Issue #4 20th March 2024
Principal's Update
NAPLAN
Our Year 3 and Year 5 children are currently sitting NAPLAN, which is held annually during a two-week window in March. This year, between March 13th and 25th, children sit national testing for Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language (Spelling and Grammar/Punctuation) and Numeracy. I am always impressed by the positive attitude and willingness to have a go that the children display. Well done on trying your best.
Cross Country
Our School Cross Country is this Friday 22nd. K-1 will be held at school (9.00-9.30am) followed by Year 2-6 at Jenny Dixon Reserve (leaving school approximately 9.35am, to hold events approximately 10.00-11.00am). Friday is a compulsory school day. Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to help on the morning. Please make sure children wear sunscreen and aeroguard to school, and bring their usual hat and drink. Year 2-6 children should also pack a towel to sit on at Jenny Dixon Reserve.
Harmony Day
This Thursday 21st is Harmony Day. Children are encouraged to wear orange and bring in a donation for their class Project Compassion Box.
Playgroup
Yesterday we held our first Playgroup for 2024. What a wonderful morning it was! Lots of smiling faces coming together for some fun activities. Our Term 2 Playgroup dates are May 29th (Wednesday) and June 18th (Tuesday). We look forward to seeing you there.
Palm Sunday and Holy Week
Next week is Holy Week, a most significant week in the church's liturgical calendar. All grades will lead a Sacred Space over the coming weeks, retelling key events of Holy Week. Each are held at 9.00am, we hope you can join us:
- Thursday 21st March: Palm Sunday (Kinder)
- Wednesday 27th March: The Last Supper and The Garden of Gethsemane (Year 3 + Year 4)
- Thursday 28th March: Trial and Crucifixion (Year 5 + Year 6)
- Friday 5th April: The Resurrection (Year 1 + Year 2)
Easter Hat Parade
Next Monday 25th March we will hold our K-2 Easter Hat Parade. It will be held for approximately 20 minutes after our morning 9.00am assembly on the top playground. Children are encouraged to make a hat at home and wear it for a short parade in front of the school. Students in Years 3-6 are welcome to make and wear a hat of their own as they watch the younger children parade.
Easter Raffle
This week is the last week our Mini Vinnies students will be selling raffle tickets for the Easter Raffle. It will be drawn next week before the Easter break. Thank you for the wonderful donations of eggs and cellophane. Donations are still welcome. If you are available, the PIP Team have asked for parent volunteers to help wrapping the gifts next Tuesday afternoon here at school. Please use the sign up link to offer your support – it is also a great way to meet other parents!
Mother's Day Stall
We look forward to providing another wonderful Mother’s Day Stall in Week 2 of next term (Wednesday 8th May). Purchases of gifts are pre-paid only through the Qkr! app, and can be bought from today until Friday 3rd May only. Gifts are $10 each, with a maximum of 2 gifts per student. As always, we do hope there will be many mums or dads available to help - there is more information in the flyer below, but if you are available to help on the day, please use the sign up link: https://signup.com/go/ZwtJLwG.
Years 3/4 Gala Day
On Wednesday 10th April, our Year 3 and Year 4 children will attend a fun Soccer Gala Day at Adcock Park. The permission note has been sent out on Compass, please complete as soon as possible so teams can be finalised.
ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day is in our school holidays. We will be commemorating this significant occasion with our school meeting at Toukley Green at 9.15am on ANZAC Day, for our school to walk together and lay a wreath. You are welcome to join us. On Tuesday 9th April, we will remember this day with members of the RSL attending school at 10.15am for a school liturgy. Please join us if you can.
Bathurst
On May 2nd-3rd (Week 1, Term 2), Year 5 will be going to Bathurst on their overnight excursion to learn about the goldfields. A note has been sent via Compass with details to Year 5 parents.
Early Leavers
Unfortunately, we are regularly seeing children signed out early of an afternoon, particularly on a Thursday and Friday afternoon. Our school day, and student learning, is until 3.15pm. There are very few reasons that a child should be signed out before this time.
Staff Development Days: Pupil Free Days
A friendly reminder that we have two upcoming Staff Development Days, Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd April. These days are pupil free days, while teachers receive professional learning on our new curriculum. Thank you for your understanding. Hopefully you can enjoy an extra-long Easter long weekend.
School Photos
Our dates for school photos are coming up quickly, 8th and 11th April (Week 10). All children must wear their full school uniform (not sports) on both of these dates. A schedule for the days has not been finalised as all individual photos, class group photos, small group photos, Year 6 group photo and sibling photos need to fit. We are not able to accommodate the many different family requests regarding the times of photos being taken on the day. School photos must be purchased before photo day. Please check your emails and Compass in the coming weeks, as purchases are made directly through the Compass App to MSP Photography.
Year 7 Taster Day
On Wednesday 10th April (Week 10), our two local Catholic High Schools will be hosting a 'Year 7 Taster Day' for our students. Year 6 parents will have received information via Compass about registering for the days. We know you will enjoy your high school experience!
Cinema Under the Stars
Our PIP Team are excited to be hosting our Cinema Under the Stars in a few short weeks. 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!).
'Tech Team'
We would like to welcome and thank the following children who applied and were successful in joining the 2024 St Mary’s Tech Team: August K, Charlotte C, Sophie C, Billy H, Ashley L, Jace B, Dylan W, Harry B, Nikkita C, Coco O, Willow L, Charlie M, Archer G, Louis F, Ryan M and Corben D.
Throughout the year these students will provide valuable support to classes across K-6 and will lead the safe use of technology.
From our REC
Holy Week Sacred Spaces
Please join us at 9am at morning assembly for our Holy Week Sacred Spaces. Our different grades will share with us the events leading up to Easter and then Jesus' resurrection.
Year 4 Sunday Parish Mass
Thank you to all our families who joined us for Mass on Sunday. Our students took on the many ministries and sang beautifully. It was lovely to celebrate Sr Josie's birthday with her. Thank you to all our families who provided morning tea to share.
5 Gold Sacred Space
Thank you to Mrs Perry and our Year 5 Gold students who led our Sacred Space last week. It was wonderful to have our Lenten message shared with our school community.
4 Gold Sacred Space
Thank you to Miss Doyle and 4 Gold for preparing and leading Sacred Space on Monday. Forgiveness is such an important value to have. Our students were able to share this through the dramatisation of the story of the Prodigal Son.
Reconciliation
Tomorrow many of our students will make the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. Please keep these children in your prayers. The service will begin at 3.30pm in the church. Students can wear the clothes they are wearing for Harmony Day or another shirt can be brought for them to change into.
First Eucharist
First Eucharist enrolment is now open. Students in Year 4 (or above) who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Reconciliation are eligible for First Eucharist (First Communion). Please read the flyer below for further information.
Palm Crosses - Sr Jiji
This week Sr Jiji went into our Year 5 and 6 classes and made made Palm Crosses with our students. Our Year 4 students were invited to do this at lunch time. Our students are very talented and made many crosses! These crosses have been donated to our Parish for our parishioners for Palm Sunday this weekend.
Stations of the Cross
We have had only a small handful of students volunteer for this liturgy on Good Friday. If you can spare an hour from 9am on Good Friday we would love some more students to be involved with this special liturgy.
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. Please register at rb.gy/bdrtjp or scan the QR code.
Holy Week Masses
Please see below the Masses and Liturgies at our Parish over the Easter Season.
Merit and Star Awards