer.: School Tours, St Patrick's School
Canteen Update
OPEN - Monday, Thursday & Friday
We have updated our Eating and Canteen arrangements:
- The canteen is open only during the later eating break for snack purchases.
- It is not open during the first break for over?the?counter sales.
- Lunch orders will be delivered at 11:30am for the main eating time.
- All orders can be placed through QKR.
- Please place orders on the QKR app before 9:00am.
Our canteen also has a new, healthier menu, created in line with the Right Bite Food Policy, and it is now available on QKR.
Please keep these changes in mind when planning and packing your child’s meals.
HEALTHY LUNCHBOXES
The food and drink you provide can help your child learn and play at school. When packing food for your child to eat at school consider:
- involving your child in packing or preparing foods
- variety, taste and colourful choices can be most enjoyable - see Wellbeing SA’s healthy food and nutrition
- reducing packaging where you can - check out KESAB’s what is ‘Nude Food’ anyway? for package free lunch food ideas
- water as the best drink option.
You can also look at hints and tips to:
- pack healthy lunchboxes
- prepare safe school lunches.
UNIFORM SHOP
OPEN - MONDAY, THURSDAY & FRIDAY
8.30am - 10am
Please ensure your child is wearing the correct uniform.
PLAYGROUP
Playgroup - All Welcome!
Invite your friends and come join the fun!
St Patrick’s Playgroup is a warm, welcoming space for families with children under 5 years.
- Tuesdays & Fridays (during school terms)
- 9:00am - 11:00am
- 33 Dudley Street, Mansfield Park SA
Playgroup SA has partnered with the Office for the Early Years (Department of Education) to offer free development checks for children aged 12 months to 4 years. These checks celebrate milestones and help monitor your child’s development.
Please note: this is not a health check.
To learn more or book a development check, contact Chau Tran - 8303 4500.
A free, fun, and supportive space for little ones to play, learn, and grow!
LITTLE PADDY'S TRANSITION PROGRAM
At St Patrick’s School Mansfield Park, we are proud to offer Little Paddy’s Transition Program—a complimentary and supportive introduction to school life for all children beginning Reception.
This program is designed to help young learners build confidence, develop early routines, and feel comfortable within their new school environment. Through engaging activities, classroom exploration, and time spent with our dedicated staff, children are gently guided into the expectations and excitement of Reception.
Little Paddy’s provides families with reassurance and ensures each child has the opportunity to make a smooth, positive start to their educational journey at St Patrick’s School.
Give your child the best possible start—with Little Paddy’s.
For more information, please contact our front office.
VOLUNTEERING
As a Volunteer at St Patrick's, you can get involved in:
- Parents & Friends Community
- Canteen - Fridays
- School Advisory Board
- School Events
- Excursions - Class support
- Sports Day
An important role of Volunteer is to promote strong links between the parents and the school but also strong links between families, where members of families really feel that they belong to the school.
An active parent group also ensures the school is well resourced and the grounds are always well maintained.
We are welcoming new parents to come along and Volunteer at the School and join the Parents and Friends Group. Any amount of time is helpful.
Please enquire at the front desk or call on 8303 4500 or email info@stpatsmp.catholic.edu.au
FINANCE NEWS
From the Finance Officer
We offer direct debit, BPay, EFTPOS and direct deductions from Centrelink to cater to the changing financial needs of our families at St Patrick’s School. When the direct debit payment option is selected your school fee payment is calculated over the full school year right up until the 31st of December 2024. This means smaller payments are required, making this method the most affordable way to budget for your commitment. Please come into the office or ring me on 83034500 if one of these options would better suit your financial requirements.
School Card is applied for online. If you haven’t already applied for this year, please arrange as soon as possible as the cut-off date is early November. Instructions on how to do this are available at the front office.
School Card must be applied for each year.
If at any time you are having trouble meeting your school fee commitment, or have any queries, please contact me on 83034500 to discuss this matter.
Our school fees will remain unchanged for 2026.
Kind Regards
Dan Guo (Finance Officer)
CAMP AUSTRALIA - OSHC
OSHC
Hi Everyone
Welcome, If you require our services, please register on www.campaustralia.com.au and follow the link.
BOOKINGS can be made when you register on the Website.
Hours of Operation
Before School - 7AM - 8.30AM
After School - 3.10PM (2.30PM Tues) - 6PM
We offer breakfast for the children in the morning and fresh fruit and second snack after school. Kids will enjoy sports, art and crafts,
For all Enquiries and Bookings - Please go to the website or call Ph 0447 141 518
Thankyou Michele
COMMUNITY NOTICES
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
We would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land and pay our respects to the elders both past, present and future for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hope of their people
