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Dear Parents and Carers
Just two weeks to go in the school year. Where has the time gone?
This week we keep the communities affected by bushfires in our prayers and thoughts, including those people not far from us in rural NSW and on the NSW South Coast. Money raised from the non-uniform day today has been redirected from the fete to go to the Bushfire Appeal. Thank you for supporting people in need.
Please also keep Leo O’Keeffe and his family in your prayers. Leo is our school groundsman. Sadly Leo’s mother passed away on Monday this week, aged 99 years. She has had an amazing life but this time is still very difficult for the family. May God grant her eternal peace.
2020 Staffing Update
This is the only staff information I can share at this point.
This year we farewell some teachers from St Anthony’s that are moving schools for promotional opportunities, a new venture and family reasons. The following staff have played an important role in the life of students at St Anthony’s and have been active members of our school community.
Mrs Alisa Spackman - Alisa is moving to St Gregory’s Primary School Queanbeyan to take up a teaching position. Initially this is just for the 2020 school year on an internal transfer but may well become a permanent position from 2021. Alisa has been a stalwart at St Anthony’s and has taught here for 13 years. In this time, Alisa has taught many year levels and more recently made a successful switch to the Classroom Support teacher role. Alisa has effectively led a large and dynamic team of support staff for a number of years. Her work at St Anthony’s has had a positive influence on many, many students. I wish Alisa a great start at her new school.
Mrs Monique Egan - Monique has been successful in the position of Acting Assistant Principal at St Vincent’s Primary School Aranda for the 2020 school year. This is a promotion for Monique and a great opportunity for her to showcase her leadership skills at this level. Again, Monique is hoping that position becomes a permanent option from 2021. Monique has been at St Anthony’s for 4 years as a teacher and coordinator. Monique has taught Year 6 and Year 1 in this time and played a major role in our curriculum development. I wish Monique every success in her new role.
Mr Simon Bugden - Simon will continue teaching at Holy Trinity Curtin in 2020 and drop his two days here. Simon has worked part-time at St Anthony’ for two years and he has been a great asset to the students in the senior years and the school in general. Simon’s daughter begins pre-school in the ELC at Curtin next year and he will be there to enjoy all of those experiences. Thanks Simon for being part of our community.
Mrs Vanessa Phipps - Vanessa is currently teaching Year 1 and also undertaking a classroom support teacher role. Vanessa will be on Maternity Leave in 2020 as her and her husband Leighton await the birth of their second child soon. I wish Vanessa and her family all the best for this exciting time ahead.
There will be an opportunity to say thank you and farewell these staff appropriately in Week 10.
It was lovely to welcome back to school Mrs Nicole Jenner after her wedding last weeked. Congratulations again.
IMPORTANT: Changes to School Hours for 2020
Thank you to the parents and carers that provided feedback on the proposed changes to St Anthony’s school hours. All feedback was discussed and considered by the School Board. In saying this, there were only a few submissions to consider from our parent body, perhaps an indication of general support for the proposal.
After due discussion it was agreed by all members on the School Board that the core hours for the primary school will change as follows from the Monday 3 February 2020:
- 8.30am Drive Through Drop Off and Teacher Supervision Starts
- 8.55am School Commences (same as previous time)
- 3.05pm School Concludes
- 3.30pm Drive Through Pick Up/Oval Crossing and Teacher Supervision Ends
A primary school day at St Anthony’s will now consist of a total of 6 hours and 10 minutes. This change brings St Anthony’s more in line with ‘time at school’ of other ACT Catholic Primary Schools. The earlier finish time will also be more consistent with many other Catholic Primary Schools. In 2020, all primary students will now be dismissed at the same time, 3.05pm. Transport Canberra dramatically changed school bus services earlier in 2019 and our ‘11’ afternoon school buses arrive over a longer period, meaning we do no longer require a separate bus pick up time. This means bus services do have to use the school driveway at the same times as other vehicles, but this cannot be avoided. It has been like this since Term 1. We will manage this as best we can into the future with Transport Canberra and our families. There will no longer be a ‘bus, walker's/bikes or oval crossing’ early bell.
Students will still receive the same amount of time for eating recess and lunch and the play periods that follow as they do now.
Supervision times by teachers before and after school are listed above. Please note that the afternoon pick up supervision time ends 15 minutes earlier from 2020, in line with the new finish time. Parents and carers that are unable to collect their children by this time are required to enrol their child in the OOSCA afternoon care service.
In school term time, Our Early Learning Centre (ELC) day program hours will remain as 9.00am - 3.00pm.
In school term time, Our OOSCA (Out-of-Hours School Care Association) hours of operation will be as follows:
- 7.30am - 8.45am
- 3.05pm - 6.00pm
Information on holiday care times for 2020 will be provided to parents by the Directors of both the ELC and OOSCA.
2020 School Board - Expressions of Interest Sought for Parent Representatives
There is an opportunity for a number of new parent representatives to join the St Anthony’s School Board from 2020. Vacancies have been created by parent representatives finishing their current terms of appointment. I will provide more details about this next week and thank these wonderful parent representatives.
If you are interested in joining the School Board you are required to complete a short expression of interest form with some general details and have this supported by another member of the school community. In the event of more parents wishing to join the School Board than places available (quite rare), an election is required.
The Board is seeking a suitable parent representative with financial/accounting experience to be considered for the role of treasurer.
Expressions of Interest for parent positions on the School Board close on Monday 16 December 2019.
ELC parents and carers of students coming to St Anthony’s for Kindergarten next year will also be provided with this information.
Being a member of the School Board is a great way to contribute to the ongoing governance of the school. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to ask a member of our current Board or myself. I can be contacted at greg.walker@cg.catholic.edu.au
What does the School Board do? The following excerpt is from the Constitution for Catholic Archdiocesan School Boards (2014):
Role:
6.1 The Board provides the opportunity for members of the school, parish and Archdiocesan communities to support the mission of Catholic education in the school. Working with the Principal, Parish Priest or Priest Chaplain and staff, the Board members provide leadership to the wider school community.
6.2 The Board has a decision making role in certain policy areas and an advisory role in others. The policies of the school are always set within the wider mission of Catholic education. In the areas where it has responsibility for the development and monitoring of policy, the Board operates within the policy and procedures determined by the CEC and the CEO.
6.3 The Principal has responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and management of the school.
7.0 Functions
7.1 The Board has responsibility to take decisions in the following areas:
7.1.1 Supporting the development of the Catholic identity, ethos and mission of the school.
7.1.2 Supporting pastoral care strategies in the school community.
7.1.3 Promoting the school in the local community.
7.1.4 Appointing a member to the school’s enrolment committee, if needed
7.1.5 Developing, approving and monitoring the annual budget, including school determined levies, loan commitments and the fees collection and remission policy.
7.1.6 Discussing the continuing Catholic education viability of the school.
7.1.7 Developing and monitoring school enterprises, eg. Outside School Hours Care, sports associations, hall hire.
7.1.8 Developing capital and maintenance programs.
7.1.9 Developing local strategic plans (finances, buildings, resources) and contributing to Archdiocesan educational strategic planning.
7.1.10 Facilitate local school community debate in response to System leadership by the CEC and the CEO in lobbying governments in school funding campaigns.
7.1.11 Approving school uniform items decided at school level.
7.1.12 Ensuring that the parish and school community receives the Annual Catholic School Board Report.
7.1.13 Ensuring the expenditure of levies or funds is in keeping with Archdiocesan regulations.
7.1.14 Provide input on parent priorities and suggest ideas about Catholic schooling for the school’s strategic plan.
7.1.15 Support the P and F to raise money for resources as identified in the School’s Strategic Plan and Annual Budget process.
7.1.16 Support the P and F to provide student and parent services eg. Canteen
7.1.17 Support the P and F to provide support for school programs involving parents.
7.1.18 Support the P and F to provide opportunities for social interaction and for parents to form supportive networks.
7.2 The Board has responsibility to provide advice in areas such as:
7.2.1 Curriculum.
7.2.2 Educational policies for the school.
7.2.3 Student welfare policies.
7.2.4 Parent support processes.
7.2.5 Other matters as requested by the Parish Priest or Principal.
2020 School Board - Expression of Interest Form
Term 4 Disco Thanks
Well done to everyone involved in the Term 4 Carnevale Disco last Friday evening. It was a success. Thank you to Mrs Gabry Borzatti, out Italian Teacher, for all of her planning, creativity, decorations and inspiration. The hall looked great and many students wore their Carnevale masks! Thank you to Selina Walker who stepped in and facilitated the disco in Maree’s absence. Thank you to the parents that volunteered on the night and undertook a variety of roles. A great night was had by all.
Year 6 2019 Graduation
Congratulations to the Year 6 Graduating Class of 2019! They are nearly there! Next Monday evening 9 December we will celebrate with Mass at St Anthony’s Parish Church at 5.30pm and then Dinner at 7.00pm at the Town Centre Vikings Club. I wish all of our Year 6 students a positive end to the year and their primary schooling. I hope the next two weeks is a time to reflect on their journey and to contemplate the broader horizons of secondary school and their teenage years.
Thank you to the Year 6 teachers, Mrs Angie Kisiel, Mrs Katie Akers, Mrs Sarah Waller and all staff assisting with preparation for graduation.
St Mary MacKillop School Band and Dance Performance
Congratulations to the St Mary Mackillop College School Band and Dance Troupe that performed for our students last week. They entertained us with a variety of pieces of music and dances. Thank you to Ms Petrina Mansfield and the MacKillop staff that accompanied the students. Our students are inspired when they see secondary students pursuing their talents.
God Bless
Greg Walker
Principal
Term 4 School Fees - OVERDUE
School fee statements have been emailed to parents, if you have not received this email please contact me.
Payments may be made by cash, BPAY, EFTPOS, Direct Debit and one off payments can be made at any time through the Qkr! app.
Families who will be leaving St Anthony's at the end of the year should contact me regarding finalising payments. Should payment in full not be possible at the time of leaving, a prior arrangement for payment will need to be made with the Principal.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.
Katie Akers
Finance Officer
This Sunday we will be entering the second Sunday of Advent and the second candle on the wreath will be lit. it is referred to as the Bethlehem candle and reminds us of Jesus’ promise to come again.
God of power and mercy open our hearts in welcome.
Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory,
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Please visit the front office to see the Nativity set.
Mission Group
The Year 6 Mission Group has been busy encouraging everyone to support our Christmas appeal. A sincere thank you to everyone for your generosity.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal and Liturgy
A very big thank you for all the donations that have come in already. We will be accepting items until Monday of week 9.
Christmas Hamper List
- ELC – Jelly crystals, Bon bons and decorations
- Kinder – Tinned fruit and tinned vegetables
- Year 1 – Chocolates and lollies
- Year 2 – Chips or other snacks
- Year 3 – Sweet biscuits, savoury biscuits
- Year 4 – Soft drink and fruit juice
- Year 5 – Christmas pudding, UHT custard
- Year 6 - Tinned ham, Christmas cake
Please join us on Wednesday at 10am in the hall for a Thanksgiving liturgy. Members from St Vincent’s society will be present to receive the hampers.
Christmas Carols and Nativity
Everyone is warmly invited to join the Corpus Christi Parish in Gowrie for a beautiful evening of Carols and Nativity recount on Saturday, 7th of December at 7:00pm.
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Once again, from St Anthony’s school community and the various charities thank you, thank you, thank you! Your support and kindness never goes unnoticed and shows a true spirit of our beautiful school.
Many blessings for the week
Angie Kisiel - REC (acting)
Congratulations to the following students who have been identified as successful learners:
Holly H KA, Willow L KA, Jarius D KP, Tilley N KP, Louis W KP, Elizabeth Mc KL, Sophie B 1A, Isaac S 1P, Toby O 1L, Mia P 1L, Jackson C 2P, Grace D 2P, Tiahna S 2P, Chelsea T 3A, Alexander S 3A, Callum Mc 3A, Harrison W 3A, George B 3A, Charlie D 3P, Lachlan B 3P, Declan B 3P, Isaac T 3P, Moustafa B 4A, Liam E 4A, Klea J 4A, Jacalyn F 6A, Isaac C 6A, Penny M 6P, Megan S 6P, Jake C 6P.
From last week: Khloe D 2A, Ryan H 2A, Isabel L-P 5A, Ella W 5A, Anthony G 6P, Jacob C 6P.
Certificates will be presented at Friday morning assembly.
It is now time to return all Library books to school. Please send any borrowed books back to school by the end of next week.
Vacation Care bookings will remain open until Friday 13th December. If your bookings will change in 2020 you need to contact OOSCA to make these changes.
All parents and carers who have children that attend OOSCA are required to complete a new booking form for 2020. This incorporates a CWA (Complying Written Agreement) which is a requirement of licensing. Please make sure that you complete the form below and return it to OOSCA as soon as possible.
If this form is not returned it will be considered that your bookings are not changing. This means that as of the first day of Term 1, current 2019 bookings will remain and you will be charged unless 1 week of notice is provided.
Bookings for Vacation Care will be open until Friday the 13th of December.
AUDITIONS - WODEN VALLEY YOUTH CHOIR
WVYC will hold auditions during January for its two senior choirs for students going into Year 7 or above.
Woden Valley Youth Choir has a strong emphasis on music education and is seeking young people who have an interest in developing their musical skills. The flagship choir, Australis Voices, is for young men and women with treble voices and Centauri Voices is a choir for young men with changing voices.
Audition times are flexible and can be held on dates and times to suit prospective choristers, with the expectation that successful applicants will attend the beginning of year camp on the first weekend of February.
For further information go to http://wvyc.org.au/join-us/ and download an application form.
Auditions for primary aged applicants will be held on Saturday 22 February following an open rehearsal on Tuesday 18 February.