Issue #20 6th December 2023
Principal's Update
And just like that, another fantastic year of learning has come to an end. I would like to sincerely thank all of you, parents, for your support of our school over the last 12 months. It has been a wonderful year of many activities and celebrations together, carnivals, gala days and our school concert. In 2024 we are have been busily filling our diary with additional opportunities for parents to come into our school; for workshops on Reading, Spelling and Maths, to another Colour Run and school disco, to engaging with parents more deeply around what your children are learning each term in class.
We look forward to seeing you in 2024. Have a wonderful break and a joyous, safe and holy Christmas.
Volunteers: I would like to also thank and acknowledge our PIP Team Leaders, Tenille, Corrine and Eileen. These ladies have worked tirelessly this year leading, organising and coordinating our many school events. In additon to this, so many of you volunteer for stalls, breakfasts and canteen; a school the size of ours would not function without the many parent volunteers. We rely heavily on our parent community and appreciate the many efforts of so many people - THANK YOU!
Year 6: To our Year 6 student group - good luck in high school and enjoy your time ahead. There are so many wonderful opportunities awaiting you. Our Year 6 Thanksgiving Mass will be tomorrow Friday 8th December at 9.15am, and our Guard of Honour will be next Friday 15th at 2.45pm.
Christmas Carols and Christmas Clothes: Next Wednesday evening is our school Christmas Carols. Carols begin at 6pm, with a visit from Santa at 5.30pm. Bring a rug and some snacks: please note, children sit with their class during the singing, not with parents. Next Wednesday, children are encouraged to wear Christmas clothes to school instead of their uniform.
Leaving Staff: I would like to acknowledge and thank a number of staff who leave St Mary's at the end of 2023. During thier time with our school community, they have shown care, understanding and have impacted greatly on the lives of our students. Mrs Lauren Zahra has worked in the canteen, always ensuring our children are well nourished and happy. Thank you for all you have done for our school! Mr Brendan McMahon has capably taught Year 4 in Term 3 and Term 4, while Mrs Maiden has been on maternity leave. Thank you for your kindness and your dedication to our school and your students during this time, and best wishes for your role in 2024 at St Brendan's. Mrs Sammantha Hutchinson has taught Year 5 this year, thank you for always striving to do your best for your students, we appreciate your hard work this year. Miss Jasmine Todd has taught Year 1 this year, and we thank you for your kind and cheerful manner, your dedication to your students and the care you show. Best wishes in your move from the Central Coast. Mrs Megan Laing has been both a classroom teacher and a release teacher at our school over a number of years. Thank you for the patience, professionalism and focus on results. Enjoy your move to OLR. Miss Gioia DiDonato has taught Italian at St Mary's for the last 9 years. Thank you for growing our student's love of language and the passion and for the fun your brought to the lessons. Ciao! Mrs Kellie Walker has been a classroom teacher and member of the school Leadership Team for 9 years. Thank you for your dedication to our school and students, your focus on Wellbeing which you have capably led school-wide and your humour. Your impact on our school has been significant, and you are held in high regard by all those who know you. Best wishes in your new role at St Xavier’s Primary School, Gunnedah. Mrs Liz Bain, your dedicated, compassionate and hard-working nature has been experienced by every single person in our school. You are greatly respected and appreciated by our students, parents and teachers; you are so genuinely interested in every single child’s achievement, and your calm, patient interactions and manner will be sorely missed in the future. Thank you for what you have given our school over the last 23 years and the memories you have fostered in our students. Mrs Debbie Burns has been at St Mary's for 24 years in the role of classroom teacher, Leadership Team member and Literacy Coach. You are an extraordinary teacher, leader and educator at St Mary’s. Thank you for your dedication, your gentle, kind and nurturing personality and your highly effective teaching skills. Mrs Burns leadership and exemplary teaching skills have been instrumental in our school's success in Literacy. You have made such a difference to those who have known you, and we thank you for that. Enjoy your retirement!
Award Ceremony: Yesterday we held our annual Award Ceremony. Below are the recipients of the major awards, our School Parliament for 2024 and Sports Captains for 2024.
Sports Captains for 2024: Abel N, Summer G, Levi M, Ayla C, Harry B, Ayla B, Thomas M and Arlie M.
Rotary Citizenship Awards for 2023: Willow F and Vanessa M.
NSW Blues Award: Elizabeth C for Swimming.
Catholic Values Award: The highly commended awards go to: Milla A, Elizabeth C, Elise C, Olivia D, Sienna G, Oscar L, Darcy M, Vanessa M and Thomas R. The winners of the Catholic Values Shield for 2023 are Beau T and Coco T.
Community Spirit Award: The highly commended awards go to: Isla C, Elizabeth C, Elise C, Olivia D, Kirrilee F, Willow F, Ruby K, Vanessa M and Joshua S. The winner of the Community Spirit Shield for 2023 is Milla Atwell.
Student Parliament 2024: Andy B, Ellie C, Piper E, Louis F, Archer G, Henry H, Sonny I, Aila K, Rhani L, Cochella O, Addison P, Luke P, Stephanie M and Caspian W.
School Captains for 2024: Andy B, Ellie C, Addison P and Luke P.
Semester 2 Reports and Classes 2024: Tomorrow afternoon your child will learn about their class for 2024 and you will receive their Semester Two report via Compass. Please spend time reading your child's report and celebrate their achievements.
REC Update
Second Week of Advent Liturgy - Year 4
Last Monday, Year 4 led us in the Second Week of Advent. The focus of the week was peace. The students did a wonderful job. It was a moving experience for us when our Year 4 students, followed by the whole school joined Zara singing her original piece, "Compassion Is."
Year 5 and Kinder 2024 Sunday Mass
Thank you to our Year 5 students who led our final Sunday Parish Mass so well. The feedback we received from our parishoners on how well you read and sang was outstanding! Our 2024 Kinder students who participated in the offertory procession were so grown up and adorable. They showed everyone how they are ready to begin big school next year. We are so proud of our Year 5 students and know they are going to be great leaders and buddies next year.
Kinder 2024 Welcome Liturgy
Thank you to our Year 5 and Kinder students who led our Kinder 2024 Welcome Liturgy so well. It was wonderful to see you all participating in singing and dancing to The Rainbow Song and These Hands. You are such an inclusive group of students. Thank you to our current Kinder families who provided morning tea for our new Kinder parents. A special thank you to Sam, Amy and Nicole our PEC for setting up the morning tea.
Third Week of Advent - Kinder and Year 1
Thank you to our Kinder and Year 1 students who led our Third Week of Advent Liturgy. The theme was joy. The students did a wonderul job reading and singing. Thank you to Bob Steele from St Vincent DePaul who came and spoke to our students. He was very grateful for all the donations we had collected and called us "Mighty Vinnies" as opposed to "Mini Vinnies" for the tremendous work we do. We are so blessed to have such a generous community who are willing to support those in need.
Congratulations to the following students who received special awards for their dedication and service to our Kids4Community initative.
Silver Award - Summer G, Nikkita C and Addison P.
Gold Award - Mia H, Willow F, Phoebe E and Cynthia A.
In addition to these awards. The following three students were awarded the Blessed Frederic Ozanam Award in sincere appreciation of their proven commitment to bringing diginity, comfort, confidence, hope and joy to thoe who need it most. Congratulations Mia, Phoebe and Cynthia!
Christmas Eve Mass and Nativity
Our children have begun preparing for our Christmas Eve Mass and Nativity play. This will be held Christmas Eve at 6pm. Please join us if you can.