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Dear Parents and Carers
Thank you for Term 3
Thank you for your continued support in 2020. We have come through the winter term into spring, although we finished Week 10 with a wintery blast of weather. I think every member of the community is doing really well in 2020 given we are facing many pressures and restrictions. Your understanding, compassion and sense of gratitude for what we have rather than what we have lost are values shining through in these times. I am always so appreciative of the positive messages of encouragement and thanks from parents to our school staff.
I know that a lot of school information these days is shared in ‘real time’ through the Schoolzine app or Class Dojo but I wanted to end the term highlighting student achievement.
Term 3 has been the only 10 week period this year with full face-to-face teaching and there has been a very positive vibe around the school. This term we have been able to further student learning and offer some excellent experiences.
Year 3 and Year 4 Virtual Art Show
On Thursday 24 September Year 3 and Year 4 students displayed their amazing virtual art pieces on their ChromeBooks. A virtual art gallery was established in the hall and all of the students in the school were timetabled to come through at different times to view and peruse the art! The art was composed digitally and included interactive features to enhance the image. Each art piece was contemporary and engaging. Congratulations to all of the students, Mrs Fradgley and the school staff for organising this unique event.
St Anthony’s Chess Competition
On Thursday 24 September 20 students volunteered to participate in the 2020 St Anthony’s Chess Competition. A lot of the student’s have been participating in the lunchtime Chess Club or practising at home. The day was dedicated to a round robin competition with players participating in 7 rounds of chess. Students gained points from how they played during each game and scores were logged electronically. In the afternoon session a final was played between the two highest ranking players - Dhanveer R and Keshav S. The final was a tightly contested affair going right down to the wire with Keshav running out the winner with only about 4 pieces in total left on the board! Congratulations Keshav. Congratulations also to all competitors, you played well and your strategy is improving with each contest. Thank you to Mr McDevitt and Mr Liddle for organising the day and promoting Chess within the school.
Tournament of the Minds
I have highlighted the great team work of our 4 TOMS students at morning assemblies at school. 2020 presented unique challenges for this competition but recently each team presented their final solutions virtually to the judging panel. Their presentations were creative and entertaining and reflected the hours of effort and synergy of each group. Thank you to Mrs Kisiel, Mrs Stephens, Mrs Fradgley and Mrs Barkowiak for inspiring the students to take part and supporting them along the way. Results on how each team performed will be known shortly.
Successful Year 5 Camp
Well done to our Year 5 students for their outstanding participation in the recent Year 5 ‘Two Day’ Camp at Birrigai. Thank you also to the staff that attended the Year 5 camp at Birrigai at some point over the two days - Mr Quantrill, Mrs Ephraums, Mr Bradley, Miss Lehmenisch, Mrs Woodward (ELC Director) and Mr Ben Mc Devitt. I also had the opportunity to attend for the Monday program. The Year 5 students enjoyed camp and the experience of the Gold Rush program and various bush activities.
Father’s Day Thank You
I wanted to say a belated thank you to everyone for supporting Father’s Day breakfast and liturgy on Friday 4 September. The atmosphere at the front of the school was exciting as the dad's, grandads and special members of students’ families enjoyed their special ‘drive through’ treatment! There were some priceless moments for families! Thanks to Miss Lehmensich and the staff that assisted in organising this event.
Senior School Debating Competition
This term a number of our senior students have had the chance to compete in the ACT Schools Debating Competition. There have been a series of debates held online via zoom but this has not taken away from the quality and rigour of each debate. Each speaker in each of our teams has acquitted themselves well and presented a compelling argument. We did win some overall debates and we also had some of our students awarded best speaker by the adjudicators. There was competition for spots on each team and some students missed out so we are planning some staff v’s students debates next term to finish the debating season. Congratulations to all students involved and thank you to Mrs Ephraums and the teachers for their coaching and support.
Fairytale Ball
Well done to the Year 1 teachers Miss Hoff, Mrs Stankovic and Mrs Flood for organising an entertaining Fairytale Ball on Tuesday 15 September. Students had lots of fun and enjoyed their dancing, dressing up and the banquet at the end! Parents couldn't attend but it was lovely to see that siblings were in attendance and some senior students. This event will be a highlight for the Year 1 students!
Year 5 and Year 6 Market Day
Congratulations to the Year 5 and Year 6 students on their wonderful Market Day stalls on Thursday 17 September. Each stall was well planned and attracted a lot of interest from buyers. Thank you to our teachers and staff for the detailed planning of the event. It really was a ‘Fete’ like atmosphere around the school on the day with more stores and more students participating in Market Day than ever before. All of the students learnt a lot about teamwork and being entrepreneurs! Students also raised a good amount of money for four worthy charities. Well done to everyone involved.
Kinder ‘Olden’ Days Experience
Well done to our Kinder teachers Mrs Beisnner, Miss Batista and Mrs Adamson for going back in time and giving the Kindergarten students an experience of the Olden Day school days on Thursday 17 September. The Kinder teachers dressed in long flowing dresses and planned an interesting olden day classroom setting. It was also nice to hear the olden day hand held school bell ringing around St Anthony’s grounds- although most students kept playing and did not know what to do. It was also amazing that old time ‘principal’ Mr Fumble (Mr Bradley) was able to turn up at morning assembly and greet the school as well as talk to the Kindergarten students - Gotta like your mop of hair Mr Fumble!
First Eucharist Thanks
Thank you to Miss Lehmenisch and the Year 4 teachers for all of their work in preparing and educating the students about the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Each of the sacramental celebrations went well as part of our 5.30pm parish masses. Thank you to Fr Tony for the beautiful way in which he celebrated the sacrament with each group and to Fr Joe for celebrating mass with us on the last evening. Receiving Jesus through this Sacrament for the first time is a very special moment in each child’s life.
RUOK Day
On Thursday 10 September our staff and Year 6 leaders promoted the National RUOK Day to the school community. Student leaders read out relevant information to the school to reflect on and everyone was encouraged to check in and ask each other ‘RUOK?’. The key then is to listen and follow up with them. The other key action is to have the courage to talk with someone if you are not feeling OK. Checking in with others is more important than ever given the current This COVID-19 situation. St Anthony’s community does offer a range of pastoral care and wellbeing services so please feel free to contact the school or your child’s teacher at any time if you or someone needs support and a listening ear.
New Classroom Block Building Progress
Wow, we are at the end of Week 10 Term 3 and the roof and external brick work is complete on the building. I was fortunate to have a site tour this week and the structure and dimensions of the building are now clearly visible. During the holidays internal sheeting will begin and roughing in of services. From this point there is much detail to be added inside which takes time. The project timeline is going well and we are hoping the classrooms will be completed and fitted out to start on day one of the 2021 school year.
I wish you all a restful holiday break and I look forward to Term 4.
God bless,
Greg Walker
Principal
Charlie C, Alina F, Fraser H, Ruby M, Elizabeth M, Noah T-B, Callum M, Sophie M, Lara M, Maya G, Koen S, Joshua H, Martina L, Amelia C, Aria S, Joseph R, Lily A, Joseph D, Henry W, Hannah M, Kyla R, Emilia W, Ashley Y, Elsie C, Levi D, Saanvi M, Sanvi P, Callan R, Isabella O, Michala O, Tahlia R, Jessie W, George L, Poppy K, Isabel V, Tristian C, Sarah F, Archer P, Jack D, Ava P, Joshua D, Joseph D, Mia W, Chase C, Mary-Grace B, Rylee H, Matilda G, Caleb S, Rory M, Charliese V, Harrison H, Lucy W, Willow L, Wyatt P, Isaac T, Rylan B, Tobias R, Chantel B, Liam B, Violet H, Baxter M and Rosanna B.