SEA Program Red Badge recipients: Sam Crowley and Gianluca Seminara for the accumulation of 10 hours community service.

During these holidays may God’s care keep us from all harm, may God’s word strengthen our hearts, and may God’s Holy Spirit fill us with joy.

I have included a thank you from Year 5 student Sam Crowley and friends that was worth including to finish the term.

Dear parents and students of St Augustine’s,

I would like to thank you all for your support in raising money towards brain cancer. Mr Walsh and Mr Kirkwood supported us greatly, and we could not have been luckier to have such amazing helpers.

As you may know, the boys from St John’s Narraweena had their friend Finn Marker pass away due to brain cancer (a horrible disease). I was supported by new friends and old friends, and so many people helped make this fundraiser a success. Buying cupcakes, baking cupcakes and even some boys donated their pocket money!

When we raised money for brain cancer I could almost see Finn smiling at us all.

Thank you for your support. Together we raised $1210 and are so very happy.  

Thank you, from Sam.  

Year 5 Reflection Day

Last Thursday’s Reflection Day provided all boys with the opportunity to explore their character strengths, talents and gifts. In an Augustinian context this also necessitates that the boys use these talents in serving others. The theme of the day was ‘Gifts and the Giver’. All boys were encouraged to use the gifts they have been given by God to assist others to become the best version of themselves. To assist in the day, we had six Senior boys act as group facilitators, guiding the Year 5 boys to explore their character strengths and discuss the saying, ‘you should never judge a book by its cover’.

The day concluded with a wonderful Liturgy of the Eucharist, presided over by College Chaplain, Fr Senan Ward OSA. I would like to thank Simon Hyland, Leader of Liturgy and Retreats, for his coordination of the day and to the Senior boys for their exemplary behaviour and positive role modelling. If these Senior boys represent the product of an Augustinian education, then sign my son up now! They were remarkable and have a bright future as Primary School teachers judging by their interactions and facilitation of their groups. Thank you to Liam Brennan, Cooper Hatvany, Toby Newey, Jack McDonagh, Daniel Ala and Joshua Thorowgood for ‘placing yourself at the service of others’. It was interesting to note that five of the six volunteers began their schooling at St Augustine’s in Year 5.

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews

I trust that the recent PTS meetings proved productive and allowed for discussion around reports and more importantly strategies and suggestions on how to improve during Semester 2. If we are to adopt a ‘growth mindset’ then the reports should be viewed as the starting point form which to improve. There is always room for improvement and discussing grades, effort and SMART goals with your son and his teacher will allow for an action plan and a path forward for next term.

I would also suggest that PTS interviews take precedence over sporting commitments and urge all parents to priorities these meetings.

Years 5 & 6 STEM Projects

The Year 5 classes have commenced their latest STEM projects with bridges, clinometers and marble tracks the latest designs. Observing the boys co-operating, solving problems, using technology, designing and making their various objects is the style of learning which engages the boys and it is where they are not just ‘on task’ but they are ‘in task’. The collaboration and communal spaces provide the perfect environment for this to occur and it is where the boys ‘have fun’ in an interactive space.

The Year 6 classes as part of their STEM and PBL (Project Based Learning) have just completed their house constructions incorporating parallel or series circuits. The boys also had an architect (Year 6 parent, Lesley McClennan) discuss elements of design and construction when planning their individual houses. We are fortunate to be able to enlist the support of parents to further enhance the objectives of this unit of learning.

Construction report by Year 5 Student Leader, Beau Alexander

This term Year 5 have been doing construction for science. We have been designing and building structures. We have been using paper and tape to construct our buildings. What we have learnt is that there are two key points in construction, strength and balance. To show the Strength in our building we had to build our structure of paper strong enough to hold a brick. We then built a tower of paper and had to put a pencil on top to prove the structure was balanced.

Our next project is the design and construction of a long span bridge.

Student Leave

Parents are advised that they must complete the ‘Application for Student Absence’ form, which can be found on ATLAS / Resources / Forms (Parent forms), if they intend to be away from the College with their son. For a teacher to be notified the day before leave is to be taken makes it difficult to plan lessons, tasks and assessments. Content is missed when absent and often boys don’t perform at their best when completing these assessments upon return. Please apply for student leave rather than have your son tell the teacher the day before. The College must abide by NESA and its requirements regarding leave and this necessitates that leave can only be granted for exceptional circumstances. Of course, parents can still take this leave, but under the ‘act for leave’ which governs all educational facilities, it appears as ‘unapproved absence’ however can still be taken. If unsure, please contact Megan Cashman or Terry Walsh for clarification.

PRC (Premier’s Reading Challenge)

The holidays provide the perfect opportunity to settle down, relax and become immersed in the world of literature. I encourage all boys to use this holiday period to read. On a cold winter’s day or night, cuddled up on the lounge with mum or dad and reading a good book is the perfect recipe for enjoyment.

The PRC has a final date of 21 August and all boys are encouraged to read twenty books or as many as they can before this cut off date.

Thank you

I wish all families a safe holiday and thank the boys for their positive contribution to the College this semester. I particularly thank the teachers for their expertise, professionalism and for the positive relationships they have developed with their classes. We look forward to welcoming all families back on Tuesday 24 July in full College winter school uniforms once again.

Terry Walsh
Head of Primary School