From the Principal

 

In Faith we show ... 

Respect, Empathy, Inclusion & Excellence

PADUA PAVILLION UPGRADE

Last Wednesday night we finally were able to gather together for the first school event in the newly upgraded Pavilion, which was also the first onsite event that parents were able to participate in since March 2020.  The night was held for Year 5 & 6 families with the Wonder of Life series specifically for their age group.  

It was also the first time that the new stage, sound system and digital presentation system were used. As part of the major upgrade I am sure that the families that attended were impressed with the update to a modern and prestigious setting.  I would like to acknowledge and give thanks to Mr Dave Matthews who used his creative talent and knowledge of the music industry  to build the stage to a theatre standard.  The sound system is of such a high quality that professional performers would be impressed.  Dave spent many of his voluntary  hours working to ensure that the upgraded pavilion was of the highest quality.

ENROLMENTS FOR 2021

Our Year 6 Leaders have started hosting tours of our school during the Open Mornings over the last few weeks. They proudly showed prospective families around our school and outlined the many programs and initiatives we have throughout the school. They have positively addressed these parents who are looking for a Catholic Education.

The staff ensured that the classroom activities demonstrated a snippet of what takes place on a daily basis.  There is much to celebrate in Catholic schools today as we embrace teaching and learning at the best possible level for our students.  At St Anthony’s school we show how our school values are incorporated into everyday life through creativity and engaged learning.  Have you asked you child lately what they know this week that they didn’t know last week?

Please continue to promote our school with your local neighbours and friends and let them know that enrolments are now open for students who start school next year or the year after. There is one more designated tour next Tuesday 9 March at 9.30 am.

If unable to attend the tour they may call our school office to organise a suitable date for a tour.  Our motto is that every day is an open day!

If you have a child that is due to start school next year a friendly reminder that applications should be sent to the office by the end of April.  Enrolment forms may be collected from the office or they may be downloaded from the school website.

PARENTS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS

The current COVID-19 restrictions welcome back parents or carers onto school grounds. The 1.5mts distancing must be maintained otherwise masks must be worn. 

200 YEARS OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION

Catholic Education is celebrating 200 years in Australia, marking the bicentenary of the first Catholic school established in Parramatta in October 1820.

The first Catholic school in Australia was founded in October 1820 by Irish Catholic priest Fr John Therry and run by convict and lay person George Marley. The school, which Catholic historians believe was in Hunter Street, Parramatta, taught 31 students. By 1833, there were 10 Catholic schools in the colony. 

Over 200 years, Catholic schools have grown to become the largest provider of schooling in Australia (outside government) with one in five school age students attending a Catholic school. This represents some 768,000 students in 1,751 schools across the country and employing 98,000 teachers and staff.  Nearly 40 per cent of Catholic schools are located outside of metropolitan cities in regional, rural and remote communities.

The formal celebrations were due to be held from October 2020 to October 2021. However, due to pandemic restrictions, the celebrations will now be held during the 2021 school year. 

A National Mass will also be celebrated in every state, territory and diocese on the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians on 24 May 2021.  More information will be distributed  as to how our school will celebrate this special event.  

SWIMMING NEWS

Congratulations to Olivia M, Emily E, Leila S, Mahli G, and Gabriel M who represented our school today and are competing at the next level of the Primary School District Swimming competition.

SCHOOL FEES

Thank you to the families who have made a payment. First instalment is due this Friday, 5th March 2021. Please contact me if you have any concerns.

Yours sincerely                                                

Margaret Carlei

Principal

"Faith in the Future!"

Almighty and all-loving God, 

with gratitude for the endeavours of Catholic education in the past, 

with confidence in our Catholic pre-schools, schools and universities today, 

and with faith in their continuing contribution in the future, 

we celebrate 200 years of Catholic education in this Great South Land.