Issue #1 8th February 2023
Principal's Message
Dear St Mary's School Community,
Welcome back to the new school year. Not only is it a new school year, we have a new newsletter format to share with you. We hope you find it more user friendly. The newsletter will now be sent out fortnightly, to save doubling up on information each week. We will monitor this and change the frequency back to weekly if required.
Welcome, Kinder!
Our new Kinder children began with us last Thursday, and haven't they done well! Great job Ace, Alby, Alivia, Allerah, Arlo, Arthur, Asher, Athena, August, Benjamin, Brianna, Brody, Bruno, Claire, Cooper, Cove, Darcie, Dominic B, Dominic F, Donald, Eddie, Edward, Ella, Elsie, Emma, Everly, Finn, Fletcher, Frankie, George, Grace, Harper E, Harper L, Harriet L, Harriet P, Harrison L, Harrison O, Hendrix, Isla H, Isla K, Iyla, Jack L, Jack W, Jarli, Jasmine B, Jasmine G, Jonas, Jude, Kaia, Koby, Lachlan, Layla, Leonor, Lewis, Liam, Luey, Macie, Major, Matilda, Maya, Nala, Nathan, Nina, Olivia, Riley F, Riley R, Rivah, Rocco, Romeo, Sienna, Sofia, Stella, Taj, Talon, Valentina, Vivien, Xavier, Zachary, Zarlie, Zeplin and Zoe.
Our Year 6 children have also been tremendous role models for their buddies, showing them where to eat, play and helping them settle into 'big school'. Well done!
Swimming Carnival
Next Monday 13th February is our Swimming Carnival, to be held at Mingara for Year 2-6 children. Parents are welcome to attend, but please note the restricted viewing opportunities. To ensure that all children are safe, parents are not permitted into the grandstand or along the sides of the pool. It is simply too crowded and unsafe to do so; during our carnivals, children are busy swimming for the majority of the day. If you choose to attend, please keep in mind that parents will only be able to watch from limited spaces, such as the concrete area between the 50m pool and the 'whirlpool', or from the grass area outside. I realise this is far from ideal but we are short of space once our 360 students plus teachers and helpers are poolside. Thank you for your understanding.
Opening School Mass
Please join us at 9.15am on Friday 17th February for our Opening School Mass. It will be our first Liturgical celebration for the year. We look forward to seeing you there!
Sacred Space
Fortnightly, on a Thursday afternoon, our school comes together for a short assembly. This begins at 1.50pm. Each class has an opportunity to lead our assembly with a Sacred Space item during the year. Your child's teacher will notiify you when this will occur. You are always welcome to join us. We begin this Thursday 9th February with Year 6 leading us.
COVID
If your child tests positive, please notify the school so that we can inform the school community of a positive case. If you or your child has any symptoms (cough, runny nose, sore throat, headache), you must not attend school.
Gates
Our school gates are closed during school hours, opening again for afternoon dismissal at approximately 2.45pm. To come into the school, you will need to walk through one of our two pedestrian gates (Pandora Pde and the carpark next to the oval). You will need to press the button to the intercom and be let in. The top playground gates will be closed during the day. Thank you for your patience as we learn this new system.
Mobile Phones and Smart Watches
A reminder that only children who have permission are able to bring a phone or smart watch to school. These must be left in the office in the morning and are picked up at 3.15pm.
Storytime
We will begin our Storytime next Thursday 16th at 9.00am in our Library. We hope to see younger siblings and new faces join us for a story and craft activity.
Staff Development Day
On Friday 10th March our staff will particiapte in a Staff Development Day focused on 'Rock and Water'. This will be a pupil free day.
Your Thoughts and Prayers
Please keep the Donn Family in your prayers. Lillian (5 Blue) and Amelia (3 Blue) recently lost their great grandmother. May your treasured memories and the strength of our Lord help your family through this difficult time.
Kind regards,
Emma Sellars
Canteen
Our Canteen is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday in 2023 (closed on a Tuesday and Thursday). Please see the up-to-date Canteen Price List here.
First Day of School
REC
Welcome to the 2023 School Year! I hope you had a relaxing and joyful Christmas and New Year Season. I am here to support families in their faith development, so if you have any questions regarding Masses, making Sacraments, connecting with the parish or anything else regarding the religious life of our school, please give me a call.
Reconciliation
Registration for our Parish Sacramental Programme began on Monday 6th February. Students in Year 4 (or above) are invited to receive this sacrament. Your children must be baptised and confirmed. Below is the flyer with any further information.
Sacred Space - Year 6
This Thursday at 1.50pm our Year 6 students will lead us in our first Sacred Space. The theme is our school STARS.
Opening School Mass
Our K-6 Opening School Mass is on Friday 17th February at 9.15am. If you are able to join us, we would love to see you there.
Ash Wednesday Mass
On Wednesday 22nd February we will celebrate Ash Wednesday with a mass. It will begin at 11.30am. Year 4 will be leading this mass and will be taking on the various ministries.
Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent. During this time we prepare for the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Kinder and Year 6 Welcome Mass
On Sunday 26th February Kindergarten and Year 6 students will celebrate mass with our parish community. Year 6 will lead many of the ministries and Kindergarten will be involved with the offertory and will sing a Thanksgiving Song. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet other Kinder families and for our Year 6's to show their leadership qualities!
Regards,
Cath Kyle, REC
Piano Tuition
There are currently vacancies for piano tuition during school hours. Please contact Mr Chris Hochkins for further details. Ph 0414 186 044