Issue #2 21st February 2024
Principal's Update
Swimming Carnival
Congratulations Red House on your win at last Monday’s swimming carnival. Our students are to be commended on their fantastic behaviour and sportsmanship and have-a-go attitude. We appreciate the hard work of the many parent helpers and St Brigid’s helpers; without your volunteering, events like this would not be possible. A special thank you also to our PE Coordinator, Miss Dawson, for her hard work and organisation of this terrific event.
CCC Swimmers
Congratulations to the 34 students who represented St Mary’s at the CCC Carnival on Monday. We were impressed by your dedication and attitude. Your tremendous swimming results ensured St Mary's was placed 2nd overall for the meet! Special congratulations to those students who were successful in making it through to the Broken Bay Swim Team; Harry B (200m IM, 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly), Ollie B (50m freestyle), Flynn B (50m butterfly, 50m backstroke and 50m breaststroke), Archie M (50m breaststroke), Rhani L, Lillian D, Summer G and Mia S (4x50m freestyle relay) and Byron H, Harry B, Flynn B and Archie M (4x50m freestyle relay). Harry B was also named Age Division Champion of the meet. Congratulations!
Welcome Sr Jiji!
I would like to warmly welcome Sr Jennifer (Sr Jiji) to our school. Sr Jiji has worked with MacKillop for the last few years, and we are excited that she will join us at St Mary’s each Tuesday. Please make her feel welcome and say hello when you see her around!
Mural
Have you seen our FANTASTIC new mural? We are so excited that @this_is_myhappyplace was able to brighten our playground area with a new mural that celebrates many elements of our school community.
Staff Development Days
As you would have read in previous communications, we have two Staff Development Days this term. Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd April will be pupil free days, while teachers receive professional learning on our new curriculum. Thank you for your understanding, I realise the strain it can add to families to find alternate care for your children. Hopefully you can enjoy an extra-long Easter long weekend.
Kinder Parent Workshop
This afternoon (2.20pm), and again this evening (5.00pm), our Kinder Parents will all be at school to participate in a parent workshop, learning about reading at home with their Kinder child and ways to support their learning. Our Literacy Coach, Kinder teachers and I look forward to working in partnership with you; thank you for attending and making your child’s learning a priority.
My Body Can! Parent Workshop
You are invited to attend the ‘My Body Can!’ Workshop held here next Wednesday (28th, 5.30pm) and Thursday (29th, 1.00pm). The workshop will be run by one of our school counsellors, Verona and our PEC, Nicole. Please see the flyer below for more information about this worthwhile workshop.
Kinder 2025
Our Open Day for Kinder 2025 will be held on Tuesday 5th March, from 4.00pm. Enrolment applications are invited from this date. Classes fill quickly, so if you have a child turning 5 years old this year and you are looking for them begin at St Mary’s next year, please contact the office early in March.
School Carpark Safety
There are several parents who are still dropping off into the bus bay of a morning or pulling up near the oval to drop off. There are also parents who continue to park in spots that are not designated parking spots in the afternoon for pickup, or who park in the bus bay. While this continues, it increases the risk to our children. Please follow our carpark rules, and park rear to curb in a parking spot to drop off and pick up your children.
Residential Address
If you have moved or changed phone numbers, could you please email the office to update your residential address, phone number or emergency contacts.
Online Behaviour - Parents
I would like to remind parents that if there is ever a question, comment or issue around our children or a school event, please call the school to talk to a staff member. There have been instances I am aware of, where parents have talked in a negative way about the school on social media and closed parent forums, eg Messenger. Much information that is spread has been false. Your questions, queries and feedback are always welcome. I acknowledge there may be occasions when parents need to express a genuine concern. I am always open to hearing about any issues or receiving feedback which is delivered appropriately and focused on a shared desire for a respectful resolution.
Cinema Under the Stars
Our PIP Team are excited to be hosting our Cinema Under the Stars evening on our school oval on Friday 5th April. More information to come in the following weeks, but please, save the date!
Fire Drill and Lockdown Drill
Each term our school practices a Fire Drill and Lockdown Drill with our students, to ensure that in the case of an emergency we have a clear understanding of what to do and how to act. Your child may come home and discuss this with you, please do not be alarmed.
REC Update
Year 6 and Kinder Welcome Mass - Sunday 25th February at 9am
This Sunday Year 6 and Kindergarten will be leading the ministries at our Parish Sunday Mass. This will begin at 9am. Kindergarten having been preparing a Thanksgiving Hymn to share with everyone. Please bring a plate of food to share for morning tea after Mass. We look forward to seeing everyone there.
Opening School Mass
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Opening School Mass. This was a wonderful celebration. All of our Year 6 students and Year 5 elected leaders pledged their commitment to our school, upholding our core values of Faith, Love and Understanding. Our Year 6 students also gave their Kinder buddies a special blessing as they begin their educational journey with us.
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is an important celebration in our liturgical calender. We attended mass and received the ashes on our foreheads. Thank you to our Year 5 students who led our Mass so well. Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent for us as Catholics. During this time, we prepare for Jesus' death and resurrection. Father Baby spoke to us about three things we can do during Lent; prayer, fasting and almsgiving (giving to others). During Lent, Catholic adults and teenagers are asked to fast from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. As our students here at St Mary's are under the age of 14, this is not an expectation. This could be something you choose to do as a family.
Project Compassion - Mini Vinnies
On Monday our Mini Vinnies team shared a special liturgy with our school. They explained the special work that Caritas Australia does all around the world to support communities in need. We will be raising money for "Project Compassion." This years theme is, "For All Future Generations." Our students will be learning about the amazing work in their Religion lessons. This year the class who donates the most money for Project Compassion will win the opportunity to throw water balloons at Mrs Sellars! In the past this has been a sort after prize.
Sacred Space 2024
This year Sacred Spaces will be held on a Monday morning at 9am. This is a wonderful way to begin our week. Please see the flyer below for when each class will be sharing their learning with the school community.
Catholic Schools Week - "Connected in Faith and Community - be your best self here"
During Week 5, Monday 4th - 8th March we will be celebrating our Catholic Schools Week at our school. Our theme is "Connected in Faith and Community - be your best self here." Please see our flyer for further information.
Mini Vinnies - Easter Raffle
From Week 4 we will begin selling raffle tickets for our annual Easter Raffle. Each year we ask families to donate Easter Eggs, bags, cellophane or Easter related items for this raffle. Our PIP team during Week 7 will bundle them into prizes for our raffle in Week 8.
Parish Sunday Masses
Each grade is allocated one Parish Sunday Mass a year to attend and lead the ministries. All masses are on a Sunday at 9am. Below are the dates for 2024. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other families and our Parish. It is an expectation that all children from the grade attend this Mass. Please save the date for the grade your children are in.
Kinder and Year 6 - Sunday 25th February
Year 4 - Sunday 17th March
Year 3 - Sunday 23rd June
Year 1 - Sunday 25th August
Year 2 - Sunday 22nd September
Year 5 and Kinder 2025 - Sunday 1st December
From our PEC
You might find this information useful.