2025, Term 3, Week 6

Principal Message

Dear St Ambrose Families,

As winter sporting competitions conclude, it’s a great time to reflect on the many benefits of playing sports and participating in team activities.

Benefits of Sports and Team Activities:

• Develop resilience by learning to cope with winning and losing

• Understand and accept rules and fair play

• Foster support for teammates and build respect for others

• Promote a healthy lifestyle and physical wellbeing

• Develop skills that are valuable for the future

• Encourage a lifelong pursuit of active living and teamwork

We strongly encourage parents and families to get involved with local clubs—not only as participants but also as volunteers. Helping others and contributing to your community is both rewarding and fulfilling. Every club relies on volunteers to function effectively. If your child plays a sport, ask yourself: How have I contributed or supported the club? This might be as a coach, canteen helper, committee member, washing jerseys/shirts, first aid officer, or any other role beyond being a weekly spectator.

Similarly, schools need helpers and volunteers too. Whether it’s assisting in classrooms or supporting school events, your involvement makes a difference. If you’re able to lend a hand, we would gratefully welcome your help.

Exciting News: Our Monster Raffle will be launched soon!
Families will receive an online notification with details on how to purchase tickets. We encourage everyone to support this fundraiser, as all funds raised directly benefit the students and families of our school.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Warm regards,

Brian Laybutt
Principal

Classroom Showcase - Friday 5th September

Year 2 Assembly

Weekly Awards

Sacrament of Confirmation

A Confirmation retreat and preparation day for 18 of our St Ambrose students  will take places next Friday 5th Sept. at St Anthony’s School and Church in Kingscliff. We will depart school at 9:00am and return back at approx. 2:30pm.  

This day will assist the students in preparing for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation that evening. Bishop Gregory Homeming will celebrated this special occasion with our students and their families at 6:00pm, Friday 5th Sept. at St Anthony’s Church, Kingscliff.

Following this evening Bishop Gregory will be staying at our Parish for a weekend visit. This will allow him to celebrated the Parish Masses across our Churches. 

Sat 6th Sept.   5:00pm  - St Anthony’s Church, Kingscliff
Sun. 7th Sept. 7:30am – Sts Mary & Ambrose Church, Pottsville
9:00am- St Anthony’s Church, Kingscliff

We hope to see many families join in one of these Mass celebrations.

Year 2 celebrating our Super Saints

 The students had such a wonderful time learning about their chosen Saint and proudly sharing their knowledge with others.

Jubilee Year of Hope

 For the    Jubilee - Year of Hope the Lismore Diocese has a travelling symbol that has been developed, and used for pilgrimages and prayers to parishes for students.       

The Good Ship Hope.

A boat design has been used to symbolically represent the rivers, 
waterways and ocean in which many of our parishes exist, 
aligning with the international symbol. 
The journey began in the South of the Lismore Diocese 
and has spent a week in each Parish Church.

The Good Ship Hope will be at St Anthony’s Parish from Monday 1st - 8th  Sept.
It will be at our Pottsville Church 
Tues. 2nd - Students from Years 6, 5, & 4 
will attend Mass at 9:15am.

Prayer Service: Years 2 & 3 10:15,
Yrs. K & 1  at 10:40

Altar Servers Needed

Introducing the St Anthony's Parish Trades and Services Directory

The parish is putting together the St Anthony's Parish Trades & Services Directory—a free resource to help connect parish and school families with local professionals and businesses from within our own community. While the parish is not able to formally endorse the quality of the work of services listed, we trust that those who are part of our parish and school communities who are listed in the Directory will uphold shared Catholic Values and conduct their work with integrity and respect.

Whether you're a tradesperson, run a small business, or offer professional services, this is a great opportunity to let others in the parish and school communities know what you do. It also serves as a helpful resource for those looking to connect with local services they can trust.

Forms will be available at the back of both churches or use this QR code to access the Pastoral Council page on the parish website with a link to a google form. Simply fill in your name, business or service, contact information, and a short description of what you offer. We hope this directory becomes a valuable go-to for our community and helps strengthen the sense of connection and support we share.

Parish Newsletter

An Exciting Visit from Our Wildlife Friends

Year 1 were thrilled to have a special visit from "The Wildlife Twins" this week! The children were captivated by some of Australia's most amazing animals and their unique survival abilities, which some might even call "superpowers".

The show highlighted some iconic Australian species, including a carpet python, a black-headed python, a shingleback lizard, a bearded dragon, and a dingo. The children were fascinated to learn about their amazing skills.

Beyond the "superpowers," the most valuable part of the show was the message of conservation. Belinda spoke about how everyone can do something to help local wildlife. The children loved learning how to look after these animals in our local environment, and we were all inspired by the idea that many little actions can make a massive difference.

Year 6 Welcomes Justine Elliott, Federal Member for Richmond

Our Year 6 students had a special opportunity last week when they were visited by Justine Elliott, the Federal Member for Richmond.

During her visit, Mrs Elliott spoke to the students about her role in representing our community in the Australian Parliament. She shared insights into how laws are made, the importance of leadership and service, and how young people can make a positive difference in their community.

Students were engaged and asked thoughtful questions, gaining a better understanding of how government works and the responsibilities of a Member of Parliament. Mrs Elliott encouraged the students to stay informed, get involved, and believe in their ability to create change.

It was an inspiring and educational experience for our Year 6 cohort, and we thank Mrs Elliott for taking the time to visit and speak with our students.

Year 5 Excursion to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

On Wednesday the 27th of August Year 5 went to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to learn about animal adaptations. It was a beautiful sunny day for our excursion. We had a lot of fun seeing the way animals live and help each other grow. We enjoyed patting the kangaroos, looking at the reptiles and seeing many other native Australian animals. The Currumbin Wildlife staff helped us learn a lot about a variety of animals behavioural, structural and physiological adaptations.

We would like to thank all the parent helpers that attended our wonderful excursion to Currumbin. We had so much fun, it was an amazing day!

Written by Wren, Libby and Kishi.

Upcoming School Events

Dear Families,

The Fathers Day Stall will be held on Thursday 4th September. Students will have the opportunity in class time to purchase gifts and raffle tickets for their fathers, grandfathers, and other special people for Fathers Day.

When:  Thursday 4th August in the morning 
Where: School – teachers will take children to stall during school hours
Cost: All gifts are $2 each. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5.

Please send CASH ONLY in a clearly marked envelope with your child on the day.

Raffle drawn: Assembly Friday 5th September

Proceeds: All sales from gifts will be donated to the Carmelite nuns.  Raffle ticket sales are for school fundraising.

We have a HUGE array of prizes are on offer for the Fathers Day Raffle! A big thank you to our Kindergarten Families for donating such GENEROUS gifts!!

St Ambrose Has Got Talent

Our K-6 St Ambrose Has Got Talent live auditions will be held in the hall on Friday 12th September (week 8). Students will need to come prepared with any music (on a flash drive or iPad) or props that they require, costumes are NOT NEEDED for the auditions. 

Children are welcome to be part of 2 acts however, the 2 acts cannot be of the same genre e.g. 2 dances.

There will be no spectators for the auditions. 
The Talent Show will be held in Term 4, Friday 14th November (Week 5).

We can't wait to see what talent St Ambrose has in 2025!

Monster Raffle

Diocesan Athletics Carnival - Coffs Harbour

On Tuesday, 26th August, nine students from St Ambrose represented the Tweed Zone at the Diocesan Athletics Carnival at C.ex Stadium, Coffs Harbour. It was an incredible day filled with energy, teamwork, and outstanding athletic performances. Students proudly represented our school in their track and field events. A special mention goes to the following students who placed in their events and those who will now progress to the Polding Athletics Carnival in Glendale, Newcastle, on Friday, 13th September. 

• Angus - 100 Meter Dash 
• Thomas - 100 Meter Dash and Junior Boys Relay 
• Henry - 100 Meter Dash and Junior Boys Relay 
• Talin - Junior Boys Relay 
• Bronson - Junior Boys Relay 
• Eva - High Jump 
• Eden - 1500 Meter Run, 800 Meter Run and 200 Meter Run 
• Congratulations also to the Junior boys relay team, whose enthusiasm and determination made for an impressive finish on the day. 

A massive congratulations to Eden. Eden was announced as the runner-up Under-12 Girls Diocesan Athletics Champion, showcasing an outstanding day in track and field events. Thank you to the parents and supporters who helped with training, transport, and cheering on the day.

Upcoming Sport Dates

Free Presentations For Parents of Primary Aged Children

OOSCH

Music Tutors