Newsletter Term 3 Week 10

Prayer

From The Principal

Dear family and friends of St Anthony’s,

As we approach the end of Term 3, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone for your contributions to what has been a very successful and busy term at St. Anthony’s.

This term has been filled with rich opportunities and memorable experiences for our entire school community. Highlights have included Snap, Crackle and Pop, the celebration of 100 Days of Prep, Grandparents' Day, the Premier's Reading Challenge, Confirmation, Gala Day, Singfest, our Father’s Day Celebration, R U OK? Day, reward days, eSafety lessons, a visit from Andrew Chinn, and, of course, the many wonderful moments that happen every day in our classrooms.

Thank you once again, for your continued support and commitment to making St. Anthony’s such a vibrant and caring learning environment. I hope you have an enjoyable term break with family and loved ones, and we will see you back on Tuesday, 14th October, for another productive term.

Sincerely,

Adele Murphy

Principal

Grade 5/6B Factual Recounts

Our incredible writers in 5/6B have been exploring the dramatic true story of mountaineers Joe Simpson and Simon Yates and their near-death experience in the Andes. Using the Seven Steps to Writing Success (a program that helps students carefully plan and write across a variety of genres) and studying the features of factual recounts, they researched the events and then planned and crafted their own group writing pieces to retell the gripping expedition. They are especially proud of how they combined accurate information with vivid descriptions to capture the bravery of the climbers. We’re excited to share some examples, so that our whole school community can celebrate their impressive work!

Group 1: Macie, Ollie.F, & Mason.

I was dangling like a lifeless puppet, the harsh wind whipping against my face. My friend Yates anchored me to the mountain, as I hopelessly sat in the fetal position. My friend was slowly slipping, and I held onto the rope with my muscles aching. Knowing death could strike at any moment. Neither of us knew how high above the ground we were, so Yates took the chance and cut the rope, as I felt the relentless shaking. I fell to my death, or so I thought…

Group 2: Oliver G, Malaika & Vogue

I could feel my leg as it shattered into many pieces. I was being held up by the rope and Yates' sheer determination, but both were dropping bit by bit. The wind was howling, and with each gust, it felt like a slap to the face. I was clinging to the rope for dear life, knowing that it would end soon and I would fall. Suddenly, a familiar voice pierced the howling of the wind in my ears. ”Simpson!” yelled Yates, “I can’t hold on much longer, and I am about to fall. I have to do something!” Then, all of a sudden, I heard a snap, and I was free-falling into the darkness.

Group 3: Will, Spencer, Tio & Max

As Simpson desperately clung on to the rope, trying to survive, Yates grip slipped more and more. Simpson was trembling, trying to hold on for dear life, with the wind stabbing him in the face. He started to slip, and was scared to death. Simpson's hands felt fatigued from holding so tight. He felt himself slipping, and then he was gone…

Group 4: Allegra, Cooper & Darcy

As I clung to the cold, icy rope, I felt that there was no hope left. The cold snow blurred my short vision, as there was nothing left to do. I heard the wind whipping past my nearly frozen face. I was certain that I was going to die as I dangled off the rope that I was holding on to for dear life. As I was shivering, I slowly started to feel myself fall. 

As I was dangling, I felt myself drop from the cliff. Yates had cut the rope, and I was falling helplessly like a meteor striking the floor. Crash! 

I got stuck in a small crevice, and I knew I had to climb. I started to climb and kept on thinking that I should just give up, but I didn’t. After a three-day-long journey, I finally made it back to base.

Group 5: Raffael, Jesse & Louis

Dangling from the rope like a puppet, Simpson clenched his hands, trusting Yates to hold him up. As the rope jolted back and forth, Simpson looked up desperately. Simpson, thinking it was all over, stopped moving and waited to die in despair. In these moments of sadness, Simpson heard the rope creak and then snap! Plummeting, Simpson fell into the dark, cold abyss.

Group 6: Tina, Emily, & Ari

I desperately clung to the rope, realising my life was about to end. With every jerk of the rope, I felt closer to death. Suddenly, a sharp pain surged through my leg, reminding me of my injury. There was only one thing Yates could do, a decision that could change my life.

The fresh cold air slapped me as I struggled to hold on to the rope. With every flake of snow that fell on my face, it became more numb. Suddenly, the rope broke, and my vision became clouded with darkness.

🏏 Cricket Tasmania Visits St Anthony’s

This week, our Prep – Grade 4 students enjoyed a special visit from Cricket Tasmania as part of Play Cricket Week!

We thank the Cricket Tasmania team for sharing their skills, enthusiasm, and love of the game with our students!

𝙎𝙖𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 2025!

Congratulations to our students who completed their Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday 20th September.  

Prayer to the Holy Spirit Spirit of wisdom and understanding, enlighten our minds to perceive the mysteries of the universe in relation to eternity. Spirit of right judgment and courage, guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision to follow Jesus' way of love. Spirit of knowledge and reverence, help us to see the lasting value of justice and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another. May we respect life as we work to solve problems of family and nation, economy and ecology. Spirit of God, spark our faith, hope and love into new action each day. Fill our lives with wonder and awe in your presence, which penetrates all creation. Amen.