In 2021, Australian Catholic education celebrates 200 years of Catholic schooling in this country. At St Anthony's Girraween, after celebrating our 70th anniversary in 2020, we will take the opportunity throughout the year to mark this special event in the history of our nation and the Australian Church.
Today, there are 1,751 Catholic schools educating 768,000 students and employing 98,000 staff. National Catholic education Executive Director Jacinta Collins said the bicentennial celebrations recognise the enormous contribution of Catholic schools in Australia. “Over 200 years Catholic schools have educated millions of Australian students,” Ms Collins said. “Australian Catholic schools have a long and proud tradition of delivering high-quality, faith-based education. Our graduates have made, and continue to make, a significant contribution in business, civic and public life, sport, performing and creative arts, community services, and all facets of society. “The bicentenary is an opportunity to celebrate those who have served in Catholic education since its earliest days; the contribution of religious institutes, clergy and lay people in the foundation of schools in cities, rural and remote parts of Australia; and the continuity of this mission with the leaders, staff, families and the wider Church community today."
The bicentenary of Catholic education in Australia will be celebrated throughout 2021 with a range of events commencing with a national virtual launch today 18 February 2021 https://youtu.be/n5JesV9raOU
For more information, visit https://www.ncec.catholic.edu.au/
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200 Years Young - A Pastoral Letter from the Bishops of AustraliaA Pastoral Letter from the Bishops of Australia to the leaders, staff, students and families of Catholic education in Australia reflecting on the past, present and future.
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Yesterday we celebrated Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the Season of Lent. The practice of Christians wearing ashes as a sign of our desire to repent is a long tradition with its beginnings in the Old Testament.
The Scripture readings we hear on this day open with the invitation to come back to God with all our heart. The Season of Lent is a time for us to more intentional in our efforts to love others, and so brings ourselves ever more into a deeper, loving relationship with God.
Catholics will often engage in particular efforts to flourish in their lives. They can be simple acts of prayer, such as making some time each day to reflect on our thoughts and actions. They can be simple acts of fasting, such as working to avoid bad habits. They can also be simple acts of almsgiving, such as contributing spare change to Caritas Australia's Project Compassion appeal. Through these simple acts, we deliberately place God and the needs of others - rather than our own wants - at the centre of our lives.
Each year during Lent, Christians show their commitment to living better lives through prayer, fasting and almsgiving (giving freely of time, gifts or material goods for the benefit of others). In Australia, Catholic parishes and schools engage in Lenten almsgiving by contributing to Project Compassion. Project Compassion is the annual appeal of the Australian division of Caritas, the Catholic Church agency for international aid and development. Yesterday your family should have received a Project Compassion box so that you can make this practice part of your observance of Lent at home, and at the same time, support Caritas Australia in providing assistance to people in need both in Australia and overseas. Students will learn more about Project Compassion and the people it supports in Religious Education this term.
This week, students were presented with a writing opportunity, to be the first students to use our new lift. Students have been asked to write in 100 words or less why they should be the first. This initiative is just for fun and to foster a love of writing. Each submission will go into a draw to win a "Silver Ticket"!
On the first day of this term, students were met with a boat in the playground to ignite their thinking and act as a stimulus for their writing. Take a look at some of the examples that children came up with by clicking this link.
A report will be sent home that provides an overview of your child’s mathematical understanding that was observed during the Mathematical Assessment Interview. We encourage you to use this as an opportunity to discuss your child’s mathematical thinking and set goals with your child. Below is an example of the report.
On Wednesday 17th February, five students represented St Anthony's at the Cumberland Zone swimming carnival at Mt Druitt Swimming Centre. Congratulations to our competitors:
Jayden Xavier
Daniel Kulangaramurayil
Sai Shailesh
Alixanah Temmo
Sraddha Shailesh
Thank you to Mrs Martin, Mrs Agaiby and our parent helper, Dr Anjanappa, for organising and managing the team in the lead up and on the day.
Congratulations to Alixanah Temmo who came 2nd in her event and has progressed to the Diocesan Swimming Competition for 50m Freestyle.
School fees for 2021 have been issued by CEDP this week. A reminder that Term 1 fees are due by 17th March, 2021.
The schools within the Parramatta Diocese are in the process of becoming cashless, therefore payments can be made via BPay, BPoint, AustPost Bill Pay or via Eftpos (available in the office). Whilst we are in the process of transitioning to a cashless school, the office will still accept cash payments during Term 1.
If you are having difficulties with your school fee payment, please contact the office for a confidential discussion.
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Parenting Ideas - supporting parents, children and familiesOur subscription to the Parenting Ideas portal provides us with access to many parent education resources by Michael Grose, one of Australia's leading parenting educators. We will aim to share articles, videos and eResources in our newsletters on topics that may be useful and helpful to you and your family. Click on the article to read 'HELPING YOUR CHILD BECOME THE BEST STUDENT THEY CAN BE'. |
St Anthony's normal uniform shop opening hours:
TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS 8:30-9:15am WEDNESDAYS 2:15-3:00pm
Special trading hours:
Monday 1st and 8th March - 2:00-3:00pm
Thursday 4th and 11th March - 2:00-3:00pm
Outside of these times, orders can be placed in person through the front office if the size of the item is known.
See our school website for uniform requirements and price list.
MENUS - check out the St Anthony's menus at melstastybites.com/menu
CANTEEN ACCOUNTS - consider opening a canteen account to minimise cash handling, see information on our website
BIRTHDAYS - Canteen options are available for a child to celebrate their birthday with their classmates.
* Animal Pops Bucket - $1 each ice block
* Cupcakes with frosting - $2 each cupcake (72 hours notice required)
