Term 4 Week 8
Prayer
We pray that this Advent may be a time marked by simplicity, calmness and quietness as we wait in hope and wonder for Jesus who is present in our lives now and whose future reign is coming. Amen
From the Principal
Dear families and friends of St Anthony’s,
As we reach the end of another school year, it’s a time to reflect on what a full year it has been. It is also a time to reflect on what we have at St Anthony’s and the blessings that we see everyday. Mitch is here today working with our 3/4 classes about the Spirit of Jesus and he and I have spoken about how St Anthony’s is an ‘oasis of positivity’ and how the Spirit of Jesus gently flows through our school. We see it everyday in the smiles, the hellos, the thank yous and the way that our students genuinely care for each other. It is something unique to our school and something that we all should be very proud to be a part of.
Unfortunately, this time of year brings with it farewells as staff either change schools, retire or move on to other opportunities. This year is no exception but we are losing someone that has been here for a very long time. Ms Rebecca Killworth has worked at St Anthony’s for 23 years and has made the decision to leave us at the end of this year. For Becc, while she loves it here and loves the kids, she is really excited about the chance to spend more time with her grandson and who could blame her? I would encourage you to speak to her personally if you get the chance but I know that you’ll join me in congratulating her for her time at St Anthony’s and wish her all the best for the future.
As the canteen winds up for the year, I’d like to acknowledge the time, effort and work that Emina Maslovsky has put into it in service of our school. Unfortunately for us Emina will be ceasing operation of our canteen to pursue other opportunities and we wish her all the best with those. During her time in the canteen she has provided a vital service for students and parents as well as amazing catering for meetings and events at our school. She will be missed and there will be more information about the canteen early next year.
Staffing 2025
I am pleased to announce our teaching team for 2025 and excited about what a strong group they are. We welcome back a familiar face in Bob McLoughlin and a new member of our team in Amy Pegg. As you would be aware, Bob has spent a year teaching at Ravenswood Heights Primary and jumped at the chance to return to St Anthony’s. Amy also jumped at the chance and has transferred to us from St Brigid’s Wynyard. I know that you will make both of them feel welcome.
We also welcome Ella Millwood and Sarah Bell to our teaching team from the ranks of our TA’s. This is an exciting step in their teaching journey and we are more than happy to support them as they begin their teaching careers in conjunction with their final year of study.
Kindergarten - Madeline White (Mon-Thu) & Sarah Bell (Fri)
Prep - Maria Deane
Gr 1 - Bob McLoughlin
Gr 2 - Liam Ryan
Gr 3/4 - Amy Pegg
Gr 3/4 - Andrew McCausland
Gr 5/6 - Lauren Bartush
Gr 5/6 - Jordan Ryan (Mon - Thu) & Ella Millwood (Fri)
Health & PE - Nick Stacey
The Arts - Nat Zegveld
HASS Specialist - Ella Millwood
Literacy Leader - Emma Marshall
Instructional Leaders Religious Education - Emma Marshall and Jordan Ryan
Instructional Leaders Teacher Practice- Liam Ryan and Andrew McCausland
Student Support Coordinator - Bianca de Deuge
Deputy - Paul Mannion
Principal - Jason Perry
Timetable change in 2025
From the beginning of the year we will implement a change to our timetable. While the finish time for the day will not change (2.55pm), classes will start the day at 8.50am (moved from 8.55am) and the internal structure of our breaks will change significantly.
We will be moving to a 2hr/2hr/1hr model which will maximise our teaching time but also means a slight reduction in our main break time. This will mean that students will need to eat a more substantial portion of their food at our first break and the second break won’t occur until 1.20pm. We expect this to take a bit to get used to but we will work with students and families to make this as successful as possible.
This change brings us in line with other Launceston Catholic schools and system expectations of the amount of face-to-face teaching that students should receive and stems from our philosophy of making the most of the time that we have with our students. I am confident that you would all agree that maximising learning time is what we should always aim to do. As always, please let me know if you have questions about this change.
Thank you again for another wonderful year and I wish you and your family all the best for a peaceful and holy Christmas!
Sincerely,
Jason Perry -Principal
Wallaby Walkabout Excursions
Over the past couple of weeks students in Grades 1-6 have been on an excursion to the Gorge to learn about the rich Tasmanian Aboriginal culture. The students enjoyed a walking tour, where they explored the beautiful flora and fauna of the area, including bush tucker. They had a great time searching for hidden treasures around the Gorge and learning about the secret valley.
Wallaby Walkabout
On Friday the 29th of November, both 3/4 classes went on an excursion to the Gorge with Geoff from Wallaby Walkabout Tours.
Students and staff departed from school at 9am for their adventure, excited for what lay ahead. When we arrived students enjoyed some morning tea before splitting into 3 groups. Students had the opportunity to rotate between the group activities over the duration of the day.
The first group completed a treasure hunt, where they were required to use clues to find and learn about the Gorge and the plants that Tasmanian Aboriginals used, including dogwoods, tree ferns and native irises. Students enjoyed the hunt and were rewarded with candy cane treasure at the end!
The second group went to the Lost Valley with our excursion leader, Geoff. Students learnt about how the flow of the river changed thousands of years ago due to an earthquake and about the basin. Students then had the opportunity to taste some bush tucker, including native raspberries and got to chew on some sheoak leaves which apparently tasted like lemon. Students also got to sample some wallaby chorizo if they were game enough.
The third group did art using ochre and used paperbark as their canvas. Once complete they did additional art pieces of the natural surroundings they could see. The art pieces were lovely, and the students did an amazing job capturing the beauty of the Gorge.
Once the rotations were complete, students enjoyed playing cricket, going on the playground, and building miniature huts using paperbark, string and sticks. They then did some weaving to make a memory wreath which they later threw into the waters.
We then went for a walk, crossed the swinging bridge and threw our memory wreaths into the water below. We were then lucky enough to meet some peacocks, one of which was showing of his stunning feathers. The students were very impressed!
We then headed back to the bus and returned to school full of stories, knowledge and memories. It was a great day overall and the students were amazing and as always represented our school with pride.
Weaving with Bianca Templar
Over the past couple of weeks students in Prep - Grade 6 have been creating a whole school weave with Aboriginal knowledge sharer Bianca Templar. Students have had discussions with Bianca and learnt how tricky weaving can be. We can't wait to show the St Anthony’s community the finished piece in 2025.
Christmas Eve - NATIVITY PLAY - St Francis Church
A call to all children wanting to be part of the 800 year old tradition of the annual Christmas Eve Nativity play. Please come to our first rehearsal at our St Francis of Assisi Church on Sunday 8th Dec after 9am Mass.
Looking forward to seeing you there. Angela
Piano Lessons 2025
Lessons are available locally at Mrs Antel's studio or student's own home.
Enrolments are now available for next year. For enquiries or to enrol, please contact Mrs Antel via email at : hjantel50@gmail.com or Ph: 63273304 0r 0406550492.
The first lesson is free.
Important information from Manions Coaches
“Due to roadworks currently underway at Legana Manions Coaches have CHANGED ARRANGEMENTS for our PLATYPUS school bus route.
- AM: When traveling south (to school), the bus MAY BE REQUIRED to take the reverse trip – i.e. turn right at the Acropolis Drive roundabout, travel via Acropolis Drive and Kavala Street and then re-enter West Tamar Highway via Bridgenorth Road. We will travel the usual route whilst we are able to.
- PM: Effective immediately the bus will travel north towards Bridgenorth Road from the Acropolis roundabout (instead of turning into Acropolis Drive) and complete the section in the same direction as the AM service. The bus will then exit onto the West Tamar Highway via the Acropolis Drive roundabout.
The reversal in direction may see your bus stop on the opposite side of the road. As always, we encourage parents/guardians to wait on the same side of the road as the bus. During these temporary arrangements the service running a few minutes later than scheduled. This change is likely to be in place until the end of the school year.”
Please return Library Books!
As it is nearing the end of the school year, all library books are now due back.
If you could please check at home if your child/children might still have any and if so, can they please be returned to the library or their classroom as soon as possible.
With thanks,
Monica Roberts
Library Technician
