Newsletter Term 3 Week 9 (15.9.23)

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents

We have a very busy week for our final week of Term 3 – it has certainly a full term with lots of great opportunities for students.

On Monday students will showcase their dancing to their parents in 45 minute sessions commencing at 8.45am so please be here on time on Monday. Timetable is as follows:

 8.45am – 9.30am Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2
 9.30am – 10.15am Year 3 & Year 4
 10.15am – 11.00am Year 5 & Year 6

Parents are welcome to watch what their children have learned during their dance sessions this term. Parents are welcome to watch all sessions if they wish! Students will have some fun dance sessions during the remainder of the day. Sports Uniforms are to be worn on Monday.

Tuesday is the Colour Fun Run Day. We will commence at 12.30pm. Students will run in grade groups. Old white T-shirts will be the order of the day. Please ensure teachers know if your child does not want to be coloured! There are lots of prizes on order for this fundraiser- so we encourage everyone to give it one last hit for sponsors this weekend. We are currently at close to $22,000 raised which is phenomenal. The kids would love to see Mr K slimed before he leaves so everyone is trying hard to raise the extra funds needed to ensure this happens! Thanks to the Parent Forum for supporting this event and to everybody who has contributed to the fundraising.

Wednesday is Mr Kennedy’s final day as teacher/Assistant Principal at St Anthony’s. We will begin the day with a whole school Mass at 9.00am in the church. Parents are welcome to join us. Then at 1.00pm we will gather in the COLA for our final assembly and farewell. Everyone is invited to join us for this occasion. It will be very special. Please note this day has changed from Thursday to Wednesday – there’s a story to that!

The canteen will NOT be open for Recess on Wednesday.

Thursday is the final day of term for students. Friday is a staff development day so no school for students.

Term 4 will commence for students on Tuesday 10^th October.

Thank you to everyone who came to Mass last Sunday. Many students made their Confirmation commitment at last weekend’s Masses. Thanks to those who provided something for morning tea afterwards. There is a great sense of community on these occasions. Confirmation candidates and all of Year 3 engaged in a retreat day on Wednesday. Many thanks to their teachers, Mrs Ballantine and the St Joseph’s College CSYMA students who all assisted, ensuring it was a wonderful spiritual occasion for all.

Yesterday students enjoyed wearing their bright colours in recognition of RUOK day. It was a reminder to check in with one another, include others in our games and offer the spirit of love and friendship.

Many thanks for your continued support throughout this term. It has been great to see lots of parents at different times including assemblies and the Father’s Day breakfast. Enjoy the holidays with your children. Encourage them to read daily and to write whenever they can. Journals are a great way to encourage this. Please check uniforms over the holidays, especially shoes!

Please remember that many of our families are going through some tough times, experiencing grief and loss in different forms. Spare a thought and prayer for them

Prayer is an uplifting of the heart, a glance towards Heaven, a cry of gratitude, and love in times of sorrow as well as joy.

God bless

Lynne

Important Dates & School Information

Term 3 2023

Saturday, 16th September - Mick Kennedy's Retirement Party @ Kingscliff Bowls Club

Monday, 18th September - Dance Showcase

Tuesday, 19th September - Colour FunRun from 12.30pm

Wednesday, 20th September - Mick Kennedy's Farewell MASS at 9 am Special Assembly at 1 pm

Thursday, 21st September - Last Day of School for students

Friday, 22nd September - Pupil Free Day/Staff Professional Learning Day

Term 4 2023

Monday, 9th October - Pupil Free Day/Staff Professional Learning Day

Tuesday, 10th October - School resumes for students

Tuesday 24th October - Kindergarten Orientation Mornings from 8.45 am to 10.45 am

Wednesday 25th October - Kindergarten Orientation Mornings from 8.45 am to 10.45 am

Friday 10th November - Pupil Free Day/Staff Professional Learning Day

Thursday 14th December - Year 6 Graduation Mass 9 am

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

Message from Assistant Principal Mission

Confirmation

On Wednesday our Confirmation Candidates and Year 3 students participated in a Retreat Day. During the day we talked about the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and how we can see and feel the Holy Spirit at work in lives. The students developed an understanding of the gifts and fruits of the Spirit and how we are called to use these gifts through the Sacrament of Confirmation. We were so blessed to have St Joseph’s College CSYMA (Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Association) students come to help lead the day and guide conversations throughout the day, with a few of these students being past St A’s students!

A large number of students will receive their Sacrament of Confirmation in the first week back of Term 4 on Wednesday, October 11 at 6pm. On Wednesday during school time these students will gather with students from our Parish school, St Ambrose, Pottsville, to prepare and meet Bishop Greg Homeming, who will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation. These students will receive their Confirmation Certificates at our Parish School Mass on Sunday, October 29 at 9am. We wish these students and their families a blessed time as they spend the last few weeks in preparation for this special sacrament.

Baptism

We are finalising our group to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Baptism next Term. If you wish for your child to receive Baptism and participate in the school-based preparation program, please contact Gemma Ballantine, Assistant Principal (Mission) gemma.ballantine@lism.catholic.edu.au

Student Absence

If your child is going to be away next week please advice the office earlier in the week. 

Thank you

SOMETHING TO THINK AND PRAY ABOUT THIS WEEK

Long Live Indifference

Asking yourself about your inner freedom, investigating what your purpose in life really is, is valuable for your personal search for more quality of life. Mildness and humility are important here. It is almost inevitable that we will attach ourselves in a way that can make our inner self not free. As a young Jesuit, an elderly fellow brother spoke to me about white rabbits: a little boy shows his best friend his toy cabinet and says to him: ‘I love you, you can choose what you want, it is a gift for you. Only ... my white rabbit, you can’t take that, because it’s really just for me.’

We all have a few white rabbits, big things or small things, postures, dynamics ... to which we are more attached than we would like and of which we are sometimes not proud. It’s human nature. It’s a big step if you can admit to yourself that they exist. Maybe as the years go by you can say goodbye to your white rabbit but there is a good chance that something else will replace it.

Excerpted from Living with Ignatius: On the Compass of Joy by Nikolaas Sintobin SJ (pp.36-37)

https://sacredspace.com/

School Fun Run

Next week is our School Fun Run! The event will kick off at 12.30pm. We look forward to seeing students get involved.

If any parents would like to get involved please call the office on 6674 1368, but even if you can’t help, we’d love to see you down there on the day cheering the kids on… Everyone’s invited!

Thank you all for your efforts so far.

Please keep sharing your link and getting those donations through to your personal fundraising goal, as well as the schools’ goal of $30,000, which will be going towards a mud kitchen, sacred space and yarning circle. If we reach our goal Mr Kennedy will be slimed on Tuesday.

Want to see what the kids will be doing on the day? Have a look at this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FBLhfn5Dyo

Make sure your children have a bottle of water, a change of clothes and runners on for the Fun Run. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Sports News

Tweed Catholic Primary Schools Sports Gala Day

On Friday 25th August, all of Years 5 and 6 attended the annual Tweed Catholic Primary Schools Sports Gala Day.

On the day there was a competitive Netball and Soccer competition as well as 4 other non-competitive sports for the students to participate in. All students who weren’t part of a competitive team rotated around 4 sports, the emphasis being on fun, learning and participation. These non-competitive sports were: tennis, NFL, AFL and netball. Well done to all students for being involved.

The Years 5 and 6 competitive Netball team had a great day, coming away with a few wins and a few losses against tough opposition. Congratulations to the following students who competed with the St Anthony’s spirit: Alice Little, Rosie Tardent, Laila Woodley, Layla Edwards, Samara Lawrence, Bobbie-Anne Zell, Ellie Neaves, Aria Boyle and Emma Forde.

Many thanks again to Mrs Barlogio for coaching the team at lunch time and on the day, your time is much appreciated.

This year we had a Years 5 and 6 mixed competitive soccer team who also came up against tough competition. They had a few wins and a few losses and just narrowly missed out on making the final. Congratulations to the following students: Billy Handisides, Kaynan Behs, Hugh Flaherty, Alex Todan, Jack Keast, Nixon Bartlett-Kelly, Eva Richards, Emily Burrett, Chaise Arthurs, Noah Gell, Kalani O’Connor, Jorja Geoghegan, Andie Staunton

Many thanks to Mr Jye Barton for running training sessions at lunch and coaching them on the day.

For the first time at this event we had a girls only soccer team have the opportunity to play a few 9 a side competitive games against Mt St Pats Primary School. All the girls were very keen for this opportunity and had so much fun playing on the day. This is something we hope can continue in the future and grow in numbers next year.

Congratulations to the following girls for your participation in this team: Olivia Perkins, Mila Matsen-Warren, Zali Stevens, Eva Alexander, Addison Halcoop, Camille Hegedus, Andie Staunton, Harper Hutchinson, Malia Cadman and Zali Meyer.

Many thanks to Mr Luke Staunton who gave up his time to run some lunchtime training sessions with the girls and coach them on the day. Your time and effort is greatly appreciated by St Anthony’s!

Stage 3 Hockey Gala Day

The annual Tweed Primary Schools Hockey 6 a side Gala Day was held on Friday 8th September at the Tweed Hockey Centre in Murwillumbah. The Gala Day has an emphasis on participation and fun. Playing 6 a side hockey on a smaller field means more touches of the ball and more opportunity to learn the basics of hockey.

St Anthony’s had 5 teams from Years 5 and 6 participate on the day.

Congratulations to all students, your behaviour and sportsmanship were exceptional.

Many thanks to Mrs Campbell, Mrs Gell, Mrs White and Miss Sienna Little who helped coach and supervise teams on the day. We appreciate you giving up your time and sharing your hockey knowledge and expertise.

Stage 2 Tennis Gala Day

The annual Todd Woodbridge Cup was held on Wednesday 13th September at the Murwillumbah Tennis Centre. The tournament is played in a modified format using smaller courts and low bounce balls. It is a team tennis event with 8 players in each team.

St Anthony’s had 2 teams participate from Year 4, well done to the following students:

Team 1: Ky O’Grady, Nixon Moase, Brax Alexander, Jesse Green, Lacey Alach, Kahlani Gordon, Claudia Popov and Cate.

Team 2: Ted Petherbridge, Trey Maynard, Ziggy Morgan, Michael Gallagher, Stella Dourado, Archie Plunkett, Nathan Hunt, Finn Carroll-Cinque and Reilly Brendan.

Team 1 came 2nd overall and has now qualified to attend the regional finals in Byron Bay in October. Congratulations to all students for your participation and efforts on the day.

Huge thanks to Mrs O’Grady who took time out at lunch to train the teams and take them to Murwillumbah on the day!

Summer 5 a-side Hockey

It is that time of year again when Winter Sports are ending and your child/children may be starting to think about a Summer sport.

Hockey Tweed will be running a 5 a-side mixed competition on a Wednesday afternoon for students in Years 3-6. Teams play at the Murwillumbah Hockey centre between 5-6pm. The games are modified using half a turf field with rebound boards. Experience is not necessary and if there is enough interest we can look at entering some St Anthony’s teams. Players will need a mouthguard to play. The school can lend players a stick and shin pads if needed.

The competition will start Wednesday 18th October.

If your child is interested in playing please email the school at: sapkings@lism.catholic.edu.au

Fiona Croker

Sports Coordinator

NSW Rural Fire Service

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Families

As summer is approaching our school has commenced preparations for the upcoming bushfire season. We are developing a plan should a fire emergency occur in our area during school hours. Our Bushfire plan takes into consideration the safety of students and staff while at school as well as families needing to collect their children from school and make their way home safely.

In general terms, should the Rural Fire Service or relevant Authority escalate a Fire Alert Level to ‘Watch and Act’, our school leadership team, in consultation with the Catholic Schools Office, will determine if it remains safe and viable for our school to remain open. Please be assured that our Bushfire Management Plan will always err on the side of caution.

Should we need to change the opening status of the school, you will be advised via Compass and text message. We ask that all parents or adults in a household download Compass and have their phone on and available throughout the summer bushfire season. This message will clearly state that if the school will be open or remain closed for the next day, or if the school is closing and the request and instructions to collect your child/ren. 

Should the opening status of the school change, this will also be posted on our school website (and social media). I take this opportunity to remind you during this time to avoid calling the school to ask if the school is open or closed as we must remain easily contactable to first authorities. Please rely on the information distributed via Compass, text message, school website and school social media.

It is strongly recommended that you and your family consider developing your own plan of what you will do in a bushfire event. Please talk to your children about what to expect if there is a bushfire near your home or the school. The Rural Fire Service has resources available to help you with your family bushfire plan.

We are confident in our planning and also hopeful we will not need to action it this coming season. 

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/

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