Lord God,
We give thanks for this new school year and pray for energy and patience through changes for students, teachers and families.
We pray for compassionate hearts to reach out to those in need.
We pray for unity as we work together for a safe community. We pray that all people will treat others with kindness and respect.
We pray for those who are sad, sick or lonely that you will give them hope.
We ask for wisdom for those who make decisions for our futures.
We pray that we continue to be intentional collaborators, guided by your spirit.
We give thanks for all the blessings you have given us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord,
Amen
Welcome back to school.
I hope you all were able to have some time to relax and spend time together with family and friends. It has been great to see all the children returning to school during their testing days and also having our new Foundation and families join us. I am sure the Antonine community will make all new staff, children and families feel very welcome at our school.
At Antonine, we strive to provide the best education for every student, and daily attendance is crucial to achieving this goal. I’d like to emphasise the importance of being at school every day.
Why is attendance so important?
Each school day matters because students learn new skills and concepts that build upon one another. Missing even a single day can leave students behind in vital areas like numeracy, writing, and reading. Patterns of regular absence in the early years can often lead to ongoing challenges in later schooling.
Here are some tips to ensure your child is at school every day:
Establish a Routine: Create consistent bedtime, wake-up, and morning routines to make school preparation smoother.
Prioritise Health: Encourage a healthy lifestyle with good sleep, balanced nutrition, and physical activity to minimise illness.
Plan Ahead: Schedule vacations during school holidays and avoid taking days off unless absolutely necessary.
Stay Positive: Highlight the fun aspects of school to keep your child motivated to attend.
Car Park Area – Thank You
I would like to thank all families for following the new pick-up and drop-off arrangements at school. The safety of our children is our highest priority, and these changes have also helped improve the flow of traffic.
We have listened to feedback from families and have opened an additional section at the bottom of the staff car park to provide more space.
Thank you again for your cooperation. Please continue to drive safely and ensure you park within the marked bays when dropping off and picking up your children.
School Schedule and Timetable
8:20am School Gates Open - (Children should not be at school before this time)
8:40am - 9.40am Period 1
9:40am – 10.40am Period 2
10:40am-10.50am Eating Time
10:50- 11.20am Break One
11:25am-12:25pm Period 3
12.25pm-1:25pm Period 4
1:25pm-1:30pm Eating Time
1:30pm-2:00pm Break Two
2:00pm - 3:00pm Period 5
Dismissal (Children need to be picked up at this time)
School Bus Service Reminder
The safety of our students is our highest priority. We will not tolerate any student misbehaving on the school bus or distracting the driver from concentrating on the road. All incident reports are taken very seriously, and students may be suspended from using the bus service if expectations are not met.
Our goal is to ensure that all students travel safely, and that other road users remain safe as well.
Please remind your children of the following expectations:
Remain seated while the bus is moving.
Scan your cards on and off the bus.
Seat belts must be worn at all times.
Cooperate with and respect the bus driver.
Cedar students are encouraged to remain seated at the front of the bus.
Students should sit separately from St Joseph students.
No student has permission to take photographs or record other students.
Do not talk to strangers through the window.
Keep hands and arms inside the bus at all times.
Do not throw rubbish inside the bus or out of the window.
We appreciate your support in reinforcing these expectations to ensure a safe and respectful journey for everyone.
Birthday Treats
We ask families to provide non edible treats for birthdays and other celebrations. Families are to be commended for the way they have taken up this challenge and are being very creative in this space. With the growing numbers of dietary restrictions, this has been very welcomed. If as a school we have a special food event, such as hot food days, fundraisers, special events, icy poles we will always seek parent permission prior and have adequate controls in place for our students with allergies or special dietary requirements. To assist parents, I have brainstormed some ideas with our Year 5 and 6 students that you can include for Birthday or Christmas treats that are non-edible and still bring joy and happiness to our children. I ask families to keep this simple and I thank you for your support.
- Pencil topper (Eraser)
- Pen or pencil or ruler
- Slinky
- Hair accessory
- Christmas straws
- Christmas ornament or Holy
- Key chain
- Bouncy ball
- Stickers- Christmas, animals, dinosaurs etc.- (Children love stickers)
- Bubbles
- Tiny colouring book packs or tiny notebooks
- Mini play dough
- Paper aeroplane templates/origami set or bookmarks.
Transition into a new school year
Settling into a new school year can be an exciting yet challenging time for both children and parents. Here are some tips for parents to help their children adjust and thrive:
Establish a Routine:
Set a consistent daily routine that includes a balance of homework, playtime, and relaxation.
Ensure your child gets enough sleep by enforcing a regular bedtime.
Open Communication:
Encourage your child to express their feelings and concerns about the new school year.
Stay involved in your child's school life by attending parent-teacher meetings and staying in touch with their teachers.
Encourage Independence:
Teach your child age-appropriate skills, such as organising their school bag, managing their chores, and completing homework independently.
Foster a sense of responsibility by involving them in decision-making processes.
Stay Positive:
Maintain a positive attitude about the new school year, and express enthusiasm about the opportunities and experiences your child will have.
Remind your child that it's normal to feel a mix of emotions when starting something new.
Create a Homework-Friendly Environment:
Establish a quiet and organised space at home for homework and studying.
Set aside a specific time each day for homework and help create a routine that works for your child.
Promote Healthy Habits:
Encourage healthy eating habits by providing nutritious meals and snacks.
Emphasise the importance of physical activity and playtime to support overall well-being.
Build Social Skills:
Help your child develop social skills by arranging playdates or participating in school-related activities.
Teach them how to make friends and navigate social situations positively.
Monitor Screen Time:
Set reasonable limits on screen time, especially during school nights.
Encourage activities that promote creativity, learning, and social interaction.
Engage in School Activities:
Participate in school events, such as school masses, parent-teacher conferences, PA (Parent Auxiliary) meetings, and school fundraisers.
- Volunteer for classroom activities, excursions, or special events (Sports Day) to actively contribute to your child's school community.
Be Patient:
- Understand that the adjustment period may take some time. Be patient and supportive as your child settles into the new routine.
- Stay engaged with their experiences, and address any concerns or challenges together.
- Remember that every child is unique, so adapt these tips to suit your child's individual needs and circumstances.
- By providing support, encouragement and a positive environment, you can help your child navigate the new school year successfully.
House Captains:
Faith and Social Justice Captains
- Marita Maarawi
- Nicolina Gorevski
MacKillop House Captains
- Mikayla Escaross
- Gabriella Elley
Maroun House Captains
- Maria Essey
- Ibrahim El Saleh
Nassar House Captains
- Rafqa Nasr
- Joseph Ibrahim
Paterson House Captains
- Joey Kanati
- Layla Kahla
Disruptions
To minimise disruptions to valuable learning time, we kindly request all student appointments be scheduled after school hours whenever possible. Frequent interruptions can impact on a student’s education. Scheduling appointments after school hours helps ensure students receive the full benefits of their education. If any early pick up is unavoidable, please allow our office staff sufficient time to locate your child and have them ready. Your cooperation helps us maintain a smooth and efficient school day for all students.
Cedar Campus Photo Day - Thursday, 26th February 2026 – Cedar Campus
Arthur Reed Photos uses an electronic system where all ordering is done online after photo day and includes being able to view your child’s images.
There will be no need to order or return any forms to the College prior to photography.
Unique image codes will be issued to all students on/after photo day so families can register online to view images when they become available in the webshop.
ALL Students to be in FULL academic school uniform, no PE uniform.
https://www.antonine.catholic.edu.au/enrol/uniform
Cedar Campus students:
- FULL academic school uniform (no jackets, white shirts or dresses only)
- Black shoes
- White socks (girls)
- Grey socks (boys)
- Hair FULLY tied up (no half up half down will be permitted) - come to school with your hair ready to go
- NO makeup
Open Morning
Teeth on Wheels visiting Antonine College
-Mr Abraham Diab