St Anthony's School - Term 2 Week 4 2021
Principal's News.....
Welcome to our Week 4 newsletter. My goodness…….nearly half way through another term!!
Last week I joined our other 30 principals from our Diocese and our Executive Leadership Team in Stanthorpe for our Term 2 Leadership Forum. The theme of this form was ‘Being Distinctively Catholic’ and the challenge of maintaining this distinctiveness in an increasingly pluralist world. This year, as a school we are developing our St Anthony’s Way, the way in which we act to self and others and the learning dispositions and behaviours we expect of students and staff. I saw a significant alignment last week to what we are doing as a school ensuring we reflect our catholic distinctiveness at St Anthony’s.
Our keynote speaker on Thursday morning was Dr Bill Sultmann, who some of you may remember as our Executive Director in the Toowoomba Diocese from 1994 – 2002. Bill has published a document ‘Beyond the School Gates’ and I wanted to share with you an excerpt that I think summarises our role as a catholic school beautifully:
The catholic school is:
- A place of care; where all are invited, respected and loved.
- A place of relationship, where people know, share and learn together in harmony.
- A place of learning; where students, teachers and families journey in learning inspired by Christ.
- A place of service; where learning empowers self in service of others and the world; and
- A place of transformation; where education is all shaped and reflected in learning success, confident and creative individuals and being active and informed within the community.
(w.sultmann;21)
PPF
Thank you to our PPF for organising and to everyone who came along to our welcome BBQ and Disco on Friday evening. From what I witnessed the children had a ball. Events like this provide such a valuable opportunity for parents and staff to connect on a social level and it definitely builds a stronger and more connected school community.
Our next PPF gathering will be on Tuesday, 8th June at 5.30pm where we are inviting parents to come along and listen to and ask questions of our school Guidance Counsellor, Jennifer Fenn who will be presenting on the Zones of Regulation, a social and emotional program we implement across the school which in a nutshell is a framework teaching students strategies for emotional and sensory self-management. Many of these strategies are very useful to use at home also.
NAPLAN
Our Year 3 and 5 students are participating in the NAPLAN testing this week. This testing is delivered in an online format (excluding the Year 3 Writing test). If you have any questions about the testing process, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
St Anthony’s uses NAPLAN data, along with anecdotal data from classrooms, standardised testing such as PAT R, PROBE, running records and formative and summative assessment, to inform teaching and enhance student learning.
School Improvement Survey
This year our school will be participating in a School Review and Improvement survey managed by Research Australia Development and Innovation Institute (RADII). As well as school staff and students from Years 5 - 12, all parents are invited to participate in the survey. The survey provides valuable feedback for the future directions of our school. It would be appreciated if parents could update their contact details prior 25 June 2021. This will ensure delivery to the correct parent email addresses are available. On Monday the 26 July 2021, RADII will send all parents a personalised invitation to complete the survey online. If both parents' email addresses are on file at the school, the invitation will be sent to both parents. However, the survey will close once the first person has completed it. If you do not wish to complete the survey, simply delete it. The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. You can complete the survey from anywhere you have access to the internet. The survey will close on Sunday,08 August 2021. We encourage you to be very honest in your responses to the surveys. All responses go directly to RADII so they are confidential and anonymous. When the surveys are completed, and responses aggregated by RADII, overall data is sent to us so that we can then share the findings with you.
Under 8’s Day
We are very excited to be able to host an event to celebrate Under 8’s Day again this year. The theme for this year is ‘play, playfulness and engaged learners’.
All students in Prep – Year 2 will be participating in a morning of play and fun on Thursday, 27th May from 9.00-10.30am on the top oval. The teachers will provide a range of activities and we would love the children to explore these activities and engage in play with their parents. You are most welcome to bring younger siblings and also ‘bring a friend’, this might be someone considering St Anthony’s for their child’s education or someone who would just like to have a look or a chat about what we offer. Rumour has it, there will even be some baby animals to feed!!
Sports Uniform is to be worn on this day for Under 8's
The morning will culminate with a sausage sizzle. Looking forward to seeing you all!
St Anthony’s Superstars!
We had a number of students who completed recently at the zone cross country trials – Michael Moses, Phoebe Seremaia, Jack Hornery, Cedrique Ntwari, Jorja Pott and congratulations to Cedar Johnson who was selected in the Central Zone Cross Country to now compete at the upcoming Darling Downs Cross Country.
Congratulations also to Sidney Geran who competed in the mini bull ride at Gracemere on the week-end. He came second in the first two rounds and qualified in the top five and rode in the final at Rockhampton, finishing in the top four mini bull riders in Australia.
Colour Explosion Fun Run
A note on behalf of our Year 6 parents………..
It is wonderful to share that our Colour Explosion School Fun Run was a huge success. It was fantastic to see the spirit and enthusiasm displayed in supporting our school. Of course, the true highlight was the smiles on the students’ faces as they ran their Colour Explosion Fun Run.
We made a $3900 profit, which will go towards our Year 6 Camp.
More smiles to come! Your incentive prizes have been ordered and are on their way! They will arrive shortly and will be distributed to students accordingly.
Thank you for your support and fundraising efforts. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Let’s hope all St Anthony’s mums and significant mother figures were suitably spoilt last Sunday!
Until next newsletter………God Bless!
Louise
louise.pfingst@twb.catholic.edu.au
APRE News.....
I hope that all the mothers and mother figures in students lives were well and truly celebrated on Mother’s Day last Sunday! It is always beautiful to see the genuine excitement of students when visiting the Mother’s Day stall or making precious gifts in class for their mother’s, prior to this special day. Although it may be hard to see sometimes in the day to day of busy life, your children appreciate your presence in their lives!
As mentioned in last newsletter, Catholic education celebrates its 200th anniversary in Australia this year. On Monday the 24th of May, a national Mass will be celebrated concurrently to mark this occasion. Mrs Pfingst and students will represent our school at the local celebration at St Patrick’s Cathedral. As a school community we will join in this celebration via a TEAMS liturgy, which our students will help to prepare. If you would like to watch the liturgy, you can access it via your child’s class TEAMS site.
One in five students in Australia are educated in one of the 1746 Catholic schools. St Anthony’s has been educating students since 1955 thanks to the vision of Father McMorrow, and the first teachers at St Anthony’s; the Community of Presentation sisters lead by Mother Jarlith Treacy. Mother Jarlith was a teaching Principal, assisted by Sister Emmanuel, Sister Celine and Sister Christina. The first building of the school was the current office block with classrooms on the ground floor, and the nuns living upstairs.
Over the years many changes came to St Anthony’s including new buildings, lay staff, and a change of administration as the school came under the umbrella of the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office. The 200 year anniversary is an opportunity to recognize the contribution of all those who came before us to build Catholic education in Australia and to look to the future with faith and hope for the contribution of generations to come.
We continue to keep in our prayers the following students who are preparing for their Confirmation on the 2nd of June and their first Communion; Sharna Mason, Caiden Smith, Christian Magat, Puondak Mawien, Xavier Cullen, Jimmy O’Neill, Libbie Everitt , Ariana Lugg and Sidney Geran. A reminder for this weekend as there is another catch up for these students and their parents either prior to Saturday night mass or after Sunday morning mass with the sacramental team.
katie.hauser@twb.catholic.edu.au
Middle Leader News
This week students in Years 3 and 5 have undertaken three of the four NAPLAN assessments for 2021, with the final Numeracy assessment to be completed on Monday the 17th. It has been encouraging to observe how diligently the children have completed these assessments. It is apparent that they have tried their best, displaying the dispositions of resilience, organization and persistence. Listening in to the children’s conversations after the assessments, it is apparent that they worked through their challenges and were proud of their efforts, utilizing the Learning Pit strategies to complete the challenge!
NAPLAN is just one facet of our education system that occurs annually, and we reminded the students that this is just a ‘snapshot’ of their literacy and numeracy skills at this point in time. Like a real life ‘snapshot’ it represents the moment in time that it was taken. What makes them unique, such as their personality, their friendship, their ongoing commitment to learning and their excitement and engagement with their personal interests is not reflected in a NAPLAN assessment. Thankfully, teachers are privileged to be able to see the full breadth of a student across a year and nurture them as whole individuals, more like a reflecting upon a photo album of the student rather than just one snap. Nonetheless, as educators, we can use these assessments to determine where best we may need to progress from this point in time to ensure all students are reaching their full potential.
katie.hauser@twb.catholic.edu.au
Prep KJ & SJ
It’s hard to believe Week 5 is just around the corner! Our ‘Under the Sea’ theme has been lots of fun. In each Prep class, we have been doing a literature focus on the big books, Grandpa Grandpa and Well Done, Oscar! which have a beachy theme. With each of these big books we participate in activities such as shared reading, rhyme, cut up sentences and related writing activities. Our big focus this term in our writing is identifying the initial sound in words and being able to write the letter that makes that sound. We are also continuing to work on starting our sentence with a capital letter, spaces between our words and a full stop at the end. We encourage the children to also write at home and we love to see the work they do, so send it in so we can share it with the class. In Mathematics, we have been looking at data collection, answering yes/no questions to collect information and make simple inferences. Would you buy a pet whale? was our question on Wednesday. The children are also coming up with their own yes/no questions to ask the class. We are still picking up jumpers and jackets in the classroom and playground that don’t have names on them. Please check your child’s clothing and make sure it is named (with their name, not just the previous owner). We are looking forward to our Under 8’s Day which is planned for Thursday 27th May from 9am-10.30am.
kylie.jones@twb.catholic.edu.au
samantha.jaeger@twb.catholic.edu.au
Yr 1 HS
This week in 1HS we visited Cobb and Co Museum to see the Past and Present Exhibit. It was very informative. We learnt about the horse drawn carriage and that the name car originated from the first three letters in the word carriage. We saw lots of old objects like cameras, various forms of transport, and toys from the past. It was so much fun and it helped support our in class learning.
holly.sheehan@twb.catholic.edu.au
Yr 1 RW
Another two weeks down and we have been working hard in 1RW on each of our subject areas. This week we went to Cobb and Co to see the past and present exhibition with the other Year One class and the Year Twos. It was great to see the objects and concepts we have been talking about it class. The students really enjoyed seeing the presentation on carriages and how transport has changed over time. Next week will mark our last week looking at this topic and then we will move onto our science topic of living and non living. In maths we have been exploring fractions, specifically, a half and a whole. I am halfway through testing the students on their reading levels so they may come home from library with a different leveled reader. It is great to see growth within some of the students' levels and this is very much due to students at home reading practice and sight words. I would really like to aim to have everyone borrowing each Tuesday. Quite a few students are forgetting to bring their books in to then reborrow. Hope you all are doing well and have a great end to your week.
rebecca.white@twb.catholic.edu.au
Yr 2 OT
2OT had a blast at the colour run - they tell me everyday how they wish it was colour run day everyday!
Our students are busy developing the skills needed to write an engaging and entertaining narrative as part of their English assessment. They are learning how to organise their writing according to the setting & the events that lead to complications and resolutions. Our focus this week is including sensory details that make the reader feel like they are sharing in the author's experience! In HASS we are learning about how things have changed over time. This week we visited the Cobb & Co Museum!
I want to say a big congratulations to Jordan who received 2OT’ 'Student of the Week' in Week 2. This week our outstanding student awards go to Penny & Seth! Awesome work my champions!
Until next time,
Mr Tattam & 2OT.
ory.tattam@twb.catholic.edu.au
Yr 2/3 VN
What a week in 2/3VN. On Tuesday, the Year 2 students went on an excursion to Cobb and Co Museum to engage in their Past and Present display. In HASS, we have been looking at how things have changed over time and the impact this has on our current world and the way we live. Everyone had a great time engaging in the hands on inquiry into many objects from our past and discussing how they have changed over time. Year 3 students also should be commended on how they handled NAPLAN this week. They took it in their stride and showed that NAPLAN is simply a way to show their learning and knowledge. It was different completing NAPLAN online this year and again, the Year 3 students showed their maturity and sensibility in taking on this task.
Reminder: Library is now Mondays
Oral Presentation: Week 5- Monday- Panose Tuesday- Eric Wednesday- Brax
vicki.nauschutz@twb.catholic.edu.au
emma.daniells@twb.catholic.edu.au
Yr 3 RM
It has certainly been a crazy few weeks! In Religion, we have examined Micah 6:8 and discussed what it means for us to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with God. We have linked this to our previous lessons in which we learnt to love God with our heart, mind, soul and spirit. We have then used this information to think about how we should treat others in our daily life. In Maths we have started to work with money - representing amounts in different ways and using change strips to calculate the amount of change for a purchase. In English, we have continued to examine our focus texts by Gregg Dreise, talking about the lessons that are included in each text and the connections between the texts.
rebecca.more@twb.catholic.edu.au
Yr 4 SC
Year 4SC has ventured into the world of Science with the commencement of the unit, “Beneath our Feet” where children are investigating soils, rocks, landscapes, and how they change over time. Our mathematical learning journey has taken the class into the area of Fractions to develop a greater understanding of common fractions and their interrelationships through use of equivalent fractions. While in the Time strand, the students gained knowledge of a leap year, AM/PM times and calculated periods of time using a calendar or time facts. During You Can Do It lessons, the children extended their learning about empathy and their ability to see events from someone’s point of view - ‘putting themselves in someone’s shoes.’
jo.keleher@twb.catholic.edu.au
Welcome Kathy Spencer to 4SC
Greetings from Year 4!
This week I have been privileged to begin working with the Year 4 class. The children have made me feel very welcome and I am certain that we will have a wonderful term. I am excited to be joining St Anthony’s. The Year 4s and I are ready to work diligently and reach our learning goals for the term and I’m certain we will have lots of fun along the way.
For those who wish to know my background, I have been teaching in the Toowoomba Diocese for more than 30 years. I have been a classroom teacher, in both Primary and Secondary schools, a Learning Support Teacher, EALD Teacher and APRE. I love schools and everything about teaching. I am married with two sons who are both uni students. My husband and I have a small farm and raise a few cattle in our spare time. I look forward to getting to know the lovely children of Year 4 and meeting many of their parents. I hope to be able to tell you all about our classroom projects in the next newsletter.
Have a great week and until our next time - God Bless you and your family!
Kathy Spencer
kathleen.spencer@twb.catholic.edu.au
Yr 4/5 RS
Dear Families,
Week 4 already and testing times with NAPLAN upon us!
We were delighted to have our special visitor last week, Sr Maria, who came to talk to us about Nano Nagle and the Sacraments. Sr Maria has such a unique way of telling stories to make them meaningful and help the children to feel their worth and closeness to Jesus.
Year 5 will attend the St Joseph’s production of ‘’Legally Blonde” on Thursday 27th May and an excursion to Brisbane, including the old Boggo Road Gaol on June 10th. Year 4, we’re working on it. Stay tuned – good things come to those who wait.
The Quickwrite process can produce some wonderful writing. With the stimulus picture for a narrative of ‘Jumping Legs’, we talked about ideas of trampolines, sports and kangaroos. We are absolutely astounded and moved by Savannah’s example. Keep writing, everyone!
Jumping Legs 7/5/2021 Savannah Black
On a dark snowy night, a young innocent boy sat on the porch pondering if he wouldever stand again. But as soon as a snowflake touched his legs, he felt a tingle in his thigh.. then his feet. He thought he could have a go at standing.
As soon as he stood, his mother walked onto the porch and started crying. He said it was like an angel touched his legs. When his mother touched him, his legs failed him Again, his mother helped him to his bed.
As he touched his bed, he felt strength come back to him and rose once again. Incredibly, he started jumping for joy.
After, he praised the Lord for this blessing.
Enjoy the amazing weather displays we are having! Robyn and Barb.
robyn.smith@twb.catholic.edu.au
barbara.hair@twb.catholic.edu.au
Yr 5/6 TN
Congratulations to both the Year 5 and Year 6 students for taking the disruptions of a NAPLAN week in their strides. The Year Five students have worked very hard during the testing and I’m very thankful that the Year Six students have been working along on their own tasks during this time. It makes me very proud to see how seriousl' all of our class takes their learning.
Our classroom is currently full of bright and colourful 3D robots. It is very clear that the students really enjoyed the creative side of this project. Our next take home project is going to be preparing a science experiment/presentation. Students will bring this information home next week. Another opportunity to have a bit of fun!
Until next time.
Mrs Terri-An Nolan
terri-an.nolan@twb.catholic.edu.au
YR 6 LW
At the moment, Year 6 is busy creating optical illusion masterpieces – which are due this Friday, the 14th May. We’re examining information texts in English- specifically, learning how to write and follow a procedure. This is integrated with our Science unit on reversible and irreversible changes, where everyone will demonstrate an experiment to the class and write it down as a procedure for the rest of us to follow. This task is due on Monday, the 24th May.
After exploring shapes like prisms and pyramids in maths, the 3D robots that were handed in are absolutely amazing – well done to everyone on demonstrating such creativity and understanding about creating and assembling nets. We are now moving on to understanding one of the very important concepts in maths; the order of operations (or BODMAS).
Australia’s federation history is our current focus in HASS, which will lead into a research task in the near future.
Did somebody say holiday??
Sumpai Jumpa!
leigh.winters@twb.catholic.edu.au
Yammer Group
Exciting news for the yammer group this week. We have been selected as a school group to be apart of the Cobb & Co Hanging Pot Plant Competition for the Carnival of flowers.
This week we have collected our empty hanging pot, potting mix and fertilizer. This year the theme is the “Importance of Colour”. The children and I will begin to research things all colourful in beautiful native plants.
If you have been through the school, you may have also seen that we have begun to remove the old planting from the garden beds outside the Year 5 and 6 classrooms. These gardens are going to slowly become our new bush tucker gardens. If you have any experience with bush tucker gardens or any ideas, please feel free to make contact. Stay tuned for updates!
terri-an.nolan@twb.catholic.edu.au
Mathematics Team Challenge
Last Tuesday ten students from Year 5 and 6 spent the morning at St Ursula’s for the Annual Mathematics Team Challenge. This competition is run in two sections with the first section being a team even which involves 5 students who work cooperatively on a number of questions over 45 minutes. The second section is called the Relay where 2 students at a time rotate through a series of questions over 60 minutes. This year myself and Mrs Doherty accompanied our two teams and we could not have been more proud of the way our students represented our school and tried their best. This competition is very difficult and the way these students gave everything a go was amazing!
