AGGIES ARTICLES - Term 4 Week 4 - Friday 29 October 2021

Dear Parents and Carers

November is traditionally the month in which the Church remembers those who have died. The Month of Remembrance commences on Monday 1 November with All Saints Day, which is a feast that is celebrated by the Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran and Anglican Churches. This is followed on 2 November by All Souls Day, which is where we remember and pray for the dead.

Those of us who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation have taken on a saints name. This may be a great opportunity to discuss this with your children, talking to them about what their particular saint is remembered for.

2022 Staff Leadership Announcement

We are pleased to announce that Mr Krysten Jones has been appointed to the new position of Leader of Pastoral Care and Inclusion for the next three years. Krysten brings a wealth of experience to the role and will be a familiar face to many families, as he has had the opportunity to get to know children and families after being on Kindergarten for the past five years. Krysten will be working with families of children with additional learning and pastoral needs. We congratulate Krysten on this appointment and look forward to making additional leadership announcements over the coming weeks.

2022 Parent Feedback - Class Groupings

At the end of each year, we normally seek input from parents regarding class structure of friendship issues that need consideration. At St Agnes', we are always trying to improve on the way we have been doing things and following a consultation process with Year 3 and Year 5 families when we added a class at the start of this year, we would like to seek additional feedback from all parents to help with the forming of class groupings for all children in 2022.

Can you please take time to think about which children may be the best learning partners in the class. It is important to think about who your child may learn best with, rather than an automatic focus on friendships. Just like normal end of year processes, this won’t be an opportunity to select a teacher, but allow a chance to gain valuable information from you as parents.

As this is a new process, we ask that parents include all necessary information on this sheet. Even if you have submitted information in previous years, please ensure you have recorded it on this form again, if it is still of relevance.

We ask that you please complete this Google Form (Click this link) by 9:00am Wednesday 10 November so that it can help form part of our new grouping considerations. Please complete this form separately for each child in your family. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at school on (02) 65837433 or email pmaca@lism.catholic.edu.au

Kindergarten Transition and Orientation Process

A reminder to all families of Kindergarten 2022 students to check your emails each week for the special messages and videos that are being sent through by the school. These videos will assist with your child’s transition to the new school environment.

The key dates for Kindergarten 2022 are:

Story Time - 27 November 2021 in addition to one of the following dates - 15, 18 or 27 November 2021

Orientation Day - 1, 3 and 7 December 2021

Parent Information Night - 7 December 2021

Staff Professional Learning Day

St Agnes’ staff will participate in a Staff Professional Learning Day on Friday 19 November. On this day staff will receive input from Bishop Greg Homeming, with a focus on the topics of Truth, Spirituality and Goodness. All staff in the Diocese of Lismore are required to complete these modules each year. We appreciate the support of families making alternative arrangements for their children on this day as staff will be off site to complete this learning.

PBS Achievements

Congratulations to this weeks 500 and 600 Dojo award recipients.

Congratulations to the following students in Year 5 who have made the shortlist for Student Leadership in 2022, Samrina Adhikari, Abigail Byrne, Charlize Leicht, Montanna Newell, Tora Wehlow, Jasmine Anastas, Georgie Carlton, Jessinia Collins, Chloe Ribot de Bressac, Laya Abraham, Mia Hodge, Travis Brooks, Javier Carle, Tyler Dickson, Ryder Tiller, Patrick Bryne, Matt Dzikowski, Koby Stewart, Troy Towers, Baxter Allison, Jack Howard and Eamon O’Sullivan.  We look forward to hearing their reasons for wanting to represent our school at this level. Photos of these students are placed on the display board outside the Year 5 classroom to remind us to watch out for ways they are demonstrating being respectful, responsible, resilient and resolute.

The focus on the rosary has continued this week in our way of honoring Mary, Jesus’ mother. Some grades have focused on saying the Hail Mary or learning more about the Rosary. Students in Year 5 tested their patience and fine motor skills this week by making a keychain Rosary.

Congratulations to Juann (4A), Jino, John and Twinkle who became Australian Citizens this week. We hope you enjoyed your family celebration.

Socktober

Year 6 have been reminding students to bring in recycled materials to make socktober balls next week. Some families may have made one at home. We would love to see these brought in as well. On Friday next week the SRC will be organising a “Socktober Shootout.” Students will attempt the challenge in their individual grades. For each goal shot between the posts (with a socktober ball) $1 will be donated to the cause from the Craft for Service profits. This money supports children in Thailand.

The Good Shepherd Sisters have been supporting communities in need in Thailand for over 55 years.

The Sisters have a mission to build partnerships that promote the dignity and human rights of all, especially women and children.

Among the many programs run by the Sisters in the bustling capital of Bangkok is a kindergarten for children from an urban slum where many simply cannot afford to send their children to school. The kindergarten offers two life changing services for both local women and their children: firstly, the Sisters provide a loving education in a safe place, catering for essential needs; and secondly, this allows the parents to freely work and earn a living for their families without fear for their children’s safety.

New Students

Welcome to the following new students that have joined us this week: 

Chayse Clarke in 1TB and Eve Yuen in 5C

Farewell

We bid farewell to Charles Abbott from KW and wish him the best of luck at his new school.

Craft For Service - Christmas Craft

Christmas decorations will be the focus for Craft for Service groups this term. Students will be offered opportunities to make lots of different decorations which will be available to purchase from the front office soon. We appreciate those who volunteer their time to help create these items knowing that they are performing an act of service, whilst having fun and learning new skills.

The heart shaped decorations can be made to incorporate a photo of your child by sending a digital photo to pmaca@lism.catholic.edu.au . Aunty Michelle will then weave her magic with her crafty helpers and have them available in a week to be purchased. The decoupaged shapes will cost $5 and $7 for one with a personalised photo. (A great present for Nans and Pops to put on their christmas tree).

As usual the profits from these sales will be donated to charity.

Thank God

• This week we thank God we have so many students in Year Five looking for leadership opportunities both now and next year.
• Thank God for so much sunshine this week, allowing students to make use of the outside playground areas.
• We appreciate having Connor Hudson, the Youth Ministry Officer from Newman Technical College being able to join us this week on Thursday.
• Thank God for those families who use the carpark pickup service and drive around the block when asked to in the afternoons to prevent the flow of traffic being backed up near the corner.

Assembly Award Winners

Congratulations to the following students who received awards at last week’s assembly:

KE - Nevaeh Dawson and Ben Dunn
KJ - Mia Cochrane and Charlotte Mullen
KW - Storm Taylor and Arham Anwaar
1O - Madelyn Field and Sophie Wainwright
1TB - Ella McNally
2JW - Beau Lill and Faraday Wood
2M - Tyler Carpenter and Jenson Trumper
2W - Ruby Williams and Dean Cunningham
3O - Flynn Wehlow and Evie Carney
3P - Oliver Bennetts and Felix Jones
3TM - Rosie Woolnough and Emily Lonergan
4NS - Mia Bringans, Olivia Ball-Jurd and Sophia Ward
5C - Lilah Beck and Abigail Byrne
5M - Talani Fuller and Troy Towers
6B - Declan McWhirter and Ava DeBressac
6E - Asil Anwaar and Jaida Walsh
6W - Khye Bibby and Zakkiah Galea

Centred In Christ and With Love For One Another, St Agnes’ Learners are:

PBS Focus

This week we had a PBS whole school recognition celebration for following our whole school's expectations of the 4R’s. It was voted in by all staff to have a celebration of the way that our students have been showing respect each day so far this term. Today we had our largest number of students this year receive their dojos certificates. Congratulations to all of these 127 students.

House Cup Winner

This week's House Cup winner is: FLINDERS

600 Dojo Awards:

Congratulations to the following students who have received 600 dojos this week for following our 4 R’s at St Agnes'. 

1B - Eli McEntyre, Lucas Van Boxtel and Mia Brazel

500 Dojo Awards:

Congratulations to the following students who have received 500 dojos this week for following our 4 R’s at St Agnes'. 

2JW - Ava Schneider
2M - Georgina Foot
2W - Elise Galbraith-Robertson

400 Dojo Awards:

Congratulations to the following students who have received 400 dojos this week for following our 4 R’s at St Agnes'. 

KE - Lukas Martin
KJ - Nicholas Bushe and Savannah Ralph
KW - Scarlett Evans
1O - Ardan Byrne, Callum Judge, Dominic Ritchie, Eliza Wallace, Indiana Woods, Len Dorahy and Parker Brock
1TB - Nate Bringans
2M - Emilia Adams, Hiba Anwaar and Kallan Ford
2W - Emme Constantine
3O - Joseph O'Brien
3P - Grace Judge
4A - Addison English and Dhiya Varsani
4NS - Armani Daley
5C - Montana Newell
5M - Georgia White, Georgie Carlton and Hunter Noble

300 Dojo Awards:

Congratulations to the following students who have received 300 dojos this week for following our 4 R’s at St Agnes'. 

KE - Amahli Bohannon
KJ - Ava Rangel, Brooklyn Borger and Georgia Howard
2JW - Faraday Wood, Owen Nesbitt and Xavier Hearn
2M - Alba Webb and Mia Comber
2W - Charlotte Dunn and Harrison Sales
3O - Astrid Sonego, Ethan Foley and William Everson
3P - Addison Hucker, Braxton Stewart, Elkie Lynn, Elloise Gleeson, Felix Jones, Mars Anastas, Nate Madden, Oliver Bennetts, Piper Byrne and Sienna Harrison
3TM - Cooper Westley, Ethan Favaloro and Harley Cadden
4NS - Akshara Reddy Sanaw, Kane Collins and Olivia Edwards
4T - Max Schneider
5C - Ella Comer, Javier Carle, Nickson Vatalidis and Tora Wehlow
5M - Amelia Konstantas, Jessinia Collins, Koby Stewart, Mason Nowak, Matt Dzikowski and Patrick Byrne
6B - Amarlie Gregory, Arliah Morris, Charlotte McEntyre, Ivy Collins, Luke Stevens and Maeve Pepper
6W - Eddie Gleeson, Jack McGrath and Madeline Innes

200 Dojo Awards:

Congratulations to the following students who have received 200 dojos this week for following our 4 R’s at St Agnes'. 

KJ - Calaya Bartel
2JW - Jade Johnson and Rose Rockstroh
2W - Ruby Williams
3O - Tessa Taylor
3TM - Marcus Gittany and Thomas Spithill
4A - Connor Budnick, Hayden Ribot de Bressac and Julius McNee
4NS - Oliver Brazel and Stella Clark
4T - Aviana Simon, Chloe Chilko, Dominic O'Brien, Griffin Citraro, Harry Attwells, Levi Owen, Max Seckold, Sophie Hanson and Xanthiah Galea
5C - Liliana Vaquerisaz Canivilo
6B - Alex Saunders, Benjamin Evans, Blake Elliott, Hunter Campbell, Hunter Clark, Jesse Gluyas, Liam Wright, Lionel Carney, Makara Brown-Rafter, Oliver Cairns, Rafferty Gordon and Timothy James
6E - Alanna Anil, Bryson Galleghan, Makayla Smith, Olive Andersen and Scarlet Brooke

100 Dojo Awards:

Congratulations to the following students who received 100 dojos this week for following our 4 R’s at St Agnes'. 

1TB - Hamish Downie
3TM - Angus Downie, Bella Daley and Billylee Baker
4T - Macey Singh and Ruby Dean
6B - Jessie James

Swimming Carnival

Our swimming carnival is scheduled for Monday 6 December (Week 10) at Port Macquarie swimming pool. While we cannot confirm the attendance of spectators at this point, we are hopeful that our parent and carer community will be able to attend in some capacity. We would love to see the return of our spectators and hope we can share this event with our whole community after what has been a challenging year. Conversations have begun amongst the staff about who will have the honour of representing the teachers in our relay squad. Competition for spots will be tough, and the teachers are very confident that they have the talent to gain yet another victory over the parents. Are the parents up for it?

Some schools use their end of year swimming carnival to double up as a selection event for their zone team to compete in the Hastings Zone Swimming carnival in February of next year. However, it is felt that holding a separate selection trial at the beginning of next year gives our potential competitors the whole of the summer break to improve, and that our junior swimmers in particular will benefit from this.

Riding Bikes to School

The number of students riding bikes to school continues to increase, with 14 bikes being counted in the bike rack this week. This is wonderful to see, and we encourage those who can, to have a try of using this method to get to and from school. We remind all of our bike riders to always wear a helmet, to walk their bikes in and out of the school gates, and to always follow the road rules.

Congratulations Jack Franklin

Congratulations to Jack Franklin in Year 5, a member of the Port City Breakers U11 Rugby League team who won the Hastings Junior Sports team of the year award. This is a wonderful accomplishment for Jack and his team and we are thrilled for the recognition they received.

Port Macquarie Junior Rugby Union

We are currently looking at the feasibility of entering teams into the Port Macquarie Junior Rugby Union competition for 2022. We are considering several options, including school based teams or parish based teams, and would hope to enter teams into the U10s and U12s competitions, and would look at the U8s if there was enough interest.

The games are held at the same time on Friday night at Stuart Park in Port Macquarie. While it is a competitive season, the focus is on enjoyment and playing in the right spirit. Absolutely no playing experience is needed, and both boys and girls would be encouraged to play. We will be sending out a survey shortly, but in the meantime, if you believe your child would be interested in participating, and if you would be willing to help out with coaching or assisting in other ways, please contact craig.brazel@lism.catholic.edu.au

Summer Sports Trials - Cancelled

Unfortunately, the Hastings Summer Sports Trials which were scheduled to take place in Kempsey this term have been cancelled. We will announce a new date when it is announced in the new year.

This week at Aggies:

CAPA News

Kinder - Gross Motor Skills

Dear Families,

We hope you're having a great week!

Below is the Meeting Minutes from our last PF meeting on Monday 18 October. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to get in touch.

P&F Meeting Minutes

Leasa Harris and Erin Elliott

0409 467 898

pandfstagnes@gmail.com

Don't forget to keep an eye out on our Facebook page