From the Principal's Desk

Dear parents, families and friends,

We have made it to the end of Term 2!! What a term and half year it has been! This term seems to have gone on forever, with so many rapid changes occuring. As I have said earlier, we are not out of the woods yet. I believe that we will see an increase in cases as we enter in the middle of the winter season.

At this point, staggered start and finish times will continue next term. Restricted parent and visitor access to the school site will continue. Increased cleaning and sanitising will also continue. As I have been doing all term, I will continue to update you as soon as new information becomes available.

I thank all families for their full support during this term. We all come to these holidays very tired and worn out. I remind all families to not congregate and linger at dismissal time. Please leave as soon as you have collected your child or children. I know this is a difficult time and this again goes against what is so special and such a central part of the St. Augustine's community. Parents chatting, children playing at the end of the day is greatly missed, however, in support of restrictions, we need to find different ways to socialise and interact until the pandemic is over. We have been lucky here at St. Augustine's and in Yarraville to date. However with the hot spots all around in neighbouring local city councils, we need to be ever mindful and vigilant.

Mrs Bess English

This Monday gone, Mrs English finished her last day with us. She is taking parental leave to have her baby. Her plan is to have the baby in Japan as she and husband Tom move there for Tom's career as a rugby player. We wish Bess all the very best and hope to see her back here at St. Augustine's in the not too distant future. Mrs Spostato will replace Mrs English in 1/2 W on Mondays beginning Term 3.

First Reconciliation

On Tuesday and Wednesday evening, students in Year 3/4 celebrated the sacrament of First Reconciliation. Due to Covid 19 restrictions we were only able to have those children making their First Reconciliation and their parents attend. First Reconciliation is a simple, beautiful and special sacramental step in the faith lives of these children. 

The Sacrament of First Reconciliation is a very special sacrament. Through this sacrament the children learn about and experience the loving nature of God through the person of Jesus Christ. Throughout His ministry, Jesus searched for and reached out to sinners, to forgive them and bring them back into relationship with God. Even on the cross, Jesus forgave those who persecuted and crucified Him.

Through this sacrament the children begin to understand the importance of saying sorry, being forgiven and making wrong things right again. Through Reconciliation we learn that we need to forgive just as we need to be forgiven.

Thank you to the Year 3/4 teachers; Ms Librizzi, Mrs Mazzeo and Mrs Spostato for preparing the children for this sacrament. Thank you to Mrs Witchell for all the organisation and preparation, including taking the children to church to practice. Thank you to Fr John for his ongoing support and guidance in the faith life of these children and our school.

Year 5/6 KW

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Mr Peter Kean will not be returning to St. Augustine's until it is deemed safe for him to do so. Mr Kean has a chronic lung condition that puts him at a high risk if he were to contract Coronavirus. 

Ms Wardeiner has being study part time for a degree in Wellbeing. Part of this involves placements at other schools to learn and practice counselling. This will occur on Thursdays and Fridays. Ms Wardeiner will still be taking P.E lessons on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. To provide consistency to 5/6 KW, Mr Kean and Ms Wardeiner will be replaced by another teacher for the duration of the term. We welcome Mr Brendan Magee to St. Augustine's from Monday 13th July. We hope that he enjoys his time here. I know that the students in 5/6 KW will make him feel very welcomed.

School Photos

Our School Photos are scheduled for Tuesday 14th July, the 2nd day of Term 3. Extra precautions will be in place to comply with current restrictions and guidelines. Please see information in For Parents in regards to ordering photos. The whole school photograph will not be taken at this time. We will organise a date later on for this once restrictions ease or are lifted.

Quote of the week:

“Your focus determines your reality.” – Qui-Gon Jinn, Star Wars Episode 1

I wish you all a happy and safe Winter Holidays.

Rest. Relax. Regenerate. Stay warm. Stay safe. Have fun.

Kind regards,

Matthew Stead

Principal