Newsletter - 2024 Term 2 Week 3

Calendar

From the Leaders

In this Sunday’s Gospel from John, Jesus enters the room where the disciples were praying behind closed doors. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, 'Peace be with you,' The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord, and he said to them again, 'Peace be with you. 'As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.' This begins the mission of the Church. Jesus asked his disciples to go out and continue his work. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to the same task. Jesus is telling the disciples and us that the Holy Spirit is always working with us, guiding us and helping us. He asks the disciples and each of us to be witnesses and to bring out the best in other people. 

Thank you Zac Parnell for working with our choir and music group this week in preparation for the Mass this weekend.

On Monday morning this week the Homily after the Gospel was prepared and delivered by Braxton and Joshua in Year 6. We look forward to Theo and Emily sharing their understanding of this Sunday’s gospel on Monday morning. We are lucky to have such amazing SRC Leaders.

Kindergarten 2025

Our Kinder 2025 Information Session is on tomorrow morning at school from 9:30am. A reminder that the closing date for applications will be 14 June 2024. Please ensure that all applications are received by this date, as we have been completely full from the first round over previous years and we would hate to see any of our current families miss out on a place. Enrolment applications can be completed through the Compass app or online by visiting enrolinexcellence.org.au

First Holy Communion

Please keep all of our First Communion candidates in your prayers as they are presented to the parish community at masses this weekend and continue their preparations for the sacrament next week and the week after.

Indigenous Walking Excursion

On Thursday, Tristram Morris, Aunty Sharon, Aunty April and Steve Donovan led our Indigenous students on the Googik Walking track.

Here are reports from Sophie and Arabella

On the bush tucker walk we learnt about different species of trees and we ate some leaves. In my opinion they tasted bad, but some people liked them. We learnt about some animals and saw a bee hive in the tree. Mr Hersee also caught a leech that was very disgusting. We learnt which trees they made the bowls and spears out of. We are now more aware of our natural environment. We felt the textures of different types of leaves.
Arabella Daley 6 Faith

When we were on the bush walk we learnt about land mullet, and saw some bandicoot holes. We also saw the termite tracks and learned that termites eat inside of the tree until the tree looks like it is about to fall. We learned about different types of bush medicine. The early white settlers introduced the lantana plant to Australia. They brought it to Australia because of the beautiful flowers, but it is now a problem, taking over our native plants.
Sophie Cook 6 Faith

We are very grateful for Triston Morris from Strong Spirit for leading this excursion for our Indigenous students. 

Learning Conversations

We remind all families that Learning Conversations are currently happening until the end of Week 4. If you haven’t booked this important partnership conversation with your child’s teacher yet, please click here to book a time (using the code wss9j).

Pick Up Safety Reminders

During the week we have had some concerns raised by staff that the front of school pick up area has seen some "near misses” in terms of student safety. There have been balls bounced onto the road and children playing tips out the front of the school. We love seeing our families enjoying time together to connect in the afternoons, however, we ask that if you are taking time to stop and talk with others, please stay within the school gates. Safety of all of our community is so important and our children need us to model road safety for them. Thank you for helping us ensure that everyone gets home safely in the afternoon.

MultiLit Partnership Visit

As part of our ongoing commitment to our new English syllabus, we have been lucky enough to secure a visit from the school partnerships team from MultiLit, this coming Monday. The visit will involve staff from MultiLit, as well as our Catholic School’s Office leaders of learning. During this visit, the staff will observe classrooms in Kindergarten to Year 2. We will then be provided the opportunity for feedback and questions, in order to strengthen our school wide implementation. We look forward to this exciting initiative.

Welcome Xavier

Congratulations to Alira from Year 1 and her family on the safe arrival of baby Xavier.

eSafety 101: How eSafety Can Help 

This webinar provides an overview of the eSafety Commissioner and supporting programs and resources for parents and carers, children and young people. It is suitable for parents and carers of children and young people in primary and secondary school. 

Thursday 6 June: 12:30 pm

Register here for eSafety 101

Consent and Online Boundaries

As children begin to navigate the online world, they need to know how to make decisions around consent and boundaries. This webinar will outline strategies for parents and carers, as well as support those hard-to-have conversations. It is suitable for parents and carers of children in primary school.

Tuesday 28 May: 12:30 pm
Tuesday 18 June: 12:30 pm

Register here for Consent and Online Boundaries

Setting your Child up for Success Online 

An overview of having conversations about tech and online interaction, putting boundaries and rules in place, using parental controls, and monitoring your child online. It's suitable for parents and carers of children in primary school.

Thursday 30 May: 12:30 pm
Thursday 20 June: 12:30 pm

Register here for Setting your Child up for Success Online

Family and School Partnerships

Sports News

Zone Cross Country

On Wednesday, 50 students attended the Hastings Zone Cross Country Carnival in Kempsey. The event had been postponed from the previous week, and we were met with perfect running conditions for the backup date. Our students showed up with the right attitude and gave it their all on the track against the other Catholic schools in our zone. Our 8, 9 and 10 year-old runners completed a 2km track, and the 11 and 12 years ran a 3km track. There were some fast times and great sportsmanship from our athletes. Thank you to the families of our St Agnes' community who gave up their time to come and support the children.

From the meet, we have nine students who will go on to compete at the Diocesan Cross Country Carnival next Tuesday. Special mention to Asha Galbraith-Robertson in Year 3, who was the 8/9 Years Girl Age Champion Runner-up. Here is what Asha had to say about the day.

“On Wednesday the 15th I competed in the Zone Cross Country in Kempsey. At the start of the race I felt nervous to begin. I had been training really hard for this moment. I felt that this course was pretty easy, I'm excited to go to Grafton next week to compete at the next level”
Asha Galbraith-Robertson, Year 3

Congratulations to the following students for the Hastings Team selection.

7th Place 8/9 years boys - Ardan Byrne 
2nd Place 8/9 years girls - Asha Galbraith-Robertson 
5th Place 10 years boys - Nicholas Doyle
5th Place 11 years boys - Kasper Sjolund 
6th Place 11 years boys - Kitt Quirk 
6th Place 11 years girls - Ava Schneider 
4th Place 12 years boys - Lachlan Dunn 
8th Place 12 years boys - Harley Cadden 
7th Place 12 Years Girls - Sienna Harrison

Coached Basketball - Sporting Schools Grant

This term, we have secured grant money to have basketball as our coached sport. Kindergarten to Year 6 students will work with professional players and coaches over five weeks. They will work on fundamental basketball skills through drills and modified games. We are proud to work with the Port Macquarie Basketball Association and hope our students enjoy the experience.

Netball NSW Schools Cup (Years 5 and 6)

Teams are in the preparation stage for the Netball NSW Schools Cup Gala Day. Year 5 and 6 students could nominate in competitive or non-competitive leagues, allowing them to experience playing netball for the first time or showcase their skills on the court. 

With around ninety students set to attend, we are excited to send three competitive and seven non-competitive teams. If they make it to the finals, the competitive teams will have the chance to continue playing in competitions against other areas.

The event will be held at the Port Macquarie Netball Courts on Tuesday 18 June. If any parents or family members wish to help with a team on the day, please contact the school.

A Year 3 and 4 netball gala day is scheduled for Term 3.

Future Dates

Term 2

• Tuesday 21 May - Diocesan Cross Country, Grafton
• Friday 7 June - Diocesan Rugby Union Gala Day, Coffs Harbour
• Tuesday 18 June - NSW Netball School’s Cup Years 5 and 6 Gala Day
• Friday 21 June - School Athletics Carnival
• Wednesday 24 July - Zone Athletics at St Joseph’s Regional College, Port Macquarie

Positive Behaviour Support

This week our PBS focus is on being Respectful. I am respectful of others’ in their personal space. I keep my hands and feet to myself. The purpose of this blanket statement is to avoid situations escalating and accidental injury. However, some level of physical contact is unavoidable and there are certain situations where it is appropriate. We will teach how and when it is appropriate. The aim of the lesson is to teach students impulse control and foster perspective-taking, helping them understand the impact of inappropriate actions on others' feelings. 

PBS Focus: Respectful I am respectful of others’ in their personal space. I keep my hands and feet to myself (No Physical Contact or Aggression).

Catholic School Teaching: Human dignity 
We are all made in the image of God. We are all valuable and worthy of respect and fairness because we are all human.

Family Resources:

Student Awards

Congratulations to the following students who have reached 200 Dojos:

Alex A, Ethan W, Fritz T, Julian K, Layla M and Noah E

Congratulations to the following students who have reached 100 Dojos:

Aanshi P, Alexander M, Alexis L, Alyse V, Amelia W, Angel  S, Ashton M, Aubree S, Avinav S, Bilyana B, Bonnie C, Braxton S, Brodie C, Charlie E, Charlotte D, Charlotte L, Chloe L, Cour'Tarlor K, Dean C, Dhyana M, Dominic R, Eli M, Elijah N, Emme C, Ethan F, Evie P, Frankie C, George S, Grayson B, Harley C, Harley R, Harriet M, Hayley M, Hazel L, Henley C, Henry F, Hudson M, Isla W, Ivy C, Jack C, Jackson L, Jai C, John H, Josh A, Jovan C, Justine R, Kasper S, Keyana W, Kobi W, Lacey W, Lachlan D, Lachlan S, Layla M, Layla R, Laylah W, Liam O, Makayla D, Malakai C, Michael T, Michelle A, Noah E, Olive H, Oliver L, Owen N, Riley G, Rocco M, Ruby W, Ryley W, Ryuta F, Shayla D, Sophia S, Thea D, Theodore R, Tyler C, Tyson E, William E and Willow H

Abhyukth S, Aemy M, Airlie B, Aiva A, Anastasia K, Archie M, Arliah F, Arrabella D, Aurora P, Billie B, Carol A, Charlie E, Charlie T, Charlotte M, Cody N, Dean C, Dominic R, Emersyn F, Ethan W, Evie C, Flynn W, Gillyanna V, Harrison F, Harry M, Hayley G, Hazel M, Henley C, Indi F, Jack D, Jack T, Jada U, Jayden C, Kaitlyn J, Kohen W, Konnor B, Layla M, Leo H, Mia M, Mila M, Nicholas M, Oscar H, Rosie W, Skyler B, Sophie W, Theodore D, Thomas S, Vivienne L and Zuri T

St Agnes' Primary School Community Forum

Everyone is welcome to join us on Monday 20 May for our School Community Forum meeting from 5:45pm to 6:45pm in the staffroom.

Canteen News

Parish News

Key Enrolment Dates For 2025

Kindergarten Information Sessions

• St Agnes’ Primary School – Saturday 18 May 2024 – 9:30am
• St Peter’s Primary School – Saturday 18 May 2024 – 9:30am
  
• St Joseph’s Primary School – Saturday 18 May 2024 – 9:30am

Primary School Tour for Kindergarten

• St Agnes’ Primary School – Saturday 1 June 2024 – 2:00pm
  
• St Peter’s Primary School – Saturday 1 June 2024 – 2:00pm
  
• St Joseph’s Primary School – Saturday 1 June 2024 – 2:00pm

Emmaus Village Open Day

St Agnes’ Catholic Parish is hosting an ‘Open Day’ at the new Emmaus Village (co-located with Emmaus Home at 16 Colonel Barney Drive, Port Macquarie) on Saturday 1 June, 10:00am-2:00pm. 

There’ll be info sessions, tours, stalls, live performances, face painting for the kids, sausage sizzle, and more - the onsite café ‘Breaking Bread Café’ will also be open for those who love a good coffee. Everyone is welcome to come along to join in the Open Day celebrations.

Find out more by joining the event page https://bit.ly/3y9tS6T or visiting the Emmaus Village website https://bit.ly/3wHGS36.

Community News