Newsletter Term 1 Week 2 (3.2.23)
From the Principal
Dear Parents
Happy New Year! Welcome back to an exciting year of learning at St Anthony’s. A very warm welcome to all our new families who have chosen our school for their children’s education. We trust you will find St Anthony’s to be a caring and inviting community to belong to.
Years 1 – 6 students have settled in well already this week in their new classes. There seems to be a very calm and happy atmosphere abounding which is great to see. Students have been reminded of what is expected of a “St Anthony’s Person” and that their “job” is to be the “Best Learner I Can Be”.
Yesterday Year 6 students attended a Leadership Day at the Kingscliff Bowls Club. They learned about many aspects of leadership, including some quotes from inspirational people. Fr Paul and I also talked with students and answered many interesting questions from the group. This day is a prelude to students applying for Leadership roles this year at school. Those wishing to be considered for School Captain will write a letter to me outlining why they are keen to put themselves forward. We expect to have speeches first thing on Thursday morning flowed by voting. Results for all leadership roles are likely to be announced early the following week but we will keep you informed as we go.
On Thursday 16th February we will hold our opening school Mass at 9.00am in the church where leaders will receive their badges. All Year 6 will be commissioned as school leaders also. Parents are warmly welcomed to join us on this occasion.
We are looking forward to Kindergarten starting on Monday. They have been coming in individually for their Best Start Assessment with their teachers this week and it is very obvious that there is great excitement about starting school for many of them.
This week we welcomed new teaching staff: Mrs Gemma Ballantine is Assistant Principal – Mission, Misss Holly Lees and Mr Sam Judd have joined Year 4, and Misss Olivia Thompson is part of the Year 3 team. We also welcome Misss Brooklyn Patullo who is assisting in Year 1 on Mondays and Tuesdays and Yr 4 on Wednesdays. Ms Peta Sommerville is assisting in Yr 2. All new staff are enjoying being at St Anthony’s already.
We were saddened to hear of the death of Mrs Kim Naylor’s father earlier this week. Kim is Leader of Pedagogy at St Anthony’s. Her dad’s funeral will be held in our church on Monday at 11.00am. Please keep Kim and her family in your prayers at this sad time for them.
We are missing Mrs Pip Brown and Mr Mick Kennedy from our staff as they are currently on sick leave. Pip assures us she is doing well with her treatment and hopes to rejoin us later in the year. Mick requires further eye surgery but hope to be back later this term. We continue to pray for both of these long-standing staff from our school and look forward to them returning to school fit and healthy.
Please advise us of any difficult scenarios your family may be experiencing so that we might pray for you and care for your children in the best way for their wellbeing.
We will be holding a variety of activities on Monday 13th February and Tuesday 14th February for all students in Years 1 – 6. This will enable class teachers to individually test students mathematical understanding. This data is required by the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Office but it will also enable teachers to know the gaps in students’ learning and assist them in their mathematics planning.
Today students in Years 3 – 6 are participating in the annual swimming carnival. From here a team will be selected to represent St Anthony’s at the Zone Swimming Carnival on Tuesday 14th February to be held at Murwillumbah. You will be notified if your child is selected for this event.
As Ash Wednesday is on 22nd February we will hold Pancake Day on the day before, Shrove Tuesday, 21st February. This will require some gold coins to purchase pancakes on this day. More information will be sent out leading up to the day.
This Sunday school staff will be attending the 9.00am Mass where they will be commissioned in their role as educators in the Parish School. It is an opportunity for the wider parish to pray for our school team. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Please remember our school uniform requirements at St Anthony’s. White joggers are the required footwear for sports days and black school shoes for the other days. Hair is expected to be neat and tidy and must be tied back if it is long. Coloured and dyed hair is not in keeping with the school expectations. Neither is nail polish or eye make-up. By and large however we are delighted with the high level of the correct wearing of the school uniform so thank you for that.
I ask parents to always make contact with their children’s teachers if there are any concerns or to contact me to talk through any matters. I promise to listen to understand and assure you I will look for ways to ease your concerns if possible. The old adage of “a problem shared is a problem eased” is often the case. Never hesitate to come in for a chat because sometimes that is all that is needed. I do encourage you though to make an appointment to ensure I am available.
Practising gratitude has been linked to improved sleep, reduced stress and increased feelings of happiness.
Have a great week everyone! God bless all our families.
Lynne
Important Dates & School Information
Term 1 2023
Monday, 6th February - First Day of Term1 2023 - Kindergarten
Thursday, 16th February - Opening School MASS @ 9.00am
Tuesday, 21st February - Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Day
Wednesday, 22nd February - ASH WEDNESDAY
TERM DATES 2023 - pupil free days etc to be advised
Term 1: Friday, 27 January to Thursday, 6 April
Term 2: Monday, 24 April to Friday, 30 June
Term 3: Monday, 17 July to Friday, 22 September
Term4: Monday, 9 October to Tuesday 19 December
Child Protection Policy can be found on our School Website under Information/School Policies: St Anthony's Primary School Website or in the following link: https://www.kngplism.catholic.edu.au/school-policies/
Parish News
St Anthony's Parish
Parish Priest: Fr Paul McDonald
Finance Manager: Paul Crouch
Parish Secretary: Marty Darragh
Pastoral Assistant: Catherine Holliday
Phone: 0266741368
Email: parkings@bigpond.com
Website: http://stanthonysparishkingslciff.org
WEEKEND MASS TIMES
VIGIL: KINGSCLIFF 6:00pm
SUNDAY:POTTSVILLE 7:30am
KINGSCLIFF 9:00am
WEEKDAY MASS TIMES
TUESDAY: POTTSVILLE 9:15am
WEDNESDAY: KINGSCLIFF 8:00am
THURSDAY: KINGSCLIFF 9:00am
FRIDAY: KINGSCLIFF 8:00am
RECONCILIATION TIMES
SATURDAY: KINGSCLIFF 4:00-4:30pm
SUNDAY: POTTSVILLE 7:00—7:25am
Current Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 9am-3pm
PARISH NEWSLETTER LINK: http://stanthonysparishkingscliff.org/news-events/
St Anthony's Primary Swimming Carnival
Age Champions
Record Breakers
Freestyle 50m age winners
Leadership Retreat - Year 6
Year 6 Leadership Retreat Day
On Thursday 2nd February, Year 6 spent the day at Kingscliff Bowls Club, taking part in a Leadership Retreat. The goal for the day was to promote all Year 6 children as leaders, to examine the roles of leadership available in the school and to consider their own intentions towards the positions available.
Students took part in a Liturgy and reflected on the many ways that leaders can serve. We welcomed Mrs Pull and Father Paul as special guests, who spoke candidly about their own leadership experiences and provided advice to our students for the year ahead.
Thank you to Mrs Ballantine for organising this thought-provoking and special day for our senior students. We look forward to all of the wonderful contributions that they will make to our school this year.
Year 6 Teachers
Miscellaneous
Netball Registrations 2023
