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Advent begins December 3, 2023. Here are a few resources to keep in mind as you prepare to observe the season.
Reimagining Advent with the Examen
Reimagine Advent by identifying each day’s graces through the Ignatian Examen. This seasonal e-mail series is inspired by Reimagining the Ignatian Examen by Mark E. Thibodeaux, SJ.
Advent Calendar for Adults
Mark the days of Advent with a highlighted reflection each day of the season.
Sacred Space for Advent and the Christmas Season 2023–24
Build a richer relationship with God, and embrace the Advent season as a sacred space with this small prayer book by the Irish Jesuits.
Advent Traditions Explained: A Webinar with Amy Welborn
Walk through the sights and sounds—and meanings—of Advent traditions in this webinar on November 29, 2023.
This Sunday marks the beginning of Advent. In amongst the busyness of life and particularly in the lead-up to Christmas with so much going on, sometimes the meaning of why we are here can be forgotten. The special focus of Advent is a time for us to let the Holy Spirit open our eyes to the presence of Jesus ‘coming’ and being within the context of our own lives. The period of Advent and Christmas is a time for us to pray and consider deeply how Christ is present in Word, Sacrament and Community.
We especially keep in our prayers those who have lost loved ones and whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they know the strength and love of those around them. Amen.
Community Council Executive
Last Wednesday our community members met to elect our Community Council executive from 2024. I can confirm the following members of our Community Council executive are:
Chair: | Allan Taylor |
Secretary: | Sharee Thomas |
Teacher Representatives: | Garreth Wigg |
Joe McGrath | |
Member One: (working group lead for school facilities) | Brett Robinson |
Member Two: (working group lead for P&F) | Alison Reardon |
Member Three: (working group lead for Outdoor learning garden) | Sharon Sheather |
Member Four: | Tanya Hobbs |
Member Five: | Steve Hunt |
Member Six: | Yvonne Norris |
In addition to the community council executive, we have developed Working Groups that will assist in driving the work of the school community.
Each of these working groups are led by a working group lead. Further working groups will be developed on a needs basis. For example, Megan Doherty will be the working group lead of our school fete in 2024.
Annual Improvement Plan 2024
Our school is currently developing their annual improvement plan for 2024. Our three goals are:
- Living out the school mission and values in all that we do at St Anthony's.
- V9 curriculum is visible across all learning areas and HITP practices used to drive and support teaching and learning
- Rigorous data analysis and moderation processes to inform teaching and learning
Our professional learning day at the end of this term will be an opportunity for our staff to develop strategies to achieve these goals.
If you have any comments or suggestions around our AIP in 2024, your feedback is greatly received. Please email me directly at erin.marmont@cg.catholic.edu.au
Please note the last day of school will be THURSDAY 14th DECEMBER 2023.
Staffing and Classes for 2024
Class lists are now finalised. Please note that no late request for a change of classes will be accepted. As outlined in previous newsletters this is a very considered process. 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 2023 (except Year 6) please remember to notify the office.
Confirmation of Staffing will be distributed in the Week 10 Newsletter. ‘Step Up’ day is on Wednesday, 13th December from 12pm to 1pm. It is anticipated all students will have an opportunity to meet their 2024 classroom teacher on that afternoon. A letter from your child’s 2024 teacher will be sent home with your child that afternoon.
School reports
Student reports will be released via Compass on Wednesday 6 December (week 9).
To access your child’s report please go to the Compass app, click on the image of your child in the top left-hand corner, select the Reports tab in the top right-hand corner and then select 2023 - Semester Two to view their report.
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. If you would like to meet with your child’s teacher, please email them directly to arrange a suitable time. Please note- Year 1P (Mrs Flood) will have her optional interviews in Week 9. Please contact her directly if you wish to meet with her.
STA 80's/90's Trivia night
Thank you to our P&F for organising such a magnificent trivia night. How great it was to bring the 80’s back with plenty of laughs and colour on the evening. Special thanks to Sharon for coordinating this event and Yvonne for her incredibly creative Rubix cubes!
We look forward to scheduling this event again next year and engaging our wonderful community.
STA Kitchen Garden and outdoor learning space
Congratulations to our community on being successful in the ACT Government community garden grant program. This is a wonderful opportunity to become involved in another school community project as well as benefiting our students and school.
If you would like to be involved in the development of our STA kitchen garden, please contact our front office so that your name can be added to the working group. Works will commence later this term with working bees to be coordinated early next year.
St Anthony’s Colour Day - this Friday
The Colour Afternoon is aimed at raising awareness of the importance of positive mental health, strategies to promote positive mental health, and the benefits of connection and exercise in building positive mental health. The afternoon focuses on building connections between the school and its community in an active and inclusive way. Students are organised into groups which allow them to mix with peers from other year groups whilst taking part in a variety of strategies aimed at building strategies and awareness of positive mental health. Students are encouraged to wear bright, sun-smart colourful clothing for the day.
All parents/carers are welcome to attend the events as volunteers to help run different activities. Please complete the Compass form in the events section and email josh.mcgrath1@cg.catholic.edu.au as soon as possible if you are able to help. All volunteers are required to have a valid WWVP card. Please present this when signing in at the front office when attending the event.
Volunteers will be required between 12:00 pm and 3:05pm. If you cannot make the whole time please email your availability to Mr McGrath at josh.mcgrath1@cg.catholic.edu.au
In the case where it is wet weather- the event will be cancelled and re-scheduled for 2024.
Congratulations
To Ian and Harper who have represented the ACT and St Anthony’s in the school sports Australian championships!
Ian-
100m 17th overall
200m 11th overall
Harper-
800m 9th overall
1500m 9th overall
What a magnificent effort. Well done to you both.
School leadership in 2024
Today our year 5 students presented their leadership speeches for 2024 school captains and portfolio leaders. This leadership framework was revised in consultation with the school community in 2021 with the aim of allowing students to experience a distributed leadership model.
Learning to be a leader is a valuable part of school life at St Anthony’s. It recognises each student’s individual strengths and provides them with opportunities to develop their skills in their area of leadership. Our leadership program helps your child to grow in confidence and self-assurance, preparing them for life after primary school.
Year 6 leadership at St Anthony’s gives every student in Year 6 a role. In addition to our Two school captains and leaders of our Portfolio groups, Year 6 shares opportunities to take care of an aspect of school life. Students can choose the area they are most interested in, making their stewardship of that aspect more meaningful for each child.
Students in year 6 nominate, in order of preference, their interest in the four portfolio groups. Teachers then allocate students to one of the portfolio groups.
The Portfolio groups include:
- Mission and Ministry
- Environment
- Media
- School Organisation
These four portfolios have been shared and discussed with our year 6 2024 students and cover all aspects of the school where decisions and responsibilities are required. Each portfolio is allocated a teacher mentor who helps to guide decisions and initiatives created by the team. Portfolio groups are a valued part of the St Anthony’s school community and allow for students to experience a distributed leadership model.
I look forward to announcing our leaders for 2024 at our end-of-year thanksgiving liturgy and candle ceremony on Thursday 14th December from 12pm.
Important dates
Monday 27 November
- Year 5 Journey with Jesus Retreat
Friday 1 December
- Prayer focus assembly - 6A leading 12pm, Hall
- STA Colour Day 12.30-3.00pm
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
- OOSCA Christmas Party @4-5pm
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
Wednesday 13 December
- Step-up day 12-1pm
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 wonderful week,
Erin