Bringing Learning and Faith to Life

Bringing Learning and Faith to Life
52 Austin Street, Alphington 3078
Phone: 9489 7936 Fax: 9486 3753
www.saalphington.catholic.edu.au
Edition 19— 2 December 2015
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Congratulations to the preps who celebrated their year at mass on Sunday. We also welcomed our preps of
2016. Thank you to Fiona Dearn and also Davina Hanlon and Gemma Macdonald our prep teachers who
prepared the students so well. It was a wonderful morning with most of our current prep families present to
welcome our new families for 2016. Thank you also to Tania Bennett our Religious Education Leader who
supported our teachers as they prepared for this event. A special thank you to Mike Schoonderbeek, Faye
Richards, Rowan Flanagan, Julie Buchanan for supporting the gathering after.
Our prep orientation program for 2016 was a great success. The program ran for four weeks in November and
was an opportunity for our new class of 2016 to familiarise themselves with the school, the teachers and each
other. New parents were welcomed into our school community. Each child was informed of their class teacher,
House team and Connect group last Friday.
Congratulations to our Year 3-6 teachers who culminated four years of involvement in the Collaborative Literacy Learning Community (CLLC) with a presentation last Thursday at the Catholic Leadership Centre in front of
other schools across Victoria. Each year we develop a focus question based on student data that would see
improvement in the teaching of Literacy. Over the last two years our focus has been on Writing and our action
research question was:
How can we develop student writing so that both the reader and the writer is engaged?
The team invited 6 students to represent their pre and post writing samples and to explain how they had been
engaged in the Writers;’ Workshop strategy. The teachers presented their learning journey alongside the
students. We were also a case study school for Deakin University’s report on Literacy in middle years
classrooms and the report was both informative and affirming about what we are doing here at St Anthony’s in
Literacy. Well done to staff: Vince McCafferty, Renee Ladner, Mary Galligan, Matt Lowe, Mark Walsh and Amy
Kilpatrick, Fiona Dearn and students: Michael Adamopoulos, Felix Duane, Niamh Gorman, Samara Verze, Dylan
Meneghetti and Oscar Straube.
Last Friday you received notification of staffing for 2016. Please see below for a full list of leadership in 2016.
Thank you to the staff for their dedication to the task of completing class lists. The classes are now complete;
parents and students will receive class lists and reports on Friday 11 December. We support our transition
process with a Step Up Day activity on Tuesday 15 December. The school will provide a pizza lunch for all
students as acknowledgement of their success. They will receive 2 pieces of pizza for lunch (1.30pm). If they
require more please pack for them.
On Tuesday students from preps, 3/4 and 5/6 performed for our parishioners following their Anointing Mass.
Thank you to Mr Gary Pearl and Ms Anna Cavedon for preparing students. This is an annual event where the
school and parish come together to celebrate the beginning of Advent.
Congratulations to the students of Metro Music who performed for parents and friends last week. The concert
was a celebration of effort, improvement and enjoyment over the year.
We look forward to our final Connect group for 2015 next Wednesday when Connect groups will eat lunch
together and farewell their year 6 friends.
Graduation for our year 6 families will take place on Monday 14th December at Holy Spirit Hall at 6.30. This is
a wonderful formal opportunity for students to sit with their parents over dinner and remember their time
at St Anthony’s. Invitations have gone out and payment is now due.
Our whole school end of year mass will be celebrated on Tuesday 15th December at 6pm. This is a lovely
celebration of our school year with an opportunity for our whole school community to come together to
wish each other seasons greetings, farewell leaving families and wish our year 6 students farewell. We also
announce the House Cup winner and 2016 school captains. We look forward to seeing you all there.
On December 20th all parish families are invited to attend Christmas carols in the church at 4pm. All children
are encouraged to participate in preparation for this Christmas event. Sonya Morrissey will be conducting
practices on Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes.
Well done to 1/2H and 1/2NH for their entertaining and informative showcases last week. The showcases
this semester have been exceptional; brilliantly providing our children the opportunity to share their talents
and provide a snapshot of learning in their group.
The Parish are hosting a Faith Development Session in the Holy Spirit Church foyer this evening from 7pm.
Parishioner Jim Browne will talk about the challenge of being a catholic today. All are welcome to attend.
Congratulations to our year 6 debating team which was able to retain the debating trophy for another year
(three years running). On November 20 Lucy Fitzsimons, Michael Collier and Brigit Somerville convinced the
judges that plastic should be banned. They competed against Clifton Hill Primary School who we hosted for
the event. The championship is a project of Elaine Doyle who teaches our senior students debating skills
throughout the year. Thank you once again to Elaine for her ongoing support of our senior students in this
area.
Please note that the last day of canteen will be Friday of next week, Friday 11 December.
Semester two reports and class lists for 2016 will be sent home in a sealed envelope on Friday 11 December.
This will be the final newsletter for the year. However a thank you, farewell and acknowledgement note will
be sent out in week 11.
Next week is our acknowledgment week for all parent helpers and volunteers within our school. Each class
will have a gathering or send a card home to acknowledge those who have enhanced our activities. I also
invite you to a Morning Tea on the 10th December at 9am. This is a impromptu gathering with little notice
but if you are free please attend.
Class Room Allocation 2016
PREP C
Davina Christie
Room 4
PREP M
Gemma Macdonald
Room 8
1/2 Mc
Kirsti McInnes
Room 7
1/2 NH
Nick Haddon
Room 6
1/2 H
Rosa Hamlett
Room 5
3/4 W
Mark Walsh
Room 9
3/4 K
Amy Kilpatrick
Room 10
3/4 G
Mary Galligan
Room11
3/4 Mc
Vince McCafferty
Room 12
5/6 EL
Erin Lawler
Room 1
5/6 RL
Renee Ladner
Room 2
5/6 G
Renee Griffin
Room 3
Positions of Leadership - (in Term 1 -2016)
Principal: James Casey
Deputy Principal/ Pedagogy Leader: Fiona Dearn
Religious Education: Tania Bennett
School Improvement Team (SIT): James Casey, Fiona Dearn, Renee Ladner, Amy Kilpatrick, Tania Bennett & Laura
Barbaro (other leaders on request).
ICT: Amy Kilpatrick/Vince McCafferty
Science: Mark Walsh
School Community: School Improvement Team (SIT)
SRC/Social Justice: SIT
Student Wellbeing/Individual Differences Leader: Laura Barbaro (& SIT)
Literacy Coaches: Fiona Dearn and Julie Thomas
Literacy Leader: Fiona Dearn
Literacy Support: Julie Thomas – Reading Recovery & class support.
Numeracy Leader: Renee Ladner
Numeracy Coach: Nick Haddon
Arts: Gary Pearl, Leena Trigila, Helen Eadie, Fiona Dearn,
LOTE: Anna Cavedon
PE: Nick Haddon
Student Support Officers: Vince D’Acri, Josie Inturrisi.
Administration: Chris Munari
Admin Support Officers: Lauren van Kemenade and Lisa Redmond.
Canteen: Rhonda Jones
Term 4 Dates
Date
Time
Activity
Thursday 10th December
9am
3/4Mc Mass
Thursday 10th December
9am
Thank you Morning tea for Parent Helpers
th
Friday 11 December
Graduation Activity Year 6
th
Friday 11 November
School Reports go home
th
Monday 14 December
6.30pm
Year 6 Graduation
th
2.30pm
Christmas Showcase
th
9.30am – 1.30pm
Step Up Day/Pizza provided for lunch for students
6.00pm
Whole school end of year Mass
Wednesday 16 December
1pm
END OF TERM
Sunday 20th December
4pm
Christmas Carols at St Anthony’s Church
Monday 14 December
Tuesday 15 December
th
Tuesday 15 December
th
TERM 1 - 2016
Wednesday 27th January
th
Thursday 28 January
th
Friday 29 January
st
Monday 1 February
First Day Staff – NO PUPILS
9.00am – 3.30pm
Testing Day for all A – K Families
9.00am – 3.30pm
Testing Day for all L – Z Families
1st FULL DAY - ALL STUDENTS
Canteen News:
Please note that the last day for canteen orders is Friday 11th December 2015. At this time of year Rhonda is very busy
cleaning out the canteen in readiness for the long break. As items are consumed, canteen stocks are not being replaced.
As such not all items on the menu will be available eg. no hamburgers can be supplied from today onwards. Please be
very patient with Rhonda as she manages the situation from herein!
ST ANTHONY’S SCHOOL EDUCATION BOARD - THE YEAR OF 2015.
Every couple of months the members of the School Education Board meet to discuss matters concerning education
in the parish and school; acting as an advisory body to Father Dispin, our parish priest and to James, our Principal.
Our aim is to provide responsible, informed advice to our education leaders and to act as a link between the
parent group and the school staff. This year has been very busy with much being achieved. Besides the usual
discussions on various school, staff and parent matters, curriculum models and other day to day incidents, I have
listed below some of the main issues the board has been discussing this year:
NEW PRINCIPAL
Fiona Dearn stepped up to the acting principal role for the first half of the year and did a fantastic job. Efficient,
competent, and highly professional. From the boards’ point of view, she re-invigorated our meetings and the
running of the school continued without a hitch. The Board would like to thank Fiona for all her hard work. The
Board then welcomed James Casey, as our new Principal, to our school. James has proved to be a very friendly
and consultative leader and we are all very confident that the school is in good hands.
SCHOOL FEES
Over the course of the year, the board continued to discuss and resolve the changes to the School fees structure.
This change to the family payments has been a large modification and was not entered into lightly. But a decrease
to the funding the school receives and the financial state of the school has meant that fee increases were required
and the new structural change was deemed the fairest of all alternatives for our families.
POLICY UPDATES
At each meeting, the Board usually examined and updated a couple of the School policies to ensure they reflected
the school vision, current educational beliefs, standards and regulations. All of these policies are used by the staff
in their planning and goal setting and are available for viewing by the parents . Some of the policies covered this
year have been the Class Placement policy, E Learning policy, Anti-bullying policy and the Sports Participation
policy. We hope that they will soon be loaded on the updated school website.
TRAFFIC ISSUES
Every few years the issue of dangerous traffic and parking conditions around the school comes to a head, and this
year the Board has again tried to improve the situation. The Board has done much work with the involvement of
the RACV, the local council and neighbouring schools to search out solutions. This will be an ongoing matter and
we seek the co-operation of the whole school community to show consideration for the safety of the school family
by obeying all parking and traffic restrictions.
BUILDING WORKS
Along with the day to day maintenance and refurbishments that the physical school building requires, the school
has developed a Master Plan which details, in Schematic Form, the direction that the future expansion of the
school will take. There will be some expansion of the school required soon, due to the increase, current and
expected, of the student population. The school is now ready to proceed with any necessary building works as and
when it becomes necessary.
CONCLUSION
It has been an honour to be chair of the PEB over the last 2 years. I believe that the work the Board undertakes is
very important and a vital part of the smooth running of the school. I thank the Principal, James and Vice Principal,
Fiona, and the other board members, Ruth, Rod and Imre for the supportive, rigorous and collegiate atmosphere
of the meetings. I have enjoyed the involvement with the school that my participation on the Board has afforded. I
urge all of the parent community to support the Board, to become involved with the school and continue to
improve the quality of our children’s school life.
Kathryn Somerville. SEB Chair ( outgoing)
119 High Street, Northcote
P: (03) 94861800
Maths Information Night was a huge success!
Thank you to all who could attend the Maths Information Night on Monday 16th November. Peter
Sullivan came to address how as parents you can help your children in maintaining persistence when
learning, particularly in maths.
Peter began the session with a story about an Easter Egg hunt with his grandchildren. He discussed how
fun it is to search for them and spend time looking for them, not being told where they are. This is a
great example for student learning. We cannot keep giving students the answer to things because we are
in a rush or just need to get it done. Learning is about searching for clues and answers and not giving up
when you cannot work it out or find the answer straight away. As teachers and parents, we can provide
students with clues to guide them.
He had some great key points:
We assume that as parents you…
See the role of parents as important
Want to help your children
See Mathematics as important for career and life options
Some principles for parents to know..
All students can learn mathematics, even though some take longer and need additional support
Just because you know the answer does not mean you should tell it- let them work through it for a
lengthy time before you jump in
Just because you do not know the answer does not mean you should dodge it- work through it with
your child, ask them to tell you everything they know about that topic.
Anxiety is communicable- don’t ever say “I was never good at maths so it’s ok”
When helping your child, you should not..
Jump in too early (your children benefit from being “stuck” and becoming unstuck for themselves)
Grump
Threaten
Bribe
Show off
It will help if you..
Listen
Ask questions using mathematical language
Wait before interveningEncourage them to do their best- encourage them to keep persisting.
Take an interest in what they say and do- This is their learning, they are discovering new things.
Give advance notice- Ok, this is tough, go off for half an hour and come back, then we are going to
get stuck into it.
Talk about connections- What else does this remind you of? What does this link to?
Thank you all again for making the night so successful, I would love some feedback from you please at
[email protected]
TWILIGHT FAIR 2016 NEWS
Giving to those in need this Christmas
This year St Anthony's parish and school
community will be contributing to the Asylum
Seeker Support Group Christmas Gift Bag
initiative. For every $20.00 raised a pre-packaged
toiletry bag will be purchased and donated
directly to the appeal. Items in these bags include
shampoo, soap, deodorant, razors, sorbolene
cream, toothpaste and a toothbrush.
Each class will be taking part in this appeal.
Families are asked to make a small monetary
donation over the coming weeks to contribute to
their child's class fund. Classes will use the money
raised to purchase gift bags.
A token will be given to symbolise each donated
bag and will be displayed in the atrium.
The actual toiletry bags will
be placed under the giving
tree in the church.
Many thanks for your
support!
Stall co-ordinators needed
We need your help! We are still looking for
co-ordinators for the following stalls:
Toys
Chocolate toss
Lucky dip/mystery bottle
Snow cones
Children’s craft
Jams/Preserves
Little Tykes
Food
If you are interested please email:
[email protected]
Calling all MC’s!
Are you friendly, have a sense of humour and can
entertain a crowd? We need you! We are looking
for an MC to help introduce performers, recognise
our amazing sponsors, make announcements and
maybe crack a few jokes! If you are interested
please
contact Berni email:[email protected]
Do you take great photos?
If you love taking photos and can spare some time
taking pics during the fair, please let us know. Email:
[email protected]
If you wish to include an item in the newsletter
please email to
For administrative purposes all contributions
are
requested to be submitted by pm Tuesday for
Wednesday newsletter distribution.
Billboards
We need to spread the word about our fabulous
Fair beyond the school community. If you live on a
main road, bike or walking path and are willing to
have a high quality real estate-style billboard at your
house for one month leading up to the Fair, please
email Marigold on [email protected]
Silent Auction Donations
This newsletter can be viewed by
parents on the school website as
follows:
www.saalphington.catholic.edu.au/
news-and-events/enews
The silent auction team of Sandra Nanni and Anne
Harris are currently working hard to find donations
for the silent auction. If you or your business have
any goods, services or experiences that could be included please email Anne Harris
[email protected]
243 High Street Northcote Vic 3070
Phone: 9489 4609
Testing days 2016
For all students in year 1-6, 2016 you will be expected
to attend school on Thursday 28th January if your
surname begins with a letter A-K and Friday 29th
January if your surname begins with a letter between
L-Z. Children will be required to bring snacks and lunch
on the day which will begin at 9.30 and finish at
3.30pm. They can wear casual clothes and suitable
outdoor shoes.
Please contact the school if you are unable to attend
on your day as we can make alternate arrangements.
Students will be tested on their Numeracy and Literacy
skills and then will participate in outdoor activities run
by Funfit.
VISUAL ART NEWS
Congratulations to 1/2 NH (Hands of Asylum), Carla Moran
(3 / 4McC “Night Owl”) and Hamish Waddell (1 / 2 B “Birds
and Bananas) whose Art works were submitted for the CEO
Visual Arts Exhibition in 2016.
The following two works of Art were selected to represent St
Anthony’s Primary School in the CEO Visual Arts Exhibition in
March next year.
3/4 L “Three Teepees” (Wool Bombing)
Prep children will be given an hour appointment on
one of these days. Classes will begin for the whole
school on Monday 1st February.
UNIFORM SHOP UPDATES
The 2nd hand uniform shop
will be open from 8.45 –
9.30am on Monday 7
December
Please contact either of the
coordinators if you have any
queries or cannot make it to
school and we will arrange something.
Berni Breen (0402 021 845),
Email: [email protected]
Chris Nogara (0432 330 477),
Email: [email protected]
Alisha Verze, Brigit Somerville and Cate Martin (5/6 K)
Melted crayons and mixed media on canvas
“Melting Hands”
Reflections on Advent & the Sacraments
Congratulations to the 43 Year Three Students from our school and
the parish who received the Sacrament of First Reconciliation on 18
November. The evening was a calm and reflective time, a gentle
way of experiencing that our God is a loving and forgiving God. All
present were able to think about the importance of forgiveness in
their lives. The importance to not only be forgiven but to forgive, is
not always easy to do but ultimately what we must strive for.
Last weekend was the first weekend of Advent. A time liturgically
when we wait in hope for the birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. For
the Church it is a time of paring back, of praying, being still and
quiet. In reality this is vastly different to our daily lives in what is
often termed ‘the silly season’. But perhaps we need to look towards
this approach and make time to be still, to pray and reflect.
I encourage all families to make an advent wreath in their own
homes, it can be as simple as four
candles, and gather together
as a family to light a candle a week. To take the time as a family unit
to be still, to pray and reflect, to simply be quiet….
Sacrament Dates for 2016
Confirmation
20 April Confirmation Formation Evening 7pm
30 April/1 May Presentation Weekend-all Masses
21 May Sacrament of Confirmation 6.30pm
Eucharist
20 July Eucharist Formation Evening 7pm
23/24 July Presentation Weekend- all Masses
20/21 August, 27/28 August, 3/4 September, 10/11 September
Eucharist Weekends-please note : at this time, allocation of a specific
date to families isn’t possible, this will be done upon
commencement of the program
Reconciliation
12 October Reconciliation Formation Evening 7pm
15/16 October Presentation Weekend- all Masses
15 November Sacrament of Reconciliation 7pm
Peace and Blessings for the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016,
Tania Bennett (Religious Education Leader)
INFORMATION NIGHT FOR PROSPECTIVE FAMILIES
Santa Maria College is an independent Catholic Secondary
School for girls. It was established by the Sisters of the Good
Samaritan of the Order of Saint Benedict in Northcote in 1904
with an approximate enrolment of 920 students from Years 7
- 12. The values underpinning the Sisters of the Good
Samaritan Order, give direction to our College community.
Prospective families are warmly welcome to attend an
Information Night on Tuesday, 9 February 2016
commencing at 7:30pm in the Auditorium, Benedictine
Centre. An optional tour from 6:30pm is also available.
Bookings are not required. The College is located at 50
Separation Street, Northcote. Parking is available at the
Northcote Plaza car park opposite the College. Enter via the
main gates on Separation Street. For further information
phone Kylie Lawtey on 9489 7644 or email
[email protected]
Thank You
Many thanks to the school community for their
support of the Parish Healing Mass and annual
parishioners lunch.
The catering is a joint
effort between the
parish & school with the
parish providing the
chicken /potatoes etc,
and the school parents
supplying salads . There
was a great range of
delicious foods available
for parishioners to
celebrate the coming of
Advent. There was even
a cake in the shape of
Father Christmas provided by our own canteen
manager Rhonda Jones, showcasing her cake
decorating skills!
Thanks to those school parents who supplied
salads, assisted with set up and special mention
to Rowan Flanagan who picked up the chickens
and then stayed for lunch to help celebrate with
the parishioners. The greatest gift is often the
gift of time. The involvement of school parents,
both past and current helps make the occasion a
real community event.
The school children led by Mr Pearl and Mrs
Cavedon also performed carols for the
parishioners. The children’s participation is
always a highlight of the day for many of our
elderly parishioners in attendance. Thanks to the
teachers for preparing students for this event.