2024, Term 1, Week 8

Weekly Assembly

Principal Message

Dear Families, 

With Easter just around the corner it is important to remember that Easter is not all about Easter Eggs. In saying this Easter eggs symbolize new life and resurrection, reflecting the Christian belief in Jesus' resurrection.

Easter holds significant importance, as Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is central to our faith. Easter serves as a time for reflection, renewal, and forgiveness. It encourages us to contemplate the significance of sacrifice, love, and redemption.

In saying this, certainly enjoy the Easter break and the eggs, but also keep in mind the real meaning of Easter!

Last week we had the pleasure of having Andrew Chinn perform at the school. Andrew combined music, song and prayer for what was a great day!!

NAPLAN assessments for Yr 3 & 5 were conducted last week. Results are expected in September, these will be shared with you once they arrive.

Congratulations to those boys and girls who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation this week. Many thanks to Mrs Sue Falcke and our Yr 4 teachers who helped prepare the students for this special occasion.

Don't forget SCHOOL PHOTOS are next week - Wednesday 27th March. All students are required to wear their full school day uniform (No sports uniform!).

Have a great Easter break!

Warm Regards,

Brian Laybutt
Principal

Important reminder regarding school crossing safety

Please be aware that the department of transport has monitored our school crossing activity recently, and as a direct result we now remind you of the following:

1. When directed to stop or when the crossing is in use - Cars need to stop at the unbroken line as indicated by the flags (not at the dashed line beside the crossing), 
2. Do not under any circumstances drive up the opposite side of the road to get past queuing traffic (Park on the side on the kerb and walk up if need be), and
3. Obey the 40km/hr speed limit.

Failure to comply with any of the above laws will result in your number plate being recorded. Failure to comply with the first two laws could lead to fines up to $480 and loss of 2 demerit points. Failure to comply with the speed limit could result in harsher consequences.

Also please remind your children to dismount and walk their bikes across the crossing.
Let's work together to keep our children and families safe.

Parent Forum

Dear Families,

The Catholic Schools Office under the guidance of the new Board and Governance Model have directed all schools to consider two models, by which all school forums should comply with. 
Below is a brief outline of these models. 
Having presented these models to the communitty an oppoirtunity for further discussion / discernment will be provided, Following this all families will be given an opportunity to vote on which model would best suit our school community.

Holy Week

Sunday 24th March begins our journey into Holy Week  with Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. Jesus’ royal entrance into the holy city of Jerusalem was also an entrance into the mystery of his suffering, Death,  and Resurrection.  As we enter this holiest of weeks with Christ, may we draw into deeper union with Him and with one another.

On Thursday 28th March we enter into the most Holy Triduum with the Church throughout the world.  It is the Passover of the Lord Jesus, and we pray to know the power of Jesus’ dying and rising in our lives. John’s Gospel presents Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, this is the mandatum and deepest meaning of Eucharist: to become one with Christ, blessed, broken, and shared out of love.

Good Friday 29th March is not only about remembering the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus as a past event but about immersing ourselves in the saving mystery of Christ present among us today. Together, we hold the Death of the Lord in our hearts and draw new life from the holy Cross by which he continues to redeem our world.

Holy Saturday, 30th March, on this night, in the midst of the new fire, it is sung “The Light of Christ,” and we reply, “Thanks be to God”. In the church we hear the stories of God’s saving love throughout history. In this vigil we are renewed to tell the story of God’s victory over death by how we reflect the light we received in Baptism.

Easter Sunday, 31st March – The Risen Lord. Jesus’ resurrection confirms his divinity; the risen Christ is the principle and source of our future resurrection. He does not only rise to a “glorious” life for himself but he also shares this new life with all sons and daughters of the Father in the Holy Spirit.

St Anthony's Parish - Holy Week and Easter Ceremonies

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Congratulations to all the children who made their First Reconciliation last  Wednesday evening.  A big thank you to all the parents and families who attended this evening, supporting theirchild/ren on this special event.

We are now excited for these children to make their First Holy Communion towards the end of Term 2. 

Year 4 students who completed the Sacrament of Penance in Term 1 will now complete the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

They will attend a parent/child meeting in Term 2, week 2, Monday 6th May at 6:00pm at School. Following this the students and their family will attend a commitment Mass of their choice over the weekend of 18th and 19th May (19th May will be a School/Parish Mass). Students will then have the opportunity to make their First Holy Communion at a Mass of their choice over the weekend of 

1st & 2nd June or weekend 15th or 16th June. 

(If your child is in Year 5 or 6 class, Baptised Catholic and have made their Reconciliation but have not yet made their First Holy Communion and you wish them to please email the school. with your child’s name and this request.)

Parish Newsletter

St Ambrose Awards Recipients

Rugby League Dio Trials

Exciting news! Duke has just secured a spot in the Lismore Diocese Rugby League team for winter sports! After an intense trial session in Grafton last week, he emerged victorious and is now gearing up for the ultimate showdown in Tamworth at the start of Term 2. There, he'll go head-to-head against the best Catholic Primary school athletes from across NSW. 

Year 2 Excursion

Thank you Year 2 for your engagement and interest in learning how materials can be changed and combined for a variety of purposes. We had a great day discussing the Pottsville Bridge, the materials used to build it, and how we would redesign it to suit our growing population.  
Thank you to our amazing parent helpers who not only supported us in safely walking to and from the creek, but also had a great time building our forts and bridges at the beach. 

Story Dogs

A big, wooly welcome to our new Story Dogs mascot and friend, Salty and Kathryn! Salty and Kathryn will be visiting year 2 each week to assist in our students becoming more fluent and expressive, while feeling connected and calm in Salty’s presence. Thanks for joining us yesterday, team. We loved having you in our school! 

Assessment

Congratulations to Years 3 and 5 students who completed NAPLAN last week. NAPLAN provides nationally comparable data about Literacy and Numeracy achievement across the country. 

At St Ambrose, a range of ongoing assessment methods are used to determine students’ strengths and areas for growth, to plan for effective teaching and learning. Examples include:

• Observations

• Class and small group discussions

• Projects

• Quizzes 

• Short answer responses 

• Peer and self-assessment activities

• Multiple-choice questions 

• Presentations

• Conferencing

• Criteria rubrics

• Checklists 

• Exit slips - quick written student responses to questions teachers pose at the end of a lesson. 

• Four corners - students decide a question, problem, or topic by physically moving to the corner of the room where their answer is posted. 

• Traffic light cups- provide quick visual feedback by students to teachers during lessons. Red means 'I am stuck'; Amber means 'I'm not sure' and Green means 'I fully understand'.

Using a range of assessment methods allows all students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in many different ways. 

Chelsea Carter
Assistant Principal- Learning & Teaching

Jess Wilson
Acting Leader of Pedagogy

School Photo Day

K-2 Easter Hat Parade

Wellbeing

School Tours

Mother's Day Raffle Donations

Community News

POTTSVILLE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Our meetings are held the last Tuesday of the month.  6.30 pm at St Marks Church in Coronation Drive.  The primary objectives of the PCA are:-  To represent the residents and ratepayers of Pottsville and its environs in matters affecting the Pottsville community.  Our current projects are:-

• Pushing to get the mobile phone tower built;
• Repairs to the rock wall at Mooball Creek entrance
• Pushing to make the Pottsville High School a reality
• North Byron Parklands – ensuring Mooball Creek is never contaminated by waste water
• Use of the Environmental Park and buildings for local groups
• Skate/BMX Park – multi purpose activities precinct.

Be a part of your local community and have your say in what are your needs and what is important for your family and children.   For details contact secretary@pottsvillecommunityassociation.com. Looking forward to meeting new members with fresh ideas.