Newsletter 21 June 2024
Principal's Message
Smart Farmer Mobile Dairy Classroom
Year 5 Prayer Retreat
First Eucharist
Friday 21 June 2024- Term 2 Week 8
Dear Parents and Carers,
On Tuesday this week an excellent parent session with Dr Nicola Murray and Constable Tegan Baker on how to manage devices and the link between anxiety and technology. It’s not all bad news but what the research is now clearly saying is that creating limits on usage for children is vital for brain development, social skills and mental health. Too much screen time for children is damaging. The one clear theme from Kirra Pendergast and this week is to take phones (and other internet devices) out of bedrooms. This is where children are most susceptible to grooming, bullying and to interrupting sleep and health. The science is clear and the only answer is education and strong parenting. Over to you!
The half yearly reports are being completed and will be published on Compass on Wednesday 3 July. This document is a summary of progress and effort and is necessarily brief. Lessons have been happening for 5 hours a day for 20 weeks so it is impossible to give feedback on every experience your child has had so this is only part of the conversation. Starting Monday 5 August (Week 3 Term 3), we will have parent-teacher meetings to give further detail on not only the report but on how you can support the next steps. We’re all busy but I encourage you to make these meetings a priority in your calendar.
The next two weeks of school have a lot on, so please keep an eye on the calendar for events where your child is involved. One of the great parts of being a student at St Augustine’s is the opportunities to be a part of the fun and interesting events beyond the important everyday task of learning the basics. The chess competition, the Gangsta Granny day, the $20 Boss Entrepreneur Market, Hot Dog Days, NAIDOC celebrations and the K-2 Athletics Carnival are just a few of the events in the next two weeks that add colour to the school week. They are big days for kids, so make sure you prepare them well by talking about it beforehand and after the event. We strongly encourage our students to be people of good character; showing integrity, humility and empathy - to be ‘good humans’. These qualities shine through on these special days but can only happen when we work in partnership with parents to achieve this end. Please have the conversation with your child before these events as sometimes they are not sure how to behave and need direction as to what it looks like and sounds like. Together we can build a great community made up of great children (and adults).
Grace and peace,
Peter Watts
Principal
Faith and Mission News
Confirmation
Confirmation Liturgies will be held Saturday 3 August 4pm and Monday 5 August 5:30pm
First Eucharist
Congratulations to the 85 students from our school who received Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time.
We pray that receiving Jesus will continue to be an important part of your life and that your faith will continue to flourish.
First Eucharist Retreat
Last Friday, our First Holy Communion candidates joined with the candidates from St Francis Xavier school in a retreat day at the Curran Centre. The focus of the retreat was to help the candidates make their final preparations before receiving Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time this weekend. They explored the scripture 'I am the vine and you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you; you will bear much fruit'. The children recognised the 'fruits' such as love, joy, forgiveness, kindness, gentleness (and so many more) that they can bear in their lives as followers of Jesus. They also explored the word 'communion' and how we are all connected to each other and those who have gone before us through the love of Jesus Christ. Ashlinn, our Regional Ministry Assistant supported us in our learning and fellowship by providing a testimonial and leading us in some great games. Fr Joy helped the children to prepare their hearts to receive Jesus by administering the sacrament of Reconciliation and blessed the special gifts that they were given at the end of their special mass.
Year 5 Prayer Retreat
Last Thursday, the Year 5 students participated in a retreat day where they learnt about and experienced different forms of prayer. Christian music prompted thoughts about their faith journey and inspired their sketches. The Mercy Chapel behind the office was visited where the students experienced 'Adoration' before the blessed sacrament. The children heard the scripture story about Jesus visiting Mary and her sister Martha and practised blocking out distractions as they spent time in meditation. A large labyrinth was walked in a prayerful reconciliation experience as the children left their 'bad choices' in the form of a stone in the centre. Some children reported 'feeling lighter' after this prayer experience. Thanks to Fr Joy and the other visitors who helped us all to encounter Jesus.
Year 2 Prayer Retreat
Last Friday, the Year 10 Ministry team from St JPC ran a 2-hour prayer retreat with the Year 2 students here at school. The theme of the retreat was "Signs of God's Love". Our students listened to stories from the Bible, sang songs and played games to help them recognise Signs of God's Love in everyday life.
Naomi Loader - Assistant Principal Mission
Maria Woods - Leader of School Evangelisation
Pastoral Care & Wellbeing
K-2 Parent Storytelling 2024
Kindergarten Parent Storytelling
Unfortunately Kindergarten Parent Storytelling Term 3 Week 1 has been cancelled.
Changes to Semester Reports
Dear Parents and Carers,
The following is important information regarding Diocesan changes to school reports K-6 commencing this semester. Please read the information carefully. Semester 1 student reports will be available on Compass by the close of business on 3 July (Term 2 Week 10). Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards
Michelle Scott
Smart Farmer Mobile Dairy Classroom visits
Students in Kinder, Year 1 and Year 3 loved their visit to the Smart Farmer Mobile Dairy Classroom last week - an interactive and engaging learning opportunity that teaches students about where their food comes from and why dairy is great for their growing bones.
LARC NEWS
Year 5 $20 BOSS Market Day
YEAR 5 '$20 BOSS' MARKET DAY
SAVE THE DATE: WED 3 JULY 2024
11:20am - 1:30pm
Want to help support these budding entrepreneurs?
Join us for the Year 5 ‘$20 Boss’ Market Day and make a purchase!
Canteen Specials for Term 2
School Musical News
Sport News
SPORT CALENDAR 2024
Week 9 | |
Tue 25 - Thu 27 Jun | NSW PSSA Rugby League 12’s |
Fri 28 Jun | K-2 Athletics Carnival (St Augustine’s) |
Week 10 | |
Mon 1 Jul | Polding Rugby Union Trials (Forbes) |
Polding Touch Football
NSW PSSA BOUND!
Congratulations to Tillie Reibelt who competed at the Polding Touch Football Trials last Friday in Parkes. Tillie has wowed the selectors once again with her blistering pace and has booked herself a spot in the Polding team! Tillie will now compete at the NSW PSSA Touch Football Championships held at Wollongong in August.
Lismore Diocesan Rugby 10’s
Last week our St Augustine’s Rugby 10’s side battled it out against the best teams across the Lismore Diocese. After only narrowly losing one of the games in their pool, the boys then won their semi-final against Skennar’s Head and progressed to the Grand Final against Casino, who was the only team they had lost to earlier in the day. It was a tough battle, with the scores level at full time, however the ‘first try scorer’ rule unfortunately went against us that day and became the difference between winning and losing. The standard of rugby on display was exceptional from both sides and the boys should be extremely proud of their efforts. We would like to especially thank coach Paul Butcher for giving up his time to coach the side on the day.
K-2 Athletics Carnival Friday 28 June
Our very exciting K-2 Athletics Carnival is fast approaching and students have been busy back at school practicing their running, jumping, throwing and games. Our families are more than welcome to come along and support us! Students are encouraged to wear a plain coloured t-shirt to support their house. The canteen will be available for lunch orders and parents are also welcome to order lunch through the canteen.
Elective Sports
Term 3 Elective Sports have now been allocated. A Compass event has been sent to families with your child/children’s sport. Please accept the invitation and pay no later than the 30th June.
CANTEEN NEWS
Canteen Roster
Week beginning 24 June
- Monday - L Seccombe
- Tuesday - M & M Black
- Wednesday - S Rowan
- Thursday - J Ward
- Friday - W McLean, K Cochran, L horne, Dinah
Week beginning 1 July
- Monday - M Mainey
- Tuesday - M & M Black
- Wednesday - J Hay, C Jones
- Thursday - L Harkader
- Friday - W McLean, K Cochran, C Williams
Notices
