2025, Term 1, Week 1 Bulletin
Principal Message
Dear Students and Families of St Ambrose Primary School,
Welcome to the 2025 school year! I trust that you have all enjoyed a restful holiday and are now rejuvenated, ready to embark on an exciting and challenging year ahead.
Below I have attached a short story about “Geese”. It is a wonderful example of how they work together and support each other through their journey. The story highlights to us that sharing a common direction and supporting each other enhances collective efficiency and success. Mother nature has so many stories that we can all learn from!
As a school our core values—Respectful, Responsible, and Courageous—are integral to our school culture. We believe that by embodying these principles, we create a supportive and inclusive environment where every student can thrive.
At St Ambrose, our educational journey is deeply rooted in Catholic values and traditions. Our mission is to serve the spiritual, academic, and personal needs of our students and their families, providing a quality Catholic education that fosters creativity, divergent thinking, and the skills needed to meet the challenges of a changing world.
We are committed to creating a nurturing environment where kindness, honesty, and a welcoming spirit are at the forefront of our interactions. By embracing these virtues, we aim to cultivate a community where each individual feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.
As we step into this new academic year, let us carry forward the spirit of unity and dedication that defines our community. Together, we will navigate the challenges and celebrate the successes that lie ahead, always guided by our shared faith and commitment to excellence.
Wishing you all a blessed and fruitful year.
Warm regards,
Brian Laybutt
Principal
The Goose
If you see Geese heading south for the winter, flying along in V formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way: as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in V formation the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.
People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.
If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are.
When the Head Goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.
It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs with people or with geese flying.
Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
What do we say when we honk from behind?
Finally, and this is important, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gunshots and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly, or until it dies. Only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their group.
If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other.
Newsletter
Our School Newsletter will be distributed next Friday and every fortnight thereafter. I encourage you strongly to read the newsletter as it is a primary source of communicating school information and upcoming events.
Next week's newsletter will be much more comprehensive, including calendar dates, upcoming events and detailed school news.
Starting & Finishing Times
Please be reminded school commences at 8.55am and concludes at 3.05pm. We encourage students to arrive at school from 8.25am onwards.
Teacher Supervision
Students will be supervised in the morning from 8.25a.m. Students who arrive before 8.25a.m. must remain seated until the teacher comes on duty as they will NOT BE SUPERVISED. If students arrive before 8.05 a.m. they should be directed to Before School Care.
In the afternoon, the bell is sounded at 3.05 p.m. Supervision is provided at the PICK UP area, Bus Shelter and at the Pedestrian crossing. If parents are running late for pick up, students wait at the Office until they are picked up or contact is made with a carer.
Parent/Teacher Meet and Greet
Over the next few weeks teachers will be inviting all families to come and meet with them, one on one to meet the teacher and share insights about your child's learning. I encourage all families to take up this opportunity.
2025 Calendar
Many of our dates for 2025 have now been entered into our School Calendar. These include return to school dates, Pupil Free Days, Grandparents Day, school holidays etc.
I encourage all families to familiarise themselves with the calendar and school events.
School Parish Mass
This Sunday 9th February is our first School Parish Mass for the year.
At this mass celebration Staff from St Ambrose will be pledging their commitment and will receive a blessing.
STS MARY & AMBROSE CHURCH, POTTSVILLE SCHOOL FAMILY/ PARISH MASS CELEBRATION 7:30am
We hope to see many St Ambrose families at this Mass celebration.
At this Mass celebration staff from St Ambrose will be attending to the ministry duties and there will be children’s liturgy.