Newsletter - 2025 Term 1 Week 6

Prayer

Calendar

To access the School Calendar on Compass:

- Using a mobile phone: Click on the Calendar tab at the bottom of your Compass home page. You will have the option to view the calendar as daily or weekly. To see future dates, click on the small calendar at the top right hand side.

- Using a computer: Click on the Calendar icon at the top left hand side next to the Compass logo. You will have the option to view the calendar as a day, week, month or term.

Principal Message

Dear Parents and  Carers

I hope that you and your child(ren) have had a good start to the 2025 school year. The beginning of the school year is always so interesting. We spend the first two or three weeks setting our students up for success by ensuring that they know all the rules and expectations for the year, start to make strong connections with their classmates and teachers and further develop their executive function, ready for the curriculum they will encounter in their new year level.

Executive function is a set of mental skills. It includes working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. We use these skills every day to learn, work, and manage daily life. Trouble with executive function can make it hard to focus, follow directions, and handle emotions, among other things.

While we are setting our students up for a successful year, the most important work of all is the preparation the students’ require in executive function as well as their disposition for learning and in turn their well-being will be compromised.

Our Commitment to Learning

I want to also emphasise the importance of your child attending school every day and for the entire school day. Each day brings valuable learning experiences, and being present for the whole day allows your child to fully benefit from our rich curriculum.

Mornings are packed with vital and explicit learning, and afternoons are equally important. Afternoon activities like History, Geography, Science, and Creative Arts foster creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills – all essential for your child's development.

We understand that occasional circumstances may require your child to leave early. In such cases, please inform your child's teacher in writing with the reason for early departure. This helps minimise disruption to the learning environment for all students.

To ensure your child gets the most out of their school experience, we encourage you to prioritise full-day attendance whenever possible. This allows your child to thrive in all aspects of their learning journey and contribute fully to our vibrant classroom community.

Please remember to explain any absences from school, preferably via Compass. Regular attendance is crucial for your child's academic progress and overall success. We appreciate your partnership in supporting your child's education.

Thank you for your commitment to learning!

Newsletter Updates

To ensure you receive timely and effective information, we're streamlining our newsletter distribution. Newsletters will now be sent on Weeks 1, 3, 6, 9, and 10. Don't worry, all event information will continue as usual, and the live calendar remains accessible for reminders. This adjustment allows us to optimise resources and provide essential information without overwhelming your inbox.

Peace be with you
Brendan Kiely
Principal (Acting)

Assistant Principal - Mission

Shrove Tuesday

Thanks to the amazing Parents who organised pancakes to be delivered to each of our children in class on Shrove Tuesday. This was a wonderful lead into the beginning of Lent, launched the following day on Ash Wednesday. Students had learned in class about the significance of each of these events.

Caritas

There is no time like 2025! This year is an exciting time in the life of the church. A Jubilee year only comes around once every quarter of a century, and it brings with it a special invitation for each of us. That invitation is close to the heart of Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. The theme of Jubilee 2025 is Pilgrims of Hope. It is hope which calls us to come together and Unite Against Poverty. During Lent, we are called to be good news for the poor. Project Compassion is a wonderful way to do this. 

This year, the SRC have chosen to provide maintenance for the water tanks we purchased last year through Tap-itas and to provide households with money to start their own businesses selling food products as their focus project for fundraising. This week, David Johnson spoke to students and staff about the importance of helping other people during Lent.

Easter Raffle

We invite all families to donate towards our annual Easter Raffle. Tickets are available for 50 cents each, from Student Leaders near the front of the school office at Lunch 1 from Week 7. Each child from a family that makes a donation automatically receives a ticket. 

We look forward to drawing this raffle at the end of Week 10 with all proceeds going to Caritas.

Sacrament of Penance

On Tuesday, students making their Sacrament of Penance were provided with the option to attend a workshop at St Agnes’ Primary School at 3:30pm or to attend any one of the other sessions offered in the coming weeks at other venues. This was a wonderful opportunity for family members to engage in learning and offer support for their child’s faith journey.

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Harmony Day

We look forward to watching the staff and students in the Harmony Day dress up parade on Friday 21 March under the shelter at 9:00am. Students will be asking families about their cultural heritage so they can share information with their classmates to celebrate our cultural diversity and that “We all belong” at St Agnes’ Primary School.

Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

NAPLAN Update

We are so proud of our Year 3 and Year 5 students for the wonderful way that they have embraced NAPLAN this week. They have been positive, cooperative and enthusiastic. A special thanks to all of the staff who have gone above and beyond to make this a successful experience.

Year 1 Early Bird Reading

We are so proud of all of our Year 1 students who are participating in Early Bird Reading. It is such a wonderful initiative to support reading and we are lucky to have such a committed team of staff and parents to support this initiative. We are even lucky enough to have a volunteer from Lourdes House! We are still looking for a parent helper for Thursday mornings, if you think that you would like to help between 8:25am and 8:55am on a Wednesday morning please contact the front office.

Attendance

As per our attendance processes, we are currently identifying students who are below 90% attendance. Letters will be sent to families next week to inform you for future decisions. Please know that if you are having difficulties with getting your children to school, we are available to support you.

Healthy Sleep, Exercise and Diet Can Make A Difference

Healthy sleep, exercise, and diet play critical roles in a student's overall wellbeing, impacting not only their physical health but also their cognitive function, emotional regulation and ability to focus. 

Encouraging healthy habits early on, sets the foundation for a lifetime of wellbeing. Children who learn the importance of sleep, exercise and a balanced diet are more likely to carry these habits into adolescence and adulthood, impacting their overall attendance and success in school.

School Band

The St Agnes' School Band is looking for some new beginner students to join and learn trumpet and trombone. We have instruments ready and waiting. 

Please collect a Band note from the office for all the information. 

Sports News

Diocesan Hockey - Winter Sports Trials - Grafton

Four Aggies students travelled to Grafton on Monday to compete in the Lismore Diocesan Hockey Trials. Eli B, Eli M, Mia B, and Ivy G played against students from other Catholic schools in the Diocese, giving their best effort. Despite the hot and humid conditions on the artificial grass, our players impressed the selectors during skill sessions and games.

Based on their performance, Ivy, Mia, and Eli M were selected to attend the Polding Hockey Trials later this year. Congratulations to all four students on their sporting success!

Diocesan Swimming Trials - Murwillumbah

Last Tuesday, 14 Aggies swimmers travelled North to Murwillumbah to compete at the Diocesan Swimming Trials. Having already progressed through school and Zone trials to compete against students from Catholic schools in the Tweed, Clarence and Richmond Zones.

Our swimmers swam well, and there were reports of many Personal Bests (PBs) coming from the event. Congratulations to the following swimmers for their outstanding results. They will now move to the Polding Selection Trials in Sydney on Wednesday 2  April.

Jade Johnson:

2nd all age 100m Freestyle
3rd 12yrs 50m Freestyle
2nd 12yrs 50m Backstroke
2nd 12yrs 50m Butterfly
2nd Senior 4x50m Individual Medley

Daniel Ivannikov

3rd Junior 50m Backstroke
2nd Junior 50m Butterfly
2nd Junior 4x50m Individual Medley

Congratulations to Jade Johnson, the Senior Girls' Age Champion Runner-up, and Daniel Ivannikov, the 10 year old Age Champion Runner-up. They have achieved outstanding results at a high level of swimming. Well done.

Rescheduled - Diocesan Winter Sports Trials

Last week, the Diocesan Winter Sports Trials for Soccer, League, and Netball were postponed due to Cyclone Alfred. The Lismore Diocese has now rescheduled the trials for Thursday 27 March. All three sports will still take place in Grafton, the field and location details have been sent to the athletes attending. We appreciate the patience and understanding of families and wish all participating students the best of luck as they compete for a spot at the Polding Trials.

Here We Go! School Cross Country Carnival

The Aggies Cross Country Carnival will be held on Friday 28 March. Students will participate in endurance races based on their age groups. Training has begun, with students running laps around the field during their Physical Education lessons.

While the carnival emphasises participation and inclusion, it also serves as the selection race for the Aggies Cross Country team. This team will compete at the Hastings Zone Carnival in Kempsey on Wednesday 7 May. Six boys and six girls from each age group will be chosen on that day.

The race distances are as follows:

• 8, 9, and 10 year olds: 2 km (4 laps of the field)
• 11 and 12 year olds: 3 km (6 laps of the field)

The Primary Carnival, including all championship events, will occur from 9:00am to 11:00am. We invite all families to join us for a picnic lunch with students from 11:00am to 11:40am. The Infants Carnival will begin after Lunch 1, with Kindergarten, Year 1, and Year 2 students running one full lap of the oval. If any community members are interested in helping with timekeeping, please email andrew.wilson@lism.catholic.

The attached event program will assist families in planning their day. Please note that the times are approximate, but we will do our best to adhere to the schedule.

Soccer Gala Day Excitement Builds!

Excitement is building for the upcoming Soccer Gala Day! Teams have been finalised and registered with Northern NSW Football. Around 185 Aggies students will attend the event to enjoy a fun day of soccer. The gala day aims to be inclusive, welcoming students of all skill levels. Teams will compete against other schools in a relaxed, gala day format, with mixed-ability groups designed to help students collaborate and improve their skills.

The event will occur locally at Findlay Park on Monday 31 March, with games beginning at 10:00am. Matches will be five-a-side with no goalkeepers. Further details and team assignments were shared via the Compass app this week.

Important:

• Shin pads are required for all players.
• Soccer boots are recommended but not compulsory.

Future Dates

Term 1

• Friday 27 March - Diocesan Winter Sports Trials - Grafton (Rugby League, Netball, Soccer)
• Friday 28 March - School Cross Country Carnival
• Monday 31 March - Northern NSW Football Gala Day - Port Macquarie
• Wednesday 2 April - Polding Swimming Trials - Sydney
• Wednesday 9 April - Zone Winter Sports Trials - Rugby Union - Kempsey
• Thursday 10 April - Sydney Grammar V St Agnes’ Rugby Union friendly - St Agnes' oval

Term 2

• Wednesday 7 May - Hastings Zone Cross Country - Kempsey

Student Awards

Congratulations to the following students who received an award at today's assembly:

Addison Q, Amal Manoj M, Ava Q, Bella R, Benjamin B, Cade S, Eisha G, Elsa G, Emerson S, Emmett Y, Enzo W, Harrison B, Henry B, Isabelle P, Ishan J, Ishel J, Jala C, Jasper K, Jayden J, Jeffrey W, John D, Jovana A, Kalari D, Korbann J M, Lachlan C, Lisa-Marie V, Lucy C, Michael T, Michael V, Mike R, Noah E, Owen J, Poppy C, Ruby W, Ryan C, Ryley W, Sage P, Sandeep M, Serah N, Stella A, Stella S, Tara A, Tilda R, Vera M, Vivienne L and Wyatt B.

Pastoral Care

Seasons For Growth - Learning To Live With Change and Loss

Everyone is affected by change and loss at some time in our lives. At St Agnes' we are offering the Seasons for Growth program this term to Year 6 students. We plan to offer the program to other grades throughout the year. 

This program is facilitated in small groups of up to 7 students and is based on research which highlights the importance of social support and the need to practise new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. Change and loss can include things like parent separation, changing schools, loss of a loved one or a change in friendships. The program focuses on building skills such as how to manage feelings, problem-solving, decision-making, effective communication and develops peer support networks. Participation in the program can promote improved self-esteem and self-confidence as well as giving children the opportunity to find their own voice amid change.

If you think your Year 6 child would enjoy joining the Seasons for Growth program, we encourage you to talk to him/her about it. Please send your expression of interest, or any questions about the program to our School Counsellor, Kate Watson, via email kate.watson@lism.catholic.edu.au.  

Positive Behaviour Support

This week, we have continued with our learning about our whole school expectations of being Respectful in the classroom. 

Family Resources:

https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/building-respectful-relationships

School Community Forum

Dear Parents and Carers

Our next parent meeting will be held on Monday 17 March from 5:45pm in the school staff room. This will be our first meeting with Acting Principal Mr Brendan Kiely and an opportunity to hear his educational vision for our school community.

Monday's meeting will also include the SCF Annual General Meeting where attendees shall vote to elect members for the following SCF Executive positions;

• Chairperson (required)
• Secretary (required)
• Treasurer (required)
• Vice Chairperson
• Communications Coordinator
• Volunteer Coordinator

Please see below for the meeting agendas and responsibilities of each executive role. 

All parents and carers are warmly invited to attend. Our school’s parent body is known as the School Community Forum (SCF). Being a part of our school community makes all parents and carers a part of this group. There is no membership form or fee to join. 

If you have any questions, please get in touch via pandfstagnes@gmail.com. 

Kind regards

Allison Ritchie
Chairperson
St Agnes’ Primary School Community Forum

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