Newsletter: Term 4, Week 10 - Thursday 9th December, 2021
From the Principal's Desk

The Christmas story is very simple: it tells of a birth, the birth of a first child to poor parents with an uncertain future. So what is it about the story that holds such appeal, that has allowed so many other stories and traditions to grow up around it? Why does it have such a place in our hearts?
Perhaps it has to do with the way it taps into our deepest longings, those things we desire that can help us cope with just about anything: love and trust. There is much generous love in the story, and with it a sense of wonder that God could be so intimately involved with something so simple. Shepherds are amazed, wise men are humbled and a young woman treasures all these things in her heart.
In the midst of the love we are all invited, just like the people in the story to trust that God is here and cares deeply as each of us deals with the joys and sorrows, the hopes and disappointments of everyday. This story affirms that we all have a value and a unique dignity that lifts us up and empowers us to move beyond ourselves and to take the risk of reaching out to others, always trusting that God is present in the simple stuff.
“As the days grown longer and the nights become warmer
we look for signs of hope during this Advent Season.
There is hope in the trees that have shrugged off the cold.
There is hope in children’s hearts as they look forward to Christmas.
There is hope as more candles are lit on the Advent Wreath.
But the greatest hope is the promise: “You are to conceive
and bear a son and you are to name him Jesus.
He will be great and be called Son of the Most High.”
Staffing & Year Levels 2022
Fr. Justin Driscoll – Parish Priest
Terry Brennan – Principal
Mandy Simpson – Office Administrator
Celly Csorba – Year 6 teacher
Carlie Daley – Year 5 teacher
Angelique Greene – Year 4 teacher
Maria Grawich – Year 3 Teacher
Sarah Prendergast– Year 2 Teacher
Chris Schepis – Year 1 Teacher
Jessica Reynolds – Foundation Teacher & Assistant Principal
Louise Morris– Physical Education Teacher & Learning Diversity Teacher
Staci Jones– Japanese Teacher
Kate Snow - The Arts Teacher/Visual, Music and Drama
Nicolle Miller – Classroom Support
Ginny Crilly – Classroom Support
Carlyn Hall - Junior Classroom Volunteer
School Fees 2022
With increasing costs a reality in all sectors particularly education, it has been decided by DOBCEL and our School Council on advice received through CEB Finance Department that the school fees will need to rise in 2022.
Therefore, the Family Fee will now be $1,220 and Parents are reminded that school fees are a necessary part of Catholic Education and are a vital component of our budget which enables us to meet the recurrent needs of our school.
End of Year
As we draw to the end of another school year, I look back with admiration at the commitment and efforts of so many individuals who have collectively helped build our community here at St Augustine's. I begin by acknowledging our students, the very reason we are here, thank you for taking advantage of the learning opportunities that are put before you. Thank you for your determined efforts in so many aspects of school life and congratulations to you on your tremendous achievements. Despite the challenges of 2021, our students learning has progressed admirably, as reflected in their work output and assessment results. Teacher generated and standardised data indicate that the impact of COVID-19 has been limited and “learning gaps” minimal in most areas.
In 2021, each staff member at St Augustine’s adapted extremely well to teaching and learning in an educational world that changed almost every week. Their focus was on providing every student with learning experiences that was as close as possible to their daily classroom routine. At school, they adhered to new levels of hygiene and cleanliness. They maintained strong relationships with students, families and one another and they looked for opportunities to ensure wellbeing was high on the list of things to do.
I thank our St Augustine’s parents and caregivers for supporting your children and staff during the time when children were learning from home. While home learning was not without its challenges, you showed enormous commitment to working in partnership with staff to ensure our children continued to flourish. A special thank you to all of the families that are leaving our community at the end of the year, it has been a pleasure watching your children grow with most joining us in Foundation seven years ago.
We welcome two new staff member for 2022, Jess Reynolds and Kate Snow will join the St Augustine’s community and we welcome them as they begin a new chapter in their lives.
I especially want to acknowledge our School Admin Officer, Mandy Simpson, Assistant Principals, Emma Paterson and Chris Schepis. Their commitment and unwavering support of our community in 2021 has been truly remarkable. Our passage through 2021 has been made easier and smoother because of them.
As the year draws to a close, it is timely to say goodbye to our year six students. We thank them for all they have bought to our community, and we wish them well in their future endeavours!
Dakotah Baker, Angus Bullen, Arya Cameron-Lench,
Gurnoor Chahal, Grace Davis, James Donovan-Clancy,
Amelia Dubberley-McPhan, Paige Euvrard, Alexis Evans
Lily Evans, Bella Hocking, Fletcher Martin, Sonja Martin,
Annabella Miller, Declan O’Kelly, Callum Penhall,
Jack Petch, Abbigail Righetti, Paige Robinson & Jonty Thomas.
First Holy Communion
Congratulations to Datotah Baker who made her first Holy Communion on Sunday 28th November and a big thank you to Father Kevin!



Farewell to our Year 6 Students!

There is always HOPE..........
Sonja: “I hope one day to play in the woman’s NRL.”
Arya: “ I hope to I’ll be a mounted police officer.”
Millie: “ I hope to become a singer.”
Cal: “ I hope to go to Ireland.”
Paige E: “ I hope to be a lawyer.”
Dakotah: “ I hope to become a professional dancer.”
Annabella: “ I hope to become a farmer.”
Lily: “ I hope to be successful.”
Bella: “ I hope that I become a detective one day.”
Jonty: “ I hope to be tall one day. “
Declan: “ I hope me and my brother can become closer.”
Grace: “ I hope to be happy and successful.”
Abbi: “ I hope that I can play for The Diamonds in the Brisbane Olympics.”
Lexi: “ I hope to move to London and be an actress.”
Fletch: “I hope to land a good job one day!"
Angus: “ I dream to be a Kinder teacher.”
Gurnoor: “ I hope to be successful in the future.”
Jack: “ I hope to become an uncle someday.”
James: ” I hope I can be an AFL player ( for the Saint’s!)
Paige R: “I hope I can be a paramedic.”

Uniform Shop!

A reminder this coming Tuesday 14th December will be the last uniform shop day for the year. To give all parents the opportunity to drop off or buy items before school finishes on Wednesday, I will have the uniform shop open for 2 sessions, morning from 9am - 9:30am and again in the afternoon, from 3pm.
All items of uniform submitted to the Uniform shop should be clean, in good condition and must have attached a completed sales slip for each item. These slips are available in the office foyer.
If you have any queries please email me: bellul85@yahoo.com - including details of what you are looking for (including size, etc.) and I will respond to you as soon as I can.
Thanks, Bernie Ellul.
Dates to Note!
TERM 4
DECEMBER
Thursday 9th: End of Year Celebration Event in the hall
Monday 13th: Year 6 Fun Day
Tuesday 14th: Year 6 Liturgy
Wednesday 15th: Year 6 Graduation
Wednesday 15th: Last day for ALL Students - students finish at 3:15 pm!
Thursday 16th: Staff planning day
Friday 17th: Last day for Staff
2022 SCHOOL YEAR
* Friday 28th January - Staff commence the 2022 school year
* Monday 31st January - Students commence - NOTE CHANGE OF DATE STUDENTS COMMENCE!!
* Tuesday 15th February - Whole Staff PD - NOTE CHANGE OF DATE FOR STUDENT FREE DAY!!
Kelly Sport Summer Holiday Programs
A full day of fun activities & sports, run by our experienced coaches to keep your kids entertained & active this summer.
Mon 13th to Fri 24th December 2021 & Tue 4th to Fri 28th January 2022
(Excluding weekends & Public Holidays)
Location: Eastwood Leisure Centre, Ballarat
Times: 8am to 5pm Ages: Kinder to Grade 6
Cost: $50 per child per day ($45 per child per day for 5+ days)
Enrol: Online at www.kellysports.com.au/greater-ballarat
Queries: Call Dom 0417 967 621
*Note: Covid Guidelines will be in place. All of our coaches are fully vaccinated.



