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
This week we have definitely been experiencing the winter weather; but it has not deterred us from keeping busy and making sure that the children are engaged in their activities.
Last week we started our Feast Day celebrations with Kaboom Kids Sports engaging our students in a huge range of fun activities. Our Sport Captains lead the eight groups of students around the activities. Our students had a wonderful time and made a great impression on the Kaboom staff. They were impressed by how enthusiastically our students participated in the activities and appreciated their politeness and good behaviour. This is something for us to celebrate and give thanks for in knowing that we can always depend on the students to uphold our school values with great stead.
The children from Year Prep to Four attended the Thursday Mass and lead the parishioners for our Feast Day. The church was decorated with artwork by students, highlighting the works of St. Anthony during his ministry on earth. To complete the festivities, next Monday all the school will come together at a prayer celebration in the church at 3pm to give thanks to our patron saint to whom we pray to keep us in his constant care. Mass on Sunday at 11.00am is for everyone in the Parish to come together and celebrate St Anthony's greatness.
Vinney's Winter Appeal - Tony's Cafe. Thank you for the generosity of families who dropped off items that they no longer needed or were newly purchased. We will begin by taking the items to Tony's Cafe next Tuesday and Thursday where those in need will benefit from your generosity. Any items left over will be taken to local St Vincent De Paul Store so that other community members may benefit also. Thank you to the School Captains who promoted this appeal to our students.
Curriculum Day Update
Last Tuesday our staff had a successful day looking at how we can give extra support to students with diverse needs. We were lead by a MACS Diversity Leader who brought the newest and updated information that can be used both in our classrooms for academic learning and in social situations at school. We take great pride in knowing that our staff work 100% in supporting all our students, in particular, if their work needs to be differentiated. No child is ever left out of any activities as we make sure all needs are catered for.
English at St Anthony's
The media has this week been focusing on how English is taught in schools and the current trends of phonics to teach reading and writing.
This news is not 'new' news because at St Anthony's School, we have been teaching a phonics-based program for the last three and half years. The use of explicit, systematic teaching of phonological awareness and phonics is used to ensure a deep understanding of the rules that govern the English language. The children are taught the sounds in English, not just the letter sounds, because 'au' makes a specific sound as in 'taught' but 'a' and 'u' are quite different when not put together as in 'cat' and 'cut.'
We have an Australian partnership with InitiaLit for Prep - Year Two, which is a whole class program developed through Macquarie University to systematically and explicitly teach the components of reading. It incorporates a synthetic approach to the teaching of phonics alongside a rich literature and vocabulary component. Using this as a basis for learning, our Years Three - Six have a solid foundation for deepening their learning.
Parent-Teacher Interviews 26 & 27 June 2024
Parent teacher interviews are part of the Government requirement for reporting on students' progress during the year. This is an opportunity for parents to meet with their child's teacher to discuss and celebrate the learning that has been achieved during Semester One. You will receive an email next week with details so that you can select a time to discuss your child's report. This will be available both in person and online. The times are Wednesday 26 June from 2.30 - 8.00pm and Thursday 27 June from 3.30 - 6.00pm.
Important Dates for your calendar.
Please keep the following dates in your events calendar so that you are all able to participate:
Information will be sent out in due course.
We only have two weeks left before we are on school holidays so may this time be filled with good health and safety, and of course, lots of fun in all the learning and playing.
Kind regards.
Margaret Carlei
St. Anthony, who received from God the special power of restoring lost things, help me to recover the grace of God, and make me eager in the service of God and in the practice of living the virtues. Let me find what I have lost, thus showing me the presence of your goodness.
