Term 3 - Week 9 2025
- Principal & Deputy Principals Message
- Catholic Identity Updates
- Year 6 Visit with Headspace
- Sports Day 2025
- NRL East & Para District League Tag Carnival
- 70th Birthday Celebration & Fun Fair
- Year 6 Camino Walk
- Congratulations
- Wellbeing Corner
- Canteen News
- Uniform Shop
- 2025 Diary Dates - Term 4
- Community News
Principal & Deputy Principals Message
Dear Families,
On Friday we held an open morning as part of our 70th Birthday Celebrations. This was an opportunity for past students and families to come and see how our school has changed and grown over time. They were treated to performances from our Wakakirri team and Festival Choir, plus a tour of the school and historical display in Siena Hall. In preparation for the morning, I was asked by a staff member if I would be writing out a speech. My answer was that I didn’t need to - I find our school very easy to talk about! We have a clear set of values which is underpinned by the Dominican charism of Truth. We link this to our catholic identity through the life of Jesus and St Augustine. We have developed our St Augustine’s Learner Qualities over the past 18 months. We use these to develop ourselves as lifelong learner. We are focused on improving literacy and numeracy for all children and we now have some of the most state-of-the-art facilities available anywhere. We love our school and community and appreciate the opportunity to share this with others!Leading into this 70th year, we have spent a lot of time as a staff re-connecting with our Dominican story. It was the Dominican Sisters of North Adelaide who established and ran our school in 1955. The influence of St Dominic and his mission is something we have been focusing on. For the last two days of this term and over most of the break, Mr Cowan, Mrs Thomas and Dr Tullio will be visiting some key sites in Europe that are significant to the life of St Dominic. This includes Bologna where St Dominic’s remains are kept, Toulouse in France where the Dominican order was first established and Caleruega in Spain, the birthplace of St Dominic. We are also visiting Rome in this jubilee year of our church and Lourdes in France.During the term break, an Acting Principal is being appointed to oversee Vacation Care and any work happening at school. Ms Ruth Taylor has accepted this position for the break. Ruth is the Substantive APRIM and current Acting Deputy Principal of Thomas More College.
As we come to the end of another action-packed term, we would like to thank everyone for their ongoing support of our school and look forward to seeing you in term 4!Take care,
Catholic Identity Updates
FUN FAIR
Our Fun Fair was such fun on Friday 19! It had been originally postponed due to poor weather in August. However, the Fun Fair was worth the wait! The children enjoyed themselves immensely, playing old fashioned games between Recess and Lunch time. A very big thank you to the children in Years 4 to 6 who spent time organising the games and setting them up.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
Families have been notified that the Sacramental Program has been postponed to 2026. The Parish will be advising us when a new Coordinator has been appointed and the program will then resume with new dates and times.
MULTICULTURAL MASS
Date claimer: Sunday, 9 November 2025
On Sunday, 9 November, the schools of Holy Family, Thomas More College and St Augustine’s Parish School will come together to celebrate a Multicultural Mass in the St Augustine’s Church. More information will be provided early in Term 4. Everyone is welcome!
REFLECTION:
Do you trust easily? In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus makes a clear statement about trust: ‘Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.’ (Luke 16: 10) Trust is essential in the world. Our wholehearted trust in God is all that God wants and desires from us. Trust. It is a God-given gift.
PRAYER:
God of Trust, help us to draw closer to you when we feel our trust wavering. In all that we do, say and think, be our anchor in life so that we can trust you despite storms.
Amen.
Dr Rachele Tullio,
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission
Year 6 Visit with Headspace
Year 6 Visit with Headspace - Building Confidence for High School
On Monday 8 September, our Year 6 students welcomed a visit from Headspace, Australia’s national youth mental health foundation, who delivered an engaging session filled with practical strategies to help ease the transition to high school next year.
What Happened During the Headspace Visit?
The interactive presentation included:
- Goal-setting and planning exercises to organise and envision the first days of high school.
- Reflection activities encouraging students to think about “what-if” scenarios - like navigating timetables, using lockers, and making new friends - so they feel prepared and confident.
These self-guided, strengths-based tasks encouraged students to reflect on what they are looking forward to, and to plan small steps to tackle any nerves or challenges they might anticipate.
Why This Matters
According to Headspace, transitions - like moving from primary to secondary school - can bring excitement as well as uncertainty. Preparing with practical strategies builds resilience, reduces anxiety, and helps students feel more in control. Parents can support the process by encouraging routines, trial runs, and positive self-talk.
Student Takeaways
- Plan ahead - Mapping out how their school day will run can make the first week feel more manageable.
- Practice scenarios - Thinking through anticipated obstacles helps reduce worry.
- Use reflection - Identifying supports and enjoyable routines helps balance stress with calm.
- Talk it out - Sharing concerns with trusted adults helps students feel supported.
What’s Next?
Our school is now working on follow-up activities, where students will pair up to share one thing they feel more confident about after the visit and one question they still have about high school. Teachers will guide reflective journaling to build on what Headspace began.
Jessica Hinves,
Year 6 Teacher
Sports Day 2025
NRL East & Para District League Tag Carnival
On Thursday, 18 September, our Year 5 and 6 students represented our SAPS at the NRL East & Para District League Tag Carnival. The day was filled with excitement, teamwork, and plenty of skill on display as our students competed against other schools in the district.
It was fantastic to see so many of our students giving their best effort, showing great sportsmanship, and encouraging their teammates throughout the day. For many, it was their first time playing Tag Rugby, and they rose to the challenge with confidence and enthusiasm.
A big thank you to the staff who helped with organisation and supervision, as well as the parents who came along to support!
Bo Roper & Dylan Baker,
Health & PE Teachers
70th Birthday Celebration & Fun Fair
70th Birthday Celebration
Fun Fair 2025
Year 6 Camino Walk
On Monday, 22 September (Week 10), the Year 6 cohort participated in a Camino Walk along the Little Para Trail to Carisbrooke Reserve as part of our Unit of Work on Saints.
The Camino Walk provided students with a reflective journey inspired by the values of St Dominic. Along the way, they paused at checkpoints to consider life, forgiveness, trust, honesty, and the values we demonstrate in our families and friendships. Students also reflected on whether their choices reflect being givers or takers and explored the meaning of RISE in truth values.
This experience went beyond a physical walk. It was a chance for students to deepen their faith, appreciate the beauty of nature, and foster community and personal growth. A portion of the walk was completed in silence, allowing them to fully engage with the natural surroundings and reflect on the qualities of humility, compassion, and perseverance, just as St Dominic embraced on his own journey.
Quotes from the children
Dipson - "the walk was relaxing and we got to walk part of it in silence to reflect on our own choices "
Sophia- "it reminded me of the paths seen in Spain because of curves and windy areas along the trail as well as the natural waterways"
Dilraj- "I felt that God has blessed us with beautiful sites and a place we can enjoy with friends and teachers"
Year 6 Teachers
Congratulations
BMX Success – Congratulations Eva!
Over the weekend at the State Championships in Kadina, Eva (6ZK) delivered an outstanding performance, securing 1st place in the 12 Girls category and 1st place in the 11–12 Girls Cruiser division.
In addition, the State Series awards were presented, recognising results across the entire year. Eva’s consistency and determination throughout the season were rewarded with 1st place overall in her divisions.
Also, Eva will be is competing for Nationals on the 1st October, A fantastic achievement – well done, Eva!
Wellbeing Corner
Mel Stockdale,
School Counsellor
Canteen News
Canteen volunteers are required Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays. If you are a registered volunteer and are available, please see me in the canteen or call the front office staff on 8182 7900.
Any help will be appreciated.
Reminder: Please use the QKR App for lunch orders. The App closes at 9:15am each morning.
Carolyn Collis,
Canteen Manager
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:
2025 Diary Dates - Term 4
Community News
