2025, Term 4, Week 2

Principal Message

School Newsletter – Welcome to Term 4!

Welcome back to Term 4!

Last term finished on a high note with the overnight excursions for Years 4, 5, and 6. It’s clear everyone had an amazing time and made some wonderful memories. A huge thank you to all the staff who generously gave their time to make these trips possible.

Our K–2 swimming program was also a great success, helping our younger students gain confidence in the water and develop a lifelong skill.

We kicked off this term with a BANG—our School Bush Dance! What a fantastic night it was, filled with live music, dancing, and even a “massive” hay-throwing fight—so much fun! A big thank you to all our volunteers who ran the barbecue and canteen, and special thanks to Ash and Bianca in the office for organising the event. We also want to give a huge shoutout to Lars, our cleaner, who came in on Saturday to clean up all the hay and get the school sparkling again for Monday morning!

Our MONSTER Raffle is now underway. All funds raised will go towards the new shade sails (currently on order) and to help cover the costs of family events such as Grandparents Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. Thank you for your support!

Next week we’ll be celebrating Book Week, with lots of fun activities planned. Families are warmly invited to join us throughout the week. One of the highlights will be the Book Character Parade and Grandparents and Friends Day, and we can’t wait to welcome lots of visitors to our school.

Students in Years 3–6 are currently enjoying their Sport Electives, which include surfing, paddleboarding, fishing, tennis, lawn bowls, and much more. A big thank you to Miss Annika Dicker for coordinating such an amazing program—she does a fantastic job!

This week we were also visited by Senior Constable Mathew Phillis, our Tweed Police Liaison Officer. He spent the day with us, chatting to students and getting to know our school community. What a wonderful initiative—thank you!

St Ambrose continues to be such a vibrant and exciting school. Our students are given so many opportunities to learn, grow, and have fun while creating lasting memories.

To be kept up to date on what's happening and when, be sure to check our school calendar on the web page. 

We look forward to seeing you around the school!

Warm regards,

Brian Laybutt
Principal

Staff Changes

Mrs Kristi - Lee Baecroft, from Week 4 this term, will be taking Long Service leave up until the end of the year and in 2026 she will be taking leave for the year to pursue other interests. We wish her all the best and look forward to her return in 2027.  Consequently we are currently advertising for an Additional Needs Teacher for 2026.

Mrs Megan Mathews has relinquished her position as Canteen / Uniform coordinator and we are currently advertising for this position.

With Mrs Chelsea Carter being appointed Principal at St Ambrose from 2026 , her Assistant Principal position has been advertised. Interviews will take place next week.

A Sincere Thank You to Megan Mathews

We want to take a moment to acknowledge and express our deep gratitude to Megan Mathews, who has recently finished her role as our School Canteen and Uniform Manager.

For many years, Megan has been an incredible asset to St Ambrose. Her dedicated service and contribution to our community have been truly significant and immensely valuable.

Megan went above and beyond in her role, particularly in setting up our Uniform Room and its operations, often volunteering her own time to establish the efficient system we have today. Similarly, she ran our Canteen efficiently, ensuring it consistently met all Council and regulatory requirements.

We greatly respect and appreciate the incredible job Megan has done over so many years. Please join us in thanking Megan for her tireless work and wishing her all the very best for her future endeavors.

Important Update: School Canteen & Uniform Shop

Dear St Ambrose Families,

We are writing to follow up on our recent notice regarding the School Canteen. As you know, the Canteen has not been operational this week due to circumstances that were, unfortunately, out of our control. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused your family.

Consequently, we are now actively recruiting for a School Canteen / Uniform Coordinator.

We are working hard to have the Canteen operational again next week, though the available days may vary initially. Once the new schedule is confirmed, we will notify you immediately.

If you, or anyone you know, is interested in this vital role, please note:

• Further details and the full position description are available on the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Website.
  

• All applications for this role must be submitted through the Diocesan website. Applications dropped off at the school Office or sent directly to the school will not be accepted.

Thank you for your understanding as we work through this transition!

Yours sincerely,

Brian Laybutt
Principal

Canteen Open

Important Dates

Is your child returning in 2026 ?

It is the time of the year where we begin planning classes and staffing for 2026. To assist with preparation, we need to know who is NOT returning to St Ambrose next year. Information is sought for any student who will not be returning in 2026.

Please advise in writing your plans and details on sapot@lism.catholic.edu.au or contact us on 02 66760099 as soon as possible.

Assembly

Weekly Awards

Our next School/Parish Mass - Sunday 26th October

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

Shared morning tea will follow Mass – If you can bring a plate that would be great. Thank you

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.

Staff Retreat Day 2025

At the end of the last term, the staff came together for a wonderful retreat day that involved time for personal spirituality and reflection. We also shared wonderful discussions based on Bishop Greg’s presentations on, Making Space for Prayer, Prayer as Relationship and Prayer as Friendship

October: The month of THE HOLY ROSARY

Traditionally, the Catholic Church dedicates the month of October to the Holy Rosary, one of the most well-known Catholic devotions. October also features the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7. The most meaningful way to observe this month is, of course, by praying the Rosary.

Prayer serves as a means for us to connect with God and nurture our relationship with Him. Through prayer, we not only speak with God but also listen as He communicates with us. As we continue to pray, our bond with God deepens and grows stronger.

Solemnity of All Saints

(All Saints day) on Saturday 1^st Nov. and Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day) on Sunday 2^nd Nov.

Christmas Appeal

Soctober

New Resource for Families: Supporting Children Through Grief and Loss

We know that grief and loss can be some of the most difficult experiences for children to face. To support families in having these important conversations, a series of videos and resources has been created for parents and carers.

These resources, which focus on bereavement, are now available in the Parent Resource Centre Link.

We encourage you to explore these materials and use them to support your child during times of loss. If you have any concerns about how your child is coping, please share them with us so we can work together to provide the care and support they need.

Parish Newsletter

Book Character Parade and Grandparents & Friend's Day

Monster Raffle

Our school's major fundraiser is here, and we need your help to make it a huge success! Our goal is for every family to sell at least 10 tickets.

This fundraiser will contribute toward the cost of our our school barbecue facilities and fund school events - Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Grandparents/Friends Day, St Ambrose Feast Day, etc. and your participation makes a real difference.

If you are unsure of your Unique Family Number, please contact the school office.

Thank you for your ongoing support!

Bush Dance - Thank you

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St Ambrose Got Talent

Friday 7th November 
Rehearsal - St Ambrose Has Got Talent (9 am - 11 am)

Costumes/props/music are REQUIRED. There will be no spectators for the practice. 

The Talent Show will be held in the hall Friday 14th November (Week 5) at 1.30 pm. All parents and friends are invited to attend

Years 3 & 4 Excursion: Murwillumbah Theatre Production Performance

On Friday, we went on an awesome trip to see the play Tilly's Time Machine!

It was such a fun day out. The stage had a really clever time machine set, and the actors were so funny. Everyone was laughing so loud, and I loved being part of the whole crowd.

Tilly's story about her dad getting stuck in the past was really exciting! I was cheering for her and hoping they’d make it back in time. Seeing the whole adventure happen live was the best! 

Save the Date - 1.30pm Friday 28th November

The School Community Group invites all parents to enjoy light refreshments and presentation in the hall for Brian's Farwell. 

Followed by Classroom Showcase.

NSWPSSA Athletics Championships

On Wednesday, 22nd and Thursday, 23rd October, Eden, Talin, Henry, Bronson, and Thomas travelled to Sydney Olympic Park to compete in the PSSA Athletics Championships. Our students represented Polding, one of 14 associations competing from across NSW. Eden, Talin, Henry, Bronson, and Thomas competed in their track events alongside a total of 500 athletes across NSW. Track conditions were extremely hot over the two days, and our students' determination and sportsmanship were outstanding.  

• Eden competed in the 800m Track event and placed 3rd in her heat and 15th overall! 
• Talin, Henry, Bronson, and Thomas competed in the Junior Boys Relay and came 2nd in their heat. The boys qualified to compete in the final and finished 9th overall!

Please congratulate Eden, Talin, Henry, Bronson, and Thomas for their outstanding achievements. St Ambrose is incredibly proud of the dedication, training, and athleticism you have all shown.

Summer Sport Trials - Cricket

Last Wednesday, seven students attended the Tweed Zone Cricket trials in Kingscliff. Our students competed against other students from across our region, all vying for a spot in the Tweed Zone Cricket team.

Each student played and bowled to the best of their ability, representing St Ambrose with great sportsmanship and skill.

A massive congratulations to Flynn, Henry, and James, who have been selected to represent the Tweed Region in Lismore at the Diocesan selections on Friday, 7th November. We wish them all the best!

Upcoming Sport Dates

Student Reports

On Wednesday 12th November School Reports will be issued to all families via Compass. These are a Progress Report and not a Semester Report, they reflect your child’s learning and understanding to this point in time. Following the reports, interview times will be made available in Compass if you wish to meet with your child’s class teacher. Note, interviews are not compulsory. 

The following guidelines are in place regarding Parent / Teacher interviews:

• If you have questions/queries/concerns regarding your child’s report please make an appointment.

• Teachers have already met with many parents to discuss their child’s progress. Therefore, if you have already had a meeting, there is no need to schedule another, as your child's teacher has provided you with the most recent information about your child.

• If you are happy with your child's progress, for example, as evidenced through the school report, discussions with your child, Seesaw work samples or having attended the "showcase" afternoons -  a parent / teacher interview may not be necessary.

• If the teacher is concerned or wants to speak with you regarding your child’s progress they will contact you so as to ensure an appointment is made.

Chelsea Carter

Assistant Principal- Learning & Teaching

Social Media Restrictions

New social media age restrictions take effect on 10 December. This legislation is a delay, not a ban, designed to give young people under 16 more time to develop crucial digital skills and maturity before facing the pressures of age-restricted platforms. 

In our upcoming newsletters we will be sharing materials that offer practical advice for parents on how to have gentle conversations with their children about potential feelings of Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), conduct a joint social media check, create a Family Device Agreement, and access further support from the eSafety website. 

Apply for a school travel pass

Applications for next year open at the start of Term 4 this year.

Eligible cards are automatically updated for the new school year, so you'll only need to apply if you're:

• applying for a school travel pass for the first time
• changing name, school and/or address, or
• requesting an extra pass as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation.

You can apply for free school travel for different modes of transport, including trains, buses, ferries, and light rail, using the online form.

A new way of preparing teachers comes to our schools

From 2026, our Catholic Schools in Tweed Heads, Pottsville and Coffs Harbour will be part of an exciting new program with Southern Cross University that reimagines how teachers are trained.

The Reimagining Teacher Education (RiTE) initiative will see Master of Teaching students learning in classrooms from the very first week of their studies. Instead of waiting until the end of their degree to gain experience, these Associate Teachers will spend two days a week in schools throughout their training.

What this means for our Catholic schools

• Extra support in classrooms for teachers and students.
• Fresh energy and ideas from aspiring teachers.
• Strong mentoring links between experienced staff and the next generation of educators.
  

Adam Spencer, Director of Catholic Schools, says our schools are looking forward to welcoming these student teachers. “Our students and staff will benefit from the added support and new perspectives, while these future teachers gain valuable experience in a real school community.”

Thinking of becoming a teacher?

If you’ve ever thought about teaching, this could be the time. Enrolments in the Southern Cross University Master of Teaching opens on 11 November 2025 with classes commencing early March 2026. With the RiTE program, you’ll not only study but also gain practical experience in our Catholic Schools from the start.

Find out more at: SCU Master of Teaching

Free Parent Webinar: Logged Off - Navigating the Social Media Ban with Your Child.

This free webinar by Jocelyn Brewer, psychologist and cyber educator, which will help families:

• Understand why the ban has been introduced and what platforms are included/exempt.
• Explore privacy issues and age verification technology.
• Plan with their teens how to back up digital memories, audit current use, and manage alternatives.
• Anticipate unintended consequences, such as circumvention, isolation, or reliance on riskier platforms.
• Build family technology agreements and digital resilience that extend beyond social media.

Free Online Program to Support Children’s Mental Health

Are you a parent, grandparent, carer or other adult living in a regional, rural area, or supporting a child aged 10–13 who has unmet mental health needs? Southern Cross University is offering a free online education program designed to help you better support the mental health needs of the children in your care.

The program includes flexible online learning and a weekly 90-minute group session led by experienced mental health clinicians. It has been co-designed by parents, carers, teachers, and children’s mental health experts.

Participants will also be contributing to valuable research that aims to strengthen community responses to children’s wellbeing. Those complete the program and the survey at the end will receive a $50.00 voucher. 

To learn more or express interest, please email Professor John Hurley at john.hurley@scu.edu.au.

Year 6 Canberra Trip

Before the holidays our Year 6 students undertook an educational tour of the national capital. They were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage, and democracy.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion, the Australian Government contributes funding to our school in the amount of $90 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion and was taken into account when the trip was costed.

Community News

Aussie Hoops Program