Issue #10 26th June 2024
Principal's Update
Reports and Parent Teacher Meetings
Last Friday, all school reports became available for parents to access via Compass. The Parent Teacher Meetings are a great opportunity to discuss your child's learning achievements, behaviours and areas of continued focus. It is wonderful to see that 94% of children have a parent booked to attend a meeting this week; thank you for prioritising these meetings. Wednesday is our traditional 'long' day of interviews, until 6pm tonight.
New bell
There has been a lot of excitement around school this week - in case you haven't heard, we have a new bell! It was updated last week after some recent issues with our sound system, to a bell that has the ability to play music as well as a bell. The children have been enjoying starting the day with our 8.58am bell playing a short burst of 'Happy' as the signal to move to lines, before the bell signals at 9.00am.
NAIDOC Week and Smoking Ceremony
NAIDOC Week is held in the school holidays, so we will hold a number of small activities in the first few weeks of Term 3. On Tuesday 23rd July, we will begin our term and day with a traditional Smoking Ceremony. Parents and carers, you are welcome to join us at 9.00am for this special occasion.
During the day, students will go to the oval with their grade to participate in some Indigenous games, 'Edor', 'Keentan' or 'Birray'. Lucas Gainsford, our school's Aboriginal Support Assistant, has organised these activities. The following week, each grade will take part in some Indigenous Art 'Story Stones'.
Carpark Safety
Our carpark and the safety of our students and their families continues to be a concern. In most circumstances, the near misses and accidents that occur happen when either a car driver is doing the wrong thing, or the car driver is not paying attention to their surroundings.
We do not have a 'kiss and drop' area, and cars should not be pulling into the bus bay or pulling over near the oval/gates to drop children off. This makes the carpark dangerous for those who are walking through it. All parents should park in a designated parking spot to drop off their children.
We are waiting for final approval for new line markings in our carpark, and while this will help make it safer, we do need cooperation from parents also. Thank you for your assistance.
Farewell Miss Doyle
Miss Jade Doyle will be finishing her time with us at the end of next week. We wish her all the best with her future endeavours of travel. In 4 Gold, from Term 3, we welcome back Mrs Stephanie Maiden and also welcome Miss Tiarni Irvine to St Mary's, as the 4 Gold class share teachers.
Year 6 vs Mums Oz Tag Game
Next Tuesday, 2nd July, our Year 6 students will finally hold their much anticipated 'Year 6 vs Mums' game (oz tag) at 2.15pm. All mums from any grade are welcome to join the game on the oval, just come along with your running shoes. Year 6 are currently feeling very confident about their skills - we look forward to a fun afternoon. We hope to see you there!
Athletics Carnival
Next week (Wednesday 3rd July) is our school Athletics Carnival. We look forward to an exciting (and hopefully sunny) day. It is a compulsory school day. Students will be competing in running activities as well as a number of fun activities on the oval on the inside of the track. Unfortunately, no parents are allowed on the inside of the track during the day, children will move through their activities with their class and St Brigid's helpers. There are plenty of viewing areas from outside the track.
Thank you to all of the parents who have offered to help as a timekeeper, starter or other job - we appreciate it!
Bishop Anthony's visit to St Mary's!
We are blessed to have Bishop Anthony visiting our parish on July 26th, the first Friday back next term. On the day, Bishop Anthony will visit the three schools in our parish; St Mary's, St Brendan's and St Brigid's. We look forward to welcoming him to St Mary's from lunch time and into the afternoon, where he will walk around and visit our classrooms and talk with the children.
InRhythm Drumming
Next term we have organised for a drumming group 'InRhythm' to attend our school each Tuesday over a 9 week block. Each week when they visit, they will work with each grade for a 30 minute period, as a way of supporting the wellbeing of our children in a fun and unique way. Each child will use a drum, together in a group, to make beats and music. Towards the end of the term there will be an opportunity to showcase what they have learnt with parents. We will let you know more details during the term.
Excursions
Next term, Year 1 will be visiting the Wetlands for their excursion on July 26th. Year 3 have the second of their incursions tomorrow here at school, to support their learning in class. We hope you both enjoy the experiences!
Year 4 Poetry
Year 4 have been working on their poetry writing recently, and I have been so impressed by what they have produced! Here are just two of the wonderful pieces of writing I have seen, well done!
School Disco
We look forward to another school disco in Term 3! This time we will hold our disco at Toukley RSL on Friday August 9th. There will be three sessions for our students to attend. Once the sessions and times are confirmed, we will let you know - but for now, save the date!
Upcoming dates
In our newsletter today we have our Term 3 calendar attached (see below). As you can see, it will be another busy term. You will notice we have Grandparent's Day, disco, Kinder reach 100 days at school, Father's Day, NAIDOC Week activities, and more assemblies, excursions and gala days. The calendar will be sent home as a hard copy for your fridge over the coming weeks.
The last day of term 2 is next Thursday 4th July. All staff in the diocese will be gathering for a system-wide staff development day on Friday 5th July. Our first day back for next term is Tuesday 23rd July. Have a wonderful break from the school routines, and enjoy the beautiful sunshine.
REC Update
Year 3 Parish Sunday Mass
Thank you to all our families who shared Mass with us on Sunday morning. It was a lovely celebration where our Year 3 students read and sang so well. It was wonderful to see our families and parishoners share morning tea together. Thank you to our Year 3 families for their generous donations of morning tea.
Mini Vinnies Food Drive
This week our Mini Vinnies team are holding a "Food Drive" to support those in our community doing it tough this winter. Below is the non-perishable food item each grade has been allocated.
Kinder: Rice
Year 1: Pasta
Year 2: Pasta or tinned tomato
Year 3: Coconut cream or Coconut milk
Year 4: Flavoured pasta sauces
Year 5: Tinned pantry meals
Year 6: Curry or Stir Fry sauce
Thank you again for supporting those less fortunate in our community.
Sacred Spaces
Over the last two weeks we have had 2 White and 2 Gold share their learning in Religious Education. 2 White shared their learning on the Ascension and 2 Gold shared their learning on the parable of the Good Samaritan. It is always wonderful to see so many parents supporting these presentations.
Grandparents Day
We will be holding our Grandparent's Day celebrations on Friday 2nd August (Term 3 Week 2). We will begin our celebration with a special liturgy at 12 noon. This will be streamed through all our classrooms. This was a wonderful success last year. Following our liturgy, we will have open classrooms until 1pm. There will be activities for grandparents to do in our classrooms with their grandchild. We invite grandparents to bring a packed lunch to share with their grandchildren (no nut products). Our PIP Team have organised a light afternoon tea for our grandparents. Students can be signed out by their grandparents early with a note from parents.
We are creating a photo reflection. If you would like one image included in this could you please send it to emily.duncan@dbb.catholic.edu.au Please send a high quality image. We understand that one image can be difficult but we have over 350 families and can not possibly include two of each. We are hoping to then put this on Facebook for the grandparents who can't make the day.
Confirmation Preparation Classes
Many students from Years 3-6 are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please keep these children in your prayers.
Parish Feast Day - Sunday 30th June.
This Sunday our Parish here at Toukley celebrate their Feast Day, Our Lady of Perpetual Help. There are many events happening here on Sunday morning. If you are not busy please come and join us.
Many of our students have entered our Parish's Colouring In Competition for the Feast Day. They have done a wonderful job and we look forward to hearing the results.
Merit and Star Awards
Other news
Storytime is back! Every Thursday, join Victoria our Parent Engagement Coordinator, in the library at 9.00am for a story with your little ones!
Piano Tuition
There are currently vacancies for piano tuition during school hours in Term 3. Please contact Chris Hochkins for further details. Ph. 0414 186 044