Newsletter Term 1 Week 6 (14.3.25)
Principal's News
As we enter the season of Lent, we are called to walk the path of hope—a hope rooted in Christ’s sacrifice and the promise of new life. Lent is a time for us to draw closer to God through reflection, repentance, and renewal.
Just as Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, we are also invited to journey through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving; not as burdens, but as ways to strengthen our trust in God. When we surrender our worries, serve others, and open our hearts to grace, we discover that true hope is found not in our own strength, but in the love of Christ.
This Lent, as we hear the words “Repent and believe in the Gospel,” may we embrace this call with courage. Let us seek hope in the midst of challenge, knowing that beyond the cross lies the joy of resurrection.
THANK YOU
I would like to extend a note of thanks to all in our St Anthony's Parish Community, as you displayed strength, resilience, and care as we managed the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Thank you for your patience and support during this past week while we had uncertainty with the weather event. I understand that these disruptions can be challenging and we truly appreciate your cooperation as we navigated the evolving situation. We are very fortunate to suffer only minor damage to the school I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who played a role in our response and recovery on Monday and Tuesday to ensure the school was ready to be opened again the next day.
It was beautiful to see so many smiling children (parents with bigger smiles), hugs and tears as friends and classmates reunited and our school returned to being the wonderful family, faith and learning environment that we experience each day.
Kindergarten 2026
It is extremely unusual to be talking about enrolment for next year already, however, places are filling quickly and we already have many online enrolments for our kindergarten class for 2026.
I am encouraging any new families and current families with siblings entering kindergarten in 2026 to complete the online enrolment form as soon as possible. This can be found at https://www.kngplism.catholic.edu.au
Interviews for prospective students and families will commence at the end of Term 1 and the beginning of Term 2. Offers of placement for 2026 will be made early in Term 2. If you know of anyone who might be considering our beautiful school, I would be grateful if you could let them know that enrolments are open now.
Please contact the school office on 66741368 if you have any questions or concerns regarding the enrolment process.
How Was Your Day at School?
When you ask your child about their day (school, friends, etc.) how often do you get:
"I don't remember"
"Fine"
"Okay"?
We want to have meaningful conversations with our children. We want them to be excited about
telling us things.
So how do we get them talking?
Of course, developing a deep, trust-based connection with your child is key here but even then,
sometimes our kids don't want to bother telling us about their day.
In this case, use this very simple tip.
Instead of asking them lots of questions ("How was school?", "What did you do there?","Who
was there?","What happened?", or the total conversation killer "WHY" questions like, "WHY did
he do that?"), say:
"I wonder..."
"I wonder what was the most interesting thing you learnt today."
"I wonder what you did at lunchtime with your friends..."
"I wonder if your teacher had a good day today..."
When you use 'I wonder' instead of asking them lots of questions, you're showing your genuine
interest and you aren't demanding their answers.
Try using "I wonder" next time you want your child to tell you about their day and see how it
goes.
MISSION NEWS
Harmony Week
Next Week is Harmony Week. Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds.
It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
The 2025 theme is ‘Everyone Belongs’ The St Anthony’s students will be exploring the concept of Harmony in their classes next week. On Thursday all students will be given a free Zooper Dooper to celebrate our diversity and all the unique gifts, talents and experiences each of us brings to our beautiful school.
Thank you!
A big thank you for all of your delicious donations of pancakes and topping for our Pancake Tuesday day last week. The kids were delighted. There are photos on our Facebook site.
Project Compassion
Last Wednesday the school celebrated Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday marks the start of 40 days of Lent. The forty days pays tribute to the 40 days Jesus spent fasting, praying and avoiding temptation in the desert. During Lent Catholics are also called to pray, fast and give. The major giving initiative in the Catholic Church is Project Compassion through Caritas.
The theme for Project Compassion 2025 is “Unite against poverty this Lent”. Students have large Project Compassion boxes in their classrooms and the youngest child in the school has been given a small Project Compassion Box to take home and fill by doing ‘odd jobs’ around the house and asking people for donations. Project Compassion is intended to promote a sense of philanthropy amongst students and instill in students care and concern for those less fortunate than themselves. Please encourage your child to return their boxes to their class teachers by the last week of this Term so our school total can be counted and sent through to Caritas before Easter.
Have You Seen Jesus Lately?
I saw Jesus last week. He was helping an old lady carry her shopping bags to her car. For just a
moment I thought he was a member of the staff at Woolworths but I could tell it was Jesus by the generosity he was showing.
I saw Jesus two days ago. She was giving money to those in need. For a moment I thought it was a
student from St Anthony's putting money in Project Compassion but I could tell it was Jesus by the way she wanted to help someone else have a better life.
I saw Jesus last night. He was cooking my dinner. For a moment I thought he was my dad but I
could tell it was Jesus by the way he didn't complain about helping others.
I saw Jesus this morning. She dropped her children off at school. At first I thought that it was one of our parents
but I could tell that it was Jesus by the way she smiled and said, "I love you. Have a great day."
I see Jesus everywhere, helping others, being generous and patient, and for just a moment I think
that he's someone else but I know it is Jesus by the way he serves and lives His life through His
people.
God moments are happening around us all the time. Take 60 seconds out of your day to stop and
reflect.
Where have you seen Jesus today?
LEARNING AND TEACHING
NAPLAN
Yesterday, all families of students in Year 3 & 5 received a Compass message about the date change to Naplan due to the school closures from the impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. We will commence NAPLAN testing on Monday, 17 March. This delay allows us to focus on ensuring our students have had the opportunity to return to school, settle in and be ready and supported.
Monday 17th March- Writing
Tuesday 18th March- Reading and Language Conventions
Wednesday 19th March- Numeracy
We wish our Year 3 and 5 students every success with completing NAPLAN this year.
Learning Conferences
Our Learning Conferences will begin in Weeks 7 and 8 of this term. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we rescheduled meetings due to the recent weather events.
The focus of these conferences is for the students to showcase their classwork, celebrate their learning, discuss progress towards goals they are working on, to discuss future learning and/or any concerns or issues. These conferences are a very important part of strengthening our parent partnership and your attendance reinforces to our children that you are here to support them and that you value their learning.
SPORT NEWS
COMMUNITY NEWS
Mrs. Barlogio Takes on the Never Late Fe-Mail Postie Bike Ride for a Cause
You may have noticed a little bike parking at school every now and then and that’s because this April, I will be riding in the Never Late Fe-Mail Postie Bike Ride, a unique and meaningful event that supports a wonderful cause. Riding my postie bike, I will be covering an impressive 700 km from Bathurst to Parkes, New South Wales, from the 9th to the 13th of April. What's even more amusing is that I’ll be riding on my L's—having obtained my motorcycle license just last September!
The event supports Wings 4 Kidz, a charity dedicated to helping sick children travel to hospital for essential treatments. This service allows children from regional New South Wales to avoid long and exhausting car journeys. Instead, they are flown to their destinations by air, with free specialist air and ground transport keeping families together during such difficult times. Wings 4 Kidz relies entirely on donations, making every contribution vital to their mission.
I’m hoping to raise $5000 to support Wings 4 Kidz and their incredible work. By donating, you’ll be helping families in desperate need of this vital service, easing their burden during the most trying times.
You can support my ride and donate to Wings 4 Kidz by clicking on this link:
Let’s come together and make this ride a success for a cause that truly makes a difference!
Wishing Mrs. Barlogio all the best in her ride. Safe travels and thank you for supporting this amazing cause!
Flying Start
Weeks 5 and 6 has flown past us with the visit of Cyclone Alfred. This cyclone gave us a great opportunity to talk about what a cyclone is and through stories we discussed what can happen during one. We have certainly come out the other side and looking forward to getting back into routine.
Social skills have been an intentional focus for us as always here at Preschool, where we use play to discover a new skill each week. This fortnight we have been engaging in different activities to learn about “following instructions” and “listening”, two very important skills that set children up for not only now but well into the future.
We have also had lots of fun using our environment for art activities. The trees, bark, leaves, and flowers provide opportunity for weaving, painting and stamping. How lucky are we that we have this natural resource right next to us here at Flying Start.
With half the term well and truly over we will continue with days full of play, fun and learning to ensure that we continue to create an environment that all children love.
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 6:00pm
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: KINGSCLIFF4:00-5:30pm
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
