Newsletter 7 April 2022
- Principal's Message
- 2022 Upcoming Events
- Faith and Mission News
- Learning and Teaching
- Sport News & Sport Calendar
- ANZAC Day March - Mon 25 April
- Mother's Day 2022 - Friday 6 May
- Trivia Night - Friday 13 May
- Parent Forum
- 2023 Kindergarten Information Evening
- Firefly Arts Festival - Wed 25 May
- Canteen Menu for 2022
- Canteen Roster
- Lunchtime Clubs 2022
- Parenting Ideas
- Community Notices
Principal's Message
CONGRATULATIONS COCO!!!!
Holy Week
St Augustine's Cross Country
Thursday 7 April 2022 - Term 1 Week 10
Dear Parents and Carers
I’d like to thank everyone for your support of the school over term one. It has been quite a challenging term for students, staff and families; from the endless rain to COVID to the dire lack of casual teaching staff. We have worked hard for everything to run well and keep the school productive and fun for the students and will continue to do so.
Easter is the central and most important celebration of the year for the Church. Next week is known as Holy Week, a time after Lent where the events leading up to Jesus’ death are remembered, and in the Catholic tradition, a time of quiet reflection. The children at school have been working on this in their Religious Education lessons and have experienced their own mini-pilgrimage, walking through the events of Holy Week from Palm Sunday to the Resurrection. Easter Sunday is the celebration of Jesus' resurrection, of new life, hence the prevalence of eggs and bunnies. The celebration of Easter has been a tradition of the Church from the earliest times, likely from the 2nd century, then formalised at the Council of Nicaea in the year 325, and we are a part of that long history.
Chris Kane, who was the P&F President at St Augustine’s for many years, sadly passed away last week after a cycling accident. Chris was a generous and cheerful member of our community who always had time for a chat and he is fondly remembered by all who crossed his path. Vale.
As you may already know, our school swimming team performed to an incredible level at the recent PSSA NSW swimming titles. It’s a rare feat to have so many competitors at this level and even rarer to succeed. Our Junior girls relay team is officially the fastest in the state! Coco Becker also performed extremely well on an individual level with a Gold medal in 50m freestyle then three silvers and a bronze in other events. Amazing.
Don’t forget ANZAC day - 25 April, on the Monday before we return. If you’d like your child to join the school march, meet outside Genesis Gym at 8.45am in full school uniform. Please don’t forget hats - it can be quite hot or very wet, but either way a hat is essential.
We have the unusual situation this year where we have two staff development days either side of the holidays in addition to a public holiday. We are always reluctant to extend holidays for students as this does put pressure on families however in order to have professional development, we need to take this time. On April 26 staff will hear from Dr Dan White, a nationally recognised speaker and author of many books. Other schools will be coming to St Augustine's to present to staff to learn about the history of the Church in relation to Catholic Social Teaching and working on how we can translate this into good works to others less fortunate. School will resume on Wednesday 27 April for the children.
May God bless you in this Easter season,
Peter Watts
Principal
2022 Upcoming Events
April 2022
| 8 | Staff Development Day - No Students |
| 25 | Public Holiday - ANZAC DAY - No Students |
| 26 | Staff Development Day - No Students |
| 27 | First Day Term 2 for Students |
May 2022
| 4 | Kindergarten 2023 Information Evening |
| 6 | Mother's Day Breakfast & Liturgy |
| 10-13 | Naplan |
| 13 | Kindergarten 2023 Enrolment Applications Closing date |
| 13 | Parent Forum Trivia Night (NEW DATE) |
| 16-20 | Naplan |
| 16-20 | Book Fair |
| 19 | Years K-2 Athletics Carnival |
| 25 | FIREFLY Art Festival |
Faith and Mission News
Holy Week Pilgrimage
In preparation for Holy Week next week, all classes went on a pilgrimage to focus on Jesus’ words and actions in the final days before he was crucified and reflect on His saving love for us. The Pilgrimage began in the backyard of the Parish Office buildings with ‘Jesus’ Triumphant Entry Into Jerusalem’. As a Year 6 volunteer acting as Jesus walked the road, the children waved their palm branches and sang ‘Hosanna to Our King!’ They then moved into the Curran Centre for a moving re-enactment of the Last Supper and the washing of the feet. The ‘Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane’ occurred just outside the Curran Centre and then the students made their way to the church for the events of Good Friday. The children prayed the Stations of the Cross, recalling the passion and death of our Lord, Jesus and finished with a solemn prayer and song.
We pray that you and your family will share in the joy of the resurrection this Easter. We will celebrate Jesus’ triumph over sin and death during a special liturgy on the first day back at school.
Holy Week Pilgrimage
Project Compassion Appeal 2022
A big thank you to everyone who has generously donated money to help the needy through Project Compassion. Please return any boxes early next term.
Sacramental Program 2022
Last Tuesday, most of the students who will be making their First Holy Communion this year received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. It was a very special time as the children experienced the grace of God’s never ending love and forgiveness sacramentally.
Reconciliation is available to all parishioners on Saturdays 9:30am-10:30am and 4:30pm -5:30pm or via appointment with one of our priests (66510000).
Easter Message
Wishing all of our families a happy and holy Easter as we celebrate the joy of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday, the foundation of our Christian faith.
May the following two weeks be a time of renewal and moments spent with family.
Naomi Loader- Assistant Principal Mission
Dominique Montford - Leader of School Catechesis
Maria Woods - Leader of School Evangelisation
Learning and Teaching
Thank you to all of our families for all that you do in supporting the students both at school and at home. This term has been exciting and busy and the upcoming 2-week break is a time to rest and renew. It's a time for the students to step away from the classroom for a short time and then come back to school rejuvenated.
We all know how important reading is so you are encouraged to read, read, and read with your children over the break. Here are some suggestions for both the younger and older readers
Picture books for younger readers | Chapter Books and Authors |
| Authors
Books
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LARC NEWS
Students this week have been listening to and exploring books and resources around ANZAC Day. In preparation for ANZAC day which will be at the end of the holidays.
There has been great discussion on the events of World War 1 and Australia’s involvement in the war. Part of this discussion has been listening to various stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’s from the resource Stories of Indigenous Service. This resource was recently given to us from the Australian Government.
Borrowing in the LARC
All students have been encouraged to borrow for the holidays.
Next term we will be chasing books that have been overdue since the start of the year. We ask parents to assist their child in locating and returning any overdue books prior to week 2 when we will be sending out invoices for payment to replace misplaced or lost books.
Once payment is received in the LARC for misplaced or lost books we will issue you with a receipt. Should the books be located at a later date we will be able to refund you the money.
Sport News & Sport Calendar
ST AUGUSTINE’S CROSS COUNTRY TRIALS
By the seaside! The rain held and our students ran their hearts out at our Cross Country Trials this morning. Thank you to our parent volunteers, student helpers and staff for making the morning a success. Congratulations to our top 5 place getters in each age group, who will proceed to Zone next term.
8/9 Year Boys
1st - Nate Butcher, 2nd - Hugh Morgan, 3rd - Jack Tyler, 4th - Angus Morgan, 5th - Parker Murphy-Moore, 6th - Riley O’Brien, 7th - Ollie Chiswell
8/9 Year Girls
1st - Rylee Gibbs, 2nd - Pippa Rowbotham, 3rd - Olivia Harrison, 4th - Valentina Mason, 5th - Ariana Yaya, 6th - Charlie Bell, 7th - Sut Htoi Hkwan Maran
10 Year Boys
1st - Eric Greenwood, 2nd - Noah Keshk, 3rd - Reuben Wong, 4th - Braxton Sharpley 5th - Thomas Joyce, 6th - Nash Sanders, 7th - Alex Greenwood
10 Year Girls
1st - Grace Duede, 2nd - Pippa Keshk, 3rd - Sienna Porter, 4th - Tahina Yaya, 5th - Chella Dixon, 6th - Isla Hottes, 7th - Brooklyn Kennedy
11 Year Boys
1st - Max Crowley, 2nd - Tanner Gillespie, 3rd - Levi Schultz, 4th - Hamish Armstrong, 5th - Ashton McFarlane, 6th - Oliver Hammond, 7th - Luke Welsh
11 Year Girls
1st - Pippa Dodd, 2nd - Hannah Burton, 3rd - Reef Winkler, 4th - Fleur Keeting, 5th - Billi Smith, 6th - Ruby Smith, 7th - Harlow Smith
12 Year Boys
1st - Carter Crowley, 2nd - Banjo Dworjanyn, 3rd - Jed Cruickshanks, 4th - Ashlin Doyle, 5th - Louis Burbridge, 6th - Rory Aherne, 7th - Dylan Kidd
12 Year Girls
1st - Savannah Newman-Doves, 2nd - Lily-Mei Wong, 3rd - Mia Henry, 4th - Charlie Hottes, 5th - Coco Chiswell, 6th - Addison Spagnolo
Please refer to our Facebook page for the photo gallery.
NSWPSSA SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
What amazing achievements by our incredibly talented swimmers in the pool at the NSWPSSA Swimming Championships in Homebush! We are delighted to share the following results:
INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
Coco Becker
GOLD - 50m Freestyle
SILVER - 50m Butterfly
SILVER - 50m Backstroke
SILVER - 200m IM
BRONZE - 50m Breaststroke
Luke Wilson
9th - 50m Backstroke
Hope Mengel
15th - 50m Freestyle
RELAY TEAMS
GOLD - Jnr Girls Relay Team
(Pippa Keshk, Brooklyn Kennedy, Grace Duede, Coco Becker)
4th - Jnr Boys Relay Team
(Cohen Straw, Finnley Johnson, Harrison Howe, Billy Backhouse)
7th Heat - Snr Girls Relay Team
(Liana Montgomery, Savannah Newman-Doves, Hannah Burton, Lily-Mei Wong)
Congratulations to all our swim team!
PSSA Swim Squad - Day 1
PSSA Swim Squad - Day 2
Sport Calendar
| TERM 2 | |
| May 2022 | |
| 4 | Zone Cross Country (Grafton) |
| 6 | Lismore Diocesan Rugby Union Trails (South Grafton) |
| 19 | Year K-2 Athletics Carnival (St Augustine's) |
| 24 | Lismore Diocesan Cross Country (Grafton) |
| June 2022 | |
| 7 | NSWCPS Cross Country Championships (Eastern Creek) |
| 17 | Year 3-6 Athletics Carnival (Coffs Stadium) |
ANZAC Day March - Mon 25 April
Dear Parents and Carers,
Each year students from Kinder to Year 6 are encouraged to represent St Augustine's in the ANZAC Day march. If your child is able to march with our school, please meet outside Genesis gym in full school uniform, including your school hat, at 8:45am on Monday 25 April.
It is advisable for students to carry a drink bottle. Students will march with school staff. Parents may collect students from the end of the march before students are seated at the cenotaph or after the ceremony. Students will remain with staff until a parent collects them.
Naomi Loader
Assistant Principal - Mission
Mother's Day 2022 - Friday 6 May
Dear Mothers and Mother like figures in our lives,
You are invited to celebrate Mother’s Day with us at St Augustine’s School on Friday 6 May 2022. We will begin with a breakfast and cuppa supplied by the school from 7:30-8:30am followed by a whole school liturgy at 9am. Both of these will be in our undercover top area. For those Mothers who can stay for both, you are most welcome to play with your child from 8:30-8:50, visit the LARC and read or sit and chat until the liturgy begins.
Once you, our special guests, have departed after the liturgy, the students will have the opportunity to purchase a gift for you from the Parent Forum Mother’s Day Stall (gifts are $5 each).
For catering and organisational purposes we ask for you to indicate your attendance on the google form here https://docs.google.com/forms/
We can’t wait to celebrate this special day with you,
Naomi Loader
Assistant Principal - Mission
Trivia Night - Friday 13 May
Parent Forum
The end of yet another topsy-turvy term is upon us. Between the wet and wild weather and the effects of ‘living with covid’ I’m sure everyone is looking forward to the Easter break.
Despite the various cancellations and postponements it has still been wonderful to get back to some kind of normal, with parents and carers once again more present in our community via drop offs and pick ups, parent/teacher meetings, assemblies and sporting events. We also have so much to look forward to in Term 2, significant opportunities to gather and connect with other parents and the school community. Events such as the Mother’s Day breakfast and liturgy, Book Week festivities, Firefly, athletics carnivals and of course our rescheduled Trivia Night!
Whilst we were disappointed to have to make the call to postpone we are excited about the new date and the opportunity to have even more parents attend. So if you haven’t already booked a ticket or table, get on board for what will be a fun filled night of food, trivia and games...and fantastic prizes!!!
Blessings for the Easter break to you and yours as we continue to pray for those who are suffering at this time.
Take care and God bless,
Fran Davis
2023 Kindergarten Information Evening
Firefly Arts Festival - Wed 25 May
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.
Canteen Menu for 2022
- 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 25 April
- Monday - Anzac Day
- Tuesday - Staff Development Day - No Students
- Wednesday - P Duffy, B Symons
- Thursday - C Williams - Help Needed !
- Friday - G Dodd, L Knight, W McLean - Help Needed !
Week beginning 2 May
- Monday - L Seccombe, S Forbes
- 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, K Cochran
Week beginning 9 May
- Monday - A Smith
- Tuesday - M Black, M Black,
- Wednesday - C Jones, A McCann, E Taylor
- Thursday - J Martin, C Williams
- Friday - W McLean, G Franklin - Help Needed !
Week beginning 16 May
- Monday - Help Needed !
- Tuesday - M Black, M Black, M Mainey
- Wednesday - C Jones - Help Needed !
- Thursday - L Horne
- Friday - P Duffy, W McLean, K Cochran
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
Lunchtime Clubs 2022
Parenting Ideas
Community Notices
