Newsletter 12 November 2021
Principal's Message
Colour-Thon 2021
Welcome to our 2022 Kindergarten!
Friday 12 November 2021 - Term 4 Week 6
Dear Parents and Carers
The Colour-Thon was a blast! It was a magic afternoon of joy for staff and students, with clouds of colour in the air, in the hair and everywhere. The weather was kind enough and we were able to squeeze it between showers. Thanks go to all families who have contributed to the event being such a success.
Each week there are new guidelines on the loosening of COVID restrictions. Schools have different rules to everywhere else and for the latest information, check out the NSW Health website. Some changes include:
- Parents are still not allowed onsite unless they are helping (e.g. canteen), needing uniforms or in special circumstances (e.g. support meetings).
- Assemblies and presentations will be allowed outdoors on site.
- Fully vaccinated visitors, including parents and carers are only allowed to attend assemblies if completing a specific role, such as presenting and at the invitation of the school. All visitors must check in using the school check-in and show proof of vaccination.
- Singing is not permitted.
- Masks are no longer required outdoors by parents or staff.
- Year 6 graduation dinner is okay to go ahead within the Race Club guidelines.
Thank you for helping us be safe and stay within the guidelines.
We’ve had a change of date for our school Fete. It will run as per last year, during school hours on Friday 10th December. I realise this can be an expensive time of year but the children really enjoy the festive atmosphere, so we’re pushing ahead. I’m hoping we will be able to have parents onsite to assist with stalls but this is yet to be confirmed. There will be rides, stalls, fun games and lots of yummy food. Details to follow.
Unfortunately both Year 5 and Year 6 camps have had to be cancelled. In their place, so the kids don’t completely miss out, there will be a series of 'Big Days Out', travelling to local attractions and having fun with friends. Thanks go with the teachers for going the 'extra mile' and organising these activities for the students.
We are now in the planning stages for next year, setting goals and getting organised. If your child will not be attending St Augustine’s next year would you let me know as soon as possible as we have waiting lists on most grades.
Grace and peace
Peter Watts
Faith and Mission News
St Augustine’s Parish Mass
Would you or your children like to be involved in the 8am Mass on Sunday 21st November? Members of the St Augustine's community will be reading, altar serving, singing and bringing up the gifts during the offertory procession.
Please complete the attached Google Form to express your family’s interest
KT and KS Spotlight
The Kindergarten students have been exploring the story of creation in the bible and wondering about how amazing God’s gift of creation is. Students in KT and KS painted pictures and wrote about their favourite parts of creation.
5M Spotlight
In the Year 5 Religious Education unit, students have been focusing on women of faith and as part of this, they have been discovering the scriptures within our own St Augustine’s Church in the stained glass windows right above the Blessed Sacrament. Each window tells a story. Students sketched the image that ‘spoke’ to them and will continue to create their own artworks based on the scriptures, with reference to Mary.
Naomi Loader- Assistant Principal Mission
Dominique Montford - Leader of School Catechesis
Maria Woods - Leader of School Evangelisation
2021 Upcoming Events
November 2021
| 17 | 2022 Kindergarten Orientation |
| 17 | Year 6 Transition Day SJPC |
December 2021
| 3 | K-6 Assembly |
| 6 | St Augustine's Representative Swimming Trials |
| 9 | School Reports go home |
| 10 | School Fete |
| 13 | Annual Speech/Awards Day |
| 13 | Year 6 Graduation (evening) |
| 15 | Last day Term 4 for students |
| 16-17 | Staff Development Days (No students) |
Learning and Teaching
As a parent, you can always be an effective partner in this learning. Below are a few tips for you to keep in mind as you navigate your complex role.
Creating confident learners
Creating confident learners starts with building a positive attitude to learning. It's important to emphasise that people aren’t born with a fixed amount of intelligence. Instead they can always take their abilities to the next level with perseverance and thoughtfulness. Children should be encouraged to see mistakes as a guide for what needs to be learnt next. As parents, you can model this mindset by speaking aloud about your own mindsets (Something didn't go right for me today, so I'll need to try a different way of doing it tomorrow). This might be particularly relevant when exploring subjects such as Mathematics, where anxiety can be high, and where encouraging persistence might be valuable.
Tip: Swap ‘I can’t’ with ‘I can’t YET’.
Practice makes perfect
Whilst this is an old saying, it reminds us the learning brain works like a muscle; it only grows with practice. We need lots of effort to grasp new concepts and skills, and we can easily forget them without practice. But once they’re automatic, they can be effortlessly drawn on when going it to the next level of challenge.
Tip: Master the basics so you can enjoy the fun of learning.
Michelle Scott - Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
Canteen Roster
Week beginning 15 November
- Monday - L Seccombe
- Tuesday - C Williams, M Black
- Wednesday - J Martin, M Chau
- Thursday - S Crawford
- Friday - P Duffy, W McLean, C Rose, R Finlayson
Week beginning 22 November
- Monday - M Mainey
- Tuesday - M Black
- Wednesday - C Jones, A McCann
- Thursday - J Martin - Help Needed !!
- Friday - W McLean, G Franklin, C Evans, L Lawler, C Blackett
Week beginning 29 November
- Monday - C Williams
- Tuesday - M Black, M Mainey
- Wednesday - C Jones
- Thursday - C Hyde
- Friday - P Duffy, W McLean, C Rose, D McNeill
Week beginning 6 December
- Monday - C Hyde, V Wall
- Tuesday - M Black
- Wednesday - P Duffy, B Symons
- Thursday - L Rowthorne, K Allen
- Friday - G Dodd, W McLean, L Knight, E Sainsbury
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
Colour-Thon 2021
SO MUCH COLOUR!
SO MUCH FUN!
Sometimes saying 'thank you' doesn’t seem enough… this year, we have been overwhelmed with the response to our 2021 Colour-Thon, and we sincerely want to thank our students and their families and friends for your fantastic generosity. We were extremely fortunate that the rain held off and that we were able to hold the Colour-Thon. It was such fun! We feel truly blessed to have such an amazing school community... THANK YOU!
Please see our COLOUR-THON post on FACEBOOK for more photos!
Year 6 Speech Competition
Our SJPC Ajudicators Linda Gleeson and Cherie O'Brien had a very tough decision in selecting a winner for the Year 6 Speech Competition. These 12 amazing finalists presented a prepared two and a half minute speech on the topic 'Failing is a blessing in disguise', followed by a one minute impromtu speech - with only a minute to prepare!! Such courage and confidence! Congratulations go to Will who was awarded the winning shield.
Yearbook Order Form
Amber Lockdown
Dear Parents and Carers
In the event that we have a positive COVID case at school, we have a plan for the immediate closing of the school, followed by deep cleaning, as directed by NSW Health. If we receive notice of any child or staff member testing positive we will place the school in an Amber Lockdown (Students will remain in their current classroom and will continue class until the safe and smooth exit of students takes place) and will ask you to come and pick up your child from school. This will be communicated via text message, Facebook and email. Staff will bring your child to your car as you line up, just like in the afternoons. The difference is that if your surname begins with A-K, you will be picked up at Gordon St drive-through and L-Z at Albany St drive-through. This will be indicated in the message sent at the time. If siblings have different surnames, go with the eldest. Similar to an evacuation drill we will also practice this at school next week (wet weather prevented the drill from happening yesterday) so that staff and students are aware of the procedure. The welfare and safety of your children are at the forefront of this planning process and although it is quite unlikely that it will happen, we need to be prepared.
Naomi Loader
Assistant Principal Mission
Parenting Ideas
Community Notices
