Acting Assistant 

Principal's Message

Nuturing True Friendships: Practical Steps

 for Our Children

Friendship is one of the greatest blessings of school life. In our Catholic school community, learning to be a good friend goes hand-in-hand with living out Jesus' commandment to love one another. Strong social connections give children a sense of belonging, boost their emotional resilience and help them thrive both in the classroom and on the playground.

While making friends comes naturally to some children, others benefit from gentle encouragement and practiced skills at home. Here are a few practical strategies to help your child build and maintain healthy friendships:

• Practice Friendship Starters: Role-play simple opening lines at home, such as "Hi, my name is..." or "Can I join in?" Teaching children to make eye contact, offer a warm smile and ask to join a game gives them the confidence to take the first step.
• Live the Golden Rule: Encourage children to reflect on Matthew 7:12 by treating others the way they wish to be treated. Discuss what everyday kindness looks like - sharing handball space, taking turns and cheering on classmates during sport.
• Look for the Lonely: Remind your child to look out for peers who might be sitting alone in the playground. Inviting a quiet classmate into a game is a practical way to show Christ-like empathy and inclusion.
• Be an Active Listener: Good friendships are built on mutual interest. Help your child practice asking open-ended questions (e.g., "What's your favourite game to play on the weekend?") and listening attentively without interrupting.
• Learn the Art of Forgiveness: Disagreements on the playground are a natural part of growing up. Encourage your child to express their feelings calmly, apologise when they make a mistake and extend forgiveness to keep friendships strong.

By working together at home and at school, we can guide our students to become kind, compassionate and welcoming friends who reflect God’s love in our community.

National Child Protection Week

Theme: "Shifting Conversations Into Action"

As we celebrate National Child Protection Week, we are reminded that creating a safe, nurturing environment for our children is a commitment shared by our entire school community. This year’s theme, “Shifting Conversations into Action,” serves as a powerful reminder that while talking about safety is essential, real impact comes from turning those discussions into practical, everyday habits. We encourage all families to take simple, meaningful steps at home—such as helping your child identify their "trusted adults," talking openly about feelings and actively listening when they share their worries. Together, by moving from awareness to everyday action, we can ensure every child feels safe, heard, and supported. 

Thank You Again!

We again extend our gratitude to all our wonderful families for your generous donations towards the purchase of books. Thanks to your amazing support, a fresh batch of exciting new books has just arrived, with even more titles on the way! Your contributions directly enrich our classrooms and help spark a lifelong love of reading in our children. Thank you for your continued partnership and for making such a meaningful difference in our school community.

MindQuest 26

MindQuest caters for high potential and gifted primary students from years one to six.

A reminder for families who registered for Saturday and Sunday 19 & 20 September 2026, the NSW Talent Enrichment Weekend MindQuest will be held for primary students from Years 1-6 at St George Girls High School. These include gifted and high potential students, gifted underachievers and students with above ability with a special interest. Students will have an opportunity to participate in over 33 exciting, fast paced courses in the two day program. They include courses in chemistry, earth sciences, drama, lego robotics, art and much, much more. Many of these highly successful courses have been run in the past and students' evaluations suggest that they have been challenged and enriched by the experience. The cost of the weekend is $250 (including GST). 

MindQuest is now enrolling online at minquest.net.au.  

SPBL: Rewards 

A whole-school Positive Behavior for Learning (PBL) framework aligns daily conduct with Gospel values, ensuring every child experiences a safe, consistent environment that fosters both academic progress and moral growth.

At St Anthony’s we have 3 key expectations. 

This is a common language we have between staff and children. 

• Be Safe
• Be Respectful

• Be Responsible

   

SPBL Stamp Rewards System

• Students are given ONE stamp and ONE token at a time. 
• Every class has tokens and collection tubes for the three house colours (blue, green, red) Three house colours: Nagle, MacKillop and Padua
• Once a week the colour captains collect the tokens and add them to the large tube in the foyer at the Office area
• One Principals award each week at assembly = 1 token  

2026 Staff Development Days (Pupil Free Days)

Each year, Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) provides time for Staff Development Days (SDD), which provides professional learning time for all staff. St Anthony's will provide supervision for ALL Staff Development Days from Monday 20 July, for parents that are in need of care for their child due to work commitments. Parents will need to register.