Term 2 - Week 3 2025

Principal & Deputy Principals Message

Dear Families,

What an exciting start to the term we have had here at St Augustine’s!

Thank you to our wonderful parent and friends’ volunteers who organised and ran our Mother’s Day Stall recently. It was heartwarming to see our children given the opportunity to purchase or collect a gift to recognise their mum or someone special at home.

Thank you also to our staff and volunteers who worked together to run the school disco. This was the first disco we have had in a long time and it was wonderful to use our new gymnasium for this purpose. We were so excited to see so many children and families on the night.

On Friday morning of week 2, we woke to the exciting news that we have a new Pope. Pope Leo XIV is the first American pope and is the first Pope from the Order of St Augustine’s. This is exciting for our school as it shines a global spotlight on the life and work of St Augustine.

That afternoon I had the pleasure of being interviewed live on ABC Radio to speak about this. I shared that we look to St Augustine as someone who prior to his conversion lived a very human life. St Augustine believed in the importance of prayer and contemplation. He was a deep thinker, one of our church’s first theologians and a prolific writer. He travelled, believed in looking after those on the margins and lived in community with others.

Pope Leo is also well travelled and has spent much of his life working as a missionary in South America. He was the Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru,  from 2015 to 2023. He is passionate about social justice and our church’s mission to care for the marginalised and disadvantaged. We look forward to learning more about Pope Leo and his life in the Order of St Augustine’s.

Finally, at our AGM late last term we elected our school board representatives for this year. Congratulations to the following community members who make up our current school board: Kim Moffatt, Theopohile Mugabonejo, Leanne Scott, Michaeyla May, Christine Cox, Jenny Stanley, Tamika Lorentzan and from the Salisbury Parish, Carina Malagar.

Thank you to everyone who contributes to our school in so many positive ways.

Take care,
Dan Cowan, Principal & Michelle Thomas, Deputy Principal

Catholic Identity Updates

WELCOME FR CHARLES and FR SAM
We are very fortunate to have the support of 2 priests who are now residing in the Parish of Salisbury.  Both priests have a deep commitment to serving the Parish and our Parish School.  Over the next few weeks, I will include some information about their ministries.

Once again, a very warm welcome!

SACRAMENTAL CELEBRATIONS
In the coming weeks, there are 77 children from the St Augustine’s Parish School, Holy Family Catholic School and from the Parish who will be receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion. 

From St Augustine’s Parish school, we pray for and congratulate the following children:

• Wedneshe, Joseph Ak, Joseph Ab, Amelia, Octayviah-Rose, Harper, Daisy, Chinecherem, Amity, Esther H, Monica, Stasia, Emily, Jacob, Daniel, Cecelia, Amarachi, Helen, Rosemary, Rosalia, Ann, Lucy, Chibuzo, Chikwuemeka, Olivia, Francesco, Felix, Esther T N, Zaiden, Chante.

Confirmation will be celebrated over 3 nights: Friday 23 May, Wednesday 28 May and Thursday 29 May at 7.00pm in the St Augustine’s Parish Church.

First Holy Communion will be celebrated on the 24 and 25 May followed by the 31 May and 1 June during Parish Masses.

NEW SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM 2025-26
I have had 98 inquiries for the Sacramental Program so far.  The new Program will offer a Family Inquiry Session in June and more information will be provided in the next few weeks.

In the meantime, I have the names of children who have expressed a casual interest to begin with.  I will be contacting families by phone to advise them of their child’s expression of interest in being part of the new Sacramental Program.

A blue form (Front Office) will also be provided to families should they wish for their child to proceed with the Program.

If your child in not Baptised Catholic, and you would like more information about it, please contact me at: rtullio@saps.catholic.edu.au for a friendly and confidential chat.

WEEKLY SCHOOL MASSES
Our school Masses will resume on Friday 23 May at 9.30am in the St Augustine Church.  All are welcome!

THOUGHT:  Life is a mystery.  Where you live, what you love, how life pans out.  All of the mysteries of life belong to God.  We are merely receivers of these mysteries.  Not to explain them, because we can’t.  But to cradle all mysteries in our hearts and make our peace with God.

PRAYER: Loving God, bless us in all we do.  Help us to be strong when we are weak.  For you alone know what the mystery of life is about.

Amen.

Dr Rachele Tullio,
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission

Year 6 Communication Student Leaders

2SP Cooking class at Thomas More College

On Monday Week 10, 2SP were invited by Miss Heanes’ Year 10 Child Studies class to participate in a cooking lesson at Thomas More College. Working with their Year 10 buddy, the Year 2’s learnt about kitchen safety, hand hygiene and how to safely use kitchen utensils. The student’s worked collaboratively to prepare and cook pizza, cheesecake, and a smoothie. The Year 2’s had a great time seeing the TMC kitchens, learning new skills and of course eating their final dishes!

It was great to see our students be curious and courageous learners as they tried new foods and cooking techniques.

A big thank you to Mrs Chau and Melissa (Joshua’s mum) for supporting us on the Excursion. 

Sarah Pope,
Year 2 Teacher

SACPSSA Swimming Carnival

On Wednesday 3 April, six students from Years 4 to 6 proudly represented St Augustine's Parish School at the SACPSSA Swimming Carnival held at the Marion Aquatic Centre. Our swimmers gave it their all in the pool, displaying great sportsmanship and school spirit throughout the day.

We are thrilled to share that every student came home with a place ribbon—a fantastic achievement! A special congratulations goes to Stasia from Year 4, who was awarded the Year 4 Age Champion medal—an outstanding effort!

Thank you to everyone who supported our students in this event. We are incredibly proud of their achievements!

Dylan Baker,
Health & PE Teachers

'Thriving People' Excursion

Thriving People Festival: A Day of Cultural Learning

On Wednesday 9 April Week 11 Term 1, 21 students attended the “Thriving People Festival”. This was a day of cultural learning and community connection at Carclew House. Students participated in workshops led by First Nations artists and facilitators, gaining hands-on experience with traditional and contemporary cultural practices.

Some of the workshop highlights were:

• Ghost Ropes Weaving with Sonya Rankine: Students explored contemporary weaving techniques using Ghost Ropes with Narungga artist Sonya Rankine.
• Tote Bag Decorating with Tanaya Antony: Students decorated tote bags with Narungga artist Tanaya Antony as a creative keepsake.
• Aboriginal Children’s Games with Walking Together with Kaurna: Students learned traditional Aboriginal games that promote teamwork and skill-building.
• Native Seedlings Workshop with Nature Play SA: Students discovered native Australian plants and took home their own seedlings to nurture.

 The students returned to school talking about how they had a great time and really enjoyed learning new things, getting creative, and connecting with culture.

Nicole Behrens & Madison Spiegel,
Year 1 Teachers

Northern Cluster Soccer Carnival

On Thursday week 2, over 100 of our amazing Years 4-6 students took to the field for the Northern Cluster Soccer Carnival!

Throughout the day, students played four exciting games, building on their skills in trapping, kicking, scoring, and goalkeeping – all whilst showing incredible teamwork and school spirit.

We were especially proud of the sportsmanship on display: cheering for other teams, shaking hands with the opposition, and showing great respect to referees and fellow players.

A special thanks to Mr Baker and Mr Bo who set up the whole carnival so that we could attend!

Charlotte Ricciuto

Year 6 Ecology & Mission Student Leaders

Cupcakes for a Cause

On Wednesday 7 May, Our Year 6 Ecology Student Leaders at St Augustine’s picked fresh limes from our very own lime trees, then they used the zest and juice to bake delicious lime and coconut cakes. The Mission Student Leaders then sold the cakes at a market stall to raise money for Project Compassion. The students proudly experienced the whole process from garden to table - all for a great cause!

ACHPER SA Student Leadership Workshop

On Wednesday 14 May, our student leaders had the exciting opportunity to attend the SACPSSA/ACHPER SA Student Leadership Workshop.

The workshop was designed to help students further develop their leadership skills while connecting with other young leaders from schools across the area.

Throughout the day, students participated in a range of interactive and engaging activities, all led by experienced teachers. These activities encouraged students to think critically, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively — key qualities of successful leadership.

The lessons learned from the day will assist our students as they take on leadership roles in upcoming school events and activities later this term.

Bo Roper & Dylan Baker,
Health & PE Teachers

National Indigenous Tennis Carnival

On Thursday 8 May, a group of our Indigenous students from Years 3 to 6 proudly represented our school at the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival, held at the Playford Tennis Courts. The event was a celebration of culture, sport, and community, offering students the opportunity to connect with peers from across the region while showcasing their tennis skills. Throughout the day, our students demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship, enthusiasm, and pride in their cultural heritage. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and grateful to the event organisers for providing such a valuable and memorable experience.”

Lara Geracitano
Year 6 Teacher

Wellbeing Corner

'Wear it Yellow Day'

Uniform Shop

The school uniform can only be purchased from Noone Apparel which is located at:

Shop 16 Craigmore Village
160-190 Yorktown Road
CRAIGMORE

Phone:  (08) 7372 8057

Opening times are:

• Monday: 8:30am – 12.30pm
• Tuesday: CLOSED
• Wednesday: 8:30am – 12.30pm
• Thursday: 1:00pm – 6:00pm
• Friday: CLOSED
• Saturday: 9:30am – 11:30am

Uniform fittings are by appointment only.

Collections of online orders are available only when the shop is open (see above times).

Please book an appointment or place an online order using the following link:

• https://noone.com.au/shop/find-my-school/

2025 Diary Dates - Term 2

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