Catholic Schools’ Week

This week is Catholic Schools’ Week, a time to recognise the positive contribution our teachers, parents and students have made towards Catholic Education, from both the past and the present. We celebrate all who have made our schools what they are today. This year is particularly special as we celebrate 200 years of Catholic education in Australia. The theme this year is ‘Faith in the Future’.

Throughout this week, we have been looking at how our school has grown and changed throughout its history. On Tuesday we celebrated with a whole school Mass in the Father Glynn Centre and throughout the week many activities have been undertaken in class. Today is our dress up day and we have a special guest speaker at assembly this afternoon, Mrs Mahoney who was a teacher here for many years and has very good knowledge of our history. Look out for the photos!

AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS 
200 YEAR PRAYER

Almighty and all-loving God, 
with gratitude for the endeavours of Catholic education in the past, 
with confidence in our Catholic pre-schools, schools and universities today, 
and with faith in their continuing contribution in the future, 
we celebrate 200 years of Catholic education in this Great South Land. 

As our Heavenly Father, 
we thank you for your providential care for your children in this land 
in inspiring priests, religious and lay people 
to found and staff our schools in ages past. 
Through them the Good News of your Son was brought to the young 
even in colonial times – and ever since. 

As Christ the Teacher, 
you grace the staff and leaders of Catholic education today. 
As they build on the achievements of their predecessors 
direct them in their present efforts 
to ensure that every young Australian has the opportunity 
for an excellent education and formation in faith. 

As our Inspiring Spirit, 
you lead us into the future.
In the century ahead, grant those teaching and learning in our schools, 
those planning and leading, 
and the families and community that entrust their young people to us, 
a love of learning and a willingness to be 
the face of Christ in the world of tomorrow. 

Pour out your abundant blessings upon all involved in the ministry of Catholic education.

Amen. 

Changes in Bundaroo Street

Construction work is due to commence on Monday which means Bundaroo Street will be extremely busy, please avoid using it if you can, particularly if you are in a hurry as there will be traffic delays. We ask that you please be patient during this time and remember that we have not made these changes, we just have to make them happen so please be kind to us. If using the drop-off /pick-up zone, can you also be mindful of the driveways of our neighbours and not park acroos them.

There is a bit of confusion today as some signs were removed yesterday afternoon in the location of the new drop off zone which has resulted in cars being parked there today. The signs on the school side of the road were covered but I think the cardboard has blown off in the wind, “technically” leaving us with no drop-off area. You will have received a separate compass alert advising of how we are going to manage this afternoon. Thank you to the parents who dropped students off this morning coming from the other side, you did a great job. There were still a number of parents who dropped off in the usual position, can you please read the messages that went out yesterday so that you are aware of the changes as I would hate to see you get booked.

Enjoy your weekend

Kayleen Petzer
Principal

IMPORTANT DATES

At the moment, due to COVID restrictions, parents are not able to attend school liturgies.

May

Confirmation - 29 May

Morning Mass During Lent

Lent is often known as a time for ‘giving up’ something . It is also a about reflection, prayer  and acts of charity - Giving more!

A great opportunity for this is offered to us through attending Morning Mass. All students and families are welcome to attend Friday morning Mass at 8.00am.

I will supervise students at Mass and their safe return to school after Mass.

Catholic Education is celebrating 200 years in Australia, marking the bicentenary of the first Catholic school established in Parramatta in October 1820.

The first Catholic school in Australia was founded in October 1820 by Irish Catholic priest Fr John Therry and run by convict and lay person George Marley. The school, which Catholic historians believe was in Hunter Street, Parramatta, taught 31 students. By 1833, there were 10 Catholic schools in the colony. 

Over 200 years, Catholic schools have grown to become the largest provider of schooling in Australia  with one in five school age students attending a Catholic school.

This represents some 768,000 students in 1,751 schools across the country and employing 98,000 teachers and staff.

Nearly 40 per cent of Catholic schools are located outside of metropolitan cities in regional, rural and remote communities, just like ours.

There are many good schools in our local area but STA is a great Catholic school and we are  blessed to be part of a faith filled education system. Let’s now give thanks to God for the gift of Catholic education.

Thank you to all the students who dressed up today for our "olden days" Friday and brought in money.  We raised $468 which will be donated to Caritas for Project Compassion.  See our Facebook page for more photos.

Meet the Student PB4L Team for 2021

Each class from Year 2 to 6 has elected their PB4L Class Representative. These Representatives are:

Year 2 - Rose & Chloe

Year 3 - Zara & Emily

Year 4 - Piper & Poppy

Year 5 - Nicholas & Eloise 

Year 6 - Eli & Maisie

We congratulate these students and look forward to their leadership and initiatives throughout the year. The team received their badges at our first school assembly and are excited to begin this important leadership role in the school.

Western Region Swimming Carnival:  Congratulations to the students who attended at Campbelltown on Wednesday and represented the school with great sportsmanship and pride.

The Junior and Senior Boys' Relay teams and several other students qualified for the Diocesan Swimming Trials at Corrimal next Monday:

Sport Trials:  We hope that all students who attended the Netball, Soccer and Rugby League trials today enjoyed themselves and good luck to the students who are attending the Hockey trials on 10 March.

Change of traffic arrangements

Thank you to all parents and carers for your patience and understanding of the new drop-off and pick-up arrangements that the Council have introduced.  

School Fees

If you have any questions regarding your fees, please contact Shauna in the office.

Personal details

Could you please let the office know if you have changed addres so that our records can be current.  You should be able to change your email address and phone number in Compass.

School Attendance

If your child is absent from school, could you please enter the details in Compass, with an explanation for their leave eg Travel, Holiday, Medical Appointment etc.

If your child will be absent for 10 days or more, there is a form (available from the office) which needs to be completed and approved by the Principal.

This is located adjacent to the school office and we sell hats, bags, beanies, gloves and scarves.  EFTPOS is available for new stock.

The P & F 2nd hand Uniform Shop is open for the sale of items @ $2 per item. The money raised from these sales will be donated to St Vincent de Paul at the end of the year. 

for 2nd hand items.  DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED.