Newsletter Term 1 Week 5 (24.2.23)
From the Principal
Dear Parents
The Season of Lent commenced on Ash Wednesday with Mass at 9.00am for all students from Years 1-6, who also received the ashes on their foreheads. Children love this experience and in their classes they would have discussed the significance of this. Kindergarten had their own special Liturgy after the Mass. Fr Paul commented on their excellent behaviour and how well they listened and how reverent they were. The ashes remind us that our life in this world is not forever and our job is to focus on leading good lives in order to inherit eternity in Heaven. During Lent we remember the sacrifice that Jesus made in giving His life for us on the cross before He rose triumphantly at the Resurrection which we celebrate at Easter. During Lent we are asked to return our thinking towards God through prayer, fasting and alms-giving. Pope Francis encourages us to set ourselves on a “path of charity” and that Lent is the time to remember that “the world is bigger than our narrow personal needs, and to rediscover the joy, not of accumulating material goods, but of caring for those who are poor and afflicted.” At school we talk about the things we can do to make a difference. Caritas is the welfare arm of the Catholic Church and traditionally we take home Project Compassion boxes to fill up for charity. Children can put some of their pocket money in these; they can learn to go without something fun (eg lollies, ice-blocks, toys etc) and put the money in the boxes instead. This helps them make a real connection towards helping others. During Lent we are encouraged to be a little kinder, thoughtful and caring in our words and actions. Lent is an invitation to set aside life’s distractions and focus our hearts on what is important. Families are encouraged to talk about how as a family they can do this.
Pancake Tuesday was a real hit with everyone. Many, many thanks for the contributions of pancake mix and toppings and especially to all the wonderful parent helpers who helped out on the day. We appreciate all the support.
Over the past couple of weeks we have had a number of parents assist with book-covering in the library. With the requirements of the new English syllabus we have purchased many additional resources which require covering so that they will last longer. Thanks for all the help many of you have given to this task. There are still some to be done but the pile has significantly gotten smaller! Thanks to Lauren Plunkett for organizing the working bees!
Next week it will be a whole year since the disastrous 2022 floods. We realise that this could be quite a triggering time for those students who were severely impacted. We will be acknowledging this and providing support to those students. Please let us know if you want any extra support for your child/ren.
On Wednesday evening next week there will be a meeting for children who are preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Penance and their parents. The meeting will be held in the Year 4 classroom at 6.00pm and will last about an hour. If your child is baptised Catholic and is in Year 4, 5 or 6 and you would like them to receive their First Communion this year then they must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation first and you need to come along with them to this meeting. (First Communion will be next term). Then next weekend these students are expected to be at Mass (either 6.00pm on Saturday or 9.00am on Sunday) to make a commitment towards this Sacrament. The same meeting will be held at St Ambrose school in Pottsville on Monday evening if you cannot make it on Wednesday.
Let us build the habit of praise and compliment, instead of criticism and gossip.
God bless
Lynne
Important Dates & School Information
Term 1 2023
Thursday 6th April - last day of Term 1
TERM DATES 2023 - pupil free days etc to be advised
Term 1: Friday, 27 January to Thursday, 6 April
Term 2: Wednesday, 26 April to Friday, 30 June
Term 3: Monday, 17 July to Friday, 22 September
Term 4: 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 5:00-5:30pm
SUNDAY: POTTSVILLE 7:00—7:25am
Current Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 9am-3pm
PARISH NEWSLETTER LINK: http://stanthonysparishkingscliff.org/news-events/
My School website
MY SCHOOL UPDATED FOR 2023
The My School website has been updated for 2023 with new profile information on schools and the latest school-level NAPLAN data.
From the Australian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority (ACARA) CEO, David de Carvalho, “My School provides data on schooling right across Australia, helping parents, schools and governments to understand the performance of schools.”
“It’s an important resource for parents to make informed decisions about their children’s schooling. As well as providing an overview of approach and focus of the school, parents and carers can also find information on student and teacher numbers, attendance rates, financial information and NAPLAN results.
“It also provides teachers with important insights into school performance, supporting and driving improvements across the nation.”
The 2023 My School update includes the following:
2022 school profile and population data
2022 school attendance data
2022 NAPLAN results for schools
2021 school financial information, including capital expenditure and funding sources
2021 post-school destinations data.
Student progress data for 2020 – 2022 is not available following the cancellation of NAPLAN in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, parents can still view NAPLAN performance data relative to Socio-Educational Advantage by school on the NAPLAN results page.
My School’s Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) indicates the average educational advantage of the school’s students and is calculated using information about a parent’s occupation and education, school geographical location and the proportion of Indigenous students. A school’s ICSEA value is provided to encourage taking socio-educational advantage into account when comparing school achievement.
My School shows a decline in students’ attendance during Semester 1 and Term 3 2022, but this can be attributed to the impacts of the COVID-19 Omicron outbreak, high influenza outbreaks and floods experienced in some regions of Australia during that time.
To have a look at St Anthony’s Kingscliff profile and results, go on the My School website and enter the full St Anthony’s Kingscliff in the search field.
Meet the Teacher - Mr Judd
Canteen Helpers Needed
It's that time of year again. We are desperately in need of helpers in the canteen. Particulary on Fridays.
If you can help please see Ellen in the Canteen or let the office know.
Thank you Ellen
Miscellaneous
