School Life

At St Anthony's, we work on developing these qualities in our students as they learn each day; and we observe, assess and report on students' development as holistic learners.

Creative

• Imaginative
• Inquisitive
• Expressive
• Innovative

Personal

• Displays Catholic values
• Displays respect
• Demonstrates personal responsibility
• Adopts a growth mindset

Collaborative

• Relates well with others
• Cooperates
• Communicates effectively
• Listens to and considers the ideas of others

Reflective

• Responds to feedback
• Reflects on learning
• Sets and works towards learning goals
• Monitors own progress

Active Thinker

• Makes connections
• Asks questions to drive learning
• Seeks solutions
• Uses critical thinking strategies

At St Anthony's, all staff seek to model in their professional work, the qualities of lifelong learning that we develop in students.

St Anthony’s Primary follows an inclusive model of learning support. Inclusion is a process whereby the educational needs of all children are met, regardless of ability or disability.

The fundamental responsibility of St Anthony’s school community is to provide opportunities for the achievement of learning outcomes for all students.

In line with the Diocese of Parramatta vision for student services in the 21st century, support is available to any student with learning needs. These needs can range from children with disabilities, including vision impairment, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, specific learning difficulties, behaviour disorders, emotional disturbance, communication/language disorders and physical disability. Children learning English as a Second Language (ESL) and New Arrivals are also supported. Students with special gifts and talents are enriched in their learning, to foster their potential.

Individual Plans are prepared for those children who meet the requirements for Commonwealth Government funding. The Individual Plan records any within-class modifications or adjustments made for the child’s particular learning needs, specific learning support and any additional expectations of parents or carers.

The prime focus of Learning Support is the coordination of a team of specialist teaching staff, counsellors and teacher aides to provide support to classroom teachers using a range of evidence based approaches, including those that are preventative, proactive and strength-based.

The Learning Support Team works within the classrooms to enhance the value of an inclusive environment. They assist in whole class and group activities. Opportunities are also provided to recognise and focus on individual needs.

Regular Team Meetings are organised to discuss and review support needs within each grade. An ongoing tracking and monitoring system is established for every student in the school. At times, there may be a need for further specialised assessments or interventions to highlight specific learning needs.

The goal of Learning Support is to provide classroom teachers with assistance and resource support to promote the learning outcomes of all students.

In addition to the standard teaching programs, St Anthony's provides activities, such as:

• before-school reading activities
• peer mentoring (buddies) for all students
• University of NSW competitions
• Choir
• instrument and vocal music tuition through The Music Bus
• various sporting gala days (e.g. Rugby League, AFL, Basketball, Soccer, Netball, Cricket)

Book Club

Once a term, we distribute Scholastic Book Club’s specially compiled list of reasonably priced books to the children. Details on how to purchase the books are included on the forms. This is an entirely voluntary purchase.

The Family

The Catholic Church asserts the fact that parents are the first teachers of the Catholic faith and tradition to their children. The journey of faith begins at baptism and continues throughout our lives. Parents are supported in undertaking this profound responsibility by relatives and friends, godparents, the Catholic Parish in which they participate, as well as the Catholic school, which provides education within a uniquely Catholic context.

The Local Church

The Bishop of Parramatta has a responsibility to nourish and sustain the faith of all within his diocese.

Much of this is carried out through the work of the local parish. Our parish of St Anthony's, Toongabbie, is led by our parish priest Fr Paul Marshall. Our school is part of the evangelising and missionary work of St Anthony's Parish and the Diocese of Parramatta.

The Catholic School

At St Anthony’s, we believe that Religious Education begins at our birth and continues throughout our lives. Religious Education helps us and our children reflect upon ourselves, our world and our God, in the context of our personal life experiences, the Sacred Scriptures and the Church and its traditions.

As a result of this reflection we are better able to come to know our God more personally and respond to our relationship with God through prayer, our participation in the liturgy and our daily lives.

At St Anthony’s, we strive to present your children with a lived experience of a loving faith community. We help them to reflect upon their experiences of God and also to learn from the model for living that Jesus gave us. This aims to support the way you are passing on your faith to your children at home. The basis of our Religious Education program is the Parramatta Diocesan curriculum document, Sharing Our Story.

Sacraments of Initiation

St Anthony's Primary supports the parish community's parish-based, family-centred approach to sacramental initiation. This process, which is in accordance with diocesan policy, reflects the fact that Confirmation and First Communion complete the journey of initiation into a faith community.

Each family in St Anthony's Parish has the right to decide for itself when its children are ready to complete the sacramental process, which can begin once children reach Year 3 of primary school.

The Sacraments of Penance (a diocesan requirement before the reception of Communion), Confirmation and First Communion are prepared for and celebrated by families within the parish context. Information is sent home through the school each year.

The school also ensures that units of work in the Religious Education curriculum relating to the Sacraments of Initiation, are taught at a time when they will support the parish sacramental process.

For more information about the Sacraments of Initiation, speak to our Religious Education Coordinator, or contact the parish office.

Swimming Carnival

This event is held in Term 4. All children from Kindergarten to Year 6 participate. There are novelty events to cater for beginner swimmers.

Cross Country

This carnival is held during Term 1. The children undergo training in the weeks leading up to the event by gradually building on the distance they run. The Cross Country is held on a school day and all children from Year 2 to Year 6 are expected to participate in this event.

School Athletics Carnival

Held in Term 2, all children from Kindergarten to Year 6 participate in the athletics carnival. The children may nominate to participate in longer distance races or field events, such as long jump, discus, shot-put etc.

In each of these areas, children have the opportunity to compete against other schools at the Zone carnival.