Newsletter 6 May 2022
- Principal's Message
- 2022 Upcoming Events
- Faith and Mission News
- Learning and Teaching
- Sport News & Sport Calendar
- Trivia Night - Friday 13 May
- Parent Forum
- Firefly Arts Festival - TICKETS ON SALE
- Kinder 2023 enrolments close May 13
- St John Paul College - Year 7 2023 Enrolment Information
- Canteen Menu for 2022
- Canteen Roster
- Lunchtime Clubs 2022
- Parenting Ideas
Principal's Message
ANZAC Day March
Welcome to Term 2
Happy Mother's Day
Friday 6 May 2022 - Term 2 Week 2
Dear Parents and Carers
Happy Mothers’ Day to all of our amazing mums. I hope you have a chance for a small breather on Sunday and get spoiled by your beautiful children. Thanks to all who came along to the breakfast and liturgy - it was terrific to get everyone back into school after a 2 year break. Thanks especially to Mrs Loader, Mrs Woods and Mrs Montford who worked very hard to make the gathering a success.
The Parent Forum is organising a Trivia and Games Night on Friday evening 13 May. It promises to be a lot of fun. We have a couple of spare tables and some spaces at some tables, so talk to your friends and book in. Funds from the entry fees will go to helping victims of the Lismore flood, so it’s all going to a good cause.
Kindergarten enrolments for 2023 will close on Friday 13 May. This early date allows us to meet every new family and to get the necessary paperwork in order. If you have children at school already, you will automatically receive an offer for your Kindergarten child and won’t need to come in for a meeting, unless there are special circumstances. All offers will come out as soon as all the meetings are completed on 17 June.
The Pastoral Care survey was emailed last week and we have some responses but would like some more. By giving us some feedback, we will be able to tailor our programs and responses to better fulfil the needs of children and families. The survey will close early next week, so more information would be appreciated.
Child protection is of vital importance not only to the staff at the school but for parents, carers and the whole community. As ‘Mandatory Reporters’, the school is legally bound to report children at risk of harm. This is managed through the “Mandatory Reporting Guide’ (MRG) then through DCJ, the Office of the Children’s Guardian, The Ombudsman, Police and the Catholic Schools’ Office, depending on the nature of the report. Parents and carers can also directly report to the Child Protection Hotline on 132111. A copy of the policy is available at the front counter or on our website: https://www.cofhplism.catholic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/COFHP-ChildProtectionPolicy-Oct2020.pdf
The ability to read is one of the greatest gifts a child can receive. Children learn to read daily at school and also read for enjoyment. Like any skill however, the more you do it, the better you become. This is where we need your help. Next week we will be launching a number of initiatives to encourage children to read or get read to, 7 nights a week. This happens with some children already but we would like every child at St Augustine’s to participate so we can team together with parents to give this gift. We are finding that children from Yr 3 and higher are falling off in their borrowing and just not reading much. This directly impacts fluency and competence, especially in high school. We will be offering incentives, buying new books, giving encouragement and generally doing everything we can think of at school to get every child reading at home, but we can’t do it on our own. We’ll send home hints and tips over the next few weeks. If together we create a habit for every child it pays dividends for a lifetime.
Grace and peace,
Peter Watts
Principal.
2022 Upcoming Events
May 2022
| 10-13 | Naplan |
| 11-20 | Book Fair |
| 12 | School Assembly |
| 13 | Kindergarten 2023 Enrolment Applications Closing date |
| 13 | Parent Forum Trivia Night (NEW DATE) 7:00pm -8:30pm |
| 16-20 | Naplan |
| 17 | Years 5 & 6 Sausage Sizzle Day |
| 19 | Years K-2 Athletics Carnival |
| 25 | FIREFLY Art Festival 6:15pm-8:30pm |
June 2022
| 3 | School Assembly |
| 7 | First Eucharist Family Preparation Evening 6:30pm - 7:30pm |
| 8 | Musica Viva |
| 13 | Public Holiday |
| 16 | First Eucharist Retreat |
| 17 | Years 3-6 Athletics Carnival |
| 18-19 | First Eucharist Parish Masses |
| 22 | Opera Australia |
| 24 | School Assembly |
| 27-30 | Naidoc Week Celebrations |
| 29 | Naidoc Week Assembly |
July 2022
| 1 | Last Day Term 2 for Students |
Faith and Mission News
Mother’s Day
This morning we gave thanks to God for the wonderful gift of our mothers and the mother figures in our lives. We recalled how Mary, our spiritual mother, and our own earthly mothers follow God’s command to ‘Love One Another’ and love us so much. Many of our students said ‘I love you, Mum’ or ‘Thank you, Mum’ in over 20 different languages, representative of our families’ cultural backgrounds.
Mother's Day Gallery
Mother’s Day and Good Shepherd Sunday
Families are invited to come along to Mass this Sunday at 8am to thank God for the gift of our mothers and reflect on how Jesus cares for us as a good shepherd would care for his sheep. Children’s Liturgy will be on and there will be a special blessing for mothers. All are welcome.
Project Compassion Appeal 2022
It’s not too late to return your Project Compassion box if you haven’t already done so.
Sacramental Program 2022
The Sacrament of First Eucharist is coming up and students will soon be beginning their preparation in class.
Since the parent information meeting last term, there has been a change to the Mass times on a Sunday morning. Families are asked to decide which Mass they will be attending on the weekend of Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June and inform us by filling in the Google Form by Friday 20 May. As there are no Covid restrictions in place, there is no limit on the number of family members who can attend.
Options are:
Saturday 18 June, 5:30pm
Sunday 19 June, 8:00am
Sunday 19 June, 5:30pm
Other dates for your diary
- Family Preparation Evening Tuesday 7 June 6:30pm
An evening for parents and children to participate in a Passover Meal.
- Retreat for Students Thursday 16 June
Retreat will be held at St Augustine’s School for students making the Sacrament of First Eucharist during school hours.
Catholic Schools Week, 2-6 May
Catholic Schools Week is a time to celebrate our shared faith, educational excellence and the importance of every student. Catholic Schools offer an educational foundation for living life to the full through the development of the student’s spiritual, intellectual, physical, moral and emotional growth.
This year's theme "Community, Care, Compassion" echoes the broader mission of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lismore, to provide opportunities for all of our students to experience life to the full in caring and compassionate school communities. It is particularly pertinent at this challenging time for our diocese and the world.
Naomi Loader- Assistant Principal Mission
Dominique Montford - Leader of School Catechesis
Maria Woods - Leader of School Evangelisation
Resurrection Liturgy
Learning and Teaching
HPL Art - amazing work!
'FROM MY WINDOW'
Last Term our HPL Visual Arts group worked on pieces to enter into the 2022 Ferry Park Gallery 8x8 Art Competition. Our students had 5 weeks of lessons and gave up many lunches to complete their artworks. The theme for the competition this year was "From My Window" and our students were very creative in their thoughts and ideas. Each piece of work was carefully and creatively designed using different techniques and skills.
The opening of the exhibition and awards night was held at the Ferry Park Gallery on Friday night 8 April. Ms Perkins along with some of the students and their families attended. Congratulations to all 10 students on their amazing efforts. Jasper was awarded second place in his age division and Violet and Ashton both received Highly Commended awards. We couldn't be prouder!!!
Keep an eye out for more amazing works from this group of students.
Jump into Reading Challenge
This year we are focusing on building and encouraging great reading habits both at home and at school. Over each term we will be launching initiatives to encourage reading.
One of those initiatives will be our Jump into Reading Challenge - Can we read 1 million minutes over 20 weeks?
Our Jump into Reading challenge is to encourage all students to read more at home, documenting your reading as you go. Launching with Bookfair in Week 3 this term and going until Term 4 we are asking all students across the school to read at home for 10 minutes a day.
Did you know?
Reading 10 minutes a day, equates to 70 minutes a week, 700 minutes a term or 3,640 minutes a year. Imagine if all students in Kindergarten to Year 6 read for 10 minutes or more a day.
By the end of the week that's 50,400 minutes altogether.
By Term 3, Week 3 that’s over 500,000 minutes.
By Term 4, Week 3 we could have read for over 1 million minutes!
When we reach our 1 million minutes Mr Watts is going to Jump into Something ???
- more information to come.
There will be awesome rewards (including books, sports equipment and surprises) for individual, class and cohort reading log submissions.
Students will be asked to log their reading minutes each week via a Google Form accessible by the QR Code (below) from any device or using this link: https://forms.gle/ycVUoPz1X3TUX1xm8
Students will need to log into the form using their school username and password. They may be asked first to sign-in to Google. If you see the Google Sign in pop up box you will need to log in with your student’s full email address: username@lism.catholic.edu.au then click next, which will take you to the Lismore Diocese login where the student will use just their username and password.
Book Fair is coming…
Book Fair is arriving next week. From Thursday classes across the school will begin making their wishlists. We encourage all students to have as their first choice a book for reading before adding other items. The wishlists are what students would like to purchase - families are under no obligation to purchase all or any books on the wishlist.
Book Fair sales will begin Wednesday 18 May (8am) until Thursday 19 May (4pm). Parents and Carers are encouraged to come along and make purchases. We will have two eftpos machines and cash facilities available. Parents are also able to pay online and return the Wishlists on these days. Please ensure you note the 8 digit receipt number on the wishlist and highlight the books you have purchased.
Due to demand we often have to reorder books which arrive around two to three weeks after the Bookfair. These will be delivered directly to the student.
All students will have time to come to the LARC during Bookfair to make purchases.
New Books in the LARC
Many thanks go to Miles Gavin in Year 4 for his suggestion that we get these books for our library. Miles has been borrowing and reading these books from the local library and thought they would be a great addition to our library.
Some thoughts from Miles:
- My Life as a Coder actually helped me to code and not give up. I found it very difficult at first but after reading the book I am now coding with Grasshopper with my dad.
- The series is really interesting and they tell you lots of detail and information. They amaze me that they are really really good.
About the My Life Series
Janet and Jake Tashjian’s award-winning My Life series, praised by Kirkus Reviews as “a kinder, gentler Wimpy Kid with all the fun”, follows the coming-of-age misadventures of middle-grader Derek Fallon in school and through his attempts to follow his bliss as a cartoonist, video gamer, stuntboy, and ninja. Hilarious and uplifting, young readers will find themselves relating to Derek’s problems and inspired by his solutions.
Come in and browse these books next week on the new book shelf.
Have a book suggestion? Feel free to let us know.
Sport News & Sport Calendar
CLARENCE ZONE CROSS COUNTRY TRIALS
Our Cross Country Team travelled to Grafton for the Clarence Zone Cross Country Trials yesterday. The Racecourse proved to be a fast track and St Augustine’s students finished with outstanding results. Well done to all.
Congratulations to our students, who will proceed to the Lismore Diocese Cross Country Trials on 24 May.
| 8/9 Year Boys | 2nd - Nate Butcher |
| 10 Year Boys | 1st - Braxton Sharpley |
| 10 Year Girls | 4th - Pippa Keshk |
| 11 Year Boys | 1st - Max Crowley |
| 11 Year Girls | 1st - Hannah Burton |
| 12 Year Boys | 1st - Carter Crowley |
| 12 Year Girls | 2nd - Savannah Newman-Doves |
POLDING WINTER SPORTS TRIALS
Well done to our students who attended the Polding Winter Sports Trials in Bathurst last week. Congratulations to these students who played very well and showed great skills and sportsmanship.
NETBALL - Mia Henry and Jennifer Martin
RUGBY LEAGUE - Frankie Selmes and Alexandru Radulescu
SOCCER - Pippa Dodd and Liana Montgomery
TERM 2 SCHOOL SPORT - DANCE
This term we are very excited to have local dance teacher Maddison Boshard working with students from Kindergarten through to Year 6 in their sport time.
Students are working on dances choreographed to suit their level in class groups. Students are having a great time and are already looking amazing after only two weeks.
We can't wait to see the final product!
YEAR K-2 ATHLETICS CARNIVAL - 19 May 2022
Our Year K-2 Athletics Carnival will be held on Thursday 19 May on the St Augustine’s School field. Students have been busy working on their skills in field events and running. We look forward to a fun day of athletics!
Sport Calendar
| TERM 2 | |
| May 2022 | |
| 9 | Mid North Coast Primary Rugby 7s Competition (Rugby Park, Coffs Hbr) |
| 19 | Year K-2 Athletics Carnival (St Augustine's) |
| 24 | Lismore Diocesan Cross Country Trials (Grafton) |
| 31 | NSWPSSA Basketball (Tamworth) |
| June 2022 | |
| 7 | NSWCPS Cross Country Championships (Eastern Creek) |
| 10 | Rugby 10s Gala Day (Coffs Harbour) |
| 17 | Year 3-6 Athletics Carnival (Coffs Stadium) |
| 26 & 27 | Polding Rugby Union (Forbes) |
Trivia Night - Friday 13 May
Parent Forum
Well I ran out of time this week to put too much thought into these words for the newsletter but just wanted say how wonderful it is to have some exciting events over the next few weeks to connect and celebrate as a school community!
Thanks to all the beautiful mums and caregivers who came along to the Mother’s Day breakfast and liturgy. And even bigger thanks to the leadership and staff who made this morning so special.
Don’t miss this last opportunity over next couple of days to book your tickets for next Friday’s Trivia Night! Come on your own, as a couple, small group or table of 8! We have at least 15 tables ready to go and show off their trivia talent...but...it’s not just about the trivia, there will be lots of games and other prizes to be won. BYO food and drinks and bring a jumper as it’s being held in top undercover area!
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/
For any new families don’t forget to join our Parent Forum Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/staugustinesparents
Take care and God Bless,
Fran Davis
Firefly Arts Festival - TICKETS ON SALE
Wednesday 25 May 2022 @ 6:15pm - TICKETS ON SALE!
Beat the rush and purchase your Firefly tickets now at the school office. Family tickets are only $10 for a wonderful night of art, dance, singing and family fun. Free glow sticks will be given out on the night. Save the date: May 25. The gates will open and lights will be switched on from 6:15 pm, and closing at 8:30 pm.
Kinder 2023 enrolments close May 13
St John Paul College - Year 7 2023 Enrolment Information
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 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
Week beginning 23 May
- Monday - ????
- Tuesday - ?????
- Wednesday - P Duffy, B Symons
- Thursday - C Williams - Help Needed !
- Friday - G Dodd, L Knight, W McLean - Help Needed !
Week beginning 30 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
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
