School News

Dear parents, families and friends,

We have come to the end of Term 2 and therefore the end of Semester 1, marking the halfway point of the year. The Prep to Year 4 students are looking tired, having completed the 5 week intensive swimming program. The Year 5/6 students are growing. Some of them will be taller than Mr Peter shortly! The Semester One resports and Learning Conversations have been completed. I wish to congratulate the students on all their hard work and progress towards achieving their learning goals.

St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal

A very big thank you to everyone who supported the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal with very generous donations. Gail, the St Augustine's St Vincent de Paul Chapter representative has passed on her sincere thanks and assured us that the donations will all go to those in need. There are many people in our local community that are doing it tough at this point in time and winter makes it even more challenging to get by.

Building Works Update

Progress has continued to be slow, however, solutions to the roof, guttering, plumbing, flooring, cabling and reinforcing the back corner wall have been achieved. Once we get these issues addressed we sholud see a steady progression of works. The aim is to rapidly make up ground and time during the school holidays.

Staff News

Last week I sent out a special communication to inform the school community of important staff news. Mrs Barb Ady and Mrs Sue-Ellen Grguric will retire at the end of this term. Due to separate sets of circumstances that were unforeseeable, both Mrs Ady and Mrs Grguric have made the decision to retire earlier than anticipated.

Mrs Ady has worked at St. Augustine’s for 41 years. Beginning as a classroom teacher in 1985, she has spent the last 20 years as a specialist Arts teacher. Mrs Ady had originally planned to retire at the end of this year. We thank Barb for all her dedication and tireless hard work to the St. Augustine’s School Community, especially the thousands of children that she has taught including a number of current and past staff. Barb displayed a welcoming and friendly nature to students, staff, families and visitors to our school and would regularly entertain anyone who would listen with one of her many life stories and adventures. 

Mrs Sue-Ellen has worked at St. Augustine’s as a Learning Support Officer (LSO) for 19 years. We thank Sue-Ellen for her commitment and hard work in supporting all the students she has worked with. She has always displayed a calm and friendly nature towards students, staff and families. Of particular note is that she always has a smile on her face no matter the situation or the challenge being faced.

We wish Barb and Sue-Ellen all the very best in their retirement as they spend time with family and friends and most importantly on themselves.

Chess Tournament

On Wednesday our Chess Team competed in the GS Chess Interschool Tournament. Our Team performed very well, finishing equal 4th overall. It was a real team effort with all students performing well and achieving wins in there games.Congratuations to Charlie who finished 2nd overall. If their are any students interested in joining our Chess Club, there are places available. The Chess Club meets every Thursday in the Library at Lunchtime. Information can be obtained from the office.

Design and Name the Cow Competition

Over the past few weeks our Arts Leaders James and Stella have been running a competition to decorate and name the school cow. After careful deliberation they have chosen 5 designs that will be combined to decorate both sides of the cow. All up 5 winning designs were selected and these will be combined into the overall decoration of the cow. The winning students were: Vedder Yr 5/6, Esther Yr 5/6 and Ayla Yr Prep for the left side of the cow and Mille Yr 1/2 and Marlo Yr 3/4 for the right side of the cow.

Community Fair

Exciting News! This year we will be holding our first combined parish schools Fair. Planning and preparation are well underway. More details to come shortly.

New Family Business

One of our long time families has started their own mens clothing business. They have very generously offered to donate 10% of each purchase by families and friends of our school community.

NCCD

Please read the letter attached below containing information about NCCD 2026.

BIG NEWS

Starting from Friday 17th July between 8.15am to 9.00am we will again have a coffee van onsite. Patrick from Everywhere Specialty Coffee, who provided the coffee service on our Athletics Day, will be our Barista every Friday morning moving forward. He will serve coffess, ice coffees, ice chocolates and hot chocolates.

Upcoming Events

• Wednesday 24th June, 1.00pm - Early Dismissal
• Wednesday 24th June, 1.30pm to 7.00pm - Learning Conversations Part 1
• Thursday 25th June, 3.30pm to 5.00pm - Learning Conversations Part 2
• Friday 26th June, 1.15pm Early Dismissal - End of Term
• Friday 26th June, 6.00pm to 8.30pm - School Disco
• Monday 13th July, Term 3 Begins

I wish all students a happy and safe winter holidays filled with plenty of rest and sleep-ins. Stay warm and healthy. Enjoy watching movies, gaming, catching up with friends and staying active each day.

Matthew Stead

Principal

“We must teach more by example than by word” Saint Mary MacKillop

“Peace begins with a smile.” St Mother Teresa

“The future starts today, not tomorrow.” St Pope John Paul II