AGGIES ARTICLES - Term 4 Week 5 - Friday 5 November 2021

Week 5 has been another busy week at St Agnes’. Students have been involved in amazing learning in all subject areas, participating in ICAS competitions, creating videos of their Creative Arts performances and being involved with social justice initiatives to support those less fortunate than themselves through Craft for Service opportunities and preparing for the Socktober Shootout. With half a term left, students are working together to prepare for transitions to new classes and providing information for End of Year School Reports.

Principal Visit - 2M

On Thursday, I had the lovely opportunity to spend some time with 2M during both the English and Maths blocks. It was great to see the lovely learning that was happening in the classroom.

COVID-19 Restrictions Update

The following information has been sent home to families through email and the app.

It is with great joy that we are able to welcome back some parents to St Agnes’ Primary School starting from next week. The school will remain under Level 3 restrictions, however restrictions at this level have been updated.

The NSW Government, supported by Catholic Schools NSW have announced that fully vaccinated parents and visitors are permitted onsite to support curriculum delivery, wellbeing programs and school operations. These include programs such as reading support, canteens, uniform shops and gardening.

Drop off and pick up scenarios will continue as normal. Grades will continue to restrict mixing between different year levels. We are excited to welcome the opportunity to gather as a whole school for our outdoor morning assembly Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

As schools are not yet in a position to welcome visitors back en masse, please ring the school for an appointment should you wish to visit the school for other reasons. We rely on your understanding that appointment numbers and times are limited and are at the discretion of the school.

If you are helping in the Canteen or assisting with reading support, please remember to bring your proof of vaccination when you come to school. You’ll be asked to show this proof at the front office as you sign in to the school system and to Services NSW. Please remember these rules are required by the NSW Government. Your respect and patience towards our front office staff is appreciated.

We look forward to seeing you all soon.

We wish all students preparing to begin their HSC exams next Tuesday our very best wishes. Please join us in praying for each of them.

Yesterday, Year 2 students worked in pairs to create Socktober balls from recycled materials. Students in other grades also took on the challenge of making these at home and bringing them in to be used in the competition. Grades will kick one of these handmade soccer balls through the goalposts. Each successful goal will result in $1 being donated to the Good Shepherd Sisters who focus on providing basic needs for women and children in communities of need in Thailand. They provide a loving education in a safe place, catering for essential needs which allows the parents to freely work and earn a living for their families without fear for their children’s safety. This Shootout has been postponed till Monday (weather permitting).

Congratulations to Corbin Robinson who successfully completed The Great Cycle Challenge during October. He had set a goal to ride 200kms throughout the month. In achieving this he raised over $1000 for children with cancer. His inspiration came from his great uncle who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. He also completed the Jump rope for Heart challenge a couple of years ago raising $700 for heart disease. We are inspired by the amazing efforts of generous young people like Corbin who look for ways to help others in need.

Go Red For Dyslexia

This week we received a letter from Dyslexia Mid North Coast recognising our support for Go Red for Dyslexia again this year. In appreciation of the photos shared of the day we received the gift of a drone. Thank you to Lucas Blair in Year 5 who is a huge advocate for raising awareness for this cause in our school community. He presented the drone to Mrs Yarnold on behalf of Kelly King, the Co-founder and Chair of Dyslexia Mid North Coast.

It is great to see students enjoying each other's company playing within their designated areas during lunch times. Students in Year 5 have been focusing on demonstrating leadership qualities and following the 4R’s in preparation for next year and their upcoming leadership speeches next Tuesday. We wish all students who wish to achieve leadership roles for 2022 the best of luck. After the voting process next week, students will be asked to nominate for sports leadership roles for the following year.

Mr Brazel set a challenge for students a couple of weeks ago about bike riding to school. Thanks to those students who have been following safety regulations and being respectful about wheeling their bikes through the front gates. It looks like Mr Brazel will have to explore organising a new bike rack to cater for our growing cyclists.

A reminder of the importance of not dropping students off in the Bus Zone in the morning. Drivers have been booked previously for this act. To ensure we meet safety and traffic requirements we ask all families to comply with these regulations.

This week we have also been notified of carers who have not been driving respectfully and safely around the school area, including the drop off zone. Overtaking in the carpark is not permitted. It is a requirement of families accessing the 'kiss and drop'/'car park pick up' zone to follow safety guidelines and requests from staff on duty. Access to this service is a privilege and we appreciate those families who demonstrate care in this space.

Thanks to Brent, Dave and Sharon for the work done to create our Yarning Circle for our Indigenous groups.

Last year we received a grant for this from the Catholic Schools Office. We are excited to finally be able to establish this project. It incorporates the fire pit donated by last year's Year 6 class.

Thank you to those students who are assisting Sharon with the planting of our surrounding Indigenous garden.

This space will not only be used by our Indigenous groups, but for learning opportunities for all students. Work will continue adding to this space throughout the term and into next year.

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

KE - Ava Watson, Benjamin Dietrich, Hazel McCarthy, Jaxson Field and Willow Harris
KJ - Ariah Adams
KW - Felix Sjolund
1O - Alexander McGregor, Charlee Carpenter, Keeley Carle, Rocco Moy and Sahara Pauley
1TB - Harrison Power and Mia Henry
2JW - Piya Varsani
2M - Tyler Carpenter
2W - Braxton Henson, Macy Cooper and Sofia Adamson
3TM - Emily Lonergan
5C - Charlize Leicht
5M - Troy Towers
5W - Abby Moloney
6W - Logan Howard

300 Dojo Awards: