Newsletter 11 March 2022
- Principal's Message
- Faith and Mission News
- Learning and Teaching
- 2021/2022 Upcoming Events
- Sport News & Sport Calendar - Term 1
- Parent Forum
- LARC News
- Firefly Arts Festival - Save the Date!
- 2023 Kindergarten Enrolments
- Canteen Menu for 2022
- Canteen Roster
- Seasons for Growth
- Parenting Ideas
- Community Notices
Principal's Message
Fundraiser for Tonga
Friday 11 March 2022 - Term 1 Week 6
Dear Parents and Carers
What a pleasure it was to have our first assembly last week with parents, friends, relatives and all children in attendance. It was Kindergarten’s first ever assembly and they did very well, especially as there were many Principal and sporting awards to give out. It’s interesting that our singing as a whole school has dropped off over the last couple of years, as we haven’t been allowed to sing, resulting in the kids losing confidence and capacity. We will work on this and get back to where we were pre-pandemic this year.
COVID continues to disrupt many people’s lives and the school staff are no exception. As a consequence, many staff have been away and classes have had a variety of casual teachers. The good news is that our system of teaching, with connected spaces and collaborative planning means that the normal, planned program continues and new learning continues daily. There is a statewide under-supply of casual teachers and Coffs Harbour is no different and this can result in a shuffle each morning - staffing it is like having to finish a new jigsaw puzzle every morning by 7.30am (thanks Mrs Loader!). So far, even though it has been disrupted, the school is running well thanks to the generosity and flexibility of our wonderful staff.
One of the goals of the Parent Forum is to provide opportunities for parents and carers to connect and come together. This has been nigh on impossible in the last few years but thankfully we have a new opportunity. I encourage you to get behind the St Augustine's School Community Trivia Night being planned for Friday April 1st, at school. Book a table or just a ticket and you will be part of a group, allowing you to connect with others in our community and support the construction of our new outdoor learning and play area. There will be lots of fun and games as well so it should be a good evening.
Parent-teacher meetings will be held next week. If you missed the opportunity to book in or need a follow-up time, please contact the teacher via email or phone the school office to find a suitable time. Research continually shows that parental involvement makes a huge difference in social/emotional and educational outcomes for children, and speaking to the teacher about progress in these areas is a high value way of making this happen.
I’ve been alerted about the possibility of scams popping up via email for giving to different causes, particularly after natural disasters such as the Northern Rivers floods. Please be wary of emailed bank account details and ring the institutions if you want to make sure your hard-earned money goes to the right place.
Kindergarten enrolments for 2023 are now open, with an online form available via the website or a paper copy at the school office. Applications close Friday May 13th, so there is plenty of time to submit an application. Note that the process is not ‘first in best dressed’; all applications will be looked at on merit in accordance with the Enrolment Policy after the closing date. If you or anyone you know has any specific questions, please get them to contact me at school; sometimes a quick phone call can answer questions. There will be an information night early next term for general information.
Good luck to our mighty swim team, competing at Homebush in the Polding trials on March 22. Win, lose or draw they are champions all.
Grace and peace
Peter Watts
Ash Wednesday
Blue House - Swimming Carnival Trophy Winners
Faith and Mission News
Ash Wednesday
Last Wednesday 2 March, two liturgies were held (K-2 and Yrs 3-6) on the top asphalt area. Lent is a time of increased prayer, almsgiving, self-denial and deep contemplation about the mystery of God's mercy.
A poem from our K-2 liturgy:
Be good and be kind
The ashes will remind me
That what I do and what I say
Are important every day
A prayer from our 3-6 Liturgy:
God of peace
As we begin our Lenten journey, guide us as we fast, pray and give to others. May we support the work of Caritas Australia as they strive to enrich the lives of our brothers and sisters around the world. Amen
Project Compassion Appeal 2022
Project Compassion boxes were sent home Last Wednesday to each family. Donating our small change is one way to lend a hand to the needy this Lent.
"The theme of Project Compassion 2022 is ‘For All Future Generations’. It is an expression of hope and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues.
During the season of Lent, students and staff are encouraged to discover the power of giving and the impact that their contribution, however big or small, can have in the lives of others. When we lend a hand to someone in need, they will go on to help others and make better opportunities for future generations. Compassion is contagious and creates a ripple effect of kindness and prosperity.
During Lent we encourage our students to be the pebble that enables Caritas Australia to create the ripples that will improve the livelihoods of vulnerable communities, supporting them to flourish and create opportunities for future generations to live to their full potential and thrive. We encourage our students and families to come together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. Together, we can make a difference. "
Sacramental Program 2022
Students who are making their First Holy Communion this year have begun learning about God’s forgiveness and how we turn back to Him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They will receive this healing sacrament on Tuesday 29 March. Please pray for them and their families at this time.
Year 1 Mock Baptism
On Thursday 24 February, Year 1 students reinforced their learning in Religious Education lessons by witnessing a mock Baptism by Fr Joy in the church. The children saw how the symbols of water, oil and the white garment are all used to initiate the baby into the God’s church family. This mock Baptism was held during the church’s season of ordinary time when the cloths are green, so the children were very excited when they returned to the church a week later for their Mass with Fr Joy to see the cloths in the church were purple as lent had begun.
Year 1 Mock Baptism
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday
Project Compassion
Tonga Appeal
On Thursday 3 March our school community held a fundraising day to support the disaster relief effort in Tonga, calling our students, staff and community to stand in solidarity with the people of Tonga. The day began with a special morning prayer with the whole school gathered on the field (in sunshine!!!) to witness Fr Joy blessing our goalposts and praying for the safety of all who use the facilities. Fr Joy also blessed the class candles of the K-4 classes, reminding the children that they are all called to be the light of Christ in the world. The lolly guessing competition winner was announced and Mr Watts’ Goal Kicking Competition was hugely popular. Congratulations to all our winners.
Blessing of Prophet Elijah’s (and Working Bee)
Unfortunately, due to the wet weather, the working bee and the blessing of the statue of Elijah had to be postponed. Details of the new date will be announced soon.
Naomi Loader- Assistant Principal Mission
Dominique Montford - Leader of School Catechesis
Maria Woods - Leader of School Evangelisation
Fr Joy blessing our new goal posts
Incitare Retreat
Learning and Teaching
Learning to read is a complex process. It’s not easy and takes time and practice. This graphic may help you understand what has to happen for children to be successful readers. It is called Scarborough’s Reading Rope, developed by Hollis Scarborough to help us understand the complexity of learning to read.
The Reading Rope is made up of two strands. Each strand is very important to the reading process and the success of your child as a reader.
The bottom strand (word recognition) consists of phonological awareness, decoding, and familiar word recognition (Tier words). When children are confident in this strand their reading becomes accurate and fluent (or smooth). This happens with repetition and practice. The top strand is made up of a child’s background knowledge, vocabulary, language structures, verbal reasoning, and literacy knowledge.
When both the top and bottom strands weave together children become skilled readers. This does not happen overnight; it requires instruction at school and practice at home. Reading to and with your children, each night is also an important way to extend your child’s reading vocabulary and build a love of books. Are you looking for exciting books to read at home? We have a great online resource.
You might like to use Sora as a repository of ebooks to read with and to your children. Read on to find out how.
Borrowing ebooks with the Sora App
Sora is an eReading platform available to schools across our diocese.
Sora is accessible as an app or via https://soraapp.com.
Students are able to log in with their school username and password and access age-appropriate ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines available in the Australian Catholic Education Network (ACEN) collection.
More information on how to log in can be found on the school intranet - Parent Tech Help Page
HPL: Art Update
Our Year 5 and 6 HPL Art students are enjoying their HPL Art sessions with Ms Perkins. The group meets each Wednesday and has been hard at work preparing to enter a competitive exhibition at the Ferry Park Gallery, Maclean. Their works of art will enter in the 8x8 small works section of the competition. The theme for their work is "From My Window."
We have some photos of their works in progress and look forward to sharing with you their completed works.
The Ferry Park Gallery exhibition is open from April 1.
2021/2022 Upcoming Events
March 2022
| 14 | Year 4 National Cartoon Gallery Visit |
| 14-18 | Parent Teacher Meetings |
| 18 | Swimming Program - Years 5 & 6 |
| 22 | Chicken Burger Day Years K - 2 |
| 23 | Year 3 Harmony Festival |
| 23 | Aboriginal Parent and Carers Meeting 3:15pm |
| 30 | Year 4 Sealy Lookout and Macauley's Headland Excursion |
| 25 | Swimming Program - Years 5 & 6 |
April 2022
| 1 | St Augustine's Trivia Night |
| 1 | Swimming Program - Years 5 & 6 |
| 7 | Last day Term 1 for Students |
| 8 | Staff Development Day - No Students |
Sport News & Sport Calendar - Term 1
Year 2 Cross Country Practice
Our Year 2 Cross Country Practice session at Brelsford Park was again postponed this week due the wet grounds. We hope to hold this next Thursday. This is non-competitive and is aimed at giving all students an opportunity to view the course and decide if they would like to compete in the U8/9 combined category at our selective carnival held later in the term.
Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival
The sunshine finally came out and we were able to hold the Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival last Friday. It was wonderful to see lots of student (and teacher) participation. Students were given options of events from 50m, 25m and indoor pool activities. Congratulations to Blue House for taking out the point score for the carnival! A big thank you to our parent volunteers who helped on the day and of course to all our wonderful students who made the day such fun.
Years 5 and 6 - Swimming Program
(Fridays - Weeks 6, 7, 8 & 9)
Year 5 & 6 commenced their Swimming Program today. They will continue this for Friday sport until Week 9. Please ensure your child has their swimmers, goggles and towel each week. Year 4 also had their catch up lesson this afternoon to make up for the one missed earlier in the term.
Years 3 and 4 - Athletics and Cross Country Training
(Fridays - Weeks 6, 7, 8 & 9)
Year 3 and 4 students commenced their preparation for athletics today. Unfortunately, the cross country practice at Brelsford Park was cancelled this week due to wet grounds. We pray for sunshine next week.
NSWPSSA BASKETBALL SELECTIONS
A big congratulations to Aribelle Dawes and Max Roulstone who have been selected to represent Polding at the NSWPSSA Basketball Championships! What a wonderful achievement! We wish you both the very best. We are super proud that you are representing St Augustine’s School at such a high level in your chosen sport. Well done Aribelle and Max!
LISMORE DIOCESAN SUMMER SPORTS TRIALS -
TOUCH FOOTBALL
The Lismore Diocese Summer Sports Trials (Touch Football) to be held in Lismore on the 8 March have been postponed to Thursday 17 March at Iluka.
Best of luck to Preston Burbridge, Louis Burbridge, Ruben Simpson, Jed Cruickshanks, Rory Aherne, Bodhi Wilson, Holly Johnson and Claire O’Rorke.
CRICKET
The Lismore Diocese Summer Sports Trials (Cricket) has been postponed to Tuesday 29 March. Best of luck to Parker Swan and Riley Wood.
LISMORE DIOCESE WINTER SPORTS TRIALS
Soccer, Rugby League and Hockey
The Lismore Diocese Winter Sports Trials (Soccer, Rugby League and Hockey) have been postponed and will be held in Grafton and South Grafton Friday 18 March.
Best of luck to our Soccer players:
Hannah Burton, Pippa Dodd, Ashton Deans, Max Crowley, Riley Wood, Ruby Smith, Billi Smith, Harlow Smith, Liana Montgomery, Reef Winkler, Jack Cardow and Taj Gray.
Best of luck to our Rugby League players:
Frankie Selmes, Alexander Radelescu, Preston Burbridge, Louis Burbridge.
Best of luck to Arlo Dent in Hockey. .
LISMORE DIOCESE WINTER SPORTS TRIALS
Rugby Union and Netball
Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent Clarence Zone at the Lismore Diocese Winter Sports Trials:
Rugby Union:
Jake Callander, Bodhi Wilson, Jedd Cruickshanks, Ashlin Doyle, Ruben Simpson, Eli Butcher, Luke Wilson, Willem Rowbotham, Rory Aherne
Netball:
Jennifer Martin, Mia Henry, Claire O’Rorke
We wish all these students the best of luck.
NETBALL NSW SCHOOLS CUP
St Augustine’s will have two teams attend the Netball NSW Schools Cup next week. Good luck to our netballers!
ST AUGUSTINE’S RUGBY UNION- Training is underway!
We are looking forward to another fun filled rugby season in 2022. If you are a returning player please make sure you are on the correct ‘What’sApp’ group for the team you will be playing with this year.
If you are a new player please contact me on 0438 427670 so I can put you in touch with your team manager. You are also encouraged to follow the Coffs Harbour Crusaders Junior Rugby Facebook page as well as the SAPS Rugby Facebook page.
Some notes for the diary:
- GET INTO RUGBY- postponed again to Friday 18 March at the Woolgoolga Sports Ground from 5.30pm to 7pm. All new and returning players are encouraged to attend with lots of fun and prizes on offer.
- Training started today. Please note that the 10th and 17th are also ‘come and try’ dates. If you are considering playing rugby please come along and join us. Students walk down to fields straight after the bell. Parents are to collect students by 4.30pm.
- First game is Friday 29 April. Most games are at Rugby Park, Toormina. Some away games are in Grafton and Dorrigo throughout the season.
Registration- Please register ASAP
Cost: $150
First 100 receive a Crusaders Jacket. (St Augustine’s Colours)
How To Register:
1- download your active kids voucher
2- download the ‘rugby explorer’ app or visit the webpage
3- choose club ‘Coffs Harbour Crusaders Junior Rugby Union Club’
4- select ‘player’ then ‘XV’ then ‘season’.
Please contact us if you have any trouble registering.
Rugby Gear
- Headgear, mouthguard and boots.
- SAPS rugby shorts and socks from Slick Sportswear.
- Jerseys will be allocated at training.
BASKETBALL
We have many families playing or seeking to play basketball. The Coffs Harbour Basketball Association has advised us that they are changing the structure of the competition to match summer and winter sport seasons. To find out more about basketball please use the Coffs Harbour Basketball Association website.
Candice Butcher
St Augustine’s Sport Coordinator
2022 Swimming Carnival
| March 2022 | |
| 17 | Diocesan Summer Sports Trials - Touch Football (Iluka) |
| 16 | Netball NSW Schools Cup (Coffs Harbour) |
| 18 | Diocesan Winter Sports Trials - Rugby Union, Netball, Hockey, Soccer, Rugby League (Grafton) |
| 22 | NSW CPS Polding Swimming Championships (Homebush) |
| 25 | Polding - Touch Football (Port Macquarie) |
| 29 | Diocesan Summer Sports Trials - Cricket (Lismore) |
| April 2022 | |
| 4-5 | NSW PSSA Swimming Championships (Homebush) |
| 4 | St Augustine’s Cross Country Trials (Brelsford Park) |
Parent Forum
Here we are mid term already with the time flying by! It has been so wonderful to have restrictions eased and to see parents once again allowed on the school grounds to drop off and pick up children. As well as attend events and activities including recent assembly and swimming carnival! We look forward to a lot more in the months ahead. Which brings me to....TRIVIA NIGHT!!!!! Do not miss this opportunity to come together with other parents, staff and the wider school community for a fun filled night of trivia and games! It has been such a long time since we have been able to host such a gathering and we can’t wait to swing open the doors and welcome everyone in...covid safe of course! Registrations are now open so jump online and register yourself, a couple, small group or table of 8. Tickets are just $10 per person and it’s BYO food and drinks! Click on the link to register, https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/st-augustines-trivia-night-tickets-294359375817 or check out the flyer attached or parent Facebook page for more information. If you have a business and would be interested in providing some sponsorship or donating prizes for the night we would LOVE to hear from you. The Parent Forum also meets next Tuesday (March 15) so if you have a question or feedback for the forum please don’t hesitate to contact us via the Facebook page or at sapsparentforum@outlook.com
Take care and God bless
Fran Davis
LARC News
With the eased restrictions, the LARC is now open before school from 8:30 am Tuesday to Friday. Students and parents are welcome to come in and return, browse and borrow the books in our library before school starts.
Borrowing
All students have the opportunity to borrow on the day they have Circle time, even if they are missing the LARC/Digi Tech rotation that week. Otherwise students are able to visit the LARC before school Tuesday to Friday, or at 2nd Lunch Monday to Thursday.
Overdues
Last week Overdue notices were sent home as a reminder for students to look for and return the books they have borrowed. We still have a number of books that are overdue from last year and would ask you to encourage your children to locate and return them.
2022 Premier’s Reading Challenge
The challenge opened last week and this week students across Grades 3 to 6 have begun updating their Digital Reading Logs.
The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. The Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) is open to all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 10, in government, independent, Catholic and home schools.
Students in Grades 3 to 6 need to log 20 books that they have read up until Friday 19 August 2022. Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 complete their lists with their class teachers and during their time in the LARC.
Firefly Arts Festival - Save the Date!
Firefly Arts Festival - Wednesday 25 May 2022 @ 6:15pm
COVID restrictions halted our 2021 Firefly Arts Festival in August of last year. We hope to share this celebration of the arts with our school community on Wednesday 25 May 2022 - so SAVE THE DATE! Watch this space for more information in the coming weeks.
2023 Kindergarten Enrolments
Canteen Menu for 2022
- 2022 CANTEEN MENU
Please see our updated 2022 canteen menu (below) emailed to families earlier this week.
There are a few minor price changes to some items. - SUSHI WEDNESDAYS
A reminder that we cannot accept sushi orders on Wednesdays - please order by the Tuesday prior - by 2pm for a paper bag order or 8pm for an online order. Thank you. - CANTEEN VOLUNTEERS
We really need help with our SPECIAL LUNCH DAYS which fall on alternate Tuesdays and the last day of every term. Helping in the canteen is a great way to meet other parents, support your child and our school. Please contact the school if you can spare a few hours on these busy days. Thank you.
Canteen Roster
Week beginning 14 March
- Monday - V Wall
- Tuesday - M Black, M Black
- Wednesday - P Duffy, B Symons
- Thursday - C Williams - Help Needed !
- Friday - G Dodd, L Knight, W McLean - Help Needed !
Week beginning 21 March
- Monday - L Seccombe
- Tuesday - M Black, M Black, C Williams
- Wednesday - J Martin, N Flintoff
- Thursday - S Crawford, M Van Den Boom
- Friday - P Duffy, W McLean, D McNeill - Help Needed!
Week beginning 28 March
- Monday - Help Needed!
- Tuesday - M Black, M Black,
- Wednesday - C Jones, A McCann
- Thursday - J Martin, C Williams
- Friday - W McLean, G Franklin - Help Needed !
Week beginning 4 April
- Monday - Help Needed !
- Tuesday - M Black, M Black, M Mainey
- Wednesday - C Jones - Help Needed !
- Thursday - L Horne
- Friday - P Duffy, W McLean - Help Needed !
Canteen News
Canteen helpers are always required, especially on Wednesdays as this is our sushi day, and on Fridays. Help is needed for three hours from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon once every four weeks. Grandparents are very welcome also. If you are able to help in the Canteen on any day please call us on 6652 1204.
Alicia Betland & Rosa Thomas - Canteen Managers
Seasons for Growth
This Term, we will be running the Seasons for Growth Program. Seasons is an innovative grief and loss program that uses the imagery of the seasons to illustrate the experience of grief. Mrs Eve Louden, School Chaplain, will be running the program. If you feel that your child would benefit from this program, please email naomi.loader@lism.catholic.
Parenting Ideas
Community Notices
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