Assistant                   

Principal's        Message

As the school gates close for the holidays, we pause to reflect on a term filled with immense growth, community spirit, and shared success. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our families, students, and dedicated staff for the energy (especially during the long walk at the walk-a-thon) and heart (especially the Vinnies winter sleepout) you have poured into our school community over the last ten weeks.

This term has asked a lot of our students, and they have risen to the occasion beautifully.     We challenged them to step into their "stretch zones," to embrace the discomfort of new academic hurdles, and to show resilience when the learning curve felt steep. From the wonderful hands-on discoveries of our Stage 2 scientists monitoring their tiny chia seeds, to the daily academic and sporting triumphs across all year levels at the athletics carnival, we have seen firsthand what happens when curiosity meets determination.

May these next two weeks be a sacred time for your family to truly disconnect from the strict schedules of the school week, to recharge your spirits, and to enjoy the simple blessing of quality time spent with loved ones. We pray that our staff and students return to us safely, deeply renewed and filled with anticipation for the exciting term ahead.

Positive Behaviours for Learning Term 2 Winning House: 

After a challenging term with all three house teams very close in the talley of tokens, the winning team for Term 2 was awarded to MacKillop! 

On Monday the students will have fun dancing and eating paddle pops to celebrate all their positive behaviours that were displayed throughout the term. Congratulations MacKillop! 

Attendance rates for Term 2

Research has shown there is a direct correlation between attendance and student achievement. High-performing schools have attendance rates around 97-98%. I encourage all parents/carers to ensure their son/daughter is at school on time each day of the school term, unless they are too ill to attend. Applications for leave longer than 5 days need to be made at least two weeks in advance to Mrs Novak/Mrs Iorfino. 

U R STRONG - Wellbeing 

When I was growing up, my family had “dessert tastings” once a month. My mum would make small sweets of different types, and my sister and I would taste-test them and rank them. It may sound simple, but looking back now, I realise it was a fun ritual that allowed us to slow down and connect as a family.

Rituals are shared activities that you do on a consistent basis. They build a sense of connection, identity, safety, and belonging. 

Unlike routines, which communicate “this is what needs to be done,” rituals communicate “this is who we are as a family.” For example, bedtime at 7:30 is a routine. But if you include a special song or a personalised interaction, you’ve now created a ritual.

Rituals give children a sense of comfort and stability that can carry them through good times, tough times, and difficult transitions. You may already have a few family rituals, perhaps without even realising it. If not, this week’s guide “Develop a Sense of Togetherness,” will give you some ideas and inspiration.

In this guide, you’ll find five family rituals that develop a sense of togetherness.

Give these rituals a try, or use them as inspiration to come up with new bond-building rituals of your own.

Upcoming Presentations - Gastronomy: Food from Around the World

We are looking forward to welcoming our families into the school grounds on 

           Monday, 29th June between

                   2:20pm and 3:00pm 

for our highly anticipated student showcase, "Gastronomy: Food from Around the World." 

Throughout the term, the children have deep-dived into the culinary traditions, unique ingredients, and cultural significance of dishes from a wide array of nations. This presentation afternoon is a wonderful opportunity for the students to demonstrate their research and speaking skills in front of a real audience. 

We encourage parents, carers, and friends to come along, share in the children's learning journey, and celebrate the rich, global diversity of our community.

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 for parents that are in need of care for their child due to work commitments. Parents will need to register.