Newsletter - 2024 Term 4 Week 7

Calendar

From the Leaders

This Sunday begins our new Liturgical year with the first Sunday in Advent in Year C. Advent is a time to celebrate Christ’s first coming into the world and to prepare us for when he will come again. We are given instructions on how we should act, what we should look for, and why we can hope in the promise to come. In Luke’s Gospel this week we can try to be patient and generous with our time, talents and sometimes our money to help bring joy and happiness into the world. This is how we can be ready to celebrate Christ’s coming at Christmas.

World Children’s Day

Year 6 students led the school in a fantastic celebration to acknowledge World Children’s Day this week. Congratulations to Mrs Alchin and the SRC for this initiative. From the gold coin donations we donated $600 to the Starlight Foundation.

Everyone had so much fun participating in the various fun activities in the hall. The icy pole was a welcome treat in the hot weather.

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Annual Parish Christmas Hamper Appeal

Next Tuesday is our 'out of uniform day' to bring in Christmas Hamper items. Thanks to all our families supporting those in need in the parish. These will be delivered the following weekend.

Year 1 Prayer

Year 1 presented a whole school prayer about Christ being our King on Wednesday morning. They reinforced the message about Jesus being a better king or leader than any other one in history. 

St Agnes' Twilight Golf Day

Tonight we are excited about our first twilight ‘Golf Day.’

Thank you to the amazingly generous committee members of Michael O’Brien, Ben McEntyre, Dave Constantine, Mark Leonard, Robert Duffy, Grainne Ducat and Lachlan Bassett who have worked so hard to ensure this event's success. We are incredibly grateful to all of our generous sponsors and golfers and hope everyone has a great time.

Major Sponsor - McIntosh Distribution

Hole Sponsors - Doppio or Nothing Espresso, Construction Sciences, Ultra Tune – Port Macquarie, Joyce Constructions, Paragon Accounting, Prestige Electrical & Data Services and Harelec Solar

Team Sponsors - Vital Living, Peter Jacka Electrical, Coastal Commercial Linings and Fresh By Design

Other Sponsors/supporters - Tall Orders, Strive Financial, The Local, Morris Succession Lawyers, Saxby's, Cassegrain Wines,  Burger Urge, Kenny Littles, Little Shack, Brows by Willow, Aqua Vitae, Mid Pacific, Salty Crew Kiosk, Taronga Zoo Sydney, Sea Life Aquarium Sydney, WildNets Port Macquarie, Thomas Foods, Petries Mitre 10 and Super Cheap Auto

Rubbish Warriors - Mr Clean

6 Faith were the winners of Mr Clean this week. Whilst Jenson, Ezra, Isabella, Ivy and Taya were recognised by the SRC Rubbish Warriors for taking care of our environment. These students received a voucher from the canteen. Thank you for your contribution for Caring for our common home.

There was a wonderful vibe at St Joseph’s Regional College last Sunday. Members from across the St Agnes’ Parish community joined together for a Mass to celebrate Christ as our King celebrated by Fathers Paul, Prodencio and Alejo. This was followed by the sharing of delicious foods made by members of our Indian and Filipino communities as well as paella, bbq and sweet treats made by schools and other parish entities. Children enjoyed mixing with others on the jumping castle, creating sand artworks, having their faces painted and playing games. Musical talents were also shared by adults and children. Congratulations to everyone involved in the planning and on the day. We look forward to this being an annual event in our parish.

Make getting students to school on time every day a top priority

Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves. Ensuring that students arrive at school on time every day is crucial for their academic success and wellbeing. Parents play a crucial role in instilling the importance of punctuality in their children. Here are some strategies for parents to make getting students to school on time every day a top priority:

• Establish a Consistent Routine. Set a daily routine that includes specific times for waking up, getting ready, having breakfast, and leaving for school. Consistency helps children develop good habits.
• Model Punctuality. Children often learn by example. Demonstrate the importance of punctuality by being on time for family events, appointments, and other commitments. 
• Limit or Have No Screen Time in the Morning. Minimise distractions such as excessive screen time in the morning. This helps your child stay focused on getting ready for school without unnecessary delays.

Sports News

Diocesan Summer Sports Trials - Basketball

Congratulations to Macy C, Emily K and Mila S, who travelled to Lismore on Tuesday to participate in the Diocesan Basketball Trials. The one day event provided the girls with an opportunity to showcase their skills to selectors. Representing the Hastings Zone Team, they took part in skill development sessions and competed in structured games throughout the day.

We applaud Macy, Emily and Mila for their efforts and hope they thoroughly enjoyed this valuable representative experience.

A special congratulations to Mila S and Emily K, who were successfully selected to advance to the Polding Trials. They will travel to Tamworth in February, where they’ll compete for a position on the prestigious Polding team. Well done Emily and Mila!

Here’s what Macy, Emily and Mila had to say about their experience:

“On the 26th of November, we participated in the Lismore Diocesan basketball trials. On the very hot day there were around 65 people trialing from years 4 and 5. The day was broken up into two sessions which contained shooting and dribbling drills and five v five games. There were very tough competitors from the Tweed, Clarence, Richmond and Hastings zones. In the last hour, they selected the possibles and probables which were made up of 12 boys and 12 girls, to play an extra game. From here, they selected the eight boys and girls to represent the Lismore Diocesan at Polding in Tamworth in early 2025. We had two successful competitors from St Agnes, Mila and Emily.”

Mila, Emily and Macy

Diocesan Summer Sports Trials - Touch Football

On Thursday, our touch football players had the exciting opportunity to participate in the Summer Sports Selection trials. Mia B, Ivy G and Stella D travelled to Lismore, enduring challenging conditions of intense heat and humidity, to demonstrate their skills.

Representing the Hastings Zone Team, the girls participated in skill development sessions before advancing to competitive games as part of the trial process. Their efforts paid off as all three progressed to the final selection game of the day. In an exceptional outcome, Ivy, Mia and Stella were all successfully selected to compete in the Polding Trials, scheduled for February.

This is an outstanding achievement for the girls and a proud moment for Aggies. Congratulations to Mia, Stella and Ivy on their success!

Polding Representative Medals

This week, we acknowledged three Year 6 students who represented themselves and their school at NSW PSSA titles in 2024.

Congratulation to:

Henry - AFL
Flynn - AFL
Jagga - Soccer

Congratulations to Henry, Flynn and Jagga for outstanding achievements in your chosen sport. We hope you enjoyed the experience of playing against some of the best AFL and Soccer players in NSW. Well done!

Aggies Swimming Carnival

Registration for the Aggies Swimming Carnival will close next Monday 2 December. To register your child, visit schoolinterviews.com.au and use the code ca2ty.

Before signing up, please ensure your child can confidently swim the chosen distance without stopping. The carnival is designed to be fun and inclusive, encouraging all students to take part. For those not entering the competitive races, there will be alternative activities, including 25m races, novelty events and free swim sessions.

To help families plan their day, event programs for kindergarten, Years 1 & 2, and Primary are attached below. We understand that many parents take time off to attend, and we’ll do our best to keep events running on schedule. Permission notes for the carnival were sent out this week via Compass.

Future Dates

• Friday 6 December: St Agnes' Swimming Carnival - Port Macquarie Town Pool

2025

• Thursday 6 February: School Zone Swimming Trials - Wauchope Pool
• Friday 7 February: Polding Summer Sports Trials - Tamworth
• Tuesday 18 February: Zone Swimming Carnival - Macksville

Student Awards

Congratulations to the following students who have reached 600 Dojos:

Fritz T

Congratulations to the following students who have reached 500 Dojos:

Ethan W and Mike R

Congratulations to the following students who have reached 400 Dojos:

Abhyukth S, Ande S, Archer M, Aston G, Benjamin B, Cade S, Emersyn F, Emmett Y, Evie E, Georgia W, Kohen W, Lucas S, Maia C, McKenzie H, Oscar H, Paityn P, Patrick P, Pip A, Sienna R and Waverly C

Congratulations to the following students who have reached 300 Dojos:

Alyse V, Amber F, Beau J, Benjamin C, Bonnie M, Brodie D, Charlotte W, Chase M, Daniel L, Duke W, Eleanore M, Elsie K, Faraday W, Florence H, Grace L, Hana D, Hunter S, Isla W, Jada U, Jai C, Joel C, Jude H, Kallan F, Kitt Q, Koby S, Lawson M, Logan S, Mahli-Lee W, Makayla D, Malakai C, Marcella J, Mila S, Molly B, Noah F, Rachel H, Ryley W, Ryuta F, Shayla D, Sienna T, Taya M and Vivienne L

Congratulations to the following students who have reached 200 Dojos:

Adelaide W, Aiden V, Airlie B, Amelia S, Aurora S, Ava C, Bailey B, Callum J, Daisy-Rae A, Edison L, Hallie T, Henley C, Hudson M, Hunter F, Hunter S, Jackson R, Jala C, Jaxon S, Jho'Arryn C, Liam C, Lucy C, Micah V, Molly B, Nicholas D, Nicholas M, Norah M, Oscar D, Poppy C, Sylvia L, Tilda R and Van M

Congratulations to the following students who have reached 100 Dojos:

Angelina T, Annabelle B, Aria S, Ayarin A, Kalari D, Lucy C, Nathania N, Netaniah S, Noah U and Oscar D

Anastasia K, Annabelle B, Ava S, Ava W, Avinav S, Bonnie M, Carol A, Charlotte M, Chase O, Cohen T, Connor C, Diyana S, Elkana J, Ella R, Emilia A, Emme C, Enzo W, Flynn W, Isobel W, Jacob B, Jeffrey W, Jorgie P, Jupiter S, Keeley C, Koby S, Lacey W, Leila L, Liam J, Lily S, Lucas G, Mahli-Lee W, Max B, Miguel L, Mike R, Noah B, Noah E, Noah F, Oliver W, Patrick L, Phebe C, Reagan C, Rosie W, Ruby H, Sadie O, Sienna H, Skylah N, Skyler B, Sophia S and William E

Positive Behaviour Support

This week we have started with a new two week focus on being Respectful. 

I respect and celebrate everyone for who they are! The purpose of this lesson is to 'build racism and racial literacy, so that we are confident and capable of identifying it and addressing it. Direct and deliberate conversations will support a deeper understanding of what racism is, making it easier to recognise in the future. Ignoring or avoiding the topic leaves us all exposed to bias that exists wherever we live and work' (Education, Action, Change - Reconciliation South Australia).

Catholic Social teaching: 

We believe that every person is made in God’s image. We believe that every person has inherent dignity and every life is sacred.

The innate dignity of each person is the foundation and inspiration of our vision for a just and compassionate world.

We see the image of God in every person, no matter their circumstance. The women, men and children most vulnerable to extreme poverty and injustice should not be hindered from living a life equal to their dignity.

Family Resources: 

Education NSW - Multicultural Education

Different Skin Colours

Books to Share:

Canteen News

Parish News

Encounter Youth Promo: Week 8 – No Youth Group (6 Dec)

Next week there will be NO YOUTH GROUP (6 December). This is because many of our leaders will be away at their youth ministry debrief in Coffs Harbour. However, the following week is our Christmas Party – our final youth group for the term.

Ignite Summer Camp: 8-12 January 

There aren’t many tickets left for Ignite Summer Camp (only 1 subsidised ticket, 5 tickets in our group, and three left for the event – only 9 in total). If anyone wishes to go to Ignite Summer Camp, their deposit needs to be made as soon as possible. For details on how to make a deposit or if anyone is experiencing financial difficulties and cannot make the deposit this week, please reach out to our Youth Coordinator: Zac Parnell (M 0487 971 744).

eSafety 101: how eSafety can help you. 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 and will be on Wednesday 4 December at 12:30pm Registration link - https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/4429149931214716000

Community News