Issue #17 30th October 2024
Principal's Update
We've started the term with some busy days, including our Explosion of Colour and Crazy Sock Day. A huge thank you to the many parents who helped make our Explosion of Colour so much fun, it was a tremendous effort from everyone. And our Sports Captains and Vice-Captains were fantastic in taking leadership of the design, set up and running of the obstacle course - great job!
Kinder 2025
We were thrilled to welcome our Kinder 2025 students and their families to our school this morning, for the first of four 'Transition to Big School' mornings. It was so wonderful to see the excitement and anticipation on their faces as they took their first steps into the classrooms. We can't wait to see you back here next Wednesday!
Art Showcase
On Wednesday evening, November 13th, a number of staff will attend the Diocesan Religious Education Creative Arts Showcase. We will recognise and celebrate with Selkie R, Isla P, Katy-Leigh P, Finley G, Zara B and their families. These students were named in the top 3 places in the diocese for their submission about the 2024 theme 'Joy'; Selkie and Isla received third place in the Dance section for Stage 1, Zara was awarded third place in Music for Stage 3, and Katy-Leigh and Finley were awarded second place in Music for Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4). Congratulations to you all.
Carpark
Once again, I'd like to draw your attention to our school carpark. The grass footpath that runs between the bus bay and Main Road is not for parking, even for a short drop off. Our carpark is a busy place, and it is everyone's responsibility to follow the rules to help keep everyone be safe. Please only park in the correct allocated spaces, and when exiting the carpark in the afternoon, please look for our Walkers group and please do not block the pedestrian crossing. Thank you to the many parents who do the right thing each and every day.
Year 5 Leadership
Currently, our Year 5 students are talking about leadership in class, and preparing their Leadership Speeches for some of the formal leadership roles in our school. Please keep these children in your thoughts and prayers. The tradition in our school is that the Year 6 students are outstanding role models for the younger children. Our present Year 6 children continue to be wonderful examples.
Touch Tag
Years 3-6 have an upcoming Touch-Tag Gala Day, the permission for this was sent home earlier in the week on Compass (Years 5-6 on Thursday 28th November, Years 3-4 on Friday 29th November). Please complete this note as soon as possible.
Swimming Carnival
This week, a permission note will be sent out on Compass for our upcoming Swimming Carnival for students in Years 1-5 (Wednesday 11th December). Please carefully read this note and check with your child about the races they would like to do (50m OR 20m OR 10m, they cannot do more than one distance). If you have any questions, please contact the school.
CPR
Tomorrow, our Year 5 and Year 6 students will all complete CPR Training here at school, run by Central Coast First Aid Training. We are glad to be able to run such a worthwhile workshop for the children.
Storytime
Please note that Storytime will be on a different day this term. We invite any younger brothers or sisters to attend Storytime and borrow a book! See you in the library next Friday 8th.
Assemblies
We have three final assemblies for the year coming up over the next few weeks: 2 White and 2 Blue on Friday 1st November, Kinder on Thursday 7th November and Year 6 on Thursday 14th November. Parents, you are welcome to join us.
Upcoming dates of Significant Events in Term 4
Creative Arts Showcase Evening: Wednesday 13th November
Rotary Awards Evening: Monday 18th November
'That's a Wrap' Parent Workshop: Wednesday 20th November
Advent Liturgy #1 (Year 3 and Year 4): Monday 25th November, 2.30pm
Final Kinder Transition and Liturgy: Wednesday 27th November, 9.15am
K-2 Class Awards: Monday 2nd December, 2.00pm
Advent Liturgy #2 (Year 1 and Year 2): Monday 2nd December, 2.30pm
K-6 Award Ceremony: 10.15am Years 3-6, 11.30am K-2
Final School Mass: Wednesday 4th December, 9.15am
Advent Liturgy #3 (Kinder and Year 6): Monday 9th December, 2.30pm
Year 2 Journal Presentation Liturgy, Tuesday 10th December, 2.20pm
Swimming Carnival (1-5) and Water Fun Morning (K+6): Wednesday 11th December
Thanksgiving Mass and Year 6 Graduation: Thursday 12th December, from 5pm
Reports go home: Friday 13th December
Advent Liturgy #4 (Year 5): Monday 16th December, 2.30pm
Last day for students and Guard of Honour: Tuesday 17th December, 2.45pm.
Please note, dates and time can change, however this will be communicated via Compass and future newsletters. Additional events to these are also named on our calendar and in other spots in this newsletter.
From our REC
Diocesan Mission Mass
Last Thurday Mrs Shearwood took our four Mini Vinnies Leaders, Vinnie, Baylee, Charlie and Cynthia down to the Cathedral to attend our Diocesan Mission Mass. Our students enjoyed the experience and felt reinvigorated to serve our community.
Mission Mass
Thank you to our wonderful Mini Vinnies teachers and students who prepared and led our Mission Mass on Friday. This year the country of focus for Catholic Mission was Mongolia. We learnt about the struggles they have and the importance of teaching skills to the community. Our Mass was a wonderful celebration and opened our eyes to the privileges we have here at St Mary's.
Socktober - Crazy Sock Day and Soccer!
On Friday our students wore their craziest socks! All our students played soccer against their peers and we all enjoyed the smiles on their faces and the fun they had. Socktober is a heartwarming initiative we participate in each year aiming to raise awareness and support those in need, particularly in Mongolia. This year we raised $586.65! An amazing achievement. We have donated this to Catholic Mission. Thank you to all of our families who generously donated.
All Saints Mass
This Friday our Year 4 students will be leading Mass for the Feast of All Saints. Mass will begin at 9.15am. If you are free please join us.
Junior Altar Server Training
Sr Jennifer will be holding training sessions for students in Year 3 - 6 who would like to become Junior Altar Servers. There will two sessions on a Friday afternoon during class time. The students will be officially commissioned at our Combined Family Mass with St Brigid's on Sunday 17th November at 6pm. Please see the invitation below.
Students who are fully trained would serve at our school masses and be invited to join the Parish Roster to serve at Mass on the weekends. Please email catherine.kyle@dbb.catholic.edu.au to RSVP. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Combined Family Mass with St Brigid's Catholic College
We are holding a Combined Family Mass with the students and families from St Brigid's Catholic College. This will be held on Sunday 17th November. We will begin with games on the oval from 4.30pm. Many of our students loved playing cricket with Father Tomy and Father Baby at our last Combined Mass. We are planning some craft activities for some of our younger less sporty students. This community event is a wonderful way to connect with our local high school and Parish Community. There will be a light supper before Mass begins at 6pm. We are inviting our choir to sing along side Sr Josie. Please join us for a fun, faith filled afternoon.
Year 5 Sunday Parish Mass
Our Year 5 student's Sunday Mass has finally arrived! I think we may have saved the best for last. This will be held on Sunday 1st December at 9am. Our Year 5 students will have met their Kinder buddy for the first time and we would love for them to catch up with them again at our Sunday Parish Mass. Our Kinder 2025 students will also receive an invitation to this mass. The students will be involved in many ministries. They will also sing or dance to the Thanksgiving Song. We also ask our families to bring along a plate of food to share for morning tea after Mass. This is always a wonderful opportunity to catch up with friends and make new ones especially our new Kinder families.