From the Assistant Principal Mission - Mr Brendan Tickle

Reconciliation 

On Tuesday, 12th August, a number of our students participated in the beautiful Sacrament of Reconciliation. This was a special time for reflection, prayer, and renewal as our students came together to strengthen their relationship with God and embrace the gift of forgiveness.

We are incredibly proud of the reverence and maturity shown by all who took part. A heartfelt thank you to our Fr Philip and Fr Bing for guiding our students through this sacred experience and to our families for supporting them on their faith journey.

The following students received the Sacrament of Reconciliation:

Jonathan Addenbrooke, Ella Andrews, William Armstrong, Rory Bell, Allie Bradfield, Jack Bryant, Josh Bryant, Scarlet Clark, Piper Collings, Thomas Cootes, Archie Green, Willow Hall, Hugo Hogan, Harry Hughes, Jack Hutley, Jing-Huei Jackson, Ruby Jeffery, Cooper Johnson, Samuel Johnson, Giulia Locatelli, Zavier Marshall, DEO Maxson, Quentin McGregor, Abigail Moore, James Muldoon, Eva Oliver, Lucy Pereira, Benson Rhodes, Colin Sefton, Amahli Sheridan-Gordon, Charlie Simeoni, Harry Smith, Reuben Thomas, James Webb, Kenzi Wright, and Kylie Zelenko.

We continue to pray that these students carry the peace and joy of God’s forgiveness with them and share that same spirit of love and reconciliation in their daily lives.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

On Friday, 15th August, our school community came together to celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a significant feast in the Catholic Church and a Holy Day of Obligation.

Our Year 5 and Year 6 students attended Parish Mass, joining the wider parish community in prayer and reflection. It was a meaningful opportunity for our students to deepen their understanding of Mary’s role in God’s plan and her place in our faith.

Following Mass, our Year 6 students led the school through a beautiful prayer at assembly, teaching us about the importance of the Assumption. They reminded us that this feast celebrates the belief that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was taken body and soul into heaven — a sign of hope and God’s promise of eternal life for all who follow Him.

Year 1 Faith, Fun and Family Night 

On Tuesday, 26th August, our Year 1 families came together for a wonderful Faith, Fun & Family Night — an evening filled with laughter, learning, and connection.

The night was designed to bring families closer while exploring key aspects of our faith. The faith activity challenged families with a word scramble based on important words from our Catholic tradition — live, love, hope, joy, and forgiveness. Families also worked together to build a gratitude tower, reflecting on the blessings in their lives and the importance of being thankful.

Our family activity allowed families to have some fun making fun treats to enjoy together. To top off the evening, the fun activity sparked plenty of smiles and friendly competition, with a lively scissors-paper-rock battle that had everyone cheering each other on.

A huge thank you to Mrs Shea, Mrs Connelley, Mr O’Brien, Miss Parritt, and Mrs Jones for their thoughtful planning and organisation. Their creativity and dedication made the night a great success, providing families with an opportunity to connect, share, and spend quality time together.

We wrapped up the evening by sharing a delicious pizza dinner, giving families a chance to relax, chat, and enjoy one another’s company.

It was truly a night where faith, family, and fun came together beautifully!

Year 5 Service Opportunities: Connecting with Lismore Parish Preschool

This term, our Year 5 students are embracing one of their service opportunities by building a special connection with the Lismore Parish Preschool. Throughout the term, each Year 5 class will visit the preschool, spending time with the children and engaging in activities designed to foster friendship, care, and community.

These visits are an important part of our Year 5 service program, which encourages students to live out our school values through leadership, empathy, and generosity. By spending time with the preschool children, our students are learning what it means to serve others, showing kindness and support while being positive role models for the youngest members of our community.

For the preschool children, these visits are filled with joy and connection. They provide opportunities to build early relationships with St Carthage’s students and help make the transition into primary school smoother and more welcoming in the years to come.

We’re excited to see the bonds that will grow and the meaningful experiences that will come from these visits across the term.

Attendance Matters

At St Carthage’s, we love having our students at school each day! Being present is so important for learning, friendships, and overall development — every day at school truly makes a difference.

However, just as important as attending school is ensuring we keep our community happy and healthy. If your child is unwell, we kindly ask that you keep them at home until they’re feeling better. By doing this, you’re helping protect not only your own child but also their friends, teachers, and the wider school community.

Thank you for working with us to create a safe, supportive, and caring environment where all students can thrive. Together, we can make sure our school continues to be a place where learning and wellbeing go hand in hand.

Good attendance starts with strong habits. Set a consistent daily routine, create a positive morning atmosphere, and clearly communicate the importance of being present at school. These practices work together to instil the value of punctuality and regular attendance, setting your child up for success. 

PBS

At St Carthage’s, our PBS guidelines helps to support students in building respectful, responsible, and safe behaviours across all areas of school life.

Our PBS focus areas are for the remainder of the term are as follows:

Weeks 7 & 8 – Learning Spaces

I am responsible for my learning:

• I look at the teacher and listen when they are speaking.

• I try to complete all of my work.

• I use class time correctly.

• I ask the teacher for help when I need it.

• I take pride in my work.

Weeks 9 & 10 – Playground

I play in the correct areas and use equipment appropriately:

• I play in the correct areas of the playground.

• I use equipment properly and safely.

• I return equipment when I have finished using it.

• I make safe and kind choices in all playground activities.

I wear my hat:

• I wear my hat outside to protect myself from the sun.

• I put my hat on my head when I arrive at school and when I leave the classroom.

By reinforcing these expectations at home, we can work together to support our students in making positive choices that help create a safe, respectful, and supportive school environment.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Reminders

A big thank you to our families for helping keep our drop-off and pick-up times running smoothly each day. We know these times can be busy, and we really appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation.

Just a reminder to please be mindful when parking around the school. We’ve noticed a few instances where cars have been parked over driveways or too close to residents’ access points. We kindly ask that you avoid blocking driveways and ensure there’s enough space for our neighbours to enter and exit their properties safely.

Your care and consideration make a big difference — not only for the safety of our students but also in maintaining positive relationships with our local community.

Thank you for working with us to keep drop-off and pick-up times safe, respectful, and stress-free for everyone.

R U OK Day

On Thursday 11th September, we will come together as a school community to recognise R U OK? Day — a national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone to check in with the people around them and start meaningful conversations about mental health and wellbeing.

At St Carthage’s, we believe in the power of connection and the importance of looking out for one another. On the day, students and staff are encouraged to wear yellow to show their support and commitment to building a caring and compassionate community.

Throughout the day, classes will participate in age-appropriate activities.

By taking part in R U OK? Day, we’re helping our students learn that it’s OK to ask for help, it’s OK to check in on friends, and that small conversations can make a big difference.

Let’s continue to nurture a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported.

Year 1 Retreat – Caring for Creation

On Thursday, 4th September, our Year 1 students took part in a special retreat focused on the theme of “Caring for Creation.” Throughout the morning, students were invited to reflect on the beauty of God’s creation and explore ways they can care for the world around them.

The retreat was filled with a variety of games, activities, and discussions designed to help students understand the importance of being good stewards of the earth. From hands on learning to moments of quiet reflection, our Year 1 students embraced the day with enthusiasm and curiosity.

A heartfelt thank you to Mr O'Brien, Mrs Shea, and Mrs Connelly for organising and leading such a meaningful and engaging experience for our students. Their guidance helped bring the theme to life and created opportunities for our young learners to deepen their connection with God, each other, and the world we share.

It was a wonderful morning of faith, fun, and learning that has inspired our students to continue caring for God’s creation in their everyday lives.