Newsletter 24th September 2025
Principal's Report
“Remember the past with gratitude. Live the present with enthusiasm. Look forward to the future with confidence.” –St. John Paul II
Dear Parents and Guardians
Gratitude at the End of Term
As we reach the end of another term, it's the perfect time to pause and give thanks for the many great moments we've experienced over the past 10 weeks. Whether big or small, these moments contribute to the richness of our shared journey.
Gratitude isn't just a fleeting feeling-it's a mindset. Having an "attitude of gratitude" means making it a habit to express thankfulness and appreciation in all areas of our lives, regularly and intentionally.
Research shows that practicing gratitude is one of the most effective ways to boost overall well-being. It increases contentment, enhances optimism, and brings more joy, enthusiasm, and positive emotions into our lives. At the same time, it can reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression.
As we look back on the term, let's take a moment to acknowledge the good, support one another, and carry forward a spirit of gratitude into the weeks ahead.
At St Cuthbert’s we have many things to be grateful for this term. Here is a snapshot of our term:
- NAIDOC Week Celebrations
- Grandparents and Special persons afternoon
- Catholic Education Week
- Feast of Mary MacKillop
- 5/6 Netball, Football, Gymnastics
- Silent Disco
- Insight Coaching Days - High Impact Teaching Strategy
- Pre-Kinder Program
- Book Week Celebrations
- Re-introduction of Whole School Dance program
- Father’s Day Stall
- Canberra Trip / Grade 5 Camp
- Father’s Day Celebrations / Lantern Awards
- Musical Assemblies
- Athletics Carnival
- Parent Teacher Conversations
- AFL Breakfast
On behalf of the staff at St Cuthbert’s I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the education of our students throughout the term. We really appreciate your generosity and assistance. Hopefully everyone is able to catch their breath over the holidays and return renewed and refreshed for Term 4.
Building Program Update
Work will begin with the demolition of Presentation House, scheduled for the first week of the upcoming school holidays. We’re delighted to once again be partnering with the award-winning architects Morrison and Breytenbach, who were responsible for designing our exceptional Early Years Facility. The project will be built by Maveric Builders, a trusted name within the Catholic Education system and previous contractors at St Cuthbert's.
Access and Parking Changes
As part of this project, there will be no access or parking on Moirunna Road during the demolition and construction period. Families needing to access the Early Years Centre are asked to use one of the following alternative entry points:
- Eastern Highway entrance
- Corinna Road platform
- The gate next to the overpass
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping to keep everyone safe during this time.
Temporary Relocations
Due to the demolition of Presentation House, several services will be temporarily relocated:
- Learning Support and the Sensory Space will operate out of the school library
- Speech Programs will be held in the Early Years Centre
While the library will still be available for Grades 3–6, a temporary library has also been set up in the Early Years Centre to ensure our K-2 students can continue to enjoy library lessons and borrow books throughout the building period.
Project Timeline
The new classroom unit is expected to be completed within 45 weeks. We will keep you updated as milestones are reached and timelines are confirmed.
Playground Development
In even more exciting news, our lower playground redevelopment will also begin over the holiday break. The tender for this project has been awarded to Haven Built, and we look forward to seeing this space transformed for the benefit of all students.
These two major projects represent a significant investment in the future of our school and will greatly enhance our learning environments for students and staff alike.
Thank you for your ongoing patience and support as we undertake these important developments.
Marcus Donnelly
Principal
Religious Education
Grade 3/4 Mass
Grade 3/4 Red and Blue welcomed Fr Kasun into our classrooms to celebrate a full Eucharistic Mass. We were very fortunate to have Fr Kasun explain the parts of the Mass, in particular the Eucharist. Both Grades showed reverence and participated beautifully in the Mass.
Laudatao Si
Last Friday, I was privileged to accompany six Grade 5 students to John Paul the Second school to participate in a workshop program on Ladauto Si- ‘Care for Our Common Home’. The purpose of the program was for students and teachers to deepen their learning journey with Laudato Si’ and Integral Ecology, to experience ‘country’ in dialogue with their faith and to discern how God is wanting us to flourish with creation.
The day began with First Nations storyteller Trish Hodge, NITA Education, acknowledging country and leading us in a smoking ceremony. Trish was then invited to share with us her Aboriginal cultural practices and lived experiences caring for country.
Throughout the day, we were connected with creation, learning about Pope Francis’s teaching on care for our common home, Laudato Si’, and the Gospel of Creation. We engaged with the seven Laudato Si’ Goals and learning about the Laudato Si' Action Platform for schools. We were joined by Archbishop Tony for lunch and the afternoon session, which entailed a tour around the gardens of our host school, who shared with us their incredible gardens and programs they have running through the school to support caring for our creation.
A special thank you must go to Corpus Christi for picking us up on their bus and to JP2, Luch Brighella and Jacqui Remond for running such an inspiring day.
The Lantern Award - Term 3
Each term at St. Cuthbert’s, we celebrate the Lantern Award—a special honour given in the tradition of our foundress, Nano Nagle. Known as the "Lady of the Lantern," Nano walked the streets of Cork, Ireland by lantern light, bringing hope, education, and care to those most in need. Her life was guided not just by words, but by action—“deeds, not words.”
The Lantern Award recognises students who, like Nano, shine their light in quiet but powerful ways. These are students who:
- Show kindness and compassion to others
- Are always ready to help, without being asked
- Demonstrate leadership through their actions
- Encourage and include those around them
- Act as a light for others to follow
These students may not always seek the spotlight, but their actions speak clearly. They inspire their peers and make our school a better, brighter place.
Archie Collins- Citation
This Lantern Award goes to someone who shines their light in quiet, meaningful ways every day. He uses all of the senses God gave him to care for others - his eyes to notice when someone needs help, his mouth to share kind and encouraging words, his hands to help others up when they have fallen, and his ears to listen with a patient heart. This student shines from the inside out, and in doing so, makes our school a warmer, kinder place. We are so proud of you! It is my pleasure to award this term’s Lantern Award to Archie Collins.
Learning and Teaching
Grade 5 Camp
Brixhibition Competition
This year's Brixhibition competition was an outstanding success. We had almost forty entries - an amazing effort from the students and families from the school community. We had to count 230 ballots, with over 900 individual votes, to find our winners. Our Age Group winners were Archie Collins from Kinder-Prep, River Lighten from Grade 1-2, Sadie Curtain from Grade 3-4, and Amelia Potter from Grade 5-6. With over 100 votes for her entry, Amelia was also selected as the Overall Winner and will represent St Cuthbert's at Brixhibition Hobart 2025.
Art News
The Art room is awash in colourful spring Art with out Grade 1/2’s focusing on the work of Ted Harrison. His simple lines in nature and use of Warm and Cool colours created these beautiful sunsets in the Art Room.
Our 3/4 Unit read the book ‘The Wild Robot’ this term as part of their literacy work. The illustrations in the book lead to these amazing collages created by the students - they took the black and white images in the novel and added colour and texture to bring them to life.
P&F News
As Term 3 wraps up, the P&F would like to thank everyone who has helped make our events this term a success. Highlights this term include the Silent Disco, Father’s Day stall, Athletics day contributions, Kinder Welcome days attendance, new sports uniform storage, the Lisa Ford seminars, and our upcoming Footy Day Breakfast. We are so grateful for your support!
Please don’t forget—Qkr is still open for Footy Day Breakfast orders. Pay by tonight (24th) to go in the draw for some great prizes kindly donated to the P&F.
Save the date: our first meeting of Term 4 will be Wednesday, 29th October.
Sporting Achievements
Recently some of our grade 1/2 boys played in the Hobart cup soccer tournament. They made it to the grand final after being undefeated for 6 games. They came runner up in the grand final 1-0. The resilience and teamwork they showed was second to none. Congratulations to the following boys who were in the team:
Angus, Sunny, Tommy, Harvey, Ryan, James, Sebastian, Eli and Rocco.
Finance News
Dear Parents & Guardians
Please find the 2025 Schedule of Fees attached, along with a Payment Arrangement Form, Direct Debit and a Credit Card Authority Form.
Please do not hesitate to contact the school office if you have any queries.
2025_Payment_Arrangements_Form_2_.pdf
2025_CDF_Direct_Debit_Request_Form_1_.pdf
COMPASSPAY
It is possible to view your account balance as well as pay your school fees and some Compass Events, via the Compass Parent App.
Please see the infographics attached which show how to navigate to School Fee payments in your Compass App.
MONTHLY STATEMENTS
Accounts with a balance, or with any movement since the last statement was sent, will receive a statement via email the first week of each month, to the email address registered in Compass for each parent/guardian on the school fee account.
FEE ASSISTANCE
Please remember we have fee assistance and concession card discounts available to anyone in our school community who may need to make use of these. While it may be a difficult conversation, we are here to help. Forms can be sent home on request or contact me for a confidential discussion.
QKR
The QKR App will continue to be an option for payments for Camps, Special Events and P&F Fundraising.
Please get in touch if you have any queries.
Kind regards
Karen Sawyer
Business Manager
Uniform Shop
As advised to our families via Compass on Monday this week, MacKillop Catholic College requires the current uniform shop space at 43 Currajong Street, Mornington, to create a senior study and social area. Due to this, our uniform provider Perm-a-Pleat has advised they will be permanently closing their store at Mornington from 4.30pm this Thursday 25th September 2025.
Perm-a-Pleat are finalising an alternative location in the local area, and will share the new address and reopening date as soon as details have been confirmed.
The shop will likely be closed for a few weeks at the beginning of Term 4, to fit out the new shop. The last days of trade at the current location this week includes;
Tuesday 23rd September from 11am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 24th September from 8am - 1pm
We apologise for any inconvenience to families and look forward to advising you of the new shop reopening date and address.
Permapleat Hobart Retail Outlet
43 Currajong St, Mornington, TAS 7018
Phone: (03) 6240 4420
Email: Hobart.Retail@Permapleat.com.au
2025 School Calendar
Business Directory
We would like to continue to offer school families the opportunity to publicise their business in the 'St Cuthbert's Community Business Directory'.
Our goal is to promote and support members of our school community, with the hope that St Cuthbert's School families may choose to support other St Cuthbert's School families when doing business.
If you would like to add your business to our directory, or update details previously provided, please contact the school office.
_St_Cuthbert_s_Business_Community_Directory_Responses_Form_responses_1_3_.pdf
Parish News
Please see the link below to keep up to date on the latest Parish information.
Community News
Dear Nature Lovers, Join us this Spring for our Nature Holiday Program, trusted by Hobart families since 2018! Children will have the chance to connect with nature, learn fire-by-friction skills, and explore the outdoors in a fun and hands-on way. It’s a great opportunity for them to build confidence, creativity, and resilience while making new friends. Please see the flyer below with all the details.
Come along to a fun family morning at the Warrane Community Garden Springfest 2025!
Community and market stalls,heirloom tomato seedlings, plants and produce sales, scarecrow exhibition, coffee, live music, workshops, line dancing, children's activities, BBQ & more...
Saturday, 18 October, 2025
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Warrane Community Garden
18 Heemskirk Street, Warrane, TAS
Springfest is Warrane Community Garden's seasonal community event and fundraiser. In 2025 year we're continuing to raise funds to construct a Hub building at the garden.
Find all the info here: https://wmnc.org.au/events-one/springfest-2025
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