Newsletter 8 November 2024
Principal's Message
Div 1 Winners Basketball NSW Regional Tournament
Welcome to our 2025 Kindergarten!
Year 5 on Camp!
Friday 8 November 2024- Term 4 Week 4
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope this message finds you well. November is always an exciting time here at school as we ramp up for our annual Fete and look ahead to finishing the school year strongly. I’d like to share a few important updates with you below.
Just 7 Sleeps Until the School Fete!
We’re thrilled to be counting down to our School Fete – only 7 sleeps to go! This is our annual fundraiser, organised by our wonderful Parent Forum, and we’re hoping it will be our best one yet. All funds raised go directly back into our school, providing resources and support that benefit every child. Your generosity is appreciated.
Welcoming the Kindergarten Class of 2025
We were delighted to welcome our future Kindergarten students for 2025 during their first Orientation visit last Wednesday. This is always a special moment, as these young students take their first steps toward joining ‘big school.’ Over the next two Wednesdays, they’ll continue these Orientation visits, which help ease the transition and build excitement. It’s a pleasure to watch their curiosity and energy, and we can already tell this group is going to bring something wonderful to our school.
Important Update: ‘Bring Your Own Device’ Policy Change for Years 5 and 6
After much thought and careful consideration, we’ve decided to cancel the ‘Bring Your Own Device’ policy for Years 5 and 6, starting next year. This decision was made with our students’ wellbeing and safety in mind, particularly with the growing need to address cybersafety concerns. While technology remains an important tool in learning, we want to ensure our approach is both secure and developmentally appropriate.
Canteen Volunteers Needed on Fridays!
Lastly, a call-out for help! We’re in desperate need of canteen volunteers on Fridays. Preparing over 280 lunches before 11 am is a big task, and our hardworking canteen staff could use some extra hands. If you’re able to assist for a few hours on a Friday, we would be incredibly grateful. Please reach out to the school office or our canteen manager if you’re interested in assisting.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. Together, we’re creating a wonderful learning environment for our children, and I’m grateful for all that you do to make our school the vibrant community it is.
Grace and peace,
Peter Watts
Faith and Mission News
Fr Joy’s Birthday and the SAPS Mass
What a joyful celebration of the Eucharist on 27 October! There were so many families in attendance and on his birthday, Fr Joy gifted US by accompanying some of the hymns on the drums! Fr Joe spoke words of appreciation for the wonderful work Fr Joy does in our parish and then everyone enjoyed some birthday cake and a cuppa after Mass.
Narrated Mass for Years 4, 5 and 6
On Friday 25 October, the students from Years 4, 5, and 6 attended the 9:15am parish Mass where Fr Joy took time to explain the meaning of what is said and done during the Mass. This has given all who attended a deeper understanding of and appreciation for this special sacrament. In the photos below, Fr Joy explained that his garment, the ‘chasuble’ is like a tent. He wears it as a symbol of shelter and protection for his flock.
Exuro Year 5 Retreat
On Tuesday 29 October 26 Year 5 students were involved in Exuro (Latin for “on fire”), a student discipleship retreat where students from local Catholic schools in the area gathered to share their Christian faith, and explore how to be disciples of Jesus Christ through games, activities and prayer. The following quote from St Teresa of Avila guided their discussions and learning.
Christ has no body now, but yours. No hands, no feet on earth, but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ looks compassion into the world.Yours are the feet with which Christ walks to do good. Yours are the hands with which Christ blesses the world."
Year 6 ‘Amicus’ Retreat
Today, all the Year 6 students went on a pilgrimage from Boambee Creek Reserve, along the headland tracks and Sawtell beach, finishing with a liturgy in Mary Help of Christians Catholic church. Activities, discussion and prayer experiences throughout the day emphasised to the students that Jesus, their friend (‘Amicus’ in Latin), is always with them along their journey, no matter what. As the students prepare to begin their journey to high school, we pray that they will draw on their faith in challenging times and praise God in the good times.
Parish Luncheons
On the 3rd Wednesday of each month, a class attends the Parish Luncheon, where they meet some parishioners and enjoy each other's company. Everyone is welcome to attend. Our next class to attend will be K Blue on 20 November.
Parish BBQ/ Fun Day
Save the Date! 8 December
10:30am at St Augustine’s School
Naomi Loader - Assistant Principal Mission
Maria Woods - Leader of School Evangelisation
K-2 Parent Storytelling 2024
2024 Yearbook ON SALE NOW!
Order your copy via the Compass Event (see your notifications for details).
Orders close 6pm Wednesday 20 November.
FETE - NEXT FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER
Dear Parents and Carers,
There is only one week until our 2024 FETE, a special event organised in collaboration between the school and the Parent Forum.
When: November 15, 2024 11:15am to 1:30pm.
What to wear: Wear free dress. Pack swimmers and thongs in a bag if you are going on the wet slides. A rashie is an excellent idea for staying sun-safe as it is forecast to be a hot day. Sunscreen will be available throughout the day, but it is also a good idea to apply sunscreen in the morning.
What to bring: A small bag to hold your wallet and belongings as you explore the FETE. Small amounts of money to buy some things from the FETE. There is a lot on offer. Check out the wishlist attached.
Parent volunteers welcome: The FETE is exclusively for St Augustine’s students, so older siblings or friends cannot attend. However, we warmly welcome parents and carers who wish to volunteer. We kindly ask that families do not attend the FETE as participants, as the event is designed for students to explore and enjoy independently. For those students who might find this challenging, we will have designated quiet spaces available, and we encourage you to discuss any concerns with your child’s teacher.
We would greatly appreciate any assistance from parent/carer volunteers, although we understand that the timing may make it difficult for everyone. Volunteers are welcome to bring toddlers along, and if you are interested in helping out, please sign up using this link:https://signup.com/go/pVFeiKP. Volunteers will be asked to sign in at the front office upon arrival.
Donations requested: To make this event a success, we are also asking for donations for various stalls to add to the day's fun. As a token of our appreciation, each donated item will earn your child a raffle ticket to enter the draw to win an exciting FETE Pack and the chance to slime a teacher!!
The flyers below provide more information on donations for the FETE. Please see your Compass notifications for a 'WISHLIST' to help plan your child's fete day.
Thank you for your continued support of our 2024 FETE. We look forward to a fantastic day
Kind regards,
Naomi Loader
Acting Assistant Principal Mission
Fete Pack winners (1 per cohort) will get to
'SLIME' a TEACHER on Fete Day!
Welcome to our 2025 Kindergarten!
Year 5 on Camp
Sport News
SPORT CALENDAR 2024
TERM 4
Week 5 | |
Mon 11 Nov | Lismore Diocesan Cricket Trials - (Lismore) |
Week 7 | |
Tue 26 Nov | Lismore Diocesan Summer Sports Trials - TENNIS & BASKETBALL (Lismore) |
Tue 26 - Wed 27 Nov | Basketball NSW State Finals |
Thu 28 Nov | Lismore Diocesan Summer Sports Trials - TOUCH FOOTBALL (Lismore) |
Fri 29 Nov | Lismore Diocesan Summer Sports Trials - CRICKET (Lismore) |
Week 8 | |
Fri 6 Dec | St Augustine’s Representative Swimming Trials (Coffs Harbour) |
St Augustine’s Representative Swimming Trials ( Nominations due Friday 8 November)
A reminder that the St Augustine’s Representative Swimming Trials are being held on Friday 6 December at the Coffs Harbour Memorial Pool. This event is for any competitive swimmer from Year 1 to Year 5.
These trials are a qualifying event for the Clarence Zone Representative Swimming Trials. Swimmers who wish to compete at a representative level for swimming are required to attend this event.
Please complete this form and submit by the end of business Friday 8 November 2024.
St Augustine's Representative Swimming Trials 2024
Clarence Zone Summer Sports Trials
Last week, many of our Year 4 and Year 5 students attended the Clarence Zone Summer Sports Trials for Tennis, Cricket, Basketball and Touch Football. Congratulations to the following students who will now travel later this month to Lismore to represent our zone at the Lismore Diocesan Summer Sports trials.
Tennis
Riley O’Brien, Angus Morgan
Cricket
Edison Hay, Louis Harrigan, Benjamin Walsh
Basketball
Nate Butcher, Max Murphy, Matthew Welsh, Jade Causley, Rylee Cutler, Ella Hendy, Ariana Yaya
Touch Football
Jaxon Blanco, Rocco Galvin, Blake Galvin, Luke Goddard, Paddy Hammond, Indigo Hamilton, Hope Mengel, Pippa Rowbotham, Poppy Warren, Lottie Webb, Ariana Yaya.
Basketball NSW Regional Tournament
Congratulations to our girls basketball team who were the winners of Division 1 at the Basketball NSW Regional Tournament this week. Congratulations also to our boys team who were Runners Up in Division 2.
CANTEEN NEWS
Canteen Roster
Week beginning 11 November
- Monday - L Seccombe
- Tuesday - M & M Black
- Wednesday - S Rowan
- Thursday - J Ward
- Friday - W McLean, K Cochran, L Horne, Dinah
Week beginning 18 November
- Monday - M Mainey
- Tuesday - M & M Black
- Wednesday - C Jones
- Thursday - J Murphy, D Kelly
- Friday - W McLean, K Cohran, Hana
Notices
