Newsletter - 2024 Term 4 Week 10

Calendar

From the Leaders

As we prepare for Christmas, we recall that Advent is a time of hope, waiting, compassion and kindness, as we await the coming of Jesus. Christmas is a special time as family and friends come together. During this time it is important to take a moment to reflect and give thanks for the many blessings given to us, but also to pray for those members of our school community and families that may be facing challenges during this time. The birth of Jesus signifies a new beginning for all of us. A time for renewed hope, peace, love and new beginnings. 

Thanks to each of you for your support of our school community this year. On behalf of the staff of St Agnes’ Primary School, we would like to wish you and your family a wonderful and peaceful Christmas and a new year blessed with health and happiness. 

Class of 2024

Congratulations to our Year 6 Graduating Class of 2024. These students were recognised and presented with certificates and awards during their Mass on Monday morning. We recognised the SRC and House Leaders for their valuable contribution this year.
Congratulations to the following students who received extraordinary awards:

Student Leadership Award: Emily Lonergan, Joseph O’Brien, Josh Abraham, Theo Ding, Elloise Gleeson, Sienna Harrison, Arthur Hough, Grace Judge, Braxton Stewart and Flynn Wehlow

Sport Leadership Awards:
Boronia - Bailey Ackroyd and William Everson
Clarence - Bonnie Croft and Jagga Smith
Flinders - Henry Fryer and Ezra van Lint
Kennedy - Harley Cadden and Lachlan Dunn

Academic Awards: Bilyana Brown, Evie Carney, Parker Clarke, Theodore Ding, Thea Durbridge, William Everson, Ethan Favaloro, Sienna Harrison, Emily Lonergan, Joseph O’Brien, Jessyka Porteous, Justine Rizk, Avinav Sivaraj, Cohen Tudhope and Matilda Williams

Principal's Award: Justine Rizk and Nate Madden

Sportsperson of the Year: Female - Jagga Smith
                                                       Male - Flynn Wehlow

Parish Mission Awards: Josh Abraham

Creative Arts Award: Addison Hucker

Diocesan Indigenous Award:
Aunty Doreen Flanders Deadly Leadership Award - Cooper Westley
Aunty Doreen Flanders Reconciliation Award – Arthur Hough

Citizenship Award: Joseph O’Brien

Dux: Lorcan Byrne

Congratulations Graduating Class of 2024:

Josh A, Bailey A, Jonah A, Mars A, Godwin A, Jack A, Billy B, Brock B, Bilyana B, Max B, Ethan B, Henry B, Lorcan B, Piper B, Xy C, Harley C, Evie C, Connor C, Nathan C, Jovan C, Liam C, Parker C, Lucas C, Sophie C, Bonnie C, Arrabella D, Isiah D, Theodore D, Angus D, Lachlan D, Thea D, Tyson E, William E, Ethan F, Ethan F, Mahli F, Sophia F, Henry F, Marcus G, Elloise G, Hayley G, Charlie H, Sienna H, Olive H, Arthur H, Addison H, Diya J, Felix J, Ethan J, Kaitlyn J, Grace J, Isabella K, Alexis L, Emily L, Elkie L, Nate M, Savannah M, Nate M, Willow N, Benjamin O, Joseph O, Zoe O, Jessyka P, Hayden D, Justine R, Avinav S, Jagga S, Thomas S, Archie S, Braxton S, Tessa T, Nevaeh T, Cohen T, Poppy T, Ezra V, Aaron V, Laylah W, Flynn W, Cooper W, Flynn W, Matilda W and Rosie W

Year 6 Graduation

The school hall was transformed into a beach party for the graduation dinner after the amazing work of numerous parents who made preparations, decorated the hall, cooked the meal, cleaned up etc.

The children were so grateful and appreciated the hours of hard work that goes into organising this event for them.

Online Bookings for 2025 (Years 1 to 6) Maths Assessment Interviews (MAI)

As part of a Diocesan initiative, St Agnes’ Primary School will once again conduct individual assessment interviews for all children in Mathematics. The MAI’s are a 20 to 30 minute interview with your child and their teacher on either Monday 3 February, Tuesday 4 February or Wednesday 5 February. These are student only appointments and parents are not required to attend. Please arrive at the school office 5 minutes before the appointment time. Please note this is not a full school day, students attending interviews are not required to wear school uniform, and students are only required to attend school for the duration of their assessment. If your child is in Years 1-4, they may be asked to stay an extra 15 minutes to complete a Screener for English as part of our work with the new curriculum. You do not need to book this, it is just a courtesy reminder to allow 15 minutes extra for your timeslot.

To book your child’s interview please log on to schoolinterviews.com.au using unique code d3bak.

If you are unsure which class your child has been placed in for 2025, please contact the office or email: pmaca@lism.catholic.edu.au.  The office will be open tomorrow, Thursday 19 December and will reopen Thursday 30 January 2025 from 8:00am to 4:00pm. 

Online Child Minding Booking Information

We will be offering limited child-minding facilities for students in Years 1 to 6 from 8:25am to 3:30pm on Monday 3 February, Tuesday 4 February and Wednesday 5 February for those families unable to organise alternative arrangements for this period.

You must book in your child for any day which you may require care so we can organise staffing. Please go to schoolinterviews.com.au and enter the event code 2zkxn. Bookings are now open. Please select only the days that your child will be requiring care at St Agnes’ Primary.

Child minding information - The students that attend child minding here at St Agnes’ Primary during this period will be required to wear their school uniform, including their school hat, on each day they attend. They will need to bring with them their fruit, Lunch One, Lunch Two, a drink bottle and a pencil case in their school bag. The canteen will not be operating on these days. Children will need to be signed in at the office on arrival (unless they are catching the bus).

Canteen Appointment

In 2025 we will welcome Cassie Joyce to the St Agnes' staff as our Canteen Coordinator. Cassie has been a member of our school community as a parent for many years. We look forward to having her join us in this professional capacity.

Farewell

We say farewell and thank you to Carol Sealey who has replaced Di Bell, cleaning our school whilst she has been on leave for the past few years. Thanks also to Lyndsay Wallace, Jessica Morrissey, Katrina McGibbon, Jane Singh and Miss Rinnie for the love and care they have shown our students in supporting their learning. 

We wish all the best to Kerri Smith for all of her work in the Canteen this year. We are so grateful for all that she has done for us.

We acknowledge the wonderful work of Jesse Kemp who has been a huge asset to our front office through his work placement on Tuesday and Wednesdays this year. We wish each of these staff members well on their new adventures.

We also farewell the following families: Abraham, Addison, Armitage, Baxter, Brown, Browning, Burdoe, Byrne, Cabrera, Carney, Cavallaro, Chung Sing Hock, Clarke, Cook, Croft, de Bressac, Ding, Durbridge, Elkins, Forster, Fryer, Gittany, Gleeson, Harrison, Howard, Hucker, Hough, Jones, Joyce, Judge, Lugue, Lynn, Madden, McNee, Newall, Modi, O’Brien, Paterson, Rangel, Rizk, Sivaraj, Smith, Spithill, Stafford, Stewart, Tiller, Turnbull, Wehlow, White, Williams and Woolnough

Parent Feedback - Video Information Topics

Kate (School Counsellor) and Nadine (School Occupational Therapist) are excited to offer some short parent information videos in 2025 covering a range of topics. Please click on the following LINK to provide feedback on topics that are important to you.

Little Muzos

Band Rehearsals will resume on Wednesday 12 February for all continuing musicians. 

New students need to go to littlemuzos.com.au to register so that the correct instrument and book is prepared for your child. 

Pastoral Care

The holidays are an exciting time for children, but they can be challenging for kids, too, when all those things they look forward to — free time, sweets, presents, cousins! — can get overwhelming. Changes to routine, late nights, and travelling can all increase feelings of stress. Here are some tips from the Child Mind Institute to help make the Christmas Holidays kid friendly.

Prep kids for changes in routine: Preparing kids for changes in their routines, including what to expect and what you expect of them, will help head off meltdowns and overwhelm. If you’re travelling, bring familiar toys and books, and make sure you have quiet one-on-one time like reading before bed.

Prioritise: It can feel like there are a lot of expectations to live up to at Christmas time. Look after your wellbeing by deciding what is important and what can be let go, prioritising, and saying no to things.

Be realistic: Recognise your kids limitations so that you can plan accordingly. For example; Kids who are anxious about meeting new people, or seeing extended family they are not familiar with, will need support and realistic expectations. Children who are sensitive to sound, lights, or crowded spaces may become overwhelmed. Planning for different environments together and having realistic expectations of what you and your children can cope with will minimise stress. 

Have fun and laugh: Most importantly, enjoy the time together. Kids don’t remember if everything was perfectly arranged, or even what presents they received….they will remember how it felt to spend quality time with you! 

Sports News

2025 Male and Female Sports Awards

On Monday we recognised our male and female sportspersons of the year at the Year 6 Mass. Congratulations to Jagga S and Flynn W for their sporting achievement this year. Below is an excerpt from Jagga and Flynn's commendation.

Jagga: Jagga is awarded the Female Sportsperson of the Year for her outstanding performances and achievements in both soccer and athletics. 

In 2024, Jagga showcased her soccer talents at the NSW PSSA Soccer State Titles as a member of the Polding team. This four-day competition in Tamworth allowed her to compete against some of the best emerging soccer players from Catholic and State schools across NSW, a remarkable accomplishment. Additionally, she represented St Agnes' at the Lismore Diocese Paul Wilson Cup Finals in Grafton, further solidifying her impressive soccer achievements for the year.

In athletics, Jagga excelled as the St Agnes' Senior Girls Age Champion. At the Zone Athletics competition, she earned the Senior Age Champion Runner-Up title, winning the 100m sprint and long jump events and placing second in the 200m. Her success continued at the Diocesan level, where Jagga secured third place in both the long jump and 100m events, qualifying her for the Polding Athletics Carnival. Although she was unable to compete at Polding due to other representative commitments, Jagga’s achievements reflect her exceptional ability.

Flynn Wehlow: Flynn has been honoured with the Male Sports Person of the Year Award for his outstanding achievements in both AFL and basketball. 

In AFL, Flynn earned the distinction of being selected to represent the Polding team at the NSW PSSA State Titles held in Albury. This four-day event showcases the top junior players from Catholic and State schools across New South Wales. 

In Basketball, Flynn successfully progressed through the School, Zone and Diocesan levels before participating in the Polding Trials in Coffs Harbour. Attending two Polding trials in a single year is an impressive accomplishment, highlighting Flynn's dedication and talent.

Beyond his achievements in AFL and Basketball, Flynn also represented the school in the Zone Athletics and Zone Swimming Carnivals, further showcasing his versatility and commitment to sports.

2025 Swimming Trials – Entries Now Open

Entries are open for the 2025 Zone Swimming Trials at Wauchope Pool on Thursday 6 February (please note this is the first day back at school). These trials serve as a pathway to the Hastings Zone Carnival, scheduled for Tuesday 18 February, in Macksville.

The trials are open to students who meet the following criteria:

• Regularly attend swimming lessons or squad training, and/or
• Can competitively swim 50 meters in their nominated stroke.

Families can register for events through schoolinterviews.com using the event code 6gctd. Earlier issues with missing events on the platform have now been resolved. Families who have already made bookings can log back in to add additional events if needed.

Diocesan Winter Sports Trials - AFL

The Diocesan AFL Trials will take place on Friday 21 February 2025, at Lower Fisher Park, Oliver Street, Grafton. These trials aim to select representatives for the Polding AFL Trials, which will be held in Newcastle on Tuesday 8 April 2025.

Students in Years 5 or 6 in 2025 who are representative level or highly skilled AFL players are encouraged to participate. To nominate your child, please refer to the instructions provided on the attached nomination form from the Lismore Diocese.

Thank You Port Saints Football Club

We would like to express our gratitude to Luke Foley and the Port Saints Football Club for their generous donation of soccer balls for 2025. In addition, the club has kindly provided the school with a number of their 2024 club soccer balls, which will be available for our students to use during playtimes. We are certain that the students will appreciate these soccer balls and will enjoy having extra equipment to use. Thank you again to the Port Saints Football Club for your generosity and continued support of our school community.

Future Dates

2025

• Thursday 6 February: School Zone Swimming Trials - Wauchope Pool
• Friday 7 February: Polding Summer Sports Trials - Tamworth
• Monday 17 February: Zone Winter Sports Trials - Port Macquarie
• Tuesday 18 February: Zone Swimming Carnival - Macksville

Parish News

Community News