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Issue #9 7th June 2023

Principal's Update

Canberra

And we're off! This morning I was lucky enough to travel with Year 6 as they headed off to explore our nation's capital for three days and two nights. It will be lots of fun, although the weather will be cold. The War Memorial, Parliament House, Old Parliament House, Questacon and AIS will, as always, be the highlights. Have a great time, girls and boys!

Athletics Carnival

Yesterday you would have received the details and permission note for our K-6 Athletics Carnival (via Compass). Please complete this permission note as soon as possible. It is a compulsory day for all students to attend. The day will be held at Mingara on Wednesday 28th June. Unfortunately, due to the nature of our carnival, parents are encouraged to attend and watch, however must do so by remaining on the perimeter of the track, not inside the field.

Staff Development Day/Last Day of Term 2

Our last day for students this term is Thursday 29th June. On Friday 30th June our staff will attend a system-wide Staff Development Day, alongside our colleagues in other Broken Bay Diocese schools. School returns on Monday July 17th.

Gala Days

Year 6 and Year 5 both have upcoming gala days for Touch Footy and Soccer this term. Enjoy!

Toukley Pre-School

Next week some students from Toukley Pre-School will attend St Mary's to share in Fruit Break with some of our Kinder students. We are excited to welcome our guests.

Next week, a number of Year 6 students will attend Toukley Pre-School to help the preschoolers with some gardening. We know you will be fantastic role models!

School Reports and Parent/Teacher Meetings

Semester 1 School Reports will go home (via Compass) next Friday 16th June. During the week of Monday 19th June, our teachers will hold meetings with parents to discuss your child's effort and learning.

A reminder; this year, on Wednesday 21st June, all teachers will have Parent/Teacher Meeting times available between 12.15pm and 6.00pm. To allow for this to happen, children will be supervised as a grade and watch a movie between 12.15pm-1.00pm and 2.00pm-3.15pm (lunch is as usual). If you attend a Parent/Teacher Meeting with a teacher during this time, you can pick up your child early.

Time Capsule

The 25 year old school time capsule is set to be opened! On Thursday 22nd June at 1.50pm, we will be opening up the time capsule as a whole school. What treasures will be inside?! Parents are welcome to join us for this special occasion. Later in the year, we will create and seal our own capsule, to be opened in many years time.

First Eucharist

Please keep the children who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist in your prayers. They make this Sacrament on June 17th and 18th.

Winter Appeal

Our Winter Appeal finishes soon. If you have clothes, blankets or other warm used (but still in good condition) items, please send them in with your child by next Friday 16th June. Our Mini Vinnies Team will be donating these for local distribution.

Year 6 Graduation Committee Meeting
The Year 6 Parent Graduation Committee will be meeting next Wednesday 14th June, straight after school. All parents and carers of Year 6 students are invited to attend and help discuss, plan and coordinate the graduation evening. Please meet at the school office at 3.30pm if you can attend.

COVID

Now that Winter is upon us and illnesses increase, please only send your child to school if they are well. If your child has a temperature, sore throat, headache or other flu-like symptoms, they must stay home. Only attend school when symptom-free, this keeps everyone safe and stops the spread of germs. Our school continues to keep up with the COVID Smart Measures. If your child tests positive for COVID, please contact the school so that we can notify the school community. People exposed to COVID-19 should follow NSW Health guidance and test to identify the infection early even if they are not experiencing any symptoms.

50th Anniversary Dinner and Dance

The Parent Team and our Marketing Officer, Brooke, will send out details for the 50th Anniversary Dinner and Dance in the coming weeks. Our 50th Anniversary dinner and dance that was set for later this month has been moved to Term 4.

PIP Team say 'Thanks'!

Our PIP Team would like to say 'thank you' to the many hands that supported our Feast Day BBQ! We really appreciate the efforts and especially the organisation from Corrine and Eileen to ensure all the kids received their delicious snag sandwich! What a wonderful school we have with the community support that allows for these special times of celebration.

Thank you, the PIP Team.

REC

Sacred Space 4 Green and 4 Gold

Tomorrow our students in 4 Green and 4 Gold will share their learning in Religious Education. This will begin at 1.50pm. If you are available we would love for you to join us.

Sacred Space 1 Green and 1 Blue

Next Thursday, 15th June, 1 Green and 1 Blue will share their learning in Religious Education. They have been learning about the Holy Spirit, particularly in Baptism. Our Sacred Space will begin at 1.50pm. Please join us if you are free.

Sacred Heart Mass

Our Kindergarten students and Mini Vinnies Leaders will be leading our Sacred Heart Mass. This will be held on Friday 16th June at 9.15am in the church. Bob Steele, from Mini Vinnies, will be in attendance to receive all our wonderful Winter Appeal donations. If you are availble we would love for you to join us.

First Eucharist

Many of our students will be celebrating their Eucharist next weekend. If you haven't let the Parish office know of the mass you will be attending, please do this asap. Please keep these children in our prayers as they continue to prepare to for their First Eucharist. We look forward to celebrating mass with you in the coming weeks and months where you are able to receive the body and blood of Jesus.

ICAS Assessments

We are delighted to inform you that our school will again be participating in the ICAS competitions later this year. ICAS is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students' higher order thinking and problem solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee and Digital Technologies.

A Compass message will come out to all families with students in Years 2-6 this week. There will be a parent code and a link allowing you to purchase tests that you would like your child/ren to sit. This is not compulsory and is aimed at our more capable students. You may choose to do all the tests, a couple of them or none at all. The tests range in price from $19.25 to $23.65.

The tests will not be held in class time. They will be held before school in the library. Students will be asked to be at school by 8am on the testing days. Ms Gray will administer the assessments. The ICAS tests will take place in Term 3 from Week 4 till Week 7. Specific days will be given in the Compass message.

PE News

Archie W - NSW All Schools Hockey Championships - Tamworth

As we know Archie qualified as the youngest player to make the Polding Team. He is 9 and he played against kids who were 11 and 12 - much bigger, stronger and with experience that comes with age. In saying that, Archie has had an amazing experience. His team had 3 wins and 3 losses. This sent them to a play off for 7^th against Sydney North which they won. Archie scored 3 of the team's 8 goals including 1 on his birthday!!! He made lots of new friends, learnt alot and enjoyed the challenge of being tackled by boys nearly twice his size. Archie loved that his class and teacher Mrs Jones tuned in on the livestream and got to watch him play and score 2 goals.

Congratulations Archie! St Mary's is so proud of you!!!