Newsletter 1 July 2022
- Principal's Message
- 2022 Upcoming Events
- Faith and Mission News
- Learning and Teaching
- Sport News & Sport Calendar
- LARC News
- Parent Teacher Meetings Term 3
- Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal - THANK YOU!
- Musical Update - Costume time!
- Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2022
- Grandparent's Day - Save the Date - 7 Nov
- Canteen Menu for 2022
- Canteen Roster
- Lunchtime Clubs 2022
- Parenting Ideas
- Community Notices
Principal's Message
Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal
Celebrating NAIDOC Week
Friday 1 July 2022 - Term 2 Week 10
Dear Parents and Carers
Thank you for your support in helping to make the second term a very successful one. Despite the challenges involving COVID and the the flu impacting students and staff, we were able to celebrate our fantastic Firefly Arts Festival, host a fun Trivia Night (thanks to the Parent Forum and helpers), run the K-2 and 3-6 Athletics Carnivals, celebrate the First Communion of many students, watch Dr Stovepipe at Musica Viva then Opera Australia’s performance of Cinderella before rounding the term out with the celebration of NAIDOC week. My sincere thanks to parents, staff and particularly the Leadership Team in making the school a place of learning and interest for the children.
Thanks to everyone who has participated in the Home Reading challenge. It can be a bit of a chore recording the minutes but it is one part of our strategy for children to read or be read to, every night, 7 nights a week. Reading every day greatly improves efficiency for the readers. As the skill becomes automatic, instead of the brain working on how to read and decode, the energy goes into understanding the story. Every child reads each day at school but home reading really multiplies the skill. The challenge for families during school holidays is to continue the home reading wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, so the skills don’t go backwards. As an incentive for recording minutes, each minute will count for double in the holidays. That’s all the family, not just the kids. There will be 7 random draws with fantastic prizes and acknowledgement of effort in the first week back. Good luck!
The core of the learning at school is English and Maths but the extra activities provide interest, fun and form part of the overall educational experience for students. Next term we are looking forward to celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation with the Bishop, dress-ups for Book Week, celebrating St Augustine’s Feast Day with the Colour-thon, elective sports for Yr 3-6, Father’s Day breakfast, and our school musical, Hoodwinked. Next term we will also participate in a whole school review, with a panel visiting to analyse all aspects of the school. Parent input will have a place in this review and in addition there will be a survey of all families. Next term we have new staff starting and restarting or moving roles. Ms Emily Wilson will be taking over class 2BC from Jenna Cheers and Erin Bennett and Ms Elizabeth Rathgen will be taking over 5M as Laura Marsden is busy with her newborn, Angus. Brooke Hayes will return in a support role for 3 days per week. We also have 6 new students starting next term - please make them welcome.
Grace and peace,
Peter Watts
Principal
2022 Upcoming Events
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 |
| 27 | Confirmation Commitment Evening 7:00pm |
August 2022
| 1-5 | Parent Teacher Meetings |
| 4 | Kinder 101 Days at School |
| 4 | Coffs Cup 1/2 day holiday |
| 7 | St Augustine's Primary School Mass - 8:00am |
| 15 | Assumption of Mary Mass - 12:00 noon |
| 26 | St Augustine's Colour-Thon |
September 2022
| 2 | Father's Day Liturgy - 9:05am |
| 13-15 | HOODWINKED Musical |
| 19 | Year 4 Accendere Spiritual Retreat |
| 21 | Sacrament of Confirmation 5:30pm |
Faith and Mission News
Sacramental Program 2022
Congratulations to all our students from Year 4 and 5 who received Jesus in the Holy Eucharist for the first time last weekend. This happened at all three parish masses and was a wonderful community celebration.
Sacrament of Confirmation
During the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Bishop lays his hands over the candidates, calling on the Holy Spirit to seal in the candidates the gifts of the Spirit that were given to them at their Baptism. He anoints their foreheads with Holy Chrism (oil), strengthening them for their journey through life as followers of Jesus Christ.
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 this year. See here for details and the Google form to enrol your child.
RE Spotlight- Year 1
This term, Year 1 has been learning about Creation, where they have become familiar with the Catholic Social Teaching of caring for creation. The students have used the Catholic Social Teachings to help them make connections to their learning in Learning Module where they are exploring Living Things. To launch their inquiry to take action, the students read Bob Graham’s picture book How to Heal a Broken Wing. Students discussed their responsibility to care for God’s creation and in response, students collected recycled items to create a bird feeder that provides for animals in our local community. Students made their bird feeders in response to Pope Francis’ call to all people to care for God’s creation.
Naomi Loader- Assistant Principal Mission
Dominique Montford - Leader of School Catechesis
Maria Woods - Leader of School Evangelisation
Learning and Teaching
Term 3 K-2 Parent Storytelling
What a successful term we’ve had with the introduction of the K-2 Parent Storytelling on a Friday morning. Thank you to everyone who was as able to be part of this special time reading to our K-2 students.
In Term 3 we are extending the invitation to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends of the school to join us in building a love of reading at the K-2 parent storytelling. It doesn’t matter if your child/ren is in K-2 or not, you are most welcome to join in and come on as many days as you’d like.
Here are a few reminders about the initiative:
- Our parent storytelling initiative is about parents reading to students in small groups. We want to make reading a fun and enjoyable experience for parents and students alike.
- This is voluntary for parents. You may be able to make it one week but not the other or not at all due to work commitments. That’s ok.
- Toddlers are welcome and can sit with the parents/children during the storytelling time.
Here’s how it will work:
- The storytelling will begin at 9 am and finish by 9:30 am.
- Our storytellers meet Mrs Scott outside the front office at 8:55 am where you are shown where to set up ready for the students to arrive at 9 am.
- Please bring a picnic blanket to sit on.
- Students will be put into small groups and sit with you whilst you read to them. We will provide you with picture books, however, if you have a favourite book at home, do not hesitate to bring it with you.
- A bell will ring after 10 mins and the students will move to another group
When the storytelling time ends, the children will say a quick goodbye and then go back to class.
If you would like to volunteer to come in on the relevant dates below, please click on this link and complete the Google form.
Dates
Kindergarten | 9 am Friday, July 22 | 9 am Friday, August 12 | 9 am Friday, Sept 16 |
Year 1 | 9 am Friday, August 5 | 9 am, Friday, Sept 9 | |
Year 2 | 9 am Friday, July 29 | 9 am, Friday, August 19 |
Should you have any questions about the parent storytelling initiative, please do not hesitate to ask.
Kind regards,
Michelle Scott
Assistant Principal: Learning and Teaching
Sport News & Sport Calendar
POLDING RUGBY UNION
On Monday Jed Cruickshanks, Eli Butcher and Ruben Simpson represented the Lismore Diocese at the Polding Rugby Trials in Forbes. The three boys played extremely well on the day and the standard of Rugby across all dioceses was fantastic. A huge congratulations to Jed Cruickshanks who has been selected as the Polding halfback. Jed will now attend the NSWPSSA State Championships at Mudgee (23-25 August). We wish him the best of luck.
YEAR 3-6 TERM 3 ELECTIVE SPORT
We are looking forward to our students enjoying new and exciting sports next term. Our first day of Elective Sports will be Friday 22 July (Week 1). Reminders will be posted on student notices earlier in the week.
Sport Calendar
| 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
Last week we sent overdue notices home. This is just a reminder to locate and return the books. If after a while the student is unable to locate them or they are severely damaged you will be asked to pay. If your child has overdues from last year we ask that you pay as this enables us to buy replacements.
If a book is later found, we will refund the money.
Book Week Parade - Wed 24 August
Having missed our wonderful parade last year, we are looking forward to sharing all things books in Week 6 of Term 3.
On Wednesday 24 August all students across the school will be invited to dress up as their favourite book character. We will be holding a whole school Book Parade (weather permitting) and Mr Watts will read the winning picture book to the students. Parents are invited to attend.
Please note, costumes do not have to be elaborate - most students can dress in ordinary clothes or make up their character's costume from items at home. The day is about the joy of sharing the characters we love from the books we read.
Jump into Reading Holiday Family Challenge
During the holidays we are asking all families to log family minutes over the two weeks to help boost our goal of 1 million minutes.
Each week we ask families to log their minutes as a family. Use the same link as the Student form to log minutes. STOP PRESS...... Mr Watts has just doubled all points logged in the holidays.
Congratulations to our second reward draw winners:
Hudson Clare, Nyan Wint Hte, Eden McMaster, Charlie Gill, Tre Grant, Matilda Gill, Sut Maran, Aanya Rao, Allie Rowe and Henry Hairi Ri, Gabriel Alvarez
Digi Tech for Term 3
In Term 3, we will be running an exciting program called $20 Boss for Grades 5 and 6 during their Digi Tech time. Building on the design process skills we have been developing, students will work in teams to take an actual product to market.
The program develops an understanding of financial literacy and what is involved in running a business.
$20 Boss is a free-to-access program that provides a tangible way of supporting students to learn, identify and talk about the skills they’re building. $20 Boss supports students to solve a real world problem and helps them better understand their relationship with money.
Years 3 & 4
Students in Years 3 and 4 will be developing an understanding of the design thinking process to empathise, define, ideate, prototype and test. They will be tasked with designing and creating something to fill a need and put a smile on someone’s face. They will learn and further skills with TinkerCAD to hopefully get their creations 3D printed.
Kindergarten, Year 1 & 2
Kindergarten and Stage 1 students will continue to build their skills with creating on the iPad. Using Keynote, AR Makr and an Apple pencil they will create stories of their own.
Parent Teacher Meetings Term 3
Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal - THANK YOU!
Mini Vinnies culminated their Winter Appeal on Wednesday 22 June with a huge display of donated warm blankets, socks and jumpers to be distributed by St Vincent de Paul to help members of our local community stay warm this Winter.
Students and Staff came dressed for Pyjama Day and were able to purchase hot chocolates with marshmallows at lunch time to help raise money to add to the appeal. We even made the evening bulletin on Channel 7 Prime News!
Mini Vinnies would like to thank the school community for your generous support of their WINTER APPEAL. Your donations of warm clothes and blankets are already being distributed to those in most need locally and the funds raised on PJ DAY will go towards supporting the work of SVDP Coffs Harbour as well. GO MINI VINNIES!
Mini Vinnies Pyjama Day
Musical Update - Costume time!
Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2022
On Wednesday we celebrated NAIDOC 2022 with a whole school assembly attended by Aboriginal Elders and families. NAIDOC's theme this year is 'Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up!' and in line with this focus our assembly celebrated those who have driven and led change in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities over the generations. It was very powerful to hear our students talk about those at the forefront of change including Charles Perkins, Eddie Koiki Mabo, Vincent Lingari, Dr Miriam Rose Ungunmerr-Bauman, Linda Burney, David Uniapon and Mum Shirl - Shirley Smith.
Many thanks go to our ATSI special guests for opening the assembly with a special smoking ceremony, didgeridoo ensemble and Welcome to Country. On behalf of the school Mr Watts thanked Miss Lauren and Miss Katrina for being here every day to encourage, support and celebrate all our amazing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. St Augustine’s is so very lucky to have these amazing women here to help guide and teach all of us!
Grandparent's Day - Save the Date - 7 Nov
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 18 July
- Monday -N Williams
- 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 - N Williams
- Tuesday - M Black, M Black, M Mainey
- Wednesday - C Jones - Help Needed !
- Thursday - L Horne, C Burbridge
- Friday - P Duffy, W McLean, K Cochran
Week beginning 1 August
- 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 8 August
- 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
