Issue #11 24th July 2024
Principal's Update
![](https://stmarystoukley.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/971/20240703_133211.jpg)
Welcome back to school for the new term! I hope that you were able to enjoy some family time and a break from the school routine. This term, we're excited to continue on your child's learning journey and explore new opportunities for growth and success. This term will be another busy one - there are gala days, excursions, Grandparent's Day, Father's Day, school disco, Book Week Parade, Storytime in the library, Sacred Space items and also a visit from Bishop Anthony later this week. There will also be many school Masses you are welcome to join us for, and a number of students will make the Sacrament of Confirmation. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to a productive and enriching term ahead.
Yesterday, our children were highly engaged in a wonderful Smoking Ceremony, led by Tim from ‘Girra Girra Aboriginal Experiences’. Tim’s storytelling and sharing of songs was personal and emotive. The school community was then privileged to experience a Smoking Ceremony, highlighting for students the connection of fire and smoke with culture. We thank Tim for sharing his knowledge and stories with us.
Mr Lucas Gainsford, our Aboriginal Learning Support Teacher, then led a number of activities on the oval including ‘Birray’, Keentan’ and ‘Edor’. The students enjoyed these games on the oval.
Our Athletics Carnival was a lot of fun last term. The rain held off for most of the day and the children had such a positive have-a-go attitude in all of the events. Congratulations to Red House on a fantastic result, winning the day as house champions. A big thank you to all of our wonderful parent volunteers - we really couldn't do it without you. We also thank the many St Brigid's students who attend and help run many of the activities. You were fantastic!
Smoking Ceremony
![](https://stmarystoukley.schoolzineplus.com/_file/sb_cms_media_folder/967/20240723_094414.jpg)
![](https://stmarystoukley.schoolzineplus.com/_file/sb_cms_media_folder/968/20240723_093850.jpg)
![](https://stmarystoukley.schoolzineplus.com/_file/sb_cms_media_folder/969/20240723_093712.jpg)
![](https://stmarystoukley.schoolzineplus.com/_file/sb_cms_media_folder/970/20240723_093515.jpg)
Bishop Anthony's visit
This Friday, 26th July, we are blessed to have a visit from Bishop Anthony. Bishop Anthony is visiting our parish for three days, spending time visiting all three parish schools on Friday; St Mary's, St Brendan's and St Brigid's. We look forward to welcoming Bishop Anthony to St Mary's from lunch time and into the afternoon, where he will walk around and visit some of our classrooms and talk with the children.
![](https://stmarystoukley.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/972/capture.png)
Term 3 Calendar and Term 3 Grade Overview
We have another busy term ahead. The calendar is attached, and will also come home today as a hard copy. Please take note of particular events such as Masses, Book Parade, Father's Day events, assemblies or gala days that may involve your child. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's teacher.
A Term 3 Grade Overview of what topics students are learning this term will be sent home via Compass by tomorrow. This will allow parents to see the main focus areas for your child's grade this term across a number of Key Learning Areas, and support your conversations with your children about what they are learning at school.
Playgroup
Next Tuesday is our next playgroup, 9.15am-10.15am. We will have this session outdoors, so we encourage your child to attend with appropriate footwear, a hat and drink bottle.
![](https://stmarystoukley.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/973/20240723_095542.jpg)
InRhythm Drumming
This term we are lucky to have a group from InRhythm Drumming visiting our school each Tuesday for 9 weeks. This is possible through a Wellbeing Grant that we received. Each grade will attend a 30 minute session over 9 weeks, using African drums to focus on musicality, group bonding, mindfulness and resilience fun. Yesterday the students had a fantastic time being introduced to the drum and sharing their first session.
Survey
I am one of approximately 7 'Foundation Principals' (principals in their first 3 years of principalship) in Catholic Schools Broken Bay. In our second year of principalship (for me, this is 2024) a survey is distributed to staff and parents in the school community at the start of Term 3. Parents and staff are able to then give feedback in a number of leadership areas including faith life, partnership and learning. This week you will receive an email with this survey, which you may like to fill in.
100 days of Kinder
Next Wednesday, 31st July, Kindergarten will be celebrating 100 days of school! To mark this special milestone, they will have a fun-filled day with the theme “100 Days Brighter.” The children will engage in various activities centred around the number 100, and we encourage them to come dressed in bright, colourful clothing. Well done, Kinder, what a fantastic 100 days you have had!
Book Parade
Our Book Parade is on Tuesday 27th August. Children are encouraged to dress up on the day in a Book Week Costume, and parents are invited to attend our Parade, running approximately 9.15-10.15am.
This year will see the return of a Book Fair, with our library turning into a book shop for the week. It will be open before school and after school each day during Book Week (26th-30th August). More details will be sent out in the coming weeks.
School Disco
We look forward to another school disco this term! 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!
Year 6 Graduation
We would like to hold a parent meeting to organise some of the aspects of the Year 6 Graduation. If you are available to attend next Thursday afternoon, 1st August, at 3.20pm, please come along to our school library.
Helpers to St Brigid's
St Brigid's help our school with lots of events. This Friday, four of our Year 6 students will attend St Brigid's Athletics Carnival as helpers. Lillian, Harlow, Grace and Gus, we hope you have a fun day!
Compass
If you need to pick your child up early, please note that there is now an extra step/question that is required by the kiosk. This has been pushed out to all of our schools to strengthen the signing out process.
Year 1 Excursion
Year 1 will be visiting the Wetlands for their excursion this Friday. We hope you enjoy your day!
Touch Footy Gala Day and NSW Netball Cup
Over the next fortnight we have a number of students participating in a Touch Footy Gala Day, and also one netball team participating in the NSW Netball Cup. Good luck, we hope everyone has a wonderful day!
REC Update
Bishop Anthony Visiting
This Friday we are blessed to have Bishop Anthony visiting our school and parish. He will be visiting some of our classrooms. We look forward to sharing this with you.
Grandparent's Day
Next Friday we will be celebrating Grandparent's Day. 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. Today, Wednesday 24th July will be the last day we will be accepting photographs as we need to put this together.
Confirmation Preparation Classes
Many students from Years 3-6 are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please keep these children in your prayers.
Mini Vinnies Food Drive
A huge thank you to our families for supporting our "Food Drive" at the end of Term 2. We were overwhelmed with the generosity of our community. Bob Steele, from our local St Vincent De Paul was once again impressed with the amount of donations we had to share with those less fortunate. He has now distributed our donations to those in need in our local community.
![](https://stmarystoukley.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/962/food_drive.jpg)
Ignite Conference
The Ignite Conference is a beacon of inspiration and faith, drawing young people from across Australia to come together in a spirit of unity and worship. Located amidst the heart of our diocese at the Cathedral Precinct in Waitara, the Ignite Conference will be held from the 26-29 September 2024.
We are encouraging students in Year 5 & 6 across Catholic Schools Broken Bay to consider attending as part of the Ignite Kids stream.
Primary school registration for Ignite Kids is open to students from:
- 9am-3.30pm on Saturday the 28th of September and10.45-1.30pm (with mass at 9am) on Sunday the 29th of September.
Students from our Diocese are eligible for a 50% discount on the ticket which brings the cost down to $52.50. Please see Mrs Kyle for the discount code if you are interested.
There is no parent or staff supervision, excursion form or risk assessment required for Primary schools for the Ignite conference (similar to holiday care etc.), all supervision and duty of care is managed by Ignite Youth.
Beanie Day 2024 - Thursday 8th August
This year we will be again supporting "Mary Macs" at Woy Woy. Mary Mac's Place in Woy Woy is open to anyone who is homeless, transient, or just needs a helping hand. This service provides more than 2,000 nutritious meals a month, as well as a place to shower and to wash clothes. Mary Mac's also provides links to other support services, emergency relief, and health supports.
On the Feast Day of Mary MacKillop, Thursday 8th August we will be having a "Beanie Day." We encourage all students to wear a beanie of their choice. Students need to bring in a gold coin donation to support the wonderful work of Mary Macs.
Religious Creative Arts Prize
We have a few more weeks for students to enter our Diocesan Religious Creative Arts Prize. There are a variety of categories such as Visual Arts, Dance, Drama, Music and Short Film. The theme this year is "Joy - Mary the God hope fill you with Joy." Entries close on Friday 16th August. If students are wishing to choose the dance category please see Mrs Kyle to choose your music from the specified site.
Grade Parish Masses
This term Year 1 and Year 2 will hold their grade Parish Mass on a Sunday. Please save the date!
ICAS 2024
Monday 29th July will be the final day to sign up to ICAS 2024. Please read the letter below including how to sign up and pay for these assessments. ICAS Assessments are optional and are targeted at students who wish to extend themselves academically. These assessments are held before school at 8am in our library. All assessments are online.