T2 W2 Newsletter 2021

From The Principal

Work - we all have to do it, whether we like it or not.  Even if we like it, we tend to have mixed feelings.  There is almost an expectation in our society that unless our work is deeply ‘satisfying’ and well paid, we will whinge about it. Yet it doesn’t have to be like that.  In the coming week, we will celebrate both Labour Day and the Feast of St Joseph the Worker.

Our Christian faith holds that by working we share in God’s creative power.  In the Creation Story we see God stopping to admire the divine work and proclaim it as good, even very good.  In the Gospels we see Jesus working as a tradesman for years before preaching.  We are made in God’s image and we, too, should take satisfaction in our work.  No matter how humble or boring it is, we find that when we finish a task and appreciate what we have done, we grow as human beings and we have a sense of satisfaction and joy.  Yes, we should be paid a fair wage – that is the way the wider society shows it appreciation of our work – but our respect for and pride in our work is more important than money.

It is important for our children to learn this sense of satisfaction.  They need to do chores around the house.  Even though it can be a bother for us to teach them (it is far easier to do it ourselves), even though they grumble and argue, even though work done might not be up to scratch, they get a sense of belonging to their family and community that no amount of verbal affirmation can give them and at the same time, you, as parents, have the opportunity to be their teachers in the important skills of life.

Loving God, you delight in creation.  As we work, may your Spirit play within us do that we may delight in sharing your care for people and creation.  May the example of Jesus, the tradesman, inspire to take pride in our work.  We ask this in his name confident that you will hear us.

Sr Kym Harris osb

Principal's Messages

THANK YOU  |  The tradition of attendance at ANZAC Day ceremonies and marches has grown in the last decade to now larger numbers.  This is a great recognition of the national pride that we hold in relation to this day.  

This special day ranks as one of the most widely celebrated in Australian culture because of the place that the brave deeds of many Australians have in our history.  ANZAC Day is our solemn memorial to honour our Navy, Army and Air Force service personnel who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to free us from the enemies of our country and to protect the democratic values for which we stand.

I was proud of our school students who either marched with us or other organisations or attended services elsewhere.  Many thanks to all staff who attended, your blood is worth bottling.

We were honoured last Friday to have Sharon Price (Sarina RSL Sub-branch representative) and Able Seaman Tracey Rolfe attend our moving ANZAC LIturgy; this was led by Mrs Eames and year three.  Tracey spoke to us all of the importance of staying focussed to become the best version of ourselves.  She also shared her personal story and how she achieved her goal of joining the Navy.

I love our school and ALL it stands for!

ATTENDANCE - EVERY DAY COUNTS  |  Each parent/carer/guardian of a child who is of compulsory school age has the legal obligation to ensure their child is enrolled and attends a school.  Each parent/carer/guardian of a child enrolled in a Catholic school or college in the Diocese of Rockhampton regardless of the child’s year level has the legal obligation to ensure their child attends on every school day for the educational program in which the child is enrolled, unless the parent has a satisfactory reason for the child’s absence.

Flu Season Reminder

Flu Season Reminder

As you are aware every year Queensland experiences an influenza or flu season. As we enter this season it is timely to remind parents and care-givers not to be complacent about flu. Queensland Health advises that where possible, people need to be vaccinated for the flu every year.

Flu is a virus more serious than the common cold and can be spread through talking, coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include sudden fever, dry cough, muscle aches and pains, fatigue, headache, sore throat and a stuffy or runny nose.

If your child has flu-like symptoms, the following is advised:

• Keep your child home from school;
• Ensure your child washes their hands regularly with soap and water or sanitiser gel;
• Encourage your children when coughing or sneezing, to cover their mouth and nose with disposable tissues which should be disposed of immediately;
• Ensure they drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest;
• Consult your doctor if you are concerned about their symptoms.

Queensland Health Guidelines advise that individuals displaying flu like symptoms should  stay at home until such symptoms have passed (normally 5-7 days). 

Families should also reinforce the recommended protective actions listed above.

Increased awareness and ongoing attention to prevention and control measures, such as vaccination and good hygiene, are steps that we can all promote to reduce the impact of influenza.

Enrolments For 2022 Now Being Taken

ENROLMENTS FOR 2022  |  Enrolments for Prep are currently being taken for the 2022 school year.  If you have a child due to commence Prep next year born between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2017, please complete an online enrolment form available from the school website: https://www.sasrok.catholic.edu.au/

Enrolments for Years 1—6 are also currently being taken for 2022.  Interviews will commence in Term Two. 

For all enrolments we need to sight the original birth certificate or have a certified copy please.

Crossing Supervisor Position

CASUAL POSITION VACANT

A casual position exists for a School Crossing Supervisor at ST Anne’s School.

The School Crossing Supervisor may be required to work five days per week in all weather conditions. The hours of work for School Crossing Supervisors are 1 hour a day and usually comprise of 40 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the afternoon Commencement date to be advised a Pay Rate of $30.34 per hour.

The successful applicants will be dependent on:

• The suitable outcome of a health assessment carried out by a GP of your choice according to the guidelines in the “Notes for Medical Practitioner” on the School Crossing Supervisor Scheme – Health Assessment Form; (this is paid by the Department)
• A Positive  Blue Card Notice (This is also paid by the Department and means you do not need to have a blue card to apply for the position)

If you are interested in the position please collect an application form from the School administration or contact Karen Cantoni (Road Safety officer) on 49 518331.

The School Crossing Supervisors Application is to be returned to School for the school principals' recommendation.

Across The Curriculum

Upcoming Events For Term 2!

With the relaxing of COVID restrictions, some key events that our students attend are, at this stage, up and running once again.

Whitsunday Voices-SAVE THE DATE: Our Year 2-Year 6 students love attending Whitsunday Voices. Once again, the committee have secured a terrific line up of authors and illustrators, graphic novelists, artists, scientists and the amazing SLAM Poet for 2021. Once we have selected the presenters that are appropriate for our age groups and timing for buses, a note will come home with the finer details such as costings. 

DATES TO REMEMBER:

FESTIVAL DATES:           THURSDAY 15 AND FRIDAY 16 JULY 2021.

PROGRAM LAUNCH:       FRIDAY 23 APRIL 2021 (to be confirmed)

TICKETS ON SALE:          FRIDAY 23 APRIL 2021 @ $8/session (as per 2019) 

ICAS Testing Dates! ICAS Assessments^TM are designed to recognise academic excellence. Students are assessed on their ability to apply classroom learning to new contexts, using higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills. These assessments are all online, and our students really do enjoy participating in these challenges. The parent payment window will open over the coming weeks, and once our school has registered, a letter inviting our Year 3-6 students will be sent home with further details such as costings.  The assessment window begins on Monday, 9 August 2021.

National Simultaneous Storytime! National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 21st successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

This year, St Anne's Catholic Primary School will be participating in this event, and it is going to be quite exciting! This year, it takes place on Wednesday 19 May 2021 at 11:00am from the International Space Station!! Astronauts will be sharing 'Give Me Some Space' written and illustrated by Philip Bunting. Everyone can join NSS, it doesn't matter whether you are at home, a school, a public library or even a university library! 

Register to participate  - (it's free)

Have a blessed week!

Linda Holmes (Mrs H)

Assistant to the principal: Curriculum

The Good News

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER YEAR B

John 10:11-18 - The Good Shepherd

Can you think of some people who have the job of protecting or looking after people?

What would they need to be like or need to know to do their jobs well?

Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd who cares for his sheep.

Who are the sheep Jesus cares for?

We are his flock. How can we be a good flock?

We give thanks for God’s love and care for us and pray that we can show God’s love to others.

What does it mean to belong to the church?

Is it just a matter of saying we belong?

We show by our actions that we are members – that we are believers in, and followers of Jesus. But we are never alone; Jesus is always with us, especially when we feel weak or afraid. Today when we hear the story of the Good Shepherd we are reminded of Jesus' love for us. He will guard us, care for us and protect us.

In Sunday's reading from the Gospel of John, Jesus likens himself to a humble shepherd. But unlike shepherds who work for pay and might abandon the sheep when danger appears, Jesus lays down his life for his sheep. Jesus regards all people as his sheep, not just those who join his flock as Christians.

We, as Christian members of Jesus’ flock, are called to be shepherds like him – not to lead with power and ambition, but to put the welfare of others before our own welfare.

Sacramental News

Congratulations to Claire, Dylan, Dain, Anthony, Connor and Makinley who made their Sacrament of Reconciliation on Sunday 18th of April. 

Reconciliation (officially called the Sacrament of Penance, and also known as Confession) is a Sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ in his love and mercy to offer us forgiveness for the times we have sinned and turned away from God. At the same time, we are reconciled with the Church because it is also wounded by our sins.

Every time we sin, we hurt ourselves, other people and God. In Reconciliation, we acknowledge our sins before God and the Church. We express our sorrow in a meaningful way, receive the forgiveness of Christ and his Church, make reparation for what we have done, and resolve to do better in the future. 

Further updates about the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion will be made available once the Southern Cluster Sacramental Team has met. 

Catholic Mission Australia

Today we were fortunate to have Mr Greg Clair (Director - Catholic Mission) from the Rockhampton Diocese visit St Anne's to present a certificate of appreciation and a soccer ball for the fundraising efforts in support of Catholic Mission Australia. Over $2000 has been raised which is an amazing effort for a smaller school! 

In Greg's words, "the communities have benefited greatly from the wonderful contribution from students and teachers towards the Catholic Mission appeal. In particular the amount raised at St Anne`s was outstanding from such a small school".

A big thank you to all members of the St Anne's community for your ongoing support of Catholic Mission Australia. 

MAKING JESUS REAL - WEEKS 2 & 3

What is your favourite thing to do?

What makes you happy?

Jesus showed love to all he met.  How did he do this? 

How can we be like our friend Jesus?

Blessings,

Stuart.

Mr Stuart Presley

Assistant Principal - Religious Education

stuart_presley@rok.catholic.edu.au 

Sports News

St Anne's Cross Country 

After postponning our cross country last term, we were able to run the cross country on Tuesday the 20th of April.  The course was nice and dry and the weather was cooler for the students to run their distances.   Twelve and eleven year old students ran 3km while  the ten year olds ran 2km.  All participants enjoyed an iceblock after their race, which helped in their recovery.  The following student completed the course in the required time.  They will represent St Anne's in the Sarina District Cross Country on Friday  30th of April at Sarina showgrounds.  Thankyou to staff in assisting with the smooth running of this event.  Also thank you to Sonja Renehan for volunteering your time to help with the event too.

Tuckshop Volunteers

Student Protection Contacts

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 By  Isabella  |   Thank you to everyone who participated in cross-country last Tuesday, and thanks to all the teachers who helped out . Also the school is nice and clean so I hope we can keep it that way. It’s great to see that everyone is including each other at play time.

I hope you had a great weekend.

Newsletter Report By Lucas  |  Something that I have been noticing about the school is that the grounds are clean, please keep them that way.  Please wear your hats to play and if you don’t have one, you need to sit outside the Prep classroom as we don’t want you to get burnt.  Please remember to not run on cement as we don’t want you getting hurt.  Always walk.

Lucas Cox

Students Of The Week

Congratulations To Our Students Of The Week  |   Charlotte L, Max D, Tia F, Isabelle H, Xander B, Khloe S, Zane C, Memphis-Belle D, Addison W, Hudson V, Brendan B, Montana W, Savannah B, Archie V, Lilly Z, Tate C, Peyton C, Neena P, Katie B, Gus G, Zac G, Dain M, Zoe J, Callum S, Nathan B, Brady K, Zoe P, Zeva L

Birds Of A Feather

General Information

Student Attendance Data - Term 2, Week 1

Regular attendance helps your child develop the skills needed to access the world of work and other opportunities, learn the importance of punctuality and routine and make and keep friendships.  

There are many ways in which families can support their children to be prepared for learning at school. Making school attendance a high priority in your family would probably be the most important, but also by ensuring children get enough sleep, a good diet and regular exercise; by encouraging reading from an early age; by sharing the learning journey through an active involvement in our wonderful school, and in your child’s hobbies and extra-curricular activities, and so on.  

What should you do if your child refuses to go to school?

You should immediately contact Mr Oches, Mrs Linda Holmes or Mr Presley. Reluctance to attend school is sometimes an indication that a student is experiencing social or emotional problems.  

Unless there are exceptional circumstances the minimum acceptable attendance rate for the school year is 90%. If your child is, on average, missing more than 3 days per term they will not be meeting the expected minimum attendance requirements. 

New Schoolzine App for Reading Newsletters

Schoolzine SZApp  |  As you are aware, at St Anne’s we have implemented a new format for our newsletter this year called Schoolzine. We encourage families to download the free SZApp which will enable you to easily see our newsletter on any device and receive alerts when the latest newsletter is available. The newsletter link will also continue to be emailed out to parents. 

Once thge SZApp is downloaded, please complete your registration, using our school passcode 4818. More instructions on how to install the SZApp are below.

Community News