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Dear Parents and Carers
I hope everyone is keeping warm and riding out the winter weather! I took this photo of the frost covering the school oval on a crisp morning last Thursday. I believe the photo of the Brindabellas covered in snow was taken on Sunday. A spectacular view.
SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL REGISTRATION
Last week St Anthony’s underwent school registration, a process that occurs every 5 years. Our community had the opportunity to showcase all of the great things about St Anthony’s. A panel of 7 experts in education visited the school over 3 days, last Tuesday to Thursday. The school ran smoothly during the 3 days of registration and the panel got to see how we support all of our students and each other. There was a lovely vibe around the school. They were very impressed with our school and enjoyed being able to talk with staff, students and parents from our School Board and Parents and Friends Association.
The panel visited all classrooms on numerous occasions and immersed themselves in the teaching and learning. Students were able to talk about their work, their goals and interests. Panel members also spent time looking at school documentation and compliance measures in place. The ELC and OOSCA have different accreditation processes but the panel did visit both centres. The panel had a tour of the ELC and enjoyed a special lunch with the staff.
St Anthony’s staff received draft feedback on the final day, including the recommendation for re-registration from 2022-2026. The school received many terrific commendations that recognised the outstanding elements of the school. We also received some affirmations for implementing a number of initiatives of merit. The panel also provided some recommendations for ways in which St Anthony's can look to further improve. All of this feedback was well received by our staff and we are excited about the possibilities for our students in the next 5 years. I look forward to sharing more information when the report is finalised.
I want to congratulate all St Anthony’s staff on the AMAZING school registration results and for the work they do each and every day. Well done to our students, they were so excited to share things about their school. Thank you to our wonderful parents and carers who continue to support the school in the education of their children.
GRANDPARENTS AND GRANDFRIENDS DAY
This is just a friendly reminder that our Grandparents and Grand Friends assembly is THIS FRIDAY, 30th July at 12:00pm.
All of our students have been excitedly preparing performances for our grandparents and grand friends to tune into via Zoom. We encourage our St Anthony's families to reach out and, where possible, visit and spend time with grandparents, grand friends and the elderly who have been hit particularly hard during this time. We look forward to seeing you through the camera on Friday.
We hope this virtual assembly will be a huge boost to these special people in the lives of the students, many who may be isolated at home at the moment with COVID restrictions. We are thinking of you all.
Our celebration this year coincides with Pope Francis’ recent announcement of a new celebration to honour all grandparents and the elderly, who are so important to our communities and our Church. This new World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated every year on the fourth Sunday in July.
Pope Francis has also granted a plenary indulgence to grandparents, the elderly, and all those who participate in a solemn celebration of this day as well as to those who spend time (actually or virtually) with an elderly brother or sister in need on this day.
Please click on the link below to access Pope Francis’ message.
Pope Francis' message for the First World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
WELCOME TO NEW SCHOOL COUNSELLOR ON WEDNESDAYS
Our current Catholic Care School Counsellor Mercedes Pascoe is very busy studying a new degree and has decided to drop one of her days to keep up her studies. Mercedes will continue to work on Mondays and Tuesdays. I would like to welcome our new counsellor, Kelly Arundel, who is now working on Wednesdays. Thank you to Kelly for joining our team. Kelly works in other Catholic schools and is an experienced counsellor. I am pleased St Anthony’s continues to provide three days of counselling time to support our students and families.
YEAR 5 CAMP - WARRAMBUI
It was great that we were able to complete our Year 6 camp to Narrabeen and our Year 5 camp to Warrambui in the first semester, before the latest outbreaks of COVID-19.
In Week 10 Term 2, our Year 5 students and teachers enjoyed their 3-day experience at Warrambui, located near Murrumbateman NSW. The camp was an outdoor education camp with a focus on sustainability. It was an exciting event for all involved and great to try a new venue! Congratulations to the students and the staff that attended.
SCHOOL BOARD
Our School Board continues to work toget
her to support the administration and governance of the school. In 2021 some parents were elected into new roles. Congratulations to these parents and new parents to the body.
Our 2021 School Board:
Eugene Lehmensich - Chairperson
Sarah Wallace - Vice Chairperson
Monica Atkinson - Treasurer
Josh Martin - Secretary
Fr Tony Percy
Greg Walker
Michael Bradley (A.P.)
Heather Naylor (Staff rep.)
Jen Gentry (parent rep.)
Cath Rollinson (parent rep.)
Denise Bell (P&F parent rep.)
I would like to thank our outgoing School Board members who stepped down in 2021.
Thank you to Clare McNamara, a long standing member of the School Board. Most recently Clare held the position of Chairperson from 2018-2020. Prior to this Clare was a parent representative. Among other things, Clare was instrumental in leading the process of applying for the recent ACTBGA Grant that enabled us to build the new classroom block. Thank you to Clare for her dedicated service to the school.
Thank you Tim Brown for serving on the school board for a number of years. Tim worked actively on the school sub-committee for facilities and maintenance. His work contributed to many upgrades around the school.
Thank you to Louise Wright for her role as the P&F representative in 2020. Louise ensured that the communication between the P&F and the School Board was strong.
PARENTS AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION
Our Parents and Friends’ Association continues to work in so many ways to ensure St Anthony’s services continue and that community members are well connected and supported. Good representation of parents at meetings in the past 12 months has ensured the viability of the P&F. Well done everyone. The P&F met last night and a number of items were discussed.
This year we have some parents elected into new positions. Congratulations to these parents. Our 2021 P&F:
Alison Reardon - President
Karen Carmody - Vice President
Jess Hall - P&F Treasurer
Priyanka & Vaibhav Mathur - Secretaries
Denise Bell - School Board Rep.
Rebecca Harman - Clothing Pool
Trish Rae - Canteen Treasurer
Thank you to our two key parents who have changed roles in 2021:
Thank you to Selina Walker for her role as President of the P&F for a number of years. Selina has worked hard to continue the P&F during tough times including the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges. The P&F continues to be strong and we thank Selina for her dedication and also her volunteer work in the canteen. Selina continues to attend P&F meetings.
Thank you to Trish Rae who has stepped down from the P&F Treasurer role she held for many years. Trish’s accounting skills have kept the P&F in good financial shape! Trish also helped coordinate the clothing pool with Monika Renda for a number of years. Trish continues on as Canteen Treasurer.
ACT ROSTRUM QUARTER FINAL
Congratulations to Xander Brooks on his top 2 finish in the quarter final recently held at St Anthony’s. Xander now goes through to the Rostrum semi-finals to be held soon. Thanks to Mrs Bernie Ephraums for organising the competition in 2021 and the hosting of the recent quarter finals. It was great to host the event. Thank you to the other Year 5 and Year 6 teachers for attending the final and also for promoting Rostrum in their classrooms.
OUTSTANDING RESULT IN CHESS TOURNAMENT
Congratulations to the members of our school chess squad. They competed recently in a southside Chess Tournament at Trinity Christian School. Our teams competed well under competition rules and did very well. Our squad finished tied for first place but was relegated to second spot after an intricate countback through the game scores. What an outstanding result!
Thank you to Mr Ben McDevitt for encouraging our students to attend chess club and also have a go in this tournament. Great job!
YEAR 5 & YEAR 6 GIRLS BASKETBALL GALA DAY
Thank you again to Mr Ben McDevitt for taking our 3 x Year 5/6 girls basketball teams to the Sue Geh Cup competition last week. The girls did well and enjoyed their games. Lots of kids are playing basketball around the school at the moment and there are more gala days for other age groups to come over the next month! Well done to the players and Mr McDevitt.
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL - Wednesday 11 AUGUST
As you are aware our school athletics carnival is at Woden Athletics Track on Wednesday 11 August - Week 5. Our carnival is the week after the completion of the Tokyo Olympics so the students will be fired up to participate and perform well! Who knows who will be the stars of the future? Let’s hope for nice weather on the day and a chance for the students to enjoy competing and trying the various athletics events. Our ELC students will be joining us for part of the day which will be great too.
MATHS ‘TOAST’ PROGRAM STARTS AGAIN
Thanks to Mrs Angie Kisiel and Mrs Angela Bartkowiak for starting up the ‘TOAST’ Maths program again. Our ‘TOAST’ program is a series of targeted activities and short lessons held before school designed to give selected students an early understanding of concepts they are learning in their classroom. They enjoy breakfast and a piece of toast together while they work! The goal of the program is to boost students' understanding and confidence in Mathematics. Student feedback on the program last year was very positive and we look forward to expanding the program based on student need.
NATIONAL TREE DAY - ST ANTHONY’S READY TO PLANT!
National Tree Day is this Friday 30 July. Thanks to Mrs Bernie Ephraums and Mrs Danielle Smith for shopping for new plants and trees for the school grounds. Mrs Ephraums was successful in gaining a grant to purchase new plants and trees so the school has more greenery and shade moving forward. What an investment! We look forward to planting time!
COVID19 UPDATE
Thank you everyone for being respectful of the current COVID restrictions at school. St Anthony's and Catholic Education continue to take advice from health authorities in relation to the evolving situation particularly in NSW. We request that all visitors to the school use the CBR check in app upon arriving to school, and please do not enter school grounds if you are unwell. At this stage we ask parents and carers not to go into classroom and as such please allow more time if you need to collect your child during the school day.
If your child is unwell, do not sent them to school.
Wishing you all a good week ahead.
God Bless.
Greg Walker
Principal