School News

Dear parents, families and friends,

This will be the last newsletter I write this term as I will be away on the Principal Pilgrimage - In the Footsteps of St. Paul. I am looking forward to an amazing trip that will deepen my understanding, my knowledge and my faith. The pilgrimage will include many of the places and sites visited by Paul on his missionary journies. I am looking forward to seeing some amazing sites, especially the Acropolis, the site of Ancient Troy and Gallipoli, places important to world history. My suitcase is nearly packed and my homework for the pilgrimage completed!! I fly out on Wednesday night and return at the end of the first week of the holidays.

Open Day

Yesterday we held our Open Day as part of our enrolment campaign for 2025. At least 25 families, about 75 people came through the school gates and were taken on a tour of our school facilities. We hope that we can convert these prospective enrolments into actual enrolments for 2026 and 2027.

The success of the Open Day would not have been possible without the hard work of many volunteers. Firstly, a big thank you to Zoe for preparing the advertising materials and organising the billboards. Thanks also to Alana and Amber for distributing posters to the local kindergartens and child care centres. Thank you to all parents who attended the mini working bee to prepare the showbags and inflate balloons. A special thanks to Damien for installing the final sections of the screen that divides and protects the garden from the playground. Thanks to Karen as well for lending a hand or two. Thank you to all students who volunteered their time to lead tours, assist in the classrooms or perform in the music demonstrations. Also, thank you to Aiden for coming back as a Year 7 Student and leading some of the tours. Great job Aiden. Thank you to all parents that supported us by leading tours, welcoming guests and cooking the BBQ. A big thank you to all the staff who took time to prepare and set up their classrooms or learning areas with displays and engaging activities to promote our school and then give time to be at school on a Saturday. Thank you to Cath for doing all the back ground work and preparation leading up to the day. A special thanks to Miss Paglianiti for organising the gelati cart. We will see the success of the day over the coming months as enrolment applications get submitted.

Colour Run

Yesterday afternoon we held our Colour Run. As many students said to me. 'It was the best day ever!' The children had so much fun, getting wet and covered in multi-colours. Each Year Level got 5 minutes to run the obstacle course and get wet and messy. I think the highlight was when Tilly, the student who raised the most funds got to pour 3 buckets of slime over me. Arjun and E'abha also got to pour a bucket each onto me as the 2nd and 3rd highest fundraisers. 

Here are the stats for the Colour Run:

Total Fundraising for the school - $12,420.49

3/4 J was the class that raised the most - $4573.00

Tilly raised the most individual funds - $2050.00

With a total school enrolment of 162, we had 152 students create a profile. Out of this we had 136 students raising money online. The average raised per child was $164. This is fantastic as the national average is $118 per child. 

A very big thank you to Neroli for doing all the organising and coordinating of this fundraising event. Thank you to all parent volunteers who squirted and slimed the students, though I think they were having just as much or even more fun than the students. Thank you to all students, families and staff who got behind this event.

First Reconciliation

On the evening of Thursday 20th March, students from St. Augustine's joined with students from Annunciation and Corpus Christi at Annunciation Church, Brooklyn to celebrate the Sacrament of First Reconciliation. It was a simple but beautiful liturgical celebration that allowed the children to continue their spiritual journey through the sacraments of initiation. Congratulations to Anais, Arlo, Atticus, Raphael, Emily, Poppy, Rosie, Alice, Poppy, Lila, Alina, Lenny, Gisele, Oscar and Mateo.

BSEM

Last Friday 14th March was a school closure. The staff had a professional development day to begin our two year implementation of the Berry Street Educational Model (BSEM). This is a Tier 1 trauma informed model to support all students to feel happy, safe and supported when coming to school each day. Beginning now and throughout Term 2 will we introduce some school wide strategies. Good Morning and Good Day circles will be used to begin and end each day in a positive way. Whole School Mindfulness Practice will continue at morning assembly, but it will be further extended to after lunch break on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. Day 2 will be held during Term 3.

Pilgrimage to the Cross

All family members are invited to join us on the Pilgrimage to the Cross on Friday 4th April at 12.00pm. The pilgrimage will make its way through the school grounds, stopping at 4 locations including the Junior Yard, Birmingham Street Park, Senior Yard and the Hall. The Pilgrimage will be lead by our Pilgrimage of Hope Student Ambassadors and other Year 6 Leaders. Holy Week doesn't begin until the middle weekned of the holidays, so this will be our way of commemorating the Season of Lent and Holy Week, the holiest and most sacred time in the Church's year.

Easter Hat Parade

We will once again hold our Easter Hat Parade on the morning of  Friday 4th April. The Parade will take place immediately following the morning assembly at about 9.00am in the Hall. It will be followed by the drawing of the Easter Raffle

Important Reminder: Child Safety

Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Do not double park on the crossway at the intersection of Birmingham Street and Pentland Parad/Somerville Rd. This is a crossing for bike riders, many of who are students from our school and other local schools. It is not safe to stop here. It is also a traffic violation. Please do not double park or stop at the intersection of Birmingham St and Avoca St. This is an intersection and must be kept clear at all times. The end of the park space, designated by the yellow bollards is not a drop off zone. Again, this is a child safety and pedestrian hazard. It is not my job to be a traffic warden and move cars on, as this takes me away from being present at the gate or in the courtyard to welcome students and families, however if I do see this then I have no hesitation to instruct these cars to move on immediately.

I thank you in advance for your support and cooperation in ensuring the safety of all community members, especially our students.

I wish all students and families a Happy and Holy Easter. May your Holy Week be sacred. May the Autumn school holidays be restful, relaxing and rejuvenating.

Kind regards,

Matthew Stead