Kindergarten Enrolments 2023

It is very important for our current families with children of school age for Kindergarten 2023, to apply as soon as possible by filling out the enrolment form on St Agnes Parish website. With interviews beginning next week, places are in high demand and we need to know which families are seeking a place prior to offers going out later in June. Don’t miss out!

Sharing our success

It was a great privilege this week to host Principals and CSO staff at St Joseph’s for a morning. Our group of visitors spoke with us about what we are doing in our school to deepen the learning experiences of our students and make their learning more visible through the work we have engaged in for the past two years with Lyn Sharratt, an exemplary leader and educator in Canada. Our teachers have been on a learning journey that is continuing as an ongoing cycle of improvement, where they highlight clearly to students what they are learning about, challenge and support students to take on responsibility for their learning in an age appropriate way, and have high expectations with support for reaching their learning goals. Our visitors walked through each learning space and engaged with our students to find out what they really know and can do. This particular visit was to assist Principals in learning from each other as not administrators in an office, but as lead learners in our classrooms. There were some wonderful moments for the group to see learning in action and to share their own experiences. We were proud of how easily our staff and students can continue with their work while visitors observe and discuss what they can see and hear.   

National Reconciliation Week 

National Reconciliation Week is 27th May to 3rd June and is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. 

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2022, “Be Brave. Make Change” is a challenge to all Australians - individuals, families, communities, organisations and government - to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians. 

Last year Reconciliation Australia encouraged all Australians to take action; not just in National Reconciliation Week but every week of the year. This year we are being asked to make change beginning with brave actions in our daily lives - where we live, work, play and socialise. Something to note, is that this is not just something specific to supporting Indigenous Australians, but is the way of life that we should be leading for all Australians, no matter where they have originated from. 

Click here to find out more about National Reconciliation Week    

#NRW2022 #BeBraveMakeChange

Indigenous Afternoon Tea

In the spirit of Reconciliation Week, our Indigenous families, carers and students, are invited to attend afternoon tea at the school MPA on Friday 3rd June, from 4:00pm until 5:30pm. Please see the note sent out this week for details of how this gathering can enhance our connections to each other, support our students in their learning and provide opportunities for a wealth of experience and ideas to form our forward planning.  

Canteen Week - Thank you Kim!

This week we were pleased to be able to recognise Canteen Week to thank our hard working and committed Canteen Manager, Kim Goldie. The children know her as Kim or Mrs Goldie, and I can guarantee she knows most if not all children by name (and often what they like to buy!). Not only does Kim come every day to prepare and serve food, snacks and drinks to our hungry students and teachers, but she goes above and beyond the time and effort to continue to the life of the school and students. We also recognise those who help Kim, particularly as the middle to end of the week is a flurry of activity which she cannot do alone, although she certainly tries so as not to let anyone down. Thanks to parents, carers and our school staff who also come and help. Of course, we are always looking for more people to assist, so here is an opportunity for me to plug the volunteer notice as well.

Celebrating Our Faith

Narrated Masses

Our First Holy Communion Candidates, along with their families have enjoyed our Narrated Masses this week, in preparation for making the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. Narrated Masses are an important way for children (and their families) to gain a deeper understanding of the Mass and how its four parts connect to make the whole. On Sunday night, lucky children were able to get a ‘closer look’ at the altar during our Mass by sitting side by side with Fr Paul to support meaning and deepen their faith. A second group of families attended on Thursday night with Fr Roland explaining how the Mass is structured.

Please join us on Saturday 28th May at 3:00pm and Tuesday 31st May at 5:30pm as we continue our Narrated Masses. ALL ARE WELCOME.

Learning Together

The Importance of Eating Healthy

Research has shown that students are able to learn better when they are well nourished. Eating healthy meals has been linked to better academic performance, better memory, alertness and faster information processing. It also helps to regulate their emotions and overall well being. One reason for this is that foods that are rich in fibre, protein, and healthy fats such as eggs, yoghurt, apples and oatmeal keep the body feeling full longer, providing enough energy to focus and stay alert throughout the entire day. As a parent, how do you find time to pack lunches that are healthy, tasty, and don’t take hours to prepare? One simple way that you can ensure your child is getting enough of the nutritional foods they need is to pack food from every colour of the rainbow.

RED Foods

Sliced strawberries, cherries, apple slices, raspberries, watermelon slices, cooked sweet potato slices with cinnamon, cranberry juice, tomato slices with salt and pepper, bell peppers slices.

ORANGE & YELLOW Foods

Pineapple slices, rockmelon balls, baby carrots with dip, peaches, dried mango slices, oranges, yellow peppers, lightly salted pumpkin seeds, roasted squash, fresh papaya.

GREEN Foods

Snow peas, kiwi, celery sticks, honeydew slices, avocado slices, green grapes, cucumber salad with tomatoes, peas, zucchini slices, broccoli, kale or spinach salads, stir fried bok choy.

BLUE & PURPLE Foods

Blueberries, blackberries with low-fat yoghurts, dried plums, grapes, eggplant parmesan, raisins, pomegranate juice, roasted beetroot.

WHITE Foods

Banana slices, roasted cauliflower, pear slices, white peaches, hummus dip, sautéed mushrooms, white bean dip with crackers, hard boiled egg. 

See the list below for foods and snack ideas from each colour of the rainbow that will satisfy even picky eaters, and provide the nutritional value needed. In most cases, raw versions of fruits and vegetables contain maximum vitamins and minerals.

REACHING YOUR WRITING GOALS

We all know how important it is to set goals and always aim to improve.  Blake Herbert in Year 5 reflected on his writing in the most personal way and would like to share it with you.