Issue #19 22nd November 2023
Principal's Update
Year 6 and Parliament 2024
In our school, we hold the expectation that every single child in Year 6 is a leader of St Mary's. They are, collectively and individually, role models for the rest of the school with their outstanding behaviour, listening skills, upholding our school motto of 'Faith, Love and Understanding', setting high standards for the way they treat others and being key members of our school who help to 'set the tone' for the younger students. This is important to us. In addition to this, we have a number of Year 6 students who hold positions in our School Parliament. Congratulations to Andy B, Ellie C, Piper E, Louis F, Archer G, Henry H, Sonny I, Aila K, Rhani L, Coco O, Addi P and Luke P.
Our Sports Captains and Year 5 2024 Student Parliament representatives will be finalised in the coming week and announced at our Award Ceremony.
Welcome Kinder 2024
Next week we welcome our Kinder 2024 group to our school. It is a special time of the year for our Kinder children and thier families. We hope your next seven years in your new school will be times of happiness, fun and learning.
Please join me in warmly welcoming the following students to our school community: Louie, Pia, Parker, Rory, Billie, Vaida, Lanikai, Miles, Evie A, Ada, Jay, Havanna, Nash, Ace, Tyson, Koa C, Corbyn, Sally, Santino, Kyan, Ruby, Lucca, James, Grayson, Zahli, Effie, Liam, Reggie, Costa, Jimmy, Harry, Jake, Odin, Oliver, Sam, Will, Priyah, Lexi, Asher, Evie J, Thomas, Evie K, Zander, Cruz, Harvey, Jay Jay, Kiarni, Koa M, Manix, Harlie, Lily, Lacey, Penelope, Katea, Jenson, Domynick, Boston, Leo, Brianna, Elki, Kingston, Lolaina, Reyna, Hannah, Bodhi, Lara, Finch, Kyron, Sonny, Patrick, Daxton and Archie.
Morning Tea - Help needed from Kinder Families
Traditionally, our current Kinder families provide a plate for morning tea for our incoming Kinder families to enjoy during their last Transition Day. This morning tea will be held next Wednesday 29th November. We are asking for your help in providing morning tea on the 29th with single serve items that are nut free. These can be dropped off to the office in the morning. We are also hoping for some parent help in setting up the morning tea (at approximately 9.00am). Please call the school office if you are able to help with set up.
Christmas Carols
Our Christmas Carols evening is fast approaching. Please see the invitation below and make sure you have December 13th in your diary. We look forward to seeing so many families gathered on our oval for a fun and festive evening.
Choir
This year, once again, our Choir children will be performing at 'Tinsel Time in Toukley' on Saturday 2nd December. We invite you to come along and watch them perform!
Thoughts and Prayers
Please keep the Briggs family (Vivian, 1 Blue and Harrison 4 Green) in your thoughts and prayers. Vivien and Harrison's great grandmother passed away earlier this week. May your treasured memories give you comfort during this difficult time.
Dates for 2023 and 2024
Week 8: Advent Liturgy #2 (27/11), Kinder 2024 Welcome Liturgy (29/11).
Week 9: Advent Liturgy #3 (4/12), K-2 In-class awards (4/12), K-6 Award Ceremony (6/12), Year 6 Thanksgiving Mass (8/12), School reports go home (8/12).
Week 10: Advent Liturgy #4 (11/12), Year 6 Graduation Dinner (11/12) Christmas Carols Evening (13/12).
2024: Year 1-6 students return for their first day on Wednesday 31st January. Kinder begin on Friday 2nd February.
Congratulations Willow and Vanessa
REC update
1st Week of Advent
Year 2 and 3 led us beautifully in our 1st Week of Advent Liturgy on Monday afternoon. They sang, read and acted out the scene just beautifully. It was a wonderful way to begin this season of Advent.
Advent Liturgies
Next Monday at 2pm, Year 4 will lead the school in our 2nd Week of Advent Liturgies. Following Year 4, on the 4th of December Kindergarten and Year 1 will lead the school in our 3rd Week of Advent Liturgy. During this liturgy Bob Steele from St Vincent DePaul will come and collect our donations to support families during this Christmas Season. He will be handing out our Kid4Community Awards as well. On Monday 11th December, Year 5 will conclude our Advent Liturgies. All our liturgies will occur on a Monday at 2pm in the church. We would love to see you there!
Year 5 Parish Mass
This Sunday our Year 5 students will be leading the ministries at our Sunday Parish Mass. We have invited all our 2024 Kindergarten students to come along. Our Year 5 students will be reading and singing. Could all families please bring a plate of food to share after mass. This will be a wonderful opportunity to welcome many of our new and existing families into our Parish community.
Christmas Eve Children's Mass and Nativity
Each year many of our students are involved in the Parish Christmas Nativity. There are many posters up around the school where you can scan the QR code and sign up for this. It is always a wonderful opportunity to get involved at Christmas time.
Christmas Hampers
Each year we support St Vincent DePaul by creating hampers to be donated to families in our local commnuity doing it tough. Thank you to all our families who have already so generously donated. We will be collecting items until the end of Week 8. We will present Bob Steele, a representative from St Vincent DePaul our donations. With the help of his team, he will deliver these to those in need.
Paint and Chat
If you are free next Thursday 30th November at 2pm, we would love your support to paint more wooden dolls for our Year 2 Religious Education Resources. The new RE curriculum moves to Year 2 in 2024 and we have many characters to paint. You don't have to be experienced, there is a clear painting guide.
Sacramental Program 2024
Our Parish has opened up booking for Reconciliation and Holy Communion Enrolment for all children who have been confirmed. Reconciliation classes will begin in February next year.