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Father, we thank you for all the children in our schools.
Each one is special and precious to you. Thank you for the skills and talents you have given us as teachers and leaders.
We offer them to you now and ask for your blessing on them.
Lord, we give you this time as we plan and make decisions for our school.
We ask for your guidance, inspiration, and direction.
Holy Spirit, may we be sensitive to your
leading as we talk and
share together now.
As spoken by our Pope Francis in his recent commentary and prayers, we pray for peace in Israel and Palestine.
“Please stop the attacks and the weapons,” Pope Francis pleaded on Sunday, “and understand that terrorism and war do not lead to any solution, but only to the death and suffering of so many innocent people.”
“War is always a defeat! Every war is a defeat!” he insisted.
In a broken world, lacerated by war and suffering, Pope Francis asks believers to join him in prayer for peace and reconciliation. He implores the Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, to offer the solace, guidance, and hope of a mother who has seen her children endure pain and loss throughout history. To Her, he consecrates “the world, especially those countries at war.”
Amen.
Thank you
Thank you to our beautiful P&F for providing our staff with morning tea on World Teachers Day last Friday. World Teachers' Day serves as an opportunity to reflect on the profound impact our teachers have on the lives of our students and their families. This is often a silent impact, but World Teachers’ Day serves as a reminder that our teachers' work does not go unnoticed. The nationwide appreciation and support is a testament to the invaluable role our teachers play in society. How blessed we are to have our truly dedicated and wonderful teachers at St Anthony’s Parish Primary School. I sincerely thank each of them for all that they do to support our students and make our school such a wonderful place to be.
Over recent weeks I have read a lot of research around children and teenagers facing emotional, social and mental health issues and how the emotional and social development increases during these primary school years. It has led me to find out more about how we can best support our children during these challenging times. In summary, a lot of the research shared has been around building children’s resilience and developing a healthy self-esteem which can assist in allowing our children to successfully navigate through life. I thought it may be helpful to share some key findings from Maggie Dent on ways to support your child and some essential tips for parents of children birth-12 using 10 key building blocks:
Building block 1- positive, healthy pregnancy
Building block 2- good nutrition
Building block 3- safe nurturing care within the circle of family
Building block 4- plenty of play
Building block 5- build like skills
Building block 6- meaningful involvement with positive adults
Building block 7- clear boundaries
Building block 8- absence of stress
Building block 9- self-mastery
Building block 10- strengthen the spirit
Maggie Dent’s book Building Children's Resilience is a valuable resource that you may like to explore further.
“Real kids need slow childhoods that allow them to grow on all levels- mind, body, heart and soul. They need deep connectedness with living things like people and pets to grow in their capacity to build nurturing, loving relationships later in life. This is what we all yearn for and seek and real kids who have been able to be real kids have the best chance at achieving it”
Maggie Dent, Real kids in an Unreal World (2008).
When visiting classrooms and speaking with students over the past weeks, I have reminded them of the importance of having a go and that when we make mistakes it is an opportunity for us all to learn and grow. Too many times I hear children say that they can’t do something because it is too hard, or that they are not good at that. Let us remind our children of having a growth mindset and discuss with them the importance of when we are challenged, not to give up easily, but instead see a challenge as an opportunity to develop skills and understanding. I have researched a lot around a growth mindset and challenging learning by James Nottingham. James Nottingham uses a visual presence of a learning pit. This concept I have seen work very effectively with children and can have a profound impact on how students think and improve their learning. Below is an example of the learning pit.
Learning occurs when you step out of your comfort zone. And yet, many people are hesitant to take this step for fear of making mistakes or revealing their weaknesses.
That’s when the Learning Pit can help: to encourage and reassure learners that taking risks, asking questions, and trying new things can help them develop their abilities and deepen their understanding.
~James Nottingham
School reports
Teachers are currently in the process of moderating student assessment, work samples and sharing rigorous discussions with year level teams and colleagues. Student reports will include comments this semester along with A-E grading for assessed subject areas. Reports will be released to families via compass in week 9.
Optional parent/teacher interviews will be available in week 10 to support report and parent/teacher discussions.
Further details on A-E reporting will be provided in our next school newsletter.
Class Allocations for 2024
During this term, we will be finalising our staffing arrangements for 2024. Below is a copy of the ‘Class Allocation Policy’ which aims to ensure a fair and just process in allocating students to classes for the upcoming school year.
I firmly believe that teachers are in the best position to decide a child’s placement because they know all the children in their classes and have a view of the ‘big picture’. However, I invite parents to inform me of anything that you feel needs to be considered, for your own child’s well-being or development.
As there are two and three streams of classes each year at St Anthony’s Parish Primary School, there are different combinations of children in classes. When forming the class lists the following factors are taken into consideration:
- Gender;
- Diverse Learners;
- Work habits;
- Cognitive ability;
- Friendships;
- Behaviour;
- Health considerations;
- Religion (to assist in achieving a balance between classes, especially in Sacramental years) and
- Common names.
Ideally, we aim for an equal spread of both positive and challenging characteristics. Where practical, parental requests based on educational concerns may be considered. At St Anthony’s, the staff and parents will follow these principles and guidelines when considering the placement of students each year:
- Every care will be taken to ensure that each child is placed in the best situation to enhance learning and social development.
- Parents who wish to raise particular concerns regarding the placement of their children in particular classes should put the concern in writing and email it to me (erin.marmont@cg.catholic.edu.au) by Friday of Week 5 (Term 4- Friday 10 November).
- Parent concerns will be considered during the process. It must be clearly understood, however, that no definite guarantees can be given regarding parental concerns.
- Where appropriate, advice will be sought from the Leadership Team, School Counsellor and current class teacher during this process.
- Considering all the factors listed above, the current class teachers compile class lists using Class Creator from mid-term, Term 4. These are then overseen by me to confirm.
- Children will be informed of their class placement for the following school year in December (usually the last week of school) and the opportunity will be provided for them to spend some time with their new class teacher on step up day in week 10. New students to the school for the following year are invited to attend.
- Throughout this process, after appropriate consultation, I reserve the right to make final professional decisions regarding the placement of children.
I thank our community for their ongoing support and trust in this rigorous process.
Staffing
We farewell Mrs Heather Naylor next Friday as she embarks on her final stages of pregnancy and commences her maternity leave beginning on Monday, 13 November 2023.
Fortunately, we have been able to maintain consistency in 6 Assisi by having a current member of staff Mr Simon Van Meurs join 6 Assisi as the Year 6 teacher for the remainder of the year. I thank Mr Simon Van Meurs and the community for your continued support and wish Heather, her husband Brett and girls Annabella and Elizabeth, all the very best as they prepare for their new arrival in December.
Farewell to Mr Jon Liddle from STA. Jon has been an integral part of the teaching and learning at STA over a number of years and will be very much missed by our staff and students. Wonderfully for Jon, he has been successful in taking on a new business adventure with his family and has resigned from his position at St Anthony’s. We wish Jon all the very best for his future endeavours and look forward to formally farewelling Jon at our end of year celebrations.
Community Council- Message from Catholic Education Director Ross Fox
I am pleased to inform you that the Review has concluded and that the proposed move to a School Community Council model has now been endorsed by the Catholic Education Commission and Archbishop Christopher.
As has been acknowledged throughout the review process, the partnership between parents, caregivers and members of our school communities is critical to the success of our schools and our students. The generosity and support of generations of parents and carers has enabled our schools to grow and evolve as welcoming, Christ-centred learning environments that hold a unique place in our local communities.
Given the significant changes that have occurred over the last few decades in families and schools, and the complex nature of current regulatory requirements, the decision to implement a new framework for parent, carer and community involvement in the life of our schools has been made following careful consideration and consultation across the Archdiocese. Over the coming weeks and months, School Community Councils will be established in each systemic school across the Archdiocese, and the work currently undertaken by School Boards, Community Councils and P&Fs will be undertaken in line with the new model moving forward.
The move to School Community Councils will continue the long-held tradition of support and collaboration between schools and families, and will continue to enshrine the valuable role that families play in our school communities.
The focus of the School Community Councils will remain on parents and carers and members of our school communities working together with the Parish Priest and school staff to make our schools the best that they can be. This may be by supporting the Principal to make strategic decisions about the school, promoting our school within the local community, participating in community or fundraising activities, or strengthening our relationships with our local parishes. Supporting the Principal and Parish Priest in the development and promotion of Catholic identity, the ethos and mission of the school will continue to be a cornerstone of the work of our School Community Councils.
With the move to the new model will come a process of transition and change for existing School Boards, Community Councils and P&Fs. We understand that this transition and change may cause a level of uncertainty. We are committed to working with you in the weeks ahead to minimise the impact of these changes on your good work.
There are a number of operational considerations that will require consideration and action as we transition to the new model, including the formal establishment of each individual Council and the transfer of operations from existing School Boards, Community Councils and P&Fs to the new School Community Councils.
Our intent is to work with you on a school-by-school basis to determine the most appropriate transition to the new model. Where appropriate, existing members of School Boards, Community Councils and P&Fs will shift into the new framework as we move through the transition in Term 4 of 2023 and into Term 1 of 2024, with new election and appointment processes to be in place after this time.
Ross Fox
Our STA P&F and School Board members in consultation with Catholic Education and Garreth and I are currently working towards how our community council will be determined and the transition to the community council model in 2024.
Please reach out to Alison Reardon our current P&F president Allan Taylor our School Board Chai, or myself if you would like to be a part of this process. staschoolboard@cg.catholic.edu.au
Erin.marmont@cg.Catholic.edu.au
STA 80's/90's Trivia night
Saturday 25 November 6.30pm.
Having trouble booking tickets? Head to the Qkr app.
- Table bookings (of 8) will be reserved for you on the night.
- Per-person bookings (up to 6 in one transaction) mean that you'll select your own seats on the night - 'first in, first choice'.
And if you're not sure what to do? Please email stanthonyspanf1@gmail.com for help.
Can't decide on 80's/90's attire? Not to worry, we can help out with some accessories on the night.
We've got music covered, games covered, and the best 80's/90's trivia in Wanniassa (possibly in all of Canberra).
And... there are lots of prizes to be won.
All you need is your own food/drinks of your choice (and a plate of 80's/90's sweet treats for the dessert buffet if you love baking... or know someone who does.)
It will be a night of entertainment and fun!
Important dates and events
Friday 3 November
- Last day to purchase trivia night tickets
- Year 5 grade showcase assembly 12pm, school hall
- Year 6 and Kinder buddies Teddy Bear Picnic 12.30-1pm
- School Disco. P-2 5.30pm-6.30pm, Years 3-6 6.45pm-8pm
Friday 10 November
- Remembrance Day Liturgy 12pm - Year 4 leading
Wednesday 15 November
- Year 4 excursion AIS 9-1.30
Friday 24 November
- Prayer focus assembly in the hall 12pm - 3A leading
- Year 2 excursion to the Arboretum 9-1pm
Saturday 25 November
- School Trivia Night 6.30pm
Friday 1 December
- Prayer focus assembly - 6A leading 12pm, Hall
Tuesday 5 December
- MacKillop Orientation Day for Year 6 (all day, students need to be dropped off at MacKillop)
Wednesday 6 December
- Semester 2 student reports available on Compass
- Preschool Christmas Picnic 5:30 - 7pm
- P&F meeting 8pm
Thursday 7 December
- Nativity Liturgy 12pm - Kinder Leading 12pm
Tuesday 12 December
- Year 6 Grad Liturgy 12pm
- Year 6 dinner 6pm - 9pm @ Town Centre Vikings
Thursday 14 December
- Students last day of term
Please refer to the school calendar on Compass and the school website for all events and times.
Have a great week,
Erin
OOSCA's Christmas shutdown is from COB Thursday 14th December 2023, reopening on Monday 15th of January 2024.
Quick coping skills to get through tough moments from Dr, Jacque.
Sometimes when we are emotionally overwhelmed, the best thing to do is to just get through the moment without making it worse. Our bodies and brains are in crisis-mode. And the goal is to just survive the overwhelm. Using logic, reasoning, and problem-solving won’t work to feel better. Emotions have gotten so big, that our brains are offline.
To come back online, your brain needs quick and easy coping skills that change your body chemistry. They calm the physical reactions of big emotions. These coping skills, also known as TIPP skills, come from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Adolescents developed by Drs. Jill Rathus and Alec Miller. They work great for younger kids and grown-ups too.
TIPP stands for:
Temperature - Use cool temperature to calm your body fast. An ice pack on your forehead or splashing cold water on your face are some examples.
Intense exercise - Do 10-15 minutes of exercise when emotions have gotten big. Exercise like running, dancing, or jumping will get that physical energy out.
Paced breathing - Slow your breathing way down for 1-2 minutes. Breathe through your belly and breathe out for longer than you breathe in.
Progressive muscle relaxation - Tense and then relax different muscle groups for 5 seconds each. Pretend you’re digging your toes into squishy sand. Squeeze lemons to make lemonade.
Patience Way
School Counsellor
On 13-15 October in Coffs Harbour NSW the 2023 OzTag Australian Junior Championship took place. Our very talented Aria S represented the U9 ACT Cougars.
The Cougars went through seven rounds undefeated with six wins and one draw. Meeting the Sutherland Shire Stingrays in the semi final the Cougars took the win in a nail biter 2-1.
Through to the Grand final up against the West Sydney Tiger cubs in the main stadium. The girls gave it their all. The Tigers and Cougars traded turns at scoring tries in a very tight match. A few tough calls for the Cougars and a debatable disallowed try late in the game. The Cougars fell short by one try in a final score 4-3.
A great achievement by all and we are so proud of Aria.