Dear Parents, Carers, Staff and Students, 

Over the past five days we have been provided with two key opportunities for the community of St Anthony's to join together in Eucharist. Firstly at our Opening School Mass last Friday and on Sunday when we had the pleasure to join with the parish community in celebrating the installation of Fr Peter as the Parish Priest of St Anthony’s Picton. On both of these occasions as we come together in  Eucharist, we come together to give thanks for the community that we are so blessed to belong too.

Bishop Brian celebrated the Mass for Fr Peter and spoke about how the reading from the Gospel of Matthew, that was read on Sunday, speaks very much to the heart of how we act as human beings. In this reading Jesus reminds us that it is our words, and our actions, that determines the relationship that we have with others. At the very heart of our words and actions is our school mission statement:

With Christ as our model,

we the school community of St Anthony of Padua,

in partnership with the parish,

strive to provide quality Catholic education

in the spirit and charism of St Mary Mackillop,

whilst living by our school motto

"Grow in Respect and Honesty"

This statement is who we are. This gives us all … students, parents, carers, staff ... the clarity of understanding in determining our expectations when relating with each other. As a school community we need to join together to “be community”. This was never more evident than on the weekend when families supported Fr Peter’s Mass. The beautiful choir, liturgical dancers and students who came along with their families and the high number of staff was very much appreciated by the parish community and especially by Fr Peter. 

We also look forward to our ‘Welcome To St Anthony’s Colour Explosion Day’ on Friday 28 February. Whilst the fundraising component of our day is important, at the the very core of this day is to come together as a community, to say welcome and most importantly have some fun. We all look forward to a great day.

Principal