Newsletter Term 3 Week 10 - 24.09.2025
Principal's News
This term has been incredibly positive and inspiring in so many ways. Student behaviour, both inside and outside the classroom—even during the significant wet times without access to their playground—has been exemplary. Our students have demonstrated strong learning habits through their focused approach, engagement in class, and the calm, settled atmosphere throughout the school. It’s always inspiring when I hear our students, teachers and new families describe the peaceful environment and the concentration and focus they observe in our learning spaces.
We remain committed to providing the best possible Catholic learning environment for our students and parish community. Apart from outstanding learning and teaching in every classroom, our students have participated in numerous rich and engaging learning experiences, which are making a significant impact on their academic and social development. Our STEM partnerships with Griffith University, Mt St Pat's College and St Joseph's College, Big Band Day out, sporting opportunities, public speaking finals, Sacraments, Colour Fun Run, Book Week, State Library visits, Street Science and school camps just to name a few.
I am deeply proud of our staff and their unwavering dedication and care for our children. We continually challenge ourselves to improve and to do whatever it takes to ensure every child feels loved, valued, and successful. While we don’t always get everything perfect, our focus on growth and excellence remains strong.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our staff, students, parents, guardians, grandparents, and Fr. Paul for their ongoing support of our parish school.
Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday. I look forward to next term, which promises to be filled with exciting new challenges, opportunities for growth, and a spirit of friendship and love inspired by Jesus.
During Term 4 on the 14th November, Michael Piccoli will be involved in a Principal appraisal process as part of his contract conditions with the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools.
The appraisal process seeks information from a variety of people associated with the school and uses a number of tools to ensure effective consultation. The process aims to highlight the positive aspects of the leadership offered and identify areas for further development.
A timeline will be constructed to suit the needs of the school community. The appraisal will be conducted by an External Chair assisted by the Regional Assistant Director from the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools.
The full Principal appraisal process involves:
- a survey and self-appraisal statement completed by the Principal
- an interview with the Principal
- input as arranged with the Parish Priest
- surveys of parents, school staff and Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools personnel
- interviews with the School’s Leadership Team
- interviews with a random selection of staff who request an interview with the Chair
- interviews with a random selection of parents who request an interview with the Chair.
The preferred method of survey completion is by the online survey form. A link to this form will be forwarded to your email address. Please ensure your current email address is registered at the school as this survey link will be sent to you two to three weeks prior to the appraisal. Parents may express their interest to be interviewed via this electronic form. Not all those who express an interest to be interviewed will be contacted. If not contacted then parents may wish to email the Chair with their comments. Anonymous comments and emails will not be considered.
In writing the appraisal report, the Chair makes use of the information gathered but does not identify sources. The Principal does not sight the original returns. Every family in the school is encouraged to complete a survey.
Your support of the appraisal process is appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Mullaly
Chair
Grandparents Day - Friday 31st October
If I could use one word to describe being a grandparent, it would be joy. Being a grandparent is a source of pride in watching your own children become parents.
Having grandchildren opens up a whole new dimension. It's another chance to read books to small children and get hugs and kisses.
The love of a grandparent is a special kind of love. It is a blessing and a wonderful gift. Grandchildren are God's reward for being a parent.
A reminder that we will be celebrating Grandparents Day on Friday 31st October between 8:30am-11:40am. More information will be sent out in the first week back next term.
Big Band Day Out
On Friday September 12 five of our students participated in a band experience with students from across the Tweed Region. The students came together to create a super orchestra, playing a number of well-known hits. Our very own Steve Spurlock conducted the orchestra for ‘Surfin’ USA’, by the Beach Boys.
A great day of musical fun was had by all, with a lot of careful listening and laughing!
Thank you to Steve Spurlock who coordinated the day. We’re looking forward to more musical events like this.
From the calendar
Week 1, Term 4, 2025
- Monday 13th October - Pupil Free Day
- Tuesday 14th October - Students first day of Term 4
- Thursday 16th October - 9am K-2 Mass
- Friday 17th October - Newsletter Week
- Friday 17th October - Intensive Swimming
- Sunday 19th October - 9am Parish School Mass
Week 2, Term 4, 2025
- Monday 20th October - 2:15pm School Assembly
- Tuesday 21st October - Year 6 Canberra Excursion
- Thursday 23rd October - 9am 3-6 Mass
- Friday 24th October - Tilly and the Time Machine production, Years 3 and 4
- Friday 24th October - Intensive Swimming
Week 3, Term 4, 2025
- Thursday 30th October - 9am K-2 Mass
- Friday 31st October - Grandparents Day
- Friday 31st October - Intensive Swimming
Week 4, Term 4, 2025
- Monday 3rd November - 2:15pm School Assembly
- Thursday 6th November - 9am 3-6 Mass
- Friday 7th November - Intensive Swimming
Week 5, Term 4, 2025
- Tuesday 11th November - Remembrance Day
- Thursday 13th November - 9am K-2 Mass
- Friday 14th November - Principal Appraisal Day
Week 6, Term 4, 2025
- Monday 17th November - 2026 Leadership Speeches 9am (school hall)
- Monday 17th November - 2:15pm School Assembly
- Thursday 20th November - 9am Mass 3-6
- Friday 21st November - 9-11am Little Learners Transition Programs
- Friday 21st November - Intensive Swimming
Week 7, Term 4, 2025
- Thursday 27th November - 9am K-2 Mass
- Friday 28th November - 9-11am Little Learners Transition Program
- Friday 28th November - Intensive Swimming
Week 8, Term 4, 2025
- Monday 1st December - 2:15pm School Assembly
- Thursday 4th December - 9am Mass 3-6
- Friday 5th December - 9-11am Little Learners Transition Program
- Friday 5th November - Intensive Swimming
Week 9, Term 4, 2025
- Wednesday 10th December - School Reports go live
- Thursday 11th December - 9am K-2 Mass
- Friday 12th December - Year 6 Graduation Mass and Morning Tea
Week 10, Term 4, 2025
- Monday 15th December - Year 6 Big Day Out
- Monday 15th December - 2:00pm Final School Assembly 2025, Awards Presentation
- Tuesday 16th December - 2-3pm Nativity
- Tuesday 16th December - 9-11am Step Up Morning
- Wednesday 17th December - Final day for 2025
2026 Enrolments
As we begin looking at our classes and staffing for 2026, I am asking families to let us know if your circumstances will be changing.
If your son or daughter will not be continuing at St Anthony's in 2026, I would greatly appreciate it if you could let me know. Having this information now, will help us in our planning and ensure the best possible arrangements are made for all students who are currently at our school and those on waiting lists hoping for a spot.
Please contact the school office on 66741368 or email us at sapkings@lism.catholic.edu.au to advise of any changes or if you have any questions or concerns regarding this process.
During the term we have been working on our student, parent and staff code of conduct. Thank you to the families at our last Parent Community Group meeting for your feedback on the document. Please find an image of or Parent Code of Conduct below. We will share the student and staff documents once they are finalised.
School Administration Position 2026
Part-time temporary
24 hours per week for the 2026 school year
commencing 27 January 2026
Applicants must:
- hold a valid NSW Working with Children Check
- have the ability to handle tasks with a high degree of confidentiality
- have a working knowledge of WH&S and equity in employment and a demonstrated capacity to apply related principles and policies
- comply with the Accreditation to Work Teach and Lead Policy upon appointment
Selection Criteria -
- provide evidence of well-developed communication, administrative, and office skills with an ability to deal tactfully, confidently, and effectively with people at all levels
- capacity to show initiative and demonstrate effective time management, organisational and planning skills with an ability to meet pressing deadlines, and competing priorities
- highly developed skills in a range of Microsoft and Google applications with willingness and ability to learn new systems
- Previous experience in a school office would be desirable but not essential
- Current First Aide certificate
- Be a friendly, kind and caring person who has the ability to ensure all students and families know that they are valued and heard
Inquiries should be directed to the school: 02 6674 1368
Information about our Region: Tweed Region
Your application should address the above criteria including the nomination of two (2) referees.
Applications must be received by 3.00 pm Friday, 7 November 2025.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
Celebrating Student Progress Through Focused Classrooms
This term we have been excited to see the positive impact of our whole school focus on focused classrooms. Across the school, students are taking responsibility for their learning by ensuring they are ready to learn, engaged, and respectful of the learning time of others. This shared commitment is creating classrooms where every student can thrive.
Our flexible learning spaces have been an important part of this journey. By grouping students according to their learning needs—whether they are extending as high achievers, working at level, or requiring additional support—teachers are able to target instruction more effectively. This approach ensures that all students receive the right level of challenge and guidance.
Alongside this, the consistent use of direct explicit instruction, clear routines, and high expectations has strengthened both engagement and outcomes across the school. Students know what is expected of them and are responding positively to the structured, supportive environment.
We are proud of the dedication our teachers have shown in implementing these practices. Their hard work and commitment to improving student outcomes is evident in the progress we are seeing every day. Together, we are building a culture where every learner is valued and supported to achieve their personal best.
Year 6 students have been creating persuasive paragraphs related to, 'Should humans prioritise space exploration or focus on solving issues on Earth?'. They have tried to incorporate a range of persuasive devices to engage and convince the reader.
I confidently state that we must prioritise fixing our earthly issues over wasting the earth’s resources on space exploration. It is our duty as humans to restore the land we live on; otherwise the problems we tried to bury in the past will come back to haunt us. God created humans in his own image - to care and look over the earth. But instead we have forsaken our home. We will all perish without the oxygen that our plants provide. All the animals will suffer if we don’t solve our problems. The starving and poor will not survive. We cannot ignore the dire conditions of our planet. But there’s still hope. If we put our earth first and try to solve our issues now, we can create an equal future safe from climate change and free from danger. (Francie)
I firmly believe that we should solve earth issues because climate change is happening so fast we must invest money and act now. Firstly we need to stop the melting ice caps this instant,everyone immediately must take part together or everyone will pay the price. Secondly we need to invest money into swapping factories for renewable energy to end air pollution. Stop polluting our mother earth. Our earth is being drained, killed and the animals are facing our punishment. The earth will become an awful, abandoned wasteland if we don't act now. (Ziggy)
Why are we prioritising space exploration over Earthly issues? Without a doubt our Earthly issues are way more important than space exploration! We 100% could be spending money on climate change, fossil fuels, deforestation and war, rather than spending time and effort on finding new life on other planets. Data supports that scientists have been searching for signs of life on other planets since 1992 and they are still looking! If we want to survive any longer our immediate focus must be on solving our Earthly crisis. Our space scientists might never find life, so if we don’t pay any attention to Earthly issues then we won’t have anything to turn back on. It’s incredibly easy to make a more sustainable future, just ride your bikes, get up and make a difference, and we’ve already achieved our goal. I am certain everyone agrees that we must instil an improved and more equitable future. (Evelyn)
SPORT NEWS
Polding Athletics Carnival
The 2025 Polding Athletics Carnival was held in Newcastle on Friday 12th September. St Anthony’s had 14 students represent the Lismore Diocese at this carnival.
Congratulations to the following students who competed to the best of their abilities:
Evelyn Stewart, Bonnie Browjohn, Cate Thierjung, Kahlani Gordon, Andrew De Beer, Eden Usher, Beau Harrison, Xavier Stewart, Harrison Morley, Cleo Morley, Sammi O’Grady, Quinn Thomas, Amelia Popov and Ava Scott.
Some Highlights of the Carnival:
- Beau Harrison Came 1st in both the 800m and the 1500m and set new records for both events.
- Harrison Morley came 1st in the 200m and 2nd in Long Jump
- Ava Scott came 2nd in the Discus.
- Eden Usher came 1st in Discus, 2nd in Long Jump, 2nd in Shot Put and 3rd in the 100m Multi-class.
- Andy De Beer who came 3rd in Discus and Long Jump Multi-class.
- Cleo Morley competed in the 200m.
- Xavier Stewart competed in the High Jump.
- Bonnie Brownjohn competed in the 200m.
- Amelia Popov and Quinn Thomas competed in the High Jump
- The Junior Girls relay team consisted of: Amelia Popov, Cleo Morley, Sammi O’Grady and Quinn Thomas
- The Senior Girls relay team consisted of: Cate Thierjung, Bonnie Brownjohn, Kahlani Gordon and Evelyn Stewart came 5th overall.
Good luck to Beau, Harrison, Ava, Andy and Eden who will represent Polding at the NSW State Athletics Carnival!
Thank you to all the parents who transported the students to Newcastle for the carnival.
Stage 2 Tennis Gala Day
The annual Todd Woodbridge Cup was held during week 7 for Stage 2 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 4 teams participate from Years 3 and 4.
Well done to St Anthony’s team 1 who came runners up overall on the day and they have now qualified for the Regional Finals in Byron Bay next Term. The team consisted of: Thomas Huett, Conor Searson, Lenny Bartlett, Peter Perske-Fripp, Minka Nielsen, Amelia Popov, Ava Scott and Ava McLean.
Congratulations to all students for your participation and efforts on the day.
Huge thanks to Miss Thompson who attended the Gala Day in Murwillumbah.
- Step One: Go to LeagueStars.com
- Step Two: Type in the postcode for Kingscliff, 2487
- Step Three: Find St Anthony's Catholic Primary School Kingscliff LeagueStars Program and follow the prompts to registration.
FLYING START
Week 8 and 9 at Flying Start for us was full of investigations into the Indigenous Calendar and how this time of year means the snakes are coming out, the turtles are getting fat and goannas are frequent. We used these investigations and transferred them to art where we made large cardboard cut-outs of each of these animals. Of course, the pre-schoolers wanted to name them and came up with Terri, Bob and Stewy. We also added the Indigenous names of Bundjalung to each of the animals.
The pre-schoolers have spent lots of time over at the new dirt area of the school where we have used the sticks to make fires, the rocks to create sculptures as well as pretending to start fires and bamboo to create our own cubby houses. Having these open ended opportunities and time to engage fully in the process means that creativity and teamwork have all been on show.
With only one more week left of this term we are going to finish strong with school photos next week, the colour run with the school and then a visit to Faulks park with the kindergarten children. This will be a great way to finish what has been a great term of learning and fun.
COMMUNITY NEWS
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
