Newsletter - 2025 Term 3 Week 6

Prayer

Lord, we come to you with hearts full of gratitude and praise. Thank you for the wonderful gifts of music, dance, and drama that were on display through our Creative Arts Spectacular this week. We thank you for each student who bravely took to the stage, sharing their talents and hard work with such joy.

We are also deeply grateful for our dedicated staff. Thank you for their patience, guidance, and passion in teaching our students and helping them discover their creative potential. Bless them for the countless hours they poured into rehearsals and preparations, and for their commitment to nurturing the gifts you have given to each child.

May this beautiful concert be a reminder of the power of community, collaboration, and creativity. We ask that you continue to inspire and bless our school, our students and our staff.

Amen.

School 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

What an absolutely magical matinee and evening we experienced at our Creative Arts Spectacular! Our talented students brought the beloved story of The Wizard of Oz to life in a performance that truly captured the hearts of everyone in attendance. The energy and enthusiasm displayed on stage was infectious, and it was clear that months of hard work and preparation had culminated in something truly special.

This spectacular success would not have been possible without the incredible support of our entire school community. Our heartfelt thanks go out to:

Our Amazing Students - Your commitment, talent, and joyful performances made the evening unforgettable. From lead roles to band performances, every single performer contributed to the magic on stage.

Our Dedicated Staff - The countless hours spent in rehearsals, costume preparation, set design, and behind-the-scenes coordination demonstrate your unwavering commitment to providing our students with rich, meaningful life experiences.

Our Wonderful Parents and Families - Thank you for supporting your children through the rehearsal process, helping with costumes, attending performances, and cheering enthusiastically from the audience. Your encouragement means everything to our young performers.

Our Broader Community - The support from grandparents, extended families, and community members who attended the performances created such a warm and appreciative atmosphere for our students to shine.

The success of our Wizard of Oz spectacular has filled us with excitement for future creative arts events. The confidence, teamwork, and artistic expression we witnessed on stage are testament to the incredible potential within our school community. We're already looking forward to planning our next Creative Arts Spectacular, and we know it will be another opportunity for our students to discover their talents, build friendships, and create lasting memories.

Thank you once again to everyone who made this event such a resounding success. There truly is no place like home, and St Agnes' School feels very much like home when we come together to celebrate the arts!

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More Creative Arts Spectacular photos to come in our Week 10 Photo Gallery.

Deadly Display Competition

Robert Dwyer, our Member for Port Macquarie, visted the school on 12 August to judge the Deadly Displays for NAIDOC Week. 

He was very impressed with the level of engagement and enthusiasm in all of the art displays and to separate them was no easy challenge.

Infants winner - 2 Love

The NAIDOC week theme of Strength stood out with, and the ‘yarning’ depicted with the photos and the individual words recorded from the children as well as the Flag artwork with both Torres Strait and the Indigenous Flags were wonderful, however what got them across the line for me was the collaboration of the artwork depicting unity in the handshake art work - Robert Dwyer

Primary winner - 3 Love

The concept of the tree with the roots feeding into the trunk and the leaves was inspirational, and the standout from the competition was the “visions of the future” that were derived individually from the students. They were quite varied and moving - Robert Dwyer

Assistant Principal - Mission

Sacrament of Confirmation

Some of our students in Year 3 will be attending their Parent Workshop to prepare for their Sacrament of Confirmation on either 16 or 18 September.

This week we will be hosting a Parent Workshop on Wednesday from 5:30pm for candidates who have chosen this session.

Fathers and Father Figures Celebration Friday 5 September

We look forward to having our Fathers and Father Figures joining us next Friday to acknowledge the amazing gift each of them are to us.

Sausage sandwiches will be available for the adults from 8:15am. Visitors can then go on their “Pilgrims of Hope Tour” to view displays celebrating these inspirational people in our lives. From 8:30am activities will be available to participate in with your child in their classrooms and hopefully, weather permitting, on the oval. This will be followed by a Prayer Celebration in the hall from 9:00am.

Amazing Work By Our SRC

Our Year 6 Student Representative Council work consistently on many projects to promote change in our school and community. One of their latest ventures, coinciding with the Winter Warmers Appeal which was well supported by our families, was to raise funds for St Vincent de Paul and the Soup Kitchen at the Homeless Collective. Their initiatives of wearing Footy Jumpers for State of Origin, selling hot chocolate and the ‘Wear your warmest clothes day’ raised money for both of these important organisations. From this we were able to donate 26 sleeping bags for the homeless. St Vincent de Paul members also shared their goal of creating a banner for Sr Marjorie’s Soup Kitchen. The SRC worked to create something to represent the great work Sr Marjorie and her team of volunteers do. This final design was through the work of Reg Clarke, Mrs Lindsy Foster and Aunty Michelle from our office. Sr Marjorie and her team of volunteers were so grateful for this gift which will be displayed on the front fence of the Homeless Collective each Tuesday morning.

Be Bold Be Kind Speak Up

As we continue our work with students on the anti bullying initiative of 'Being bold, being kind and speaking up against bullying', students will watch the video below explaining the difference between bullying and being mean next week with their class.

Faith Band

We are excited that Zac Parnell, our Parish Youth and Ministry Officer will be joining us at St Agnes' each Wednesday at Lunch 2.

Zac will work with students who want to be a part of our Faith Band. They will have fun learning modern music to be played as part of our Faith celebrations at school on odd weeks in the calendar and promote fun faith activities and games on the even weeks.

Thanks to all of our staff, students and families for attending our Youth and Family Mass last Sunday night. This is a wonderful opportunity to join with the parish to celebrate our faith through Children’s Liturgy, Music and sharing a meal at the end of the mass.

Safe Bus Travel

Riding the school bus is a privilege and a great way for our students to get to and from school. To ensure a safe and positive environment for everyone, we'd like to remind parents about the importance of good behavior on the bus. 

We have been working with the bus company to ensure our students are behaving respectfully and responsibly to ensure their safety.

Should you have any concerns about bus safety or concerns about issues with bus travel for your child, please contact Busways on 131500.

Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Staff Professional Learning Day

Today our staff engaged in a Deep Dive into the new Creative Arts and Science Syllabus’. It was a wonderful opportunity to engage in shared learning, different perspectives, as well as opportunities to plan for what learning and teaching in these two subjects will look like from 2026 onwards.

Sports News

Stella and the Polding Touch Football Team Take Bronze at the NSW PSSA Championships

Congratulations to Year 6 student Stella D, who recently represented the Polding team at the NSW PSSA Touch Football Championships held in Dubbo.

To earn her place on the Polding team, Stella progressed through a competitive selection process—starting at school level, then advancing through Zone, Diocesan, and Polding trials. Catholic Schools NSW fields only had two teams in state championships, making this an impressive achievement.

Throughout the three day event, Stella competed against some of the most talented touch football players from both state and independent schools across NSW. The Polding team had a stellar run in the pool games, remaining undefeated with 10 wins and 2 draws, securing the top spot heading into the semi-finals.

In a closely contested semi-final, the team narrowly lost 2–3 to North Sydney, finishing the tournament with a well-earned Bronze Medal. Well done, Stella! A fantastic achievement—we hope you enjoyed the experience of playing touch football at such a high level.

Polding Results:

Day 1:

Draw v Hunter 2 - 2
Win v Sydney North 3 - 2
Win v South Coast 3 - 0
Draw v MacKillop 0 - 0
Win v Sydney West 3 - 2
Win V North Coast 7 - 2

Day 2:

Win v Sydney East 2 - 1
Win v North West 2 - 1
Win  v Western 7 - 1
Win v Riverina 6 - 0

Day 3:

Win v CIS 6 - 1
Win v Sydney South West 4 - 0
Semi-final - loss v North Sydney 2 - 1
Polding finished the pool games undefeated and finished 3rd place overall.

Congratulations to Nicholas D on His Achievement at the NSW PSSA Soccer Championship

Well done to Nicholas D, who recently represented the Polding Team at the NSW PSSA Soccer Championship held in Ballina. This three day event, held from Tuesday 26 August to Thursday 28 August, brought together top young soccer talent from across New South Wales.

Throughout the carnival, the Polding Team faced a variety of State and Independent teams, competing in a series of challenging matches. Over the course of the tournament, they recorded a combination of wins and losses.

The standard of competition at the PSSA level is always extremely high, and Nicholas rose to the occasion, relishing the opportunity to test himself against some of the best junior players in the state. A highlight of his performance was scoring a goal during the pool games and a second in the 5th/6th playoff game, contributing to the team’s overall 5th-place finish in the Championships.

Polding Results:

Day 1

Loss v Sydney East 0 - 1
Loss v South Coast 4 - 1
Loss v Sydney West 3 - 1

Day 2

Loss v Hunter 0 - 1
Win v Western 3 - 0
Win v North Coast 1 - 0

Day 3

5th/6th Place off game:
Win v Riverina 2 - 2 (Polding team awarded the win, based on corners taken)

Well done and congratulations on your representation at a state level.

Diocesan Athletics - Coffs Harbour

On Thursday, eleven Aggies students travelled to Coffs Harbour to compete in the Lismore Diocese Athletics Carnival. Having progressed from the Hastings Zone level, our athletes faced off against competitors from Catholic schools across the region, spanning from Laurieton to the Tweed.

The weather on the day was ideal for racing, although recent rain had left the track heavy and challenging for the runners. Despite the conditions, our students achieved some fantastic results.

Evie D secured 3rd place in both the Junior Girls 1500m and 800m events. Charlotte B also claimed 3rd in the Junior Girls 200m, while Hermione P impressed in the field events, placing 3rd in both the long jump and high jump.

Congratulations to Evie and Hermione, who have now qualified to compete at the Polding Athletics Carnival in Glendale on Friday 12 September. We wish them all the best as they represent Aggies at the next level!

Congratulations to all the Aggies athletes who competed at the carnival.

Results:

Evie D - 3rd 1500m, 3rd 800m
Charlotte B - 8th 100m, 6th 200m, 3rd Jnr Girls Relay
Pippa T - 7th place 200m, 3rd place Jnr Girls Relay
Ava Q - 4th 100m, 7th 200m
Kruze D - 4th Long Jump
Kitt Q - 4th Discus
Hermione P - 3rd Long Jump, 3rd High Jump 
Ivy G - 7th 800m
Lisa V - 8th 100m, 3rd Jnr Girls Relay
Issy O - 11th Shot Put
Chelsea O - 3rd Jnr Girls Relay

Aggies Shine at NSW Netball All Schools Cup Regional Finals

On Tuesday, nine Year 6 students competed in the NSW Netball All Schools Cup Regional Finals. The team, comprising Macy C, Alba W, Stella D, Alex A, Chase O, Ava S, Georgina F, Fritz T and Asha W, qualified for the event after winning the Hastings All Schools Cup earlier this year in June.

Finals day brought perfect weather and fast-paced netball. The Aggies team performed exceptionally well during the pool stage, winning four out of five games. They carried that momentum into the semi-final, securing a strong win against SAPS All Stars, which earned them a place in the grand final.

The grand final was a tough and competitive match against South West Rocks. Our team played with determination and grit, keeping the game close right to the end. Despite their efforts, they narrowly lost by just two goals. 

The entire team should be incredibly proud of their performance and sportsmanship. Reaching the grand final is a fantastic achievement. Thank you to Mrs Brown for coaching the students, Liz S for your assistance with scoring and to Leah F for game plan input. Thank you Brinkley M, from St Joseph's Regional College, for being our umpire representative for the day. Well done, Aggies!

Results:

Pool Games:

Win v Cundle Blue
Loss v Macksville Masters
Win v KWPS 1
Win v St. Joseph’s Wauchope
Win v MHOC Gold

Semi Final - Win v SAPS All Stars

Grand Final  - Loss South West Rock Stingrays

Paul Wilson Cup and Diocesan Netball Challenge - Laurieton

On Wednesday, our Aggies proudly participated in the Paul Wilson Cup and the Diocesan Netball Challenge,  an annual event that involves all Catholic schools across the Lismore Diocese.

The Paul Wilson Cup is named in memory of Paul Wilson, a much-loved teacher who worked at both St Agnes' and St Peter’s Primary Schools. Paul sadly passed away from cancer in 1996, and each year this event is held in his honour. A commemorative plaque is also placed at the feet of St Agnes' at the school as a lasting tribute to his legacy.

Both competitions are run in a gala-day format, where teams compete in a round-robin. The top two teams then face off in a grand final, with the winners advancing to the Diocesan finals in Grafton.

Despite the hot conditions, our students gave it their all. The boys' soccer team showed incredible stamina, playing four consecutive matches with just one substitute, and the girls sweating it out on the hot courts. While the results included a mix of draws and losses, the students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and represented our school with pride.

A big congratulations to all students who participated! Special recognition goes to Ava S and Liam O, who received the Coaches’ Awards, and to Macy C and Len D, who were voted Players’ Player by their teammates.

Diocesan Netball Challenge: Keyana W, Emme C, Stella D, Ava S, Faraday W, Lucy D and Macy C

Paul Wilson Cup: Zane B, Beau L, Kallan F, Braxton H, Archie M, Ardan B, Len D, Ciaran D, Liam O, Thomas B, Kruze D and Oliver L

Aggies Hit the Ground Running — Literally!

Saturday mornings have been starting very early for a group of dedicated Aggies students who’ve been rising around 6:00am to kick off their weekend with a 5km run at Parkrun!

This weekend marks our fifth Aggies Parkrun, and we’ve already seen about 15 students take part - some seasoned pros with over 50 events under their belt, and others lacing up for the very first time. Whether they’re running the whole way or mixing in a walk, the highlight is always hearing a chorus of “Go Aggies!” as they cheer each other on around the course.

Big thanks to our awesome families for braving the early start and supporting the crew—and to our staff runners: Mr Behan, Mrs Healey, Simon and Mrs Brown, who’ve all shown up in their joggers and joined the fun!

Parkrun is for all ages and fitness levels, and it's a fantastic way to start your Saturday—with friends, family, and a bit of fresh air. If you’d like to join the fun, meet us near the coffee shop by the breakwall at 6:40am every Saturday.

See you at the start line!

Future Dates

Term 3

• Wednesday 3 September: NSW Touch Football Gala Day - Tuffins Lane, Port Macquarie
• Wednesday 10 September: Years 3 and 4 Netball Gala Day - Port Macquarie
• Friday 12 September: Polding Athletics - Glendale
  
• Friday 26 September: Staff Spirituality Day/Pupil-free day

Leader of Pastoral Care

Build the Habit of Regular Attendance

Good attendance starts with strong habits. Set a consistent daily routine, create a positive morning atmosphere, and clearly communicate the importance of being present at school. These practices work together to instil the value of punctuality and regular attendance, setting your child up for success.

School Community Forum

Dear Parents and Carers

We have been busy planning for Term 3 and 4 School Community Forum (SCF) activities. The core purpose of the SCF is to bring our community of families together, so please read on and join us as often as you can!

Father's Day Stall - Tuesday 2 September

Following the successful return of the Mother’s Day stall this year, parents have been working hard to give children the opportunity to shop for their Dads and Father figures to honour them this Father’s Day. Gifts will be $5 each and students can purchase one gift each. If you would like to ‘Pay it Forward’, your donation can be taken to the school office on or before 2 September. If you are able to assist with selling gifts on Tuesday, please email genmc87@gmail.com.

Aggies’ Trivia Night – Saturday 13 September (5:30pm for a 6:00pm start)

After a 20 year hiatus, the Aggies’ Trivia night is back and the Thomas Crapper Memorial Trophy has been dusted off and is ready to be fought for. Tickets are $25 each ($250 for a table of 10) and are on sale now! 

Tables are set for 10 but don’t stress if you’re flying in with a smaller group! Book your spot and we’ll match you with other fabulous attendees to complete your table.

• When you book, let us know your preferred colour theme, then it’s time to get creative!
• Decorate your table, dress to impress in your colour and bring the energy because there are prizes for Best Dressed and Best Table!
• BYO drinks and platters
• BOOK NOW! https://compasstix.com/event/a16f1bbd-bce9-4b95-b054-a9942d5aece4).

Allison Ritchie
Chairperson
St Agnes’ Primary School Community Forum

E: pandfstagnes@gmail.com

Canteen News

Parish News

Community News

For the last 26 years the Sunrise Hastings Sports Awards have recognised and supported our local athletes and volunteers to achieve their sporting dreams.

There is over $10,000 in prizes available across 9 categories, including Junior Sportsperson of the Year - Primary school age and Junior Sportsperson of the Year - High School age. We also have a Junior teams award so would love to see members of your school community nominated and recognised at our annual breakfast. 

Click HERE to nominate.