St Anthony's School Term 1 Week 10 2023

Principal's Report

Well here we are on our last day of Term 1, 2023!

Thank-you to all of the parents who came out to support their children at our annual cross country today. It was so lovely to be able to hold it here at school once again. A MASSIVE thank-you goes to Mr Tattam for his organisation of these events.  There’s a lot that has to occur behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running! Our students continue to amaze me, the way they give it their all and encourage each other.  We really do have a kindness culture here at St Anthony’s!

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all our teachers on a fantastic term. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to all our students, and their learning. As well as the teachers, we have a very important team of school officers – in the classrooms, tuckshop, office, library, grounds and cleaner. They also have worked hard this term and have been a great help to our classroom teachers, who with our learning support teachers, play an important part in ensuring our school runs smoothly!. We would be lost without them and I thank them for their hard work and dedication also.

Thank-you to you, the parents, for ensuring your children are here every day ready to learn and for your continued support of our great school and how could I forget a HUGE thank-you to our students who amaze me every day with their resilience and ability to be able to adapt to changing situations and their focus on striving to be the best they can be in the classroom and playground. We have 98% of our students who consistently each day follow our St Anthony’s Way, demonstrating their love of learning and love of each other.

Just a timely reminder for parents regarding hairstyles.  It is a requirement for both boys and girls who have hair touching or longer than the collar to have it tied up at all times during the school day.

We have some boys sporting some mullet style hair dos where the hair is in fact touching the collar and therefore must be tied up at all times. Tracks in hair are a great idea for holidays but not during the school term.

Just a few reminders for the commencement of Term 2 also that students are not to be in the school grounds prior to 8.00am. Mr Tattam will continue to supervise ‘Run or Read Club’ each morning from 8.00am.  Students all walk down together with the teacher on duty at 8.15am where they put their bags away, get organised for the day and have a play. 

I wish everyone the joy and hope Easter brings and look forward to seeing everyone rejuvenated and refreshed for an action packed Term 2.

Term 2 commences on Tuesday, 18^th April. Monday, 17^th April is a Pupil Free Day where our staff will be participating in professional development.  TCKC will provide Vacation Care on this day.

Behaviour Expectations

Here at St Anthony’s we have very clearly communicated behaviour expectations.  We teach these through a restorative practices lens, where we acknowledge any breakdown in a relationship and work to repair the hurt and harm.  In 99% of cases, this is very effective is helping our students realise the impact their actions have on others.  There are at times instances, in line with our Behaviour Support Plan where an exclusion from school through a suspension is warranted.  This term, we have had a number of suspensions.  Parents often express to me that an external suspension has no effect on their child.  My response is always that the effectiveness of a suspension, depends on the parents actions and consequences out of the school environment.

At times, we have to suspend students in certain situations as a disciplinary measure to address behaviour that is disruptive to the learning environment or compromises the safety and well being of others.. Some common reasons for student suspension include:

1. Disruptive behaviour: If a student's behaviour is disrupting the learning environment and making it difficult for other students to focus on their learning, the school may need to suspend them to restore order.
2. Safety concerns: If a student is engaging in behaviour that puts themselves or others at risk of harm, the school may need to suspend them to prevent any potential accidents or injuries.
3. Violation of school policies: If a student violates a school policy, such as using drugs or alcohol on school grounds, they may be subject to suspension as a consequence.

While suspension is not always the ideal solution, it may be necessary in certain circumstances to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff, and to maintain a productive learning environment. Here at St Anthony’s, we have a clear and consistent policy around behaviour that we expect students to follow.

School Fees:

A thank you to all families who have already paid this term’s school fees or who have set up a regular payment scheme. Your prompt payment allows the school to meet its financial commitments, so I really do appreciate your support. It would be great to have all families up to date with school fee payments or committed to direct debits etc., preferable by Monday.  Delaying payment of school fees only compounds the debt owed to the school as the year goes on.

Our Easter Fundraising Raffle was a huge success, raising $1,302.20. Huge thanks to all who purchased tickets.

Have a great Easter break!

Until next term…..
Louise

The newsletter will be an e newsletter emailed to parents on a Thursday every fortnight. Community and parent notices can still be included in the newsletter by emailing the item to the school stanthonys@twb.catholic.edu.au.

Middle Leader/APRE

Holy Week and Easter

This week we gathered as a school community to share the story of Jesus’ journey through Holy Week. During the liturgy students were encouraged to consider what it must have been like for Jesus, and the message that we can take from the Easter story to help our own lives.  Some wonderings included;

I wonder how I can welcome Jesus into my life today?

I wonder how I can share what I have with others, just like Jesus shared?

I wonder how my friends can help me when I am afraid?

I wonder if I was arrested like Jesus, what would I be found guilty of?

- that I shared my food with the poor?

- that I made friends with people no matter how different they were to me?

- that my words and actions brought healing and forgiveness?

- that I fought for justice and fairness for others in the world?

- I wonder?

As the holidays begin and we continue our Lenten journey towards Holy Week, and Easter I pray that students and families have an opportunity to  reflect upon the power of hope, love and renewal that the Easter story offers. Wishing you all a relaxing break from routine and hope you find some time to strengthen and renew relationships between your families and friends.

Prep White & Prep Blue

Welcome to Week 10! We have made it through a whole term of school!

This week we have been consolidating our knowledge of our learning. We read the easter story ‘How to Catch the Easter Bunny’ by Adam Wallace, the children then brainstormed and illustrated their ideas of how they might catch the Easter Bunny. There were some fantastic suggestions including a truck full of carrots and setting up a camera trap. 

We hope you have a fantastic break, and we look forward to seeing you all when school returns.

Siobhan and Katelyn

Yr 1 White and Yr 1 Blue

Well, how has the time gone so quickly! Week 10 is here already!

Over the last few weeks Year 1 have continued their exploration into numbers, doing practical activities with the ‘teens’ and ‘tys’ and skip counting as well as practising their writing of the numbers in the correct way.

In English we have continued with our sight words and writing practise of the letters of the alphabet, as well as revisiting how to write a ‘recount’ on a story.

The Year 1 students enjoyed the Harmony Day activities whilst the teachers held their parent teacher interviews. Thank you to all parents who made appointments. It was great to meet you all and have a conversation about your children.

This week we have only 4 days due to the Toowoomba Show Public Holiday on Friday. We also have the Cross Country on Thursday, which some of the children have already been practising for as they run around the oval in the mornings.

We hope you all have a safe and relaxing holiday. Please send through pictures if you would like to. We look forward to seeing you all back, refreshed and ready for a constructive and engaged Term 2.

Til then

Mrs Daniells and Miss Houghton

Yr 2 White

Wow, what an amazing 10 weeks we have had. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first term at St Anthony's.

Year 2 White have been a fabulous class to teach and really set the bar high for the future. Throughout the term we have enjoyed learning about numbers to 1000, length and area. The class created a poster about a chosen continent and loved finding out about them. A class favourite is still our continents song.

We loved writing stories based on pictures and creating our very own informative text about an animal. When work gets tricky, we have also really loved shaking our bodies and having movement breaks. We are very good penguins now!! I hope everyone joys a well deserved break and I look forward to seeing my smiling faces next term! 

Yr 2/3 Blue

Well, it is hard to believe that we are up to our first set of holidays!  I think is it just as well – it appears that these little cherubs are very tired!! 

The last couple of weeks have been very busy and lots of work has been completed!  They have been focusing on lots of numeracy and literacy tasks – learning about places around the world and their Easter traditions and getting excited about this week’s STEM.  On Wednesday they will complete the much-anticipated Egg Drop!  Let’s hope that they can find safe ways to protect the egg – I’m not keen on the idea of lots of broken eggs to clean up!!

Also, this week we have Cross Country and our Easter Liturgy.  I hope you enjoy some lovely time with your children over Easter and that the children return safely on Tuesday 18 April  for another exciting chapter of life in 2/3 Blue!  See you then!

Yr 3 Gold

We have continued to be very busy over the last fortnight.

In Maths we have learnt how to round numbers to the nearest 10. In English we have been writing our narratives and trying to improve them using our Bump It Up Wall. In Religion, we have revisited the Easter story.

Yr 4/5 White

Yr 6 Blue

Week 10! Term One is done and dusted.  We have had a great term getting to know each other and begin our Year 6 learning journey.  I’m very much looking forward to jumping into Term 2 with all the Year 6 students. 

We have been lucky enough to have Miss Paterson, UniSQ Student, joining us this week. Miss Paterson is completing practical experience in our class and will be joining us for the first few weeks of Term 2 also.  I wish all Year 6 Families the very best during the Easter Break.  I hope you get to enjoy plenty of family time and a significant amount of rest! Stay Safe!

Happy Easter!

Until Next Term,

Mrs Kingsford & Year 6.

Learning Support Team

Zones of Regulation is the program that St Anthony’s School  utilise to support students who struggle with regulating their emotions.

Self-regulation can go by many names, such as; self control, self management, anger control and impulse control. The terms all describe student’s ability to adjust their level of alertness and how they display their emotions, through their behaviours, to attain goals in socially adaptive ways (Bronson 2021)

The coloured cards above, provide examples of the zones that encompass all the Zones of Regulation.

The Green Zone is the emotional state that is optimal for learning. Some children move into the Yellow Zone if they are unsettled by another’s  behaviour, unkind words or frustration with learning.  The Red Zone is noted when a student is angry. In this zone there is difficulty in communicating and children in this zone display aberrant behaviours if they are unable to regulate back to yellow or green. The Blue Zone can be described as the zone where a person is tired, bored or sad.

Teachers provide strategies for all children to be ready for learning each day.

At St Anthony’s Trauma Education is also a top priority. Each day, every classroom celebrates inclusivity in a Welcoming Circle. It’s always good to start the day with a circle; a great way to check in and out, frame expectations for the day or session and nurture meaningful relationships within the classroom community.

The Learning Support Team wishes all of our school community a restful holiday.

HPE

G'day St Anthony’s,

What a busy couple of days! 

First, I want to say a massive congratulations to Year Six student Vann Jones on his selection in the Darling Downs Softball Team. I’m so proud of you Vann, I can’t wait to hear about state titles. 

Our year four teams had a fantastic day at the T-Ball Gala Day. The girls had an absolute ball, and while no one kept score, I think it’s safe to say the boys were unstoppable - some fantastic sportsmanship shown. 

Keep an eye out for next terms newsletter for all things Cross Country! 

Have a cracking Easter break, I look forward to another successful term of sport. Bring on the athletics!! 

Peace out ✌️ 

Mr Ory Tattam 

Performing Arts

TOOWOOMBA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS ARTS FEST: BELIEF IN THE ARTS 19^th to 22^nd June

This festival will involve students from right across the Toowoomba Diocese – from Cunnamulla to Quilpie, from Stanthorpe to Dalby and everywhere inbetween! Children will get the opportunity to meet students from other schools and to work together to create exciting arts opportunities – singing, dancing, painting and acting.

• Arts Fest DANCE WORKSHOPS – Thank you to the parents who have contacted me letting me know about some of the great dancers we have at St Anthony’s. I finally sent home a note this week (sorry for taking so long!) If your child missed out on getting the note – email me and I’ll send a copy to you at home. More to come next term.

‘A MIDSUMMER’S NIGHT DREAM’ AT THE EMPIRE THEATRE

I am so looking forward to seeing this amazing ballet with a keen group of Year Six students. How lucky are we to be able to see the Qld Ballet Company free at the Empire Theatre.

CHILDREN’S MASS CHOIR – We will be singing again Sunday the 2^nd April. I know this is in the school holidays, but I will be there and would love some support! All students from Prep to Year 6 are invited to come along by 8.15am to check out the microphones and to be ready to sing at 8.30am. We practice the songs in lesson time so most children will know most of the songs. It is a highlight for many of our elderly parishioners – try to join us.

Thank you for all you do to support The Arts at St Anthony’s

Online Parenting Support

Parenting can be tough. But you don’t have to do it alone. When things
become challenging, it’s important to know that you can always talk to
someone about what’s going on.

If you’re a parent, carer or family member living in Queensland or the Northern
Territory, you can call Parentline from 8am – 10pm seven days a week, for the
cost of a local phone call.

Parenting Support Program

At times all parents feel lost or without a clue about what our child might need from us. Imagine what it might feel like if you were able to make sense of what your child was really asking from you. The Circle of Security Parenting™ program is based on decades of research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened.

Learning Objectives of the Program:

• Understand your child’s emotional world by learning to read the emotional needs
• Support your child’s ability to successfully manage emotions
• Enhance the development of your child's self esteem
• Honor your innate wisdom and desire for your child to be secure

Sponsored by: Lifeline Darling Downs and South West QLD Ltd

Location: Lifeline Darling Downs, 33 Russell Street Toowoomba

Dates: Starts Tuesday 2^nd  May 2023

Times: 5.30 pm – 7.30 pm      Cost: FREE

Who should attend: Parents\Caregivers wanting to create stronger relationships with their children

How to register: Phone Lifeline Darling Downs 1300 991 443

Week 1 – Tuesday 2^nd May 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm

Week 2 - Tuesday 9^th May 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm

Week 3 – Tuesday 16^th May 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm

Week 4 – Tuesday 23^rd May 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm

Week 5 – Tuesday 30^th May 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm

Week 6 – Tuesday 6^th June 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm

Week 7 – Tuesday 13^th June 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm

Week 8 – Tuesday 20^th June 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm

St Anthony's Outside School Hours Care

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.  

St Anthony's OSHC Toowoomba

Phone: 0458 937 154 or 0458 897 293

Email: ANTcare@tckc.qld.edu.au