Newsletter 9 September 2022
- Principal's Message
- 2022 Upcoming Events
- Faith and Mission News
- Learning and Teaching
- Sport News & Sport Calendar
- Parent Forum
- Hoodwinked Musical - Tickets Selling FAST!
- COLOURTHON - Friday 14 October
- Grandparent's Day - Save the Date - 7 Nov
- 2023 Kindergarten Preschool Borrowing Program
- Canteen Menu for 2022
- Canteen Roster
- Lunchtime Clubs 2022
- Parenting Ideas
Principal's Message
Year 2 - Solitary Islands Aquarium
Father's Day Breakfast & Liturgy
Clarence Zone Netball & Soccer
Friday 9 September 2022 - Term 3 Week 8
Dear Parents and Carers
Today we have heard about the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen has been an inspiration and role model for all people, guided by service to others, and the epitome of calm and grace, no matter the circumstances. Her humble and generous spirit will remain with us for many years to come. May she rest in peace.
‘Hoodwinked, the Very Merry Robin Hood Musical’ is in the final stages of preparation for the opening night on Tuesday. The students and staff have worked very hard to make the production a success and I am greatly looking forward to watching our stars shine. This production is in some ways the culmination of 7 years of work, with singing and acting skills nurtured from Kindergarten. Without fail, everytime we have a musical I am awestruck at how a child can transform given the opportunity to be on stage. There are a few tickets left for the evening shows but plenty for the Thursday matinee, so don’t delay if you’d like to catch the show. It’s important to note the doors open at 6pm and the show starts at 6.30pm sharp - if you’re late you’ll miss the first part as the doors will be closed to minimise disruption.
Our sporting success as a school continues this week, with our talented athletes in track and field competing today in Newcastle for the Polding titles. This competition includes all students in Catholic schools north of Sydney Harbour and if successful, students move to the PSSA, which includes students from all public, independent and Catholic schools across the state. We wish them all the best.
Many thanks to our volunteers for helping out with the storytelling each Friday morning. It’s a fantastic initiative conceived and coordinated by our AP Michelle Scott and not only do the children really love this time, it promotes community involvement and the love of reading. You don’t have to be a parent to volunteer either - friends and relatives can also join the fun, just put your hand up.
The children in Years 3-6 have been participating in the school round of the regional speech competition, with our best speakers facing up against Catholic schools from Yamba to Bowraville on Thursday 22 September at St John Paul College. Whilst public speaking regularly rates as one of most adult’s worst fears, some children revel in the challenge and opportunity to state their opinion, think on their feet and argue their point. Great skills for school, future work and negotiating chores at home!
The last day for students this term is Thursday 22 September and the first day back will be Tuesday 11 October. We are mindful of the impact on families of having two staff-only days but we have some pressing priorities that can’t be completed at any other times. The introduction of a new English and Maths syllabus for K-2 in 2023 and the formulation of a new three year plan will take some time to workshop and implement. Both the new curriculum and the new three year plan will be shared with the parent community in term four.
Grace and peace,
Peter Watts
Principal
STOP PRESS! Relay gold medal! Congratulations to Grace Duede, Grace Davis, Tillie Reibelt and Coco Becker, first in Polding now off to the PSSA.
2022 Upcoming Events
September 2022
| 13-15 | HOODWINKED Musical |
| 16 | Whole School Assembly - 2:00pm |
| 19 | Year 4 Accendere Spiritual Retreat |
| 21 | Sacrament of Confirmation - 4:30 pm and 6:15pm |
| 21 | Last Day Term 3 for Students |
| 22 | Public Holiday - Queen's memorial |
| 23 | Staff Development Day - No Students |
October 2022
| 10 | Staff Development Day - No Students |
| 11 | First Day Term 4 for Students |
| 14 | Colourthon |
| 26 | 2023 Kindergarten Parents Wine and Cheese Night 7:00-8:30pm |
| 27-28 | Year 5 Camp |
November 2022
| 2 | 2023 Kindergarten Orientation Day 1 - 9:00am-12:00 noon |
| 7 | Grandparent's Day |
| 9 | 2023 Kindergarten Orientation Day 2 - 9:00am-12:00 noon |
| 16 | 2023 Kindergarten Orientation Day 3 - 9:00am-12:00 noon |
Faith and Mission News
Father’s Day Liturgy
Last Friday, a breakfast and liturgy were held to celebrate all the wonderful fathers and father figures in our lives. Many Dad's attended and spent time reading the messages on the hundreds of stars decorating the walls of our assembly area. During the liturgy, the children sang a special song ‘I See A Hero’ to their dads and Fr Joy blessed all the fathers who attended. We hope all fathers had a wonderful day last Sunday.
Sacrament of Confirmation
Preparation for students in Years 3-6 who will be receiving the sacrament of Confirmation on 21 September has begun.
Please keep these children and their families in your prayers.
Prayer for Confirmation Candidates:
Lord, You send out Your Spirit to touch the hearts of all people, so that they may believe in You and in Jesus whom You sent.
Look kindly on all candidates for Confirmation as they listen to Your voice.
Open their hearts to Your Spirit and bring to fulfilment the good work that You have begun in them.
As we prepare these children for Confirmation, make each of us an instrument of Your love.
Teach us to appreciate what is holy in others, and to be patient with what we do not understand.
Deepen our faith in the Gospel and help us to pass it on by our example.
We pray that You will continue to guide us and sustain us. We ask this: through Christ our Lord,
Amen.
Are you looking for a gift to buy for your Confirmation candidate?
The Piety Shop (outside the church) is open each weekend after Saturday night 5:30pm Mass and also after Sunday morning 8am Mass. The shop will also be open for Confirmation Gifts between 2:30pm-3:30pm on Thursday 15 September.
Spotlight on Religious Education:
Junior Youth Group
Exciting News! St Augustine’s Parish is kicking off a new Junior Youth Group.
If you’re aged 9-12 Years Old (Grade 4-6) and are interested in hanging out with like minded kids to share in faith, food and fun then we’d love to hear from you! There will be good food, good fun and Good News!
WHEN: Sunday 11 September, 4pm-5:30pm
WHERE: The Curran Centre
Junior Youth will wrap up just prior to 5:30pm so families can attend evening Mass together.
For further information, phone Fran & Tim Davis on 0409597866.
Parish Playgroup is back
9am Tuesdays (during school term) at the Curran Centre (Parish Office), 12 Gordon Street, Coffs Harbour.
We warmly invite families with babies, toddlers, pre-school age children/grandchildren to join our parish playgroup.
If you are interested in becoming a Playgroup helper, to offer assistance with set-up or leading a craft or music activity, please contact the parish office on 6651 0000.
Naomi Loader- Assistant Principal Mission
Dominique Montford - Leader of School Catechesis
Maria Woods - Leader of School Evangelisation
Learning and Teaching
K-2 Parent Storytelling
A huge thank you to all of our school friends and families who have been part of the K-2 Parent Storytelling. Over the past two terms over 85 people have volunteered their time and their magical reading carpets to be part of this initiative to build a culture of reading. Wow!!!
K-2 Parent Storytelling will continue into Term 4 with the addition of a special combined K-2 Christmas-themed reading morning to end the term and the year. Below is an overview of the dates. Please complete this Google form link with the dates in which you are able to attend. You will notice each grade has December 9 listed. This is our special combined Christmas-themed reading morning. More information about this morning to follow in Term 4
A reminder of the process:
- Meet outside the school office by 8:55 am
- Depending on the weather we will go to the gardens area or stay in the top undercover area
- Bring a magic carpet (blanket) to sit on and books to read if you’d like. Remember we have lots of books for your to choice from too.
- Two small groups of children will listen to you read. The teachers will put them into groups for you.
- We are finished by 9:30 am.
Dates
- Kindergarten: October 21, November 11 and December 9
- Year 1: November 4, November 25 and December 9
- Year 2: October 28, November 18 and December 9
LARC NEWS
Borrowing in Week 9
Please note due to the musical in Week 9 we will not be borrowing books from the library. Students are able to keep their books until Week 10, when borrowing resumes.
Congratulations to our Book Week Competition Winners
| Where’s Wally | Name the Picture book | Name the Series | Name the Novel |
Answers: 1. In front of a woman with yellow hair 2. In front of a canon | Answers: 1. Stack of Alpacas 2. The Stroogle in Space 3. Do not open this book Again | Answers: 1. Weirdo 2. Captain Underpants 3. Ella Diaries | Answers: 1. Gangsta Granny 2. The Witches 3. Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets |
Isla Kidd 4W Hayley 2D Summer Roulstone 4O | Hugh Bamford KD Fleur Keating 5J | Mary Cing Deih Huai Cung 2BC Armaan Atwal 5BK Ellie Hazell Pickering 3GS | Zoe Weber 3GS Sophie Williams 4O Mira Sakaki 3GS |
Diocesan eSports Just Dance South Competition
Congratulations to the two teams of Year 5 and 6 students who represented our school at the Diocesan eSports Just Dance South Competition held at Mary Help of Christians, Sawtell on Wednesday 31st August.
Our Team #1 won the competition followed by Mary Help of Christians Team 2 and St Peters coming in 3rd.
Diocesan Wide Rocket League Competition Term 4
Year 5 and 6 students are invited to register for the Diocesan eSports Rocket League competition. More information will be on the notices in Week 10.
Sport News & Sport Calendar
CLARENCE ZONE SOCCER AND NETBALL GALA DAY
Our soccer and netball teams attended the Clarence Zone Soccer and Netball Gala Day in Yamba on Tuesday. We are proud to announce that both teams won and have now qualified for the Lismore Diocesan Gala Day! Congratulations to our soccer team: Rory Aherne, Jack Cardow, Coco Chiswell, Carter Crowley, Max Crowley, Jed Cruickshanks, Ashton Deans, Pippa Dodd, Ashlin Doyle, Taj Gray, Oliver Hammond, Liana Montgomery, Ruben Simpson and Riley Wood.
Congratulations to our netball team: Grace Bjorksten, Sway Butler, Skye Critten, Cora Dujin, Zoe Funston, Sienna Harrison, Mia Henry, Jennifer Martin, Claire O’Rorke and Charlie Warren.
We wish both teams good luck for the next level!
POLDING CRICKET TRIALS
Riley Wood competed at the Polding Cricket Trials in Tamworth last month. He bowled a few wickets in the game and batted well not getting out. Well done Riley! We are very proud to have a student represent St Augustine’s School at this level.
ST AUGUSTINE’S RUGBY UNION
St Augustine’s has now wrapped up the rugby season and it has been another very successful year. In an exciting U10s Grandfinal that boasted both of our St Augustine’s sides, the Maroons held on in the dying seconds to secure the win. It was a game that could have gone either way and we are very proud of both teams and the amazing teamwork on display. Our talented little U8’s side always aims to please and finished off on a high with plenty of run away tries. The U12 Maroons took out a win in their play off for 3rd after a disappointing loss in their semi final. A fantastic result. We wish all the best to our graduating players who have now come to the end of their journey in St Augustine’s Rugby. We would also sincerely like to thank Coaches Kevin Simpson, Jamie Cruickshanks and Graeme Doyle as well as manager Rachel Simpson who will also now retire from many years of service for St Augustine’s Rugby.
POLDING ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Today our Athletics Team of 15 students are competing at the Polding Athletics Championships in Newcastle in individual and relay events.
Coco Becker, Hannah Burton, Nate Butcher, Carter Crowley, Grace Davis, Grace Duede, Henry Haira Ri, Mia Henry, Grace Majambere, Rosemary Nealand, Tillie Reibelt, Frankie Selmes, Ruben Simpson, Harlow Smith and Poppy Warren. We wish them all the best of luck and look forward to sharing their results.
COFFS HARBOUR RUNNING FESTIVAL - SUNDAY 11 SEPTEMBER
We are excited to announce that the Schools Challenge is back for this event! St Augustine’s have previously been proud winners of this event thanks to the large number of students coming along to show their support. We’d love to see even more students join us in 2022 and help us win a very healthy prize of $2 000 towards sporting equipment!
To register simply click on the link below. You don’t need to be an experienced runner. All ability levels are encouraged to run! ENTER HERE
Sport Calendar
| September 2022 | |
| 11 | Coffs Harbour Running Festival |
| 21 | Soccer and Netball Lismore Diocese Gala Day |
Parent Forum
Happy Spring! I hope that all our school families have been enjoying the slightly longer days and glimpses of warmer weather ahead! One of the most important roles of the Parent Forum is to promote the ways that parents can be involved in the life of the school. It has been lovely to see over recent weeks, the various events that have enabled this, such as; K-2 Story telling mornings, Kindy Coffee morning Book Week parade, Father’s Day breakfast and school assemblies. And of course coming up we have the school musical next week and Colourthon early next term!!
We extend our thanks to all parents and caregivers for supporting these important and exciting events in the lives of our young people. Having parents involved in and around the school really does help us build our community!
Just a reminder that we are always happy to hear your feedback, questions or ideas for the Parent Forum. You can contact us by emailing us at sapsparentforum@outlook.com or joining the Parent Community Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/staugustinesparents/.
Next term we are looking at doing some parent education sessions to coincide with the school discos! And are also looking at plans to further extend the early years play area on the hill...stay tuned!
All the best for a great end to the term!
Take care and God Bless,
Fran Davis
Hoodwinked Musical - Tickets Selling FAST!
HOODWINKED tickets are selling FAST!
Don't miss out!
Click on the link below to purchase your seats from Sticky Tickets:
https://www.stickytickets.com.au/ov090/
Please note that there are 2 sessions on Thursday 15 Sept - be sure to select your preferred time!
Please note that patrons are to be seated by the ticketed time,
with doors opening 30 mins before the show commences.
COLOURTHON - Friday 14 October
The Colour-Thon will be held on Friday, 14 October and is a major fundraiser for our St Augustine's Parent Forum. The funds raised help to improve the school's facilities. This year we have pledged to donate 10% of our profits to St Joseph's Woodburn who have been displaced from their school due to the floods earlier in the year.
The attached documents outline details of the event and how each child signs up for the Colour-Thon. Each week, there will be class prizes for the class/team that raises the most in that week. There will be overall prizes awarded at the Colour-Thon for the highest fundraising team and individuals.
Further details about the day will be provided closer to the event, however, we are excited that our families will be able to join us this year for all the fun!
Please follow the following steps to sign your child/ren up for the Colour-Thon:
1. Go to https://chuffed.org/project/st-augustines-colourthon-2022/signup
2. Enter the student's details etc
3. You can use your child's school email address or a home email address, whichever you'd prefer.
4. Create a password
5. Choose a profile picture - we suggest that this is NOT a photo of your child, rather choose another appropriate image.
6. Select your CLASS TEAM - it is important to do this as all your donations will go towards the weekly class tally.
7. Click submit
8. A link to your personal sponsorship page will be emailed to you - share this link with family and friends to start collecting sponsors.
Thank you. We look forward to a great day for our 2022 Colour-Thon.
Naomi Loader
Assistant Principal Mission on behalf of the St Augustine's Parent Forum
Grandparent's Day - Save the Date - 7 Nov
2023 Kindergarten Preschool Borrowing Program
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. - CANCELLATION OF CANTEEN ORDERS
Please remember to cancel online canteen orders if your child is away or sick prior to 7:30 am on the day of the order. Thank you - Alicia and Rosa
Canteen Roster
Week beginning 12 September
- Monday -N Williams
- Tuesday - Help Needed !
- Wednesday - C Jones, E Taylor
- Thursday - J Martin, C Williams
- Friday - W McLean, H Butler - Help Needed !
Week beginning 19 September
- Monday - N Williams
- Tuesday - M Mainey, Help Needed !
- Wednesday - C Jones - Help Needed !
- Thursday - L Horne, C Burbridge
- Friday - P Duffy, W McLean, K Cochran
Week beginning 10 October
- Monday - V Wall
- Tuesday - J Ward
- Wednesday - P Duffy, B Symons
- Thursday - C Williams - Help Needed !
- Friday - G Dodd, L Knight, W McLean - Help Needed !
Week beginning 17 October
- Monday - L Seccombe
- Tuesday - C Williams
- Wednesday - J Martin, N Flintoff
- Thursday - S Crawford, M Van Den Boom
- 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
