From Our Assistant Principal Mission - Mr Brendan Tickle

St Carthage’s Sacramental Program 2025

At St Carthage’s, we are blessed to journey with our students as they prepare to receive the sacraments of Confirmation, Reconciliation, and Eucharist. These sacraments are important milestones in their faith journey, deepening their relationship with God and strengthening their connection to our parish community.

The dates for sacramental celebrations are as follows:

• Confirmation – Tuesday, 3rd June
• Reconciliation – Tuesday, 12th August
• Eucharist (First Holy Communion) – Sunday, 21st September

If your child is in Year 3 or 4 and has not yet brought home an enrolment form for the sacramental program, please contact me as soon as possible to ensure they are included.

We look forward to sharing this special journey with our students and their families as they take these important steps in their faith.

St Carthage's Commitment to Caritas Australia's Project Compassion 2025

At St Carthage's, our dedication to social justice and community support is exemplified through our active participation in Caritas Australia's Project Compassion. This annual Lenten campaign mobilises Australians to raise essential funds, alleviating poverty and promoting justice globally.

Project Compassion 2025: 'Unite Against Poverty'

The 2025 campaign theme, 'Unite Against Poverty,' emphasises collective action to address global inequalities. This year, Caritas Australia highlights inspiring stories from individuals like Lam in Vietnam, who overcame disability challenges through community support and education programs. ​

Easter Egg Guessing Competition: Sweet Success

A heartfelt thank you to the St Carthage's Ministry Team for organising the delightful Easter Egg Guessing Competition. This fun-filled event not only brought joy to our students but also raised significant funds for Project Compassion. Your leadership and dedication are truly appreciated.​

St Patrick's Day: Celebrating with Compassion

Our St Patrick's Day celebrations were a vibrant display of community spirit and generosity. Students donned green attire and participated in various activities, contributing donations to support Caritas Australia's initiatives. It's heartening to see our school community embodying the values of compassion and charity.

Mission Boxes: Visualising Generosity

Throughout Lent, students have been diligently filling their mission boxes with donations. Our school's display features raindrops, each representing $10 contributed by a class. This visual testament showcases the collective effort and generosity of our students, symbolising hope and support for those in need.

Jubilee Year of Hope: Bringing Joy to Others

In this Jubilee Year of Hope, St Carthage's School has exemplified the spirit of giving. Through various initiatives, our community has come together to bring hope and joy to those less fortunate. These efforts reflect our commitment to making a positive difference in the world.​

Let us continue to support Project Compassion and uphold the values of empathy, generosity, and social responsibility that define our school community.

Celebrating Harmony Day at St Carthage’s

On Monday, 24th March, St Carthage’s Primary School came together to celebrate Harmony Day, a special occasion dedicated to inclusivity, respect, and belonging for all.

Students and staff proudly wore orange accessories as a sign of support, acknowledging and celebrating the many diverse cultures that make up our wonderful school community. From hair ribbons and wristbands to bright socks and hats, the sea of orange was a beautiful reminder of the unity and respect we share for one another.

Throughout the day, students participated in activities that encouraged conversations about cultural diversity and inclusiveness, reinforcing the importance of kindness, acceptance, and understanding. 

At St Carthage’s, we are proud to be a school where everyone belongs, and Harmony Day was a fantastic reminder of the strength we find in our diversity. Thank you to all students, families, and staff who participated and made the day so special!

Parish Family Mass

Last Saturday, students and families from St Carthage’s, Our Lady Help of Christians, Trinity Catholic College, and St John’s College came together for a beautiful Parish Family Mass. It was a wonderful opportunity to gather in faith, prayer, and community, strengthening our connection with one another.

Following the Mass, we shared a sausage sizzle and drinks, giving families and friends a chance to mingle, enjoy a meal, and celebrate the sense of unity that these gatherings bring. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and friendship, reflecting the strong bonds within our parish community.

These Parish Family Masses will take place once a term, and we would love to see even more families join us in the future. It’s a fantastic way to come together, participate in the life of the Church, and share in faith-filled fellowship.

Thank you to all who attended and helped make the evening so special. We look forward to seeing you at our next gathering!

Year 6 Students Spreading Hope and Joy Through Community Service

Today, our Year 6 students had the incredible opportunity to engage in community service, visiting various venues across our local area. This experience allowed them to connect with different members of our community and bring hope and joy to those they met.

Students visited:

• East Lismore Cemetery – Paying respects and helping with maintenance.
• St Joseph’s Nursing Home – Spending time with residents, sharing stories, and bringing smiles to their faces.
• Caroona Uniting Care – Engaging with elderly community members and learning about their lives.
• Gingerbread House – Assisting with activities and offering companionship.
• Parish Centre Preschool – Playing and reading with young children, creating moments of joy.
• Our House – Supporting families going through difficult times with small acts of kindness.

The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience, embracing the spirit of service and reflecting on the impact of their actions. It was a powerful reminder that simple gestures of kindness can make a big difference in the lives of others.

A huge thank you to the venues for welcoming our students and to our Year 6 leaders for their enthusiasm and compassion. We are incredibly proud of them for living out our school’s values and making a positive impact in our community.

Attendance

Make getting students to school on time every day a top priority.

Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves. Ensuring that students arrive at school on time every day is crucial for their academic success and wellbeing. Parents play a crucial role in instilling the importance of punctuality in their children. Here are some strategies for parents to make getting students to school on time every day a top priority:

• Establish a Consistent Routine. Set a daily routine that includes specific times for waking up, getting ready, having breakfast, and leaving for school. Consistency helps children develop good habits.

• Model Punctuality. Children often learn by example. Demonstrate the importance of punctuality by being on time for family events, appointments, and other commitments. 

• Limit or Have No Screen Time in the Morning. Minimise distractions such as excessive screen time in the morning. This helps your child stay focused on getting ready for school without unnecessary delays.

PBS at St Carthage’s – A Wonderful Start to 2025!

As we move towards the end of Term 1, we want to take a moment to thank our students for the fantastic way they have started 2025. The way that they strive to follow our Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) expectations is truly commendable.

At St Carthage’s, we are extremely fortunate to have a school community that works together to help each student let their light shine. This means showing kindness, respect, and responsibility while striving to achieve their personal best in all aspects of school life.

Looking Ahead – Focus Areas for Next Term

As we continue to grow and learn together, our PBS focus areas for the start of next term will be:

Weeks 1-2: "Be Your Best" – Learning Spaces
Focus: I have a positive growth mindset.
Encouraging students to approach challenges with confidence, persist in their learning, and believe in their ability to improve.

Weeks 3-4: "Be Responsible" – Toilets
Focus: I am responsible in the toilet area.

We are incredibly proud of our students for the way they demonstrate our school values each day, and we look forward to another great term of learning, growing, and shining bright together!

Parish Mass Times 

Did you know that St Carthage’s has a school Facebook page?

Our page is a great way to celebrate the many events, achievements, and special moments that happen within our school community. It is the perfect place to stay connected and see all the wonderful things happening at St Carthage’s.

If you’re not already following us, head over and give us a follow – we’d love to have you as part of our online community!