St Anthony's School - Term 4 Week 6 2021

Principal's News

Welcome to just over the halfway mark of this busy term. This brings us all to the realisation of just how quickly time passes. Our teachers are currently preparing to write report cards and to meet with parents of students who require transition meetings for their next year level teachers. I honestly hope to be able to reveal the class teachers for 2022 in the next newsletter. We are still in the process of finalising positions.

St Anthony’s has been a hive of activity in both the classrooms and around the school grounds.  You may have noticed that we received delivery of 15 sandstone blocks last week.  These are placed in our front entrance area and in our outdoor learning space between our Year 5 and 6 classrooms and our Year 2 and 2/3 classrooms.  This space is actually my favourite part of the school and going about my classroom visits, I have recently witnessed students in this space, reading, working on iPads, solving a maths problem, praying or role playing a scenario, just to name a few.

You may have also noticed our new school sign has been installed on Stephen St and it will be connected to electricity and operational in the very near future.  We are very grateful to the St Anthony’s Parish for contributing to the cost and installation of the school sign as this will be a shared space to advertise both school and parish events.

Our Year 6 students have also been working with community artists, Lee and Denise around the design and creation of a stunning and symbolic mosaic that will be located in the administration block entranceway.  Each year, our Year 6 cohort leave a departing gift or legacy as a way of thanking the school community for their guidance whilst students at St Anthony’s and this year it is the mosaic.  Be sure to check it out!

We have also committed to refurbishing our junior toilet block in the 2022 Easter school holiday period.

School refurbishments are all part of our master plan.  We not only want to St Anthony’s to be known for the place where academically and socially students thrive, but where we have the latest technology, resources and well-presented school grounds and facilities that are well maintained.

Once again, many thanks to our Parent Partnership Forum who are committed to ensuring funds raised are spent on resources that benefit everyone in our beautiful school community!

2022 Prep Transition

Over the past 4 Friday mornings, we have been so excited to welcome our Preps of 2022.  The process of welcoming families to our community is one of the things we do best, one of the many things I am very proud of in relation to our school. This is all due to our beautiful community and the willingness to reach out and make others feel at home here in St Anthony’s School.  Thank  you to all of our guest speakers.  The feedback is always that these information sessions for parents are valuable.  I must give special mention to Belinda Hill and Mr Richard for organising the cuppa, morning tea and hall set up each morning.  We currently have 28 Prep enrolments and 2 classes.  We would certainly welcome some more enrolments, so if you know of anyone who has not yet decided upon a school - we’d be more than happy to have a chat!

Report Cards

Semester Two report cards will be attached to the Parent Portal durng the last week of school. 

Swimming Carnival

A HUGE thank you to Ms Y and staff for ensuring the Swimming Carnival ran smoothly on Tuesday.  I thank all students, swimmers and non-swimmers who participated, cheered their hearts out and encouraged their peers and from what I hear there were many displays of our students encouraging each other.

We awarded and acknowledged our age champions at assembly today.

As a school, we celebrate and acknowledge the strengths of our students. For some students, they particularly shine in the sporting arena and for others sport is challenging. What we do aim to encourage with all students in and out of the classroom, is that things are challenging and that’s OK, but give them a go.  Just as opting out in the classroom is not an option, opting out of sporting events shouldn’t be an option either. 

One of our aims next year at St Anthony’s is to build our sporting house spirit and see students keen to participate, even if you’re not the most talented sportsperson!

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded age champions:

9 Years Girls - Zoe Klein               

10 Years Girls – Jorja Pott                                10 Years Boys – Tanek Satora

11 Years Girls – Kate Schouten                       11 Years Boys – Ethan Bearkley & Cedar Johnson

12 Years Girls – Samara Young                       12 Years Boys – Ryan Conners

School Fees

Just a reminder to ensure that you are fully up to date with the payment of this year’s school fees by the end of the term. Chasing outstanding fees owed at the end of the year is a very time-consuming exercise and places the school at a financial disadvantage when attempting to carry out building and ground maintenance as well as affecting our ability to purchase much needed resources for 2022. Your co-operation and support in the timely payment of fees and levies is always greatly appreciated.

Remembrance Day

Today, all Australians joined together in many places to commemorate the 103^rd anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, or Armistice Day as it was also known. We must never ever lose sight of this incredible moment in history, which we have come to know as Remembrance Day and the minutes silence we all observe and dedicate to those soldiers who died fighting to protect our nation is just one small way that we can remember them.

They gave their tomorrows

So we could have our today

For those who leave and never to return.

For those who return, but are never the same.

We remember………Lest We Forget

Christmas Concert and Fair

There are only 14 sleeps until our 2021 St Anthony’s Christmas Concert and Fair.  Each class has been involved in organising a stall.  Many thanks to the staff for the organistaion of these.  We are looking for parents to assist with the set up prior to this event, working on stalls during the fair and pack up after the fair.

Once again here are the stalls and co-ordinating classes:

Prep – Chocolate Coin Toss

Year 1 – Raffles and Showbags

Year 2 – Second-hand books

Year 2/3 - Glowsticks

Year 3 – Bottle stall (noodle boxes)

Year 4 – Christmas art and craft

Year 4/5 – Drinks (softdrink, water and poppers)

Year 5/6 and 6 – Photo with Santa - calendars, cookie decorating and scrunchies

There will also be a raffle of some Christmas hams and a jumping castle for the kids!

Eftpos will be available at the food vans and all the stalls will be cash only, with smaller denominations of cash preferable.

The food vans at the event include:  hot spuds, hot chips and dagwood dogs, tacos, coffee and frappes, Dippin Dots ice-cream.

Donations are steadily trickling in and we are still welcoming donations of second hand kids and adults books, filling for our noodle boxes such as wrapped lollies, trinkets, toys, playdough, hair accessories, ballons etc – the possibilities are endless, wrapped chocolate bars (large and fun size) for the chocolate coin toss and toys the Year 1 raffles.  Thank you to those who have kindly donated already.

This event will commence with Prep – Year 3 performing their concert item at 5.30, followed by time perusing the stalls and Year 4 - 6 performing at approximately 6.30pm.  Feel free to bring all the extended family and let’s make this an event of fun engagement as a whole school community!

Until our final newsletter……..God Bless!

Louise

louise.pfingst@twb.catholic.edu.au

APRE News.....

Parish Family Mass

Thank you to the students and families who came to the final Parish Family Mass of the school year!  It was lovely to see so many St Anthony’s students and their families participating.   Mass occurs weekly at 6pm Saturday night and 8.30am Sunday morning and you are all welcome to come any time!

Sacramental Program

We continue to keep in our prayers and thoughts the students who are preparing to make their Reconciliation in Week 8.   

World Mission Month

Thank you to all of the students who wore Crazy socks last Thursday to raise money for Catholic Mission.  A grand total of $260 was raised to support the missionary work of the Good Shephard Sisters in Thailand who outreach to  some of the poorest communities in Bangkok.  Students were ‘socking it’ to world poverty in Mission Month!

St Vincent’s DePaul Society Christmas Appeal

It is time to begin gathering hamper items for the St Vincent DePaul Christmas Appeal!  Once again, this is an opportunity for students and families to display their commitment to their community and to the basic humanity of fellow beings. Simple contributions make a valuable impact for people who are struggling during the Christmas period.  Students are asked to consider bringing items for class hampers.  Below is a suggestion of ideas for year levels, however any donations will be greatly accepted.   We would ask that any food items donated please be either non-perishable or not out of date for the Christmas period. 

Middle Leader News

We are finally investigating our last learning behaviour along the Love of Learning Pathway which is ‘Be Proud’.  The four other learning behaviours; be engaged,  be curious,  be persistent and be a communicator were chosen to develop in students the ability to learn effectively.  The last learning behaviour is intended to develop in students the ability to reflect upon their efforts and monitor their success.  For any individual to feel pride, they need to be personally invested in the outcome or achievement. Developing in students the intrinsic motivation to meet expectations is one of the first steps. Perfection is not the goal, nor is competition, however, requiring students to reflect after the fact and truly identify their own growth and strengths is a powerful tool for creating self-confidence and contributing to a positive sense of self identity.   To be proud we are asking students to consider if they have given their best effort. We are aiming to develop and support students to take personal ownership over their learning, effort and behaviour.  We want students to also have community pride.  Being proud to be a member of our St Anthony’s community means that we will help students to meet expectations around their behaviour, ask them to wear their uniform with pride and expect students to represent our community well when outside of the school. 

It is a worthy goal to produce students who are intrinsically motivated to strive for success who can monitor their efforts, act upon feedback to achieve a goal and feel personally satisfied in the outcome. 

          

     Love of Learning

         Be engaged | Be curious| Be a communicator| Be persistent| Be proud

Assessment Presentation

Before we know it report cards will once again be delivered for all students. Feedback from the PPF during the year concerning assessment and reporting is that some parents would like to understand better the process involved in determining student achievement and deciphering the language of the report card.  We have put together a presentation that you will have access to next week.  Look out for a message on the portal which will show you how to access the presentation.  The idea of a ‘virtual’ presentation was chosen to enable as many parents as possible to access it wherever they may be, rather than coming to a meeting.  Please email or call if you have any questions or require any clarification.

Prep KJ & SJ

It has been a very busy term so far for Preps. We have been writing letters to our friends around the school. Preps have written to their buddies and the Year Ones, they have received lovely replies from these letters. We have been writing capital letters and using them in our sentence writing correctly. Students have been attempting to edit their own work and are understanding what it means to add correct grammar to a sentence.  

Our science unit this term ‘On the Move’, has been investigating how different objects move. Students have used objects around the classroom and predicted whether they can be pushed or pulled and with this if they can slide, roll, turn or bounce. Preps are enjoying seeing how forces play out in the world around them. It is fantastic to see their creative thinking come to life.  

The end of the term is fast approaching with a lot happening for the Preppies during this time. The school and PPF are holding an end of year Bush Christmas Concert and Fair on Thursday the 25^th of November in the sports hall and oval. This will involve all the Prep students. The concert will begin at 5:30 and following the concert, families can enjoy the fair with a variety of stalls and food vans available to purchase food. Preps will perform 2 songs from the nativity play as their item for the Bush Concert. The event will conclude at approximately 8.00pm. 

Along with this, each grade will partake in a stall, Preps have decided to do a counter throw to win a chocolate. This will involve pictures of chocolates being placed on the ground. For a gold coin donation each person will get 5 counters and attempt to throw them onto the chocolate pictures and if successful will receive the chocolate. With this we ask that parents and carers please bring in a bag of treat sized chocolates so that we have some chocolates to lay on the ground for our stall. We also ask if there are willing parents to assist in the running of the stall. This can be done in 30-minute shifts so that everyone has a chance to enjoy the night. The timetable will be available on the portal shortly. 

We understand that this is a big night for Preps, but it will be thoroughly enjoyed by all. There will also be an appearance by Santa. Please let your classroom teacher know if you are attending the night, and your donation of chocolates will be greatly appreciated. 

samantha.jaeger@twb.catholic.edu.au

kylie.jones@twb.catholic.edu.au

jo.keleher@twb.catholic.edu.au

Yr 1 HS

This term is flying by! We have been busy with learning and assessment this last week. Students have worked so hard and should be proud of their achievements.

Last week your child would have brought home their creative box construction – An obstacle course for a BeeBot. They had a lot of fun planning, creating and reflecting on their designs. The focus was on creating something a Beebot could travel on, go under, over, around, or through. This assessment task linked to positional language in Maths, investigation into materials in Science and both Digital and Design technology. The children were very proud of their efforts. Below is a photo of their busy construction session.

The Christmas Concert and Fair is coming up quickly. Thank you to all the families that have already donated. It is greatly appreciated. Please let me know if you are able to help at our stall on the night for a 20 minute session. Look forward to seeing you there!

holly.sheehan@twb.catholic.edu.au

Yr 1 KS

The term is certainly flying by. During the past two weeks we have been busily completing a number of assessment tasks, including some really fun tasks for Technology.  We have made obstacle courses for our Bee-Bots, we have had a treasure hunt to find the Green Sheep and we have been making music on Garage Band.  Lots of great activities that ensure we are digitally aware and competent with many skills.

Over the next few weeks we will begin a “book -a- day” in which we will complete literacy and numeracy tasks for a number of really wonderful children’s picture books.  This will help with keeping our literacy and numeracy skills moving during the last weeks of school. 

The Christmas Concert and Fair will be here before we know it.  Please remember that it would be great if you were able to donate to the Year 1 stall, either by spending time during the evening on the roster to sell tickets and show bags or by sending some toys to school for the raffle.

Many thanks!

Have a great week

Kathy Spencer

kathleen.spencer@twb.catholic.edu.au

Yr 2 OT

Hello Parents of 2OT, how is it already Week 6?  It feels like yesterday, that I welcomed our students into the room for the very first time. We are busy finalising our assessment before reporting commences. The growth of these children is truly exceptional, and I am beyond proud. The students will bring home their reconstructed versions of 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' very soon and they are all super excited to share with you. Congratulations to Penny and Lexi who are this week's 'Student of the Week'. Keep shining girls!

Until next time, 
Cheers Mr Ory Tattam

ory.tattam@twb.catholic.edu.au

Yr 2/3 VN

Welcome to Week 6!  I can hardly believe it myself.  This week 2/3VN has been consolidating our learning and completing assessment tasks to demonstrate our learning so we can report back to you at the end of this term.  We have also been doing reading testing and the growth is exceptional.  In Math we are continuing our learning on our times tables and in English we are exploring poetry.  We have been looking at rhyme and rhythm and the features of poetry that make it enjoyable for us to read:  e.g alliteration and onomatopoeia.  This week some of us also participated in our school swimming carnival and I was so proud of all students pushing themselves to do their best.  Great work 2/3VN! 

Reminders:  Library is Mondays- our returning is quite dismal and Mrs Watkins will need all books back soon for the end of the year.

Christmas Concert and Fair:  25^th November 5:30pm-8:00pm.  I have sent an email asking for volunteers to help at our glow stick stall.  Please email Emma or me if you can help!

vicki.nauschutz@twb.catholic.edu.au

emma.daniells@twb.catholic.edu.au

Yr 3 RM

It's been very busy in 3RM over the last two weeks. In English we are analysing poems.  In Maths we have finalised our data inquiry and we were all so excited to learn how to create graphs on a computer. In HASS we have learnt about democratic decision-making. 

With the Christmas fair getting closer, it would be wonderful if each family could make a donation of items suitable for our noodle boxes.

rebecca.more@twb.catholic.edu.au

Yr 4 SC

Year 4 are working hard on a variety of assessment tasks and many are feeling that they are deep in the learning pit. It is wonderful to see the students meet their challenges and persist until they climb out! The last fortnight was filled with many more poetic devices - our new favourites are 'neologisms'. We made up some of our own - 'chuggets' = chicken nuggets, 'slurple' = a purple sloth, 'tapple' = a teacher who likes apples, and  'neacher' = a nice teacher. We also had some fun with puns - Why did the dog eat the tree? He wanted his bark back! Why did the man fall over his suitcase? He wanted to take a trip. Science this week was once again looking at forces. Today we made our own catapults and identified the forces needed to catapult marshmallows the furthest distance. We found that the shorter the spoon the further the marshmallow travelled. We have begun making our Christmas Fair crafts - look out for some amazing cookie jar mixes, pretty Christmas bows, reindeer food, reindeer noses, Christmas tree and reindeer lollypop holders, Christmas cards and more! We have exhausted our supply of tissues and would appreciate a box if you can spare one! Many Blessings. Mrs Cox

Yr 4/5 RS

Dear Families,

Assessments have been taking place and we have been working solidly. Many forms of poetry have been read, including “In Flanders Fields” for Remembrance Day.

We have enjoyed research into the topic of Light or Sound, then presented an informative speech to our peers. We have been very involved in many learning activities, as you can see!  It was very heart-warming to see the bonding happening between the Yr 4/5 mentors and their Prep buddies.  We will catch up for Christmas activities before the term ends.

Students were recognised at Assembly for their commitment to completing Homework exercises.

Our class is running the drinks stall at the Christmas Fair and thank Xavier’s dad, Sean, for initiating this project.  We will send out a roster for helpers in the coming days.

Have a great week everyone,

Robyn and Barbara.

robyn.smith@twb.catholic.edu.au

barbara.hair@twb.catholic.edu.au

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Yr 5/6 TN

I’m sure by now your homes are all becoming rather well versed at the poem your child picked for their oral presentation. I can’t wait to hear each of them present next week. Over the past fortnight we have been working hard at finishing units, completing assessment pieces and overall demonstrating to me, just how much they have grown in independence over the past year.

This year instead of Secret Santa our class will be contributing towards the Kmart Wishing Tree. The children have a post on Teams about the requirements and all gifts need to be at school by Tuesday of Week 9.

A very big thank you to those families who donated material and elastic so that we can sell scrunchies at the Christmas Fete. So far I have 101 made from the material you have brought in and still going!

Finally, I hope that the assessment calendar has been helping you at home this term. It has been a wonderful talking point here at school and has allowed us to make some personal goals around Time Management and organisation of assessment tasks.

Until next time, stay safe.

Mrs Terri-An Nolan

terri-an.nolan@twb.catholic.edu.au

YR 6 LW

In the Year 6 Classroom …  

Another week closer to the end of term and so much to do between now and then! Our weeks seem to be jam-packed with activities; from the swimming carnival to numerous assessments and tests, from practising our Indonesian carols for the Christmas Fair through to learning songs in preparation for our Farewell Liturgy.  

Currently, everyone is at the end stage of writing a ballad, with just some editing and publishing to be done. I’ve been very impressed with the quality of these ballads, as well as some of the excellent limericks and cinquains that have been created. 

We’re about to start a Science assessment – which will include wiring a simple circuit. Thank you to Joel Rub who spent time with all the Year 6’s earlier this week, ensuring that everyone has a clear understanding of electricity and how circuits work.  

The mosaic we were working on is in its final stages and should be put up this weekend.  

Leigh 

leigh.winters@twb.catholic.edu.au

Yammer Group

I hope you all saw some of the great photos from the final Tucka Time on the schools Facebook page. What a fun afternoon to celebrate the end of a wonderful program that the children have been very engaged with. I have expressed our interest to Tucka Time about doing the program again next year and will let you know when I know if we have been successful.

I have been reflecting over the past few days about the things that Yammer Group have achieved this year. This in turn is making me very excited to think about the types of things we can do together as a group in 2022. All parents of students in Yammer Group (and those joining us next year) will be sent a short survey to see what you think we could be doing as a group. I look forward to your suggestions and value your input.

Finally, I would like to thank you all for the opportunity to work with your children this year as part of the Yammer Group. I spend each week learning with them and laughing a lot.

Until Next Year, stay safe.
Mrs Terri-An Nolan

Terri-An.Nolan@twb.catholic.edu.au

Library

Thank you for an awesome year of reading and enjoying books, the way students use the library space is a credit to them and their teachers. Searching for books that are interesting and different each week gives students a chance to experience the joy of reading.

In the week beginning the 22nd November we will be asking for all library items to be returned, please look for a message from your child and support them with finalising this borrowing process. 

Looking forward to finding the next great read for our students.

Kind regards,
Jan & Holly in the library

St Anthony's Outside School Hours Care

Commencing January 2022

Our Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) services provide the opportunity for children to grow and develop their social skills in a leisure based environment nurtured by our Catholic ethos.  

The services offer a combination of before school, after school, pupil free days and vacation care led by a team of qualified educators.   Our educators work with all children to create fun and recreational experiences so that a child’s wellbeing, learning and personal development are a priority. The services provide a variety of indoor and outdoor activities to support the diverse interests of all children.  

Dental Van

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Dental Van appointments will be delayed until approximately February 2022, however, you will still receive a text message with an appointment time.

Donations needed for the Christmas Concert and Fair Toy Raffle

Over the next few weeks, it would be wonderful if families would consider donating toys for this raffle. Ideal suggestions include brand new toys such as lego, dolls, hot wheel cars, craft boxes, gift vouchers etc. The list is endless. Any items donated would be so very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.