Listed below are some important dates.

An Exciting New Award!!

I am excited to announce that we have implemented a new award system at our school to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our students.

While the Silver Awards, Gold Awards, Pennants and Medallions remain our primary awards, there have been some changes in how they will be presented. Moving forward, only the Gold Pennants and Medallions will be awarded at our school assemblies.

Please note that Gold Awards will no longer be presented during assemblies. Instead, these awards will be given to students during class by their classroom teachers. This change allows for a more personalised recognition of students' achievements within their classroom environment.

In addition to our existing awards, we are introducing a new award called the 'Super Star' award. This award will be presented to students during assemblies and will be chosen by their classroom teachers. The Super Star award recipients are selected for demonstrating exceptional academic work, showing kindness to their peers, actively engaging in their learning and embodying the values of our school community.

We believe that these changes will enhance our award system and provide greater opportunities to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of all our students.

Thank you for your continued support as we strive to recognise and encourage the success of every student at our school.

The following awards will be presented to students at week 3 assembly on Friday 16 February at 2:20 pm.

Medallion -

Super Star -Joey Bayeh-Dennis, Allyanah Stork, Zoe Bantick, Aiden Cappelleri, Chloe Mort, Adeline Flocco, Piper Barden, Samuel Falzon, Olivia Lyons, Avery Hunt, Jacob Labib, Emma Mills, Leo Failla, Nicholas Morschel, Violet Stirton, Sienna Tuilotolava, Kruz Fiez, Dallas Dunn, Luella Fletcher, Abigail Piscioneri, Patrick Boulos, Emma Mackrill, Brody O'Hanlon, Gabriella Semann, Abel Sherrard, Mate Bastac, Thomas Parker, Olivia Harkin, Hayden Fenning, Jed Smith, Freya Hickman, Maggie Boyd, Bastian Jackson, Koa Micallef, Chiara Cosentino, Ella Henderson

St Anthony’s students and staff would like to welcome our Kindergarten Class of 2024. It was lovely to see 60 smiling faces, excited and eager to join our learning community.

On Wednesday 14 February our Years 1 - 6 students will be travelling by bus to Tahmoor Church to gather for our Open School and Ash Wednesday Mass. Meanwhile, our Kindergarten students will enjoy a small Liturgy in class to mark the occasion.

We warmly invite you to join us at Tahmoor Church at 10:00 am to celebrate the beginning of the new school year and the first day of Lent. This will be a special opportunity for us to come together as a school community and start the year on a spiritual note.

During the Mass, we will also have the privilege of presenting our Year 6 Leaders with their badges as they embark on their responsibilities within their leadership groups for the year. It's a significant moment for them, and we would love for you to be a part of it.

Please note that while in the Church there is no eating or drinking allowed. Kindly ensure that any coffee cups or beverages are finished and disposed of before entering the church premises.

We look forward to sharing this meaningful event with you and your family. Your presence will undoubtedly make this day even more memorable for our students.

Thank you for your continued support, and we can't wait to see you there!

The Year 6 students will be commissioned into their Leadership roles at the Opening School Mass/Ash Wednesday Mass on Wednesday 14 February. This Mass is being held at St. Anthony's Church Tahmoor beginning at 10:00 am. You are warmly invited to attend this important event.

Please be aware that the Year 6 students are to wear their full summer uniform. If your child has new dietary requirements for the Sacrament of Communion please let the office staff know at your earliest convenience. If you provide an alternative Host, please ensure this is provided to Mrs. Smith (Religious Education Coordinator) by Monday 12 February. 

Year 3 White will be presenting at assembly on Friday 16 February at 2:20pm. We would like to invite parents/families from Year 3 White to join us in the hall for the presentation. 

Please note: Assemblies are held in weeks 3, 6 and 9 of every term.

Our P & F Association AGM will be held on Monday 19 February 2024 at 6:30 pm. We will be seeking nominations to elect our Parents and Friends Executive. If members of our parent community wish to nominate another parent/caregiver they need to have in writing, their own name, the name of the person they are nominating and a clear statement stating that they have discussed this nomination with the nominated person and that they are willing to accept this nomination. Nominations need to be addressed to the Principal and handed in to the school office no later than 3:30 pm, Friday 16 February.

Thank you to all who responded to our call for assistance with weeding the heavily overgrown veggie garden on our school grounds.

The response we received was truly overwhelming, and we are incredibly grateful for the generosity and willingness of each and every one of you to lend a helping hand. Your dedication to helping our school look its best is greatly appreciated.

A special shout-out goes to Tracey Kelly (Sienna's mum from 1 Blue), Geoff Tague (Sophie's grandfather from 5 White), and Kristy and Layla Elphinstone (Xavier's mum and sister from 6 White) for their fantastic work in bringing our veggie garden back to life. Your efforts have made a significant difference, and we are incredibly thankful for your hard work and dedication.

To all the other parents who offered to help, please know that your support does not go unnoticed. We will be hosting a 'Working Bee' later in the term to spread mulch in the gardens and there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved. As the saying goes, "Many Hands Make Light Work," and we are grateful to have such a supportive and engaged school community.

Once again, thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to our school. Your contributions make a real difference, and we are truly fortunate to have such amazing parents and guardians as part of our school community.

Welcome back to 2024

As a new way to reach out to our wonderful parent community, we are adding some information around how we can support our Diverse Learners and families at home and in being engaged in learning and loving .

Wildflower Holistic Services - Principal Psychologist Alexandra McCarthy

As the school gates open, a new adventure unfolds - the return to school! 

Whether your household is a whirlwind of chaos or an air of serene organisation (although, we won’t entirely believe you!), the return to school signifies a change for both parents and kids alike. A blend of excitement and uncertainty - for some, it's the first day of a new school or a debut in the school yard. For others, it's a move to a higher grade with unfamiliar faces.
No matter the circumstance, the return to school signals a period of transition with potential areas of challenge for our kids. 

This Blog is a three-part series focusing on areas that deserve attention during the transition back to school: anxiety, executive functioning, and managing after-school meltdowns. 

First up - Anxiety. While some kids will be excited to return to school, others may experience heightened anxiety and difficulty adapting to change. Even kids who don't usually experience anxiety are likely to experience butterflies in their bellies. For our kids who are prone to anxiety and have difficulty separating from parents, this transition can be especially challenging. It's normal for anxiety to accompany change. There may be a change in your kids social support system - maybe a good friend has moved schools or a favourite teacher is being replaced. Maybe they are worried about their homework getting harder now that they have moved up a grade. Maybe they’re worried about navigating new social dynamics. 

Here are some quick tips to assist in managing anxiety that can  aid in a slightly smoother transition back to school:  

1. Use Visual Supports/Schedules to Establish Routine and Structure: Help your child transition smoothly by establishing a consistent routine at home prior to school starting. A visual schedule of the school week can help minimise anxiety by establishing predictability; as your child knows what to expect each day. For example, using a visual schedule for after-school pick ups for the week e.g. Monday
catching the bus, Tuesday picked up by parents, Wednesday picked up by grandparents, and so on. 

2. Familiarise with the New Environment: This is essential for helping children feel more confident and comfortable as they transition back to school. Role playing various scenarios and discussing the potential challenges that might arise is a great way to promote problem solving and develop strategies to navigate unfamiliar situations and reduce anxiety. For example, you can stimulate scenarios such as getting lost at school, or not being able to find their teacher. Children can feel more prepared and less anxious about facing similar situations in real life by reducing fear of the unknown. 

3. Validate Emotions: Initiate conversations about the return to school. It's important that you are first checking in with yourself and your own emotions. Kids pick up on parents' nerves or anxiety so managing this is a great first step in helping them feel calm. Encourage your child to express their emotions and any worries around returning to school. Then, actively listen, validate their emotions, and provide reassurance. Actively listening means seriously taking in their concerns. Then, rather than dismissing e.g. “you will be fine - it’s just a new class” we encourage you to validate. This looks like “I hear that you are feeling worried about being in a new class with a new teacher, and I know that's hard”. Sometimes, that’s all our kids need. To be heard and understood. Reassurance is also important, demonstrating your confidence in them to get through the situation - you might collaboratively make a plan as to how your child is going to cope with these worries. We encourage you to acknowledge and validate the broad range of emotions they may be experiencing and establish a safe space to express their concerns. 

4. Practice Emotional Regulation: Practicing emotional regulation is a vital skill that can benefit kids as they navigate the transition back to school. Mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing exercises are useful for managing anxiety by calming the nervous system and promoting relaxation. For example, encouraging your child to practice five finger breathing whenever they feel worried about school. For example,”I am going to do my five finger breathing every time I feel butterflies in my tummy”, provides a tangible coping strategy for whenever they’re feeling anxious about school. 

These strategies can help your child navigate the transition back to school with confidence and resilience. Together, you can tackle any challenges that come your way and make the return to school a positive experience for the whole family.

We would like to acknowledge our School Captains, Grace Moody and Ben McMullen, who represented the school at the Picton Australia Day Ceremony. Grace and Ben were responsible for reading the Australia Day prayer. They were a credit to our school and the Wollondilly Council has passed on their appreciation.

The Parish is seeking a qualified Electrician to undertake periodic inspections of the Church property. Probably no more than 1 day a year.

Also, we are seeking someone with the experience to help build/create a new parish website.

If you would like to volunteer some time for these valuable activities, please contact the church office,  picton@dow.org.au

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.

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.