Principal Report

School Garden Update

Over the years, our school garden has been a wonderful source of fresh fruit and vegetables, lovingly tended by our very own “garden guru,” Mr Tim. It is with heartfelt thanks and a touch of sadness that we share that Mr Tim has decided to resign from his role at St Patrick’s to pursue an exciting new chapter. He leaves behind a legacy of growth—both in the garden and in the students who learned alongside him.

As we look to the future of the garden, we’ve taken time to reflect on how best to use and rejuvenate the space and address some areas that are in need of attention and have become unsafe.

With that in mind, we’re excited to share some of the plans underway:

• Clearing and levelling the area to create a more usable and inviting space.
• Condensing the garden beds and replacing the old sleepers.
• Relocating the Aboriginal garden beds and fire pit into the main garden area to symbolise unity and to form a yarning circle—a meaningful space for learning, storytelling and gathering.
• Creating an additional play space for our students. We’ll be asking for student input on what they’d like to see—possibilities include a Loose Parts Play area.

We’re looking forward to bringing this refreshed garden and play space to life, and we’ll keep you updated as the project progresses. Thank you for your continued support in helping us grow and improve our school environment!

What Is a Gaga Pit?

You may have heard some excitement around the school about a Gaga Pit—but what exactly is it?

A Gaga Pit is an enclosed, octagonal (or sometimes hexagonal) arena used for playing Gaga Ball—a fast-paced, high-energy game that’s a bit like a gentler, more inclusive version of dodgeball. The aim is to hit the ball with an open hand to tag other players below the knee, while avoiding being hit yourself. Once you’re out, you step out of the pit and cheer on the remaining players!

Gaga Ball is incredibly popular with children of all ages because it’s:

• Inclusive – everyone can join in, regardless of age, size, or athletic ability.
• Active – it helps build fitness, agility, and coordination.
• Social – it's a great way for students to connect, collaborate, and have fun together.

Thanks to the generous support of our Parents & Friends group, we’re excited to be installing a Gaga Pit on school grounds soon. We’re currently exploring the best location to ensure it’s safe, accessible, and well-used by all students.

We can’t wait to see the fun and laughter this new addition brings to break times!

Learning Conferences

We look forward to meeting parents and carers in our upcoming Learning Conversations.

To strengthen our partnership with families, we are trialling a new approach in 2025. Beginning this year, we will provide an additional Learning Conference (also known as Parent-Teacher Interviews) in term 3. These conversations will provide additional opportunities for meaningful, personalised communication between parents and teachers.

This shift aims to:

• Offer deeper insights into your child’s academic strengths, challenges, and growth.
• Facilitate more timely and targeted support strategies.
• Encourage open dialogue and shared goal-setting between home and school.

Unlike written reports, which are provided in July and December, Learning Conferences offer ongoing, two-way conversations. Teachers come prepared with tangible evidence of student learning, making each meeting a valuable opportunity to reflect, plan, and collaborate.

Carmen Aylott

Principal.