Newsletter 9 May 2025

Principal's Message

Friday 9 May 2025 - Term 2  Week 2

Dear Parents and Carers,

Firstly, I am very pleased to inform you of the exceptional outcome of our recent school review conducted by an external panel. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with numerous affirmations and commendations highlighting the many strengths of our school community. While the review identified a few minor areas for future growth, the overall result is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, the engagement of our students, and the strong partnership we share with you, our parents.

A key reminder for families with young children: enrolments for Kindergarten in 2026 are closing on Friday, May 16th. If your child will be starting school in 2026, or if you know of any families considering St Augustine's, please encourage them to submit their application promptly. To provide prospective families with more information about our Kindergarten program and the school environment, we are hosting a Kindergarten 2026 Information Night on Wednesday, May 14th, commencing at 7:00 PM. All are welcome to attend.

Looking ahead, next week we will be calling for nominations from our parent community to join the School Community Forum Executive. This is a valuable opportunity to contribute to the life of our school and foster strong home-school connections. Nomination will be via an online form emailed next week, and further details can be obtained by contacting the school office.

We are delighted to host a workshop on anxiety and resilience presented by the highly experienced Nicola Holmes on Wednesday, May 21st. Nicola's expertise from the medical and psychological fields will offer valuable insights for all parents. Save the date, details coming. 

At our recent School Community Open Forum meeting, we had a productive discussion covering a range of important topics. We provided an overview of how our Student Behaviour System works, discussed Homework focus, and understanding half-yearly reports. We also addressed the important topic of Transition to High School, and brainstormed ways to reduce bullying and improve child self esteem. Furthermore, we discussed the issues of Social Media and Smartphone Use among our students. The Forum also provided an update on exciting upcoming projects, including looking to fund chilled water stations, shade sails, an upgrade to the flagpole area, and funding for a concrete slab to accommodate a Coffee van at the front of the school for future events. The full minutes will be sent home next week. 

Finally, as we approach Sunday, I want to extend a very warm and heartfelt Happy Mother's Day to all our wonderful mothers, step-mothers, aunties, grandmothers, carers and supportive women who provide such incredible love, care, and support to the children in our St Augustine's community. We hope you have a truly special day filled with love and appreciation.

Grace and peace,

Peter Watts

Faith and Mission News

Easter Liturgy

As we joyfully embrace the new church year with the celebration of the Easter season, we embark on an exciting 50-day journey from Easter Sunday to Pentecost! Upon returning to school after the Easter break, we gathered together to celebrate the glorious resurrection of Jesus through a special liturgy. During this uplifting service, we reflected on the profound significance of the Mass and how it mirrors the encounters of the disciples on the road to Emmaus after the resurrection. Each Sunday during this vibrant season becomes a mini Easter celebration, overflowing with hope and joy. Alleluia!

Confirmation Information Night

A heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful parents and caregivers who attended the information night for our students preparing for their Confirmation in July! Confirmation is a meaningful milestone, representing the second sacrament of initiation in the Catholic Church as our students receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We are excited to share that Bishop Greg Homeing will administer this special Sacrament. Please remember to indicate your choice of either Wednesday, July 30th, or Thursday, July 31st, on the Google Document that was sent out via Compass on May 7th. 

Please note:

1. First Eucharist and First Reconciliation preparation occurs during Religious Education lessons in Year 4, and the sacraments are usually made in the same year. 
2. Confirmation preparation occurs during Religious Education lessons in Year 3  and the sacrament is usually made in the same year.

First Eucharist

Excitement is building as many students prepare to make their First Eucharist in June! We kindly request that you send a photo of your child along with an image of the bread and wine to school as soon as possible. Dates for the First Eucharist are the 21st and 22nd June. Thank you in advance. 

Special Mass This Sunday

This Sunday, May 11th, at 9 am, we will have a very special Mass at St Augustine’s Church. While this is a school Mass, we will also take this opportunity to honour Mary, our Mother, and all the mothers in our St  Augustine’s Parish community in celebration of Mother’s Day! We warmly invite all St. Augustine’s children to join their fellow students and teachers in singing beloved hymns. This is a beautiful chance to celebrate your family together. Following the Mass, we will be hosting morning tea, and we would love to see you there! 

Exciting News from the Vatican: A New Pope Elected

We join millions around the world in welcoming the newly elected Pope, Pope Leo XIV (formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost) who was chosen this week to lead the Catholic Church. Pope Leo XIV brings with him a deep commitment to faith, service, and unity. His election marks a significant moment in Church history, and we look forward to the guidance and inspiration he will offer Catholics around the globe. We invite our school community to keep Pope Leo XIV in their thoughts and prayers as he begins this important mission.

Naomi Loader - Assistant Principal Mission
Maria Woods - Leader of School Evangelisation

Resurrection Liturgy

On our return to school after the Easter break we celebrated Jesus' glorious resurrection together with a liturgy here at school. We listened to how the Mass reflects the events that happened to the disciples on the road to Emmaus just after Jesus’ resurrection; therefore every Sunday is a mini Easter celebration. Alleluia!

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2026 KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS ARE NOW OPEN

Our Kindergarten 2026 Enrolments are now open!
 Please pass on this information to any family or friends who may be interested in enrolling their child in St Augustine's. All children must have an enrolment form submitted, including siblings of existing students. Enrolments for Kinder 2026 close on May 16 2025.
 Enrolment applications are available on the school website: http://www.cofhplism.catholic.edu.au/

 A Kindergarten 2026 Parent INFORMATION EVENING will be held on Wednesday, 14 May 2025 at 7pm. The evening will start in the school hall and will move to the Kindergarten rooms, where there will be an opportunity to learn about the educational opportunities and unique experiences for your child at St Augustine's. Please see the flyer on this post on how to RSVP or via this google form.

SJPC Year 7 2026 Enrolment Period

St Augustine's marches on ANZAC Day

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Year 5 ANZAC Excursion to C.ex Club

On Friday 2 May Year 5 had the privilege of meeting several local Ex-servicemen at the C.ex Club, who taught them about the sacrifices made to keep our country safe and free from war.

We conducted our own memorial service at the Cenotaph that included an amazing performance of The Last Post by Alannah. Many thanks to Garry Heskett for guiding the students through this special service as well as the other wonderful volunteers who made the visit so memorable for our students.

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Pastoral Care

K-2 Parent Storytelling 2025

FIREFLY Arts Festival - Wed June 25

TICKETS ON SALE via COMPASS SOON!

News from the LARC

Our Scholastic Book Fair arrives next Thursday. All students will have the opportunity to view the book fair and complete a wish list with their class. Wish lists will start coming home from Thursday 16 May. The Book Fair will open for sales on Thursday 22 May at 8.30am. Cash and card sales will be accepted. 

Sales dates and times: Thursday 22 May 8.30-9am, lunchtime, 3-5pm

  Monday 26 May 8.30-9am, lunchtime 3-4pm

                                                              Tuesday 27 May 8.30-9am & lunchtime. 

Happy Families

Sport News

NSW PSSA Swimming Championships

Congratulations to the following swimmers who competed at the NSW PSSA Swimming Championships last term.

Josie Nealand - 5th (Multi-Class Junior 50m Backstroke) & 8th ( (Multi-Class Junior 50m Freestyle) 

Senior Boys Relay Team - 16th (Finnley Johnson, Hugh Morgan, Riley O’Brien, Ben Wilson)

Polding Winter Sports Trials

Well done to Sonny Dent (Hockey) and Darby Wall (Football) who competed at the Polding Winter Sports Trials last week.  

Congratulations to Sonny who has been selected in the Polding team to compete at the NSW PSSA Hockey Championships! 

NSW PSSA Tennis Championships

This week saw Riley O’Brien and Angus Morgan compete at the NSW PSSA Tennis Championships in Bathurst.

Big congratulations to them both with their team finishing 4th out of 13 teams!  A wonderful achievement boys! 

Term 3 Years 3-6 Elective Sports

Years 3-6 Elective Sport preferences are now open.  Families were sent Compass notification today to choose their preferences for Term 3 Elective Sports.  Preferences are open until Friday 16 May.  

CANTEEN NEWS

Canteen Roster

Week beginning 12 May 

• Monday - C Williams   
• Tuesday -   M & M Black 
• Wednesday - C  Jones
• Thursday - J Murphy, D Kelly 
• Friday -  W McLean, L Horne, H Webber  

Week beginning   19 May 

• Monday - C Skewes 
• Tuesday -   M & M Black  
• Wednesday - C Jones  
• Thursday - L Hardaker 
• Friday -  W McLean, C Williams, L Lawler, B McClurg 

Notices