Principal's Message

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 

As we journey into Holy Week, we are preparing our hearts to enter into the time of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. It was on Palm Sunday that Jesus entered into Jerusalem. He knew that soon he would be carrying his cross to Calvary, and so he was preparing his heart for what was to come. 

Taking the time to pray as a family is one of the most important ways to stay close to Jesus. It might be difficult at first, but find the time this week and stick with it. Holy Week is a great time to go deeper in your family’s prayer life. If it’s something new, don't be afraid to start small. Take a few moments to gather together and read through these short reflections. Let your children take turns leading the prayer times and see if they could add a little faith sharing on something they read or learned. 

Our Holy Week Liturgy was held today with each grade visiting a reflection of Holy Week. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ms Stinson for organising such a beautiful liturgy. We also appreciate the staff for their dedication and support in making this event meaningful.

It seems hard to believe that we have come to the end of the first term of St Anthony's Catholic Primary School. And what an eventful term it has been! In speaking to children, parents and teachers, I think the two-week break will be gratefully enjoyed as a time for some rest, some recreation and a more relaxed daily schedule (or in some cases, no schedule at all!). I pray that every family gets some quality holiday family time together. We look forward to welcoming the children back to school for Term 2 on Monday 20 April. 

Thank you to the staff who have worked together this term to ensure the very best learning opportunities for our children within our Catholic community. 

We thank you Lord, for this term. 

For the challenges, the successes, and the mistakes from which we have learnt. 

Be with us as we spend our time with family and friends. 

Give us strength and courage to do what is right: to be witnesses of our faith. 

Help us to be a practical Christian these holidays, to appreciate what others do for us, to give time and effort to help others. To be peacemakers in our family. 

Keep us safe in our activities; give us good rest and good fun. 

Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term. 

We thank you for our classmates, teachers, parents 

And a community that cares for us. 

May we always be conscious of you in our lives. 

Amen

Happy Easter! Thank you for your continued support. It is in partnership that we can achieve great things for our children.

Father Laurie’s Retirement

In accordance with the Code of Canon Law (CCC 538 §3), Father Laurie will submit his resignation to the Archbishop in April and will enter retirement after 24 May 2026.

Father Laurie’s final Masses as Parish Priest of St Anthony’s will be celebrated on Pentecost Sunday, 23–24 May 2026. This will be a special moment for our parish as we gather in gratitude for his faithful service.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Father Laurie for his leadership and commitment to our community. We wish him every blessing for a happy, healthy and grace‑filled retirement.

Harmony Day Liturgy 

Last week our school gathered for a truly special celebration as Year 1 led our 2026 Harmony Day Liturgy in the Possum Playground. It was a beautiful reminder that everyone belongs and that our diversity is one of our greatest strengths.

A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful Year 1 students, Mrs Langlands and Miss Barkho for preparing such a thoughtful and moving liturgy. 

We were especially touched by the way students embraced the spirit of Harmony Day through language and culture. Hearing children speak in Spanish, Gaelic and other languages was a powerful reminder of the richness within our community. A special thank you to Paloma in Year 2, who delivered an outstanding introduction in Spanish with such confidence and grace.

The liturgy invited us to reflect on kindness, friendship and the call to live in harmony, just as Jesus taught us. Our students led us beautifully through prayer, Gospel and reflection, and their final song, “Count on Me,” captured the heart of the day standing together, supporting one another and celebrating the gift of belonging.

We were also delighted to welcome our visitor, Mr Kevin Carragher, Director for Education and Research at SCS, who was equally impressed by the reverence and unity shown by our students.

Thank you to all families for your ongoing support and for helping us nurture a school community where every child feels valued, included and loved. Harmony Day is one day on the calendar, but its message is one we hope to live every day.

Uniforms “Changeover” for Term 2

A reminder to all St Anthony's families that we officially change over to Winter Uniforms for the start of Term 2 in the 2026 school year.

Please note that it is acceptable for students to wear either the summer or winter uniform for the first 2 weeks of Term 2 due to the variable temperatures and weather we often experience at this time of seasonal change. 

PLEASE NOTE: SCHOOL PHOTO DAY THURSDAY 30 APRIL we ask for FULL SUMMER UNIFORMS to be worn, thank you.

Thank you Mrs Koula Scerri 

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Mrs Koula Scerri for her wonderful service and dedication to our St Anthony’s community. Koula will be finishing up at St Anthony’s at the end of Term 1. She has been a calm, caring and welcoming presence in our front office, always ready with a smile and always putting our students first.

Her kindness towards our children, especially when caring for those who are unwell, has been deeply appreciated. She has supported both our staff and families with professionalism and warmth and she has carried out the many tasks of a busy school office with grace, patience and reliability.

We wish Koula all the very best and sincerely hope to see her around St Anthony’s on a casual basis. We thank her for her care, kindness and commitment to our community.

We warmly welcome Mrs Elyse Dunn, who will be joining our front office team and taking on the role in the office. We look forward to the care, professionalism and positive energy she will bring to our St Anthony’s community.

Staff Development Days 2026

We kindly ask families to complete the google formif you require supervision on Staff Development Days. Your response helps us plan effectively and ensure we have the necessary arrangements in place for the day.

SCECS Vacation Care program

ST ANTHONY'S CLOVELLY - ENROLLING NOW

We are accepting enrolments for Kindergarten 2027.  If you know of families wishing to enrol at St Anthony's Clovelly or you have a sibling you would like to enrol please visit our school website:  https://staclovelly.syd.catholic.edu.au/enrolment/enrol-now

Congratulations to Chloe 

🎉 We are delighted to celebrate Chloe’s exceptional performance at the SCS Championships in Homebush, where she secured 2nd place in the 11 Years 50m Backstroke. This impressive result is a testament to her dedication and skill in the pool. Chloe represented our school community with pride and determination and we couldn’t be more proud of her accomplishment. She has now progressed to MacKillop selection and we look forward to supporting her as she continues her swimming journey. Well done Chloe, an inspiring achievement.

MindQuest 2026

Last weekend, MindQuest 2026 brought together hundreds of primary school students from Yr 1 to Yr 6 from a wide range of schools, creating a vibrant and inspiring learning environment. Two students, Sylvia & May attended from St Anthony’s, joining others in a program that offered a variety of enriching courses across maths, science, astronomy and art. Each program was thoughtfully designed to extend students beyond the classroom—whether through challenging problem-solving in maths, hands-on experiments in science, exploring the wonders of space in astronomy, or expressing creativity in art.

It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm and engagement, with children given the opportunity to pursue their individual interests while also trying something new. Both students returned excited and proud of what they had learned, speaking enthusiastically about the different sessions, the supportive teachers, and the chance to connect with like-minded peers. It was a truly positive experience that fostered both confidence and curiosity. well done girls!

Week 8 & 9 Assembly - Congratulations to the award recipients!

Yours in Partnership

Anna Novak

Principal