What's happening in 2026!

Leaving Staff 

While goodbyes are never easy, we want to express our deepest gratitude for the contributions and dedication of Ms Grianne Tierney-Reed who will leave our community at the end of 2025.

Ms Grianne Tierney-Reed has been an invaluable member of our learning support staff, bringing passion, care and commitment to her role. Her impact on students and colleagues alike has been deeply appreciated. Though she will be leaving St Anthony’s at the end of this year, we are delighted to share that she will return in 2026 as a casual staff member. We look forward to welcoming her back and continuing to benefit from her expertise and warmth.

We extend our best wishes to Grianne and express our heartfelt gratitude for her invaluable contributions to our school community. May the road ahead be filled with new adventures and accomplishments.

Welcome to Ms Stephanie Barkho 

As we look ahead to 2026, we are excited to extend a warm welcome to a new staff member who will be joining our St Anthony's family. 

Hello Everyone! My name is Miss Barkho and I am thrilled to be joining the St Anthony’s community in 2026. I am so excited to be part of this wonderful school community and working closely with teachers, students and families.

I have been teaching for over five years and bring experience across a range of year levels and learning needs. I am passionate about helping students grow in confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning. My favourite subjects to teach are Maths and Science, where I encourage critical thinking, curiosity and a love of discovery. My passion for music allows me to bring creativity into classroom learning. I enjoy encouraging students to take on challenges and develop a growth mindset, where mistakes are viewed as an important part of learning.

When I’m not in the classroom, you’ll often find me reading, travelling to new places — whether they’re road trips or overseas holidays — walking my dog or enjoying a swim at the beach. I’m also a big movie buff and you will soon realise that I’m a huge Disney and Harry Potter fan!

I can’t wait to get to know the students and families at St Anthony’s and to share many exciting learning experiences together.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Ms Barkho to the St Anthony's family. We are confident her presence will further enrich the educational experience for our students.

Promotions Afternoon - Meet the 2026 teacher 

We are excited to announce that we will be hosting a Promotions Afternoon today, Wednesday 10 December. This special event is for children in Kindergarten through Year 5. During the afternoon, students will have the opportunity to meet their new teachers for the upcoming school year. This is a wonderful way for students to get to know their teachers before the school holidays begin, helping to ease any anxieties and build excitement for the new school year.

2026 Staffing 

GENE Program (Gifted Education Naturally Embedded) 

Looking ahead to 2026, Mrs Marie Iorfinowill continue to take on the role of GENE facilitator. With her passion for education and commitment to student success Mrs Iorfino will continue to nurture the talents and abilities of our learners, within the classroom setting. 

The GENE program is more than just an educational initiative; it is a commitment to providing a learning environment that recognises and celebrates the unique strengths of each student. Through this program, we aim to foster a love for learning, critical thinking, and creativity among our gifted students, empowering them to reach new heights of academic excellence.

Literacy Intervention 2026 

Literacy Intervention Program will continue in 2026, alongside the Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Tier 2 Foundational Phonics Program (FPP). The FPP is a key initiative designed to strengthen students’ literacy development. It is particularly valuable for children who require additional support in the early stages of reading, ensuring every student has the opportunity to build strong foundational skills.

Ms Honey Hartley will continue to lead the Literacy Intervention Program, working closely with students in Years 1 and 2. Ms Hartley’s expertise and dedication will provide targeted support to help students thrive in their reading journey, fostering both confidence and a love of learning.

Diverse Learning 

The role of Mrs Honey Hartley as the Diverse Learning Teacher at St Anthony’s Primary School is essential in supporting our students with diverse learning needs. We believe we can ensure that every student receives the personalised attention they need to thrive. For students with diverse needs, there is comprehensive planning to address the unique needs of each student, helping them to reach their full potential. Planning incorporates student and parent/carer input and features well-structured frameworks for the setting of goals and the implementation of reasonable adjustments. Collaborative planning extends to the monitoring and reviewing of the adjustments. 

Spanish in 2026 Ola!

We are delighted to announce that in 2026 our students will continue their Spanish learning journey with Mrs Andrea Spindel. We are proud to provide this enriching opportunity with a strong focus on communication as students explore simple greetings, numbers, animals and daily routines. Beyond language skills, Spanish learning offers a valuable cultural connection, linking language to heritage, culture and identity while fostering open attitudes and global awareness.

Physical Education 

We would like to sincerely thank Ms Brid Claffey for her outstanding contribution as Sports Coordinator in 2025. Beginning in 2026, Mr Peter O’Malley will take on this role and we are confident he will be a valuable asset to our school community.

From next year, Mondays will continue be the designated day for K–6 sport lessons with Mr O’Malley. This consistent schedule will provide students with engaging and structured physical education, fostering a love for active living. Please note that in 2026, physical education lessons will continue to be held on Mondays and Fridays.

In addition to his classroom teaching, Mr O'Malley will play a vital role in the organisation and facilitation of school sporting events and carnivals, ensuring our students have opportunities to participate, celebrate, and shine in a variety of activities. We look forward to another exciting year of sport and physical education at our school.

Yours in Partnership

Anna Novak