Newsletter - 2024 Term 3 Week 9

Calendar

From the Leaders

When we express extreme emotions of happiness, fear, or anxiety, we tend to use vivid imagery to communicate the depth of our feelings. This happens in Mark’s Gospel this week. We must be careful that if we speak and act in God’s name, we must be sure it is God’s Word we are sharing, not ours. Jesus tells us that it would be terrible to lose a hand or an eye, but it would be even more terrible to lose being counted as one of the people in God’s Kingdom.

Year 1 - Religious Education

Father Alejo introduced our Year 1 students to their new Religious Education unit on baptism last week. Students and families were treated to a ‘mock baptism’ as part of their liturgy to help with their understanding of the symbols and significance of the sacrament. Congratulations to the children for their great prayer responses, interesting questions and wonderful singing. They also still hold the record for the most families to join a class for these celebrations.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 10

Next

Kinder - God’s love

This week Kinder continued their celebration of learning more about God’s love in their liturgy with Father Alejo. Their Religious Education unit has taught them about stories from the Old Testament including about Moses as a baby. We were excited to see so many family members join us and come back to school to share Lunch One.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 17

Next

Police Safety Talk

Senior Constable Steve visited on Thursday to talk about the importance of safety at home, school and in the community prior to the holidays. He reinforced the importance of us following rules to keep us safe, but also as people who belong to a “team”. He covered rules on physical aggression, swearing, racist comments, cyber safety, inappropriate physical contact and the importance of regular school attendance.

Senior Constable Steve has asked students to design posters based on the information he shared as a holiday project. He intends to judge the entries after the holidays for those students in Years 4, 5 and 6 who are interested. He also suggested sharing their new learnings with their families.

Confirmation Reflection and Ceremonies

Bishop Greg again reinforced the great value in students feeling loved to set them in good stead to make future choices. He congratulated families, sponsors and teachers for supporting them in their faith journey. 

Congratulations to all of our candidates:

Alyssa D, Annalisa L, Ariah A, Arie F, Ava R, Cade W, Charlie T, Charlotte M, Diyana S, Ella M, Ella R, Gillyanna V, Jaxson F, Jupiter S, Lachlan C, Lily S, Nicholas B, Rocco M, Rocky W, Scarlett E, Sophie J, Storm T, Theodore H and Willow H.

On Monday Year 3 participated in their Reflection Day in readiness for their sacrament. They were supported by the Year 3 Staff and classmates for their learning. Thank you to staff and choir members who could attend the ceremonies.

Year 5 - Design A Floating Garden

Green Team

The St Agnes’ Green Teams have been working hard preparing the site for Aggies’ Veggie Patch. These past weeks have seen the Green Teams carefully marking out the perimeter for each bed using ground marking paint and various kinds of tape measures, and then learning how to use a laser to obtain accurate levels before digging holes for the corner posts. As well, they have begun staining the timber sleepers to make the finished product that much more attractive. 

The students are learning real-life skills that they can take with them into their teenage years, such as teamwork, listening closely to instructions, working safely, and understanding the responsibility that comes with working autonomously.

We hope to be assembling the garden beds in the first weeks of Term 4.

The School Community Forum have put together a sub-committee of parents to raise funds to make this initiative possible. If you would like to sponsor our Green Teams and their major project this year, please enquire at the Front Office, or email our Green Team Co-ordinator and Student Support Officer, Simon Hersee at simon.hersee@lism.catholic.edu.au.

There are numerous levels of sponsorship available, and each dollar contributed goes towards materials and tools for our Green Teams, so they may continue to build the sense of pride and accomplishment for which we strive here at St Agnes’ Primary School.

Whizzy The Waterdrop Visits Kindergarten

Exuro

Expressions of Interest to attend the Exuro Retreat Day have been sent out today to all Year 5 students.

Exuro is a one day faith retreat experience using various prayer methods, group processes and student-led discussions to equip students to be faith leaders in their parish school communities. It is intended that this cohort of students will be invited back for similar days as part of student discipleship and peer leadership programs each year while they are in Catholic education.

Learning Conversations

Semester Two Learning Conversation times are now open for bookings in your Compass Conferences tab. There are a variety of times and dates available to select from. Learning Conversations are an opportunity to meet and continue to work in partnership with teachers to support your child’s learning and well-being. Years 3-6 are welcome to attend with their parents/carers. All meetings will be held in your child’s classroom. Please contact your child’s teacher or the front office if you have any questions.

Stage 3 CPR Course

CPR opportunity for stage 3 next term. This incursion will develop skills and knowledge in performing effective CPR, both around the water and in the general community. This is an opt in event and will be shared with families in Years 5 and 6. It will be held in the school hall on Tuesday 15 October (first day back). A response as to whether you would like your child to attend needs to be in by Thursday of Week 10.

HEM - Design A Sold Sticker Competition

Congratulations to Chelsea Orme who was one of 25 runners up in the yearly competiton. According to HEM it was one of their biggest ever in terms of entries.

Council Update for Boronia Street

Below is the latest response from the council regarding requests to plan for making school traffic and parking better at St Agnes’ Primary School.

'We will be undertaking some renewed line making in Boronia Street and installing  a “no u turn” sign on the corner of Heather Street and Boronia Street.

We are also meeting with TfNSW on the 27th of September to discuss a number of issues. During this meeting we are addressing the traffic concerns around a number of schools in our LGA. I will have a more informative update around traffic concerns after this meeting.'

Staff Professional Learning Day - Friday 27 September and Monday 14 October

Supervision will be available at school on Friday 27 September and Monday 14 October for any families that are not able to organise alternative arrangements. Children should be in their uniform and will need to bring lunch, fruit, hat and a water bottle. Lunch orders are available, the canteen will be operating as normal on this day. Please use the link below to register your child.

To book your child’s place please log on to www.schoolinterviews.com.au. The unique code to log on is ke7p3

Sports News

Paul Wilson Cup and Lismore Diocese Netball Challenge

The Year 6 Hastings Zone Gala Day was postponed because of wet weather. Unfortunately, finding an alternative date that worked for all schools wasn't possible. As a result, the decision was made to hold a competition-only event to select the netball and soccer teams that will represent the Hastings Zone at the Finals in Grafton on Wednesday 25 September. The competition took place today at St Peter’s, and we will share a full report with the results and details next week.

NRL Hastings All Schools Cup

Next week, six teams from Years 3 to 6 will compete in the NRL Hastings All Schools Cup at Stuart’s Park. Three teams in the Under 10s and three in the Under 12s will play in a full day of competitive rugby league. This will be a full contact event, so all players must wear mouthguards and boots. Although headgear is not mandatory, it is highly recommended. Special thanks to Mr Brazel, Mr Behan and Mr Evans for preparing the boys and girls through lunchtime contact training sessions.

Transport to Stuart's Park will be provided by bus, and permission notes have already been sent out via Compass to participating students. The bus departs at 8:30am, so students should arrive at school by 8:15am to allow time to mark the roll and a smooth departure. We encourage all families to come out and support their children at the fields on Wednesday. Sunscreen will be provided throughout the day.

2024 Summer Sports Trials

This week, students in Years 4 and 5 had the chance to nominate for the upcoming Summer Sports Trials. These trials serve as selection events for basketball, touch football, cricket, softball and tennis. If your child is interested in trying out for any of these sports, please have a conversation with them. Similar to the winter sports trials, we can only send a limited number of students for each sport to the Zone Carnival. In some cases, school-level trials will be held to determine which students advance to Zone.

The trials will be held over two separate days, allowing students the opportunity to participate in more than one sport. The basketball and tennis trials will take place on Monday 28 October, in Port Macquarie. Please note that transportation to these venues will need to be arranged privately. For the tennis trials, students must be part of a junior development squad (or similar coaching program) or regularly participate in tennis competitions.

The touch football and cricket trials are scheduled for Monday 4 November in Kempsey. Students trying out for cricket should be familiar playing with a six-stitch cricket ball and must bring their own protective gear. Transportation for these trials will be provided by bus, shared with other Hastings Catholic Schools. 

Future Dates

• Wednesday 25 September: NRL All School Rugby League Gala Day - Stuart’s Park
• Wednesday 25 September: Paul Wilson Cup & Lismore Diocese Netball Challenge Finals - Grafton
• Monday 28 October: Summer Sports Trials (Years 4 and 5 Basketball and Tennis)
• Monday 4 November: Summer Sports Trials (Years 4 and 5 Cricket and Touch Football)

Student Awards

Congratulations to the following students who have reached 500 Dojos:

Alex A and Fritz T

Congratulations to the following students who have reached 400 Dojos:

Ethan W and Isabelle P

Congratulations to the following students who have reached 300 Dojos:

Abhyukth S, Angel S, Aurora P, Avinav S, Charlotte B, Harper W, Indiana F, Joshua A, Jovan C, Kai N, Lexi C, Lucas G, Luka E, Rory C, Sadie O, Sharleigh F, Stella S and Tabitha B

Congratulations to the following students who have reached 200 Dojos:

Charlee C, Charlotte D, Charlotte L, Cooper W, Eli M, Elloise G, Emily K, George S, Georgina F, Hayley G, Jade J, Jesse H, Koby S, Lacey W, Lachlan L, Laylah W, Liam C, Lucas K, Makayla D, Malakai C, Michelle A, Nikita S, Noah F, Olive G, Piya V, Raphael C, Raquel R, Sophia F, Thomas S, Tyson E, Zane B and Zayne D

Congratulations to the following students who have reached 100 Dojos:

Kaushik M

Aisha M, Annabelle H, Asha W, Ayarin A, Charlie H, Charlotte H, Charlotte L, Chase M, Cooper W, Cruze M, Davina I, Duke W, Elijah N, Elise G, Elkie L, Ella M, Emilia T, Ethan J, Evie E, Felix S, Harley C, Harriet M, Hayden N, Henry B, Ira S, Isabelle P, Isiah D, Isla W, James H, Jaxton N, Jude H, Kitt Q, Kobi W, Lachlan F, Lockie M, Lucas K, Madelyn F, Matilda W, Maxwell S, Mia T, Nate B, Patrick M, Ryley W, Scarlett F, Sienna L, Tate A, Willow H, Xy C and Zali T

Positive Behaviour Support

This week our focus is on being resolute in our relationships and asking our peers ‘are you okay?’ For the next two weeks, we are learning about how we can increase our confidence to approach our peers in various situations and support them. Students will learn how to check in with their peers. We will learn that just by checking in with someone and genuinely listening to them can help make them feel supported, safe, heard and feel better about their situation.  

PBS Treat Day Winner....

Congratulations to our winning house Boronia who have received the most dojos for following the 4R’s for the term a second time this year. They will all be invited to attend the House Treat day on Monday 23 September.

Family Resources:

Books to Share:

St Agnes' Primary School Community Forum

'Spring Fling' 6:00pm Tonight

We are looking forward to an evening of fun and community at tonight’s parent event on the Sunset Deck at Tacking Point Tavern. 

Tickets $15 (includes a drink upon arrival)

Book Now via this LINK 

SAVE THE DATE - Colour Run Family Event

Thursday 24 October 3:30pm-5:30pm. Further details coming soon.

 To get in touch, please email pandfstagnes@gmail.com.

Canteen News

Parish News

Community News