Issue #14 4th September 2024
Principal's Update
Book Parade
What fantastic costumes you all had last week! Book Week and our Book Parade are always such wonderful celebrations, and last week was no different. We saw princesses, Harry Potter, Taylah Swift, Grug, Thing 1 and 2, The Wiggles, superheroes, 101 dalmatians and more. And didn't the teachers look amazing too! Thank you all for your participation and enthusiasm. During the day our Year 6 children also read on the playground to our students, and teachers visited different classes to read a favourite picture book. Children also hunted around the school to find 'Where's Wally' and break the secret code.
Father's Day
We hope all of the dads and father-figures enjoyed a wonderful day on Sunday. We really enjoyed celebrating with you at breakfast on Friday morning; we had such a wonderful turnout and the excitement on your children's faces as they shared their school with you was something special. Thank you also to the dads who were then able to stay for our beautiful liturgy, and well done to the Year 2 children who led it so beautifully.
The Dads vs Year 6 soccer game was also a big hit, the dads taking the win 8-6 over the Year 6 students.
Thank you to the many parent volunteers who helped run the Father's Day Stall and also prepared and served the Father's Day Breakfast. A thank you also to our PIP Team for organising and ordering the items, in particular Maz and Corinne for ordering all of the stall and breakfast goodies.
Wellbeing Olympics
Next week, our school Wellbeing Week will coincide with the conclusion of the Paralympic Games for 2024. With this theme, there will be activities over the week finishing with a fun day next Friday, 13th September. This day will involve students working together in country teams, which focuses on our theme 'Stronger Together'. Everyone is encouraged to wear the colours of their country's flag (Gold classes wear green, black and gold for Jamaica, Green classes and White classes wear red and white for Canada, and Blue classes wear Blue and white for Greece). Students will participate as a team in fun events with a focus on teamwork, friendship, and fun!
Children will need to ensure they bring a drink bottle and hat, wear shirts that cover their shoulders, wear enclosed shoes, and should apply sunscreen before they leave home. Unfortunately, this is not an event for parents to attend.
Public Speaking
Congratulations to Luke P and Ayla C, competing in the Diocesan Public Speaking Cluster Finals at Mackillop on Monday. They were both outstanding in delivering their 3-minute prepared speech and then presenting a polished and informative 1-minute impromptu speech after just 10 minutes to prepare. Well done!
InRhythm Drumming
Our children have been enjoying their drumming sessions each Tuesday. There are only two weeks to go, finishing in Week 9 (17th September). On this day, the children would like to share what they have learnt with you all. This will take place in four 5-10 minute performances (Kinder for one performance, Year 1 and Year 2 together in another performance, Year 3 and Year 4 together and Year 5 and Year 6 together in a performance). Each grade will be in only one performance, these will take place on the stage of our oval between 2.00pm and 2.40pm on Tuesday 17th September. You are warmly invited to join us.
Kinder and Year 1 Athletics Morning
Kinder and Year 1 parents were notified earlier this term about the alternative date for the Athletics morning (due to the cancellation of the carnival last term). This will take place on the morning of Thursday 19th September (Week 9). The morning will be held on our school oval from 9.15am until approximately 10.45am. The children will compete in a number of running and fun activities and relays across the morning. On the day, students will wear their sports uniform with a coloured t-shirt that represents their colour house. Parents are invited to our oval to watch these events during the morning.
Uniforms
Thank you for your understanding in the sudden change to summer uniform. With the heat of the last few weeks, it was important to quickly move the date forward so that children weren't overheating. Now that the interim changeover period has finished, we expect to see all children in full correct uniform.
There are a number of students, predominately in Years 3-6, who are choosing to wear black socks or the incorrect school shoes. Jewellery, including necklaces, and nail polish have also started to increase. It is important that all children wear their uniform correctly each day. Please talk to your child and check what they are wearing to school. If they need an alternative for a day or two (eg broken shoe and need to buy new ones at the shop), they must bring in a note to their teacher. Thank you for your support.
Broken Bay Athletics
Our students were fantastic at the Broken Bay Athletics Carnival on Thursday, they all represented St Mary's with pride and pushed themselves to achieve their best. A number of students are now off to Polding due to their amazing results; Congratulations Emmanuelle D coming 3rd place in Long Jump, Mia S placing 3rd in High Jump with a PB, and our Senior Boys Relay Team made up of Archer G, Hunter H, Owen M and Able N, coming 1st place with a new PB for themselves.
Kinder Excursion
This Friday, our Kinder children will be attending their first school excursion, travelling to The Reptile Park. Have a great time, we can't wait to hear about your adventures!
Central Coast Oz Tag Regional Tournament
Tomorrow, we have 4 teams competing in the Oz Tag Regional Tournament at Doyalson. Good luck to all of our teams, we look forward to hearing your results.
From our REC
Father's Day Liturgy
Thank you to our Year 2 students for preparing and leading our school in our Father's Day Liturgy. It was very special to have so many Dads and Pops involved in our procession. Thank you to our choir and Mr Hochkins and Mrs Hodgson for singing our hymns. A special thank you to Mrs Hughes for preparing our Father's Day Reflection. If you haven't seen it yet please head to our school Facebook page.
Sacred Spaces
Thank you 2 Blue for sharing your learning about Jesus. It was wonderful to see a liturgical movement as part of our Sacred Space.
Thank you 1 Blue for sharing your learning about one of our special prayers, the Our Father. It was great to listen to why each of the lines is so important.
Diocesan Creative Arts Competition
Thank you to all our students who particpated in the 2024 Creative Arts Competition. Our school finalists have been announced and their enteries submitted to CSBB for judging. Congratulations to the following students for being our school finalists.
Visual Arts
Stage 1 - Jasmine G
Stage 2 - Jacob K
Stage 3 - Nikkita C
Dance
Stage 1 - Selkie R and Isla P
Stage 3 - Emeri B, Ayla B, Rhani L and Piper E
Drama
Stage 3 - Harrison B, Levi R and Lawson O
Short Film
Stage 3 - Thomas M and Andy B
Music
Stage 2 - Katy-Leigh P and Finley G
Stage 3 - Zara B
Congratulations to the following students whose Visual Arts entry was given the award of Highly Commended, Hannah B, Adam D, Phoenix W and Ezri D. We look forward to hearing the Diocesan results in the coming weeks.
Year 2 Sunday Parish Mass
On Sunday 22nd September our Year 2 students will be leading our Sunday Parish Mass at 9am. Students will be in charge of all the ministries at mass and will be singing the Thanksgiving Hymn. Following mass, we will be sharing morning tea. Please bring a plate to share with everyone. This is always a great way to connect with other Year 2 families in our community. We look forward to celebrating with all of you.