#Issue 3 6th March 2024
Principal's Update
Open Day
Yesterday afternoon we held our Open Day for Kinder 2025. It was a huge success, and the preschoolers enjoyed looking around our Kinder classes and touring our school. We ask for enrolment applications to be returned as soon as possible, as places will fill fast. If a current family has a younger sibling who will start in 2025, please call the office to arrange the collection of your enrolment pack.
I would like to say a particular thank you to our amazing students in Year 5 and Year 6. Fifty of our amazing students volunteered their time yesterday afternoon, leading tours, handing out enrolment packs, interacting with the new students and running activities up until 6pm. These students were absolutely outstanding representatives of our school and I could not be more proud of them. Well done! We are also blessed with amazing staff who stayed back late to ensure the afternoon ran smoothly. Thank you.
Catholic Schools Week
This week, our school is reflecting on our wonderful Catholic School. We are so lucky to share a school community where parents, students, staff and parish work alongside each other, in an inclusive and welcoming environment. Our children love learning, enjoy time with their friends and thrive in our beautiful school. The children have reflected on what makes them their ‘best self here’, and these drawings are displayed around the school. A number of students led a beautiful liturgy on Monday morning to start our week, well done. We will be opening our classrooms from 2.30pm-3.10pm this Friday afternoon, for parents to visit their child’s classroom. We look forward to seeing you then!
NAPLAN
Next week, our Year 3 and Year 5 children will sit NAPLAN. NAPLAN is held during a two-week window where the children sit national testing for Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language (Spelling and Grammar and Punctuation) and Numeracy. They will complete one test a day, not multiple tests. We wish our students the best of luck during the NAPLAN window of March 13th-25th.
Cross Country
Our school Cross Country will be held in two weeks, Friday 22nd March. The morning will be split across two venues: Our School Oval (Kinder and Year 1) and Jenny Dixon Reserve (Years 2-6). Our Cross Country is a compulsory event, children can run or walk the course. Between 9.10am and 9.30am, Kinder and Year 1 will complete a course on our school oval, whilst being cheered on by the rest of the school. At 9.30am, Years 2 - 6 will leave to walk up to Jenny Dixon Reserve, with their races being held between 10.00am and 11.00am.
Please ensure the permission note, on Compass for all Year 2-6 families, is signed as soon as possible. All details about event times, what to bring etc. can be found on the permission note.
Staff Development Days
A reminder that we have two Staff Development Days approaching. Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd April will be pupil free days, where teachers receive professional learning on our new curriculum.
Cinema Under the Stars
Our PIP Team are excited to be hosting our Cinema Under the Stars event for 2024! It will be held on Friday 5th April. It is only $10 for a family ticket, so bring the whole family! Sit with friends, bring some snacks and a beanbag or comfy blanket and relax. A few food trucks will also be here on the evening for snacks. The family-friendly movie remains a secret, but will be enjoyed by all, so get in early to buy your family ticket (through Qkr!). Please see below for the poster, made by our Year 6 students, with further information.
Library Update
In the next fortnight new carpet will be laid in our Library, to replace the carpet damaged by the flood over the Christmas break. Library lessons will continue for the rest of this term in your child’s class. From next term we hope to have lessons back in our fresh, newly refurbished library, when borrowing can resume.
Easter Raffle
Thank you for the families who have donated an Easter Egg to our raffle. We hope to receive more so that we can have many prizes for the raffle – last year we were able to provide approximately 60 prizes for our students to win – so please keep those donations coming in!
We are also after a team of parents to help wrap these prizes. The Pip Team have a message below, so please follow their sign up link to offer your support – it is also a great way to meet other parents!
Easter Hat Parade
We look forward to the return of our Kinder-Year 2 Easter Hat Parade. This year it will take place on Monday 25th March at 9.10am on the top playground. Children in Kinder, Year 1 and Year 2 are encouraged to make an Easter Hat at home to bring in for the parade. Parents, you are welcome to join us.
Sports Spectacular
Beginning this Friday, our sport Captains will be acknowledging sporting achievements of our students each week at our Friday morning assembly. This will be done by children nominating themselves in the ‘letterbox’ in our school office. Their name will then be called out so they can come out the front to show their certificate or trophy. Thank you, Sport Captains, for leading this initiative!
Many Hands Make St Mary's - from our PIP Team
Our PIP Team ask for 'Just One Thing...' Our students look forward to the most anticipated event of the year! Our St Mary's Easter Prize Raffle...
We require helpers to sort prizes and wrap them in preparation for the prize draw. If you can spare an hour of your time on Tuesday, 26th of March between 2.00pm-3:15pm, we would greatly appreciate your help. Please use the 'sign up' link below to rsvp your commitment. https://signup.com/go/HnnkpKv
Our PIP Team say 'thanks' the many Mini Vinnie volunteers and coordinating teachers for their support in organising this year's raffle. They have sold hundreds of tickets! Who will have the winning one?
Open Day
REC Update
Class Sunday Masses
Please save the date for your child or children's Sunday Grade Mass.
Year 6 and Kindergarten Sunday Grade Mass
Thank you to all our families who joined us for Mass on Sunday 25th February. Our Year 6 students read so well and our Kinders were adorable singing a Thanksgiving Hymn. It was so lovely to see our community connect with our Parish.
Year 4 Grade Sunday Mass
Our Year 4 Sunday Mass is on 17th March at 9am. Teachers will be handing out responsibilities this week. We look forward to celebrating with you.
Sacred Spaces
This year we are holding our Sacred Spaces on a Monday Morning at 9am. Please see the overview for the year below. We look forward to sharing our learning in Religious Education with our community.
Holy Week Liturgies
As we prepare for Jesus' death and resurrection our students will preparing Sacred Spaces allowing us to reflect on this special time. These will all begin at 9am on the top playground. Below are when these will occur:
Kindergarten - Palm Sunday - Thursday 21st March
Year 3 and 4 - Washing of the Feet, Last Supper and Garden of Gethsemene - Wednesday 27th March
Year 5 and 6 - Trial and Crucification - Thursday 28th March
Year 1 and 2 - Resurrection - Friday 5th April
Please join us if you can.
Mini Vinnies - Easter Raffle
Thank you to all our families who have donated to our Easter Raffle. Our Mini Vinnies students have been excitedly selling raffle tickets. Please continue to send in donations for this raffle.
6 Gold Sacred Space
Thank you to Mrs Doyle and the students of Year 6 who lead Sacred Space in Week 4. They reminded us of our St Mary's STARS and the importance of following them.
Catholic Schools Week - Connecting in Faith and Community - be your best self here
This week we are celebrating Catholic Schools Week. We began the week with Sacred Space. We are having a focus each day for the people in our community. Our prayer each morning will reflect this.
Tuesday - Celebrating our Students
Wednesday - Celebrating our Families
Thursday - Celebrating our Staff
Friday - Celebrating our Parish and Community
On Friday at 2.30pm we invite parents into their children's classroom to see the wonderful work they have been doing so far this year.
St Joseph Men's BBQ - Friday 12 April 7-7.30pm
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Prov 27:17.
All men over 18 are invited to an evening of gathering to share a meal and engage in discussion, camaraderie and personal growth. Share stories over a BBQ dinner before hearing from our Guest Speaker about authentic vocation. The evening is open to men of all/no faiths.
