Issue #20 12th December 2024
Principal's Update
And just like that, another fantastic year of learning has come to an end. I would like to sincerely thank all of you, parents, for your support of our school over the last 12 months. It has been a wonderful year of many activities and celebrations together, carnivals, gala days, a colour run, school disco, assemblies and Masses. We look forward to working in partnership with you again in 2025.
To our Year 6 Graduating Class of 2024 - on behalf of the staff and St Mary's community, we wish you the best of luck in high school and hope you enjoy every moment of the journey ahead, and all of the wonderful opportunities awaiting you. Our Year 6 Graduation Mass and Disco is tonight, 12th December. Our traditional Guard of Honour will be next Tuesday 17th from 2.45pm. Parents should meet on the oval.
We look forward to seeing you back in 2025. Have a wonderful break and a joyous, safe and holy Christmas. Year 1-6 students begin back on Monday 3rd February, and Kinder begin on Wednesday 5th.
Swimming Carnival: Yesterday was a fantastic day at Mingara for our swimming carnival. It was so well organised and once again, our children spent most of their day swimming and having fun in novelty events, rather than sitting in the grandstands.
A HUGE thanks you to the team of parent volunteers, who were so instrumental in making the day a success. We appreciate the time you gave up doing those important jobs. I would also like to recognise and thank the wonderful St Brigid's helpers, many who are ex St Mary's students, for being so supportive of our kids and helping the activities run smoothly. A big thank you to Miss Dawson for organising the day, it is no easy feat to organise 400+ kids in races and activities, and it was such a fun and happy day for our kids. Our teachers also work without a break in the day, and make sure our children are happy and safe. Thank you!
Congratulations to Blue House, winning the championship by around 30 points. Our Swimming Presentation will be held tomorrow morning, 13th, at 9.00am.
Leaving Staff: I would like to acknowledge and thank a number of staff who leave St Mary's at the end of 2024. During their time with our school community, they have shown care, understanding and have impacted greatly on the lives of our students. Please join me in wishing them the very best for the future.
Mrs Louise Mally, our dedicated Learning Support Assistant, has been with us for an incredible 22 years. For over two decades, Mrs Mally has been a constant source of support, encouragement, and care for countless students, always going above and beyond to ensure that each child feels seen, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential. Thank you for your kindness and your dedication to our school and your students during this time. Enjoy your retirement! We farewell Mrs Prue Nelson, who has been an integral part of our school community for many years. Throughout her time with us, Mrs Nelson has shown her dedication and passion for education, impacting so many in our school community. Mrs Nelson has consistently gone above and beyond, not only imparting knowledge but also nurturing a love for learning in her students. We wish her well for her teaching role in the Bathurst Diocese. We say goodbye to Miss Teagan Hartge who has made an incredible impact on our school. From the moment Miss Hartge joined our school, her energy and dedication have been evident in everything she does. Your compassionate, enthusiasm and hard-working nature have been appreciated. We wish you luck in your permanent role at Avoca Beach PS. We also farewell Mrs LeChae Rowan, who has been an important part of our school community as a Year 4 teacher. Mrs Rowan has shown kindness and genuine care towards her students, always striving to do her best for her students, we appreciate your hard work this year and wish you well in your travels in 2025. We also farewell Neville Greentree our groundsman. Thank you for making our school look beautiful, we wish you all the best!
Award Ceremony: Last week we held our annual Award Ceremony. Below are the recipients of the major awards, our School Parliament for 2025 and Sports leaders for 2025.
Sports Captains and Vice Captains for 2025: Evie C, Hayden T, Mya C, Amarli G, Max A, Amarli M, Jazz B, Rhys M, Cruz W, Katie-Leigh P, Josi C, Koa F, Phoebe N, Ruby B, Sunny S, Ashlee S, Cruz C, Flynn B, Cooper Bailey and Remmi W.
Rotary Citizenship Awards for 2024: Ellie C and Archer G.
Catholic Values Award: The highly commended awards go to: Addison P, Andy B, Archer G, Ellie C, Emmanuelle D, Eva S, Ezri D, Louis F, Matthew G, Piper E, Rhani L Ruby R. The winner of the Catholic Values Shield for 2024 is Cochella O-C.
Community Spirit Award: The highly commended awards go to: Andy B, Archer G, Charlie B, Cochella O-C, Cynthia A, Ellie C, Henry H, Louis F, Luke P-C, Sonny I and Summer G. The winner of the Community Spirit Shield for 2024 is Addison P.
Student Parliament 2025: Noah B, Zara B, Vincent B, Harrison B, Willow C, Charlotte C, Sienna H, Harvey L, Evalata M, Lachlan M, Stephanie M, Caspian W, Finley G and Baylen M.
School Captains for 2025: Sienna H, Harvey L, Evalata M, Lachlan M.
Semester 2 Reports: Tomorrow, you will receive your child's Semester Two report via Compass. Please spend time reading your child's report and celebrate their achievements.
Volunteers: I would like to also thank and acknowledge our PIP Team Leaders, Kiara, Tenille, Corrine and Eileen. These ladies have worked tirelessly this year leading, organising and coordinating our many school events. In addition to this, so many of our school community volunteer for stalls, breakfasts and canteen; a school the size of ours would not function without the many parent volunteers. We rely heavily on our parent community and appreciate the many efforts of so many people - THANK YOU!
Christmas Clothes: Last Friday, our children did a wonderful job wearing amazing Christmas clothes to school instead of their uniform.
Staffing 2025:
Kindergarten: Mrs Lee, Mrs Waterman and Mrs Andrew.
Year 1: Miss Johnson, Mrs Lynch (M-Th) and Miss Irvine (Fr) and Mrs Maiden (M-Tu) and Mrs Laing (W-F).
Year 2: Miss Dawson, Mrs Hughes, and Mrs Kyle (M-Th) and Mrs Duncan (Th-Fr).
Year 3: Mrs Hodgson, Mr Whiteford, Mrs Jones and Mrs Cousins.
Year 4: Mrs Shearwood, Mrs Rogers (M-Th) and Mrs Fifita (Fr) and Mrs Roach (M-Th) and Mrs Vargas (Fr).
Year 5: Mrs Brooks, Mrs Perry and Miss VanHemert.
Year 6: Mrs MacMahon, Mrs Doyle and Mrs Perell.
Library: Miss Gray, CAPA: Mrs Williams (M/W) and Mrs Duncan (Tu), PE: Mrs Cheek.
Learning Support Teachers: Mrs Mobbs (M-Th) and Mrs Johnson (M-Fr).
Collaborative Coaching Release (W+Th): Miss Evans, Mrs Fifita and Mrs Vargas.
2025 Requirements List and School Uniform
Please see the following 3 attachments, outlining the Requirements List for 2025, our School Uniform Expectations and Order Form for school uniforms:
From our REC
Thanksgiving Mass
Thank you to our 2025 Parliament students and students from 2 Green and Kindergarten who led our Thanksgiving Mass. It was wonderful to celebrate our 2024 school year. Thank you to our parents who joined us. I know many of you were moved by our Kinder students blessing our Year 6 students as they move on to high school next year. They have a special bond. It was also beautiful moment when our Year 6 students handed leadership over to our Year 5 students. We know we have an amazing Year 5 group who will lead us well next year.
Second Week of Advent
Thank you to our Year 1 and 2 students who lead us in prayer for our 2nd Week of Advent. This week we focus on "Peace" and bringing this into our community and world.
Third Week of Advent
Thank you to our Kinder and Year 6 students who lead us in prayer for our Third Week of Advent. This week we focus on "Joy" and bring this into our community and world. At this liturgy we welcomed Bob Steele. He is one of the St Vincent DePaul leaders in our Parish. Bob graciously received all of our donations for Christmas Hampers to share amongst our community to those who find this time of year quite difficult. The donations will make a huge difference to many families in our community.
Bob also presented our Kids 4 Community Awards. These awards are given to students who are members of our Mini Vinnies group who have completed the Kid 4 Community Program. Congratulations to Zara B, Willow L, Cynthia A and Charlie B for receiving this award. We are very proud of the work you have done this year.
Year 2 Journal Presentation Liturgy
On Tuesday afternoon our Year 2 students led our Kinder and Year 1 students in a special liturgy. This was to celebrate all the learning and hard work they have put in over the last three years. We were able to share with our community the Twelve Foundational Works. These form the basis of our Kinder - Year 2 Religious Education Curriculum. Thank you to Father Tomy for blessing the journals and handing them out with our Year 2 teachers. Our Year 2 students were presented with their journal.
Christmas Mass Times -St Mary's Toukley
Christmas Eve: 6pm (including Children's Nativity)
Christmas Eve: Midnight Mass (Carols begin at 11.30pm)
Christmas Day: 7.30am and 9.00am (no evening Mass)
Piano Tuition
Please contact Chris Hockins on 0414 186 044 if you are interested in piano lessons in 2025.