From the Principal
We would like to acknowledge the original custodians of this land and waterways
and pay our respects to the Elders past and present and emerging,
for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of
Indigenous Australia.
Dear Families
We are coming to the end of another year and there are many things to be grateful for. As we prepare to come together with families and friends and possible adventures travelling once more, it is important that we take some time to stop and thank ourselves for what what we have achieved. This is another jammed packed newsletter for you to read through and be aware of the notices.
Athletics Day
What a wonderful day we had with such eager and excited students taking part in the events. Thank you to Mr Simon Addicoat, the staff and the parents who made the carnival so special after such a long time. We were so fortunate that the weather was in our favour up until the end of the day.
Congratulations to Nagle (yellow team) who came first in achieving the highest score and all the other teams who participated with such eagerness and enthusiasm.
Congratulations to the following students who were selected for the following awards:
Maeve Kibblewhite for the Luke Bailey - Courage Award
Maya Madan for the Paul Vella - Spirit Award
Class Structure and Teachers 2024:
It is with great pleasure that I present the following teachers for our 2024 classes:
Juniors SO: Mrs Sarah O’Hara, Mon - Wed; Mrs Marie Georgiadis, Thurs - Fri
Juniors TB: Mr Taylor Butler
Years 3 & 4: Mr Tim O’Mahoney Mon - Wed & Mrs Emma Clausen Thurs - Fri
Years 5 & 6: Mrs Marie Casey, Mon-Thurs & Mrs Linda Di Camillo - Fri
Years 5 & 6: Ms Melanie Norton & Mrs Linda Di Camillo Thurs
Specialists
Visual Arts: Ms Liz Kelly McAlister
Physical Education: Mr Taylor Butler
LOTE - Italian: Mrs Linda Di Camillo
Digital Technology: Mrs Loretto Campbell
(Ms Chen on leave for 2024)
Positions of Leadership
Mr Tim O’Mahoney - Education in Faith & English Leader
Ms Melanie Norton - Mathematics Leader
Mrs Belinda Hesse - Student Diversity and Learning & Teaching Leader
Mrs Emma Clausen - Student Wellbeing Leader
Mrs Loretto Campbell - Digital Technology & STEAM
Farewell
We farewell Ms Shanlan Moore and Ms Jacinta Bates who have only been with us for this year. I wish them every success for their future.
Mr Simon Addicoat will be retiring from Education. He has been in Catholic Education for 23 years taking up the roles of Classroom teacher, LSO and our School's Sports Teacher for 6 years. As he leaves to start a new adventure I hope that he takes with him many fond memories of the schools that he has worked in, especially St Anthony's.
Curriculum Day 28 November
Tuesday is a Curriculum Day for all students. Our staff will be working on mapping the curriculum that will be taught to students across 2024 from Prep - Year 6. This day is important as staff are engaged in Professional Learning centered around various aspects of teaching, pedagogy and curriculum delivery.
Laying these foundations prior to the beginning of the 2024 school year allows collaborative conversations to take place and builds consistency of practice and content from Prep - Year 6. Our curriculum leaders also use this opportunity to deepen our teacher's knowledge of the curriculum and the evidence-based practice that achieves the best learning outcomes for all students.
Our English and Mathematics Leaders will also work closely with the junior, middle and senior teams on aligning the various genres and concepts taught across the school for next year in addition to identifying the assessment tools we will use to track and monitor student learning. From this, the Leadership Team will be able to develop a rigorous and relevant professional learning schedule for the coming year which drives improvement in teacher practice and student outcomes.
Swimming Program
Swimming lessons for students from Prep to Year 6 will take place this week from 27th November to Friday 8 December excluding Tuesdays. This program offers the opportunity for all children to take part in swimming lessons according to their skill level. Qualified instructors take the lessons each day.
St Anthony's Carols Night
Please keep Monday 11 December from 6.30pm free for the tradition Carol's Night and Picnic. More information will be sent out shortly.
Advent
Next week sees the start of the Advent Season in the Liturgical calendar. Advent is a reminder for us to prepare for the celebration of the Birth of Jesus on Christmas Day.
Advent comes from the Latin word which means "coming". It is a time when we prepare for the coming of Jesus by praying, attending mass, lighting candles and reflecting on our faith journey. We light a candle on a wreath symbolising each week with a message of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love! It is written that at this time Mary and Joseph were preparing for the birth of Jesus.
Important dates:
School Curriculum Day 28 November (no school for students) - OSHC available
Carols Night 11 December 6.30pm - BYO Picnic dinner
End of Year Mass 15 December 9.15am
Year 5 & 6 Lantern Ceremony following Mass 15 December
Guard of Honor 15 December 1.30pm
2023 School ends 15 December 1.30pm
Term 1 2024
Staff commence, 29 January 2024
Students commence, 30 January 2024
Sincerely yours
Margaret Carlei
Principal
A Prayer for Advent
This Christmas, Lord, come to the manger of my heart.
Fill me with Your presence from the very start.
As I prepare for the holidays and gifts to be given,
Remind me of the gift You gave
when You sent Your Son from Heaven.
