Newsletter Term 3 Week 2 (28.7.23)

From the Assistant Principal - Mick Kennedy

Dear Parents

This could be my final newsletter to the St Anthony’s community. I have finally decided to finish my teaching career at the end of Term 3. It has been an amazing experience here for the last forty two years when St Anthony’s entire school consisted of forty seven students and now almost four hundred students. I have seen six Principals and six Priests come and go and many teachers. Some of the teachers that are here now are the ones I taught many years ago. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here at St Anthony’s and will look back at my time here with appreciation and gratitude for the friendships I have made and I do hope, the difference I have made to the students,teachers and parents over many years. What a journey!

Next week we start the Learning Partnership Meetings. This is a new initiative that will hopefully be a benefit to Parents, Teachers and most importantly Students. These meetings are designed to encourage communication and collaboration and give students some agency in being responsible for their learning. We strongly encourage parents and students to take part in this, as we see this as an integral  step in the development of our students. 

Parents, we encourage you to regularly communicate with your child's teachers. This is a very important step in the educational development of our students. It would be appreciated when you need to speak to the teachers that you set up an appointment with them. It is very difficult to meet with teachers  during class time as they have the responsibility of a number of students to attend to. Please make an appointment through the office and they will gladly assist you with these meetings.

Mick Kennedy

Assistant Principal

Important Dates & School Information

Term 3 2023

Tuesday, 1st August - Parent Forum @ 6pm

Sunday, 6th August - Parish School MASS

Tuesday, 8th August - Rugby League Gala Day

Wednesday, 9th August - Netball Gala Day

Wednesday, 9th August - Byron Bay Writers Festival

Thursday, 10th August - Tweed Catholic Schools Public Speaking - Finals

Tuesday, 15th August - Feast of the Assumption - MASS @ 9 am

Wednesday, 16th August - Author Visit - Hakea Hustler 

Monday, 21st August - Book Parade

Wednesday, 23rd August - Tweed Catholic Schools Year 6 MASS @ St Anthony's

Thursday, 24th August - Book Week speaker and workshop

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/policies

Scholastic Book Fair - READ - GROW - INSPIRE - HELPERS NEEDED

Our Annual Scholastic Book Fair occurs this term. August 7th to August 11th.

We are asking for Parent/s to run this event.

CAN YOU HELP??

Setting up - Friday, 4th August - in the morning 8.30 am to 11.00 am

Monday, 7th August to Friday, 11th August  from 8.30 am to 9.15 am

Monday, 7th August to Friday, 11th August from 2.45 pm to 3.30pm 

If you would like to do this could you please let the school office as soon as possible.

The school number is 0266 741 368.

Book Parade

Book Parade- Monday 21st August- Come dressed as your favourite book character

Helpers Needed for Book Covering

The Library has small packs of about 10 books that need covering. If you are able to help with covering please call or pop in to the office to collect them. 

Thank you Lauren Plunkett (Teacher Librarian)

National Science Week

We will be holding a science fair to celebrate National Science Week in week 5. The Science fair will be held on Thursday 17th August. This is an optional activity for students. If students wish to participate, they may work in groups or individually and prepare a display, experiment, presentation or poster showing a scientific idea. The theme for this year is innovation powering future industries. Projects do not have to fit the theme, however judges will look favourably on those projects that do fit the theme. Students must nominate what they are doing and return their nomination form to Mrs Hawkins by 4th August. All students who have elected to participate should have brought home a note. If you think your child may like to participate and they did not collect a note, please ask them to contact Mrs Hawkins in year 1. The note contains all the important information relating to the Science Fair.

Learning Partnership Conferences

St Anthony’s Learning and Teaching goal is for students to be assessment capable learners; gain clarity in their learning and develop assessment capabilities to maximise their learning potential.

This year, through an Inquiry approach we are changing the structure of our parent/ teacher meetings. Instead of the regular approach we are implementing Learning Partnership Conferences.

The conferences will be held during weeks 3 & 4 of term three.

These meetings will be designed as student led conferences in collaboration with parents and teachers.

Students will prepare for their conferences (with teacher support) by selecting and sharing evidence of their learning and learning goals.

During the conference parents and teachers will be invited to clarify goals and reflect on ways to support the students' learning journey.

Research suggests that a student-led approach encourages students to think critically about their own learning and to seek feedback.  It also provides a sense of ownership leading to assessment capabilities to maximise their learning potential.

In addition, the Learning Partnership Conferences also foster a collaborative relationship between parents, teachers and students, ensuring that all parties are involved in the process of learning and supporting the student's growth.

We believe that this approach to parent/teacher meetings will not only engage students more deeply in their learning but also support their development as assessment capable learners, thus enhancing their overall educational experience.

We will seek feedback from parents, students and teachers leading up to and following the conferences to gain insights and find ways to further enhance this approach as we continually strive to improve student outcomes.

Social Media: Are They Old Enough?

Social Media: Are They Old Enough?

While the internet offers incredible opportunities for children to access information and connect with others, it's important for parents to teach them how to navigate online environments safely. Without proper supervision and understanding of concepts like privacy, children may face negative experiences that can impact their well-being.

Wait Till 13

One common question that arises is when your child should have a social media account.

Most social media platforms, including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Facebook, require users to be at least 13 years old to register. Following these guidelines, we recommend that no primary-aged child should have their own social media account. As a school community, we kindly request that you protect your child by allowing them to access social media only under your account and supervision.

After they are 13, take into account your child’s:

• Maturity
• Resilience
• Understanding of the impacts of social media.

Saying No

Safeguarding your child's confidence and self-worth during their primary school years is crucial, and social media can have negative consequences on your child’s developing identity. We encourage you not to let the online environment distort this important phase of their development. Stay strong and resist the pressure to introduce your child to social media when they are too young.

Together, let's empower our children to explore the digital world safely while preserving their well-being and fostering a positive sense of self.

Learn about the latest games, apps and social media use for children in The esafety Guide.

2023 Non-Government Schools Census

Seasons for Growth

Dear Parent/Caregiver
The ‘Seasons for Growth’ program offers children who have experienced grief, loss or change in their lives the opportunity to talk to other children, of similar age, in a small group about their similar experiences.
‘Seasons’ was initially launched over 20 years ago and there is evidence indicating the program makes a very positive contribution to the social and emotional wellbeing of thousands of children and young people in Australia and overseas.
With the framework ‘Seasons’ provides, children are encouraged to focus on what they can do to make these changes or losses easier to live with. Each group operates with a trained adult companion, during school hours, on a weekly basis for about ten weeks.
St Anthony’s is very pleased to be able to offer this program again in our school and will commence in week 5.  If you feel your child would benefit from ‘Seasons’ please complete the attached return slip.
Yours sincerely
Lynne Pull
Principal
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------
Seasons for Growth
I/we give permission for my child  _______________________ to participate in the      ‘Seasons’ Program
Signed    ……………………………………………………………. Date …………………………..

DOES attendance matter?

Support a Champion: Finn Carroll-Cinque

We are thrilled that Finn Carroll-Cinque has been selected in the NSW Primary School State Sports Association Swimming team to compete at the National Swimming Championships in August. To assist Finn and his family with the costs entailed in this significant representation please consider pruchasing a raffle ticket for $5 for a chance to win.

1st Prize: Apple iPad Pro, 2nd Prize: $500 Rebel Voucher, 3rd Prize: Fitbit Versa 2, 4th Prize: JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth Speaker, 5th Prize: JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth Speaker --(Drawn: Monday 19 December) - Tickets available at the front office.

MISC ITEMS

Parish Information and News

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 5:00pm
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/

RICA - Rite of Chrisitan Initiation of Adults

St Anthony's Parish - Care Group

Many parents may have noticed from the Parish Bulletin, that the Parish has a Care Group which, among other things seeks to provide meals to any parishoners in need.

This could include times of family sickness, new mums struggling to provide for the family in the early days of returning home, and many other circumstances of genuine need.

Please be aware that the Care Group is very willing to help out if any families find themselves in need of this service.

Contact: Parish Office: 0266 741 284 or Maree Moore 0439 174 116