St Anthony's School - 2022

Joyous Festive Blessings to All!

We give thanks for the amazing gift of 2022. 

Happy Holidays! 

St Anthony's Parish Christmas Mass Times

Christmas Eve Saturday 24/12/22 - 6.00pm

Christmas Day Sunday 25/12/22—9.30am

Dear Families and Friends of St Anthony’s School, (Speech presented at Carols Night - Tuesday 6th Dec 2022) 

In this season of Advent we gather as people of light… this new Church year we hear  the good news of Christ as proclaimed through the gospel of Matthew. In Matthew’s Christmas Narrative we hear about the star that shines bright and leads the way of the Magi to the king of kings… Tonight I would like to invite us all to think how our year - 2022 has been a shining light that has pointed always to God’s love revealed through our staff, students and you our community….

Tonight our 5 pointed star is our 5 Ls… each one a united part of how we have shined bright through what I am going to say was the joy and challenges of 2022… Each one of us has shined, we have not only shined as individual stars but have become and are a constellation of hope, love and brilliance… just like the Star of St Dominic that sits on the top of our school crest.

Listen – we started the year having to listen to the government requirements of starting the 2022 like no other – our reception and year 1 students would begin school on site with the rest of our grades engaged in online learning… And how amazing did our staff listen to the call, they got together and made learning packs, still held meet family the family chats through teams and got ready to ensure it was the best possible start. By the first afternoon of the 2022 school year we had welcomed our new receptions, got everyone connected through teams and Maranatha studios was up and running each day. We welcomed the Australian up hill snow boarding champion and we all worked to consider our one word for 2022… Last week I was so blessed to work with each class and ask them again what their word for this year and was so touched at the thoughtful and wise responses. We have listened to each other in mentoring moments, in the yard, in the classroom and they have even listened to Mr Baker at times… although as one Yr 6 told me… you do seem to interrupt our learning when you visit. We have listened to the cries of earth and humanity through considered action including re-cycling, purple day in term 1, Vinnies – not much sleep out, PJ day and the generous giving tonight for Vinnies. We have focused this year as a staff on the place of Scripture in prayer and RE and hope our learning helps our students listen to and learn about these important stories in our Tradition and how they can guide us and form us to be leaders for the world God desires… I am so appreciative to the ways you, our community listened to covid requirements and with care did what was required to ensure continuity of learning but also safety for each other…

Love – It was fitting that all our students returned back to school after the lock down start in term 1 on Valentines day and we loved having "we love you" on the front gate to welcome everyone back… We have been blessed that love has been the way shared so often in so many amazing ways. Only a couple of weeks ago Sundown showed how your love can shine out and we thank Anna and the whole amazing Sundown team for their work. In Term 2 - I won’t say I necessarily liked the mask requirements or having to do RAT tests or filling in spreadsheets for SA Health and sending out the every changing covid management requirements. But I loved the way our staff, students and community showed their love to each other. I have loved the cape ceremonies in early years which highlight students living out the key capabilities and being able to recognise these qualities in others. I have loved the warm welcomes each morning and excited sharing of learning and personal growth. We have loved welcoming our Little Ants and each and every student this year. I have loved being able to join a class for prayer – planned so beautifully by class teachers and attend excursions, events and experiences. We hope you have loved this year and all the learning you have done, all the ways you have grown – all the ways you have shined like stars…

Learn – Sometimes with everything we get up to, you must wonder if any learning happens… I would say that everything happening is the learning and it fits in with our laugh and joy L… Be it Pirate Day (thanks early years), Running an election (thanks Yr 5’s), learning about the phases of the moon through oreo biscuits (thanks Yr 3s) , writing letters to Mr Baker to convince him of a new hobbie (thanks Yr 2) or new playgrounds (Thanks Yr 1)  or watching how you can learn and grow together on camp (thanks Yr 4) and thanks Emily for teaching me the robot and Kate helping me learn that bugs in Mylor drink fly spray! Yr 6s thanks for helping me learn that 5am at the airport can be really busy and that you really have learnt a lot! Receptions thankyou for helping me learn how to fly a paper plane or at least pick up the hundreds of pieces of paper (only joking) Receptions thankyou for helping me learn that you are amazing and capable beyond measure just like every student here at St Anthony’s. Thankyou to our staff who have developed amazing learning experiences and supported them across each learning areas, connected to each capability and so much more. Above the National Average in every aspects of NAPLAN for Year 3 and huge growth in Yr 5 NAPLAN. Above state average in Year 4 RE, sensational personal growth for so many in so many ways. Learning to spray paint, draw and color thanks to the support of our P&F through our Artist in Residence Program. Thankyou to our staff who have embraced learning and personal development in so many ways including in Writing, ICT, Embracing our online student management system, student agency, focus on high achievers, growth mindset and wellbeing. One special celebration is passed on to Mr Georgiou who has been recognized through a rigorous cross- sector process as a highly accomplished teacher inline with the Australian Teacher Standards – congratulations.

Lead – I was graced when our Yr 6 students shined as beautiful leaders on our kindy visits and in mentoring moments each week. The tears when there were more Yr 3 students than little ants and some people would not get a buddy – but the way you all cared for our little treasures. Students - For the ways you have led in the yard and helped out, in the classroom and strived for excellence and how you have shined bright as STARS. For our eco-warriors who just tell me to get out of the way and get on with shining bright through their care for creation. To our garden buddies to take time to work with Ms D to garden and care and grow just as much as the plants. For the ways students are buddies to each other in formal and informal settings – thankyou for leading with care and love. Year 2 students planning outdoor learning activities, Yr 6 reading buddies, Year 4/5 and Reception prayer buddies. I would like to thank Monica for her leadership lived out in so many ways. To Joh Kohler and the whole school board, Tim and Lynn on Finance, to all of you our official P&F and in a special way Anna, Bernice and Laura for their key roles. Thankyou. To our Yr 6’s who have shined bright as leaders – who we will thank and farewell a little later, to our staff – our amazing staff who take up the call to lead, guide, support and nurture. To Kylie, Belinda, Sean, Michelle, Taryn, Tracy and Harry. To Elin, Matt and Chris. To Sue, Mary, Robyn, Elly, Lucy, Nick, Alex Boyd and Jo. To Brooke and the OSHC crew, to our visiting relief teachers, volunteers, helpers and allied health supporters – thankyou. You are all truly leaders for the world God desires and hope you know how grateful we are for all you do and are for our community.

Laugh – I hope when you look back over 2022 you like me have a HUGE smile…. For me our L of Laughter captures the joy and pride of being a part of such an amazing community. We laugh in the good times and allow this joy to carry us through the challenges. How proud I was when the office was full of take home learning packs that shined care, learning and love. The smiles of Reception students running around and playing from day 1, watching year 1 students talking to themselves on their phonics phones. Having Yr 2’s come and share how they have helped out and watching the joy of footy and games of handball, staff vs students volleyball. Watching mums get their nails painted, cooking bacon and egg sandwiches for our dads and watching students show their grandparents around. Watching Yr 3 buddies at little Ants, seeing Yr 4 campers try new things, watching Yr 5 sports leaders at work with our early years students, Seeing sports day results arrive under lock and key (see it isn’t rigged), watching old scholars play in visiting bands, see one of our student lay a wreath at the war memorial or a Yr 6 dressed up and sitting in the speakers chair of parliament house. Watching athletes, swimmers, netballers, footballers, festival choir singers do it all with joy. Hearing the "loaded dog" song or seeing the pizza and cakes at sundown.  Hearing instrumental students play and seeing Little Ants confidently take control of the school on their first visit. Having student embrace each day with joy in their hearts…. Having a community who works with us for these amazing students and having a staff who shine brighter that the brightest star….

So thankyou for being the stars of 2022 and while there might not be an avenue of stars like in Hollywood…. Thankyou for shining bright... Thankyou for filling any darkness with light… Thankyou for making 2022 a shining example of our community. 

Best wishes from Stuart 

At the end of term 1, we took a moment to farewell and say goodbye to Mrs Hays. We welcome her back this evening to say goodbye on behalf of the whole community. Mrs Hays brought love and compassion to every student, every task and every moment of giving. Saying goodbye is always hard but we hope Mrs Hays continues to have a little bit / a lot of St Anthony’s in her heart… because we still have lots of her tireless giving and help in our cherished memories… We thank Mrs Hays for coming back this evening and hope this is a reminder of what she meant to us and that we will be forever thankful.

Midway through the year we sadly said goodbye to Hollie – but is kind of not goodbye as we know Hollie through her leadership in OSHC SA continues to provide guidance to our OSHC and we are forever appreciative of this. While there are a million words to describe Hollie – loving, caring, professional, huge heart – the one that our community is forever thankful for is outstanding / exceeding…. Hollie lead St Anthony’s OSHC to be recognized as a top rating service and we hope that our OSHC will always work to honour you and your dedication to our school…. 

Ms R hasn’t been around the last few years and while we have been holding her spot – she has been shining her brilliance at Rosary School. Her dedication to our school over a number of years was lived through care, high quality learning and guiding staff and community in ensuring Indigenous Reconciliation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait perspectives were given high importance. The yarning circle in our yard is a constant reminder of her work that we will forever be grateful for…. Tia thankyou and we wish you continued success at Rosary and now grandmother duties…. 

When you are able to wear hats and wear them well… that shows your class and style… Lucy has been all class and style since being a student here and then dedicated OSHC staff member and Acting Director many times without being asked – all because she wanted it to be excellent. Lucy has been a regular ESO providing support to students and their learning and jumping in to help with much grace. Lucy has taken on our Pastoral Care / Chaplain role and brought  so much including chatter box, check-ins, library activities and her huge heart of care. We thank Lucy for her dedication and wish her well as she begins her official teaching journey next year at Christ the King Warradale. 

Mr Uzzell joined us this year to take on PE and we are grateful for the dedication and passion he brought each Tuesday – together with the rain… it rains on a Tuesday more than any other day at St Anthony’s, but Chris was always ready to change things up to ensure he provided a quality PE experience and got everyone moving – without too many injuries. We wish Chris well on the journey ahead and thankyou for your service to our community. 

We have been blessed to have Mrs Fox work with us over the last couple of years as a TRT and this year in our Reception class and helping our Yr 3’s learn all about history and geography. To every role she has brought a heart of care and passion to see everyone be their best and do their best. This was demonstrated one afternoon when Belinda was a relief teacher for a day and Mr Baker thought he might go a little earlier than normal and when checking that all was locked up for the night found Mrs Fox marking books and ensuring notes for the teacher were completed… way beyond what is required… this is just one of the examples that show the passionate Christian service and ministry that shines through Belinda… we wish Belinda well as she takes up a position at Brighton Primary School. 

Tracy has been connected to the St Anthony’s community as a parent, OSHC staff member, Pastoral Care Worker and dedicated and passionate teaching staff member. Each and every one of those connections has been lived out with professionalism and a drive to see it be the best for everyone. Tracy took on various teaching roles with enthusiasm and many times having to jump around in grades and time… all done with care and a desire to see it be the best for the class. If you want to know about Reading Progress and getting kids growing in their reading fluency you need to ask Ms Dunlevy, if you want to know about exciting students in our electoral system – you need to ask Ms Dunlevy, if you want to know about getting students excited about card making then you can ask Ms Dunlevy. If you want to know about lunch club and giving every student space to flourish and shine – then yep… ask Ms Dunlevy. Tracy has passionately given to our community in so many ways, in so many roles and yet with always with one key determination to see everyone succeed. We thank Tracy for this gift to our community and wish her well on future journeys. 

You might not know this but Mr Baker knew Mrs Dale a long time ago…. (well not that long… because Mr Baker is still young!) She was a special, kind- and warm-hearted teacher who had to put up with Mr Baker running professional development at St Joseph’s Norwood… And while it was a while a go – I have never forgotten the care and brilliance that shined through back then and that has continued to shine through here at St Anthony’s. We sadly say goodbye to Mrs Dale because that huge heart is shining through… Mrs Dale leaves us to take a position at Kudos as a Disability Education Worker supporting families and students as they embark on the sometimes-challenging roads of formal education. We know that Taryn will bring knowledge as a Mum and Educator but most importantly she will bring a HEART that can fill a room… In fact Mrs Dale’s heart and love is so big that we had to give her two classroom rooms this year and they were always filled with love, a bit of craziness – namely from Mr Baker and his Yr 3 science and most importantly inspiring everyone to brilliance, love and excellence… Mrs Dale… it's not goodbye because we get to keep you as a Mum but we say goodbye and thankyou to you as an educator who has brought heart and soul, grace and joy, learning and love, care and compassion…. 

To our amazing Graduating class of 2022…. What an adventure…. What growth …. What joy….  May you take with you all the laughs, the ways you have led, all the loving you have shared with others and each other, the moments you have listened and the amazing learning. Go with our sad blessings and we can not wait to hear about you thriving and flourishing as you begin your high school journey….