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Today is All Saints Day and tomorrow is All Souls Day. On All Souls Day, we pray for our loved ones so that they may be forgiven of their sins and have the joy of entering into heaven. It is also a time for remembering and celebrating their lives.
I thank Fr. Tony for sharing his wisdom and words with us:
The state, not place, we call purgatory, gets bad press but it shouldn’t because it is a state of profound happiness, a place of waiting for what is assured. Think of waiting for a train at a station, or lining up to get into the grand final to watch you side play. You know the train is coming, you know you will get through the turnstile. Just need to wait a little and then it comes. This state of ‘waiting’ is chosen by us, because we know it will do us the world of good. Fr. Tony Percy VG |
Coffee, Tea and Catch Up
Our P&F have created a wonderful initiative with our Monday Morning Assembly. All Parents and Carers are welcome to join our P&F representatives; Sharon and Tanya for a morning cuppa before, during or after morning assembly. Sharon and Tanya will be serving tea and coffee from 8.30am in the canteen for parents/carers along with a muffin and a catch up. No pressure to book, just turn up and enjoy!
Farewell Mrs Vanessa Phipps
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Vanessa Phipps for her wonderful work teaching 3A this year and wish Vanessa, her husband Leighton and girls Molly and Eloise all the very best for the impending arrival of their baby.
STAFFING and CLASSES for 2023:
Staffing for 2023 is currently being finalised. I am very pleased to announce that we will have 18 classes next year with no composite classes. We have four teachers transferring to St Anthony’s which is exciting for our school and I can confirm that we will resume Italian classes in 2023. A full list of 2023 staffing will be provided to the community this term. This week a panel will meet to interview for the substantive Assistant Principal position and the position of Curriculum Coordinator is currently being advertised.
The process of allocating students to classes for 2023 has commenced. Every child will be placed in the best grouping to enhance learning and social development. Parental requests based on educational concerns will be considered. Parents who wish to express concerns regarding class placement should do so in writing directly to me via email by Monday, 7 November 2022. Concerns raised by parents will be considered during the process, however no definite guarantees can be given.
Class teachers will create class groupings using an online program called Class Creator. Class Creator creates an algorithm using data from surveys and teacher input to create classes balanced by gender, class size, behaviour, academics, special education, ESL and social dynamics. The Principal amends and confirms the lists with classroom support teacher and leadership team. The lists are then checked by class teachers. The lists are then confirmed. Students are advised of their class and teacher during the Step Up session held in the last week of Term 4.
Please be assured that a great deal of time goes into balancing classes, taking into account the social, academic and behavioural needs of each child. I am conscious of interest groupings, friends and the needs of all.
If your child is leaving St Anthony’s at the end of 2022 (except Year 6) please remember to notify the office. Confirmation of Staffing will be distributed in the Week 10 Newsletter. ‘Meet the Teacher’’ day is on Thursday, 15th December from 12pm to 1pm. It is anticipated all students will have an opportunity to meet their 2023 classroom teacher on that afternoon. This is a fabulous opportunity for our students to get a sense of who they will be sharing their learning journey with in 2023.
Staff Farewells
Our Leadership ceremony this year is also an opportunity to farewell staff who will be leaving us in 2022, this also includes our wonderful Parish Priest, Father Tony. Parents and Carers are warmly welcome to attend this event on Wednesday, 14 December 2022. More details to follow.
School Fees
The schedule of 2023 school fees is in the process of being finalised in consultation with our school board and Catholic Education. Please keep an eye out for the school fees schedule that will be sent out in the coming weeks.
Wet Weather
A reminder that in the event where wet weather is called in the afternoon, it is an enormous help to have your child’s surname displayed prominently on a piece of paper sitting at the bottom of your windscreen. This enables staff to call for your child as you come through the drive through.
Save the date!
We have some exciting events planned for our students this term, keep your eye out on Compass for further details::
- Kindergarten 2023 Orientation Wednesday, 23 November
- Colour Run Friday, 25th November
- Mackillop Musical Performance Monday, 28 November
- Our 2023 School Disco, Friday 2 December
- Year 6 Graduation Monday, 12 December.
- Leadership Handover Ceremony Wednesday, 14 December.
- Step Up Day, Thursday, 15 December.
- Pupil Free Day, Friday 16 December.
The big day is coming! We are so excited to host our Colour Explosion School Fun Run on Friday, 25th November 2022 from 1.45pm to 3pm. This will be a fun afternoon for our students to participate in some outdoor activities and finish with a splash of colour at the end of the day. Students will need to make sure they come dressed in their old play clothes that won’t mind getting a little colour on them! The splash of colour is non-toxic, high quality colour powder supplied by the colour run company! They will also need a water bottle and their hat. Sunscreen will not be provided.
How does my child fundraise? Fundraising for our Improved Rugby/Soccer Posts is easy – simply follow the instructions outlined in your child’s sponsorship booklet that will be sent home with the eldest child in the family this week.. Your child can accept donations online by creating a cybersafe fundraising profile at www.australianfundraising.com.au . You can also collect cash donations with your sponsorship booklet. Please return your donations before 04/08/2022.
More details about this event, including a consent form will follow via compass. Please keep your eye out for further details.
Take care,
Erin
A big thank you to all those who contributed to raising awareness and fund for Catholic Mission through our Rice Day.
Donations reached just over $850.