On Wednesday 2 March Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 will celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass in the school hall at 10:00 am. At the end of Mass Year 6 will receive their Leadership Badges. Unfortunately due to our current Covid cases, parents will NOT be able to attend Mass.
Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 will recieve their ashes during an in-class Liturgy.

A big thank you for your continuing efforts in supporting our school and students during the pandemic – especially prioritising safety and learning.

The following changes are now in effect: 

● RAPID ANTIGEN TESTING - We have moved to symptomatic testing. Tests are to be used at your discretion such as if your child is symptomatic or there are cases in their class. Our school will provide each student and staff member with 8 tests which will be sent home in the coming week, once we have obtained them from the Catholic Education Office. Beyond that, students and staff can access PCR tests or buy their own rapid antigen tests.

● FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS - Masks will continue to be required indoors for all school staff, volunteers and visitors including parents and carers in primary schools until Friday 4 March. This means that from Monday 7 March, masks will no longer be mandatory for all staff. However, those who wish to continue to use them will be supported to do so.

● VISITORS ON SCHOOL SITES - Visitors can be allowed back on school sites. As a school we will continue to implement our school morning dropoff procedures (dropping off at school gate) and school afternoon pick up procedures (parents remaining behind white markers at front and back gates). As a school we will consider activities that will allow parents to come on site, eg Opening School Mass or assemblies. In order for this to occur the school will need to complete a Covid Safe Assessment Plan before determining the appropriate way to proceed in a COVID-smart way

● COVID-Safe Measures - Our school will continue to ensure our layered COVID-smart measures are in place, including vaccinations, maximising natural ventilation in learning spaces, continued good hand hygiene practices and enhanced cleaning.

● COHORTING NO LONGER REQUIRED - Students are no longer required to be kept in year groups or other cohorts. We will continue to use the core layered COVID-smart advice for minimising risk when planning activities and events. For St Anthony’s this will mean that children will be able to gather in the morning at 8:57am, underneath the Shelter Shed, for morning assembly prayer before going to class and in the afternoon the gates will open at 3:15pm. As a school we will also return to normal school routines regarding our learning schedule for the day.

We strongly encourage our students and their families to consider vaccination including boosters when eligible.

Thank you again for your continued support during this school term.

Listed below are some important dates for Term 1.

The Vinnie's Van pantry was restocked on Wednesday 23 February, by the students of St Anthony's. Students from Year 4-6 were inspired by stories of compassion, generosity and companionship by Kelly, a St Vincent de Paul volunteer.

On Thursday 31 March all students from Kinder to Year 6 will participate in the school's Cross Country Carnival.  As the carnival is being held at Hume Oval, Picton the students  will walk to and from the oval.  All students are expected to participate in this fun day unless there are good medical reasons why they cannot. Children who are unable to participate should still attend school that day as they will be able to assist the teachers. All children will return to school to resume normal classes at the conclusion of the carnival.

All primary children will be participating in the 2km run. A team of runners from the 8/9, 10, 11 and 12 years age groups will be selected to represent St Anthony’s at the annual Diocesan Cross Country Carnival. The infants children will be competing in the St Anthony’s Fun Run over a shorter distance.

The carnival will begin at 9:45am. Please see age group events timetable attached under 'Resources' in our Compass Parent Portal.

To make the carnival an enjoyable and successful event, we will need assistance from parents. If you can help on the day we would be grateful if you could respond to the Questions contained within the online consent by Friday 18 March.

Grade Mass 

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

Assembly

Assemblies will be postponed until further notice. 

Awards

There has been a slight change to the process of how students will receive their silver awards. Silver Awards will be presented to students by their teacher in the classroom, gold pennants and gold awards will still be presented to students at the assembly.

Gold Pennant -Ben Collins, Nicholas Garner-Haddad, James Moon, Charlotte Stirton

Gold Awards -Izaac Knight, Madeline Smith, Ellie Stocken, Zara Cevenini, Elizabeth Dunlop, Lachlan Batty, Sienna Woolley, Ben Morschel, Isla Noonan, Ryan Stocken, Ella Fiatarone, Charlie Shore, Carolina Merheb, Dean Carstens, Beau Marano, Elizabeth Smith, Evelyn Cox, Emily Tague, Claire Hughes, Angel Sarkis, Ethan Flew, Evan Gudiksen, Ebony Burgess, Jesse Slater, Angelina Mohanna, Alexis Fenning, Jed Smith, Isaac Ungaro, Riley O’Connor, Maya Boserio, Giuseppe Molluso

Library Timetable 2022

Monday - Kindergarten

Tuesday- Year 2, Year 5 and Year 6 Pink

Wednesday - Year 3, Year 4 and Year 6 Purple

Thursday - Year 1

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.

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.