Newsletter - 2025 Term 1 Week 10
Easter Mass Times
Calendar
To access the School Calendar on Compass:
- Using a mobile phone: Click on the Calendar tab at the bottom of your Compass home page. You will have the option to view the calendar as daily or weekly. To see future dates, click on the small calendar at the top right hand side.
- Using a computer: Click on the Calendar icon at the top left hand side next to the Compass logo. You will have the option to view the calendar as a day, week, month or term.
Principal Message
Embracing the Journey of Holy Week
Holy Week is the most significant time in the Catholic faith, marking the final days before Easter Sunday—the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection. Spanning from Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday, this sacred week invites Catholics to pray, reflect, and journey through Jesus’ suffering, sacrifice, and ultimate triumph over death.
The week begins with Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Holy Thursday honours the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist, while Good Friday is a solemn day of reflection on Jesus’ crucifixion and selfless sacrifice. Through these days, Catholics are called to deepen their faith, contemplate Christ’s boundless love and mercy, and prepare their hearts for the joy of Easter.
By intentionally observing Holy Week, we embark on a spiritual pilgrimage - one that strengthens our connection to Christ and renews our hope in His Resurrection.
Palm Sunday: Sunday 13 April 2025
Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who came not as a conquering king, but as a humble servant. On this Palm Sunday, we celebrate His victory over sin and death, paving the way for our salvation. Amen
Holy Thursday: Thursday 17 April 2025
Jesus, in these last few days leading up to Easter, as I recall your passion and death, let me remember that, above all, I am called to feed your sheep. You have given me a model of how to live; may I strive to be all that you created me for, spreading the love of God and the truth of our Catholic faith wherever I am able. You are the way, the truth, and the life. Amen.
Good Friday: Friday 18 April 2025
Jesus, No one knows change better than you. You died on the cross, and three days later you rose from the dead. Forty days later you ascended into heaven and left the world transformed for the rest of time. Help me to transform my soul, to die to sin and death and be reborn in your love and eternal life. Amen.
Holy Saturday: Saturday 19 April 2025
Jesus, You are courage incarnate. As you hung on the cross for my sins and the sins of the world, you showed me that all things are possible. You knew that life did not end on the cross. It was only the beginning of a new and glorious eternal life. Amen.
Easter Sunday: Sunday 20 April 2025
Almighty Father, I thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead and redeemed human kind. Fill us with the fire of the Holy Spirit, that we may be faithful disciples and enthusiastic witnesses of our Catholic faith. Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed. Amen
Easter is a great reminder that Christ died and rose again for each one of us. His death and resurrection can transform our lives. Lives that have a love for our neighbour, respect for all creation and lives that restore hope and mercy. This Easter, we invite you to participate in the Easter celebrations in our Parish.
May the Lord's blessing accompany us on our journey towards the light of Easter.
I would like to wish all of our families a wonderful break over the school holidays and Easter period. I hope you are able to spend precious time with each other and enjoy a great break and a happy and holy Easter.
Congratulations to everyone, we have started the year really well. Enjoy the break and rest up in preparation for what is to come in Term 2.
Building and Maintenance
I want to inform you about some essential works taking place at school during the upcoming term break to improve our facilities for all students.
Firstly, we will be undertaking critical roof restoration on several buildings, including the Year 1 and Year 2 learning spaces, toilet areas, awning sections and the CAPA and Hall roofs. While this work is necessary to address existing issues and ensure the longevity of these spaces.
Secondly, following council advice, we will be removing a diseased tree on the main oval. We are committed to enhancing our green spaces and supporting local wildlife, and we are pleased to share that we have secured a grant, thanks to Mr Simon Hersee, to replant the oval with native trees. These new trees, which will contribute to the local koala corridor, are ready for planting early next term.
Additionally, our existing solar system will be fully replaced and upgraded during the break. An inspection revealed it is no longer functioning efficiently due to its age and the difficulty in sourcing replacement parts. This upgrade will provide a more reliable and sustainable energy source for our school. We are excited to see this improvement occur, as it will allow for us to have future upgrades in other areas.
Finally, our Administration Entry will be receiving a fresh coat of paint and a welcoming refresh. We are excited for you to experience this revitalised space when you return on the first day of Term 2.
We appreciate your understanding as we undertake these important projects to enhance our school environment for the benefit of all our students. We look forward to welcoming you back to a refreshed St Agnes' in Term 2.
Peace be with you
Brendan Kiely
Principal (Acting)
Assistant Principal - Mission
Holy Week
In preparation for Holy Week next week, St Agnes’ students have been involved in a variety of activities to bring this important celebration in the Church’s calendar to life in a relevant and meaningful way.
Years 5 and 6 students volunteered their lunch times to make Palm Crosses that will be distributed to parishioners at this Sunday’s masses celebrating Palm Sunday.
All students participated in a Holy Week Pilgrimage, travelling between different 3D displays representing the key events in Jesus’ journey from entering Jerusalem for the Passover Meal on Palm Sunday, through the Last Supper, Jesus’ arrest in the garden of Gethsemane and suffering on the Cross on Good Friday.
We are grateful to students who have volunteered their services on Good Friday, along with students from other parish schools to present the Stations of the Cross on Oxley Beach.
All families are invited to join this meaningful community celebration, starting at 9:00am.
Congratulations to everyone who contributed to our Hope-itas promotion, raising money for others in need through Project Compassion.
From donations made in project Compassion boxes, families ordering the personlised Easter Bags made by Aunty Michelle in the office and buying tickets in our Easter Raffle, we will be able to donate just over $1,930 towards maintaining water tanks purchased last year for school students in Samoa and helping families to start their own businesses selling farm produce. Thanks to the SRC who chose these specific charities, promoted the fundraising and assisted with the packing and handing out of our Easter prizes.
Congratulations to our major prize winners:
1st - Leo
2nd - Kade
3rd - Eva
Year 4 Make Lourdes’ Residents Day
Today several of our Year 4 students worked with residents from Lourdes Village to create Easter Cards. We look forward to other opportunities to collaborate and continue to strengthen the relationship between the youth and seniors of our parish.
Staff Professional Learning Day - Friday 11 April and Monday 28 April
Supervision will be available at school on Friday 11 April and Monday 28 April 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 for:
Friday 11 April - 9zdwy
Monday 28 April - 5zsjr
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
Learning and Teaching Updates
It has been a busy term of learning at St Agnes’. We continue to plan high quality learning experiences across all grade levels. Kindergarten have settled into school so beautifully and are learning so much. Year 1 have been working so hard on their reading skills, Year 2 have had a fabulous excursion and built the most amazing bridges in Science. Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 are all working so hard on their spelling using Spell-Ex and the whole school has been beautifully reverent during their Religious Education learning as we have recalled all of the events of Holy Week through our visits to the hall and the Stations of the Cross. It has been wonderful to witness the conversations amongst the students as they learn about what happened to Jesus during the Easter Story.
We are sure that all of the children are looking forward to a break from learning. Please remember that the children have access to the Multilit eLibrary so that they can continue to read at home over the holidays.
As we have previously mentioned we have been planning all term for our whole school Mathematics focus which includes a trial of the Number Fluency program. We have included information from Dr Ange Rogers who is the author of the Number Fluency Program.
Sports News
Diocesan Winter Sports Trials - Soccer
Last Friday, Amelia A, Kitt Q, Nicholas D, and Ardan B travelled to Grafton for the Diocesan Soccer Winter Sports Trials. This was the third attempt to hold the trials due to weather-related field closures. The decision was made to relocate the trials to the synthetic hockey fields for both the boys' and girls' selections. While the location change made conditions challenging, our players did their best throughout the day.
The event primarily featured a gala day format where teams from Hastings, Clarence, Richmond, and Tweed competed against one another, while selectors assessed skill and teamwork.
The level of soccer on display was exceptionally high, and our Aggies players impressed the selectors. Congratulations to all four players for making the Diocesan selections! Congratulations to Nicholas D and Amelia A, for advancing to the Polding selections in Bathurst.
Nicholas and Amelia will join Georgina F (netball), Eli M, Ivy G, and Mia B (hockey) at the trials. Our league players will have their opportunity to secure a spot today as they compete in Grafton. This is an outstanding achievement for our students and for Aggies Sport.
Polding AFL and a Big Week for Beau L
On Tuesday, Beau L travelled to Newcastle to compete in the Polding AFL Trials, where he faced off against AFL players from Catholic schools across Northern NSW. Through a series of skill and selection games, Beau impressed the selectors and earned a spot on the Polding Team, which will compete at the NSW PSSA State Championships in June.
It’s been a busy week for Beau. He was in Newcastle on Tuesday for the AFL trials, Kempsey on Wednesday for the Zone Union Trials, and Grafton on Today for the Diocesan League Trials. Well done, Beau!
Zone Rugby Union Winter Sports Trials - Kempsey
On Wednesday, 23 students attended the Zone Rugby Union Winter Sports Trials in Kempsey. Our students made up a significant portion of those trialing and showcased their skills to impress the selectors. It was a successful day for Aggies Rugby Union, with seven players selected to attend the Diocesan Union Trials in Grafton on 11 June.
Congratulations to Zane B, Ryan C, Jho’Arryn C, Reagan C, Kruze D, Harry J and Oliver W - best of luck at the next level of selections.
Future Dates
Term 2
- Friday 2 May - Polding Winter Sports Trials (Netball, League, Hockey, soccer) - Bathurst
- Wednesday 7 May - Hastings Zone Cross Country - Kempsey
- Thursday 15 May - Paul Kelly CUP (AFL) - Wayne Richard’s Park Port Macquarie
- Friday 16 May - Diocesan Union Trials - Grafton
Wednesday 11 June - Diocesan Rugby Union Gala Day - Coffs Harbour
Tuesday 17 June - Stage 3 Netball Gala Day - Port Macquarie
Friday 20 June - School Athletics Carnival (B/U Friday 27 June)
St Agnes' Photo Gallery - Term 1
Pastoral Care
School Community Forum
Mothers Day Lunch
We have extended the cut off date for nominations for the four complimentary tickets to the Mother’s Day Lunch. Please email donna.sprague@lism.catholic.edu.au by 9:00am Thursday 24 April if you wish to nominate a special mother or mother figure. Please include their contact details in your email. All nominations and the successful recipients will remain confidential and not be shared with parents or publicised at any time. Donna will contact the four chosen recipients and offer the ticket on behalf of the SCF. If the recipient has already purchased a ticket to the event, payment will be refunded.
Parish News
Community News
