Newsletter No.5 - Term 2, Week 6
Principal & Deputy Principal Message
Dear Families,
On Wednesday 5 June and Thursday 6 June some of our St Augustine’s children celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation. This is an important and exciting time in their lives and in their Sacramental journey. Confirmation is where we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit into our lives and are welcomed into the Church Community. The journey toward Confirmation sees us focus on our own gifts and what makes us special. We use this time as a reminder that we are all known to and loved unconditionally by God. Congratulations to all children and families involved and thankyou to our wonderful parish and school pastoral team.
During this week we have experienced some disruptions to traffic flow around the school. Our understanding is that this will not drag on too much as they are working very efficiently. Thank you for your patience and kindness toward each other and the contractors involved. Please remember you are welcome to use the Kiss and Drop Zone in the mornings and park in allocated locations such as the church, chapel and surrounding streets. Remember this is also a disruptive time for our local residents and they do not need the additional challenge of parents parking in their carparks.
Our learning focus as a staff is currently on preparing reports for Semester 1 and on finalising ongoing assessments. It is a time to stop and reflect on the growth and development we have seen so far this year. Our teachers spend many hours preparing these reports outside of their usual classroom planning and preparation. Please see the letter we sent earlier this week on how to access Semester 1 reports in week 10. Please also find the time to thank your child’s teacher for all they are doing!
Between now and the end of the term we will also be sharing some information about an exciting learning focus for term 3 and 4! We can’t wait.
Take care.
Dan Cowan, Principal & Michelle Thomas, Deputy Principal
Catholic Identity Updates
SACRAMENTS OF CONFIRMATION AND FIRST EUCHARIST
It is with great joy that I announce the following children have received the Sacrament of Confirmation on Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 June in the St Augustine Church. The main celebrant was Archbishop Pat O'Regan. Archbishop Pat spoke about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and what struck me personally was when he said that God gives us Gifts, such as love, patience, kindness and other gifts, in order for us to give them away to others. This is how we all can create the world God desires!
Congratulations to:
Emilio C, Lucas M, Eva N, Raiden P, Mia R, Harper B, Zoe B, Gabriel E, Immaculee H, Nicholas N, Philip N, Ester N, Aurora O, Amelia R and Sarah R.
These same children will receive Jesus for the first time on the long weekend.
Please pray for these children as they continue their journey of Faith together with God.
NEW SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM STARTING IN JUNE/JULY
The Parish Sacramental Program is a family supportive and very enjoyable program that starts in July and concludes in June the following year. It may appear as a long time but our families who have enrolled and completed this Sacramental Program have rated it highly. It gives families the opportunity to spend time together exploring the heart of God through the gifts of the Sacraments.
If you would like your child to be prepared for Confirmation and First Eucharist, please contact Dr Rachele Tullio at: rtullio@saps.catholic.edu.au this week or next week as the Family Inquiry session will start on the weekend of Saturday 22 June/Sunday 23 June in the Parish Family Centre.
VINNIES WINTER FOOD APPEAL
Our school community has been asked to support the Winter Food Appeal. It will run from Tuesday 11 June to Friday 21 June. If you could donate non-perishable cans of food, this will go a long way to helping those requiring food through Vinnies.
Families have always been very generous at St Augustine’s Parish School each time we have been asked. I look forward to us all supporting Vinnies in the next 2 weeks.
THOUGHTS:
Our real treasures are never things. Things come and go. But our real treasures are found in our heart. These stay there forever. What do you treasure?
PRAYER: Jesus, you told your followers: “Where you treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6: 21).
We know that your treasures were the sick, the blind, the deaf and the poor. May we see those whom you love through your loving eyes. May our hearts be touched by your compassion through our Vinnies Appeal. Amen.
Dr Rachele Tullio,
Assistant Principal Religous Identity and Mission
National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week is an annual week held from 27 May to 3 June that is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, and the truth about our First Nations history, cultures and achievements and to explore the responsibilities of all Australians to reconcile with their First Nations past.
This year for Reconciliation Week we have been hard at work creating “Deadly Doors” around the school. Each class was responsible for decorating their classroom door based on this years theme, which is “Now more than ever” #NRW2024. It is amazing to see the fantastic learning that has been taking place at our school.
Jayme-Lee Sonneman,
Year 2 / Aboriginal Education Focus Teacher
"Wear It Yellow"
On Friday 31 May (Week 5) our school participated in “Wear it Yellow”. The children wore some yellow clothing in any way shape or form and were encouraged to bring in a gold coin donation to go towards this great cause. Taking part in Wear it Yellow is an opportunity to celebrate First Nations culture and strength while learning about our shared histories. As a school we raised $405.85 which will go directly towards supporting Children’s Ground and delivering self-determination, education, health and employment opportunities for First Nations people. Thank you so much to everyone that donated it was a fantastic effort by all.
You might be thinking WHY YELLOW?
Yellow is one of the vibrant colours of the land – the sacred ochre that First Nations people have used for generations. It is about deep connection to country and the earth. Yellow is the centre of the Aboriginal Flag, which also represents the sun as the giver of life. And it is the colour of Children’s Ground!
Jayme-Lee Sonneman,
Year 2 / Aboriginal Education Focus Teacher
Little Augustines Acquaintance Days
ADVANCE NOTICE: LITTLE AUGUSTINES ACQUAINTANCE DAYS
Session 1: Tuesday 11 June – Child and at least one parent/guardian to stay
Session 2: Tuesday 18 June – Child only
Session 3: Tuesday 25 June – Child only
Times for ALL Sessions: 9.00 am to 11.00 am
Thank you
St Augustine’s Parish School would like to thank the Scott family for donating the rabbit hutch for Freddy, our new community member. Freddy has been provided with a wonderful new home in the hutch. He is feeling safe and lots of children come to say hello to Freddy while he is secure and safe. He can run around, he has plenty of space and he's also got some hidey holes where he can hide away when he feels like having a rest. Freddy is really enjoying being part of the St Augustine community and we are very grateful to have been provided such a wonderful hutch for his housing.
Finance
If you have any questions regarding your school fees or would like to discuss your situation, please feel free to contact us.
School fee statements will be posted out again at the beginning of Term 3.
If you do not have a current payment plan, please contact us via email afinance@saps.catholic.edu.au or call the front office on 8182 7900.
Scholastics
St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal
Diary Dates - Term 2
Week 7 & 8
Public Holiday: Monday 10 June
Vinnie's Winter Appeal: Tuesday 11 June - Friday 21 June
School Dentist Visit: Tuesday 11 June - Monday 17 June
Year 6 AFL Max Leadership Day: Tuesday 18 June
Week 9
'Thriving People Primary Event' Excursion: Tuesday 25 June
Year 5 Winter Sleep Out: Thursday 27 June - Friday 28 June
Northern Cluster Football Carnival, Year 4/5 & 6: Friday 28 June
Week 10
Semester 1 Reports emailed to families: Week commencing Monday 1 July
St Thomas Feast Day- Students in Thomas house can wear red: Wednesday 3 July
End of Term 2: Friday 5 July, 12:30pm finish
Term 3 begins Monday 22 July, 8:50am start