Welcome to Week 4

We pray for all involved in the ministry of education. Like Jesus may they be clear, courageous and strong as they pass values of compassion and justice to future generations. May our support for Project Compassion continue to make education more widely available. Amen.

Prayers

I am deeply saddened to write to let you know that Keely Langshaw, mother of Polly

Burns in Kinder Padua and Tottie (15 months old), passed away peacefully over the weekend. We pray for Polly, Tottie and their father Josh, for their loss. We have offered the condolences of our school community to the family together with any support or help we are able to provide.

When we lose a loved one, we experience anguish and grief. We are heartbroken at the loss of someone so dear to us. Death can affect not just ourselves, but also our immediate family and others around us.

I have met with Polly’s class and shared a prayer circle with the children. I very much appreciate that this news may bring unexpected memories, feelings and emotions to many of our students. Our staff will continue to be on hand to offer support.

Your child can be affected in a range of ways when they hear about the death of someone they know, or don’t know. We encourage you to take this opportunity to check with your child to see how they are feeling and ask if they are struggling.

Please know as a staff, we will continue to check in with our students, particularly in the days and weeks ahead.

My heartfelt gratitude goes out to the many in the St Anthony’s community that have already expressed their condolences and provided support to the family.

Dear Lord

Give Keely eternal peace, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul rest in peace.

Almighty and eternal God, from whose love in Christ we cannot be separated, whether by death or life, hear our prayers and thanksgivings for those whom we remember this day; fulfil the goal of your love in them; and bring us all, with them, to your eternal pleasure; give strength to Polly, Tottie and their father Josh. May they know the love and support of those around them at this difficult time.

AMEN

As our St Anthony’s community begin its Lenten journey together, we remember that Lent is a time of preparation for the gift of new life that we receive at Easter. During this time, we are called to reflect upon our need for God and to address those things in our lives that distract us from the wholeness that only God can bring. Perhaps this may also be a time where instead of giving something up, we choose to give or do something for others. Seeing Jesus in the face of others can sometimes be challenging, let this be an opportunity to rise above the frustrations and at times, anger and be more like our God through showing acts of love and kindness towards others, even when they do you wrong.

I am incredibly proud of the way our students have shown such reverence in our opening school and Ash Wednesday liturgies. We look forward to continuing to encourage and support our students on their faith journey.

Caritas Australia's Project Compassion:

During Lent, we support Project Compassion. Donation boxes will be distributed to classes prior to Wednesday. Please encourage your children to bring in donations to support this cause. Donations can also be made via the QKR! app.

Caritas t-shirts

This year, to support Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion, we are again offering all children, staff and family members, the opportunity to purchase a St Anthony’s ‘Come, Holy Spirit’ t-shirt. Each t-shirt costs $25 with a percentage of the cost going to Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. T-shirt sizes range from children's 4-14 through to adult's XXL.

Orders are to be placed via the QKR! app and close on March 15 at 4pm

Confirmation

An email has been sent to all families in regard to The Sacrament of Confirmation. If there are any questions or queries, please contact Mr McGrath.

Letter from Catholic education

An announcement has been made that there will be a new direction in governance for Catholic Education within the Archdiocese.

A link to the announcement is below for your information:

https://cgcatholic.org.au/about/our-archbishop/addresses-and-statements/new-era-in-governance-of-ce/

It is intended that very little will change within schools as a result of this governance change. Further updates will be provided as the initiative progresses.

School Community Council

In week 7 our community council will meet to discuss our Annual Improvement Plan and the wonderful events we have planned for 2024! I look forward to sharing with you an update of our school hall renovation plan in our next newsletter.

Monday morning catch up and Cuppa

All families are warmly welcome to join our morning assembly on the asphalt each Monday morning from 9am. Our year 6 leaders will also be on hand to share with you their current projects for each of our portfolio leaders groups.

COMPASS

Communication on COMPASS- please see detail below on how to access COMPASS from different platforms. If you are needing to contact your child’s teacher, step by step details can be found on this page. If you have any queries or concerns, please email Garreth Wigg via email on garreth.wigg@cg.catholic.edu.au. We very much value your communication and are happy to assist with the communication changes at STA.

2024 Semester Reporting and Parent/Teacher Interviews.

In addition to our Parent information evening in Week 2, this term, families will have an opportunity to meet with their child’s classroom teacher for an interview in Week 9. Booking details will follow in the coming weeks via compass.

Catholic Education Canberra-Goulburn (CECG) has communicated to schools regarding reporting to parents/guardians. CE has advised schools that general comments will not be required on Semester 1, 2024 reports, but to prioritise Parent/Teacher Conferences for every family in Term 2. These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, their strengths, challenges and future areas of focus. A Semester Report will still be sent home as in previous Semesters providing A-E grading and attendance information.

CE has advised schools that Semester 2, 2024 reports will have a general comment for all children. This general comment will provide a summative comment for the year, areas of achievement and areas to focus on for the following year. A-E grading and attendance information will remain as normal.

We would encourage all parents/guardians to engage regularly with their child/ren’s learning, connecting with their class teacher/s regularly to discuss learning progress.

Family Engagement with Faith

Please find below details for Family Engagement with Faith – Term 1’ resource with parents and carers. The activities are designed to encourage families to engage in faith-based activities with their child throughout term one.

Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1elWmWvwb8j41rN1FiFwiBrMvBdDjUeXA/view?usp=drive_link

SIGNING IN AND OUT

A reminder that the school day begins at 8.55am. If your child is late to school, it is a requirement that the parent/carer sign their child in at school through the front office.

This is the same process for when a child is leaving early.

Lunch time clubs

This term we will begin lunchtime clubs for our students.

The following opportunities are available:

• Meditation Club
• Homework Club
• Chess Club
• Art Club

In addition to this, our students have wonderful areas of play across the school, including:

· Nature Play

· Sensory Garden

· Oval with new goal posts

· Multipurpose court

· Asphalt handball and basketball

· Library

· Wellbeing room

Our school is currently having built wonderful new playground equipment at the far right side of the oval. We look forward to officially opening the playground at the end of February

Monday morning cuppa

Don’t forget Monday morning assemblies each week. All families are welcome to attend in the asphalt area from 8.55am. Our lovely parent representatives will be serving tea and coffee from the canteen.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN testing will occur in our school between 13 and 25 March 2024 for students in Years 3 and 5

Online NAPLAN tests provide more precise results and are engaging for students. The tests are tailored (or adaptive), which means that each test presents questions that may be more or less difficult depending on a student’s responses. This helps students remain engaged with the assessment.

Tailored testing allows a wider range of student abilities to be assessed and measures student achievement more precisely. A student’s overall NAPLAN result is based on both the

number and complexity of questions they answer correctly. Your child should not be concerned if they find questions challenging; they may be taking a more complex test pathway.

All Year 3 students will continue to complete the writing assessment on paper.

NAPLAN provides valuable information to schools and parents about literacy and numeracy achievement. It supports school improvement processes by enabling teachers to monitor student progress over time and to identify areas of strength and development.

All eligible students are encouraged and supported to participate in NAPLAN testing. Visit www.nap.edu.au to see interactive versions of the test and for more information.

Please check Compass for more information regarding NAPLAN that was sent to all Year 3 and Year 5 parents on Friday 16 February.

Important dates:

· Wednesday 21 February – Year 5 excursion to MOAD

· Friday 23 February - 6L prayer focus assembly, 12pm school hall

· Wednesday 28 February–canteen tuck day. Order cut-off is Monday 26 February @ 9.30am

· Wednesday 13 March – NAPLAN commences for Year 3 and 5 students

· Friday 15 March – School Disco and Working Bee. 5.30pm-6.30pm ELC - Year 2 & 6.45pm-7.45pm Year 3 - 6

May I commend all of our students on a magnificent start to the year.

Have a lovely week.

Erin

Some news about the fete on Saturday, May 4 10am-3pm

DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIP

Can you help with sponsorship or donations of goods and services with the fete?
GOLD SPONSOR: $500
SILVER SPONSOR: $300
BRONZE SPONSOR: $200

The sponsorship helps with our costs for the fete. Donated goods and services will be prizes for our chocolate wheel and other competitions related to the fete.
Sponsors are promoted ahead of the fete and on the day as supporters of the school. The committee would truly appreciate any help with putting on another great event the whole community can enjoy.

Please email stanthonyfete@gmail.com or ring fete coordinator
Megan Doherty 0402 458 294

OPEN SHED

The next open shed will be Saturday, March 23 from 9.30am to 11.30am
This is a chance to drop off donations for the fete - books, clothes, shoes, toys, sporting equipment, bric-a-brac, household goods, DVDs,
CDs and so on. Please could everything be clean and in working order. No electrical items thank you. Please drop off at the hall. We appreciate everyone’s generosity.

FETE COMMITTEE
Our next fete committee meeting date and time will be announced soon. The meetings run quickly and don't go any longer than half an hour. We would love your help! We would like people to help with the stalls, someone to help coordinate the live entertainment on the day, and someone to help support the volunteers on fete day so that all our attractions and stalls are staffed on the day and everyone gets a proper break. We’ll also discuss some exciting projects in the lead-up to the fete.

If you are able to assist with either the disco or working Bee, please register your availability below:

Link to register to help with School Disco + Working Bee