Assistant Principal's Message

National Walk Safely to School Day

Walk Safely to School Day will be held on Friday 10th May 2024

This year is the 25th year of National Walk Safely to School Day, which is coinciding with National Road Safety Week - 5-12 May 2024.

This day is a great opportunity for families to walk to school together and have conversations about road safety, focussing on the key road safety messages.

Starting a routine of walking to school regularly is a fantastic way to promote health, safety, and sustainability.

Walk Safely to School Day could be the start of a new family routine.

Safety first:

Always hold your child’s hand until they are at least 8 years old. Closely supervise them until they are at least 10 years old.

ALWAYS hold your child's hand:

• when on the footpath
• when crossing the road or
• when in a car park

Teach your child about being a safe pedestrian: This includes watching out for driveways, walking facing traffic when there are no footpaths and always Stop, Look, Listen, Think, everytime you cross the road.

Avoid distractions: Set a good example by putting your phone away. Focus on your surroundings. If you need to use your phone, stop in a safe place.

Make it fun: Keep the walks enjoyable by talking about what you see and about your day. This can help make the time go quickly and make walking to school something your child looks forward to.

Join forces: Coordinate with other families in your neighbourhood to walk to school together. Not only does this make it more fun for the kids, but it also provides additional safety in numbers.

Celebrate achievements: Celebrate achievements along the way to keep motivation high. Whether it's reaching a certain number of walks or noticing improvements in fitness, acknowledging progress can help reinforce the habit.

Practise, Practise, Practise: The more supervised pedestrian experiences your child can get the better, so they will be ready to safely travel by themselves when they are older.

Did you know:

• children need a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise every day?
• one step uses 200 muscles? You only use 17 muscles to smile.
• it’s easy to get that amount of exercise if you and your child walk to and from school, smiling.

Staff Professional Learning

This year with the introduction of the revised curriculum all staff in all Sydney Catholic Schools have been involved in specific profesional learning to build capacity in Teaching & Assessing Reading in the Foundation Years. The course is a collaboration between Sydney Catholic Schools and the Australian Centre for the Advancement of Literacy at the Australian Catholic University (ACU). It aims to provide a systematic guide on the best, evidence-based strategies for teaching and assessing reading in K-2 in Sydney Catholic Schools. As a staff we have had detailed discussions about how to cater for all students in our classes about teaching literacy and assessing reading. 

Wellbeing Focus

As we navigate through the academic year, it is imperative to underscore the significance of prioritising wellbeing within our school community. At the heart of our educational mission lies not only academic excellence but also the holistic development of each individual. Wellbeing encompasses more than just physical health; it encompasses emotional, social, and psychological dimensions as well. When students and staff feel supported and empowered in these areas, they are better equipped to thrive academically and personally. In our efforts to promote wellbeing, we are committed to providing a nurturing and inclusive environment where every member of our community feels valued and supported. Here are some initiatives and resources that we have implemented and continue to develop:

• Mindfulness, Meditation and Prayer Practices: Mindfulness, Meditation and Prayer practices in classrooms and staff meetings to cultivate present-moment awareness, reduce stress, and enhance focus.
• Supportive Counseling Services: Offering access to counseling services for students who may be experiencing challenges or seeking guidance in navigating personal or academic issues.
• Healthy Lifestyle Education: Providing resources on topics such as nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, and stress management to promote healthy lifestyle choices.
• Community Building Activities: Organising events and activities that foster a sense of belonging and connectedness among students, staff, and families. eg: family Mass
• Safe and Inclusive Environment: Continuously fostering a culture of respect, kindness, and inclusivity where all individuals feel safe to express themselves authentically.

We recognise that wellbeing is a shared responsibility, requiring collaboration and commitment from all stakeholders. By working together, we can create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive both academically and personally.

As we move forward, we remain dedicated to prioritising the wellbeing of our students, staff, and families. Together, let us continue to nurture a culture of care and support that empowers each individual.

Week 1 Assembly - Congratulations to the award recipients! 

Fur, feathers, skin, scales, shells or hair?

Students in Years 2-6 will choose an animal to research that integrates Reading, Writing, and Geography, History, Science and Languages in a fun way. Each student will choose a an animal to study and research for the next seven weeks. 

Due: Monday, 24th June 

Classroom Presentations: Throughout Week 9 - Monday, 24th June to Friday, 28th June 

Showcase Afternoon: Monday, 1st July from 2:15-3pm (Parents Welcome) 

Throughout Week 9 - Monday, 24th June to Friday, 28th June each student will present their animal in any form they choose (e-books/ song/ poem/ booth board/ video/ story/ drama play/ dress up/ slide presentation/ drawing/ sculpture/ artwork/ build a model/ cardboard presentation/ diorama) to the rest of their class.

On Monday, 1st July - Week 10 @ 2:15pm we will have open afternoon for parents and carers to visit and see what great talent and academic abilities we have at St Anthony's School. 

Yours in Love & Service

 Marie Iorfino

 Assistant Principal