Newsletter 16 December 2022

Principal's Message

Friday 16 December 2022 - Term 4 Week 10

Dear Parents and Carers,

My grateful thanks to all in the school community for your support this year. And what a year it was. ‘Hoodwinked', the musical, Firefly Arts Festival, Fete, Colourthon, Mother’s, Father’s and Grandparent’s Days, Book Week and many more events added lots of colour and interest to the year and it was back to full speed after COVID. 

I’d like to thank especially the Assistant Principals, Mrs Scott and Mrs Loader for their never ceasing commitment to the school to ensure every child not only grows but thrives. My deep appreciation also goes to Mrs Rick and the office staff who have had to deal with a tsunami of system changes, causing disruption to communication, record keeping, finances, school fees, payroll and just about everything. There have been some very tricky times but they have kept their sense of humour and good grace throughout. 

I would also like to mention the contribution of the Parent Forum, but especially to two members who are stepping down next year. Fran Davis (President) and Jodie Martin (Treasurer) have been mainstays of the P&F then the Parent Forum for many years and have been advocates for parents, children and the school. Both, in their own way, have been strong, steady and sensible voices, giving advice to me and setting up the Forum as an essential part of school life. My grateful thanks.

The NSW Government is offering back-to-school vouchers up to $150 towards the cost of school uniforms, shoes, bags, textbooks and stationery. Cabas, who handle our school uniforms, are set up to use the system, as are many businesses in town. I know I’m beginning to repeat myself, but please do not buy the wrong shoes in January. Mesh joggers are not part of the uniform. See the website for details. 

The Awards day was an uplifting occasion and it was wonderful to witness the children celebrate their peer’s success. The Bert Franklin Award initially had dual winners but some information was overlooked and when added, it ended up a three way tie! Congratulations to Mia Henry, Ruben Simpson and Eli Butcher who are joint winners for 2022. They are fine young people who have known each other since pre-school, so it is wonderful that they can celebrate together.  

This year we say farewell to many staff who are leaving for retirement, other jobs, babies, love and travel. Our heartfelt thanks go the following staff who have contributed much to the children and the school: Mrs Katrina McKecknie, Mrs Shelley Kendall, Ms Kaitlyn Brazel, Ms Ash Slater, Mrs Steph Bayliss, Ms Kanika Parker, Mrs Marianne Stevens, Ms Eliza Lacey, Ms Brianna McGennisken, Ms Emma Nolan, Mrs Anne Stubbs and Mrs Elizabeth Rathgen. We wish them all the best in their new adventures. All the new staff will be introduced next year.

I hope each of you have a wonderful Christmas and some down-time for the family.

Grace and peace,

Peter Watts

Principal

2022 St Augustine's Awards Day Gallery

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Faith and Mission News

NATIVITY 

What a wonderful celebration of the true meaning of Christmas! Students from Year 3 to 6 participated in our Nativity with scripture, singing and acting. A big thank-you to ‘Baby Jesus’ who brought a smile to everyone's face and stole the limelight! The wonderful generosity of the St Augustine’s School community was evident in the number of gifts that were brought forward and given to St Vincent De Paul to share with children in our community this Christmas season.

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Christmas Carols near the Nativity (outside the church)

A big thank you to everyone who performed some Christmas Carols in front of the Nativity window. You all really helped to remind passersby that Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of our saviour, Jesus Christ.

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PARISH CHRISTMAS CAROLS

On Saturday 10 December, many families from our St Augustine’s parish gathered to sing Christmas Carols and hear the story of Jesus’ birth through scripture. Many children lead the singing of two of our favourite songs, ‘Mary Said Yes’ and ‘Rejoice With Us’ and then had so much fun during the supper at the Curran Centre playing the fantastic games that Fr Joy made.

Year Six Graduation Prayer Service

On Wednesday Year 6 prayed and celebrated together for the last time as a cohort at St Augustine’s Primary School. However the message of the evening was not ‘goodbye’, but ‘until we meet again’, as we are lucky to belong to the wider community of the St Augustine’s Parish. It was a beautiful occasion and all who attended were moved by the reverence and sense of pride that Year 6 students displayed. Until we meet again Year 6, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

End of the 2022 School Year

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all students, staff and parents of St Augustine’s for a fantastic year. Our school is a very special place and we feel honoured to be part of such a wonderful community. We wish everyone a safe, happy and holy Christmas break and look forward to seeing everyone next year.

Reconciliation Times in our Parish are as follows:

Coffs Harbour, St Augustine’s Church : Saturday 9:30am-10:30am and 4:30pm -5:30pm

Woolgoolga, St Francis Xavier’s Church : Sunday 8:15am - 8:45am

Naomi Loader- Assistant Principal Mission
Dominique Montford - Leader of School Catechesis
Maria Woods - Leader of School Evangelisation

Mini Vinnies

Mini Vinnies culminated a fabulous year of team work with our Christmas Giving Appeal at the Nativity on Tuesday. As the gifts were brought forward to Baby Jesus, classes delivered the gifts for a particular child that they together raised money and shopped for members of St Vincent de Paul Coffs Harbour conference, Dave Tarrant and Leon Walsh were present to accept the gifts and took the opportunity to thank our wonderful school community. The Mini Vinnies team would also like to thank our school community for the generosity shown to others in times of need and for always ensuring that those less fortunate in our community will have a brighter Christmas because of us. We thank the team members for their hard work this year and look forward to seeing what we can achieve in 2023.

Merry Christmas!

How to Access School Reports on Compass

Semester 2 Reports

Semester 2 School Reports will be available on your Compass App or computer from 3 pm Friday, Dec 16. Please see the instructions below for a step-by-step guide.

School Fete Gallery

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Thank you for your support ensuring your school fees are up to date. A reminder that full fees are due on 16th December,2022. If you have any concerns with making payment by this date, please contact our Catholic Schools Office on 6653 1655 or cofhp-fees@lism.catholic.edu.au. 

Sport News & Sport Calendar

ST AUGUSTINE’S REPRESENTATIVE SWIMMING TRIALS 

On Monday 5 December 44 students attended the St Augustine’s Representative Swimming Trials. It was a fantastic day down at the pool and it was wonderful to see so many students enjoying this competitive swimming opportunity. I would like to sincerely thank Donna Briley and Richie Lloyd from the Coffs Harbour Swimming Club for coordinating the timing, starting and officiating on the day, as well as the parent volunteers. 

The following students will now attend the Clarence Zone Swimming Trials to be held in Maclean on Monday 27 February. 

Evie Hunter, Alahni Kirkaldy, Hope Mengel, Poppy Warren, Ariana Yaya, Coco Becker, Pippa Keshk, Grace Duede, Ciara Kirkaldy, Hannah Burton, Bronte Wall, Enzo Bormann, Benjamin Burton, Finnley Johnson, Ben Wilson, Nate Butcher, Riley O’Brien, Cohen Straw, Billy Backhouse, Noah Keshk, Reuben Wong, Luke Wilson and Hamish Armstrong. 

We would also like to congratulate the following students who were age champions on the day.

Junior Girl Age Champion: Hope Mengel 

Junior Boy Age Champion: Ben Wilson 

11 Year Girl Age Champion: Coco Becker

11 Year Boy Age Champion:Billy Backhouse and Cohen Straw 

Senior Girl Age Champion:Hannah Burton 

Senior Boy Age Champion: Luke Wilson

2022 Swimming Records (Records taken from 2020 onwards) 

St Augustine’s unfortunately doesn’t have records prior to 2020, however we have been able to collate records from 2022 and will continue to do so. Congratulations to the following swimmers. 

Diocesan AFL Trials 

The Diocesan AFL trials are open to representative level AFL players (boys and girls). Trials are held on Friday 24 February in Grafton. Students have been asked to collect a note from the office with information on how to register. If your child has taken a note please register ASAP. 

St Augustine’s Cross Country Trials 

The St Augustine’s Cross Country Trials will be held on Friday 24 February at the Jetty Beach. Early in Term 1 an email will be sent to families asking for nominations. The cross country is not a compulsory event however we encourage students to nominate if they feel they can run continuously over the following distances. 

8/9 Years- 2km

10 Years- 2km

11 Years- 3km

12/13 Years- 3km 

2023 ZONE  Winter Sports Trials (Rugby Union, Netball, Football, Hockey, Rugby League)  

The ZONE Winter Sports Trials will be held on Monday 20 February and are open to representative level students who are in Year 5 or 6 in 2023. An email will be sent to families early in Term 1 calling for nominations. School trials may need to be conducted if nominations exceed the total number of students a school is eligible to send to the trials. Students will require private transport to the trials, which are currently scheduled to be held from 3pm in Grafton. (More details to follow). 

February 2023

March 2023

April 2023

Canteen News

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our amazing volunteers who have dedicated their time to our school this year. Your support has been much appreciated. We recently celebrated hosting a Volunteers Luncheon to say thank you. 

Merry Christmas -  Alicia and Rosa