Newsletter 25 February 2022
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Principal's Message
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Faith and Mission News
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Fundraiser for Tonga - Thursday 3 March
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Learning and Teaching
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2021/2022 Upcoming Events
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Our School Leaders for 2022
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Sport News & Sport Calendar - Term 1
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Parent / Teacher Meetings
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Parent Forum
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Firefly Arts Festival - Save the Date!
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Great Golf - Wonderful Sponsors!
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2023 Kindergarten Enrolments
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Canteen Roster
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Rugby Union - St Augustine's
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Prepare for Easter
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Seasons for Growth
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School Fee Payment Reminder
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Parenting Ideas
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Community Notices
Principal's Message
Friday 25 February 2022 - Term 1 Week 4
Dear Parents and Carers
Many thanks to all families who have assisted us in getting through the first few weeks with the challenges of COVID, wet weather and adjusting to the rhythm of school life after the summer break.
On Thursday 3 March we are having a whole school fundraiser for the people of Tonga. Even though it has been pushed out of the news, there is still a great need to rebuild shelter and water infrastructure after the tsunami for our Pacific neighbour. We are encouraging children to look beyond themselves and into the world and to respond to the need for equity and justice in the world and this is a great opportunity to start. There will be a tropical theme dress up day and some activities through the day. If you can give, please give generously - it helps others and is a great example for your children.
Congratulations to our mighty swim team who recently made the trek to Murwillumbah to compete. All four of our relay teams will be competing in Sydney next month for the Polding titles. This level has our students compete against all Catholic schools north of Sydney Harbour, including North Shore, Newcastle and western NSW. If successful here, students then compete at the PSSA State titles which draws from every public, independent and Catholic school in NSW - a big pond indeed.
The Parent Forum is a group of 8 parents at the school who represent families, advise the Principal, build community and raise funds for projects. The Parent Forum have been busily planning for activities and projects after the first meeting this year. A fun Trivia Night for the adults has been planned for Friday 1 April. This night is to help parents make connections and to raise funds for a new outdoor area and a playground extension. Details coming.
The Parent Forum has a vacancy for 2022 and an online form seeking nominations will be sent early next week. In the event there are too many nominations, the Parent Forum will discern which of the applicants are to form the members of the group. It is not a popularity contest - the goal is to have a group with a diverse range of views, skills and talents that can contribute to the success of every child. The commitment is for 8 meetings a year (two per term).
Preparation for our Firefly Art Festival continues, so book this date into your calendars - Wednesday 25 May. This event was postponed from last year and we’re very much looking forward to inviting all families in to celebrate student achievement in the arts.Tickets will be available for purchase from 27 April.
St Augustine’s Church will be having a working bee at the Community Garden on Saturday 5 March from 9-11am with morning tea afterwards. The main job is shifting gravel, so BYO shovel and/or wheelbarrow, bucket or whatever can help. Even if you can spare half an hour it can make a difference.
The COVID regulations have changed and there will be an additional letter sent home today with details. Keep an eye on your emails.
Grace and peace
Peter Watts
Principal
Faith and Mission News
Ash Wednesday
Next Wednesday 2 March, marks 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.
Due to the current COVID regulations, three liturgies will be held (K-2, Yrs 3&4, Yrs 5&6) on the top asphalt area on the morning of Wednesday 2 March.
Project Compassion Appeal 2022
The theme of Project Compassion 2022 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.
Sacramental Program 2022
Once again, students at our school have the opportunity to prepare for the reception of the Sacraments in-class time, with support from their parents at home.
First Reconciliation- open to students in Year 4-6
Date to be confirmed: 29 March
First Eucharist- open to students in Year 4-6
Date to be confirmed: 18 & 19 June
Please complete the Google form to enrol your child in the preparation program for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist by Friday 25 February. A letter containing further information has been emailed to parents/ careers.
Confirmation - open to students in Year 3-6
Date to be confirmed: 21 September
Details for the Sacramental Program for Confirmation will be sent home in Term 2.
Blessing of Prophet Elijah’s
The St Augustine’s Community Garden has a new addition: a statue of the prophet Elijah. A special blessing of the statue will occur after the 9am Mass on Sunday 6 March. Join other parishioners in the garden for morning tea and take a look at the thriving garden beds worked by parishioners from many different cultural backgrounds.
One of the most prominent figures in the Old Testament is Prophet Elijah. The one who gave witness to the One true living God, his prophesies, miracles, challenging and defeating of Baal prophets, his search for the living God, all these things define him as one of the greatest of the prophets. He was also a prophet in whom we can see human nature, he was scared for his life and flees from Queen Jezebel.
His experience of God on Mount Horeb is one of the best examples of his zeal for God whereupon meeting God he says “Zelo zelatus sum pro Domino Deo exercituum” (“With zeal have I been zealous for the Lord God of Hosts.”) (1 Kings 19:10) which also later becomes the part of the Carmelite shield. Though Carmelites do not have a founder as such, there is someone who is considered as the “inspirer of the Order of Carmelites” and that is none other than Prophet Elijah himself.
He was someone intimately connected with nature predicting drought, rains, and experienced strong wind, earthquake and fire. And by God’s grace, we have installed a life-size image of Prophet Elijah in our community garden which only will enhance the natural beauty of the garden. We could say a little prayer to him when we visit the community garden next time.
Community Garden Working Bee
All are welcome to a working bee at 9am Saturday 5 March at the Community Garden. If you are able to, please bring along a wheelbarrow, shovel and bucket. If you are unable to help physically, you are welcome to come along to the Morning Tea afterwards at 10:45am. Please bring a plate of food to share.
Naomi Loader- Assistant Principal Mission
Dominique Montford - Leader of School Catechesis
Maria Woods - Leader of School Evangelisation
Fundraiser for Tonga - Thursday 3 March
St Augustine's is holding a fundraising day on THURSDAY 3 MARCH to support the disaster relief effort in Tonga following the volcanic eruption on January 15.
For a GOLD COIN DONATION students can wear FREE DRESS (tropical theme) to school on Thursday 3 March. Please ensure your child wears SUNSAFE clothes and closed-in shoes.
For a GOLD COIN DONATION students can enter a LOLLY GUESSING competition.
The lucky guess wins the jar!
For a GOLD COIN DONATION students can enter a FOOTY KICKING competition on Thursday 3 March at lunchtime. It will be a gold coin to enter, then a kick-off to name the champion(s) with loads of prizes to be won!
Please see flyer below for details!
Learning and Teaching
A Look at Learning Across the School
Spell-It
Spell-It has been introduced into Year 3 -6. Spell-It is a program that helps teachers to plan and implement spelling instruction based on the assessment of students’ current knowledge. It teaches the rules, conventions, structure and logic of the English language.
Term 1 Learning Modules:
Kindergarten | Seasonal Changes and Me |
Year 1 | History Past and Present Family Life - The Changing Environment |
Year 2 | Changing Technology - Forces and Energy |
Year 3 | Community and remembrance - I am a coding superhero |
Year 4 | The Earth’s Environment - The Coffs Coast |
Year 5 | I’m a celebrity. Get me out of here!!! (Biomes) |
Year 6 | Australia as a Nation |
High Potential Learners (HPL)
We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us” – Romans 12:6
Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Lismore embrace the growth of all students as lifelong learners who are actively engaged with passionate curiosity and wonder of this world. We embrace the challenge to find new ways to support learning and teaching for our high potential learners to ensure that they remain highly engaged and active learners. At St Augustine’s School do this through:
- Quality differentiated instruction on a day-to-day basis
- Targeted small groups based around a specific KLA throughout the year
- CSO targeted HPL extension classes for selected Year 6 students working with a secondary Mathematics teacher once a week.
- Engaging with the community through participation in competitions eg STEAM, ART, Maths Olympiad, Regional Catholic Schools Speech Competition
Data including ACER assessments eg PAT Maths and Reading and the AGAT (ACER General Ability Tests), writing assessments and the MAI are used to inform teacher decision making when selecting students. Where students work with a specialist HPL teacher once per week, the groups are small and targeted. The focus of the groups changes across the year and therefore the makeup of students in the groups changes throughout the year.
HPL Small Group Focus In 2022
Term 1 and Term 2: Mathematics/Robotics in Years 3-6 and Visual Arts (Year 5 and Year 6)
Term 3: K-2: Reading; 3-6: Speech writing (competing in the Catholic Schools Regional Speech
Competition)
Term 4: K-6 Writing
2021/2022 Upcoming Events
March 2022
2 | Ash Wednesday |
3 | Fundraiser for Tonga |
4 | St Augustine's Swimming Carnival - Years 3 - 6 |
7 | Year 6 Team Building Day |
8 | Incitare Year 6 |
8 | Chicken Burger Day - Years 3 & 4 |
11 | Swimming Program - Years 4, 5 & 6 |
14-18 | Parent Teacher Meetings |
18 | Swimming Program - Years 5 & 6 |
23 | Aboriginal Parent and Carers Meeting 3:15pm |
25 | Swimming Program - Years 5 & 6 |
April 2022
1 | St Augustine's Trivia Night |
1 | Swimming Program - Years 5 & 6 |
7 | Last day Term 1 for Students |
8 | Staff Development Day - No Students |
Our School Leaders for 2022
"May you keep this flame alive in your heart and the hearts of all students
of St Augustine's School in 2022" - Fr Joy,
Congratulations go to our student leaders as they officially accepted their role as captains for 2022 at an Induction Liturgy on Thursday 17 February. During the Liturgy Fr Joy spoke about leadership through Service, Responsibility, Leading by Example and Love - we know our Captains will lead us well!
Sport News & Sport Calendar - Term 1
Years K-2 - Catch, Cricket and Athletics (Thursdays - Weeks 1-10)
Our K-2 students are working hard on developing their catching skills with catch games, learning to bat and bowl with cricket and preparing for their athletics carnival with long jump, sprints and throws. Please ensure your child has their hat and drink bottle on Thursdays.
Next Thursday 3rd March, Year 2 will attend a Practice Cross Country session at Brelsford Park. This is non-competitive and is aimed at giving all students an opportunity to view the course and decide if they would like to compete in the U8/9 combined category at our selective carnival held in Week 10.
Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival
The Years 3-6 Carnival has now been postponed to Friday 4 March. A program will be sent home to parents. Thank you to parents who have volunteered to assist at the carnival. If the change in date means you are no longer able to assist please let us know. If time permits we are looking at having a fun teacher and parent relay. Students will be able to order lunches on the day through the canteen. The lunches are brought down to the pool at 12pm for our lunch break. We look forward to a fun filled day that everyone can enjoy!
Years 3 and 4 - Swimming Program (Fridays - Weeks 1, 2, 3 - Week 5 cancelled).
Unfortunately due to the swim carnival being postponed the last week of Year 3 and 4 Swim Program has had to be cancelled. Year 4 will have a catch up in Week 6 to make up for a different missed lesson. Year 3 and 4 students will begin their athletics/cross country practice in Weeks 6,7,8 and 9. More details to come.
Years 5 and 6 - Athletics and Cross Country Training (Fridays - Weeks 1,2,3- Week 5 cancelled).
Year 5 and 6 students have been busy preparing for cross country and athletics. Unfortunately some trips to Brelsford Park have had to be cancelled however most students were able to attend at least one practice at Brelsford. From Week 6 Years 5 and 6 will begin their four week Swim Program. A reminder will be sent out in Week 5.
POLDING BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Amy King, Layla Woodcock, Aribelle Dawes, Coco Chiswell and Max Roulstone were all selected for the Lismore Diocese team to attend the Polding Basketball Championships held in Tamworth today. We wish you all good luck and safe travels.
ZONE SWIMMING CARNIVALS
Once again St Augustine’s swimmers continue to shine in the pool. Last Wednesday students attended the Clarence Zone Carnival in Maclean. All four relay teams progressed and Alex Cabral Barbosa, Coco Becker, Billy Backhouse and Luke Wilson were named age champions on the day. Congratulations!
Congratulations also to the following students who attended the carnival.
Oscar Hanthorn, Ollie Chiswell, Nate Butcher, Millie Thomas, Harrison Howe, Addison Spagnolo, Alahni Kirkaldy, Hope Mengel, Poppy Warren, Eli Butcher, Luke Wilson, Ben Wilson, Hannah Burton, Coco Becker, Jack Howe, Hamish Armstrong, Grace Duede, Liana Montgomery, Alexander Cabral-Barbosa, Pippa Keshk, Noah Keshk, Lily-Mei Wong, Brooklyn Kennedy, Hope Mengel, Cohen Straw, Billy Backhouse, Holly Johnson, Finnley Johnson and Savannah Newman-Doves.
DIOCESAN SWIMMING CARNIVAL
On Wednesday the following swimmers represented Clarence Zone at the Diocesan Carnival held in Murwillumbah.
Alahni Kirkaldy, Hope Mengel, Poppy Warren, Eli Butcher, Luke Wilson, Ben Wilson, Hannah Burton, Coco Becker, Jack Howe, Hamish Armstrong, Grace Duede, Liana Montgomery, Alexander Cabral-Barbosa, Pippa Keshk, Noah Keshk, Lily-Mei Wong, Brooklyn Kennedy, Hope Mengel, Cohen Straw, Billy Backhouse, Holly Johnson, Finnley Johnson and Savannah Newman-Doves.
We are thrilled to announce that all four of our relay teams have progressed to the next level, with three of those coming in first place. We have a strong team progressing through to the next level also in their individual events. We would like to especially congratulate Luke Wilson and Pippa Keshk who were runners up age champions on the day and Coco Becker who was age champion and also broke two Diocesan records!
The Lismore Diocesan swim team will now compete at the Sydney Aquatic Centre on the 22 March. Good luck to all!
CLARENCE ZONE SUMMER SPORTS TRIALS - TOUCH
Last Thursday the following students attended the Zone Summer Sports trials for Touch Football held in Yamba:
Preston Burbridge, Louis Burbridge, Ashlin Doyle, Ruben Simpson, Lachlan Tibbett, Dylan Kidd, Jed Cruiclshanks, Rory Aherne and Bodhi Wilson.
The selectors were very impressed with the great sportsmanship and teamwork on display. Congratulations to the following students who were successful in being selected to represent Clarence Zone and the Lismore Diocese Summer Sports Trials (Touch) to be held in Lismore on the 8 March:
Preston Burbridge, Louis Burbridge, Ruben Simpson, Jed Cruiclshanks, Rory Aherne and Bodhi Wilson.
Good luck also to Holly Johnson and Claire O’Rorke who will be representing Clarence Zone in the Girls side. These trials will also be held in Lismore on 8 March.
CLARENCE ZONE WINTER SPORTS TRIALS - 22 February
Football (Soccer):
The following girls and boys attended the Clarence Zone Winter Sport Trials held in Grafton on Tuesday:
Hannah Burton, Pippa Dodd, Charlie Hottes, Ashton Deans, Max Crowley, Scarlett Thomas, Riley Wood, Ruby Smith, Billi Smith, Harlow Smith, Liana Montgomery, Reef Winkler, Oliver Hammond, Jack Cardow and Taj Gray.
Soccer is always a very popular sport and all of our students are to be commended on their efforts. Congratulations to the following students on their selection in the Clarence Zone team who will attend the Diocesan Winter Sport Trials held in Grafton on 11 March:
Hannah Burton, Pippa Dodd, Ashton Deans, Max Crowley, Riley Wood, Ruby Smith, Billi Smith, Harlow Smith, Liana Montgomery, Reef Winkler, Jack Cardow and Taj Gray.
Rugby League:
The following students will represent Clarence Zone in Rugby League on Friday 11 March in Grafton. Good luck boys.
Frankie Selmes, Alexander Radelescu, Preston Burbridge, Louis Burbridge.
Hockey:
Good luck to Arlo Dent who will represent Clarence Zone in Hockey on Friday 11 March in Grafton.
Rugby Union and Netball
Trials for Zone Rugby Union and Netball were postponed to Thursday 3 March at Woolgoolga. Best of luck to these students.
Candice Butcher
St Augustine’s Sport Coordinator
March 2022 | |
3 | Clarence Zone Winter Sports Trials - Netball, Rugby Union (Woolgoolga) |
4 | St Augustine's Swimming Carnival - Years 3-6 |
8 | Lismore Diocesan Summer Sports Trials - Touch Football (Lismore) |
10 | SAPS Rugby Training starts |
11 | Lismore Diocesan Winter Sports Trials (Grafton) |
16 | Netball NSW Schools Cup (Coffs Harbour) |
22 | NSW CPS Polding Swimming Championships (Homebush) |
25 | Polding Touch Football (Port Macquarie) |
31 | NSW PSSA Swimming Championships (Homebush) |
31 | Polding AFL (Newclastle) |
April 2022 | |
4 | St Augustine’s Cross Country Trials (Brelsford Park) |
Parent / Teacher Meetings
Parent Forum
Last Tuesday the Parent Forum met for the first time this year and it was great to catch up and discuss upcoming plans for the year!
Some of the things we discussed were:- the success of the golf day (thanks to those who took part)- plans for Parent Trivia Night (more info below)- position vacant on the Parent Forum (see Principal’s message)- no Big Banana waterslide night this year as the inflatable slides are no longer there- plans for other parent engagement events once restrictions ease- use of year level facebook pages.
As you can see we cover a range of topics at our meeting and we are always happy to take questions and ideas from the parent body to our meetings which are generally held in week 2 and week 6 of each term.
If you’d like to get in touch, email us at: sapsparentforum@outlook.com or message us on the Parent Community’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/staugustinesparents
The exciting news is that we have a date for the Trivia night!!! This will be a grown ups only event and a great opportunity for parents, carers and staff to come together in a relaxed environment and have a whole lot of fun! The Trivia Night will take place on FRIDAY 1st APRIL (no joke!) so start gathering your table of 8, or there will also be opportunity to register as an individual/couple and join another table. Save the date and more information regarding registration will come in the next newsletter!
We are also looking for a few extra volunteers to help us organise this event over the next month. If you’re keen to help out please get in touch via email or Facebook, we’d love to hear from you!
I hope you and your little people are settling into the year...despite covid and the wet weather!
Take care and God bless,
Fran Davis
Firefly Arts Festival - Save the Date!
Firefly Arts Festival - Wednesday 25 May 2022 @ 6:15pm
COVID restrictions halted our 2021 Firefly Arts Festival in August of last year. We hope to share this celebration of the arts with our school community on Wednesday 25 May 2022 - so SAVE THE DATE! Watch this space for more information in the coming weeks.
Great Golf - Wonderful Sponsors!
Our St Augustine's Golf Day on Sunday 13 February was once again a great success on a beautiful day. Many thanks go to Peter Martin, Paul McAra, Sam Mackay, Ben Mackay, Aaron Hardaker and the committee for organising the day and to all our wonderful sponsors and participants. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Congratulations to our competition winners!
2023 Kindergarten Enrolments
Canteen Roster
Week beginning 28 February
- Monday - M Mainey
- Tuesday - M Black, M Black,
- Wednesday - C Jones, A McCann
- Thursday - J Martin, C Williams
- Friday - W McLean, G Franklin - Help Needed !
Week beginning 7 March
- Monday - Help Needed !
- Tuesday - M Black, M Black, M Mainey
- Wednesday - C Jones - Help Needed !
- Thursday - L Horne
- Friday - P Duffy, W McLean - Help Needed !
Week beginning 14 March
- Monday - V Wall
- Tuesday - M Black, M Black
- Wednesday - P Duffy, B Symons
- Thursday - C Williams - Help Needed !
- Friday - G Dodd, L Knight, W McLean - Help Needed !
Week beginning 21 March
- Monday - L Seccombe
- Tuesday - M Black, M Black, C Williams
- Wednesday - J Martin, N Flintoff
- Thursday - S Crawford, M Van Den Boom
- Friday - P Duffy, W McLean, D McNeill - Help Needed !
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
Rugby Union - St Augustine's
ST AUGUSTINE’S RUGBY UNION
We are looking forward to another fun filled rugby season in 2022. If you are a returning player please make sure you are on the correct ‘What’sApp’ group for the team you will be playing with this year.
If you are a new player please contact me on 0438 427670 so I can put you in touch with your team manager. You are also encouraged to follow the Coffs Harbour Crusaders Junior Rugby Facebook page as well as the SAPS Rugby Facebook page.
Some notes for the diary:
- GET INTO RUGBY- will be held on Friday 4th March at Woolgoolga Sports Ground from 5.30pm to 7pm. All new and returning players are encouraged to attend with lots of fun and prizes on offer.
- Training starts Thursday 10 March at 3.15pm. Please note that the 10th and 17th are also ‘come and try’ dates. If you are considering playing rugby please come along and join us. Students walk down to fields straight after the bell. Parents are to collect students by 4.30pm.
- First game is Friday 29 April. Most games are at Rugby Park, Toormina. Some away games are in Grafton and Dorrigo throughout the season.
Registration- Please register ASAP
Cost: $150
First 100 receive a Crusaders Jacket. (St Augustine’s Colours)
How To Register:
1- download your active kids voucher
2- download the ‘rugby explorer’ app or visit the webpage
3- choose club ‘Coffs Harbour Crusaders Junior Rugby Union Club’
4- select ‘player’ then ‘XV’ then ‘season’.
Please contact us if you have any trouble registering.
Rugby Gear
- Headgear, mouthguard and boots.
- SAPS rugby shorts and socks from Slick Sportswear.
- Jerseys will be allocated at training.
Candice Butcher
St Augustine’s Sport Coordinator
Prepare for Easter
Seasons for Growth
This Term, we will be running the Seasons for Growth Program. Seasons is an innovative grief and loss program that uses the imagery of the seasons to illustrate the experience of grief. Mrs Eve Louden, School Chaplain, will be running the program. If you feel that your child would benefit from this program, please email naomi.loader@lism.catholic.