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Dear Parents, Carers, Staff and Students,
Welcome back to Term Four! I trust that the student holiday break provided families with the opportunity to spend time together without the need to keep schedules and plans. As we journey ahead into term four we look forward, with a sense of excitement and celebration, to see the return of face-to face learning. As we stated in the letter sent out to all parents today, students across the state will now return to face-to-face learning according to the following schedule:
- 18 October 2021: Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 12
- 25 October 2021: All remaining year groups
Throughout this whole process of remote learning, at St Anthony’s we have centred all that we do around three key elements:
- as a Catholic school, a continued focus on our faith and quality learning.
- the highest priority given to adhering to safety of all by following mandatory health requirements.
- prioritising the wellbeing of our families, our staff and our students.
As the students return to face-to-face learning over the next few weeks I would like to highlight the key strategies that will support the continued focus on our three key elements:
As a Catholic school, a continued focus on our faith and quality learning
As the students return to school we are reminded that we are Catholic School first foremost. Planning is underway to ensure students are able to participate in and celebrate liturgy, prayer, mediation, and reconnect with their Catholic community, St Anthony’s. Our quality learning will focus on the Key Learning Areas of English, Mathematics and Religious Education, with an emphasis on social and emotional learning. A natural concern from parents is the impact that remote learning has had on their child’s learning and the need to seek clarity to where their child is, at in relation to expected learning outcomes for their grade. Upon the return for students, teachers will work to assess where students are at and provide guidance for the next steps in their learning. As educators, we need to find the balance between assessment of learning, quality learning and teaching activities that engage the students' joy for being back at school whilst not ‘jumping back in the deep end’ by overwhelming the students with unrealistic expectations.
The highest priority given to adhering to safety of all by following mandatory health requirements
During the staged return, our school will follow the prescribed NSW Health Level 3 / Level 3 Plus restrictions, which apply across NSW. I ask that you read the note sent home today that prescribes, in detail, expectations around adhering to all mandatory health requirements.
Prioritising the wellbeing of our families, our staff and our students.
The pandemic and extended lockdown have impacted students, parents and our staff's social and emotional wellbeing to varying degrees. The wellbeing plan aims to create a safe and supportive environment and will include opportunities for student connection, growing a sense of belonging, and the building of social and emotional skills. Our Positive Behaviours For Learning (PB4L) is an essential component and will focus on re-establishing predictable school routines and rituals so that students feel safe and secure.
As we look forward to the return of our students over the next few weeks can I share with this lovely prayer:
"Lord,
As we prepare to walk into the future we pray for the "new normal" to come.
May the tender moments of seeing someone again in person be all the more rich and treasured.
May the reunions, interactions, and moments ahead be held with more meaning.
May we find the face of God in each other.
And may all this be done with a sense of gratitude.
Amen."
Mr Justin Devlin
Principal
Listed below are some important dates for Term 4
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October |
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Monday 18 |
Kindergarten and Year 1 return to face to face learning. |
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Monday 18 |
P & F Meeting at 6:30 pm via zoom |
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Monday 25 |
Years 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 return to face to face learning. |
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Monday 25 |
Canteen will re-open |
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November |
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Monday 1 |
All Saints Day |
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Tuesday 2 |
All Souls Day |
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Tuesday 9 |
Year 6 Confirmation 7pm - 8pm at Tahmoor Church |
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Wednesday 10 |
Year 6 Confirmation 7pm - 8pm at Tahmoor Church |
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Thursday 11 |
Year 6 Confirmation 7pm - 8pm at Tahmoor Church |
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Friday 12 |
Year 6 Boot Camp |
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Grade Mass
Grade Mass has been postponed for the students until further notice.
Assembly
Assemblies will be postponed until further notice.
Awards
Silver and Gold Awards will not be handed out until we resume face to face learning.
Gold Pennant -
Gold Awards -
Before and After School Care
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Present |
All schools in NSW at Level 4 restrictions (remote learning). |
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18 October 2021 |
Kindergarten and Year 1 will return to face-to-face learning with Level 3 COVID restrictions on school sites. |
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25 October 2021 |
Years 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 will return to face-to-face learning with Level 3 COVID restrictions on school sites. |
The bishop has just given us authority for Fr Peter to Confer the Sacrament of Confirmation during November. We are looking at having the Sacrament in three groups on Tuesday 9, Wednesday 10, and Thursday 11 November in the evenings. Full details will be given to you soon when we have had time to organise. In the meantime I would be grateful if you would let me know if any of those days is absolutely impossible for you. We are not sure what the Covid Protocols will be but it would seem to be 4 Sq Metre distancing and Masks must be worn. There is no requirement for Vaccination at this stage. A family will be able to sit together. Please make sure you have a Sponsor for your child. It can not be a parent (you are already sponsors) but a parent may stand in for the chosen sponsor if the sponsor cannot make it in the evening.
There will be an opportunity for Reconciliation beforehand on Friday evening November 5 at 7.00pm and Fr Peter is hoping to see you there. He would like to say a few words about Confirmation beforehand. Workbooks should be handed in that evening so that Fr Peter can have a look at them.
If you have any further questions feel free to contact Paul (Parish Sacramental Coordinator 0419262774) or Julie Smith (St Anthony's Primary School Religious Education Coordinator)
The Rosary is a prayer in which we meditate on the life of Jesus. Because of the mission that Mary received from God, her life was closely tied to Jesus. Mary’s Immaculate Heart was always focused on the life of her son Jesus. When we pray the Rosary, we are asking Mary to pray for us that we might be more focused on the life of Jesus.
The students from K-6 are encouraged to pray the rosary or parts of the rosary each day.
Enrolment and sacramental preparation information will be shared soon.
*****RETURNING TO MASS:*****
Many people have been asking when this will happen. It is anticipated that Mass will resume in the parish, when 80% of people are fully vaccinated, estimated to be 25 October.
Mass will be open to “mixed” congregations (fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated and yet unvaccinated); the 4 sqm rule will apply, and masks must be worn. More details to follow in the coming weeks
| St Anthony's Church Tahmoor | ||
| Saturday Vigil | No Mass | Tahmoor |
| Sunday | No Mass | Tahmoor |
| No Mass | Tahmoor | |
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Reconciliation |
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| Saturday | Not currently available | Tahmoor |
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Weekday Mass Times - This Week |
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| Tuesday |
No Mass |
Adoration |
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No Mass |
Tahmoor |
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| Wednesday | No Mass | Tahmoor |
| Thursday | No Mass | Tahmoor |
| Friday |
No Mass |
Tahmoor |
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.
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.
When students return to school in Term Four on their designated start date, they will wear their full summer uniforms.
Parents will NOT be allowed to enter the hall for any face to face purchases, as advised by the Catholic Education Office. Orders can be emailed to the school via info@sapdow.catholic.edu.au
Every year, by law, we have to receive consent from parents to photograph and use images of your child. The photos taken will be displayed in newsletters and/or Facebook to celebrate the fun times and achievements of students. Consent forms have been sent home today with your child, if you consent or do not consent to your child's photo being taken please tick the appropriate box and return the form to school.
If we do not receive a form for your child we will not include your child in photos.
Canteen will re-open on Monday 25 October