Newsletter Term 1 Week 6

Prayer

From The Principal

Dear families and friends of St Anthony’s,

It’s hard to believe that we are already over half way through term 1. The term has been very productive with lots of learning and opportunities for our students and community. 

As you know, last Tuesday, we celebrated Shrove Tuesday. Thank you to all the families who donated groceries to provide our students with traditional pancakes in the lead up to Lent. A big thank you as well to all the staff who volunteered their time to set up, cook and deliver the pancakes. The students really enjoyed the delicious pancakes. 

On this day, I was also lucky enough to take our school captains to the launch of Caritas’ Project Compassion at the Church of Apostles. Our leaders participated in a prayer service and then attended a Q and A session to find out more about what Project Compassion is all about and to play some games in order to form relationships with other leaders from the greater Launceston area. We had a great time and our captains represented the school well. 

At St Anthony’s we empower all our students to grow as individuals and to develop the skills to be safe, responsible and respectful members of our community. Our older students have set the tone for 2025 in the way they interact with others, make sensible choices and model how to be positive community members for our younger students. 

During the Lenten season we encourage all our students, and indeed all community members, to reflect upon their spiritual growth and make considered choices in how they can reflect Christian values in everyday situations. 

Harmony Day

Next Wednesday 20th March we will be celebrating Harmony Week. We will be gathering as a school in the courtyard on a long table to share our lunch together.  Australia has a diverse cultural history with over half of Australians born overseas or have at least one parent who was born overseas. This is why it is so important for our students to be educated about our diverse population. Our teachers will also be discussing Harmony week with the students to assist in this understanding.

School Board

Our School Board AGM will be held on Tuesday the 18th March at 7 pm at school. For any parents interested in joining our Board this is an opportunity to contribute your skills, expertise or advice to our school. We meet on the third Tuesday of each month during term times via Zoom. 

Parent volunteers

The St Anthony’s community thrives and depends upon the assistance and support of volunteers to run carnivals, gala days and coach and umpire teams. Our annual events wouldn’t be able to run without your help and we greatly appreciate it. 

Catholic Education Tasmania is committed to providing a safe environment for our students. As such, any volunteers are required to read a Safeguarding Briefing (pp 2 - 4) and sign an agreement (pg 5). These documents are available online here. Please take the time to read the briefing, sign and return page 5. Hard copies are available from the office if you do not have the ability to print. We also require a copy of your WWVP card which can be scanned and sent to stanthonys@catholic.tas.edu.au or we can take a photo of your card at the office. If you don't have a WWVP card you can apply for one here. The registering process for a WWVP card is conducted by the Tasmanian Department of Justice. As  such it may take up to six weeks to be issued. There is a cost associated which is paid by the applicant, not the school.

Kindergarten 2026

Kinder enrolments are now open and interviews have begun this week. There has already been a large number of expressions of interest for Kindergarten 2026 so if you have a child turning 5 in 2026 please contact the office for further information. Family friends and extended family are also able to apply so if you know anyone who wants to join our community please encourage them to make contact with the school as soon as possible as enrolment applications close by Friday 6th June. Spaces are filling up fast. 

School Effectiveness Survey

Insight SRC is conducting a survey on behalf of St Anthony's Catholic School and Catholic Education Tasmania. The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of parents’ perceptions of their children’s experience of school. The results will benefit everyone within the school by providing valuable information about how the school can use staff, students and parent input to plan programs and activities to improve your child’s experience at school.

On Monday the 24th of March a letter will be sent home with login details and an access code. The survey will be open for two weeks until Friday 4th of April. Whilst your participation is voluntary, it is important to remember that the success of this important project is dependent on the involvement of parents.

2025 PRIMARY MUSIC PROGRAM

Please note that the instrumental program has now started at St Anthony's School.

**We will accept late enrolments this week only on the following instruments: 

Clarinet, Percussion, Trumpet

Please go to the following link for enrolment and information.

Information Page - Primary Music Enrolment

Sincerely,

Adele Murphy

Principal

Caritas

This Lent, we’re invited to Unite Against Poverty with Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. This year is especially significant as we celebrate the Jubilee Year - a time of renewal and solidarity.

Project Compassion 2025 shares three stories from around the world. We’ll meet Toefuata'iga - (Toy-foo-ah-tah-ing-ah) a young student from Samoa who faced severe water shortages at her school. Thanks to Caritas Australia and the generosity of supporters like you, her school now has a 10,000 L water tank improving hygiene and allowing the teachers to prioritise education.

We’ll get to know Lam from Vietnam, born with short stature, Lam faced social exclusion and limited employment opportunities – through the I-SHINE program, Lam is now a freelance graphic designer.

And we’ll meet Irene from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) who faced immense challenges after losing her father to war and raising her children in poverty. With support from Caritas Australia, Irene received vocational training in sewing and farming and can now support her whole family.

Watch our Introduction to Project Compassion film HERE - be inspired by 3 powerful stories of resilience and strength, and learn the impact that your support can have on vulnerable communities around the world.

Please donate today.

You can support Project Compassion 2025 through the donation boxes, envelopes or by scanning the QR code above.
Or online at: caritas.org.au/project-compassion
Or by calling: 1800 024 413

Thank you for standing with us, as we Unite Against Poverty this Lent.

School Timetable