Issue #6 1st May 2024
Principal's Update
Welcome Back
Welcome back to the new term. It is always fantastic to see the children after their break, to see their smiling faces and hear of their holiday adventures and family outings.
Thank you to all of the children and families who marched with the school for ANZAC Day. Last term we commemorated ANZAC Day with a very special liturgy here at school, with many special guests. Thank you to all who attended.
Year 5 Bathurst
Early tomorrow morning our Year 5 students will travel to Bathurst, returning Friday evening, as they embark on their first overnight excursion. We know they will have a wonderful time, as they learn about the gold rush and try to strike it rich as they pan for gold! Have a wonderful time in Bathurst tomorrow. We know you will have such a special time and enjoy every moment.
Fr Tomy's Installation as our Parish Priest
On Sunday 12th May, Father Tomy will be installed as our Parish Priest by Bishop Randazzo at the 9.00am Mass. This is a very special Mass and we invite our community to attend if they can. I realise this also falls on Mother's Day, when many of you will have prior engagements.
Winter Uniform
Winter uniform begins on Monday 20th May (Week 4). All children must be in their full winter uniform from this date. From next Monday 6th May, with the weather turning cooler, your child can have the option of wearing the full summer or full winter uniform until 20th May.
School Library
Since flooding impacted our library back in January, our library has been going through some extensive renovations. New carpet, new built-ins throughout (including our great new library desk!) and new paint and wall coverings have made our library look fantastic! Miss Gray is part way through organising the books back onto the shelves, ready for borrowing soon.
Staffing Changes
Nicole Ryder, one of our School Counsellors, will be leaving our school this week. Nicole has been a wonderful support to many families during her years of work across a number of our schools, including St Mary's. Verona will continue in her role as full time school counsellor.
Tiffany Ballard has worked in our uniform shop over many years, and has been a tremendous asset to our school. This week we say goodbye to her as she moves to full time work.
Please join me in farewelling these staff, as we wish them well for the future.
Mother's Day
All orders for our Mother's Day Breakfast and also the Mother's Day Stall close this Friday 3rd May at 4pm. If you have not yet placed an order, please do so via the Qkr! app before this time, as no late orders can be accepted.
Mother's Day Helpers
Without volunteers, we are unable to hold special events such as Mother's Day breakfast and stall. We are still needing volunteers for both our breakfast (both preparation the day before and morning serving). If you can help please use the sign up links:
Mother's Day Stall: https://signup.com/go/ZwtJLwG
Mother's Day Breakfast preparation: https://signup.com/go/rUsPZfy
Mother's Day Breakfast serving: https://signup.com/go/GevYuno
Thank you to those who have already offered to give up their time for our community.
NSWPSSA Championships
Congratulations to our Senior Boys Relay team, Harry B, Byron H, Archie M, and Flynn B, who swam at the NSWPSSA Championships as members of the Polding swim team. You did a tremendous job, the school loved cheering you on!
Broken Bay Sporting Achievements
During Term 1, a number of children trialled to make a Broken Bay team across various sports. Some of our students were successful in making it into the Broken Bay Team. Congratualtions;
Soccer: Harry B
Rugby League: 11s Koa F and Noah B, 12s Abel N, Byron H and Connor D
Touch: Evie C
Congratulations also to Abel N, who has made it into Polding as part of the Broken Bay Team for AFL.
Athlete's Foot
Because so many families visited The Athlete's Foot at Tuggerah for your new school shoes and sports shoes in January, we recently received a cheque for $830 from The Athlete's Foot, as part of their School Rewards Program for 2024. Thank you! This money will go towards new sporting equipment for our students.
CCC Cross Country
Next Friday we have about 40 children attending the CCC Cross Country (weather permitting). Good luck to you all!
Cross Country Presentation
Dancers
During the school holidays, Sage M and Ellie C have been dancing their way through the USA. With their dance school they have danced in the Disneyland Parade and Universal Studios. Well done, what an opportunity!
Term 2 Calendar and Upcoming Dates: Please see below for our calendar, but be aware that dates of events can change.
REC Update
ANZAC Day Liturgy and March
Last term we held our ANZAC Liturgy. We were blessed to have many special guests including the Honourable Emma McBride, Federal Member of Dobel, Ian Collier, President of Toukley RSL sub-Branch and many of his members and Flight Leiutentant Braydon Kocass, Corbyn in K Blue's uncle. Our students were reverent and respectful and participated so well in our liturgy.
Many of our students attended the Toukley RSL sub-Branch march on ANZAC Day. Addison and Andy layed the wreath on behalf of our school. Thank you to all the families who attended.
First Eucharist
Many of our Year 4 students have begun preparing for the Sacrament of First Eucharist. Please keep these children in your prayers.
School Feast Day
We will be celebrating our School Feast Day on Friday 24th May. We will begin with Mass at 9.15am. Following this, we have organised for many sporting organisations to come in to volunteer their services. Our PIP Team have planned to organise the annual sausage sizzle. Please look out for their sign up in the coming week. Many hands make light work!
Religious Education in Years 5 and 6
This year Year 5 and 6 have been introduced to our new RE Curriculum. A component of this is storytelling. This component connects our presentations in the K-2 Curriculum with the 3-10 one. Last term the students in Years 5 and 6 participated in the Works of Mercy storytelling and Holy Week. Our teachers have found the students engaged and enthusiastic about these sessions.
Father Tomy's Installation as Parish Priest
On Sunday 12th May Father Tomy will be installed as our Parish Priest by Bishop Randazzo. The Mass will begin at 9am. If you are able to join us for this special mass it would be greatly appreciated. We are looking for a student to do a reading on the day. If your child is interested please email catherine.kyle@dbb.catholic.edu.au
Mother's Day Liturgy
Next Thursday, following the Mother's Day breakfast, Year 1 will lead our school in a special liturgy. This will be held on the top playground, weather permitting. After the liturgy we invite all mothers, grandmothers or significant women in our students lives into our classrooms. In the classrooms all our students will be creating an artwork about their special women. This is a time to work together. This activity will conclude at 10am.
Mother's Photostory
If you would like a photograph included in our Mother's Day photostory please send it to prudence.nelson@dbb.catholic.edu.au. Today is the final day we are accepting photographs as we need to put it together. Please only send one high quality image. This will be published on Facebook.