Newsletter Term 2 Week 10 (5.7.24)

Message from the Principal - Lynne Pull

Dear Parents

Well hopefully the weather which we have been experiencing of late will ease up for the holidays! It certainly has been a very busy term and I think everyone is ready for a break. I have told students to help out at home during the holidays so you are welcome to remind them that I said that!!

We were lucky this morning to get our Verse Speaking showcase in before the rain came again. Thank you to all those parents who came along. I know you would have enjoyed hearing all the poems. As I said, it is no mean feat to prepare students for this and the teachers are to be congratulated for the effort they put in to preparing the students. Virtually every student in our school gets the opportunity to be on stage for this event. We see it as something very valuable.

This week it was the turn of our musical students to be in the spotlight. Primary choirs (Years 3 – 6) participated on Monday at the Murwillumbah Festival of Performing Arts and then Years 1 -2 on Wednesday. Congratulations to everyone involved in preparing the various groups. We received lots of trophies, but most of all our students loved the chance to perform. Well done everybody!

On Wednesday evening we held the annual Orators Evening. I was so disappointed to miss this wonderful occasion (I was elsewhere involved with reviewing another school) but from all accounts it was once again a wonderful event. Congratulations to all the finalists. Well done to those chosen to represent our school next month at the Tweed Catholic Schools Public Speaking Competition. More information is included elsewhere in this newsletter.

Monday 22^nd July is a student free day so Tuesday 23^rd July is the first day of school for students for Term 3.

As NAIDOC falls during the holidays we will celebrate during the first week of term. On the Friday we will have an assembly followed by a smoking ceremony. We will have a hot dog day that Friday - $2 each. There will be some activities in classrooms and maybe even a guest speaker.

Please check your child’s uniforms in the holidays, including shoes and ensure they are in good order for the new term. It’s also a good chance to have haircuts. Please NO DYED HAIR or ATTENTION SEEKING HAIRSTYLES. These are NOT part of our dress code.

Thank you again to everyone for supporting us this past semester. Enjoy the holidays with your children.

You never can measure what God will do through you…Keep your relationship right with Him. Then whatever circumstances you are in, and whoever you meet day by day, He is pouring rivers of living water through you.

God Bless

Lynne

Important Dates & School Information

Term 3 2024

Monday, 22nd July - Pupil Free Day - NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, 23rd July - Students return

Friday, 26th July - NAIDOC Assembly - 8.40 am

Wednesday, 7th August - Writer's Festival Byron Bay

Thursday, 15th August - Science Fair

Child Protection Policy can be found on our School Website under Information/School Policies: St Anthony's Primary School Website or in the following link: https://www.kngplism.catholic.edu.au/policies

Something to think and pray about

The Value of Interiority

‘there is one especially salient message Ignatius can give us: the great value of interiority. I mean by this everything that has to do with the sphere of the heart, of deep intentionality, of decisions made from within.’

Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini SJ

...interiority is the antidote to much that is insidiously destructive in our contemporary society. The secularisation of culture, the frantic pace of life, the pressures of competition, the seductiveness of consumerism...these and other influences mould our way of living. Even the quality of our most precious relationships is frequently put at risk. We are drawn to live superficially, on the surface of things, losing touch with our deeper and more authentic selves.

Excerpted from Sacred Space The Companion By The Irish Jesuits (pp.14-15)

We Remember At This Time…

Around this time we mark the feast of St Thomas the Apostle. Thomas needed concrete evidence in order to believe in who Jesus was. We pray for all of those who lack faith, who lack the ability to believe in anything beyond the material world. We pray for those who don’t believe in life after death. Lord, send an outpouring of love, hope and light on all these people, who are also your beloved children. Amen.

https://sacredspace.com/

Term 3 Arts Project 

Next St Anthony’s will undertake a whole-school multi-disciplinary arts project that highlights the impact of single-use plastics. Each class will be exploring the impact of plastics on the environment and create artworks using recycled plastic. 

We are asking our St Anthony’s families to collect washed, clean 

household plastics we can use for our project. This includes the following: ● Plastic bottles 

• Plastic lids (the more colourful the better) 
• Washed coffee lids 
• Snack wrappers 
• Cutlery 
• Ice-cream containers 
• Sushi trays and soy sauce bottles (inc. lids) 
• Bubble wrap 

A holiday beachcomb with your children would be great and you could bring in the items you find. Here is a video that might help facilitate some discussions with your children and give an idea of some visual art that can be created with recycled plastics. 

One Plastic Beach | KQED Truly CA 

We’ll be ready to accept donations from Term 3. Thanks for your support. We’re very excited about this project. 

Vinnies Winter Appeal 

A huge thank you for all of your donations for the Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal. Many warm, quality items were donated and non-perishables went to the Vinnies Food Bank. Thank you for your generosity.

Confirmation 

Next Term a number of students from years 3-6 will prepare for and receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Confirmation completes Baptism, by which in the laying on of hands and the anointing with Chrism Oil, which first happened at Baptism, we are confirmed with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. We are reminded of our participation in the ministry and mission of Jesus, and strengthened to follow Jesus more closely.

Family Workshops for Confirmation will take place in the St Anthony’s school hall on Tuesday, August 06 at 5pm and the Sacrament will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 04 at 6pm at St Anthony’s Church, presided by Bishop Gregory Homeming. All families involved should have received a Compass notification to enrol their child in the 2024 program, please contact Gemma Ballantine if you wish to enrol your child or want further information. 

Baptism 

We have a number of children about to start Baptism preparation for Term 3. If you would like for your child to receive the Sacrament of Baptism, initiating them to the Catholic faith, and your child has a Catholic, Baptised Parent, please contact Gemma Ballantine gemma.ballantine@lism.catholic.edu.au and we will add your child to the group.

Orators Evening Shines on Wednesday, July 3rd

Last Wednesday, July 3rd, our school hosted a spectacular Orators Evening that saw an impressive turnout of families and students. The event was a testament to the strong community spirit and the high regard for public speaking at our school. 

The evening showcased the exceptional public speaking skills of our students, a true reflection of the dedication and hard work they have put into mastering the art of oration. The support from their families and peers was overwhelming, creating an encouraging and celebratory atmosphere. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful judges, whose voluntary contributions are invaluable to the success of such events. Special appreciation goes to Rosie Tucker, a former student, parent, and long-time speech and drama teacher, and Kim Shepherd, who has a long-standing association with our school, providing speech and drama lessons. Their dedication and expertise greatly enrich our students' experiences and opportunities in public speaking. 

Congratulations to all our winners and runners-up, who will now advance to the Tweed Catholic School Public Speaking Competition next term. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and wish them the best of luck in the upcoming competition. 

Thank you once again to everyone who attended and supported this fantastic event. Your involvement is crucial in fostering a supportive environment where our students can thrive and excel.

The 2024 Premier's Reading Challenge is open!

Dear Parents and Carers,

All children at St Anthony’s are invited to take part in this year's NSW Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC). This is a program that encourages students to read quality fiction and non-fiction books from a selected list nominated by the premier's office.

What does the challenge involve?

To become involved in the challenge, Kindergarten to Year 2 students need to experience 30 books, 20 of these books need to come from the K-2 PRC booklists. 10 books can be their own free choice. Children can read the books on their own OR be read to by parents/carers. 

For years 3-6, students need to read 20 books, 10 of these books must be on the PRC booklist and 10 books can be their own free choice.

PRC books can be found in our school library, at home and in local council libraries. For the PRC booklists, please visit:  https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/booklist/home.html

All books need to be read and recorded online by 23rd August 2024 (by 11:59 pm).  Students will receive a certificate from the PRC team on completion. PRC Certificates will be awarded in Term 4.

Further information is contained on the PRC website including the booklist for each level of the challenge: https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/rules.html

How to register and record books online:

Students can begin their reading now! Follow the below instructions to log on and begin registering your books:

1. Go to the PRC website https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html or Google Premier's Reading Challenge NSW 2024.
2. Click on the yellow ‘PRC Student Site’ box then select the "log on" button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
3. Enter the student's username and password. If you have forgotten details or are registering for the first time please email lauren.plunkett@lism.catholic.edu.au and a username and password will be generated and emailed to you. 
4. Enter the PRC ID code for each book the student has read. You can search for books on the website.

Please feel free to contact Mrs Plunkett if you have any questions, and look out for more information about the PRC in our School Newsletter, library displays and awards throughout the term. 

Happy reading!

Mrs Plunkett

PRC Coordinator

Important Notice Regarding Dogs on School Grounds

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We hope this message finds you well. As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all students, staff, and visitors, we would like to remind you of the regulations concerning dogs on school premises as outlined in the Companion Animals Act 1998 (NSW, Section 14).

Dogs on School Grounds

According to the Companion Animals Act, dogs are generally prohibited on school grounds unless the principal has granted specific permission. Such permissions are typically reserved for:

• Assistance or service dogs
• Farm working dogs
• Visits by organised groups or programs for school incursions
• School support dogs

We understand that many families enjoy walking their dogs during school drop-off and pick-up times. However, we kindly ask that dogs remain outside the school gates. You are welcome to wait with your dog just outside the gate and arrange for your child to meet you there. This practice helps us ensure the safety and comfort of all students, particularly those who may have allergies or a fear of dogs.

Important Points for Consideration

Responsibility: Only individuals aged 18 or over can be responsible for a dog, as stated in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (POCTAA).

Procedural Fairness: Schools are obligated to consult with parents and consider all relevant information before making decisions regarding assistance dogs.

Health and Safety: Our priority is to maintain a safe environment for everyone on school grounds.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in adhering to these guidelines. By keeping our school grounds dog-free, except for authorised circumstances, we can ensure a safer and more inclusive environment for all students.

This notice aligns with our commitment to safety and compliance with state legislation. Your cooperation is crucial in maintaining a welcoming and secure environment for our school community.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact the school administration.

Thank you for your support in this matter.

NAIDOC Assembly

Flying Start

Our last week of Preschool for this term and can you believe that half the year is already gone.

We are so proud of all our preschoolers and how well they have settled into routine, built strong relationships, and enjoyed our time every week over at St Anthony’s. We will continue with our kindy sport next term as well as our twice weekly library visits.

Last Friday we ran the cross country with the lower primary children and boy did we have fun. We had lots of families cheering us on and it was the highlight of our week

We have started preschool visits for any families that may be interested in sending your children in 2025 and beyond. Please reach out if you would like a tour and see all the wonderful experiences that we offer.

Thanks for a wonderful term, enjoy the holidays and see you all next term.

Jessie Grey

Admin

Email: info@flyingstart.nsw.edu.au
Phone: 02 6674 2028 

Web: www.info@flyingstart.nsw.edu.au 

Address: 23 Boomerang Street, Kingscliff NSW 2487

MISC

Parish Information and News

Parish Priest: Fr Paul McDonald

Finance Manager: Paul Crouch

Parish Secretary: Marty Darragh

Pastoral Assistant: Catherine Holliday

Phone: 0266741368

Email: parkings@bigpond.com

Website: http://stanthonysparishkingslciff.org

WEEKEND MASS TIMES
VIGIL: KINGSCLIFF 5:00pm
SUNDAY:POTTSVILLE 7:30am
KINGSCLIFF 9:00am

WEEKDAY MASS TIMES
TUESDAY: POTTSVILLE 9:15am
WEDNESDAY: KINGSCLIFF 8:00am
THURSDAY: KINGSCLIFF 9:00am
FRIDAY: KINGSCLIFF 8:00am

RECONCILIATION TIMES

SATURDAY: KINGSCLIFF4:00-4:30pm
SUNDAY: POTTSVILLE 7:00—7:25am

Current Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 9am-3pm

PARISH NEWSLETTER LINK: http://stanthonysparishkingscliff.org/news-events/

St Anthony's Parish - Care Group

Many parents may have noticed from the Parish Bulletin, that the Parish has a Care Group which, among other things seeks to provide meals to any parishoners in need.

This could include times of family sickness, new mums struggling to provide for the family in the early days of returning home, and many other circumstances of genuine need.

Please be aware that the Care Group is very willing to help out if any families find themselves in need of this service.

Contact: Parish Office: 0266 741 284 or Maree Moore 0439 174 116