Principal's Message

As this is the last newsletter for the year I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone in our school community for their support this year. We have a wonderful community spirit here which is highly evident in your attendance at school events and presence. Thank you to the children. They are the reason we are here. Their enthusiasm for life and learning is a wonderful example to us all. 

To you, our parents, the primary educators of your children, I give thanks for your support and partnership in providing so much for the children. No matter what your contribution over the year, big or small, it is appreciated and has benefitted the children.

I would like to thank the school’s Leadership Team, Mrs Marie Iorfino and Mrs Leanna Langlands for their outstanding leadership, dedication and support of the school community. They have worked tirelessly to support all facets of the school community throughout 2024. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank, on behalf of the students and their parents, the dedicated staff of St Anthony's. We especially thank members of staff for their professionalism, for their outstanding commitment, patience, collaborative spirit and for the love and care that they show to the students each day, encouraging them to strive to achieve their very best. 

I also wish to thank all the parents who have worked in partnership with the school to improve the learning outcomes for our students. 

Throughout the year, we have enjoyed a series of fantastic events that have not only added vibrancy to our school life but have also strengthened the bonds that make St. Anthony's such a special place. From the exhilarating Colour Explosion Run to the infectious energy of the Olympic Fun Day, the heartwarming Grandparents Morning Tea, and the celebrations of Mother's Day and Father's Day – each event has left a lasting impression on our school community.

I would like to express my gratitude to the members of the Parents and Friends Committee, who generously share not only their time but also their diverse talents. Your tireless commitment has played a crucial role in the success of various events that have brought happiness, laughter, and a strong community spirit to St Anthony's.

A special acknowledgment goes to our outgoing President, Mr Adam Bartlett, and his exceptional team for their remarkable leadership and dedication. The enthusiasm you bring to fostering a sense of unity at St Anthony's is truly motivating, and we appreciate the positive influence you have had on our school community. We thank Adam for his outstanding work over the past two years as P & F president.

To all those families leaving St Anthony's may you be safe and know that the community will miss you. We wish these families God’s blessings and continued happiness in their future and we hope they remain connected to our school. We give thanks for our many blessings, the opportunity to work, teach, learn and share our successes with others.

Last Friday we celebrated our Year 6 Graduation and Thanksgiving Mass followed by the Awards Ceremony. A special thank you to Father Laurie for celebrating Mass with us. My best wishes to all of you as you move onto high school and continue your journey in faith and learning. We thank the parents of the Year 5 class for organising a wonderful morning tea after the Year 6 celebration in the church. On Tuesday, we commemorated the Year 6 graduation dinner held at Clovelly Surf Club. The parents did a remarkable job organising this exceptional event. 

We farewell: James Aloschi, Ella Crawshaw, Zak Crittenden, Charlotte Darlington, Matiss Duclos, Callum Fowler, Ruaridh Frazer, Emily Gazo, Isabella Hobart, Luana Mellick, Gregory Moutopoulos, Tanea Prado, Henry Wheeler, Sophia Whittaker, Callum Wilson, Matilda Wu, Adelaide Zenere

2025 Staffing 

Instructional Specialist

We are excited to introduce Mrs Leanna Langlands as the Instructional Specialist at St Anthony's for 2025. This role is designed to enhance teaching and learning across our school. The Instructional Specialist will lead school-wide initiatives, support teachers in delivering a high-quality curriculum, and ensure excellent student outcomes. We look forward to the positive impact this role will have on our school community.

GENE Program (Gifted Education Naturally Embedded) 

Looking ahead to 2025, Mrs Marie Iorfinowill continue to take on the role of GENE facilitator. With her passion for education and commitment to student success Mrs Iorfino will continue to nurture the talents and abilities of our learners, within the classroom setting. Through this program, we aim to foster a love for learning, critical thinking, and creativity among our gifted students, empowering them to reach new heights of academic excellence.

Literacy Intervention 

We are excited to share information about the Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Tier 2 Foundational Phonics Program (FPP), a key initiative designed to support our students' literacy development. This program is crucial for students who need extra help in early reading.

Diverse Learning 

The role of Mrs Honey Hartley as the Diverse Learning Teacher at St Anthony’s Primary School is essential in supporting our students with diverse learning needs. We believe we can ensure that every student receives the personalised attention they need to thrive. This is achieved through a range of inclusive and personalised approaches which encompass all facets of a student’s development – pastoral, spiritual, intellectual, physical, cultural, and social. 

Physical Education 

Miss Brid Claffey will continue be our school Sports Teacher in 2025. Miss Claffey brings a wealth of experience and passion for physical education, and we are confident that she will make a positive impact on our students' well-being.  

SCECS will be providing care on the 19 & 20 December & Vacation Care in January 2025

INTRODUCING THE 2025 LEADERSHIP TEAM!

Congratulations to the following students: 

School Leaders 

Lila Buchanan & Luke O’Sullivan

Colour House Leaders

Padua: Bianca Benic & Morgan King

Nagle: Elsa Callum & Charlotte Ingram

MacKillop: Adele Calvert & Bonnie Rogers

Student Representative Council: 

Leila Fitzgerald & Samuel Thompson

Creative & Practical Arts Captains:

 Freya Buchanan & Azura Poynting

Environmental Captains: 

Alejandro Gamarra Angulo & James Sikalos

Library Leaders:  

Almudena Gamarra Angulo & Kiana Parsyar

Lunchtime Leaders:  

Waratah Brady. Isaac Kirkwood, Sienna Phyland, Kai Williams

Leadership Prayer

Powerful Spirit of God, you guide us and light our way.

Bless our students as they take on the role as leaders of our school in 2024.

Bless our community as we encourage and support them in their leadership role.

We make this prayer through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Our 'Christmas Star' Liturgy was truly spectacular! Special thanks to Mrs Jodie McInness for her efforts in putting the event together. It's often the dedication and hard work of individuals like her that make such occasions memorable and successful. 

End of Year Assembly 

Last Friday, we had the pleasure of enjoying our final assembly of the year, highlighted by a special appearance from Stella the Star, much to the delight of our students. We proudly acknowledged our award recipients for their outstanding achievements: Love and Service Award, Star Awards and the Nano Nagle SPBL Award. 

A special thank you to Mrs. McInness and Miss Jade for organising three fantastic Christmas-themed dance performances. The children were truly amazing! We were also honoured to have Allegra Spender, Member for Wentworth, join us to present the Emerging Leadership Award. Thank you to everyone who made this event memorable.

Colour Explosion Run 

We are thrilled to share that our recent Colour Explosion Run at Burrows Park was a huge success! The children had an amazing time participating in a variety of fun activities, including tug-o-war, sack races, target games, and bat-and-ball.

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the Colour Explosion, where the children were joyfully sprayed with colourful powders. They absolutely loved it and had a blast wearing their sunglasses and headbands to capture the vibrant moments.

After the event, we took a delightful walk to Clovelly Beach. The children enjoyed building sandcastles and dipping their feet in the water, making it a perfect end to a fantastic day.

Thank you to our Parents & Friends, teachers and parents who made the memorable experiences possible for our students.

Let's Go Surfing

The Stage 3 students enjoyed a day at Bondi Beach yesterday with Let's Go Surfing. 🌊🏄‍♂️

The day was packed with activities that catered to all skill levels, from beginners learning the basics of warm-up, paddling, catching waves, and standing.

The students not only enjoyed the thrill of surfing but also learned essential surf and safety rules. They gained valuable knowledge about rips, tides, sandbanks, and waves, ensuring they are well-prepared for future surfing adventures.

2025 Open Days for Enrolments

Please pass this information on to anyone who is looking for a school next year or in a few years' time, to come and have a guided tour.

Visit our school - https://staclovelly.syd.catholic.edu.au/

Enrolment Information - https://staclovelly.syd.catholic.edu.au/enrolment/enrol-now

2025 Staff Development Days (Pupil Free Days)

Each year, Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) provides time for Staff Development Days (SDD), which provide professional learning time for all staff. With the introduction of the new English and Mathematics Syllabus’ in 2023 (K-2) and 2024 (Yr 3-6) as well as the implementation of other new syllabi within the next two years, SCS has provided the following days in 2025. SCECS will provide care on these days for those families who make a booking.

1. Friday 31 January (Term 1 Week 0)
2. Monday 3 February (Term 1 Week 1)
3. Friday 11 April (Term 1 Week 10)
4. Friday 6 June (Term 2 Week 6)
5. Friday 4 July (Term 2 Week 10)
6. Monday 21 July (Term 3 Week 1)
7. Monday 8 September (Term 3 Week 8)
8. Friday 26 September (Term 3 Week 10)
9. Monday 13 October (Term 4 Week 1)

Week 8 Assembly - Congratulations to the award recipients!

May Christ’s blessings be with you during this Holy season. Remember, it is not what is under the Christmas tree but who is around it, enjoy this special time with your family. God bless and keep you safe always.

Yours in Partnership

Anna Novak

Principal