Newsletter 11 August 2023

Principal's Message

Friday 11 August 2023 - Term 3 Week 4

Dear Parents and Carers,

A huge thank you to you all for your patience as we navigate the technical difficulties with chuffed.org. I’m pleased to advise that it is now fixed, and we are well on our way to the Colour-Thon. 

Congratulations to Kinder Green who were our Week 3 Brelsford Park winners (they had a ball at the park today) and to Kindy Green (again!!) and 2 Green who were treated to a yummy pizza lunch today for being joint Week 4 class winners. Next week’s prize of a popcorn and movie afternoon will be hotly contested. We thank you for your ongoing support with our fundraising.

The joint venture between the Parent Forum and the school of an extension of the K-2 playground has been approved and is on order. A huge thank you to the playground committee for their work led by Mr Wayne McQueen, one of our awesome Dads and, of course, to our Parent Forum and all of our families who have supported the PF fundraising efforts. 

The Parent Forum sought student, staff and family feedback on the timing of our 2023 school Fete and the results from all three groups were overwhelmingly in support of the Fete being held during school time in a similar format to the last two years. We are now calling for a Fete committee to help coordinate the Fete and to make it a wonderful experience for our students. Please contact the Parent Forum or the school if you are interested in helping organise this year's Fete.

It has been great to see many families at school for the parent-teacher meetings over the past two weeks. Thank you to everyone who met with their child’s teacher. Witnessing many children excelling in their social interactions and learning at school is a wonderful part of our profession. If you were unable to attend this week, you can certainly arrange an alternative time for a meeting, whether in person or over the phone. Just reach out to the school.

Kind regards,

Naomi Loader

Acting Principal 

Faith and Mission News

First Eucharist

As our First Eucharist candidates continue their preparation to receive this most holy sacrament, a Passover evening was held where parents and students learnt about the connections between the Jewish (Jesus’ religion) celebration of the Passover and the Mass that we celebrate today. They then experienced a Passover meal with prayers and food to recall the story of delivery from slavery in Egypt and praise God for His goodness.

• Retreat for Students and Reconciliation Thursday 24 August

A retreat will be held at the Curran Centre (across the road from St Augustine’s School) for students making the Sacrament of First Eucharist during school hours. At this retreat, the candidates will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation through the 3rd Rite. Fr Joe will lead the children with scripture and an examination of conscience, and then give a general absolution. If any parent wishes for their child to receive the 1st Rite of Reconciliation before making their FIrst Eucharist, this can be received during normal hours set aside for parishioners as below.

Confession Times

Saturdays, St Augustine's Church, Coffs Harbour

after 9am Mass (9:30am - 10:30am) & before 5:30pm Mass (4:45pm - 5:15pm)

Sunday, St Francis Xavier Church, Woolgoolga

before 9am Mass (8:30am - 8:50am)

• First Eucharist Masses 26/27 August

Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the Mass start time. Families have allocated seating. Candidates will show their family to their pew, then return outside the church, ready to process in with the priest.

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

Dominique Montford - Acting Assistant Principal Mission
Maria Woods - Leader of School Evangelisation

Learning and Teaching

SPEECH COMPETITION

Students in Years 3-6 have been working on their speech writing skills over recent weeks. We congratulate all our students on the work they have done in preparing their speeches and presenting them in class. This week, students from each class have been selected to present their speeches in front of the entire cohort - no easy task! Year 6 have a dual competition - their cohort semi final this week, as well as the Year 6 School Speech Competition in Week 6.

Students who progress from this week's cohort presentations will work on their skills under the guidance of Mrs Orton with a view to represeting our school in the Regional Catholic Schools Speech Competition in Week 9 of this Term. We are very proud of all the students who presented speeches this week - the level has been outstanding making judging extremely difficult. 

BOOK WEEK PARADE - Wed 23 August

Book Week Parade: An exciting event not to be missed! 

The 2023 K-6 Book Week Parade is a celebration of literature and the love of reading. It will take place on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at 9:15 am across the WWA and Year 3 area. This year's parade promises to be a wonderful celebration of imagination and creativity. Our students are encouraged to bring their favourite book characters to life and showcase these in the parade.  Following the K-6 parade, K-2 students will move up to the top area for a special staff pantomime. Parents and carers are invited to join us too…. Something not to be missed!!!

The Book Week Parade is more than just a showcase of characters; it is an occasion to inspire a lifelong love for reading and literature. Seeing their characters come to life through the eyes of their peers and parents encourages our students to explore new worlds, embark on thrilling adventures, and appreciate the magic of books.

Please mark your calendars and be sure to join us.

K-2 Parent Storytelling Dates Term 3 & 4

Save the Dates: K-2 Parent Storytelling dates for Term 3 and Term 4

Click on the Google Form  to let us know you will be there.

FATHER'S DAY - SAVE THE DATE

More information regarding our Father's Day Celebrations here at St Augustine's will go home via COMPASS next week.

Mini Vinnies Pyjama Day

Mini Vinnies held a PYJAMA DAY on Wednesday 9 August. As always it was very popular with the students. Our Mini Vinnies reps were flat out at lunchtime and recess serving hundreds of hot chocolates & marshmallows - also VERY popular! A special thank you to our hardworking Canteen volunteers and MV Staff for helping out - you are AMAZING!

Mini Vinnies would like to thank the school community for your overwhelming support of our Pyjama  Day and all our efforts to help those in need. THANK YOU.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 51

Next

COLOURTHON - Friday 25 August

Sport News & Sport Calendar

 SPORT EVENTS CALENDAR - TERM 3

NSWCPS Girl’s Rugby 7’s

Last Wednesday, Georgia travelled to Santa Sabina College at Strathfield to compete in the NSWCPS Girl’s Rugby 7’s. This was a wonderful opportunity for Georgia to play with some of the best girls from Catholic schools in the northern half of NSW. Congratulations Georgia and we wish you all the best with your rugby in the future.

St Augustine’s Rugby 

Tonight sees the culmination of another fantastic season of St Augustine’s Rugby Union. We are very proud to announce that St Augustine’s will feature in every Grand Final tonight from U9’s through to U12’s. Both under 8s will also be playing their last games and is always a very entertaining game to watch! The night will kick off at 4.45pm with the U9’s at the C.ex Stadium. We would like to congratulate all of our players on their success and especially thank all of the coaches and managers for contributing countless hours of their time throughout the season. We hope to hear you all singing the team song loud and proud. Go SAPS!!!!

Fee Reminder

SJPC Sleepout

Students and staff from SJPC will be spending a night out in the cold on Thursday 17th August to raise awareness and much needed funds for people in our community experiencing homelessness. Their fundraising goal is $10,000!

Please support them by making a donation via the following website:

https://my.fundraise.vinniesnsw.org.au/vinnies-school-sleepouts/2023-sjpc-winter-sleepout

Canteen News

Canteen Roster

Week beginning 14 August

• Monday - 
• Tuesday -  C Williams, C Burbridge, N Flintoff
• Wednesday - C Jones
• Thursday - J Ward, D Kelly
• Friday -  W McLean, K Cochran, L Horne

Week beginning  21 August

• Monday - V Wall
• Tuesday - M Black, G Lee
• Wednesday -  P Duff, B Symons, J Hay
• Thursday - C Williams
• Friday - L Knight, W McLean, G Dodd

Notices