Dear Parents and Carers 

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family in good health and high spirits. As we navigate the aftermath of the recent floods that have affected our community, I am so proud of how our Saints community have come together with a shared sense of resilience and compassion. 

In times of adversity, the core values that guide us become more important and more prominent than ever. Our school, rooted in the Mercy charism, have held steadfast in the principles of compassion, service, and community.  

Today, we want to update you on the ongoing flood recovery efforts and share how the Mercy spirit is shining through during these challenging times. 

Flood Recovery at St Augustine’s School Update: The recent floods have left a significant impact on our community, affecting homes, businesses, and the lives of many of our local families. Our hearts go out to those who have experienced loss and hardship during this period. As a school community, we are committed to supporting one another and aiding in the recovery process. 

At our school, we have worked through the “Make Safe” piece of the recovery process. While there are a few ongoing projects to complete, we are now moving towards the very exciting point of refurbishment. 

We are waiting for a scope of works document to be shared with us from our insurance company. This document will outline the works required after the official assessment of the school’s damage, and the cost of the works proposed. 

Some of the main fixes in the refurbishment will be: 

• renovation and refurbishment of the school library and library collection; 
• replacement of playground in Senior oval;  (Please note : Our Junior playground project is separate to the insurance claim is still scheduled to be installed by May) 
• replacement of any damaged IT equipment in the school; 
• replacement of damaged furniture in the school; 

I look forward to sharing more information as the scope of works document is received and we move forward in our recovery together. 

Mercy Charism in Action: During the recent flooding event, the Mercy charism was on show. Our Charism is inspired by the works of Catherine McAuley, and emphasizes the importance of community, compassion and service to those in need. In the face of adversity, our school community has come together to embody these principles in various ways: 

1. Community Support: Families within our school community have offered their support to those directly affected by the floods, providing shelter, resources, and a helping hand during this challenging time. 

Families were there to volunteer time and muscle when we, here at Saints, needed assistance to move the mud out of our classroom spaces and school buildings. Sincere thanks to those who came and helped with this mammoth task! It was wonderful to have your support and your company. 

We also had members of staff from other local schools come and lend a hand, alongside local residents with no specific tie to our Saints community. It certainly was heartwarming to feel the love and support from so many people in the Mossman and Port Douglas areas. 

1. Student Resilience: Our students have been incredible beacons of resilience. Despite the challenges, they have shown understanding and adaptability as we work together to restore normality to their learning environment.  

1. Teachers and Staff Dedication: Our dedicated teachers and staff have worked tirelessly to ensure a smooth transition during the recovery process. Their commitment to providing a safe and supportive space for our students reflects the Mercy charism in action. 

How You Can Contribute: As we move forward in our flood recovery efforts, we invite you to join us in embodying the Mercy charism. Here are some ways you can contribute: 

1. Support our Saints P & F: If you are able, please consider joining forces with the executive to plan for our upcoming fete. The P & F, led by Hannah Santarossa, work tirelessly for our community. Please support them wherever you can. 

1. Volunteer Opportunities: Explore local volunteer opportunities that align with the Mercy charism. Your time and skills can have a meaningful impact on the community's recovery. 

1. Prayers and Support: Keep those affected by the floods in your thoughts and prayers. Your emotional support is a powerful force that can uplift those facing adversity. 

In the face of challenges, the Mercy charism calls us to respond with kindness, compassion, and a commitment to service. Together, as a united school community, we can make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by the recent floods and our wider community. And we can build back better – in the spirit of Mercy. 

We have been very touched by the kindness and support from other Catholic Primary schools in our time of need. 

• St Clare’s School, Tully has donated a $500 voucher from Modern Teaching Aids to replace Arts and Craft materials lost. We were then offered a second $500 voucher from St Clare’s P&F association. This will go a long way to replace paint, brushes, craft supplies and art materials in our school. 
• St Francis Xavier supplied a beautiful hamper to sustain our teachers in the early days of term. We had beautiful fruit, tasty treats and yummy cheese and crackers delivered to remind us that we are not alone. 
• Good Counsel Primary sent class teachers a $100 voucher from Harley’s Educational Supplies to go some way in replacing personal resources lost to the flood and mould.  
• Mother of Good Counsel Primary School donated coffee and morning tea for the staff as a surprise. 
• Our Catholic Education Learning and Teaching Team have provided a coffee order from Temptations as well.  
• We have had excellent support from the Catholic Education Services team, and we are committed to building back better! 

Thank you for your continued support and collaboration as we navigate these difficult times. We are confident that, through the spirit of Mercy, our community will emerge stronger and more resilient than ever. 

Students have been given a copy of the 2024 Term 1 Saints Overview to take home to families to outline our events for the year. Please mark these events in your calendar and join us when you can – we love seeing you here. 

Upcoming events will also be communicated on the electronic notice board outside the school office building, on our Facebook page and often, through Parent Slip and Broadcast emails via Edsmart. 

The students have settled into classes quite swiftly and new routines are quickly becoming second nature as the children settle into another year of learning together. It is certainly feeling great to be back into it all again. I am very grateful to families for the wonderful commitment to ensuring our students are dressed in full school uniform each day. As we approach the middle of Term 1, we will begin sending reminders to families if we can see that their child is not in full school uniform. Please remain in contact with your class teachers, and if there is an issue with uniform (when school shoes are too wet to wear, or hat is missing etc). A simple note or email to the teacher would be greatly appreciated. 

Introducing the 2024 P&F Executive Team 

This week we held our P & F AGM. Thank you to the people that came along. Allow me to introduce the executive team for 2024. 

• President - Hannah Santarossa
• Vice President – Hayley Jenkin
• Secretary – Amanda Williams
• Treasurer – Emily Doolah 
• Committee Members – Trista Connolly, Amanda Connolly, Jo Moffat, Liv Spence  

My sincere thanks to each of these ladies for taking on these roles for the 2024 school year. I look forward to working with the committee to plan events for our school community. 

Saints Fete 

This year we will be hosting a fete at St Augustine’s School. Please save the date – Saturday 20 April! Please support our P & F Team in this wonderful community event. A parent slip was recently sent out to the parent community to ask how you may choose to become involved. We look forward to sharing more information with you soon. 

Parent Morning Teas 

This term we have invited parents to come in to join members of the school leadership team for a cuppa at school drop off time. My thanks are extended to all of the parents who are taking time out of their busy days to connect. It is a lovely opportunity for an informal chat, and to provide a chance for individual parents to connect with other parents across year groups. Please note, the students are not attending the morning teas – though young siblings not yet at school are more than welcome to attend.  

Thank you, once again, for your ongoing support this term. We have been very grateful for your patience and understanding as we have bounced back from the damage done to our little school. 

Kind regards 

Kym Bennett 

Principal 

Last week we celebrated Shrove Tuesday with yummy pikelets that were given out to each student.  With jam, honey, maple and golden syrup, there were lots of sticky, but happy faces.  Shrove Tuesday comes from a really old tradition that involved using up ‘luxury’ food items such as butter, eggs and milk before Ash Wednesday.  Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent.  Lent prepares us for the season of Easter, the most important time in the Church’s calendar.  During Lent, Catholics are asked to pray, fast or give alms.  Almsgiving involves sharing what we have.

At Saints, we encourage all students to participate in our Project Compassion appeal which is run by Caritas.  This year’s appeal supports communities in the Philippines, Samoa and Malawi.  It helps provide them with basic needs that we take for granted, such as clean water, medicine and seeds for growing crops.  In Samoa $4000 can provide a 10 000L water tank installation to a school with a stand alone water harvesting system so students can access clean and safe water.

Each class will have a “Project Compassion” money box on their prayer table, and students are encouraged to give what they can, whether it be some of their pocket money or some loose change found in the car.  Every little bit helps and children get a real sense of satisfaction knowing they have helped others.