St Anne's Catholic Primary School Sarina eNewsletter

From The Principal

Alleluia! He is Risen

These words are repeated over and over in our Church during this Easter. And someone outside the Church could easily say, ‘So what!’ Even when we look at the Gospels themselves, Jesus’ Resurrection is a very understated affair. Your children’s birthday parties probably have more pizzaz in them. Jesus’ Resurrection is announced quietly to a few loving, and distressed, women, revealed to the disciples hidden behind closed doors where Jesus offers forgiveness and peace. Is this the way to catch the attention and following of the world? What difference does it make? Perhaps the best way to understand that is to look at what we Christians believe.

As Christians we believe:

That good can come out of bad. The power Jesus gave in defeating death is given to us. We are not defined or confined by the bad things that happen to us. We can turn them to good.

That prayer really makes a difference. The good desires I have for others can be offered to God and sent to surround and care for them – even if they are on the other side of the world.

That forgiveness is not only possible but desirable. When we hear stories of people who have forgiven those who have wronged them, we understand, we get it – even if we feel it might be beyond us.

That virtue is something for which we should work and strive. Yes, we want to be better because we believe we have been made for that.

This is where we know the Risen Christ alive in us. In this transformation, we see the life-giving power he has unleashed in the world. Let yourself be surprised this Easter by recognising and appreciating the new divine life that is rising in your hearts.

Loving God, my faith can seem so ordinary at times that I think it has little effect on me. Let me realise how the Holy Spirit is alive within me allowing the life of Jesus to rise in my heart and in my life. I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

Principal's Messages

PICTURE PLATES | I fondly remember a time from my children's younger years; With shining faces, they created what they believed were masterpieces, and those masterpieces were then transferred onto special picture plates. These plates for us became a cherished record of their artistic journeys, each one capturing a stage in their lives, which we are still thrilled to possess. We are delighted to announce that soon, our STA families will have the opportunity to create their own lasting keepsakes through a similar experience! Keep your eyes peeled.

Prep Enrolments for 2025

PREP 2025 | Do you have a Prep student beginning in 2025?

We are now taking enrolments via the online system. We encourage both existing and new families who have a child starting Prep in 2025 to lodge their enrolment application as soon as possible. Applications are to be made via our online enrolment application available on our website via this link: https://www.sasrok.catholic.edu.au/

Applications close early May, with interviews commencing mid-May.

Please contact the school office for further information or if any assistance is required.

Year 3 - 6 School Choir

Exciting news for our budding vocalists! Starting this Wednesday during first lunch playtime, we're launching a year 3-6 choir open to all interested students. We're aiming to perform at upcoming church and school events, adding a melodious touch to our community gatherings. Parents and students with any questions or eager to join can reach out to Miss Rice at siobhan_rice@rok.catholic.edu.au. Let's harmonize and make some beautiful music together!

Yarning Circle Blessing & Opening

Towards the end of last term, we held the Blessing and Opening of our Yarning Circle. We were fortunate that rain stayed away, and the Smoking Ceremony performed by Uncle Phil was able to go ahead.
The students were educated on the Yarning Circle, including the plants that surround it. They then responded with a whole school pledge to be respectful when in this space. We sincerely thank our Yuwi Custodians for their ongoing guidance with Cultural immersion and protocols. Nicole and the team from Aurizon were also acknowledged for their financial contributions as well as Nicola Gill and Matt Tatchell for their help with planting.
The Yarning Circle will continue to grow, and it is our vision that the staff and students will in time be able to use the plants in their understanding of First Nations culture and histories. We are now working with Mrs McCowan on the second stage, with an outdoor learning board to be developed and placed on the outer rim of the Yarning Circle.
Lastly, a massive personal thank you to our Principal John, who encourages everyone to create opportunities to learn and share First Nations knowledge in such a respectful and caring manner.
Have a wonderful week.
Karlie Tatchell
Senior Regional Indigenous Education Liaison Officer

COVID Requirements

Student Protection News

Across The Curriculum

Welcome back to Term 2! I hope you had a restful break and enjoyed the holidays with your children.

Let’s talk about reading…

One of our School Improvement Priorities at St Anne’s is to enhance the learning growth of students in reading.

How are we planning to do this? The first step is to increase the reading volume. This will be implemented at school, however a fabulous at home resource is ‘Sora’. This is an online library providing access to ebooks and audiobooks. Sora can be downloaded on a phone or ipad and can also be accessed online.

How can I access it?

SORA – can be accessed online or download the app on your phone

Catholic Education has a SORA subscription. Search SORA, then click on ‘find my school’

Type: ACEN

Click on ACEN again

You will then be asked to choose your diocese – Rockhampton, then your child can type his/her username and password:

There are many great reading resources on SORA, including audiobooks (these are great for long car trips, and stop children arguing – tried and tested!)

ESTI MYSTERY

It is fantastic to hear conversations around the school about the Newsletter ESTI mystery. As mentioned previously, an ESTI mystery is a fantastic way to engage students at the beginning of the lesson.

Each image invites students to wonder what number is represented by the image. As you work through each Esti-Mystery, clues will appear that will allow the students to use math concepts to narrow the set of possibilities to a small set of numbers.

Have a chat with your child and discuss the possible answers to the below ESTI Mystery.

Drumroll please.... the answer is 87 objects.

Thanks and have a great week!

The Good News

From the Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Ms Georgia Moloney

Project Compassion

Caritas Australia would like to THANK YOU for supporting Project Compassion 2024. If you still have your Project Compassion box at home, please bring it back to school next week or visit caritas.org.au/project-compassion and donate online.

Your generosity will empower the world’s most vulnerable communities to grow stronger and lift themselves out of poverty.

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

Watch the Project Compassion Thank You film.

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

St Anne’s Monthly Family Mass at St Michael's Church

On Sunday the 28th of April, we will be inviting Year 6 students to assist with different aspects within the Mass. Students will be given assistance in the lead up to help them prepare for their reading.

All families are invited to join the Mass and stay after for a shared morning tea.

Year 6 students will be sent home some information this week to see if they would be available to help.

It would be really lovely to see families attending our Family Mass to strengthen the union between the St Anne’s and St Michael’s communities. Looking forward to seeing you there and having a chat after.

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.

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 on Thursday or Friday please ring Debbie Nielsen on ph. 0417 128 428.