?The students are able to have an education that?s tailored completely to them.?
By Tim O?Connell
Named in honour of Saint Antony of Padua, the patron saint of fishermen and sailors, the school was founded by the fledgling Italian community at Eastbourne in 1936. Today, with a school roll sitting at just 21, the school maintains the close-knit community feel on which it was originally built. According to Teacher Principal Jenny Stewart, the size of the school and its enviable seaside location gives San Antonio a special environment for the students to learn in. ?I like to think we?re quite boutique in that sense,? she says. ?The students are able to have an education that?s tailored completely to them.? With the roll being so small, the present funding structure of schools means that San Antonio has two teachers. Aside from Mrs Stewart, who teaches the eight new entrants and Year 2 students, the only other teacher is Amy Durrant from Boston. Mrs Stewart says the children have responded well to Ms Durrant?s style of teaching and the new teacher has adapted quickly to the New Zealand curriculum. As a Catholic school, San Antonio?s point of difference, in relation to other schools in the area, is their focus on religious education. Aside from regular visits to the nearby church, the school enjoys close ties with nuns from the local Union of Presentation Sisters. The contribution 85-year-old Sister Clement will be celebrated by the school community at their Easter mass. After years of service to the school and her vocation, Sister Clement is returning to her Ireland, her homeland. The school is already enjoying sporting success this year with three students soon to compete at the interzone swimming competition. Perhaps the most rewarding event for staff and students in the last year was the school production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Mrs Stewart says the whole experience was special for all involved, with audiences blown away by the standard of the show. ?The whole community just got right behind us and were just amazed that five-year-old kids could remember their lines like they did.?
