From Our Assistant Principal Mission - Mr Brendan Tickle
St Carthage's Feast Day Celebrations
On Thursday 15th May, our school community came together to celebrate the Feast Day of our patron saint, St Carthage. It was a joyful day filled with faith, fun and a strong sense of community.
The celebrations began in the hall where students enjoyed a lively and engaging program that brought the story and values of St Carthage to life. Through games, music, dance, and prayer, students had the opportunity to learn about St Carthage’s commitment to faith, education, and community in a way that was both meaningful and memorable.
Laughter echoed through the space as students participated in activities designed to reflect the spirit of our school. Staff and students alike embraced the festive atmosphere, creating a day of joy and celebration.
To finish the day, students let loose at a whole school disco where they danced, sang, and celebrated together. There was plenty of movement, and excitement—capped off with a refreshing Zooper Dooper treat for everyone!
We are grateful to all staff who contributed to the success of the day and to the students who brought such energy and enthusiasm to the celebration. St Carthage’s Feast Day was a beautiful reminder of our shared mission and the special community we are part of.
Accendre'
On Friday, our Year 4 students took part in a retreat, Accendré – a day designed to help them grow in faith, connection, and understanding of God's presence in their lives.
Throughout the day, students participated in a variety of games, activities, and prayer experiences that encouraged reflection, teamwork, and joy. The retreat provided a space for students to explore their faith in a fun and supportive environment, deepening their awareness of God's love and the importance of friendship and community.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff and students from Woodlawn who generously gave their time to assist with the retreat. Their leadership and enthusiasm helped create a welcoming and meaningful experience for our Year 4s, and we are grateful for their ongoing support.
Accendré was a special opportunity for our students to pause, reflect, and ignite their hearts with faith and hope as they continue their journey.
Parent Talk 2025 – Issue 2 is Out Now!
The latest edition of Parent Talk 2025 – Issue 2, published by the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT, is now available. This issue includes a range of informative articles on parenting, upcoming webinar opportunities, and helpful insights that you may find relevant and supportive in your role as a parent or carer. We encourage you to take a look!
Parent Community Group Meeting – 10th June
We warmly invite all parents and carers to our next Parent Community Group Meeting on Monday 10th June at 5:30pm in the staffroom. This is a great opportunity to come together, hear about what’s been happening at St Carthage’s, and learn more about the exciting events coming up this term. We value your input and involvement in our school community and hope to see you there!
PBS
PBS Focus – Weeks 5 & 6
Our Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) focus for Weeks 5 and 6 is Be Responsible – Bus Bays. Students are learning the importance of following expectations while waiting for and boarding the bus. The focus is on two key expectations:
- I stay with my bus bay group
- I sit in my correct area.
These simple actions help keep all students safe and ensure a calm and organised environment at the end of the school day. We encourage families to reinforce these expectations at home and talk with your child about the importance of being responsible in shared spaces.
Attendance
At St Carthage’s, our current attendance rate is sitting at 93.5%, which is a wonderful reflection of the fun, engaging learning environment and the safe, supportive community we strive to provide every day. It’s great to see our students here and ready to learn! Looking ahead, our attendance target for 2025 is 95%, and we’re confident we can reach it together with your continued support.
If you know your child is going to be away, please ensure you notify the front office directly by sending an attendance note to stcarth@lism.catholic.edu.au or by calling the school. It’s important that all attendance information is communicated to the office, not just your child’s class teacher. This helps us keep accurate records and ensures the safety and wellbeing of all students.
Looking ahead
Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea – This Thursday
This Thursday, we’re proud to be supporting Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea to help raise funds for cancer research. Our Year 6 students will be running a cake stall during the day, offering a variety of delicious treats. All students are invited to bring in a gold coin donation to purchase something from the stall. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our school community to come together for a great cause while enjoying a tasty treat. Thank you for your support!
Year 6 Glow retreat
Our Year 6 students will be attending GLOW, an intentional student discipleship retreat for all Year 6 students in the Richmond cluster, on Thursday 29th May. This special day offers students the chance to grow in their faith, reflect on their journey with God, and connect with peers from other schools through prayer, music, and engaging activities. We look forward to a meaningful and memorable experience for all involved.
Year 3 Discipleship Experience – I Got Spirit
Our Year 3 students will soon take part in “I Got Spirit”, an intentional student discipleship experience focused on the Holy Spirit. This engaging program is designed to help students deepen their understanding of the Holy Spirit and its role in their faith journey. We also extend our best wishes to all Year 3 students who will be receiving their Confirmation on Tuesday 3rd June. May this be a joyful and faith-filled step in their spiritual journey—please keep them in your prayers.
National Sorry Day – Casual Day: Monday 26th May
On Monday 26th May, we will mark National Sorry Day with a Casual Dress Day to acknowledge the significance of this important occasion. Students are encouraged to wear black, yellow or red (the colours of the Aboriginal flag) or white, blue or green (the colours of the Torres Strait Islander flag). There is no gold coin donation required. This day provides an opportunity for our school community to reflect on the impact of the Stolen Generations and to show our commitment to reconciliation, respect, and healing. Let us stand together as we continue to learn from the past and build a better future for all.
