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Doing Small Things Well
What are the “small matters” in life? Most likely, if you asked many different people from all walks of life this question, then you would receive many different answers. But if we consider the context of this statement of Jesus, then it is clear that one of the primary small matters of which He speaks is our use of money.
Many people live as though the attainment of wealth is of the highest importance. There are many who dream of becoming rich. Some regularly play the lottery in the very unlikely hope that they will hit it big. Others dedicate themselves to much hard work in their careers so that they can advance, make more money and, so they believe, become happier as they become wealthier. And others regularly daydream about what they would do if they were rich. But from the perspective of God, material wealth is a very small and unimportant matter. Money is useful insofar as it is one of the ordinary means by which we go about providing for ourselves and our families. But it truly is small in importance when it comes to the divine perspective.
With that said, one way to be entrusted by Jesus with “great” matters is to use your money appropriately. We become “trustworthy” in this small matter of money when we only give it the value that it has. In other words, we must see money only as one means to the end of fulfilling God’s perfect will. When we work to rid ourselves of excessive desires and dreams of riches, and when we use what we have in accordance with God’s will, this act on our part will open the door to our Lord to entrust us with much more. What is that “much more?” It’s the spiritual matters that pertain to our eternal salvation and the salvation of others. God wants to entrust to you the great responsibility of building His Kingdom on earth. He wants to use you to share His saving message with others. But He will first wait until you show yourself trustworthy in small matters, such as using your money well. And then, as you fulfil His will in these less important ways, you will begin to see Him call you to greater works.
Reflect, today, upon the fact that God wants great things from you. The goal of all of our lives is to be used by God in incredible ways. If this is something you desire, then do every small act in your life with great care. Show many small acts of kindness. Try to be thoughtful of others. Put others’ needs before your own. And commit yourself to using the money you have for God’s glory and in accord with His will. As you do these small things, you will begin to be amazed at how God is able to begin entrusting you with more, and, through you, great things will happen that have eternal effects on your life and in the lives of others.
My trustworthy Lord, You were entrusted with the greatest good ever known. Your Father in Heaven entrusted to You the salvation of the world. Please help me to share in this task by being faithful to Your holy will in every small way. As I seek to serve You in the small matters of life, I pray that I will be able to be used for even greater ones. My life is Yours, dear Lord. Use me as You will. Jesus, I trust in You.
School reports
An enormous thanks to our teachers who have worked tirelessly over the past weeks and months preparing Semester 2 reports. This semester, student reports will be supported with classroom teacher comments to outline student success and areas for development. Optional parent/teacher interviews will be provided in week 10.
A reminder that the A-E scale is very different to what it looked like years ago. Our Kindergarten students will receive an alternative scale to A-E as outlined below.
Please take some time to familiarise yourself with the guidelines for assessment and reporting.
Kindergarten Scale of Assessment
Engagement with Learning
Consistently |
Displays thorough knowledge, understanding and application of the content, processes and skills in this area. |
Usually |
Displays engagement with learning most of the time |
Developing |
Is beginning to display knowledge, understanding and application of the content, processes and skills in this area |
Needs Improvement |
Is yet to display knowledge, understanding and application of the content, processes and skills in this area |
Kindergarten Grade Scale
Above Expectations |
The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills in most situations. |
Meeting Expectations |
The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills. |
Working Towards expectations |
The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills. |
Experiencing Difficulty |
The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills. |
Year 1- Year 6 Grade Scale
Outstanding |
The student has extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations. |
High |
The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills in most situations. |
At Standard |
The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills. |
Partial |
The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills. |
Limited |
The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills. |
Year 1 – Year 6 Achievement Scale
A |
The student has extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations. |
B |
The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills in most situations. |
C |
The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills. |
D |
The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills. |
E |
The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills. |
When a student receives a ‘C’ grade, it means they have demonstrated the quality of learning described in the Achievement Standard, based on the content studied in the reporting period. If a student receives a ‘C’ in both semester 1 and 2 reports, it indicates that the student has made progress, and learned new knowledge and skills based on the new and more challenging material studied.
A student’s report will list a grade for each subject studied.
The following A-E descriptors will appear on the report:
- A demonstrating outstanding achievement of the standard
- B demonstrating a high achievement of the standard
- C demonstrating achievement of the standard
- D demonstrating partial achievement of the standard
- E demonstrating limited achievement of the standard.
School reports will be released via Compass to families on Wednesday 6 December (week 9)
Optional PT interviews Term 4
Optional parent-teacher interviews will be offered to families in the coming weeks. These will take place on Monday and Tuesday in Week 10 after reports have been received.
Staffing
Last Friday we farewelled Mrs Heather Naylor on maternity leave. Thank you to Mr Simon Van Meurs for stepping in as Year 6 teacher for the remainder of the year.
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 6 (Term 4 - Friday 17 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.
Community Council
Next Wednesday our P&F and Board members will meet to discuss and finalise arrangements and nominations for the community council in 2024. This includes the roles of the community council executive and members of the community council’s working groups. We look forward to sharing with you the details of our 2024 St Anthony’s Parish Primary school community council in the coming weeks. Please contact the school office.StAnthonysWanniassa@cg.catholic.edu.au if you would like to be involved in the community council in 2024.
Online Triple P - Positive Parenting Program
This is a wonderful opportunity to engage in a positive parenting program. Parents and carers are offered access to free online parenting courses developed in Australian by the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, thanks to Australian Government funding. Please see the link below for details:
Link: https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/au/triple-p/
STA 80's/90's Trivia night
Saturday 25 November - 6.30pm - BYO food/drinks
Preparation is well underway for what is planned to be an awesome, 80's/90's fun-filled night.
We understand there are a number of you who would like to come but may not be able to fully commit until closer to the night. We'd like you to have the option to be part of this adult-only event with other members of our STA community, their families and friends. Bookings will now remain open via Qkr, and we will also accept entry purchases (via Qkr or card payment) on the night.
Look out for the last Trivia night update via Compass on Friday 24 November.
It will be a night of entertainment and fun!
Important dates
Wednesday 15 November
- Year 4 excursion AIS 9-1.30
Thursday 16 November
- Kinder 2024 orientation 9.30-11am
Monday 20 November
- Italian and Maths achievement awards @ morning assembly 8.55am
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
Monday 27 November
- Year 5 Journey with Jesus Retreat
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
Friday 8 December
- Year 6 students @ Big Splash waterpark
Monday and Tuesday 11-12 December
- Optional parent-teacher interviews
Tuesday 12 December
- Year 6 Grad Liturgy 12pm
- Year 6 dinner 6pm - 9pm @ Town Centre Vikings
Thursday 14 December
- Thanksgiving Liturgy and candle ceremony 12pm
- Student's last day of school for 2023
Please refer to the school calendar on Compass and the school website for all events and times.
Have a lovely week,
Erin