T3 W2 Newsletter 2025

From The Principal

MARVELLOUS MOMENTS  |  I am a procrastinator.  Indeed, they can put on my tombstone, ‘He put the pro in procrastination.’  Of course, putting things off inevitably leads to a situation when I am overwhelmed by what needs to be done.  One trick I have found helpful is to do an ‘hour of power’.  I commit myself to work with energy and concentration for one hour at something of what needs to be done, be it housework, gardening, writing.  In manageable doses, I can face even the unpalatable.  The trick is to break down the overwhelming task to manageable size. 

The wisdom behind this is that we can only deal with life one moment at a time, and if we focus our energy, wit and wisdom into that moment, we can face tasks that might otherwise seem intimidating.  This is how AA counsels: one day at a time.  One situation, one moment at a time is what we are often reduced to when dealing with fractious children or difficult people.  We cannot control or change the whole situation but, only moment by moment, can we give loving attention.  Indeed, this is how St Benedict teaches us to pray:  keep it short.  What God wants and what we need to give is a moment of attentive love that truly expresses what our heart feels.  Here, now, moment by moment are challenges to be faces, are we given opportunities to love, are we given the gift of prayer.

Loving God, you know how easily life can whizz by and I hardly know where it has gone.  Give me an attentive heart that I may live in your love and show your life to those with whom I live.  I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

Principal's Messages

CENTENARY WEEK  |  Day by day for Centenary Week is below.

SCHOOL LOGO  |  Our centenary themed emblem at the front of the school serves as a striking tribute to the enduring legacy of the Sisters of Mercy who established St Anne’s Catholic Primary School in 1925.  More than just a design, it’s a visual narrative which captures the heart of our school’s heritage and motto, ‘Faith and Knowledge’.  Through this symbolic representation, our story of compassion, education, and service is carried forward, inspiring the next generation to walk in the footsteps of those who paved the way.

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK  |  Congratulations to the following staff from St Anne’s Catholic Primary School who have been nominated for a Spirit of Catholic Education Week Award.

Prep Enrolments Now Being Taken For 2026

PREP 2026  |  Do you have a Prep student beginning in 2026?

We are now taking enrolments via the online system.  We encourage both existing and new families who have a child starting Prep in 2026 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/   

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

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND GOALS FOR 2025

St Anne's Centenary Week 2025

THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS OF OUR CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

BRONZE SPONSOR

Student Protection News

Across The Curriculum

REPORT CARDS

At the end of the semester one, report cards were uploaded to the Orbit App/Parent Lounge.

If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take the time to read the teacher's comments together and discuss them. This is a wonderful opportunity to praise your child for their effort and achievements throughout the semester, and to celebrate their successes so far. If you have any questions about the report card, please don't hesitate to contact your child’s classroom teacher.

Please find below an extract from the Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton reporting guidelines. 

‘The fundamental purpose of formally reporting to parents and carers on student achievement is to improve student learning. Such improvement is fostered by partnering with parents and carers to provide accurate, timely feedback on student learning progress and holistic development, ensuring shared knowledge and understanding of each child’s learning journey.

Across Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton (CEDR), feedback is provided daily to students through teacher comments, peer collaboration and self-evaluation to support learning gain. Learning progress is also identified, celebrated, and communicated to parents and carers throughout the school year in a variety of ways. In addition, formal reports are written each semester to provide a professional, on-balance, evidence-based judgement about student progress and achievement against clearly articulated standards. Reports are based on information that has been gathered across a period of time.’ (Catholic Education - Reporting to parents and carers on student achievement in Prep - Year 6 Guidelines)

An email was sent home this week regarding ICAS testing. If you would like any further information, please contact Shona Gibson - shona_gibson@rok.catholic.edu.au 

Religious Life of the School

ARE YOU,  OR DO YOU KNOW OF SOMEONE WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN KNOWING MORE ABOUT OUR CATHOLIC FAITH, OR BECOMING A CATHOLIC?

There will be an INFORMATION NIGHT

WHEN   :  6 :30pm, Monday 18th August

WHERE : St Mary’s Parish Centre, 3 Morley Street, South Mackay.

                       (After school carpark.)

THIS JOURNEY IS CALLED: R.C.I.A (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)

Please contact the Southern Cluster Parish Office (Monday - Friday 9am to 1.00pm)

Phone: 49574807 or alternatively by email cluster@smky.catholic.org.au 

We look forward to seeing you.

Finance News

Important Information regarding how School fee payments show on the Parent Orbit App  |  With the introduction of the new Parent Orbit App, parents are now able to easily see where they are up to with their school fee payments. However, an important thing to note is that any payments that have been made in the past 2 weeks may not show in the App, as they need to be processed to your account after the payment is received and this is done in bulk every week or two. If it is longer than 2 weeks since you have made a payment and it is still not showing on the Orbit App, please contact the Finance Officer, Sandra Adams, for it to be looked into. Sorry for any confusion this has caused.  

Sports News

ATHLETICS - MACKAY TRIALS

A special congratulations to Bella R, Naveah W, Katelyn B, Bronson L, Rylan B, Preston H, Max M & Hadley W on your qualifying selection in the Sarina District Team for athletics. We wish you all the best at Mackay District Trials this week.

CHALLENGE CUP - RUGBY LEAGUE & NETBALL

Last week, students from years five and six joined schools from across the Rockhampton Diocese to compete in the annual Challenge Cup competition at Yeppoon. 

The competition, in its 19th year, involves a total of 31 registered schools participating in games of netball and Rugby League. It involves teams from Mackay to Bundaberg and west to Longreach. The competition ran over three days and schools competed for the Netball Challenge Cup, Rugby League Challenge Cup and Catholic Schools’ Challenge Cup.

Over 800 students attended the carnival, along with a number of parents and staff. The three day event provided a wonderful opportunity for schools to gather and compete under a sporting banner, to form friendships and create lifelong memories!

Here are some of the highlights from our Challenge Cup rugby league players:

A huge thank you to: 

• St Mary’s for combining with us as a St Mary’s/St Anne’s Team
• Mr Clancy & Mr Townsend for coaching and Mr Ruddick for assisting with water and training sessions 
• All players, your behaviour was exceptional during the carnival. I am so proud of you all.
• Our water boys - Ben, Jack and Chad
• And to all the families for travelling to Yeppoon, we appreciate you. The players had a great time and created memories to last a lifetime! 

Thanks for a fantastic carnival.

Shona Gibson

Here are some of the highlights from our Challenge Cup netball players:

P&F News

SWAP IT

SWAP IT  |  Try something new this week for your children.  For more everyday lunchbox ideas, visit: www.swapit.net.au/ideas

Student Leadership

Leadership is a quality that all students of St Anne's Catholic Primary School are encouraged and supported to develop.  These experiences ensure that students perceive themselves as leaders and have the opportunity and confidence to take on leadership roles and find their voice.

Newsletter Report Week 1 By  Bella |   On the grid in the morning make sure you sit down and wait quietly for the teachers instructions.  At lunch time, when the bell rings make sure you sit quietly for the teacher's instructions and make sure we use kind words to each other and be positive. With that being said make sure we play fairly at lunch time. 

I would like to congratulate all the students that competed at Sarina district and to those students that made it to Mackay District, Well Done!!

I would like to give a very big thank you to Mr Frost that is now retiring from our school. we will muss you. all the best and take care. 

Just a reminder about rubbish laying around our school. Make sure you pick it up and put it in the bin, so we are a tidy school.

I know today is the last day of the term but we still need to follow our school rules. 

Mercy Awards

Congratulations To Our Mercy Award Recipients Week 10  |  Sophia Z, zayd W, Harry S, Emerson T, Ava S, Matilda J, Lleighton R, Freya S, Abigail M, Olivia T, Cullen K, Julianna D, Evelyn m, Bentley H, Millie t, Charlotte L, Brooklyn K, Chad M, Charlotte W, Mia S, Year 5R

Congratulations To Our Mercy Award Recipients Week 1 |  Indie D, Jonas H, Year 1C, Ryan K, Bentley B, Isla M, Jasper H, Franky R, Kingston W, Felicity E, Lucas N, Bronson L, Amelia S, Jayde C

General Information

Community News