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Dear Parents and Carers,
This week we have started to see the weather improve and the grounds dry out for sport and playtime! We have also seen the students participate in a variety of learning experiences. Our Year 6 student leaders are also being very active in their roles and are out and about the school leading activities with their fellow students.
Science Week Success
What a week it was last week. Science Week brightened up a cold and windy week and gave students a terrific learning focus. Thank you to Mrs Angie Kisiel for organising an amazing Science Week last week. The school came alive with everybody living and breathing science! For most students there is something about Science Week that brings out an awe of excitement. It is a chance to showcase their understanding or hypothesise about something fascinating or mysterious in the world! The Year 6 leaders also enjoyed conducting experiments for the students and promoting the event. The ‘JollyBops’ Show finished off an entertaining week.
Students Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Thank you Miss Beth Lehmensich for the work she has done in organising the Sacrament of Reconciliation for our 25 candidates this year. Thank you to Fr Tony Percy for facilitating this very personal sacrament with each child. Thank you to the parents for supporting their child in their sacramental preparation and to the staff that were able to attend one or more of the Reconciliation celebrations so far. Due to COVD-19 our sacramental celebrations are all in smaller group gatherings and there are still some students to make the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
There is just a short break between sacraments, with First Eucharist preparation starting this Thursday 27 August with the first parent/child evening meeting.
Musica Viva Show Thursday this Week
Thanks to Mrs Lisa Daly for booking this great virtual incursion show. The show was presented to students via zoom today and each class had the opportunity to watch the performance in their classroom. The performers were originally going to be coming to the school, though the current movement restrictions have meant the musicians can't travel from Victoria. The group that performed are called 'The Rhythm Works' and are a band that perform bright, energetic, and rhythmic pieces using a variety of tuned and untuned percussion instruments.
Winter Walk, Ride, Roll to School Week
Thank you to Mrs Tea Austin for organising our Winter Walk Ride and Roll to school events in Week 4. We were lucky to have some reasonable weather that week and lots of students participated in walking, riding or rolling to and from school. The students loved the stickers and the prize draw at the end of the week for participating. This event has been popular each term and we have seen an increase in the number of students walking, riding or rolling to school in COVID-19 time when public transport is less popular and parents are working from home and can assist or travel to and from school with students. This program develops student confidence in travelling these ways in a safe manner.
New Seats for Kindergarten And Year 1 Eating Area
This week new seats arrived for Kindergarten and Year 1 students to sit and have their lunch at eating times. The seats are light, stackable and versatile. They can be used for other outdoor lessons and gatherings. The students and teachers can move the seats into the sun in the cooler months and into the shade for the hotter months. Below are some photos of our excited students sitting together at eating time!
2020 Semester Two School Captains and Leaders
Recently our Semester Two School Captains, House Captains and Portfolio Leaders were announced and Fr Tony Percy presented each of them with their leadership badges. They are all working hard, along with our Semester One leaders (who continue on too due to COVID-19 interruptions) to undertake roles and support people in a way that will make a difference to members of St Anthony’s community and the wider world. Congratulations to the students elected, their names are below:
Semester Two School Captains
Mia D. and Talal N.
Bradman House Captains
Martina F. and Alexander McL.
Fraser House Captains
Reid S.and Tahlia S.
Paterson House Captains
Lauren C. and Sam R.
Gilmore House Captains
Jaxon K.and Jessie W.
Portfolio Leaders
Mission Group- Charlotte McL. and Charliese V.
Canteen Group- Matthew A. and Carly H.
Wellbeing Group - Noah W. and Georgia B.
Events Group: Isabel L-P. and Helen P.
STEM Group- Reeva S-K. and Emma H.
Library Group - Tessa K. and Martina L.
2020 Tournament of the Minds (TOMS) Teams
Thank you to Mrs Angie Kisiel, Mrs Sarah Stephens, Mrs Fradgley and Mrs Angela Bartkowiak who are organising and assisting our students in our TOMS teams for 2020. This year we have 4 teams which is fantastic! Over the next few weeks these 28 students will get a chance to prepare their presentation and tasks without adult assistance. Due to COVID-19 they will present their presentations and solutions to the issues posed online to the judges. We wish them all good luck with their lateral thinking and teamwork.
The students involved in TOMS this year are:
Team 1: Catherine W., Alexandra W., Hayden C., Sofia D., Eamon S., Ella W. and Mia D.
Team 2: Liam S., Alina F., Jasmine R., Ben S., Leon B., Keturah C. and Eleanor P.
Team 3: Alexander McL., Owen K., Justin N., Gabby S-C., Abigail R., Reeva S-K. and Charliese V.
Team 4: Martina F., Grace B., Rosemary L., Helen P., Macy H., Melodie R. and Charlotte McL.
Request from ACT Policing – Stranger Danger Information
Please note: I am not aware of any recent local stranger danger incidents impacting St Anthony’s School Community or nearby schools. The message below is a general reminder from ACT Policing to parents and carers in all schools to keep our school community safe, reinforce the importance of stranger safety and the need to report any unusual incidents or approaches towards children immediately.
This is a reminder to help our children understand the importance of stranger safety and the need to report any unusual incidents or approaches to staff immediately. If you become aware of an incident or notice anyone acting suspiciously around a school or child, contact police immediately on 131 444. In the case of an emergency, call 000. If you witness an incident or if you have any information that could assist police, you can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information can be provided anonymously.
Please support us to keep our children safe by having conversations with your child about moving safely around the community and what to do if they ever feel unsafe. You may wish to visit the Australian Federal Police website that contains child safety information. In addition, Safety4Kids is a non-government website that has useful information and links. The Constable Kenny website also has a number of child safety tips for parents.
Catholic Education will continue to work with ACT Policing on issues of child safety.
ACTBGA Building Progress Report
The new classroom block is taking shape. From the steel work we can start to see the shape and size of the block and each area. We can also see the skeleton of how the roofline will look and also the inside areas. Great progress is being made.
Year 6 Student Leaders Encouraging Wellbeing
Each day our Year 6 students take turns to lead our morning assembly or STAN news on a Wednesday. The students have initiated preparing a new message to read out each day to inspire and encourage students and staff. There is a wellbeing theme to their words which is really important during the ongoing COVID-19 period. Well done Year 6!
I know parents can’t be at assemblies at the moment so here is the message Amelia C. and Hayley L. shared today, Thursday:
“ Being happy does not mean that everything is perfect. It means that you have decided to look beyond the imperfections and go out and have a good day. Have a thoughtful Thursday and remember to be thoughtful to everyone.”
Daily ‘Shout Outs’ Acknowledging Positive Actions by Students
Again, without parents at morning assembly, I wanted to let you know that everyday staff at morning assembly are mentioning ‘Shout Outs’ to students that make good choices and do positive things for other people. Students doing these great and kind acts are being noticed and are being acknowledged by name. There are some really wonderful choices and actions by students at St Anthony’s.
Catholic Education Correspondence in Regards to the Sexuality and Gender Identity Conversion Practices Bill 2020
I just wanted to make you aware that included in this newsletter is a letter from Mr Ross Fox about this bill being currently considered by the ACT Legislative Assembly.
I wish everyone a terrific week or two ahead.
God Bless.
Greg Walker
Principal
A reminder to please label your child's uniform. We try to reunite lost property with their owner, however last week there was 15 jumpers in lost property without labels.
Please make sure that labels include a first initial and a last name, as we may have several students with the same name.
Isabella L, Anneliese T, Liam C, Divjot K, Alexander L, Angus D, Makenzie C, Macey H, Reid S, Isla S, Alice C, Chelsea T, Jasmine T, Daniel G, Mia S and Dante W.