Newsletter Term 4 Week 9 (13.12.24)
Message from the Principal - Mrs Lynne Pull
Dear Parents
The 2024 school year finishes for everybody next Wednesday 18th December. What a year it has been! We have certainly crammed much into this year – sport, sacraments, colour run, science fair, writer’s festival, cyber safety workshops, public speaking to mention a few.
Last Thursday evening we celebrated the arts with a big showcase. What a wonderful evening it was! I know everyone appreciated the artworks on show, the sustainability project, students performing as part of the talent show and our choirs, before finishing with a bit of disco dancing! Many thanks to the parents and staff who cooked the sausages, made the popcorn and sno-cones and handed out drinks. I think we sold out of most things! There was a terrific community feel on the evening and so good to see all the students shining! A great way to celebrate the year. Thanks to everybody who came along, to the students for getting involved and to Mrs Ballantine for driving the Arts Project with our artists in residence, Alice and Gabi! It really was a great celebration!
Yesterday, Thursday, we celebrated Year 6. We had a beautiful Mass in the morning, followed by morning tea for students and their families. In the afternoon we presented awards, leaders gave their speeches and then the class sang a great song. And after all that we had the tunnel! What a special day for our Year 6 students as they head off to high school next year. We wish them well as they begin the next chapter in their lives.
Reports were sent home on Wednesday. If you would like to discuss your child’s report with the teachers feel free to make an appointment.
Today we have the Nativity commencing at 12.30pm. This will be followed by recess after which we will hold our final assembly for the year with awards being presented. We expect lots of parents will join us for this occasion.
Next week we will do something a bit different. All students will spend the three days in next year’s classrooms with next year’s teachers so that everyone can get to know each other and have some fun time before we head off for the summer holidays and Christmas. Teachers for next year are Kindergarten: Mr Ryan Ambrose and Ms Sarah Reed; Year 1: Miss Emily Payne, Mrs Julie O’Grady & Mrs Misty Campbell; Year 2: Mr Nick Rochester, Miss Rachel Lewis & Ms Courtney Midson; Year 3: Mrs Genevieve Hincksman & Mrs Sharon Holmes; Year 4: Mrs Karen Brown, Miss Olivia Thompson & Mr Sam Judd; Year 5: Miss Holly Lees & Mrs Kirstie Hawkins; Year 6: Ms Maddie Sleba & Mrs Kate Wallis. Mr Paul Monahan will be working in both Years 5 & 6 also. Teachers are all excited already for next year and are looking forward to spending some time getting to know your children before next year officially starts.
Thank you to everyone who braved the crazy weather on Tuesday night to attend the local Carols in the Park and to the students for showing up to sing despite the rain! I must admit I was glad to get home and get out of the wet clothes!
Thank you to the members of the Parent Forum who have worked diligently throughout the year, providing opportunities and supporting our school. The Forum is changing next year and will operate quite differently.
On Tuesday we welcomed Mr Michael Piccoli to our school. Michael is the new principal and is looking forward to coming to St Anthony’s. He met the staff and some of the students whilst he was here.
I would like to thank everyone for the many ways you have assisted us at the school during this year. We do appreciate that you send your children here and trust us to help them grow and shine. I would also like to acknowledge the wonderful staff team we have here at St Anthony’s and go above and beyond in ensuring your children have the best opportunities.
Sadly at the end of each year there are some we must farewell. These include teacher Ms Angie Burnheim who has completed her contract at St Anthony’s, and teacher aide Rahni Bodanski who has been here for two years. We thank them both for the contribution they each have made to our school and our students in particular.
The other person we say goodbye to is Mrs Di Core who is retiring after 28 years at St Anthony’s. Di has been a class teacher and then she held the role of Additional Needs Teacher for many years before taking on the School Counsellor role when it became a new position in our Diocesan schools. Di has been a wonderful contributor to the wellbeing of many students and their families over the years and she will be sorely missed. We wish Di all the very best as she heads into retirement and assure her of our lasting love and thanks for all she has given in education over many many years. Well done Di!
After 14 years of being principal at St Anthony’s I too am heading off into retirement to take on some new adventures. St Anthony’s will always hold a special place in my heart. I feel privileged to have spent such wonderful years here in this role. I am grateful to Fr Paul for always being there for me and the school. I am grateful for all the special colleagues and friends I have made here. I especially want to thank the children who have given me so much joy in the years I have spent here. Thank you to all the families who have shared their children with me. I will conclude with some words I said at my farewell recently: I certainly have been blessed. It’s not what we have in life, but rather who we have in our lives that matter – and that’s all of you. I recently came across a quote which said “A satisfied life is better than a successful life. Because our success tends to be measured by others, but our satisfaction is measured by our own soul, mind and heart.” I have been afforded a most satisfying career, and I thank God for that. My life has been rich beyond measure and I am grateful to have spent some of the best years of my life here at St Anthony’s.
Thank you and God bless
Lynne
Important Dates & School Information
Term 4 2024
Wednesday, 18th December- Last day of school
Term 4 2024
Monday, 3rd February - 2025 School resumes for Years 1 - 6
Wednesday, 5th February - Primary Swimming Carnival
Sunday, 9th March - Staff Commissioning MASS @ 9 am
Monday, 10th February - First Day of Kindergarten
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
Something to think and pray about
Communing with Nature
During this time of the year, I notice myself withdrawing from the busy pace of the world to seek quiet time for reflection. Nature is integral to my daily spiritual life. In the sacred space of the natural world, I feel a profound sense of what it means to be part of the web of life – to belong to a bigger cosmic consciousness.
For me, my intimate connection to God in nature is the Holy Spirit in action. I have long held a strong connection to all living things on the planet. My desire to live in a more sustainable, conscious way is how I respond to the call of Laudato Si’ to have an ecological conversion.
A nature-based approach to spirituality could hold the solution to our feelings of alienation and disconnection from the Church, our global community and even our role in the current global climate change crisis. As we make it our intention to restore this connection in order to overcome the current socio-ecological crises that threaten our survival as a species on the planet, we also deepen our own faith. As Thomas Berry wisely observed, ‘The destiny of humans cannot be separated from the destiny of the earth.
Excerpted from The Sacred Heart Messenger, December 2021
We Remember At This Time…
We are now well into our Advent journey and may be rushing around trying to prepare for Christmas. With so many things calling our attention, it’s easy to get caught up in the endless to-do lists. This time of Advent is a chance to slow down, reflect, and make room for the profound gift of Christ’s presence in our lives.
Jesus came as a tiny baby, humble and simple, not expecting anything grand from us but our love, attention, and openness. The joy of Christmas is found not in how well everything is done but in how we open ourselves to the love He offers.
May this Advent be a time of peaceful preparation and spiritual renewal, where we remember that the heart of the season is all about inviting Him in.
Sports News
2025 Primary Swimming Carnival Reminders
The St Anthony’s 2025 Primary Swimming Carnival (Years 3-6) will be held next year on Wednesday 5th February, Week 1.
*The following is important information for competitive swimmers in Years 2-5 who will be turning 8 or older in 2025.
- If your child/children are interested in submitting a time for consideration in the 200m Individual Medley event for 2025, for the Tweed Zone Swimming Carnival they will need to provide a certified time to Mrs Croker by Week 1, Term 1, 2025.
- The top 8 times for each age group from the Tweed Zone will be invited to compete in this event at the Tweed Zone Swimming Carnival on Wednesday 19th February in Murwillumbah.
Please email your certified time, name and DOB to sapkings@lism.catholic.edu.au
*PLEASE NOTE: If your child has nominated to swim in the 100m IM and/or the 100m Open Freestyle competitive races at the Primary swimming carnival next year, this will take place at 8:30am at the Kingscliff swimming pool. Transport to the pool will be the responsibility of parents and swimmers will need to arrive no later than 8:15am for marshalling. Notes will be sent home with further information.
Polding Cricket Trials
Well done to Ky O’Grady and Nixon Moase who attended the Polding cricket trials on Wednesday representing the Lismore Diocese. From all reports both boys trialled extremely well and the standard was very competitive.
Congratulations to Ky who was selected in the Polding cricket team for 2025, good luck Ky!
Summer Sports Trials - Touch and Basketball
Well done to Cate Thierjung, Bonnie Brownjohn and Nixon Moase (touch) and Trey Maynard and Gracie Searle (basketball) who recently represented the Tweed Zone and attended the Lismore Diocesan summer sports trials for their sports. These students represented St Anthony’s with 100% effort and sportsmanship.
Congratulations to Cate Thierjung who was selected in the Lismore Diocesan touch team following the trials. She will attend the Polding trials in July next year. Good luck Cate!
Harper Gallagher and CSNSW Sporting Award
St Anthony’s is thrilled to be informed that Year 6 student Harper Gallagher travelled to the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday to receive a CSNSW Maroon Sports Award for his achievements and selection in the 2024 Polding team and following this, Co-Captain of the NSWPSSA team. This is a prestigious award for excellence in Australian Football with only 1 child in Catholic Primary school’s receiving the award per sport across all of Catholic Schools NSW!
Congratulations Harper!
Primary Swimming Carnival - 2025
Community Events and Notices
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 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: KINGSCLIFF4:00-5:30pm
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
