From the Principal

Dear St Anthony's Families,

Welcome back to Term 4.

I hope you had a restful break and it seems that our students have returned refreshed and ready to learn. This is a busy and joyful term, with plenty to look forward to as we finish the year together and prepare for 2027.

A Prayer for Peace

Loving God,

we gather at the start of a new term and we bring before you our world.

Where there is war, bring peace.

Where there is fear, bring comfort.

Where there is hurt, bring healing.

Open our eyes to see Jesus in every person we meet.

Open our hearts to forgive, to listen and to include.

Open our hands to share what we have with those in need.

St Anthony, friend of the poor and finder of lost things, help us to find peace when we feel lost and to help others find their way.

Teach us to be peacemakers in our classrooms, on our playground and in our homes. May our kindness reach beyond our school and light the way for others.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Positive Behaviour at School and Aftercare

This year has been a preparation year for our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) framework, which we will launch in full in 2027. Our aim is for every student to know what is expected of them, to be recognised when they do the right thing and to feel safe and supported wherever they are at school. That includes our Before and After School Care program. We are working with our aftercare team so students hear the same language and see the same expectations from the first bell to pick-up. We ask parents who use this service to continue to have conversations with their children about this and check in with Sher and the team when things don’t go to plan. Please, come and see me if you have any issues or questions.

'Festa Italiana' (Italian Day)

Our 'Festa Italiana' will be held next Thursday 22 October. Students will participate in many activities with an Italian flavour: such as food, music, games and performances. Students are encouraged to dress-up in the colours of 'il Tricolore'.

Thank you to our Italian teacher, Signora Di Camillo and the staff who are organising the day.

Working Bee: Sunday 8th November

Our Working Bee will be held on Sunday 8th November from 12.30pm to approx. 2.30pm (after Sunday Mass). This is a wonderful chance to care for our school grounds and meet other families. Jobs will include weeding, general tidying, PFA shed (potentially), pruning, gardening, some small things to fix and several other odd jobs. Please bring items such as gloves, tools or wheelbarrows. We will cook a sausage sizzle for those attending and those attending get the $60 maintenance fee credited to their 2027 fees (once only). I will set up a Parent Portal Form this Monday. Students are welcome when accompanied by an adult. Many hands make light work!!!

Pedestrian Crossing at Neerim Road and Grange Road

The safety of our students and families crossing at Neerim Road and Grange Road remains a priority for us. Neerim Road is a declared arterial road, so responsibility for the intersection rests with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) rather than the local council. Concerns about this crossing have been raised over several years by our school community, local residents and our crossing supervisor. We continue to advocate strongly for improvements, including working with Glen Eira City Council and writing directly to government ministers. A member from the Road Safety and Traffic Operations – Inner East team has been in contact with me and is visiting next Friday. I believe having a few parents (one or two) join me for this conversation would be helpful, I have reached out to members of our SAC.

In the meantime, please continue to take extra care at this intersection. Hold your child’s hand and always follow the crossing supervisor’s directions (when available).

2027 School Dates

Please mark your calendars. Our 2027 term dates are:

Term 1: Friday 29 January to Wednesday 24 March, 2027 (School staff start 27 January)
Term 2: Monday 12 April to Friday 25 June, 2027
Term 3: Tuesday 13 July to Friday 17 September, 2027 (school Staff start 12 July)
Term 4: Monday 4 October to Tuesday 14 December, 2027

All other dates (such as pupil free days will be advertised in later newsletters this term)

Healthy Breakfast

A good breakfast helps students concentrate, feel calm and be ready to learn. We sometimes see students coming to school without breakfast and we do see the effects of it at times.

Christmas Carols: Change of Advertised Date

Please note that our Christmas Carols evening is 3 December (NOT 10 December as advertised previously). The starting time is 6pm, on the green. The following Friday, 4 December, is a School Closure Day. Our staff will use this day for 2027 handover and planning. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

Thank you, as always, for your support of our school. I look forward to seeing many of you over the coming weeks.

In partnership,