Newsletter 21 October 2022

Principal's Message

Friday 21 October 2022 - Term 4 Week 2

Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you for supporting the Colourthon through sponsorship and leaning on your extended family and friends for donations. Thanks especially to Rooney Glass, the Big Banana, Rebel and Treetops Adventure for their generous donations. We raised over $20 000  for the work of the Parent Forum. The main goal of fundraising for this year will be to expand the play equipment, which is used extensively daily. At the moment the children have rostered days on but with an extension, more children can use it more often. As soon as the options are available we will share them with the whole community and make a choice of design. 

We are in the middle of formulating a new 3 year plan for the school, targeting improvement areas that have been identified through the ‘Tell Them From Me’ survey, NAPLAN, our recent school review and staff surveys. The point of view of parents and carers have also been discussed and discerned in the Parent Forum, with some excellent input. It will take another 6 weeks to develop the plan and it will be shared towards the end of the year. 

In 2024 the sports uniform and school jumper will be changed for better comfort, fabric care and style. The reason it takes so long is because the suppliers will need to custom make our uniform and the old stock will need to be sold off. We also need to be sure we have a long term change that is sustainable and looks smart, so the work on the design is important. The Uniform Committee has been meeting to consider all the options and when decisions have been made we will let you know.

Whilst on uniform, it is important at this time of year to ensure your child comes to school in the full uniform. This is especially important when it comes to shoes and jewellery. We realise shoes wear out and you may be reluctant to buy new shoes but shoes will still fit after the holidays. We have a supply of new black shoes in the office if money is an issue. 

The changeover to the new school fee system has been a bit bumpy although most families have made the transition. The school fees provide vital funds for the school to operate - for staffing, maintenance, resources and facilities - and without your continued support we wouldn’t be able to function. Invoices (bills) for fees will be sent via email around the second week of each term, due 3 weeks later. I encourage you to look out for these bills as if you miss one they can build up pretty quickly. Sometimes the email can go to your spam folder, so keep an eye out. If you have any inquiries, contact cofhp-fees@lism.catholic.edu.au. 

Congratulations to our mighty athletes - the St Augustine’s junior girls relay (Grace Davis, Grace Duede, Tillie Reibelt and Coco Becker) were placed second in NSW, competing against 2100 other primary schools in the state to get a silver medal. Amazing. Congratulations also to the talented Tillie Reibelt who not only competed in the relay but made it to the semi final of the 100m for her age group, making her the one of the fastest athletes of the approximately 70 000 students in her age division. Incredible. 

Grace and peace,

Peter Watts

2022 Upcoming Events

October 2022

November 2022

December 2022

Faith and Mission News

October: The Month of the Rosary

As October is the month of the Rosary, classes have been honouring Mary and seeking her intercession through the Rosary in various ways.  A ‘Walking Rosary’ is one of the ways many of our students will pray the Rosary next week.

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday a large Rosary will be created on the grassed area behind the Year 5 classrooms and used to pray this special prayer.  Parishioners and members of our school community are invited to visit our ‘Walking Rosary’ between the hours of 8am and 3:30pm. A guide on ‘How to Pray the Rosary’ will be available for anyone who would like one. Please report to the school office upon your arrival to sign in.

Altar Serving

If your child has received the Sacrament of First Holy Communion and would like to be trained as an altar server, please complete the Expression of Interest form. 

For further information please call: Parish Office:  6651 0000 or Email: coffsadmin@coffscatholic.com  

 Junior Youth Group

Parish Junior Youth Group is back on this term. 

Anyone between the ages of 9 and 12 (Grades 4-6) is invited to join in good food, good fun and good conversation centered around our faith. 

The dates for this term are:  Sunday 23rd October; and Sunday 4th December at 4pm @ The Curran Centre.

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

The K-2 Parent Storytelling continues in Term 4. We meet at 8:50 am outside the school office. Storytelling begins at 9 am. Bring your blanket or chair to sit on. You can also bring some favourite books from home or we have books available for you to select from on the day. You can add your name to this Google form or you are most welcome to come in on the day without having added to the form. We welcome parents, toddlers, carers, grandparents, and others who are keen to continue to build this wonderful culture of reading across K-2. 

We are excited to celebrate our final parent storytelling in Week 9 with a combined K-2 Christmas-themed read. Parent readers are encouraged to wear their favourite Christmas gear and bring their favourite Christmas book to share with the students. 

Once again, thank you for being part of this initiative. The students are loving it and look forward to their time with you. 

Save the dates:

Friday, Week 3: Year 2

Friday, Week 4: Year 1

Friday, Week 5: Kindergarten

Friday, Week 6: Year 2

Friday, Week 7: Year 1

Friday, Week 9: Combined Christmas Parent Storytelling for Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2

Happy reading!

What’s happening across the cohorts in Term 4?

Here is a summary of the learning that is happening across the school this term. It’s a great opportunity to talk with your children about what they are learning and share facts or anecdotes you may have to build on their learning.

Michelle Scott

Assistant Principal: Learning and Teaching

LARC NEWS

A display of musical props from HOODWINKED has been set up in the LARC. Before school and during lunchtimes students are able to come and view photos from the musical.

Overdue Books

Notes went home last week to remind students to bring in their overdue books. It is great to see lots of overdues being returned. 

Year 6 Borrowing

Year 6 will finish borrowing in week 7, they will need to ensure they have returned all their books by the end of week 7, before they go to camp.

Jump into Reading Challenge

We are continuing our reading minutes challenge and students and families are encouraged to log their minutes each week.

Dioscean Wide  Rocket League Competition Term 4 

The Diocese of Lismore eSports Championship continues this term with the 3rd round - Rocket League. 22 students across Years 5 and 6 are competing (during their lunch breaks) to  represent the school at the Rocket League Championship to be held online on Friday 4 November. Only four students will be chosen to represent St Augustine's.

Individual player stats, positive behaviours and team points will be used to decide who will represent our school. The eSports competition promotes positive behaviours and encourages all students to support each other.

Sport News & Sport Calendar

NSWPSSA ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

This week our talented Junior Girls 4 x 100m relay team (Tillie Reibelt, Grace Davis, Coco Becker and Grace Duede) travelled to Sydney Olympic Park to compete in the NSWPSSA Athletics Championships against the best relay teams in the state. Tillie Reibelt also competed in the 10 yr Girls 100m sprint as an individual athlete. Tillie made it through to the semi final and ran a fantastic time! Our relay team had a big day of racing placing 3rd in their heat, 2nd in the semi final and came home with SILVER in the final!  Wow! Congratulations girls!

To compete at such a high level in athletics is such a fantastic achievement and we are incredibly proud of all of the girls.

NSWPSSA CRICKET 

Over the holidays a very excited Riley Wood found out he had been called into the Polding Boys Cricket side to compete in the NSWPSSA Cricket tournament held in Dubbo last week. Riley bowled and batted throughout the week against some of the best in the state. As a bowler Riley took 3/29 off 10 overs (best figures for his team), with Polding coming 5th place out of 14 teams. This is an amazing achievement and puts Riley up there with the best cricketers St Augustine’s has seen. Congratulations Riley! 

ST AUGUSTINE’S VS MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS RUGBY UNION FRIENDLY 

Last Friday, St Augustine’s hosted its very first inter school rugby match on home soil thanks to Mary Help of Christians who took up the invitation to bring along their U12’s Rugby side. The atmosphere was electric and the standard of rugby played outstanding. It was a very tight first half but in the end St Augustine’s ran away with the win, scoring 31 points to 15. A huge thank you to coaches Kev Simpson, Jamie Cruickshanks and Paul Butcher for guiding the team on the day and to Matthew Quirk for giving up his time to officiate the game.  We would especially like to also thank the rugby parents who gave up their time earlier in the year to give us our much loved goal posts! Without this today’s game would not have been possible. We hope to see many more games played on home turf in the years to come.

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Sport Calendar

October 2022

November 2022

December 2022

Grandparent's Day - Save the Date - 7 Nov

School Socials - Theme 80's NEON

Dear Parents and Carers,
Our school socials are happening this term. They are a wonderful opportunity for our students to come together socially, to dance and have fun. This year's theme for all grades is 80’s neon. Students are able to come dressed in themed clothing should they wish or in casual dress. 

The evenings will be fully supervised by our staff and there is no cost for the children to attend. Light refreshments will be served at the socials, however, we ask all students to bring a labelled drink bottle. 

Social Dates and times:

Term 4 Week 4 - Monday 31 October - Kindergarten    |    6:30-7:30pm 
Please drop your child to the School Hall at 6:30pm and collect your child at 7:30pm.
Families are invited to join us for the last dance at 7:25pm.
 

Term 4 Week 4 - Tuesday 1 November - Years 1 and 2    |    6:30-7:30pm 
Please drop your child to the School Hall at 6:30pm and collect your child at 7:30pm.
Families are invited to join us for the last dance at 7:25pm.
 

Term 4 Week 4 - Wednesday 2 November - Years 3 and 4    |    6:30-7:45pm 
Please drop your child to the School Hall at 6:30pm and collect your child at 7:45pm.
Families are invited to join us for the last dance at 7:40pm.
 

Term 4 Week 4 - Thursday 3 November - Years 5 and 6    |    6:30-8:00pm 
Please drop your child to the School Hall at 6:30pm and collect your child at 8:00pm.
Families are invited to join us for the last dance at 7:55pm.

We can't wait to see the students on the dance floor.

Naomi Loader
Assistant Principal Mission

A wonderful COLOUR-THON! Thank you!!

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2023 Kinder Parents & Carers Social Night

A reminder that next week on Wednesday, 26 October, we will be hosting the 2023 Kinder Parents and Carers Wine and Cheese Night. This event is not for our students but a time for you to meet key staff and other parents of the Kinder 2023 cohort in a social environment. It will be held in the School Library (LARC). Refreshments will be provided. We look forward to seeing you then. For catering purposes, if you haven't ready sent in your RSVP then please RSVP via this google form or email or call the school office.

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

 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

Week beginning 24 October 

• 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 31 October

• 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 7 November

• 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 14 November 

• 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

Lunchtime Clubs 2022