Issue #5 2nd April 2025
Principal's Update
What a term we have had! Kinder have made it to their first school holidays, and the last forty three days have been filled with learning, fun and wonderful friendships across all of our classes.
Winter uniform will begin in early Term 2 (May 19th), so now is the time to start placing your winter uniform orders to ensure it arrives on time. Remember, all orders can be placed with Midford online, with delivery to school in the following week (when items are in stock).
We invite parents to attend our Holy Week Liturgy led by Andrew Chinn, next Tuesday 8th April at 1.50pm in the church.
Cross Country Thank you to everyone who attended our Cross Country. We had a fantastic morning, full of fun, competitive spirit and a can-do attitude. We are so proud of the children for trying their best over such a long distance. Congratulations to the children who achieved top 6 finisher in the 8/9s, 10s, 11s and 12s. These students will attend the CCC Cross Country at Tuggerah next term, Tuesday 6th May.
8/9 Boys Jordan G, Koa C, Harry G, Cruz C, James D, Heath W. 8/9 Girls Charlotte A, Zarli R, Briella F, Josie M, Isabella W, Kalira W. 10 Boys Leo C, Ollie B, Archie N, Aiden B, Oliver C, Carlos H. 10 Girls Ivie T, Isla M, Eva W, Sienna R, Kohi B, Remi C. 11 Boys Sunny S, Lennox K, Baylen M, Rawson B, Christian P, Van H. 11 Girls Amarli G, Ondine R, Eadie M, Remmi W, Katy-Leigh P, Finley G. 12 Boys Flynn B, Rhys M, Lachlan M, Lachlan B, Isaac B, Flynn R. 12 Girls Maddison R, Evie C, Sienna H, Teyah H, Josie C, Emily A.
A huge thank you to Miss Dawson and our dedicated staff who spent hours planning and organising the event, setting up the field from 6am and then packing away in the rain. We are so privileged to have such committed staff at our school to support your children.
Reconciliation Yesterday, many children in Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 made the Sacrament of First Reconciliation. It was a very special moment for yourselves and your families; Congratulations!
Caritas Our fundraising for Caritas concludes next week. Thank you to the children who donated to their classroom boxes. This year, there is a pizza party for the class that has donated the most into their Caritas boxes in their classrooms.
Easter Hat Parade: This Friday 4th April we will hold our K-2 Easter Hat Parade on the top playground at 9.00am, running for about 20 minutes. Children in Kinder, Year 1 and Year 2 are encouraged to make an Easter Hat at home to wear for the parade.
Easter Raffle: Tickets are on sale this week for our Easter Raffle, capably run by our Mini Vinnies students. Thank you for the Easter Egg donations, which become our prizes. Please keep sending them in – the more donations, the more prizes for the students! Parents, we are after volunteers to wrap/bundle the prizes; if you are available next Tuesday morning (8th) 9-10am, we would appreciate your help. No experience needed!
School Photos School photos are being held next week, 7th and 10th April. April 7th will be class photos and individual photos, and group photos. Sibling photos and make-up individual photos will be on Thursday 10th. All children must wear their full school uniform (not sports) on both of these dates. We are not able to accommodate the many different family requests regarding the times of photos being taken on the day. School photos must be purchased before photo day via Compass. A message from MSP Photography was sent to you yesterday. Purchases are made directly through the Compass App to MSP Photography, and must occur prior to photo day.
Mother's Day Early next term we celebrate our mothers and mother-figures. Mother’s Day breakfast and Mother’s Day stall orders must be completed in advance though the Qkr! App. These orders close on Friday 2nd May. We cannot accept late orders.
Stall: This will be held on Wednesday 7th May. Orders are $10 each and limited to a maximum of two gifts per child.
Breakfast: Catering for breakfast will include either a ham and cheese croissant, plain croissant, or a fruit bowl with optional yoghurt. Breakfast is complimentary. We are only able to cater for mother/mother figures, as well as your St Mary’s school children, and the orders you place on Qkr! should reflect this. Unfortunately, we are unable to cater for older/younger siblings and extended family members. Helpers are needed, please call the office (7256 2143) to register your availability for either Thursday 8th afternoon or Friday 9th morning.
Term 2 Calendar Our Term 2 calendar is attached below. A hard copy will also be sent home later in the week. Please note key events such as Athletics Carnival, Masses, excursions and gala days, as well as the Staff Development Days.
Goal Posts This week has seen our new soccer goal posts, purchased through the fundraising of our Footy Colours Day earlier in the year, being used on the oval. We have two sets of goals, which will be shared across all grades for use on the oval.
Public Speaking Competition and Spelling Bee 2025 This year, two new and exciting competitions will be coming to St Mary’s. We will be extending our Public Speaking Competition (currently only in Year 6) across the school for all grades, Kinder to Year 6. We will also be holding our inaugural Spelling Bee for all students in Kinder to Year 6. Both competitions will have a class/grade and school elements to them. More information will be shared during Term 2.
ANZAC Day Many students will dress in summer uniform and march to the Toukley Green Cenotaph on ANZAC Day, meeting at 9.15am. Please join us.
Broken Bay Trials This week we have seen a number of students trial for Broken Bay Rugby League and Polding Swimming. Well done; League: Noah B, Flynn B, Koa F, Tyde A, Sunny S, Lennox K, Max A, Benji A, Harper J and Baylen M, and Swimming: Flynn B, Ollie B, Oliver C, Rhys M, Jase B and Lachlan B.
Upcoming Dates
Friday 4th K-2 Easter Hat Parade.
Monday 7th School Photo Day. All individual, class and small group photos are taken. All students must be in full summer uniform.
Tuesday 8th Andrew Chinn Holy Week Liturgy. Liturgy begins following lunch (1.50pm). Parents are welcome. All students wear sports uniform with a coloured shirt (each grade has their own colour) to school.
Tuesday 8th Easter Prize Wrapping, 9.00am – parent helpers needed.
Wednesday 9th Year 5 and Year 6 Touch-Tag Gala Day.
Thursday 10th School Photo Day for sibling photos and individual make-up photos. All students must be in full summer uniform.
Thursday 10th Easter Raffle is drawn (parents do not attend this).
Friday 11th Last Day of Term 1.
Wednesday 30th April First day of Term 2
Eileen O’Connor Update Attached is communication from the Principal of Eileen O’Connor Catholic School, Fiona Dignan, regarding support classes for students with a disability on the Central Coast.
From our REC
Holy Week Liturgy - Andrew Chinn
On Tuesday 8th April Australian religious songwriter and singer, Andrew Chinn, will be visiting our school to share his songs with our students. In addition to this, he will be preparing and leading our students in our Holy Week Liturgy. Students will all have a session with him with their class teachers.
So that this is effective, each grade will be learning a designated song and wearing a particular-coloured t-shirt on the day. Students will all wear their sports shorts, joggers and their assigned coloured t-shirts. Details are outlined here: Kindergarten - Purple, Year 1 - Rainbow or Tie Dyed, Year 2 - Blue, Year 3 - Red, Year 4 - Green, Year 5 - Black and Year 6 - White.
ANZAC March 2025
Thank you to all our families who have let us know that they will be attending the ANZAC Day March at Toukley RSL. If you would still like to attend please return your note by the end of the term. Our captains will be laying a wreath. Students are asked to wear their full summer uniform.
Reconciliation
Congratulations to our students who made their first Reconciliation yesterday. It was a wonderful celebration led by Sr Jennifer and Father Tomy. Thank you to Sr Jennifer and her Parish Sacramental Team for preparing our students so well and their parents for continuing their commitment to their children's spiritual and sacramental growth. We pray you continue to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and know saying sorry is a wonderful way to repair relationships with others and God.
Year 2 Sunday Parish Mass
Thank you to our Year 2 families who joined us for Mass on Sunday 23rd March. We were so impressed with how well you read some very tricky readings! We had so many parishoners comment on what a wonderful job you did. You made us and your parents very proud. We were also blessed to celebrate Sr Josie's birthday with her. Thank you to Archie, Eli and Elise who served on the altar.
Stations of the Cross
This year each of our classes have been learning about three of the Stations of the Cross and creating an Artwork. Next week our classes will spend some time in prayer reflecting on the Stations of the Cross. This year our students will experience this through our students artwork. Here is a selection of our talented students from Years 2 - 6 who have completed their artworks.
Sacred Spaces 4 Gold and 3 Gold
Thank you to 4 Gold and 3 Gold students who have shared their learning in Religious Education.
Year 4 shared with us the metaphor from the bible, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener". The fruits are the good things inside ourselves that make us more like God. The students explained how they could live out this particular quality in their everyday life. They also sang a wonderful song encouraging us to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
3 Gold shared with us today that Jesus was a teacher and healer. He reached out to those who needed help. Let us try to be more like Jesus.
Easter Raffle
Raffle tickets will be sold to students in Years 3 to 6 in Week 9. Thank you to all the students in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 who purchased tickets last week. Tickets will be sold before school and at recess time by our Mini Vinnies team members. We are conscious of the cost of living and will also be putting a cap on the amount of tickets each child can purchase. Students can purchase no more than $5 worth of raffle tickets. Raffle tickets are 50c each or three for $1. Students can purchase on multiple days but can not exceed $5 total. Mini Vinnies will have class lists and will write down the number of tickets purchased. Individual tickets will be written out prior to the raffle being drawn.
We are asking for donations for our Easter Raffle. These could be Easter Eggs, chocolate bars or other Easter themed items. Donations will be made into raffle prizes. This initiative is always loved by our students. Please donate if you can.
A message from Sister Jennifer...
Our Parish would like to invite the students and their families to join and participate in our Station of the Cross on Good Friday at 9AM.
We need at least six volunteers to lead the Stations of the Cross. The readings are child-friendly. We will provide the copies of the readings and instructions once we received the final lists of volunteers. This will occur during Week 10.
In addition, any volunteers for the Washing of the Feet on Holy Thursday at 6PM are welcomed. There will be formation & information night on the 14th April, Mon at 6PM, Parish Centre. Please contact Sister Jennifer via email if you are interested. jennifer.canillas@dbb.catholic.edu.au
Canteen Update
With a growing number of students in our school we are always looking for more volunteers to help in our school canteen. Volunteers can be mums, dads or grandparents, and can volunteer as little as 2 hours twice a term. The kids love seeing a familiar face behind the counter serving them! If you would like to volunteer to help in Term 2, please contact the school via phone or email. Thank you, Gina