Acting Assistant 

Principal's Message

Student Wellbeing in Our Catholic School Community

Supporting the wellbeing of every child is central to our mission as a Catholic primary school. When children feel safe, connected and valued, they are better able to learn, build positive relationships and grow in confidence. Wellbeing is not just the absence of worry - it is the presence of strong relationships, predictable routines and a sense of belonging within a caring community.

In Kindergarten to Year 6, wellbeing looks different for every child. Younger students often need reassurance, clear expectations and gentle guidance as they learn to navigate friendships and emotions. Older students benefit from opportunities to develop independence, practise problem‑solving and build resilience. Across all stages, children thrive when they know the adults in their lives are working together.

Families play an essential role in this partnership. Simple routines - regular sleep, healthy meals, time for play and open conversations about the school day - help children feel secure and ready to learn. Encouraging your child to talk about their feelings, celebrating their efforts and reaching out to the school if concerns arise ensures we can respond early and effectively.

Together, we aim to create a school environment where every child feels known, supported and able to flourish. When wellbeing is prioritised, learning becomes joyful, relationships strengthen and children grow into confident, compassionate young people.

After School Pick-up and Parking

Ensuring a safe and orderly pick‑up each afternoon is one of the simplest ways we can care for our children and one another. Recently, we have noticed cars stopping across school and Church driveways during dismissal time, creating hazards for students, staff and parish visitors. When driveways are blocked, visibility is reduced, access is restricted and children are placed at unnecessary risk. We kindly ask all families to follow our pick‑up procedures, park only in designated areas and keep all driveways clear so that every child can leave school safely.

Just a reminder to please remember to keep the area directly in front of the main school gate completely clear of parked vehicles when we are celebrating school events (Grandparent's Day, Father's Day etc). This space is our critical access point for emergency services and must remain unobstructed at all times to ensure the safety of our entire community.

1. Hours of Supervision at School

Morning supervision begins at 8:30 am on the possum playground and continues until 8:55 am, when classes commence. Please note that no teacher is on duty outside the school gates before school. Afternoon supervision operates from 3:15 pm to 3:30 pm. 

2. Morning Routine for Traffic Management

A School Crossing Supervisor, employed by Transport for NSW, supervises the zebra crossing on Arden Street from 8:00 am to 9:30 am. The Principal or Assistant Principal opens the front school gate at 7:45 am, allowing students to enter the site and wait until the slope gate opens at 8:25 am. Formal supervision begins at 8:30 am on the possum playground. The grotto playground is not a drop‑off or pick‑up point, except for students attending before or after school care.

The Kiss and Drop Zone on Arden Street operates from 8:00 am to 9:30 am. Parents and carers are asked to ensure drop‑off occurs within a 2‑minute timeframe.

3. Traffic Management on the School Site During the School Day

If a vehicle needs to enter the school grounds during school hours, the driver must report to the school office. Office staff will open the front gates and accompany the vehicle while it is moving to ensure student safety. Vehicles must travel at no more than 5 km/h. Once parked, the front gates will be locked. The same procedure applies when the vehicle exits the site.

4. After‑School Routine for Students Walking Home (With or Without Adult Supervision)

Students collected from the possum playground are dismissed directly from that area. Remaining students proceed to the Arden Street exit. Students walking home who need to cross Arden Street must use the zebra crossing between the school and church driveways. This crossing is marked with “children crossing” flags and supervised by a School Crossing Supervisor wearing a high‑visibility vest and holding a STOP sign. Students waiting in the car pick‑up zone along the wall will be supervised by staff wearing high‑visibility vests.

Some families complete a mobile phone agreement to allow their child to contact them after school. Staff do not wave cars forward.

5. After‑School Routine for Drive‑By Pick‑Up and Bus Students

After dismissal, students walk down the slope area with a teacher (wearing a high‑visibility vest) to the driveway area inside the Arden Street gates and wait with their siblings. Up to two teachers supervise the drive‑by pick‑up zone each afternoon.

In wet weather, the eldest child goes to the youngest sibling’s classroom, where parents collect all children together.

Parents using the drive‑by pick‑up must display their family surname inside the vehicle windscreen. Up to four cars can enter the pick‑up zone at one time. Once the vehicle has come to a complete stop, the supervising teacher signals for the student(s) to move to their car. Students or staff may open the rear door closest to the kerb and then close it safely.

Drivers are responsible for ensuring children are correctly secured in their restraints before leaving. Teachers monitor that the student has safely entered the vehicle and check that space is available for the next car to move into the zone. Students must not access the boot to place bags or bulky items. These must be handled by the driver.

Any student not collected by 3:30 pm is taken to the school office or sent to after‑school care if places are available.

6. Training of Staff in the Traffic Management Plan

All staff receive training in the Traffic Management Plan during the first Staff Development Day each year, and again if any changes occur. New staff or casual teachers are trained as part of their induction by their mentor or a member of the leadership team.

NO BULLYING, NO WAY - 2026

Theme: Small Acts, Big Impacts

Bullying No Way Week provides an opportunity for students to focus on the concepts of engaging in small actions to achieve big impact, so we can all come together and be a powerful protection against bullying.

Creating a safe and respectful environment is a shared responsibility, and small acts can make a real difference.

Small actions, like including someone, speaking up, or showing kindness can help create change. Actions don’t need to be big to change someone’s world. Lasting change happens when schools build a culture that supports kindness and respect. Even small, intentional acts of kindness have a powerful ripple effect, building inclusivity and wellbeing.

St Anthony's School will be partipcating in "Bullying No Way" - on Monday 17 August (Week 5). Students will be asked to consider their words and actions, no matter how small and be proud to be kind, support someone and speak up against bullying.

National Science Week 2026

The school theme for National Science Week in 2026 is 

Seeds of Science: nurturing science for all.

This theme invites students across Australia to explore the power of curiosity, inquiry and shared learning in growing scientific understanding. Just as seeds need the right conditions to grow, knowledge flourishes when it is nurtured, shared and applied to real-world and authentic challenges across all the scientific disciplines. It’s a celebration of how knowledge grows when tended with care, creativity and collaboration.

St Anthony’s will be celebrating National Science Week on Thursday 20 August and students are invited to come dressed as their favourite scientist or in a fun science‑themed outfit.

MindQuest 26

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

On Saturday and Sunday 29 & 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.  (Closing Date: Friday 28 August 2026).

Book In A Box:Years K-6 Information Outline

‘Book in a Box’ is a chance to bring your favourite book to life by putting together objects that relate to your book and using them to tell the story of what your book is all about. It

 involves decorating a box and filling it with items that represent different aspects of a book, allowing for a creative and engaging way to showcase the story. This project includes decorating the interior and exterior of the box to reflect the book's themes, summarising the plot and characters, and including objects that relate to the story, with accompanying explanations or quotes from the book.

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.