Term 4 Week Ten 2024
Aboriginal Acknowledgement
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We commit ourselves to actively working alongside Aboriginal people for reconciliation and justice.
Dear Parents,
We are now into our third week of Advent in the Church Year. The four weeks of Advent allow us time to ponder how Jesus came into the world in such a stunningly humble way. As we contemplate His birth in a bed of straw, in a mess
y stable, perhaps we see our own life as being a little messy too. Our life is often distracted, self-centred and sometimes leaves us wishing we were better people. If we can slow down and refocus our attention, we might realise that God is there, waiting to love us, even though we have so many unfulfilled good intentions.
“Are we there yet?” This is a question we have probably heard, and probably asked, multiple times throughout our lives. It is a question that frequently comes up, especially when the kids are sitting in the back seat wondering when they will finally arrive at the destination. It is also a question that we may be tempted to ask during the Advent season. We know that many people have now jumped right into their Christmas festivities, barely taking taking time to catch their breath but, with this Advent season, we are being reminded that we’re not there yet. This season of Advent, this beginning of the Church’s new liturgical year, is an opportunity for us to take the time to enjoy the journey. To proceed a little more slowly and intentionally towards Christmas – to notice what God is doing in our lives, and in the world around us, to help us be better prepared to welcome Jesus anew.
So, we may not be “there” yet, but, even now, Jesus is here, with us, as we begin this journey through Advent.
Jesus, through Your Holy Spirit, grant us the light and strength needed to journey through this Advent season, so as to always be prepared to encounter You.
End of Year Message
As we approach the end of another school year, it is with a sense of pride and gratitude that I reflect on the incredible journey we've embarked upon together. The 2024 school year has been filled with moments of learning, collaboration, and growth.
To our students, you have embraced the teachings of our faith, demonstrating kindness, empathy, and a thirst for knowledge. Your achievements, both academically and spiritually, reflect the character and integrity that are at the heart of a Catholic education. As you move forward, may your faith continue to be a guiding light, illuminating your path and inspiring those around you.
I express my deepest appreciation to our dedicated staff, whose unwavering commitment to our students has created a positive and nurturing learning environment. Their passion and hard work have not only shaped our students' academic journeys but also instilled in them the values of curiosity, resilience, and compassion.
Our parents and carers play a crucial role in our school community, and I want to express my thanks for your ongoing support. Your partnership with us in fostering a faith-filled learning environment is invaluable. Your involvement, whether through volunteering, attending school events, or engaging in your child's education, has made a significant impact on our collective success. Together, we are building a foundation for a lifetime of learning.
In looking back on the year, we have faced challenges with grace and celebrated triumphs with gratitude. As we approach the holidays, I encourage each of you to take time for prayer, reflection, and quality time with loved ones. Whether you're travelling, spending time with family, or simply enjoying moments of quiet reflection, remember that your efforts have contributed to the success of our school community.
As we eagerly anticipate the start of the next academic year, let us carry forward the lessons learned, the friendships forged, and the memories created. Together, we will continue to foster an environment where every member of our community feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
I love this reflection on the Christmas story put into today’s context and it got me thinking about the way that we are so quick to judge others. During this Christmas season I hope that we all take the time to look at others ‘through the eyes of a child’ so that we can see things more openly and empathetically.
The first Christmas that little Linda learned to read, she was allowed to distribute the family gifts on Christmas day. According to family custom, the one who distributed the gifts could open the first package. After all the gifts were distributed with loving care, Linda kept looking around the tree and among the branches. Finally her dad asked, ‘What are you looking for, dear?’ To which Linda replied, ‘I thought Christmas was Jesus’ birthday and I was just wondering where his present is. I guess everyone forgot him.’
That is the challenge which faces us all this Christmas - to put the Christ back into our family Christmas. This is an ideal time for families to focus on the important things that affect their family life - the time they spend together, the quality of relationships within the immediate and extended family group, the willingness to put others first and to forgive one another. Please remember to include Jesus on your family gift list - make the religious significance of Christmas visible in your home and join with your Church family for this special feast.
And so to another Christmas! The little baby born in Bethlehem, serves to remind us of the truth that our God is a God who loves us, even to the point of becoming one of us. In becoming human, God has given each of us dignity and importance, and the opportunity to transcend the worries of this world and focus on our eternal destiny.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Thank you for another remarkable year. Wishing you all a joyful and holy Christmas and a relaxing and safe holiday.
School Reports
Semester Two School Reports were emailed home on Friday. Please check your Compass email to access these reports.
Year Six Graduation Dinner and Awards
Congratulations to our Year Six students on completing their Primary education. We wish them all the very best as they begin high school. We thank them for the great contributions each of them has made to our school community.
Please see photos below of their awards ceremony.
Farewell to Families
We would like to wish all families who are leaving St Carthage’s all the very best for the future, wherever life may take you. Thank you for the contribution which each family has made to our school. Our best wishes and prayers go with you.
Farewell to Staff
We would like to take this opportunity to farewell our staff members who will not be returning in 2024. We would like to thank Mrs Biesteker, Mrs Llewellyn, Mrs Kane, Mrs Bailey, Mrs Seymour, Miss McWhirter and Mr Taylor for the great contribution they have made to St Carthage’s school community.
Welcome
We welcome Mr Daniel O'Brien to our school staff in 2025. Daniel has been teaching at St Joseph's Primary School, Coraki . He will be teaching Year One.
I know you join with us in welcoming Daniel to St Carthage's in 2025.
Christmas Concert
What a great celebration we had on Monday evening at our Christmas Concert. It was great to see our school families come together to celebrate this joyous time of the year.
Our students were magnificent and we thank Mrs Craig and Mrs Allen and the many staff who assisted in some way.
End of Year Mass
Tomorrow, 18th December we will celebrate the conclusion of our 2024 school year with Mass at 9:30am in the Cathedral. At the conclusion of Mass, we will farewell the 2024 Year 6 students.
All members of our school community are invited to join us for this important celebration.
School Leaders 2025
We congratulate our Year Six leaders for 2025.
School Captains: Isabella Mullington and Billy Bradfield
Vice Captains: Luka van de Walt and Henry Hogan
Colour House Captains
Carthage: Ella Davey and Isaac Barry
D'Arcy: Sassy Zorzo and Billy McCarthy
Doyle: Georgia Dodds and Harrison Behan
Jerome: Ruby Hall and Jack Hutley
Nagle: Clancy Jeffery and Tobhi Olive-Conte
Thomas: Maggie Hughes and Gus Collings
2025 Date Reminders
Dates for starting school next year:
- Staff: - Administration Day: Friday, 31st January 2025
- Years 1-6: - Complete Maths Assessment Interview (M.A.I.): Monday 3rd February - Wednesday 5th February. We will advise when bookings are open.
- Years 1-6 return: Thursday, 6th February 2025.
- Kindergarten: - Complete M.A.I. & Best Start: Monday 3rd February - Friday 7th February
- Kindergarten begin: Monday, 10th February 2025.
Classroom Teachers for 2025
Kindergarten:
K Gold Mrs Loretta Farmer
K Blue Mrs Haley Rogusz
K Red Miss Annabel Overell
Year 1
1 Gold Mrs Janelle Connelly & Mrs Jenny Allen
1 Red Mrs Tina Shea & Mrs Wendy Dardengo
1 Blue Mr Daniel O'Brien
Year 2
2 Red Mrs Nicole Jones
2 Blue Mr Ben Evans
2 Gold Mrs Mia van der Walt
Year 3
3 Red Mrs Melissa Winkler-Dunn & Mr David Morrissey
3 Blue Miss Georgia Wells (Term 1) and Ms Kim Robb
3 Gold Mrs Michelle Sudiro
Year 4
4 Red Mr Brendan Matthews
4 Blue Mrs Donna Atlee
4 Gold Mr Andrew Camillieri
Year 5
5 Blue Mr Jason Dimmick
5 Red Mrs Louise Mayes
5 Gold Mrs Kristine Mumford
5 White Mrs Megan Yates
Year 6
6 Blue Mr John Gordon
6 Red Mrs Toni Lynch
6 Gold Mr Sam Powell
6 White Mrs Toni McRae
Release from Face to Face
Music Mrs Jenny Craig
Drama Mrs Jenny Allen
PE Mr David Morrissey
Digital Technologies Mrs Bethany McDermott (Years 5 and 6)
Cordinator Release
Mrs Wendy Dardengo and Mrs Bethany McDermott
Intervention:
Mrs Janette McFadden
Thank You and Merry Christmas
As the school year comes to a close, I'd like to express my sincere gratitude to you all for the support you have shown the school and your children with their learning this year.
A big thank you needs to go to our dedicated teachers and support staff for their tireless efforts in providing rich and engaging learning experiences for our students. They have supported each student in reaching their potential by creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every child feels valued and cared for. Their dedication to going the extra mile for each student is truly inspiring.
This year, we witnessed some remarkable growth across all year levels. Our students embraced challenges, further developed their critical thinking skills, and were exposed to diverse learning opportunities that encouraged them to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and strive for continuous improvement. They have shown resilience and perseverance in their learning journeys.
I am incredibly proud of the progress our students have made this year. Their enthusiasm for learning, coupled with the dedication of our staff, creates a vibrant and inspiring learning community.
As we prepare for 2025, we will continue to explore new and exciting ways to enhance the learning experience for all students.
May the spirit of Christmas fill your hearts with joy and peace this holiday season. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, let us remember the true meaning of Christmas – love, compassion, and hope.
Have a restful break, and stay safe and well.
Amanda
The Season of Advent: A Time of Preparation and Joy
As we step into the beautiful season of Advent, we are invited to embark on a spiritual journey of hope, peace, joy, and love. Advent, derived from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming," is a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. It also serves as a reminder to prepare our hearts for Christ's return.
This sacred season, marked by the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, encourages us to pause amidst the busyness of the world and reflect on the true meaning of this joyous time. Each week, we light a candle on the Advent wreath, with each flame representing one of the central themes of Advent:
- Week 1: Hope – A reminder of the hope we have in God’s promises.
- Week 2: Peace – Reflecting on the peace that Christ brings to our hearts and the world.
- Week 3: Joy – Celebrating the joy of Christ's coming.
- Week 4: Love – Embracing the boundless love of God for all humanity.
At home, families can prepare for Christmas by creating their own Advent traditions. These might include lighting an Advent wreath, setting up a nativity scene, or reading scripture passages that tell of the coming of the Messiah. Acts of kindness and generosity, such as supporting charities or reaching out to those in need, are beautiful ways to live out the spirit of Advent.
For children, Advent is a time of wonder and anticipation. It’s an opportunity to teach them about the importance of giving, gratitude, and the joy of preparing for Jesus’ arrival in our hearts and homes.
As a school community, we will be engaging in prayer, reflection, and activities that remind us of the significance of this holy season. We encourage all families to join us in taking moments of stillness during this time of preparation, focusing on the blessings that Advent brings.
Let us journey through this season with hearts full of hope, awaiting the celebration of Christ's birth on Christmas Day. May the light of the Advent candles guide us, bringing warmth and light into our lives and the lives of others.
Let us prepare, rejoice, and welcome Christ this Christmas.
End-of-Year Mass: Farewelling Our Year 6 Students
Today, our school community gathered for a beautiful End of Year Mass, marking the conclusion of a wonderful year filled with growth, learning, and shared experiences. The Mass provided us with time to reflect on the many blessings we have received and to give thanks for the bonds we’ve formed as a school family.
A special moment in the Mass was the farewell to our Year 6 students, who now begin a new chapter in their lives. As leaders of our school, they have shown kindness, determination, and a willingness to live out our school motto, Let Your Light Shine. Through their contributions to our school community, they have left a legacy of compassion and courage.
To our Year 6 students: we are proud of the people you have become, and we send you forth with our blessings and prayers. May you continue to let your light shine and carry the lessons of faith and love with you always.
As we close the year, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our staff, families, and parish community for their unwavering support and dedication. We pray for a safe and joyous holiday season for all and look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year.
2025: Jubilee Year of Hope
We are excited to announce that 2025 is the Jubilee Year of Hope, a significant occasion in the Church calendar that invites us to renew our faith, deepen our connection with God, and share the joy of hope with the world.
A Jubilee Year is a special time of celebration and renewal declared by the Church, rooted in the biblical tradition of jubilee as a time for restoration, forgiveness, and fresh beginnings. It is an opportunity for Catholics worldwide to reflect on God’s mercy and blessings while committing to living out the Gospel message with renewed vigour.
The theme of Hope is particularly meaningful as we come together to embrace Christ’s promise of new life and share His love in our families, community, and beyond.
Throughout the year, our school will mark this sacred time with a variety of events and activities designed to inspire hope and strengthen our faith.
The Jubilee Year of Hope is a time to celebrate the boundless possibilities God offers us when we place our trust in Him. Together, we will journey through this year with hearts full of gratitude and expectation for all that is to come.
We look forward to sharing this meaningful year with our school and parish community. Stay tuned for updates on how you can participate in the celebrations and help make this Jubilee Year a time of profound joy and faith.
Calling all budding photographers!
As part of the Jubilee Year, the Vatican is promoting an international photography contest, titled: ‘Sport in Motion’. It is for young photographers, professional or amateur, under the age of 25.
There are five categories: sport and hope, sport and family, sport and disability, sport and politics, and sport and ecology.
The winners will be awarded a meeting with the Holy Father, a visit to the Vatican Museums, a workshop in the Osservatore Romano newspaper and their photo will be published internationally.
Do you know a young person - student or teacher - who may be interested in entering this competition?
The deadline to enter is 30 April 2025. Further information can be found in the attached flyer.
St Carthage's Students Bring Joy to Lismore Base Hospital
This term, the students of St Carthage's have shared their creativity and compassion through a special art project to decorate the Lismore Base Hospital. With bright colours and thoughtful designs, the students created beautiful artworks to bring joy and hope to patients, visitors, and staff.
Each piece of art reflects the students’ desire to make a positive difference in their community. Our students embraced this project with enthusiasm, pouring their time, talent, and care into their creations. Through their work, they not only demonstrated their artistic abilities but also lived out the values of kindness and service that are central to our school community.
We are incredibly proud of our students for their efforts and thank the Lismore Base Hospital for the opportunity to partner in this meaningful initiative. It is our hope that these artworks will continue to brighten the hospital and serve as a reminder of the power of community and care.
Christmas Mass Times 2024
Christmas Eve
- South Lismore - 4.00pm
- Cathedral - 5.30pm and Midnight
- Dunoon - 7.30pm
Christmas Day
- Carmelite Monastery - 7.00am
- Cathedral - 9.00am
- South Lismore - 9.00am
READY QUIT SOLID
In Week 3, Aboriginal Health Workers from Bullinah Health Service visited. The team led by Jeyah is now known as Ready Quit Solid, previously known as Solid Mob.
Students in Years 5 and 6 were involved in workshops around anti-smoking and vaping. The health messages for our older students are essential to learn as they move on to secondary schooling. Hopefully, the more information they have, the better they will make decisions in the future.
Many thanks to Ready Quit Solid for coming to St Carthage’s and for the prizes they gave away on the day. Furthermore, Jeyah told me afterwards how impressed she was with the respect and good manners our students showed.
NAIDOC MEDAL
At our Assembly in Week 3, I had the great pleasure of presenting Lylah Marsden (2 Gold) with a special award.
A few months ago, students in K, 1, and 2 took part in a NAIDOC Coloring In Competition. It was a National competition, and 25 medals were given out around NSW.
Well done to Lylah and all the students who participated in the competition.
Aboriginal Artwork 2024
Recently I have been working on artwork with Aboriginal students in Kindy,
Years 2, 4 and 5.
We focused on dot work, using Aboriginal symbols and telling a story from the
painting.
Well done to Pippa, Summer, Maya, Aiden, Maya, Hayley, Eliza, Khiarla, Ryan
and Dom for their great creativity.
They should all be very proud of their paintings.
Mr Condie
Aboriginal Education Worker
Diocesan Summer Sport Trials
Congratulations to all of our students who recently attended the Diocesan Summer Sport Trials. These trials are a representative pathway for talented athletes in Years 4 and 5 in the sports of touch football, tennis, basketball and cricket. We are very proud of all attendees, developing and displaying their skills in sports that they enjoy participating in.
Well done to Ebony Andrews and Georgia Dodd who were successful at the girls basketball trials. They displayed excellent skills and will now represent the Diocesan at the 2025 Polding Basketball Trials, which will be held in Tamworth on February 7th. We wish them all the best.
Henry Hogan was selected as a reserve for the Polding Tennis Trials, highlighting the talent he possesses in the sport of tennis.
There was no need for a Diocesan Softball trial. Gus Collings, Jack McCarthy, Billy McCarthy and Jack Watson will attend the 2025 Polding Softball Trials to be held in Blacktown on the 30th of April.
Polding Cricket Trials
The 2025 Polding Cricket Trials were held in Lismore on Wednesday 4th December 2024. Gus Collings, Jordy Williams and Billy McCarthy were all selected to attend these trials which is a sign of their exceptional level of skill in cricket. Unfortunately, Billy was unable to attend as he was overseas with the U/12 Australian Baseball team. On an exceptionally hot day, Gus and Jordy trialled with over 40 students and the standard of cricket skills displayed was very high. Both boys were selected in the Polding Cricket Team for 2025 and will now participate in the NSW PSSA Boys Cricket Championship in Maitland in February 2025. We are extremely proud of their selection and we know they will represent themselves, family and school in an excellent manner.
Baseball Visits
We recently had visitors come and conduct Baseball clinics with some of our classes. The children got to practice some of the skills associated with baseball in a fun way. We thank Geoff Baxter and his helpers from the Far North Coast Baseball Association for their time and commitment to helping our students develop their skills. Our children loved being involved in the clinics!
Sporting Medallions
Each year, the Lismore Diocese presents medallions to those students who have been selected in a Polding Team. These teams comprise of students that attend a Catholic school in the northern half of NSW. Congratulations to the following students who received their medallion at either the Year 6 Awards Evening or will receive their medallions at our final whole school assembly.
| Hockey | Priya Vantaggiato | Year 6 |
| Athletics | Tyler Bell | Year 6 |
| Rugby Union | Reggie Field | Year 6 |
| Softball | Billy McCarthy, Jack McCarthy, Gus Collings | Year 5 |
| Cricket | Gus Collings | Year 5 |
St Carthage's Swimming Time Trials
Our Swimming Time Trials were held on Wednesday 4th December. It was a fantastic day for our swimmers to showcase their skills, whilst having fun along the way competing against their peers. It was a very hot day and the swimmers did a remarkable job, often swimming in multiple events throughout the morning. Thank you to all our parents wno were able to come and cheer on the children. Congratulations to all of our individual Age Champions who were awarded their medallions on the day. A special mention to our Girls 8 year old division which was a shared award. It was shared by two awesome young swmmers, Stevie Kennedy and Parker Lee. Parker was not recognised on the day and will receive her award at our final whole school assembly for the year.
The winning House of the St Carthage's Swimming Trials will be announced at the first whole school assembly assembly in 2025.
Thank you to the staff and students from Trinity Catholic College who assisted with the time keeping at our trials. Without your assistance, we could not run our carnival in the manner that we do. Your assisatance is always appreciated. Thank you also to the St Carthage’s staff in attendance who helped the time trials run smoothly-this was greatly appreciated.
Times from these swimming trials will be used to form the St Carthage's Swimming Squad that will compete at the Richmond Zone Swimming Carnival in Alstonville on Friday 14th February 2025. Please note finishing first, second or third in some events does not automatically guarantee you a spot in the St Carthage’s Richmond Zone swimming squad as some categories are formed by comparing TIMES across MULTIPLE AGE GROUPS. The St Carthage Swimming Squad that will attend the Richmond Zone Carnival will have their events sent home this week.
Congratulations to all the following students who placed in events on the day.
Girls
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | |
| Snr 100m FS | Indigo George | Heidi Cormack | Laura Brickhill |
| 8 yrs FS | Parker Lee | Stevie Kennedy | Hayley McLean |
| 9 yrs FS | Abigail Moore | Mila Handy | Allie Bradfield |
| 10 yrs FS | Indigo George | Laura Brickhill | Lacey Simpson |
| 11 yrs FS | Ella Davey | Maggie Hughes | Heidi Cormack |
| 9 Yrs BS | Ella Andrews | Ruby Jeffrey | Allie Bradfield |
| 10 yrs BS | Indigo George | Laura Brickhill | Lacey Simpson |
| 11 yrs BS | Heidi Cormack | Maggie Hughes | Kyna Rhodes |
| 8 yrs BK | Stevie Kennedy | Parker Lee | |
| 9 yrs BK | Alexa Anderson | Ella Andrews | Allie Bradfield |
| 10 yrs BK | Lacey Simpson | Lucy Lee | Laura Brickhill |
| 11 yrs BK | Ella Davey | Heidi Cormack | Clancy Jeffrey |
| 10 yrs FLY | Laura Brickhill | ||
| 11 yrs FLY | Heidi Cormack | Ella Davey | Caitlin Gapes |
| Snr 200 IM | Laura Brickhill |
Boys
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | |
| Jnr 100m FS | Hamish Hughes | ||
| Snr 100m FS | Nash Taylor | Jamal Magann | Jack McCarthy |
| 7 yrs FS | Otis Mills | ||
| 8 yrs FS | Luka Wright | Edward Carter | Ezra Lindsay |
| 9 yrs FS | Hamish Hughes | Jack Wood | Nash Marsters |
| 10 yrs FS | Marcus Hunter | Nash Taylor | Jamal Magann |
| 11 yrs FS | Jack McCarthy | Harrison Behan | James Brodie |
| 7 yrs BS | Otis Mills | Harry Elphick | |
| 8 yrs BS | Edward Carter | VJ Lombardo | |
| 9 Yrs BS | Hamish Hughes | ||
| 10 yrs BS | Jamal Magann | Marcus Hunter | Elliott Cleary |
| 11 yrs BS | Harrison Behan | Nash Loadsman | James Brodie |
| 7 yrs BK | Otis Mills | ||
| 8 yrs BK | Luka Wright | Edward Carter | VJ Lombardo |
| 9 yrs BK | Hamish Hughes | Jack Wood | |
| 10 yrs BK | Jamal Magann | Marcus Hunter | Nash Taylor |
| 11 yrs BK | Jack McCarthy | Harrison Behan | James Brodie |
| 9 yrs FLY | Hamish Hughes | ||
| 10 yrs FLY | Jamal Magann | Elliott Cleary | |
| 11 yrs FLY | Jack McCarthy | Harrison Behan | James Brodie |
| Snr 200 IM | Jamal Magann |
| Age Champion | Boys | Girls |
| 7 years | Otis Mills | |
| 8 years | Edward Carter |
Parker Lee, Stevie Kennedy |
| 9 years | Hamish Hughes | Ella Andrews |
| 10 years | Jamal Magann | Laura Brickhill |
| 11 years | Jack McCarthy | Heidi Cormack |
St Carthage’s Sporting Star Shines on the International Stage!
We are thrilled to share some incredible news about one of our very own students, Billy McCarthy, who has recently achieved an extraordinary milestone. Billy proudly represented Australia as part of the Under-12s Baseball team at the World Cup Qualifier held in Guam last week.
Displaying remarkable talent, sportsmanship, and leadership throughout the tournament, Billy played a pivotal role in his team’s success. The Australian team stormed into the gold medal game with an impressive 19-4 victory against the host nation, Guam. This incredible win secured their spot in the 2025 Baseball World Cup—a fantastic achievement for the team and for Billy!
Billy’s dedication to his sport and ability to inspire and work alongside his teammates have been an inspiration to all of us at St. Carthage’s. His hard work and commitment exemplify the values we strive to instill in our students both on and off the field.
Please join us in congratulating Billy on this outstanding accomplishment. We look forward to cheering him on and watching his journey as he continues to pursue his baseball dreams. Well done, Billy—you’ve made St. Carthage’s School and your community, incredibly proud. Congratulations Billy!
Hockey JUNIOR MARVEL LEAGUE 2025!
A regional school hockey competition for Primary aged students, complete with a full eight week after school program (held on school grounds) with 6 weekly Friday night challenge games on turf. These two parts simultaneously support each other.
1/ 8-Weeks Training – ‘PLAY-ON’ Program: (stages 1 - 3)
o Coaching - 8-weeks, starting Term 1 - Week 2 (10th February 2025)
o After school 3.20 to 4.30pm each week (day and exact time to be decided)
o On school grounds- equipment supplied
o Hockey Starter Kits (Stick, ball & Shin-pad set) available to buy from $30
TRAINING COSTS: $5 per child/session ($40 Total)
2/ Northern Rivers School’s- 6-Week HOCKEY CHALLENGE
o Weekly games – Friday 5.30 – 6.30pm, Starting Term 1 - Week 4 (28th February 2025)
o Challenge Games on Turf (6-weeks) Played at Goonellabah Hockey Fields (Oliver Ave.)
o Full coaching & support
o Modified field size, team size, rules, etc. to suit age and ability.
TURF HIRE COSTS: $5 per child/game ($30 Total)
There is a poster advertising this event in our newsletter. A flyer will be sent home shortly. If you are keen to be involved, please follow the instructions to register your interest.
Colour House Champions
Congratulations to Doyle House who were the winners of our 2024 Colour House Competition. This involved the children playing multisports against the different colour houses over an 8 week period. Points were awarded both for wins and draws. Fair play points were added weekly to each house's total to encourage sportsmanship. Doyle House proved to be the eventual champions. Well done Doyle on an absolutely fantastic year, taking out the major honours in our Swimming, Athletics and Colour House Competition-a very rare treble! Special mention to Patrick House who finished a very close second! You should be proud of your efforts. All houses need to be congratulated for the way they played their weekly competitive sport. I hope the children are looking forward to it next year.
Thank you
As the school comes to a close, I would like to say thank you to the many people who assist in providing a whole range of sport experiences for our students. Thank you to Brendan Tickle, who has been the Leader of Sport for numerous years and has worked tirelessly to provide sporting experiences for the children. To all the St Carthages staff who willingly help out in numerous ways, giving up their personal time and class time to provide sporting opportunities for our kids. It is greatly appreciated by all. In particular, thank you to our wonderful office staff, Amanda Parsons, Stacey Fraser and Warren Whitney who are the backbone of all our sporting experiences- for all the unseen work you do in helping organise and ensuring our children are ready to participate on the day!
Finally, thank you to the staff and students from St John’s Woodlawn and Trinity Catholic College. Both schools are so generous in the ways in which they assist our sports programme throughout the year. Whenever we need assistance, you are so accommodating to our needs. We have appreciated the use of your facilities when required and without you providing students for the different sporting events that we run or attend, many of these experiences would not be able to go ahead. We value our relationship with both schools and are very grateful that they are part of the St Carthage's community.
Billy's Journey with Team Australia in the Oceania Baseball World Cup Qualifiers
Billy has just returned home from Guam, where he competed with Team Australia in the Oceania World Cup Qualifiers. The winner of this regional tournament earned a coveted spot in the 2025 World Cup, set to take place in Taiwan.
Team Australia kicked off the tournament with an impressive 26-1 victory over the Mariana Islands. Billy, who played as the leadoff batter and in centre field, contributed to the dominant performance in the opening game.
Game 2 saw a more challenging contest against the host nation, Guam. The game was tied 2-2 through the fourth inning, but Guam's offense exploded in the later innings, ultimately securing a 12-5 win.
Despite the setback, Team Australia faced a critical situation by day two of the tournament: they needed to win all remaining games to secure qualification for the World Cup. In a must-win Game 3, Billy stepped up to the mound and delivered an outstanding performance. Pitching three complete innings, he struck out eight batters and helped lead the team to a commanding 19-6 victory over the Mariana Islands.
With two games remaining, the path to qualification was clear—Team Australia needed to defeat Guam twice. They delivered, starting with a dominant 16-0 win in Game 1. The team exploded for 14 runs in the third inning, sealing the victory in style.
In the final showdown, Team Australia put on a professional and well-rounded performance. The Aussies scored in every inning, securing a 19-4 win. Billy played a key role in the final, leading off and playing left field in the decisive game.
With the qualifiers behind them, Team Australia now has seven months to continue training and honing their skills in the hope to be reselected ahead of the World Cup in Taiwan next year. As one proud parent summed up the experience, "What an incredible opportunity for this group of 11-year-olds. They’ve forged bonds that will last a lifetime and have set the foundation for baseballers for life."
Swimsations
Swimsations would like to share with our schools our Early Bird offer for the upcoming Holiday Swim Intensives at Goonellabah Sports and Aquatic Centre and Lismore Memorial Baths. These are available for students from preschool to high school, and all abilities.
Swimming is an essential life skill, and the Royal Life Saving Society 2024 National Drowning Report found that although there was a decrease in drownings for children under 5 years old, the drowning figures for children 5-14 years old was 30% above the ten-year average for that age group. The Royal Life Saving Society also reports that more than 40% of primary school leavers cannot swim 50m, which is one of the National Swimming and Water Safety benchmarks. We can ALL work towards bringing the rate of drowning incidents down.
Summer Holiday Swimming Intensives
Intensive swim lessons are a great way to fast-track a child’s swimming. With daily lessons, their learnt skills are fresh and continue to be built daily, with 95% of children moving to higher levels within the week. From beginner levels (Frogs and Seahorses) to competency in Freestyle, Backstroke, and Breaststroke (Stingrays), our Intensive Swim program is held at GSAC and LMB.
The Carnival Clinic at LMB is the best and true value for money. With a daily 2.5-hour session, we will focus on all students need to know for their upcoming school carnivals. We have nutrition talks with a nutrition morning each week, a mini carnival with ribbons, the all-important starts, turns, and finishes, and building on their strokes/endurance. It's loads of fun and a must.
The Swim Intensive info is available Online through the Swimsations on GSAC.net.au and the QR code will link to this page:
The link to an online sign-up form is also on there
https://form.jotform.com/243038079077865
Hockey Holiday Camp
