St Anthony's School News

St Anthony's School community works collaboratively to teach and live the values of Christ. While respecting tradition, and to meet the demands of a rapidly changing society, it strives to educate our children to their full potential.

Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven.

May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever.

Pope Francis, September 2023

As we enter this Year of Jubilee may we be open to the call of the Spirit to deepen our faith and

may we be living examples of our faith to all whom we meet.

• Friday, 21st February - P&F Welcome Picnic 4.30-7.30pm

• Tuesday, 25th February - Friday, 28th February - Year 6 camp

• Monday, 3rd March - Labour Day Public Holiday

• Tuesday, 4th March - Pupil Free Day

• Wednesday, 5th March - Ash Wednesday parish/school mass - 9am

• Thursday, 6th March - Year 5 Reconciliation

• Friday, 7th March- Year 3 PADUA assembly

• Monday, 10th March - school photos

• Tuesday, 11th March - school photos and Year 6 surfing

• Wednesday, 12th March - NAPLAN begins for Years 3 and 5

• Wednesday, 19th March - faction swimming carnival

• Friday, 21st March - Harmony Day – wear something orange

As always, please refer to the live calendar on the school website for additional activities and any potential date changes.

We would like to remind families that St Anthony's is an allergy aware school. Therefore, for the health and safety of children and staff with allergies, peanut butter, Nutella, nuts and muesli bars containing nuts are not to be included in your child’s lunch.

Phones and smart watches are a wonderful convenience, especially for parents who wish to keep in contact with their children when they are away from home.

St Anthony’s provides students with the electronic devices necessary to access the teaching and learning happening in our classrooms. We therefore require that all children hand in their phones and smart watches at the start of the day and collect them from the office at the end of the day. This avoids any possible distractions from the learning happening at school.

If your child needs a watch when at school, please provide them with an analogue/digital watch without connectivity and save the smart watch for those times when you might need to be in contact with your child outside of school hours.

Should circumstances arise and you need to contact your child during the day, please ring the office and a message will be passed to them.

Thank you everyone for the smooth start to afternoon pick-up. We have not had any complaints concerning the Dundebar Road roundabout being blocked and, apart from some children not hearing their name when called, both Kiss and Drives are moving fairly smoothly.

I would like to remind Kindy and Pre-Primary parents parking in the street that they need to enter and exit the Kindy/Pre-Primary through the single gate closest to the Kindy classrooms. Please do not walk through the Kiss and Drive gates as this creates a safety issue with cars moving in and out of the car park.

God Bless

Therese Bandy

Principal

Click on the link below to access the school calendar. Please note that dates may be subject to change:

A reminder that every member of the St Anthony’s School community must behave in the manner described in our Code of Conduct.

Our Code is like the 40km/h speed limit outside our school in the mornings and afternoons. It defines behaviours that keep our students safe: at school, and elsewhere. Children and young people surrounded by adult and peer behaviours as outlined in the Code are more likely to recognise and choose healthy relationships for themselves.

Conduct Statements

1. You act safely and competently.
2. You give priority to students’ safety and well-being in all your behaviour and decision making.
3. You act in accordance with the values of the Gospel as defined in the Code of Ethical Conduct.
4. You conduct yourself in accordance with laws, agreements, policies and standards relevant to your relationship with the school community.
5. You respect the dignity, culture, values and beliefs of each member of the school community.
6. You treat personal information about members of the school community as private and confidential.
7. You give impartial, honest and accurate information about the education, safety and well-being of students.
8. You support all members of the school community in making informed decisions about students.
9. You promote and preserve the trust and privilege inherent in your relationship with all members of the school community.
10. You maintain and build on the community’s trust and confidence in Catholic schools and the Church.
11. You act reflectively and ethically.
12. You allow students to have a voice in their education, safety and well-being

The Code describes the minimum requirements expected of all members of our community and that all in our community conduct themselves personally and professionally in a way that maintains public trust and confidence in our school and the Church. While mandatory language such as ‘must’, ‘shall’ and ‘will’ is not used throughout the Code, there is a presumption the conduct described is mandatory and therefore not optional.

• Fee payment option forms are due back tomorrow, Friday 21st February.
• The first fee payment is due by 12th March.
• If you have a current health care/pension card and have not yet brought it into the office this year, please do so as soon as possible and fill in a form for it to be applied to your fees.

As parents, we all want our children to succeed academically and develop a love for learning.

While teachers play a vital role in a child's education, parents also significantly influence their child's academic success.

Implementing a few proven strategies can help you create a supportive and enriching environment that nurtures your child's growth and development.

1. Establish a Consistent Routine

I know the term "Routine" will hardly send your pulse racing with excitement, but it’s an often overlooked factor in parenting success.

Kids crave stability and predictability, as they feel safe and in control. Sometimes, they use predictability against their parents (“Can’t I stay up later than 7 o’clock tonight?” which is a behavioural issue I’ll address another time), but routines mostly serve kids and parents well.

Establishing a daily routine with set times for waking up, meals, homework, and bedtime can help children develop good habits and manage their time effectively.

Set a Regular Bedtime

School success is enhanced when a child’s physical needs are met. Sleep is perhaps the trickiest yet most vital part of the eat, play, and sleep physical triangle to meet.

According to the latest sleep research, maintaining consistent bedtimes and wake times is crucial in ensuring your child gets a good night’s sleep. Another important aspect is establishing a 45-60-minute bedtime routine. (This will be discussed in a future Parenting Toolbox article.)

A well-rested child is more alert, focused, and ready to learn.

Create a Study Schedule

“Homework,” “Reading time,” “Project work.” Regardless of the monicker, kids usually have some tasks each night, ranging from reading books in the early years to doing assignment work in the later years.

Designate a specific time each day for homework and study. This helps children develop a routine and reduces procrastination. When my children were in primary school, I preferred doing homework before the evening meal. However, this didn’t work when after-school sports had to be negotiated, so we learned to be flexible with individual study schedules.

Include Breaks, Downtime and Short burst work

Children will do their best work when they’re rested so help them balance work with free time. Discuss the need to take short breaks, particularly if they are working in front of a screen.

Some children, especially boys, will do their best work in short bursts so consider introducing time limits for their work.

Expert tip: When setting routines, involve children in age-appropriate ways. When kids have input into a decision, they’re likelier to stick to it.

2. Foster a Love for Reading

Reading is a fundamental skill that underpins academic success in all subjects. Encouraging a love for reading from an early age significantly impacts a child's literacy skills and overall academic performance.

Some children are naturally drawn to reading, while others would rather be doing something more active. Adjust your expectations and your methods accordingly.

Read Together

Set aside time each day to read with your child. Choose books that interest them and discuss the stories to enhance comprehension. This is especially pertinent if your child isn’t entirely comfortable with reading.

Create a Reading-Friendly Environment.

Are reading materials readily available in your home or apartment? Is there a quiet place for your child (and you) to read? Do you have lists and quotes taped to walls?

Consider how you can make reading easy, essential and enjoyable for your child in your home.

Model Reading - Dads too.

Children are wired to imitate, so if they see you reading books, magazines, and newspapers, this will become normal for them. (The same goes for using mobile phones, but that’s another story!)

Significantly, UK research has found that when dads model reading at home, boys are more likely to read as well. Like father, like son.

Expert tip: Go a little crazy when you read to your kids. Use different voices. Have fun. Make the words (and yourself) come alive to make your child sit up and listen.

3. Communicate with Teachers

A teacher can be a parent’s best friend. They see a side of your child that you don’t see. You may not always agree with everything your child’s teacher does, but it’s smart parenting to build a respectful relationship with them.

Base the relationship on open and regular communication, and be mindful that your teacher has many students in their class, not just yours.

Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Make it a priority to attend parent-teacher conferences regularly to discuss your child's strengths, areas for improvement, and any challenges they may face.

Stay Informed

Keep your side of the bargain by staying up-to-date with school newsletters, emails, and announcements, so you know what’s going on.

Collaborate on Solutions

Work with teachers to develop strategies and solutions to support your child's learning needs. This collaborative approach ensures that home and school environments are aligned to help your child's success.

Expert tip: Avoid letting concerns go on too long before contacting your child’s teacher about a possible issue or problem your child has. When approaching your child’s teacher, choose the appropriate time, be specific about the situation and be open to collaboration.

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4. Keep your expectations high and reasonable

Research consistently shows that parent expectations and attitudes toward your child significantly impact how your child approaches work.

However, parent expectations of their child’s school success are tricky. If they are too high, they may give up. It’s all too hard.

Tool low, and they’ll meet them. They’re merely cruising.

Above their current level but within reach with effort- now you’re talking success.

Your attitude toward your child’s learning significantly affects their outcomes. Encouraging your child to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and view setbacks as opportunities for growth can help them develop resilience and a positive attitude toward learning.

Praise Effort, Not Just Results

Focus on praising your child's effort, persistence, and hard work rather than solely on their achievements. This reinforces the idea that effort leads to improvement.

Develop the Skills of Independence.

There’s a high correlation between school success and personal agency (personal competence and confidence). You can quickly build your child’s competency and confidence by teaching them the skills of independence and autonomy. (See below “20 Jobs to Work Your Way Out Of Before Your Child is 10”)

Encourage Self-Reflection and Goal-setting.

Help your child reflect on their learning experiences and identify areas for improvement. Use questions such as “What can you learn from this?” “What will you do differently next time?” to encourage your child to reflect on their efforts and work toward improvement rather than be stymied by mistakes and challenges.

Expert tip: Encourage them to set goals and develop action plans to achieve them. This means breaking more significant tasks—e.g., a school project—into smaller chunks and planning work over a set period.

5. Create a Positive Learning Environment

A positive and supportive learning environment at home can significantly impact a child's academic success. Creating a space conducive to learning and providing the necessary resources can help your child stay focused and motivated.

Designate a Study Area

Set up a quiet, well-lit, and organized study area where your child can complete homework and study without distractions.

Avoid your child doing homework on their bed, as this habit will encourage them to associate their bed with work, making it harder for them to sleep.

Provide Learning Resources

Ensure your child has access to the necessary supplies, such as books, stationery, and educational tools. Consider incorporating technology, such as educational apps and online resources, to enhance their learning experience.

Encourage Curiosity and Exploration

Foster a love for learning by encouraging your child to explore their interests and ask questions. Provide opportunities for hands-on learning experiences, such as science experiments, art projects, and educational outings.

Expert tip: Keep the learning space free from play and other activities so that children associate being in this space with learning.

Finally….

Parents play a vital role in their children's academic success. By establishing a consistent routine, fostering a love for reading, communicating with teachers, keeping expectations reasonable and high, and creating a positive learning environment, parents can provide the support and guidance their children need to thrive at school.

Your child can develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed academically and beyond with your support and encouragement.

Ann Peart

School Social Worker

Our aim at St Anthony’s Playgroup is to help parents and children have fun together in a space where they can relax, form connections and let their child build their curiosity. By participating in new experiences, children will develop social skills and foster an enjoyment of learning more about their world.

St Anthony’s Playgroup is provided at no cost to families and by St Anthony’s School Wanneroo to give back to our local community. Children are welcome to bring a healthy snack to eat at the end of the session.

When: Fridays between 8:45 am-10:30 am
Where: St Anthony’s School Wanneroo
Terms 1 &4: St Anthony’s Community Centre
Terms 2 & 3: St Anthony’s School Library
Please enter via Church Carpark, Community Centre gate

We now have limited places for Kindergarten 2026. If you have not yet submitted enrolment application forms please do so as soon as possible.

Wednesdays - 8.00am-9.00am

Online Ordering (Preferred Method of Ordering)
Ordering online is our preferred method of purchase. Please use the Quickcliq link below to set up an account. If you have already set up an online canteen account, please use the same login.

www.quickcliq.com.au

If you have any uniform queries please feel free to email me at: uniform@saw.wa.edu.au or you can ring the school and speak to me when the uniform shop is open.

Many thanks
Gabrielle Murphy
Uniform Shop Coordinator

Please be aware that St Anthony's School utilises CCTV for security purposes.