2025, Term 1, Week 4

Principal Message

Dear Families,

This week we commence our school “Peer to Peer” support program. This program commenced last year with great success. It is conducted on a Friday afternoon, running for approx. 35 min, four times a term (alternative week to our school assembly). It involves students from Year 1 through to Year 6, with Kindergarten joining the program in Term 4. The program is facilitated by our Yr 6 students. Importantly, the value of a Peer Support program in our school is immense. It fosters a sense of community, encouraging students to build meaningful connections while embracing the values of compassion and respect integral to their faith. Students from Yr 1 to 6 have an opportunity to develop friendships and foster a culture that is embedded within our school values of being respectful, responsible and courageous. Through peer interactions, students enhance their social skills, develop empathy, and support one another in overcoming challenges. This nurturing environment not only boosts individual confidence but also cultivates leadership qualities, promoting a culture of inclusiveness and guidance aligned with Catholic teachings. Ultimately, it enriches the overall school experience.

We are currently conducting our “Meet and Greet” meetings! These Parent-teacher meetings are crucial for enhancing student learning and strengthening school-family relationships. They provide a platform for open communication, allowing teachers and parents to discuss student progress, identify challenges, and collaborate on strategies for improvement. This partnership fosters a supportive environment that encourages student success and holistic development. I strongly encourage you to take the time and ensure you meet  with your child’s teacher.

Last Monday the school held its first School Community Group Meeting for 2025. This coincided with the AGM. At the AGM we elected our 2025 committee.

Congratulations to our 2025 School Community Group (SCG) Committee:

Chairperson - Jason Arthurton
Secretary - Nicole Adams
Committee - Bec Mander
Kinder Parent Rep - Mykaela Condon

For those who are unable to attend the SCG meetings they are live streamed on Facebook!

In this week’s newsletter I have included our School Community Group (School Forum) events and dates for 2025. To ensure these events take place we need the help of Class Parent Representatives. These “class parents” help with some organisational matters around your designated event and help in coordinating Year group social events throughout the year. If you are able to assist please contact the school or your child’s classroom teacher.

Thanks for your ongoing support.

Yours sincerely,

Brian Laybutt
Principal

SCHOOL BUSH DANCE

St Ambrose will be conducting a BUSH DANCE on Friday 28th March.

To help organise and coordinate the event the School Community Group (SCG) will be holding a meeting at the school on Monday 3rd March at 9.15a.m. in the school meeting room.

If you have any ideas and/or would like to help, please either attend the meeting or send an email to the SCG : stambrosescg@gmiail.com. or ring the school 02 6676 0099

School Community Group (Parent Forum) Events and Dates for 2025

Coffee and Conversation - Friday 7th March

Open Days

Award Recipients

Sunday 9th March

STS MARY & AMBROSE CHURCH, POTTSVILLE
SCHOOL/PARISH FAMILY MASS  7:30am MASS

Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation Commitment Mass
(This involves children from Year 4 and some students from Year 6 who are preparing to receive this Sacrament)

At this Mass celebration staff from St Ambrose will be attending to the ministry duties and there will be children’s liturgy.

WE HOPE TO SEE MANY ST. AMBROSE FAMILIES AT THIS MASS

Sacrament of Reconciliation

For parents who have already registered through COMPASS

Tuesday 4^th May Parent/Child Meeting 5:00-6:00pm in the Year 4 classrooms

THESE STUDENTS WLL MAKE THEIR FIRST RECONCILIATION ON

WEDNESDAY 9^th APRIL, 6:00PM AT ST ANTHONY’S CHURCH, KINGSCLIFF.

Shrove Tuesday – Tuesday 4th March

Next Tuesday 4th March the children will receive a pancake to represent Shrove Tuesday which is the day before Ash Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday

Next week, Wednesday 5^th March we celebrate Ash Wednesday.

The students in Year 6, 5 & 4 will attend Mass at 9:15am.

The other Classes will celebrate a prayer service and receive their ashes.
Prayer Liturgy in the Church will begin:

10:15am -  Years 2 & 3
10:40am -  Kinder & Year 1.

Ash Wednesday begins the forty-day season of Lent that leads to Easter.

For Catholics, Ash Wednesday is also a day of fasting and abstaining from meat. Fasting reminds us that food alone cannot make us happy. We must also be fed with prayer, with God’s Word and by meeting Jesus in the Sacraments, especially Reconciliation and Eucharist.

The small sacrifices we make during
Lent make room in our hearts to
welcome the risen Jesus at Easter.

During this time of Lent may we come to know Jesus more deeply and to live in His truth. We pray that we become the people Jesus calls us to be, a welcoming community alive to relationships of justice and peace.

Parish Newsletter

Sports News

 Zone Swimming

A huge congratulations to our 40 students who participated in the Zone Swimming Carnival at Tweed Regional Pool, Murwillumbah, on Wednesday, 19th February. Each student represented St Ambrose with outstanding sportsmanship and swam exceptionally well, achieving many personal bests. Overall, it was a highly successful day for St Ambrose, with some outstanding results in the pool!

A massive congratulations to Darragh Matson. Darragh was announced as the Under-11 Boys Zone Swimming Champion, showcasing an outstanding day in the pool. 

We would like to congratulate Darragh Matson and Wren Hoffman who will be representing the Tweed Region at the Diocesan Trials in Murwillumbah on Tuesday 4th March. Wren will be competing in the 50m Backstroke and 50m Breastroke. Darragh will be competing in the 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke and 50m Butterfly. 

We wish Wren and Darragh all the best at the Diocesan Carnival.

AFL Diocesan Trails

Lismore Diocesan AFL selection trials were held in Grafton on Friday 22nd February. This year saw a very good group of talented, skilled boys from throughout the Lismore Diocese attend this event. St Ambrose had three students trial Samuel and Jagger. Both boys played exceptionally well on the day

Tweed Zone Winter Sport Trials

Over the next two weeks, a number of our students in years 5 and 6 have been trialing in the Tweed Zone Winter Sports Trials. We wish them all the best of luck in their chosen sports - Soccer, Netball, Rugby League, and Hockey.

Cross Country Running Club

Cross Country Run Club has commenced. It will be running every Thursday at 8:10-8:30am. Please refer to the attached flyer for all details. Everyone is welcome to come and join! 

Upcoming Sporting Events

Year 5 & 6 Incursion

Last Friday, our Year 5 & 6 students had the exciting opportunity to take part in The Happy Little Vegemite Project, learning all about the history and science behind one of Australia’s most iconic spreads! Jamie Callister, grandson of Vegemite inventor Cyril Callister, delivered an engaging presentation, sharing the fascinating story behind its creation. This program not only deepened students’ understanding of Australian innovation but also sparked curiosity for the upcoming  STEM MAD challenge and showcase. A big thank you to the Cyril Callister Foundation and Bendigo Community Bank for bringing this fantastic learning experience to our school!

Solar Buddy Fundraiser - Tuesday 18th March

Classroom Showcase

Handwriting & Correct Pencil Grip

This term, St. Ambrose is focusing on handwriting and pencil grip to help students develop strong foundational skills. Correct pencil grip supports writing fluency, stamina, legibility, fine motor skills, and confidence in written communication.

Teachers explicitly teach correct letter formation, posture, and grip across all year levels to ensure consistency and progress. Families can support this at home by encouraging proper pencil grip and posture when writing.

Cyber Safety Event

St Ambrose Learning Assistance Program

Dream Big Webinar

Craft Club

Music Tutors

St Joseph's College Banora Point Open Evening