Newsletter - 2025 Term 2 Week 3

Prayer

Guiding Father

We give thanks to the Holy Spirit for guidance to the college of Cardinals, In the election of Pope Leo XIV.
At this time in our world history, may Pope Leo bring both clarity and urgency to the teachings of Christ.
We pray for a renewal of the Christian spirit of forgiveness and for care and consideration to the most vulnerable Among us.
We pray this through Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

We, the community of St Agnes’ school, joyfully welcome His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, as the shepherd of the Universal Church. As Pope Leo XIV begins his pontificate, may he be guided by the words of Scripture: That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us' (John 17:21). May this prayer for unity inspire his leadership and guide us all in our shared journey of faith.

School 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

Dear Parents and Carers 

It has been another wonderful week of learning and growth at our school, filled with a diverse range of activities that showcase the talents and dedication of our students across all year levels.

I would first like to extend my sincere gratitude to the School Community Forum for their hard work in organising and running our Mother's Day Stall last week. The stall offered a beautiful selection of gifts for our children to choose from, and it was heartening to see the care and thought that went into selecting presents for their mothers. I hope all mothers in our community had a blessed and special day with their families and friend’s last weekend.

I warmly invite you to join us at the School Community Forum on Monday 19 May at 5:45pm. Your participation and input are invaluable as we collaborate to advance our school's mission.

Students Shine in Diverse Activities

Our students have been actively engaged in a variety of pursuits this week:

• Our Year 6 students demonstrated their academic prowess and collaborative skills while competing in the Da  Vinci Decathlon at St Columba.
• Our Kindergarten students, with their characteristic thoughtfulness, created a beautiful prayer for all our Mother’s on Wednesday.
  
• Year 3 embarked on an exciting and educational excursion to Billabong Zoo.
• And we shared in the reverence of the Year 6 Mass at Christ the King Chapel.

It's truly inspiring to witness our students' involvement and achievements in such a wide array of activities, both within and beyond the school grounds.

Your Voice Matters: Increasing TTFM Survey Participation

We value the partnership we have with our parents and recognise that your feedback is essential in helping us to continually improve and shape the future of our school.

We want to bring to your attention the current participation rate in the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Parent Survey. Currently, only 26% of our parents have completed the survey. We understand that you are all busy, but we would greatly appreciate a higher participation rate. Your input is crucial in providing us with valuable insights into what we are doing well and where we can focus our efforts to meet the needs of our students and the wider school community.

The TTFM survey is an important tool that allows us to gather your perspectives on various aspects of our school, including:

• Communication

• Learning environment for your child

• Parent involvement

• Overall school satisfaction

The data collected from the survey will be used to inform our strategic planning and decision-making, ensuring that we are working effectively to provide the best possible education for your children.

We encourage those who have not yet completed the survey to please take a few moments to do so. To complete the survey please click this link, only one survey per household needs to be submitted. Your participation will make a significant difference.

Focus on Positive Behaviour

Our focus on Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) continues to emphasise our 4R's: Respect, Responsibility, Resilience and Resolute. We have been particularly focusing on these values in relation to wet weather play and behaviours, and I commend the students for their efforts in this area.

We are now extending this focus to ensure these values are consistently upheld in all aspects of school life. This includes:

• During bus travel: Ensuring students travel safely and considerately.
• Within the wider community: Representing our school with pride and respect during excursions and other outings.
• In online interactions: Practicing responsible and respectful digital citizenship.

As ambassadors for our school, our actions reflect on us all, and it is vital that we uphold these values in all that we do. We encourage parents to support us in reinforcing these expectations at home, discussing the importance of respectful behaviour in all settings, and monitoring online activity to ensure it aligns with our school's values. By working together, we can create a stronger, more respectful community for all our students.

Thank you

A heartfelt thank you to the many members of our school community who have generously given their time and support over the past several weeks. We are incredibly grateful for your contributions, which have made a significant difference to our school and our events. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the following individuals:

Mother’s Day Lunch: Renee Lisle Watson, Michelle Gerathy, Karyn Reincastle, Lauren Van Boxtel, Rachel Constantine, Linda Woodhall and Dominique Jackson-Hope and to those who provided prizes: Simon Hersee and The Cocktail Initiative, Kate Burrell and Pirtek Port Macquarie, Dominique Jackson-Hope and Hopes Kitchens and Custom Joinery, Kate Bale and Cassegrain Wines, Kate de Bressac and Ultra Tune Port Macquarie, Zoe Bevez and Ella Bache and Ally Trumper and The Bread and Pastry Basket.

Ironman Volunteers: Simon Hersee, Monique McEntyre, Peter Woodhall, Emma Schuch, Jenna Sales, Renee, Georgia and Jack Watson, Katie Lill, Genevieve Walsh, Jenna Lindsay, Karyn Reincastle, - Aliesha and Ezra Van Lint, Allison Ritchie, Chloe Boller, Colleen McQueen, John McQueen and Kate Watson

Mother’s Day stall: Elise Gardiner, Genevieve Walsh, Gillian Millard, Julie MacDonald, Colleen McQueen, Cath U'Brien, Renee Lisle Watson, Dominique Jackson-Hope, Kate Bale, Matilda Bale, Allison Ritchie, Kate Burrell, Jenna Lindsay, Leasa Harris and Linda Woodhall.

Upcoming Events

I would like to remind you of two important events:

• This coming Saturday, our school will host our new and existing families for our 2026 Kindergarten enrolment morning.
• This weekend, our Parish will hold the Presentation Mass for our First Eucharist Candidates at St Agnes' Parish Church. Please keep these candidates and their families in your prayers as they celebrate this important milestone in their faith journey.

I trust you all have an enjoyable and restful weekend. We look forward to another productive and engaging week of learning ahead. Please stay safe and dry.

Peace be with You

Brendan Kiely
Principal (Acting)

Assistant Principal - Mission

Pope Leo XIV is the first American successor to St Peter. But who is he, what does he believe and where is he going to lead the Church?

We look forward to learning more about Pope Leo’s ideas and guidance. We already know he was a friend of Pope Francis. By his opening words of “Peace be with you” and calling for peace between countries, along with supporting the poor, we can assume he will focus on these aspects of Pope Francis' mission.

First Holy Communion

Students in Year 4 engaged in further learning about the Sacrament of First Holy Communion on Tuesday, spending the day rotating around different activities involving storytelling, art, bingo, the history of the Eucharist from the Last Supper through till today and practising receiving the host. This weekend they will continue preparations by attending a parish mass and be acknowledged by parishioners in the lead up to receiving their sacrament over the coming weeks. 

Mother's Day Celebrations

Last Friday, students took their special visitors on a “Pilgrimage of love and appreciation” around the school showcasing displays from each grade. Afterwards Mothers and Special Others joined us for a prayer service in their honour and listened to tributes from students and staff.

We hope all mothers and mother figures were spoilt on Sunday.

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Kindergarten Host School Prayer

On Wednesday morning, Kindergarten presented their first whole school prayer.

They reinforced the important role Mothers and Special Others play in their lives through their cooking, reading to them, warm hugs and just being beautiful people on the inside and out. As usual, Kindergarten drew a huge audience for their presentation as they sang to thank God for all of the mother figures in their lives.

Glow

This new initiative, named GLOW, replaces Incitare which was offered to 16 students from our school and then these students assisted in presenting the program to the rest of the grade. This program will be delivered to all Year 6 students across the Lismore Diocese.

GLOW will gather all Year 6 students within the Hastings Region at St Joseph’s Regional College on Tuesday 27 May for fun activities, live praise and worship and immersive prayer experiences. Not only is this a wonderful experience to deepen their faith, but a fantastic opportunity to network and form bonds with students who may be in their grade next year at either MacKillop or St Joseph’s Regional Colleges.

Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Parent Partnership- Learning Conversations and Reporting to Families

We remind all families that our Learning Conversations will be held in Week 6. They are an important way that we report to families alongside the written report in Week 10, and are an excellent opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and to collaboratively set goals with your child’s teacher. Please book your session via Compass.

Semester One Reports

We would like to thank the families who gave feedback regarding the new reporting templates in 2024. As a result of your feedback and in consultation with our parish primary schools, we will be able to offer a personalised general comment as part of the 2025 Semester One report. In 2024, the personalised comment was replaced by an extra opportunity for a full face to face interview with your child’s teacher. We will value feedback on the change in process, to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our families and our staff in partnering together to support student learning.

MultiLit E-Library for Home Reading

It came to our attention after the holidays that the e-library log in for some students was no longer working. If this is the case, please call or email the front office and we can easily reset this and send home a new code.

Number Fluency Trial

As shared last term, we are engaging as a trial school of the Number Fluency Program. The children will work through a 10 minute session of targeted number fluency practice daily. You may hear your child saying that their work is “so easy.” Please know that the work is supposed to be easy, it is designed to be at a level that the children are able to answer fluently during, short timed sessions. If your child is saying that the work is “too easy”, you could remind them that it is supposed to be easy because we are learning to be fluent. We have included our Whole School Social Story on Mathematics as it has information to help you talk to your child about fluency.

The Number Fluency Program does not replace any of our Mathematics learning, it is an extra opportunity to practise their skills. We have included a parent flyer for your learning and if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Kate de Bressac. We look forward to sharing a short video on Seesaw that will help explain this evidence based program to families. 

Whole School Mathematics Professional Learning Cycle

As we communicated previously, a key part of the work that we are doing this term is a whole school professional learning cycle with a focus on Mathematics. This opportunity to explore the Mathematics curriculum and pedagogy in professional learning teams continued this week, with our EMU specialist teachers working in partnership with colleagues in their classrooms. We have a wonderfully talented team of teachers who are dedicated to improving student outcomes and we thank all of them for embracing this learning opportunity.

Year 3 Excursion to Billabong Zoo

The wild and wet weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of our Year 3 students as they explored the Billabong Zoo yesterday. We are so proud of the way that they represented our school. They came back muddy, windswept and full of smiles. Thank you to the teaching team for all of their organisation of this wonderful learning experience.

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Kindergarten’s Religious Education Reflections

Kindergarten have been learning about Jesus sharing a special meal with his disciples at The Last Supper. Look at their amazing reflections about a time that they have also celebrated a special meal.

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Da Vinci Decathlon

On Thursday, eight Year 6 students travelled to St Columba Anglican School for the Mid North Coast Regional Da Vinci Decathlon. Throughout the day, the students worked collaboratively to solve various challenges across a range of academic disciplines. These disciplines included Science, Creative Producers, English, Ideation, Mathematics, Engineering, Art and Poetry, Cartography, Code Breaking, and Legacy.

In total, 27 teams spanning from Coffs Harbour to the Hunter Valley, competed in what was an extremely challenging day. Overall, after six hours of tackling increasingly difficult tasks, St Agnes' finished 18th. In the Art and Poetry component, our team impressed the assessors and placed equal third, in what was the biggest primary Da Vinci Decathlon ever held. 

It was an absolute pleasure watching these students work together to complete each task, and I am so proud of their achievements! We have included a question from the Mathematics section for you to try at home. Congratulations to Alex A, Alex B, Lucy D, Hadi K, Emily K, Chloe L, Owen N and Hermione P.

Miss Jessica Kershaw

Sports News

Polding Winter Sports Trials

Last week, nine students travelled to Bathurst to compete in the Polding Winter Sports Trials — a remarkable achievement that reflects their dedication and talent. Representing both themselves and their school at this elite level is something to be truly proud of.

Congratulations to the following students for their outstanding efforts:

• Georgina F (Netball)
• Kruze D, Zane B and Beau L (Rugby League)
• Emilia A and Nicholas D (Soccer)
• Mia B, Ivy G and Eli M (Hockey)

To qualify for the Polding Trials, these students had to compete with and against some of the top young athletes from Catholic schools across Northern NSW. Reports from the event indicate that our students performed exceptionally well, with several earning final selections on the day. Well done to all!

Congratulations to Nicholas D, Mia B and Kruze D, who impressed selectors on the day and were selected into Polding teams to participate in NSW PSSA Championships. We wish you all the best.

A Huge Day for Aggies Sports at the Zone Cross Country Carnival

Last Wednesday, 50 students from Years 2 to 6 travelled to Kempsey to compete in the Zone Cross Country Carnival. After weeks of rain, there was uncertainty about whether the event would go ahead, but fortunately, the skies cleared. Instead of facing wet conditions, our students were met with an unexpected challenge: extreme heat.

Students in the 8, 9 and 10-year age groups completed a 2km course, while the 11 and 12-year-olds tackled a 3km course. Despite the hot conditions, our students gave their best and delivered fantastic results.

By the end of the day, 12 students had been selected to represent the Hastings Zone Team at the upcoming Diocesan Carnival on Thursday 22 May.

A big thank you to the many family members who travelled to Kempsey to support our students — your presence and encouragement from the sidelines meant a lot. Special thanks also to Chris Farrell and Miss Boller for their support throughout the day. Congratulations to all the students for their enthusiastic participation and outstanding sportsmanship!

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Special congratulations to the following students who finished as Age Champion or Age Champion Runner-up:

Hunter F - 11 Years Boys Age Champion
Evie E - 8/9 Years Age Champion Runner-up
Evie D - 10 Years Age Champion Runner-up

Congratulations to the following students for their selection in the Hastings Zone Team:

Arlow F -  8/9 Years Boys, 3rd place
Claudia F - 8/9 Years Girls, 8th place
Pippa T - 10 Years Girls, 3rd place
Asha GR - 10 Years Girls, 5th place
Aisha M - 10 Years Girls, 6th place
Dominic R - 11 Years Boys, 5th place
Ivy G - 11 Years Girls, 8th place
Kitt Q -12 Year Boys, 7th place
Ava S - 12 Years Girls, 8th place

Paul Kelly Cup on Hold

The Paul Kelly Cup, originally scheduled for Thursday 15 May, was postponed due to wet weather and the closure of playing fields. Unfortunately, this meant our Year 5 and 6 boys missed the chance to showcase their AFL skills.

The Paul Kelly Cup is a primary school AFL competition that provides a pathway for young athletes. Schools from both the Catholic and public systems compete in a gala day format, with the top two teams playing off in a final. The winning team advances to the regional championships in Coffs Harbour.

The event will be rescheduled, and a new date will be announced soon.

Diocesan Winter Sports Trials - Rugby Union

Georgia W, Stella D and Makayla D attended the Polding Rugby Union 7s Trials in Sydney today.

Although results have not yet been received, we hope they enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to compete at such a high level. We look forward to hearing more about their performances and the outcomes in the coming days.

Next week, seven boys will travel to Grafton to take part in the Diocesan Winter Sports Trials for Rugby Union.

New Date Announced for the Northern NSW Soccer Gala Day

Northern NSW Soccer announced the rescheduled date for the gala day that was postponed in Term 1. The event will now take place on Monday 2 June. Team selections will remain the same, and students do not need to re-nominate. Event details and permission notes will be shared via Compass next week.

Approximately 185 Aggies students nominated to attend and enjoy a fun-filled day of soccer. The gala day is designed to be inclusive, welcoming students of all skill levels. Teams will play in a relaxed, five-a-side format (with no goalkeepers), encouraging collaboration and skill development.

The event will be held locally at Findlay Park, with games starting at 10:00am. Students will travel by bus, departing school at 9:15am and returning in time for regular dismissal.

Important:
 - Shin pads are required for all players.
 - Soccer boots are recommended but not compulsory.

Future Dates

Term 2

• Tuesday 20 - Friday 23rd May - PSSA Hockey - Newcastle
  

• Tuesday 22 May - Diocesan Cross Country - Woolgoolga

• Friday 23 May - Diocesan Union Trials - Grafton
  
• Monday 2 June - Northern NSW Soccer Gala Day - Findlay Park, Port Macquarie
• Monday 2 June - Wednesday 4 June - PSSA Rugby League Championships (11 Years) - Sydney

• Wednesday 4 - Friday 6 June - PSSA AFL Championships - Sydney

• Wednesday 18 June - Diocesan Rugby Union Gala Day - Coffs Harbour

• Tuesday 17 June - Stage 3 Netball Gala Day - Port Macquarie

• Tuesday 17 - Thursday 19 June - PSSA Basketball Championship - Sydney

• Friday 20 June - School Athletics Carnival (B/U Friday 27 June)

Term 3

• Wednesday 23 July - Zone Athletics - St Joseph’s Regional College (Port Macquarie)

Leader of Pastoral Care

Building the Habits of Good Attendance

Regular school attendance plays a vital role in a child's education and well-being. Ensuring consistent school attendance is crucial for a child's academic success and overall development. To highlight this, consider the following information:

Did you know that if a student misses as little as eight days in each school term, by the end of primary school the student will have missed over a year of education? 

In New South Wales, all children from six years of age are legally required to attend school. 

Children are expected to attend all school activities, on time. Regular attendance helps your child:

• develop the skills needed to access all of their learning at school
• learn the importance of punctuality and routine
• make and keep friendships. 

Parents are asked to limit the times their children arrive late to school or leave early. While we understand that at times this is unavoidable, your support in having the children at school during school hours is appreciated.

Walk Safely To School Day

Now in its 26th year, National Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) is an annual campaign and event encouraging all primary school children, their parents, and carers to walk safely and regularly to school.

Walking to school is a great way to incorporate physical activity into a daily routine to support healthy development. Encouraging kids to be active daily establishes good habits that can stay with them throughout their lives.

Teach your child vital road safety rules while walking to school - free resources and information are available on Safety Town.  Watch the Rockin’ Road Safety Clip by St Brigid’s Primary Kyogle. 

Student Awards

Assembly Awards

Congratulations to the following students who received an award at today's assembly:

Abhinanda S, Alyssa W, Amahli M, Angel S, Ava R, Ava S, Bridger D, Bryce L, Charlee T, Edward M, Eisha G, Eli McEntyre, Elijah N, Emilia A, Emmett B, Evie D, Gaurika B, Gillyanna Maris V, Gracie U, Hallie T, Hannah B, Harper W, Henry B, Hiram W, Imogen H, Isla R, Isla W, Jackson R, Jayden C, Korbin C, Lucey B, Lucy D, Mahli N, Mahli-Lee W, Phoenix N, Pip A, Rebekah B, Riley O, Rose M, Samuel B, Saxon K, Sienna T, Sophie J, Sophie W, Vera M and Willow W

Dojos

Congratulations to the following students who received 100 Dojos this week:

Abhyukth S, Aemy M, Aila N, Aisha M, Alexander M, Amber Sage N, Amelia C, Amirah T, Andrea Anna T, Angus S, Annalisa L, Ara J, Archie M, Ardan B, Aria S, Ariah A, Arlow F, Asha G-R, Ashton M, Aubree S, Audrey F, Ava R, Ava S, Ava W, Bella R, Boston F, Cassidy H, Caylee O, Charlee T, Charlie E, Charlotte M, Chase O, Chelsea O, Daizjah S, Daniel I, Deina D, Diya Dileep K, Diyana S, Dominic R, Eedie M, Eli B, Ella M, Ella R, Elsie K, Emily H, Emmanuel S, Eva D, Evana A, Evangel A, Evie E, Felix FB, Flynn A, Gaurika B, Habel S, Hana D, Harley R, Harrison B, Harrison F, Hazel L, Hazel M, Hendrix M, Hermione P, Hiram W, Ishan Manuel J, Ishel Elsa J, Isobel W, Isolde O, Ivy G, Jack T, Jada U, Jaxon S, Jeffrey W, Jorgie P, Jovana A, Jude H, Jupiter S, Kaito S, Kalari D, Kallan F, Karvella I, Keeley C, Keira M, Korbann J, Lachlan C, Lachlan S, Lucky S, Layla M, Len D, Lexi C, Lexie M, Liam O, Lily S, Lola F, Luca B, Lucas G, Lucas K, Lucas V, Lucey B, Luka E, Maja M, Mia B, Mia C, Mia F, Mia M, Mila M, Mila S, Miles G, Nate B, Nicholas D, Nicholas H, Noah E, Norah M, Oliver L, Owen J, Parker B, Poppy W, Ranuga Vitiyala V, Rocco M, Rose M, Ruben D, Sadie O, Sage P, Sahara P, Samuel B, Scarlett E, Scarlett F, Sharni D, Shivanya R, Sienna R, Skylah N, Sophie J, Stella S, Tabitha B, Tamara J, Theodore H, Thomas B, Thomas B-H, Willow H and Zach  B

Congratulations to the following students who received 200 Dojos this week:

Aubree D, Leo R and Tara A

School Community Forum

Dear Parents and Carers

Year 1 Social Sunday (18 May) - This Sunday 18 May, Year 1 families are invited to Springloaded for their 'Social Sunday'. Please see the flyer below for details.

May SCF Meeting (19 May) - The May School Community Forum meeting will be held next Monday 19 May from 5:45pm in the school staffroom. As always, all parents and carers are warmly invited to attend. Please see below for the meeting agenda and minutes of the last meeting.

If you wish to contact the School Community Forum Executive Committee, please email pandfstagnes@gmail.com

Kind regards

Allison Ritchie
Chairperson
St Agnes’ Primary School Community Forum

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