Newsletter 3 June 2022
Principal's Message
Firefly Arts Festival
BLUE HOUSE winners at the 3-6 Athletics Carnival
Friday 3 June 2022 - Term 2 Week 6
Dear Parents and Carers
Our Firefly Arts Festival was once again a huge success with a packed house and a chance to celebrate the creativity and innovation of our students. Special thanks go to our driving forces of this event, Leonie Hewitt, Dustin Kerr and Michelle Scott, who have gone above and beyond to create a visual feast of children’s art. Add to that the wonderful staff, parents and children, and it added up to a great night.
It was wonderful to be a part of the Year 3-6 athletics carnival this week. The team spirit in each of the houses was evident in the ear splitting war-cries and the participation in many events for house points. What was very pleasing was the cheering for all competitors, regardless of house colour and the sense of celebrating the success of others. Thanks to Candy Butcher and Sione George who worked hard to make the day a success.
We have a major administrative change being implemented across the school in the next 4 weeks that will have an impact on every family. The system is called COMPASS and involves a new way of completing online permission notes, a new app and importantly, a new way of paying fees. Fees will be centrally collected by the Lismore Catholic Schools Office and will take a new format, with quarterly payments invoiced to each family, similar to how Council rates are billed. The cost of annual fees will remain similar to current amounts. I’ll email more next week so stay tuned.
The Parent Forum met this week and one of the topics of discussion was the school uniform. It was resolved to investigate changes to the sports shirt and shorts as well as the jumper. A parent sub-committee is being established to bring ideas and products together for consultation with the community. If you would like to be a part of the group, ring or email the school. If there are changes, they aim to be affordable, smart looking and phased in over time.
This Sunday at 8am there will be a special Mass at the Church and all are welcome. The feast of Pentecost that celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit onto the early followers of Jesus, and the description in the Acts of the Apostles outlines how at that time, people from across the world, of all different languages could suddenly speak the same language. The Mass on Sunday celebrates our global faith and Coffs Harbour as a centre for refugee settlement with all of our cultural groups coming together to celebrate, speaking the same language of the love of God and neighbour. It’s colourful, fun and the food after Mass is amazing.
Grace and peace
Peter Watts
2022 Upcoming Events
June 2022
| 7 | First Eucharist Family Preparation Evening 6:30pm - 7:30pm |
| 8 | Musica Viva |
| 13 | Public Holiday |
| 14 | Sausage Sizzle Day - Years K - 2 |
| 16 | First Eucharist Retreat |
| 17 | Year 2 Gangster Granny Day |
| 18-19 | First Eucharist Parish Masses |
| 22 | Opera Australia |
| 24 | School Assembly |
| 27-30 | Naidoc Week Celebrations |
| 29 | Naidoc Week Assembly |
July 2022
| 1 | Canteen Special - End of Term Hot Dog Day |
| 1 | Last Day Term 2 for Students |
| 18 | First Day Term 3 for Students |
Faith and Mission News
Multicultural Mass - Pentecost Sunday
Please click HERE for more detailed information about how your family can take part in this special Mass.
Sacramental Program 2022
On Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June, 59 students from Years 4, 5 and 6 will be receiving Jesus for the first time in the Holy Eucharist. Please pray for these children and their families as they continue to prepare for this most holy sacrament.
Important Information for Parents and Carers of Candidates
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 Monday 23 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.
Naomi Loader- Assistant Principal Mission
Dominique Montford - Leader of School Catechesis
Maria Woods - Leader of School Evangelisation
Learning and Teaching
Encouraging Reading at Home
An author visit opportunity not to be missed!
An exciting author event coming up at Harry Bailey Memorial Library, Coffs Harbour next week. Award-winning author Shivaun Plozza will be visiting the library to talk about her soon-to-be-released book for middle-grade readers, A Reluctant Witches Guide to Magic.
A Reluctant Witches Guide to Magic is perfect for middle-grade readers and those who love a bit of magic! It is a funny, quirky middle-grade fantasy about a non-magical girl who discovers she does, indeed, have magic—and she must choose between two warring witch covens or she'll explode!
Shivaun Plozza is the award-winning author of Frankie and Tin Heart. She won the Davitt Award for Best YA Crime Novel in 2017 and has been short-listed for numerous prizes, including the CBCA Book of the Year. The Boy, the Wolf, and the Stars, her debut middle-grade fantasy, was published in 2020.
This session is proudly supported by the Bellingen Readers & Writers Festival Schools Program.
Session Details
Author Visit- Shivaun Plozza
Harry Bailey Memorial Library, Coffs Harbour
Thursday 9 June 2022
4.15pm
Firefly Arts Festival
The Firefly Arts Festival held on the evening of May 25 was a wonderful community celebration of the Creative Arts at St Augustine's Primary School. Over 1000 of our students and families came together for a truly special night. The school roofs and walls were illuminated with digital art displays of student work showcasing their imagination and creativity. The static art gallery displayed the original collection of school-wide artworks. Collaborative Cohort installations reflected how, when students work together, something magical can be created.
The night itself was filled with excitement. The school community, keen to celebrate and support the school after COVID, came out in droves and the night didn't disappoint. What a delight it was to see so many families enjoying the inspirational creativity of their children. The Firefly Art Festival showcased what can be achieved when you work together and provide ‘a canvas’ for ideas and inspiration.
The night could not have happened without the imagination, skills, efforts, and dedication of our staff. A special shout-out has to go to Dustin Kerr and Leonie Hewitt, and the Creative Production Team who worked tirelessly with our dancers and school choir.
A huge thank you also to the many volunteers who helped at the BBQ and in the canteen. Your support is appreciated. To all of our families who came and celebrated the night with us, thank you. The joy in the air was palpable. Inspired Audio Visual lived up to its name…inspired! Their skills and professionalism with the lighting were impressive.
Most importantly, congratulations to the our students on their wonderful artworks. Without your imagination and creativity, none of this could happen.
Did you know:
Engagement in the arts has a positive impact on academic achievement and student wellbeing. It provides experiences of connectedness, curiosity, expression, and independent learning. Through the arts, students are encouraged to extend their creativity while developing skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and appreciation.
2022 Firefly Arts Festival
Firefly 'Making of Video'
Below you will find our 'Firefly Making of video'. This was produced last year (with a few additions in 2022) to show on the 'big screen' at Firefly - unfortunately we couldn't have the LED screen on May 25 due to the weather forecast, so we are including it in today's newsletter. The video is very long (intended as a backdrop to the artworks) so please use the chapter markers to navigate to your child's year level, remembering that these images are mostly from 2021.
Enjoy!
Sport News & Sport Calendar
PRIMARY SCHOOLS RUGBY UNION 7s REGIONAL FINALS
On Wednesday our U10s and U12s Rugby Union teams competed at the regional finals of the Primary Schools Rugby Union 7s. Both teams played extremely well in the round games and made it to the grand final. The U10's played a much improved BDC side who caught us by surprise in the final seconds to score a try and create a draw. The U12's faced a tough opponent in St Joseph's Kempsey. With scores levelled St Augustine’s fought back to score a last minute try in another nail biting game to come away with the win! The U12's will now progress to a Country Final. Congratulations to both sides and a huge thank you to the parents who helped coach and manage the sides on the day.
YEAR 3-6 ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
The Year 3-6 Athletics Carnival was held on Monday at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium. Well done to all students who participated in the track and field events. The 400m fun run was full of colour and smiles!
Congratulations to our age champions:
Junior Girl - Grace Duede
Junior Boy - Cohen Straw
11 Year Girl - Alexis Johnston
11 Year Boy - Frankie Selmes
Snr Girl - Mia Henry
Snr Boy - Ruben Simpson
Congratulations to our Athletics Team who will be competing at the Clarence Zone Athletics Carnival next month:
Grace Duede, Pippa Keshk, Noah Keshk, Nate Butcher, Hannah Burton, Reef Winkler, Max Crowley, Ashton McFarlane, Savannah Newman-Doves, Charlie Hottes, Carter Crowley, Alex Cabral-Barbosa, Pippa Rowbotham, Sophie MacDonald, Vinnie Fensom, Blake Galvin, Poppy Warren, Sut Htoi Hkawn, Jack Tyler, Tillie Riebelt, Preston Burbridge, Cohen Straw, Alexis Johnston, Harlow Smith, Frankie Selmes, Willem Rowbotham, Mia Henry, Ruben Simpson, Louis Burbridge, Henry Hairi Ri, Grace Davis, Rosemary Nealand, Billy Backhouse, Jahzara McKechnie-Bond, Luke Welsh, Riley Wood, Grace Majambere, Eli Butcher, Dylan Kidd, Coco Becker, Joey Galvin, Jack Cardow, Holly Johnson, Makenna Broadbent.
3-6 Athletics Carnival
LISMORE DIOCESE CROSS COUNTRY TRIALS
On Tuesday 24 May, 19 St Augustine’s represented the Clarence Zone at the Lismore Diocesan Cross Country Trials in Grafton. In an extremely fast field, our students were well represented in the top placings on the day and many personal best times were achieved. We are pleased to announce that four of our students will now progress to the NSWCPS Cross Country to be held at Eastern Creek. Congratulations to Hugh Morgan, Nate Butcher, Max Crowley and Hannah Burton. Special congratulations also goes to Hannah Burton who was runner up age champion on the day.
Well done to the following students for representing Clarence Zone:
Rylee Hibbs, Nate Butcher, Hugh Morgan, Jack Tyler, Angus Morgan, Pippa Keshk, Tahina Yaya, Noah Keshk, Reuben Wong, Braxton Sharpley, Thomas Joyce, Pippa Dodd, Fleur Keating, Hannah Burton, Max Crowley, Savannah Newman-Doves, Lily-Mei Wong, Charlie Hottes, Carter Crowley.
Sport Calendar
| TERM 2 | |
| June 2022 | |
| 7 | NSW CPS Cross Country Championships (Eastern Creek) |
| 16 | Rugby 10s Gala Day (Coffs Harbour) |
| 26 & 27 | Polding Rugby Union (Forbes) |
| TERM 2 | |
| July 2022 | |
| 20 | Clarence Zone Athletics (Coffs Harbour) |
| 22 | NSWPSSA Cross Country (Eastern Creek) |
| August 2022 | |
| 12 | Lismore Diocese Athletics (Lismore) |
| September 2022 | |
| 9 | Polding Athletics (Newcastle) |
Musical Helpers Please!
Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal
Mini Vinnies are very pleased that the donations for our Winter Appeal have started to come in. Considering how cold it has been, we are definitely hoping for some more...Please check your cupboards for good condition jumpers (of all sizes) and blankets, or donate a new pair of socks. For something fun to do, you could make a blanket to help keep someone warm this Winter.. 'How to make a blanket' instructions are here. Please keep donating until Wednesday, 22nd June. Thank you from Mini Vinnies.
NEW SOCKS!
2nd hand JUMPERS
2nd hand (or NEW) BLANKETS
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 6 June
- Monday - Help Needed !
- 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 13 June
- Monday - Public Holiday
- Tuesday - M Black, M Black, M Mainey
- Wednesday - C Jones - Help Needed !
- Thursday - L Horne
- Friday - P Duffy, W McLean, K Cochran
Week beginning 20 June
- Monday - V Wall, A Smith
- 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 27 June
- 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, 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
