Dear Parents and Carers

We have finally reached the end of 2020 with only another week to go. This year will be remembered for great change but also great achievements. There has been so much achieved this year that staff, students and families should take the time to celebrate. This newsletter is quite a full one and I ask that you take the time to read through the information as we close the 2020 year.

Parish Priest News

Archbishop Comensoli has announced the appointment of Rev Leenus Neetany SAC to the Glen Huntly-Caulfield Parish commencing on 31 December 2020. He is currently the Canonical Administrator for the parishes of St Kevin's Ormond and St Patrick's Murrumbeena. We welcome him to our school community and look forward to strengthening the partnership between Parish and School. We will formally welcome

Fr Leenus Neetany at the start of 2021.

We farewell Fr Gregory Pritchard and wish him a smooth transition to his new parishes in Reservoir-Reservoir East.

YEAR 6 LEADERS 2021

Congratulations to our current Year 5 students who will be taking on the following leadership roles and responsibilities in our school in 2021:

School Captains: Taye and Belle

School Deputy Captains: Daeseung and Leila

Sports Captains: Mahli and Leon - Siena (Blue)

Georgie and Lucia - Padua (Red)

Lucy and Sam - Xavier (Green)

Lavinia and Hamish - Nagle (Yellow)

Social Justice: Sophie, Amy, Valentina, Ilya

The Arts: Olivia, Kiera, Marleen, Gabriel

Environmental: Emily, Marishka, Ariana, Neve

STEM: Amelie, Klara, Christian, Tarun

The children will be blessed and receive their badges at the Opening Mass celebration at the start of the year.

CLASS OF 2020 - YEAR 6 STUDENTS

This group of young adults have successfully completed their primary education and have taken their responsibilities as senior students to another level this year. Their enthusiasm, eagerness and confidence have been instrumental to their growth during their time at school, in particular this year that was so different for them. They have been fine examples of how students come together and keep the spirit of St Anthony’s school alive and active. As they start their new pathway in secondary college, I hope that their time at St Anthony’s School is a memorable one and held with great pride.

Congratulations to Jack, Raphael, Sally, Lewis, Rafael, Oliver, Luke, Francis, Marley, Benedict, Abigail, Harry, and Anara.

Good Luck to the Class of 2020.

Our Year 6 students at their Big Day Out at Bounce today!

FAMILIES WE FAREWELL

A sincere thank you to the families who we farewell this year.

The Year 6 Families: Some have been members of the St Anthony's Family for many many years and have given continued support, time, commitment and expertise to our school. As their last child leaves our school we thank them for their dedication and commitment to our school community and know they leave a legacy for years to come.

Year 6 Families are:

Amy and Adam Conrad,

Tash and Charles Gauci,

Kristen and Aaron Kearns,

Gigi and Wilfredo Macasa,

Deborah Gonçalves and Craig Hickman,

Margo and Rohan White,

Sonia and Grahame Jordan.

I would also like to acknowledge the following parents who have always been active members of the school through the PFA, SAT Team, Fair involvement and always given a lending hand had the best interest for our school:

Emily and Simon Williams, Niamh and Mark Tovey and Katie Wyatt and Chris Newton

The following families are also leaving our school community and moving from the area to new schools. We thank them for their contribution to our school and wish them all the very best in the years to come:

The Flynn Family, and The Mugwagwa and Mhlanga Family.

May all the families leaving take with them many fond memories of our school, the friendships made and know that our doors are always open to them.

LEAVING STUDENTS

I would like to acknowledge the students who are leaving our school to attend another primary school:

Tommy T, Hannah C, Hannah W, Eugenia, Naledi, Nandi, Shea and Archie

I hope that the memories and happy experiences of our school stay with you for many years to come and thank you for you contributions, in your own special ways, to the life of the school. I hope you settle into your new learning environments swiftly and with ease.

END OF YEAR PRAYER THANKSGIVING

On Thursday 17th December at 12.30pm, all students will gather together in the Church for the Final Prayer celebration.

The Year 5 and 6 parents only, are invited to be part of this celebration where the tradition of Passing of the Light from the 2020 Year 6 Leaders to 2021 Year 6 Leaders will follow.

GUARD OF HONOUR

All leaving students beginning with the Year 6, will be farewelled with a Guard of Honor at 1.30pm. Year 6 parents and those leaving our school may come onto the school netball courts.

I thank all families for their contribution during the year. The partnership strengthened and the collaboration was evident in that the staff and parents focused on achieving the best outcomes for the students. We will remember 2020 for years to come and proudly hold our heads up high.

I wish you all a peaceful Christmas and pray that 2021 brings hope and happiness in all that we take part in.

Sincerely yours “May the Blessings of Christmas be with you,

May the Christ Child light your way,

May God’s holy angels guide you,

And keep you safe each day.”

Margaret Carlei

Principal

From the Archbishop of Melbourne