School News

Dear parents, families and friends,

As we come to the end of week 8, we have basically completed the moving of all classes to Building C. There are just a few items remaining here and there in Building B. The Parents and Friends Committee is currently sorting through the 2nd Hand Uniform Shop and their store as one of the last rooms to be moved.

Last weekend, on possibly the last working bee for the year the gazebo was erected in the garden area of the senior yard. The garden area is really taking shape now, becoming a space to truly support the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program.

This week we will begin holding our daily morning assembly on the senior yard. We will only be using the junior yard during lunch and recess times.

There will be a slight change with specialist classes next year. With limited space available and due to the nature of STEM classes with large ongoing projects, we have decided to replace STEM with Library classes for 2026. The students will still learn about science through their inquisitive units. We will also be changing the days the specialist programs run from Tuesday/Wednesday to Wednesday/Thursday. A special letter will be sent to all families soon detailing all the changes for 2026.

This weekend is the start of Advent  with the First Sunday of Advent. The Catholic Church begins 4 weeks of waiting and preparing for the coming of Jesus at Christmas.

You will see the colour purple in the church and in our school that reminds us that this is a special time of waiting and preparing. The Advent wreath becomes a prominent feature in the church and you will begin to see the setting up of the Nativity Scene. Advent is a time when we prepare our hearts, making room to receive the baby Jesus. One way we do this is by thinking of others at this time, especially those in need who are less fortunate than ourselves. We are currently running a collection for St Vincent de Paul. Thank you to everyone so far who has contributed non perishable food items to this collection.

Christmas Carols

On Wednesday 10th December at 5.30pm until 7.30pm we will have our annual Christmas Carols. The carols will be in two parts: The Nativity Story and Christmas Around the World. The Nativity Story will tell the story of the Birth of Jesus through religious Christmas Carols. Christmas Around the World will take us on a journey around the world as we sing a variety of traditional and contemporary Christmas songs. Families are invited to use the Birmingham Park and Junior Yard to have a picnic before the carols. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED US! We made the local Westsider paper for Potrick! Remember to buy your copy of Potrick at: https://www.trybooking.com/events/1470014/sessions/5907473/sections/2827675/tickets or via our website at https://www.sayarraville.catholic.edu.au/our-community/the-story-of-potrick 

Copies of the Westsider can be found at local retailers!

BOOK LAUNCH - Potrick the Caterpillar

Yesterday we launched Potrick the Caterpillar. The event was attended by Councillor Bernadette Thomas from Maribyrnong Council and Leesa Duncan from MACS. Potrick the Caterpillar was unveiled to the community with student representatives from Prep to Year 6 taking turns to read the story to the community. With the story been created in sections by each class, no one knew what anyone had written or what the entire story was about, each class only knew what had been written immediately before them. Cr Bernadette Thomas was presented with 5 copies of Potrick to put into circulation in the local libraries of Maribyrnong Council. Leesa Duncan was presented with 2 copies, one for MACS Head Office and one for the Executive Director, Dr Ed Simons. As part of purchasing an ISBN for Potrick, we have also officially registered St. Augustine's as a Publishing House called Spirited Scribes. We held a competition to design the logo for Spirited Scribes which was won by two students; Tegan and Tavi.

Potrick can be purchased online via our school website or from the Sun Bookshop.

Important Upcoming Events:

• Monday 1st to Wednesday 3rd December - Year 3/4 Camp @ Sovereign Hill
• Thursday 4th December - Prep 2026 Transition Session 3
• Thursday 4th December, 6.30pm - Kingsville Community Carols
• Friday 5th December, 6pm to 7pm - Music Tuition Classes Concert
• Tuesday 9th December, 9am to 11am - STEP UP DAY
• Wednesday 10th December - Year 6 Big Day Out
• Wednesday 10th December, 5.30pm to 7.30pm - Christmas Carols
• Thursday 11th December, 9.30am - End of Year Whole School Mass
• Monday 15th December, 6pm to 9pm - Year 6 2025 Graduation
• Tuesday 16th December, 10am to 2pm - Whole School Fun Day
• Tuesday 16th December, 3.00pm to 3.15pm - Year 6 Guard of Honour and End of School Year Dismissal

Until the next newsletter, which will be the last newsletter of the year, stay safe and happy!!

Matthew Stead

Principal