Newsletter 17 June 2022
Principal's Message
Musica Viva - Doctor Stovepipe
Year 2 - Gangsta Granny Day
Friday 17 June 2022 - Term 2 Week 8
Dear Parents and Carers
Social justice is a key element of Catholic education at St Augustine’s and this is based on the Great Commandment to love God and love others. We do this in an age appropriate way such as the upcoming Pyjama Day (next Wednesday 22 June), where it is not only a bit of fun but also to raise awareness and some funds for the good work of our Mini Vinnies group in keeping people warm and well this chilly winter. We also teach children that social justice is a different way of looking at the world and the value of doing simple things that make a big difference.
COVID and the flu are causing extensive disruption to the operation of the school at the moment. Like most organisations and businesses, the current community illnesses have made staffing very difficult. Combine this with a local and national teacher shortage and the result is a daily battle to lessen the impact. On the positive, the way learning happens with our open, collaborative spaces has made this easier and ensures the learning program continues so that from a child’s point of view the classroom and play continues as normal.
NAIDOC Week will be held at school in the last week of the term. It is a chance to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is an opportunity for all students to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. We will host an assembly on Wednesday morning that features our brilliant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and then on Thursday morning we will have a special breakfast with a live radio broadcast with Lachie from One-Mob radio.
With the cold weather upon us don’t forget to label all jumpers so if they are lost they can find their way home. We have many, many jumpers in lost property without names. We recently received our new hat deliveries, which were delayed because of global supply chain issues and unrest in Sri Lanka. If you had purchased a non-uniform hat as an interim measure, please come into school to purchase a new embroidered school hat, so that all students can all wear the uniform with pride once again. We will check everyone has the right hat next week and I would encourage all families to make sure you check this at home as well.
Grace and peace,
Peter Watts
Principal
Stop Press: Congratulations to Ms Marsden on the arrival of a bouncy baby boy, Angus. All doing well.
2022 Upcoming Events
June 2022
| 18-19 | First Eucharist Parish Masses |
| 22 | Opera Australia |
| 24 | School Assembly |
| 27-30 | Naidoc Week Celebrations |
| 29 | Naidoc Week Assembly 9:00am |
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
Sacramental Program 2022
This week has been busy for our First Eucharist Candidates as they made their final preparations before their special day this weekend. They received the sacrament of Reconciliation, had a practice in the church and yesterday participated in a ‘First Eucharist Retreat’ The candidates explored the scripture 'I am the vine and you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you; you will bear much fruit'. The children recognised the 'fruits' such as love, joy, forgiveness, kindness, gentleness (and so many more) that they can bear in their lives as followers of Jesus. They also explored the word 'communion' and how we are all connected to each other and those who have gone before us through the love of Jesus Christ.
The Youth Ministry Officers from St JPC supported the students in their learning and fellowship by providing testimonials and leading some great games. Fr Joy joined them for the final liturgy to bless the special gifts that will be given to the children this weekend at one of the parish masses.
Please keep these children and their families in your prayers.
Sacrament of Confirmation
Students in Years 3 to 6 will be eligible to enrol in the preparation program for the Sacrament of Confirmation to be administered by Bishop Greg on September 21 or 22 this year. Keep an eye out for an information email and Google Form that will be shared in Week 10 of this term.
Multicultural Mass - Pentecost Sunday
Pentecost Sunday, on 5 June in St Augustine’s parish, was marked with a wonderful celebration of the multicultural nature of our community. Prayers and hymns during the Mass were in many languages and the church was awash with the many colours of flags and traditional dress. Afterwards, a multicultural feast was shared over in the Curran Centre garden, with delicious foods ranging from Asian noodle dishes to Italian ‘crostoli’ and the good old Aussie sausage sizzle. The weather was perfect for celebration and fellowship, strengthening our St Augustine’s parish family.
Naomi Loader- Assistant Principal Mission
Dominique Montford - Leader of School Catechesis
Maria Woods - Leader of School Evangelisation
Sport News & Sport Calendar
LISMORE DIOCESE RUGBY UNION 10s
On Thursday our U12 Rugby Union 10’s side competed in the Lismore Diocesan Gala Day at the Coffs Harbour International Stadium. St Augustine’s fought hard during the round games to secure 2nd place in their pool and were narrowly beaten by one try in the semi final. Congratulations to the players for playing such high quality rugby and many thanks to coaches Kevin Simpson and Paul Butcher for their guidance throughout the day.
CLARENCE ZONE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL - 20 JULY 2022
The St Augustine’s Athletics Team has been announced. Congratulations to those students who will be competing at the Clarence Zone Athletics Carnival next term. Permission notes and payment are now due. Please send these in with your child to the office.
POLDING CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Congratulations to our students who competed at the Polding Cross Country Championships at Eastern Creek last week. Well done to the following students who did St Augustine’s School proud and in very cold conditions amongst fast paced athletes placed very well.
Nate Butcher (8/9 Year Boys) - 34th
Max Crowley (11 Year Boys) - 23rd
Hannah Burton (11 Year Girls) - 8th
Unfortunately Hugh Morgan was unable to attend.
NSWPSSA BASKETBALL
Big congratulations to Aribelle Dawes and Max Roulstone who represented Polding and attended the NSWPSSA Basketball Championships in Tamworth. They played over four days. Max’s U14s team won 2 games and Aribelle’s U14s team won 4 games. St Augustine’s is very proud to have two of their students representing basketball at such a high level. Well done!
LISMORE DIOCESAN CRICKET TRIALS
This week Parker Swan and Riley Wood attended the Lismore Diocese Cricket Trials. Well done boys. Congratulations to Riley who was selected to attend the Polding Cricket Trials next term.
YEAR 3-6 TERM 3 ELECTIVE SPORT
We are looking forward to our students enjoying new and exciting sports next term. Year 3-6 Elective Sport invoices have been sent home. Please be reminded that payments are due today.
YEAR K-2 TERM 3 SPORT
Students in Years K-2 have been enjoying Netball and Basketball for sport on Thursdays. We have been fortunate to have development officers come into school and provide lessons working on skills, drills and mini games. This will continue for the remainder of the term.
Sport Calendar
| TERM 2 | |
| June 2022 | |
| 26 & 27 | Polding Rugby Union (Forbes) |
| TERM 3 | |
| July 2022 | |
| 20 | Clarence Zone Athletics (Coffs Harbour) |
| 22 | Years 3-6 Elective Sport commences (Term 3 Week 1) |
| 22 | NSWPSSA Cross Country (Eastern Creek) |
| August 2022 | |
| 12 | Lismore Diocese Athletics (Lismore) |
| 26 | Polding Cricket Trials (Tamworth) |
| September 2022 | |
| 9 | Polding Athletics (Newcastle) |
LARC News
Book Fair
Thank you to all parents and students who purchased books during our Book Fair. All reorders have been delivered to the students and we hope you have been enjoying reading them with your children.
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact the school with all enquiries.
The funds raised from the Book Fair will be used to buy books and resources for the LARC. If you or your child have any recommendations please let us know.
Jump into Reading Challenge
Our Jump into Reading Challenge has kicked off and we have recorded over 130 000 minutes so far with over 65% of students having submitted reading logs in the last four weeks.
By the end of term we are hoping to have logged over 350 000 minutes to be on track to reach our 1 million minutes by Term 4.
Students will be asked to log their reading minutes each week via a Google Form accessible by the QR Code from any device or using this link: https://forms.gle/ycVUoPz1X3TUX1xm8
Musical Help Please!
Mini Vinnies Pyjama Day - Wed 22 June
Dear Parents and Carers,
Next Wednesday 22 June, Mini Vinnies will be culminating their Winter Appeal with a Pyjama Day for all children. For a gold coin donation, children are able to come to school in their comfiest pyjamas. Slippers can be worn in the classroom but appropriate footwear is required for the playground (as well as a hat). Hot chocolates will also be available on the day. These will be $2 each or $2.50 with marshmallows.
Please continue to support our Winter Appeal by donating new socks or good-quality second-hand blankets or jumpers until that day.
Thank you for your support.
The Mini Vinnies Team
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
Parent Forum
Well we’ve nearly made it through a hectic term! After a quiet-ish couple of years, school life is well and truly back in full swing and it has been a wonderful highlight of the term to see events such as Firefly, Parent Trivia Night, athletics carnivals and Mother’s Day bringing our wider school community together.
In such a big school and with all of us leading busy lives it can sometimes be hard to nurture a sense of community. But one of the aims of the Parent Forum is to try and find creative ways in which we can continue to grow and support our community. If you are new to our school whether in Kindergarten or older years, we hope you feel welcome here. And perhaps it is a timely reminder to all of us, that we all have a part to play in strengthening our community. Maybe it’s a cheery hello as you walk with someone into the school; or starting a conversation with someone new at pick up. The little things we can do to reach out to others can make a big difference!
On a very different note, I wanted to highlight a great example of how the Parent Forum can be a mechanism for instigating ideas and change in the school. Recently, the Parent Forum was asked by some parents to consider a change to the school sports uniform and possibly the introduction of zip up jacket. After discussion at our meeting (which included school leadership) and gathering of informal feedback it was decided that yes in fact it may be a good time to update the sports uniform. Hence the call out from Mr Watts in the last newsletter for anyone interested in being part of this process.
So as always, we’re happy to hear your ideas and any questions you may have. The Parent Forum can be contacted via email at sapsparentforum@outlook.com and if you haven’t already, join our parent community Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/staugustinesparents
Stay warm and God bless,
Fran Davis
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 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
Week beginning 18 July
- Monday - Help Needed !!!
- Tuesday - M Black, M Black,
- Wednesday - C Jones, E Taylor
- Thursday - J Martin, C Williams
- Friday - W McLean, G Franklin - Help Needed !
Week beginning 25 July
- Monday - Help Needed !!!
- Tuesday - M Black, M Black, M Mainey
- Wednesday - C Jones - Help Needed !
- Thursday - L Horne, C Burbridge
- 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
