Dear Parents, Carers, Staff and Students,

Welcome to the Week 8 school newsletter.  This week, we enter the second week of Lent. Last Monday, we acknowledged the feast day of St. Patrick (March 17), and yesterday, we recognized the feast of St. Joseph (March 19). These two great saints serve as examples of ordinary people doing good for others, reminding us of the power of faith in action.

St. Joseph holds particular significance for St. Anthony’s, given our deep connection to the Josephite Order, which founded our school in 1880. One of the great joys of working in a school is witnessing, each day, the countless ways in which people follow the example of Jesus—offering kindness, support, and service without hesitation or expectation of recognition.

As we honour St. Patrick and St. Joseph this week, may we be inspired by their faith and generosity. Let us pray through their intercession that we too will listen to God’s call in our lives and follow Him with trust and courage.

Caritas Australia Project Compassion Launch

School Captains Emmeline and Abel proudly represented St. Anthony’s at the Diocesan Launch of Caritas Australia Project Compassion. They joined student representatives from schools across the diocese as Bishop Brian led a Liturgy of the Word, marking the beginning of this important Lenten initiative.

The launch provided an opportunity to reflect on the significance of almsgiving—one of the three pillars of Lent, alongside prayer and fasting. Almsgiving holds a special place in our Catholic tradition, as it embodies Christ’s teachings on charity, compassion, and selflessness. By giving to others, we not only support those in need but also deepen our relationship with God, making Lent a season of true transformation.

Harmony Day

This Friday 21 March, St. Anthony’s will celebrate Harmony Day, joining communities and organizations across Australia in recognising the richness of our diverse cultures, traditions, and backgrounds. The theme, "Everyone Belongs," reminds us of the importance of inclusivity and respect. By wearing a splash of orange and supporting our Year 5 and Year 6 students as they host a cake stall, we hope to foster a school environment where every student feels accepted, valued, and celebrated.

School Open Day

Just recently we were delighted to welcome so many families to our recent Open Days. Hosting a School Open Day at St. Anthony’s Catholic Primary School is always a wonderful opportunity to showcase the heart of our community. It allowed us to open our doors to prospective families, inviting them to experience firsthand the welcoming, faith-filled, and nurturing environment that defines our school. More than just an opportunity to highlight our programs, an Open Day reflects the deep sense of belonging, faith, and service that shapes our school culture.

A key aspect of the day is seeing our students take pride in their school—whether through leading tours, sharing their learning, or simply offering a warm welcome to guests. Their enthusiasm and confidence speak volumes about the positive impact of our school community.

At St. Anthony’s, we believe education extends beyond the classroom. Through our commitment to Catholic values, strong partnerships with families, and focus on holistic development, we strive to create an environment where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential. 

A huge thank you to our amazing Year 6 students and staff who helped make the days so successful. We are looking forward to meeting new families in Term 2 as we begin our 2026 Kindergarten enrollment interviews.

NAPLAN 2025

NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment that all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are developing through the school curriculum and provides parents and carers with insight into their child’s progress against national standards over time.

At our school, NAPLAN is just one aspect of our assessment and reporting process. It offers teachers additional information about students' educational progress and attainment. The NAPLAN testing window for 2025 runs from 12 March to 24 March. Over the past week, our Year 3 and Year 5 students have completed the Writing, Reading, Language Conventions, and Numeracy tests.

I would like to congratulate each child on the effort and positive attitude they demonstrated throughout the assessments. I also extend my gratitude to our Year 3 teachers—Mrs. Fiatarone, Miss Romeo, and Mrs. Collimore and our Year 5 teachers—Mrs. O’Brien and Mrs. Madsen, as well as Mrs. Ferguson and Mrs. Burgess-Gorrie for their dedication in supporting our students.

Take Care

Mr Justin Devlin 

Principal