T1 W8 Newsletter 2024

From The Principal

Building Respect Together: Modeling the Behaviour We Want

Dear Parents and Carers,

At St Anne’s Catholic Primary School, we are committed to fostering a learning environment where respect for others and property is important.  We teach our students to be responsible citizens who treat everyone and everything with respect, even when no one is watching.

This value of respect extends beyond the classroom walls.  It's important for students to see this respect demonstrated everywhere, including around the school grounds and within the wider community of Sarina.

While we understand the Uniting Church grounds neighbour our school, we kindly ask that everyone refrain from using their property, including shortcuts and parking in their grounds.  We have had ongoing discussions with the church, and it's important for us to respect their space.

Modeling behaviour is one of the most effective ways to teach children.  When you, as the significant adults in their lives, demonstrate respect for others and property, it sends them a powerful message.  If they see you parking in the church grounds, they may not fully understand the importance of respecting boundaries.

Here's how you can help:

• Use designated pathways and entrances when arriving at and leaving school.
• Park in designated areas and avoid using our neighbour’s grounds for parking.
• Explain to your children why it's important to respect the property of others, even if it seems convenient in the moment.

By working together, we can create a consistent environment where respect is the norm.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Together, we can show our children the importance of treating others and their property with consideration, even when it's not easy or convenient.  That’s when true life lessons happen.

Principal's Messages

COVID Requirements

Student Protection News

Across The Curriculum

NAPLAN

NAPLAN will commence this Wednesday for students in Years 3 and 5. All tests will be administered online, with the only exception being the Year 3 Writing test, which is paper based. Please ensure your child has headphones if they don't already.

St Anne's will be providing a fruit platter on three of the mornings, then a hot breakfast on the final morning of testing for years 3 & 5 students.

Please remember NAPLAN is a point-in-time assessment that shows how your child is progressing in literacy and numeracy against the National standard. Students are not expected to study for NAPLAN. You can support your child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is a part of their school program and reminding them to simply do their best and 'give it a go'.

Student-Parent-Teacher Interviews

Welcome Term One interviews! This is a great time to check in with your child’s classroom teacher regarding their progress and any questions/concerns you may have. Parents and caregivers play an important role in their child’s success. Questions you may wish to ask the classroom teacher during interviews are:

• What is my child learning?
• How is he or she doing?
• How can he or she improve?
• What support can I provide, and can you provide if he or she is struggling? When we check in again?

Questions you may wish to ask your child are:

• What did you learn today?
• How did you do?
• What did you do if you didn’t understand?
• How can you improve on your learning?
• What are you most proud of?
• What went well today?

Thank you for your ongoing support in your child's learning.

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT DOG

Meet Tilly - the Educational Support Dog at St Anne's.

What breed is she?

Tilly is a Labrador, she has a brown nose and green eyes because both her parents are chocolate labradors. Her brothers and sisters are chocolate, and she is the only yellow lab. I think this makes her extra special.

What makes Tilly different to other dogs?

Tilly was purchased and specifically bred for this role. She has been temperament tested and  completed intensive training. Tilly has already had positive imprints to children, adults and other animals (small and large) at the K9AA HQ farm/training centre. She has had early exposure to other environments including vehicles and cafes (with great caution) and vets.

All K9AA Therapy and School dogs wear a bandana when working. Tilly will be at St Anne's on a Monday and Wednesday.

Why bring a dog into school?

Please see below some of the tasks that a school dog may be trained to do. 

Concerns/Questions

Please email shona_gibson@rok.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions or concerns regarding Tilly visiting St Anne's.

The Good News

From the Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Ms Georgia Moloney

Opening School Year Mass

Thank you to all the families that attended our Opening School Year Mass last Thursday. It was delightful to see so many families there. A big thank you to all the students that helped with various roles during the Mass. I was very impressed with how well the students read during the Mass. It was also delightful to hear all the students singing and joining together as one. Thank you to Mr Ballinger-Oches and Mrs Morris for the beautiful music and singing.

Stay tuned for more information in regards to Holy Week Celebrations.

Project Compassion

Memory is 26 years old and lives in rural Malawi. As the eldest child in a low-income farming family, Memory had to take on many household chores and farming activities to support her parents. They struggled to pay for Memory’s school fees and school supplies, and Memory often had to walk to school barefooted. 

With the support of Caritas Australia and its partner the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM), Memory was able to enrol at a technical college where she learnt technical skills in carpentry. She undertook a three-year carpentry course, with CADECOM supporting part of her tuition and boarding fees.

Memory became the first female carpenter from her village. Today, she works as a carpenter at one of Malawi’s largest hydroelectric power stations. With the income from her job, she can provide financial support to her family and inspire other young women in her community so that they may have the opportunity to succeed in a male-dominated industry. Watch Memory’s Story

Please donate to Project Compassion.

Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow, for all future generations. 

You can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes, online by visiting caritas.org.au/project-compassion or by calling 1800 024 413.

Finance News

Concession Card Discounts  |  If you have an existing concession card discount,  please be aware that discounts are not automatically applied to new enrolments.  Discounts are applied to each student upon individual application and there is a form that is required to be completed each time.

If you have an existing concession card registered at St Anne’s and have more than one student, please contact Sandra Adams to confirm that discounts have been applied to each student. 

Term Fees  |  Term 1 fees are now overdue. Please contact Sandra in the office if you have not paid in full or have a payment schedule set up for payment.  

Sports News

Netball News

Last Thursday the St Anne’s Spiral (Year 4-6 team) and St Anne’s Firebirds (Prep- Year 3 team) had a wonderful start to the Sarina and District Netball Competition. Despite it raining all day, the skies cleared and it was perfect netball weather. 

The Spirals played with determination and enthusiasm against the strong Swaynesville Shooters. Za’layah was awarded Player of the Match and Brooklyn was awarded Best and Fairest. Well done Spirals!

The Firebirds have made great improvement since the Round Robin day and were very eager to play against Koumala Krusaders. It was pleasing to see the girls more involved in the play. They are making good improvements with throwing and catching. Piper was awarded Player of the Match. Great work Firebirds!

Tuckshop

If you order Tuckshop for your child, please remember to still supply fruit for fruit break for that day, as well as second lunch if you only order first lunch Tuckshop. 

If you can volunteer to help in the tuckshop from 8:30 -9:30am  please ring Debbie Nielsen on ph. 0417 128 428. 

Student Leadership

Newsletter Report By  Lucy  |   As a school, we need to work together to keep our grounds clean. Not only does rubbish look untidy but it also impacts the natural environment around us. Please put your rubbish in the bin. And if you see rubbish, even if it’s not yours, please pick it up to keep our school a tidy place.

When I was in the playground earlier this week, I noticed students getting along with each other, playing nicely and sharing playground equipment. This is really awesome to see, keep up the great work!

Also, I would like to remind students to be quiet and listen to the teacher when the bell rings at the end of lunch time so we can get those zooperdoopers faster! Lastly, when you’re eating your lunch please be seated at your table.

Mercy Awards

Congratulations To Our Mercy Award Receipients Of The Week  |   Cullan K, Aaliyah K, Emmity S, Lachlan M, Bailey W, Chad K, Mackenzie S, Jordan L, Ben G, Hadley W, Reuben F, Lucas N, Paige E, Xander B, Zan'eisha M, Memphis-Belle D, Addison W, Marcus S, Joseph M, Ellani K, Abigail M, Chelsea W.

General Information

Parent Lounge Guide

St Anne's School Bags From Harlequin

Schoolzine App For Reading Newsletters

Community News