Dear parents, families and friends,

As we finish the year and look forward to next year, I would like to talk again about my vision for St. Augustine's, short term and long term. St. Augustine's has a long and proud tradition, one that I seek to build upon and develop further. As you know, we have engaged the services of Architecture Matters to create a new School Master Plan to provide some much needed TLC to the school buildings and bring it into the 21st Century with facilities that support contemporary flexible learning and provide safe and equal access to all facilities.

This development is built around the philosophy that the school is child centred with a curriculum that meets the needs of the individual student. It is based upon explicit teaching, clear goals, robust learning activities and high expectations so that each student can achieve their personal best. The regular collection, analysis and interpretation of data (assessment) will be crucial in monitoring the progression of learning. This will be further supported and will continue to be a whole school approach to wellbeing, ensuring every student feels welcomed, included and supported.

This will all take time, it cannot happen overnight. However, in my short time at St. Augustine's we have already begun laying the foundations for these plans. Next year we recommence with imbedding School Wide Positive Behaviour Support and Respectful Relationships as our whole school approach to developing, maintaining and promoting student wellbeing.

Much has been done this year to clean, beautify and make safe the school grounds. I again ask for support from students and families in maintaining this, as at times it is disappointing and saddening that new plants and facilities are broken or damaged deliberately by students.

St. Augustine's has a wonderful, supportive community. I do ask and encourage all families to please discuss any concerns or issues with the school staff. If it is a classroom matter, speak first to the classroom teacher. If it is a finance issue, speak first with admin. For broader issues or concerns of a more serious nature then direct these to myself, and in my absence, Mrs Mazzeo. In my short time at St. Augustine's I have always been willing to make time for parents and to listen to concerns and issues. I also do my very best to work towards a solution that is in the best interest of all concerned.

Staffing Schedule 2021

Once again I wish Jenni all the very best and have told her that she will always be welcomed to visit St. Augustine's at anytime. In education, teachers and staff regularly move schools for career opportunities. This is a good thing and is is very normal. Below is the staffing schedule for 2021:

Mrs Mazzeo - Full time. Mon, Tue Classroom Teacher in Year 5/6. Wed, Thur, Fri Deputy Principal Duties.

Mrs Witchell - 4 Days. Tues R.E.L Duties. Wed, Thur, Fri Classroom teacher in Prep.

Mrs Sposato - 2 Days. Mon, Tues Classroom teacher in Prep.

Miss Marissa - Full time. Classroom teacher in Year 1/2.

Miss Jess - Full time. Classroom teacher in Year 1/2.

Miss Librizzi - Full time. Classroom teacher Year 3/4 and Literacy Leader.

Miss Maher - 3 Days. Mon, Tue, Wed Classroom teacher Year 3/4.

Miss Wardeiner - 4 Days. Tues, Wed Phys. Ed. Thur, Fri Classroom teacher Year 3/4.

Miss Danni - Full time. Classroom teacher Year 5/6 and Digital Technologies Leader.

Mr Kean - 3 Days. Wed, Thur, Fri Classroom teacher Year 5/6

Miss Loretta - 3 Days. Tue, Wed, Thur - STEM Education and Numeracy Leader.

Miss Paglianiti - 2 Days. LOTE teacher and Learning Diversity Leader.

Mrs Ady - Full time. Arts teacher, Leadership Release, Classroom support and Admin support.

Ms Santillo - Full Time Administration

Mrs Fryer - 1 day. Monday Administration.

I am looking forward to next year. I am confident in the teaching teams we have created. I am also confident in the class groupings we have created. Next year promises to be an exciting year with many possibilities.

Christmas Raffle

Our Christmas raffle was a huge success. We raised about $1200. I again thank our very generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous. I thank all parents who volunteered their time to sell tickets. There were 20 prizes in total. Below are all the prize winners:

1st - Patrick 1/2 M

2nd - Nicky 1/2 WS

3rd - Finn 3/4 MS & Enna 5/6 D

4th - Calleum Prep J

5th - Will 1/2 F

6th - Ayaan 5/6 KW

7th - Treowe 3/4 L

8th - Owen 1/2 F

9th - Eva 3/4 L

10th - Klaudia Prep J

11th - Adelie 3/4 L

12th - Clementine 1/2 F

13th - Asha 1/2 M

14th - Leo 3/4 L

15th - Darcie 1/2 M

16th - Jade 3/4 L

17th - Olivia 3/4 L

18th - Noah 5/6 D

19th - Louis 1/2 F

20th - Antonio 5/6 KW

Please ensure you view each page of the newsletter.

I wish all families a safe, merry and relaxing Christmas filled with the joy and love of Christ. May you enjoy time with family and friends, eating, drinking, laughing and sharing stories. I wish all families a Happy New Year. May 2021 be what 2020 wasn't.

Some Christmas Cheer from our School Choir:

Quotes for the Season:

"May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve." Anonymous

"Nothing ever seems too bad, too hard, or too sad when you've got a Christmas tree in the living room." Nora Roberts

"God goes to those who have time to hear him—and so on this cloudless night he went to simple shepherds." Max Lucado

Kind regards,

Matthew Stead

Principal

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