Newsletter 23 February 2024

Principal's Message

Friday 23 February 2024- Term 1 Week 4

Dear Parents and Carers,

Congratulations to all the Principal Award winners at assembly today. These are awarded after a student receives 5 Merit awards and it takes consistent effort to achieve. They acknowledge effort and achievement in being kind and working hard and are aligned to the KEY behaviour system. It is such a pleasure to see these students have a great start to the year. 

The next KEY behaviour focus was introduced to students at assembly. We will be teaching the children examples of great manners, how to greet an adult at school, being a good sport and playing by the rules of the game; basically about being a person of good character. We will have a specific rewards focus for this initiative which should go for about 3 weeks. Each staff member will be able to give a ticket to a child if they witness great manners, being a good sport or playing very well. These will go into the hat and each week 3 random draws will be made, with $20 vouchers awarded to the winners. For the sake of clarity, some additional points: children will not get a negative consequence (eg an Orange Card) for forgetting manners or not greeting in the best way. They will be reminded, encouraged and rewarded for being polite. Similarly when we are encouraging children to be a good sport, the emphasis will be noticing good behaviour and acknowledging it. Thanks for your support with this important initiative. We are seeing most children settle into the routine of school life to make St Augustine’s an even more calm, safe, respectful and productive place. 

Smart watches seem to have been a popular Christmas present. They can be fantastic devices when used well but unfortunately we are having an issue with home communication during the school day. It’s important that all communications go through the office and not to your child via a smart watch so learning is not interrupted. Many schools have banned these devices but I’d rather children learn to use them responsibly than have a blanket ban. We will monitor use in the next few weeks.  

I have been informed by Highway Patrol that they will be paying particular attention to the Albany St exit from 2.30-3.30pm each day. Please be mindful of where and how you park and stay within the road rules. 

Have a great weekend,

Peter Watts

Principal 

Faith and Mission News

Sacraments in 2024 - Overview

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist

For baptised students in Years 4, 5 and 6

Today - Friday 23 February 

Enrolments in the Sacramental Program are due

Wed 28 February

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist Commitment Evening @ 6:30pm (Top Assembly Area)

Tuesday 12 March

First Reconciliation to be held in the church between 4:30-6:00 (Times to be advised)

Wednesday 29 May

First Eucharist Family Preparation Evening  (celebration of the Passover) @6:30pm (Top Assembly Area)

Friday 14 June

First Eucharist Retreat for students at St Augustine’s School and Curran Centre

Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June

Sacrament of First Eucharist celebrated at ONE of the Parish Masses 

If you wish for your child to be enrolled in the First Reconciliation and First Eucharist program, 

please click the PDF below. This document includes the Google Form for registration.

If you would prefer not to register online, please contact us.

Confirmation - For baptised students in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6

Monday 29 April

Confirmation Note and  Enrolment via Google Form sent home

Wednsday 5 June

Confirmation Information Night @ 6:30pm 

Sunday 4 August (TBC) and Monday 5 August 

Sacrament of Confirmation (time and day to be advised)

Ash Wednesday 

Wednesday 14 February marked the first day of Lent. Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. Our practice on Ash Wednesday includes being marked with ashes on our forehead, symbolising the dust from which God made us. Lent is a time of increased prayer, almsgiving, self-denial and deep contemplation about the mystery of God's mercy. 

A Liturgy for Years 1 to 6 was held in the church on Ash Wednesday.

Project Compassion Appeal 2023

The theme of Project Compassion 2024 is ‘For All Future Generations’. It is an expression of hope and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues. 

During the season of Lent, students and staff are encouraged to discover the power of giving and the impact that their contribution, however big or small, can have in the lives of others. When we lend a hand to someone in need, they will go on to help others and make better opportunities for future generations. Compassion is contagious and creates a ripple effect of kindness and prosperity. 

During Lent we encourage our students to be the pebble that enables Caritas Australia to create the ripples that will improve the livelihoods of vulnerable communities, supporting them to flourish and create opportunities for future generations to live to their full potential and thrive. We encourage our students and families to come together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. Together, we can make a difference. 

Project Compassion boxes went home in Week 3. Please give generously and return the boxes to school by the end of term.

Year One Spotlight

Students in Year 1 listened to the story of Jesus welcoming the children when the disciples tried to send them away. Jesus said ‘Let the children come to me’ and told the disciples that they should be like the children, having trust in God their Father, just like the children have trust in their parents.

Year One Spotlight - James, Teigan and Frankie

Parish Luncheon

On the 3rd Wednesday of every month, everyone is invited to our St Augustine’s parish luncheon. Last Wednesday 6Blue with Mrs Machatsch and some students from St John Paul College attended. The students recognised some parishioners from Mass and made new friends, engaging in conversation with parishioners of all ages and enjoying each other’s company. 

Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross will be held in St Augustine’s Church at 8:30am every Friday in Lent  finishing on Friday 22 March at St Augustine’s Church. On Good Friday - 29 March - the Stations of the Cross will be held at 9am at both St Augustine’s Church and also at St Francis Xavier Church, Woolgoolga. Stations of the Cross booklets are now available at the back of St Augustine’s Church.

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

Project Compassion - Water Tank Fundraiser

This week students took home a water drop with instructions on the back, giving families the opportunity to contribute to the wonderful work that Caritas Australia does.

Please see the flyer below for details.

Thank you to all those families who have already supported this fundraiser.

If you would like to help, please check your child's bag for their water drop or collect one from the school office.

Donations close 28 March 2024.

Learning and Teaching

Parent/Teacher Meetings

Semester One Parent/Teacher meetings have been scheduled for Week 6 (4 March to 8 March 2024).

Online bookings opened today, Friday, 23 February at 2.00pm and will close on Friday, 1 March at 2.00pm with interviews commencing on Monday, 4 March 2024 and go to Friday, 8 March 2024. Some teachers may have some additional time available in Week 7.

The Parent/Teacher meetings can be booked via your Compass app or desktop in the Conference tab.  

The Parent/Teacher meetings are an important part of effective home-school communication and allow you to gain a greater understanding of your child’s progress.

If you have difficulty in making a booking, please contact the school office. 

K-2 Parent Storytelling returns in 2024

Our Parent Storytelling initiative, a success since 2022, will continue in 2024, offering parents a chance to foster a love of reading in K-2 students. We aim to build a strong reading culture in our school, making reading an enjoyable activity for students.

Here's a quick guide to Parent Storytelling for new and returning families. It's a voluntary activity where parents, caregivers, or grandparents can read to small groups of students. You can join on certain weeks, skip a week, or opt-out as needed. Bring toddlers along if you'd like. Storytelling happens from 9 am to 9:30 am, with parents meeting at 8:55 am outside the front office. You don't need to sign up; just show up with a blanket if you'd like to participate. Your involvement is appreciated for the positive impact on our community.

We can’t wait to see you there!!

Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

We are pleased to have Maree working with us at St Augustine’s. Families can self-refer directly to Maree or contact Naomi Loader at school to discuss the referral process. 

LARC NEWS

Sora is a free reading platform (app and website) that you can use to access eBooks and audiobooks. All students have access to this amazing resource with their school login details.

Instructional videos on how to login can be found on the school intranet, on the LARC page. Please don’t hesitate to contact Chantal Warnes with any questions about this.

Happy Reading!

TERM 1 CANTEEN SPECIALS

This term the Canteen is holding two ‘whole school’ special lunch days,
rather than the cohort lunch days (sausage sizzles & burger days) that we have had in the past. These special lunch days are detailed below.

Please note that these special lunch days can only
be purchased online via Flexischools.

Mini Vinnies

This week Mini Vinnies met to vote in our new committee to lead our Mini Vinnies team for this year. It was a tough decision with such a large number of our Year 6 members putting their hand up to be involved. How lucky we are!

Mr Watts announced the names of the new committee members today at assembly and presented the team with their badges. Congratulations to all of our new Committee representatives. We are very proud of our team for 2024.

This week we discussed ways that we can come together and help others in need and with so many good ideas already on hand, this crew will surely succeed. We look forward to coming together to help others in need this year.

Shrove Tuesday

Mini Vinnies would like to thank all our wonderful pancake making families and school community for your generous support of our Shove Tuesday pancake fundraiser. All money raised will go to Caritas for Project Compassion. Thank you.

St Augustine's 2024 Golf Day

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors and participants!

Sport News

SPORT CALENDAR 2024 TERM 1

Polding Summer Sports Trials (Tennis and Basketball)

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to attend the NSW PSSA Championships!

Riley O’Brien (Tennis) 

Grace Davis, Grace Duede and London Lacey (Basketball) 

Clarence Zone Winter Sports Trials 

This week the Clarence Zone Winter Sports trials were held for Netball and Football. No trial was required for Hockey or Rugby League. Rugby Union trials will be held on Monday 11 March. Congratulations to all students.

A list of students attending the Diocesan Trials will be posted in the newsletter at the completion of the final Rugby Union trial.  

Lismore Diocesan AFL Trials 

Today Ben Wilson and Matthew Welsh attended the Lismore Diocesan AFL Trials in Grafton. We look forward to hearing the results. Congratulations boys! 

Years 2-5 Swimming Program 

Our Year 2-5 Swimming Program commenced on Thursday. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to develop their skills in swimming at their own level. The program will be conducted at the Sawtell Pool for the first two weeks and then at the Coffs Harbour Memorial Pool for the remainder of the program. 

The Swimming Program is during school time for five weeks. 

• YEAR 2 & YEAR 4 - Thursdays (commencing Week 4, 22 February 9.00am-1.00pm) 

• YEAR 3 & 5 - Fridays  (commencing Week 4, 23 February 9.00am- 1.00pm) 

Please note that this will mean Year 2 and Year 4 will wear their sport uniform on Thursdays for the five week swim program. All other students will continue to wear sport uniforms on Fridays. 

St Augustine’s Cross Country 

The St Augustine’s Cross Country Trials will take place on Monday 25 March at Geoff King Motors Oval. This event is for competitive runners wishing to trial for the Clarence Zone Cross Country. The distances for each age group are as follows:

8/9 Year (combined age group)- 2km 

10 Year- 2km 

11 Year- 3km

12/13 Year (combined age group) - 3km

In the coming weeks, a Google form will be sent to all parents of students from Year 2 to Year 6 to nominate for this event. A Compass invitation will be sent to students who have been nominated by their parents. 

If you are after some extra training, please come along and join the Run Club, which is open to students from Years 2 to 6 on Wednesday and Friday mornings on the school field from 8.20 am.

Rugby Union 

The 2024 Coffs Harbour Crusaders Junior Rugby Union Competition will begin in Term 2 on Friday nights with training to commence at St Augustine’s on Thursday 7 March. Please see the flyer attached for further details or contact the following coaches/managers. 

U8’s Craig Landrigan 0406 884 504

U9’s Graeme Doyle 0412 452 927

U10’s Dan Burbridge 0449 594 140

U11’s Candy Butcher 0438 427 670

U12’s Peter Readett 0499 267 776 

NSW AFL Primary All Schools Girls 12 Years and Under Selection Trial and NSW Netball Primary All Schools Boys 12 Years and Under Selection Trial 

Nominations are now open for AFL Girls and Netball Boys for these events. Information has been on school notices as well as a nomination form. If you have any questions about these events please contact the school. 

CANTEEN NEWS

Canteen Roster

Week beginning 26 February

• Monday -  D Budden
• Tuesday -  M Black , M Black 
• Wednesday -J Hay, C Jones
• Thursday - 
• Friday -  W McLean, K Cochran, C Williams  

Week beginning  4 March

• Monday - C Williams
• Tuesday - M Black, M Black
• Wednesday -  B Symons, P Duffy
• Thursday - 
• Friday - W McLean, L Lawler

Notices

Coffs Harbour Basketball Association

Coffs Harbour Basketball Association is very excited to announce that all junior club basketball games will move to mid-week from the start of the Winter Junior Comp next term.

The association has been trying for many years to get junior competitions moved from Saturdays to a mid-week timeslot to continue the incredible growth we have seen in basketball over the past decade.

Basketball is the No.3 participation team sport in Australia for children aged 6-15 years and it is one of the highest growth sports in Coffs Harbour.

The Winter Junior Competition will now be played on Wednesday and Friday nights throughout school terms 2 and 3.

The Summer Junior Competition will be played on the same nights across term 4 this year and term 1 next year.

“We believe this will change the landscape for basketball in Coffs Harbour and it has been a long time coming,” CHBA president Elliot Plater said.

“There is more room for growth because we can still use Saturdays for development programs like Ford Aussie Hoops and maybe even some under-8 or under-10 competitions.

“A lot of weekends are taken up with representative basketball so this will free them up to play with their club teams.

“It’s also a great opportunity to get children from other sports involved in the great game of basketball that might not have had the chance because it was played on Saturdays.”

As part of the changes the men’s competition will move from Wednesday to Monday nights and we are hoping to include an over-30s men’s competition in conjunction with the Tuesday night women’s competitions.