The process for student class placement will commence early Term 4. A letter went home last week, via our COMPASS portal explaining the process for requesting class placements. Letters should be addressed ‘Attention: Justin Devlin’ and marked ‘Confidential’. Please note, this is not the opportunity to request friendship groupings or specific teachers for your child. While all requests will be noted and discussed, final decisions on placements will be made following careful consultation with teachers. Requests received after Friday 6 November will not be considered.

Last Friday 30 October was 'World Teachers Day' and I would like to take this opportunity to  acknowledge and sincerely thank our teachers and support staff for their commitment and dedication in supporting our children.  Every day teachers make a difference as they inspire and engage the children in their care to learn and succeed. On World Teachers’ Day, we recognise and give thanks to our teachers for the invaluable contribution they make in educating our children.

Listed below are some important dates for 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 be advised that the Transport for NSW portal is now open for applications for 2021. Students applying for a bus pass for 2021 should apply at:

Students changing schools or addresses should update their details to ensure the 2021 bus pass will be issued with the correct details. Details can be updated at:

The following Wednesdays will be our 'Waste Free Wednesday' for Term 4.

Week 4 - Wednesday 4 November.

Week 6 - Wednesday 18 November.

Week 8 - Wednesday 2 December.

Thank you for your support.

THURSDAY 5 – FRIDAY 6 NOVEMBER

A note was sent home with our Year 5 students today with final details of their excursion this week.

To help students to have a greater understanding and empathy for those in  need, we are holding a coloured/crazy sock day on Friday 13 November. Over the course of the day the students will have a goal kicking competition using soccer balls made from recycled plastic bags. The balls are being made by Year 4 students as part of their craft work using recycled material.

Please click on the link below to view 'Welcome to World Mission Month' video.

Today we held our 2nd Annual St Anthony's Day Cup. The staff and Year 6 students ran a great race full of excitement and suspense with the students supporting the jockey's and cheering from the sideline. This year's winner was horse #4, 'Harry Trotter'. Congratulations to all the jockeys.

Students and Staff celebrated all the wonderful grandparents we are lucky to have in our lives and remembered All Souls with a beautiful in-class Liturgy.

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.

Prayer for a Child's Confirmation Creator Spirit, strengthen this child with your gifts of grace, to love and serve as a disciple of Christ. Grant that s/he may grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ. Fill her/him with the joy of your presence. Increase in her/him the fruit of your Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of love, patience and gentleness, the spirit of wonder and true holiness.

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 7:30 pm

P & F ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The P & F Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday 7 December 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.

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.