Issue #15 13th September 2023
Principal's Update
Concert
What a show! Thank you to our wonderful school community for supporting our concert, 'Flashback, A Musical Journey Spanning Five Decades'. It was tremendous to see the confidence, happiness and pride in the children as they performed last week. We hope you enjoyed it!
Thank you to the PIP Team and all parents who contributed to the lovely thank you morning tea for staff, or who wrote emails of thanks to the staff for their hard work preparing the concert. It was truly appreciated.
Father's Day Stall and Breakfast - Thank you!
A huge thank you to the many parents who helped organise and run the Father's Day Stall or the Father's Day Breakfast BBQ. We value your contribution, days such as these are simply not possible without you - thanks! I would like to particularly mention Maria Mackenzie, Tenille Callaghan, Eileen Cannon and Corinne Intia whose organisation, ordering and preparation was instrumental in the success of the days.
50th Anniversary
Our 50th Anniversary Evening will be a lot of fun! It is upcoming on Saturday 21st October. Please grab some friends and come along for an evening of eating, catching up with friends, music and celebrating. Tickets are only $35. It is a child-free event. Please see the invitation below for more details.
Book Parade
Next Tuesday is our Book Parade. Parents are invited to join us on the top playground from 9.15am to watch your child walk around with their class while in costume. The morning runs for approximately one hour. Please ensure that your child is able to be in their costume for the day, or dresses in layers. Children must still have their school hat for play times.
School Holidays
The last day of term is next Friday 22nd September. Children return for Term 4 on Monday 9th October. Please see below for our updated Term 4 calendar.
Public Speaking Finals
On Monday night, Milla A travelled to Sydney to particiapte in the Public Speaking Diocesan Finals. Milla spoke with confidence and purpose in her prepared and impromptu speech. Congratulations Milla, for reaching the Top 12 in our Diocese.
Change of Date - Kinder 2024 Transition
Please note that one of our Kinder Transition dates have changed. The first Transition, has moved by one day, to now be Tuesday 24th October. All other dates remain the same. My apologies for this change. All Kinder 2024 parents have been notified today via email.
Bus Bay
A reminder that the Bus Bay in our carpark is NOT a Kiss and Drop Zone. You can not pull into this area to drop off your children in the morning or pick up your children in the afternoon.
School Uniform
Thank you to the many families who have ensured that their child is wearing the correct uniform each day to school. Your support is appreciated.
Volunteers - Change of Process
Our Diocese has been in the process of reviewing procedures for all contractors and volunteers engaging with our school. Even if you have previously completed a form in our office, all volunteers must complete an updated online form before volunteering. This includes volunteers helping in our canteen, at stalls, BBQs etc. Once completed, you will be added to our system permanently. You can find the link below. If you don't complete the form prior to your arrival at school, there will be a QR code available in the office which will take you to the form. Please follow the link to complete the form.
From Our PIP Team
Our teacher’s hearts and bellies were full of love and happiness after they were showered with a beautiful morning tea on Monday. The morning tea was provided to say ‘thank you’ and applaud all of their hard work in our school’s concert. A big thank you to the PIP Team parents who could help support this initiative.
REC
Confirmation
Please keep the students preparing for their Confirmation in your prayers. They will be confirmed by Bishop Anthony on Saturday 14th October at 11am.
Year 3 and 5 Sunday Parish Masses - Term 4
Next term Year 3 will be leading the ministries and singing the Thanksgiving Hymn on Sunday 5th November at 9am. This will be an opportunity to celebrate the children confirmed earlier in the term. We encourage all families to bring a plate of food to share with the community after mass. Year 5 will be leading the ministries on Sunday 26th November at 9am. We will be inviting our 2024 Kindergarten students and their families to this mass. This will be a wonderful way to welcome our new kinders into our Parish family. Again, all families are encouraged to bring a plate of food to share after mass with the community.
Sacred Space - Kinder Blue and Kinder White
Next Wednesday, 20th September, Kinder Blue and Kinder White will be sharing their learning in Religious Education. This will begin after lunch at 1.50pm. Please join us if you can.
Father's Day Liturgy
Thank you to all our fathers and father figures for attending our Father's Day Celebration in Week 7. It was wonderful to see so many of you celebrating with us in our church. Thank you to Year 3 and their teachers for preparing and leading the liturgy.
Sport
Broken Bay Athletics Carnival Narrabeen 30th August
Last week Emmanuelle, Teyah, Phoebe, Sienna, Byron, Archer, Kohi, Isabella and Ellie competed against the best athletes from all of the Broken Bay Catholic Schools in the Broken Bay Athletics Carnival. All of our athletes did St Mary's proud racing to the best of their ability against a very strong competition. Emmanuelle, Ellie and Isabella have all qualified for Polding in the 100m. The Polding Athletics trials will be held at Homebush, we wish these girls the very best of luck against all of the Northern NSW Catholic Schools. Our Relay team, Kohi, Archer and Byron were a very reputable 4th or 5th in their events. Congratulations, St Mary's is proud of you all!
Merit and Star Awards
Update from our Parent Engagement Coordinator (PEC)
Did you Know…. Every Thursday is an opportunity to grab a bargain! You can pick up a bag of essential groceries for $10 and the option for bread, fruit & veg & frozen items for reduced sale as well! Most of these items are either surplus or close to use by date, but if they don’t get eaten, they will be thrown in the garbage… what a waste!
The local locations are: Food Bank: Colongra Bay Hall, Colongra Bay Road, Lake Munmorah: 10.00am until sold out. Wyee Community Hub: 20 Gorokan Road, Wyee (the road that goes under the railway line at Wyee train station) 10.00am-1.00pm; free bbq lunch, bring your own bags, open air markets with loads of discounted items for sale. The food hampers with Wyee Community Hub are ‘$10 for around 30-40kg of groceries, fruit & veg, bread, juice & (UHT) milk’ – items in the hamper are dependent upon stock available. When I visited the Wyee Community Hub, I got there at 12.00pm and for $10, I walked away with shopping bags of groceries & a bag of vegies (which included a whole pumpkin & head of cauliflower: pumpkin soup for dinner that night!). Both locations accept cash only, so raid that money box, it will be worth it!
Toukley Neighbourhood Centre Shop at TNC Food Care can make your budget stretch further. They are open Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9am-3pm, and Saturday’s 9am-1pm. They are located at 199 Main Road, Toukley. TNC No Interest Loans are available to help you buy a new fridge, freezer, washing machine, car repairs or medical expenses. Call 4396 1555 to enquire and check your eligibility.
If you know of a family member, school family or friend who would benefit from information or a helping hand at the moment, please leave a message for me at the school. I can provide you with local resources and services that may be of assistance. If I don’t know, I can’t help!!
Take Care…
Nicole Anderson - Parent Engagement Coordinator (PEC) Every Thursday & alternate Wednesday’s
50th Anniversary
Tickets are now on sale for our 50th Anniversary Celebration!
Gather your friends and join us to celebrate 50 years of our wonderful St Mary's community. Enjoy live music and a cocktail-style dinner. All parents (past and present), past students and parishioners are invited.
Purchase your tickets online here:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/.../st-marys-50th...
Please note this is an over 18's event.