The staff development days (pupil free days) scheduled for Thursday 24 and Friday 25 September have been postponed to the end of the year. This will make the last day of the year for students Monday 14 December.

Listed below are some important dates for Term 3 and Term 4

Grade Mass 

Grade Mass has been postponed for the students until further notice. 

Assembly

Assemblies have been postponed until further notice.

Awards

Congratulations to the following students who will receive an award for being a great learner and wonderful community member. These awards will be handed out in class by Mr Devlin and Mr Crawford until assemblies resume.

Gold Pennant -

Please bring in your recycled bread clips on Thursday 24 September for collection. The Environmental Group will come around to each classroom and collect the bread clips. Please keep up the great work of collecting bread clips throughout the school holidays and we will collect them in term four.

After the explosion in Beirut on August 4 this year, St. Anthony's  school has made a donation of $120.00 to Lebanon Emergency Assistance. The explosion has left over 300,000 people homeless and suffering. As well the blockade of the ports will lead to an increase in food prices for people, adding to their hardship. As we have a number of Lebanese families connected to and attending St. Anthony's in the past and at present we were more than happy to offer this small assistance.

18 months ago we introduced our new school hat to St Anthony's with the expectation that every student will be wearing the new hat by 2021. This plan is still very much in action and we would like parents to consider buying a new hat from the uniform shop before the end of this year. Thank you for your support.

The P and F committee has placed a 'Suggestion Box' in the school office for parents, grandparents and students to place any suggestions or comments in writing. Your suggestions will be placed on the agenda and discussed at the next meeting.

NEXT P & F MEETING

The next P & F meeting will be held on Monday 26 October via zoom at 6:30 pm. Link will be available closer to the date.

Life presents us with many joys and challenges, it may be the birth of a child, the loss of employment or the death of a family member. We are privileged to, and benefit from, living in a community that cares for us, no matter what our circumstances. At times, we may find ourselves in a position where some extra care and support would be welcomed to help us through a period of hardship or need. If you are in need of support, please contact Sister Julie on 0418 674 452 who will respond to you confidentially.

The back gate will be locked at no later than 9:05 am every morning. Any child arriving after this time will need to be brought to the front office by their parent/carer to receive a late note.

Year 5 celebrated with a beautiful in-class Liturgy on Friday 18 September. Year 5 listened to the parable of the sower in the gospel and reflected on how the farmer in this parable planted seeds in four different types of soil. Only one of the soils produced a good crop. Jesus explained that the soils represented people’s hearts. When the word of God is planted in a good heart then good things will be produced in the life of that person.

Sacramental Programs

Religious Education is a priority in Catholic schools. It provides the knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith and outlines what is needed to live a Catholic life. Sacramental programs are Parish based, Parish coordinated, family focused and school supported.

Each year the Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist and Confirmation are celebrated in the Parish.

• Year 2 Sacrament of Penance 
• Year 3 Sacrament of the Eucharist
• Year 6 Sacrament of Confirmation 

A Parish based program caters to the needs of all participants. In this way children from all schools receive the same preparation for each sacrament.

The Parish based, family focused approach to Sacramental programs is widely used throughout Australia as the preferred approach. This approach acknowledges the important role of parents and families in the whole preparation process. Parents are the first educators of children in the faith and traditions of the Catholic Church. Parents involvement in Sacramental preparation is crucial in shaping the values and attitudes of each child. So it is vital, for the continual spiritual growth of the child, that the families involve themselves in the Sacramental life of Parish.

The second Sacrament for 2020 will be Confirmation and dates are as follows;

• Session One - Week 9 (Term 3)
• Session Two - Week 10 (Term 3)
• Session Three - Week 1 (Term 4)
• Session Four - Week 2 (Term 4)
• Sacrament - Wednesday 4 November 6:30 pm

                          -Thursday 5 November 6:30 pm

                          -Friday 6 November 6:30 pm

In term four students will return to school in their summer uniform and as per our School Uniform Policy. Students are to wear their full summer uniform with respect and pride. This includes haircuts, at the same standard of our School Uniform Policy, therefore can parents please ensure students wear their hair in a neat and tidy manner. Haircuts should be of an even grace. Hair should be well brushed and combed and it is assumed that hair will not be in such a condition as to invite comment.

This is a friendly reminder to order any uniforms your child may need before the end of term three. A uniform order form is attached to this newsletter in the 'Uniform Shop' tab.

A consent form for use of student's images was sent home to every family. Parents signing this form gives St Anthony's permission to celebrate their child's achievements in our newsletters, allows parents to view their child at sporting events or excursions, on posters around the school and Facebook with discretion. If you wish NOT to give permission for your child's image to be used in any of the points 1-6 please tick the NO box, sign and return the form back to school. If this option is picked OR if we Do Not receive a form back for your child, we will remove your child's image from any photo that will be used by St Anthony's. If you require another form please see attached.

Please find attached some Frequentley Asked Questions regarding School Fees and COVID-19.