Assistant Principal's Message

Lockdown Drill Evaluation

Last week, our school conducted a practice lockdown drill as part of our ongoing commitment to student and staff safety. We are very proud of how calmly and responsibly our students responded throughout the drill. They listened carefully, followed teacher instructions, and adhered to all WHS procedures with maturity and respect. Staff reported that students acted quickly and cooperatively, demonstrating a clear understanding of expectations. These practice drills are important in ensuring everyone knows how to respond safely, and this exercise highlighted the strong culture of care, preparedness, and teamwork within our school community. Thank you to our staff and students for their calm and positive approach.

Stage 2 Investigation

This term, our Stage 2 scientists have been busy putting their green thumbs to the test! As part of our investigation into the needs of living things, students have been conducting an in-depth investigation into the remarkable Chia Seed.

The Investigation

Armed with magnifying glasses and lab journals, students explored the question: What do seeds truly need to thrive? Over the past few weeks, our classrooms were transformed into "living labs" as students:

• Hypothesized which variables—light, water, or soil—would have the greatest impact on germination.
• Observed the fascinating transformation of dry seeds into "gelatinous" powerhouses before sprouting.

• Measured and Charted growth daily, practicing their skills in data collection and scientific sketching.

   

  Stage 2 : Student Reflections

"I didn't think such a tiny seed could grow so fast. It reminded me that even small things can be strong!" 

"I looked up that we can cut them, eat them and they grow back." 

"I've grown them before and then we eat them and they just keep growing. They don't taste like anything."

We look forward to seeing our young scientists continue to "grow" in knowledge and wonder throughout the rest of the term!

Wellbeing: UR STRONG

Setting strong, healthy boundaries in relationships is an important aspect of feeling psychologically safe in our social world. For children & teenagers, they are learning how to give and take in their friendships. However, it is critical they learn to recognise what they will and will not allow in terms of how other people treat them.

When it comes to Mean-on-Purpose behaviour, the research at URSTRONG shows that older children and teenagers will sometimes not stand up for themselves at the risk of being ostracised our outcast by their friends. As social creatures who want to get along and belong, they will sometimes allow friends or classmates to be cruel to them because they worry that using a Quick Comeback will make the situation worse. Classes will be focusing on Quick Comebacks and how to speak the truth. 

Gastronomy:“Around the World on a Plate”

Term 2: Presentations: Years 2 - 6

Use these KAPLAN prompts to help you with your research:

The Details icon challenges students to determine the key facts, traits, parts, or elements of the content. Learners are tasked with looking for the vital details or characteristics to define the topic of study.

The Big Idea prompt (represented by the pillar/temple icon) asks students to identify, generalise, and summarise core principles or themes from a study. It forces learners to move beyond facts to formulate a central, supported theory. Key questions include identifying the main message, summarising content, and relating it to other subjects or the real world.

National Walk to School Safely Day

National Walk Safely to School Day (NWSTSD) is scheduled for Friday, 22 May. This annual event encourages primary school children, with their parents or carers, to walk safely to school. This event will help reinforce safe pedestrian behaviour, promote the health benefits of walking, raise awareness of healthy habits at a young age, and develop vital road-crossing skills. Secondary schools can also engage in this event to raise awareness of safe pedestrian behaviours and walking safely to and from public transport.

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, 30 March. Parents will need to register.