Issue #2 19th February 2025
Principal's Update
Parent Meetings. Thank you to the many parents who joined us last week for the first formal opportunity for teachers and parents to meet. We enjoy working in partnership with you.
Kinder Information Workshop. Tonight we invite our current Kinder families to attend our Information Workshop (Wednesday 19th February at 5.00pm). It is important for at least one parent from each family to attend this 60-minute workshop, outlining how 'decodables' are read with your child at home and your role in supporting your child's home reading, and discussions around how the children have settled into big school and how you can support them. We look forward to seeing you there.
Term Overview of Learning You will have noticed that your child's Term 1 Overview of Learning was sent out via Compass last week. This gives parents and carers an opportunity to have discussions with their child about the things they are learning in class across all of the Key Learning Areas.
Kinder 2026 Open Day We have our Kinder 2026 Open Day in just a few short weeks. Please click the link https://bit.ly/opendaysiblings to register your child's interest if you have a younger sibling looking to enrol.
Anaphylaxis and Allergy Aware In our school, a number of students have been diagnosed as Anaphylactic to a variety of triggers including peanuts, tree nuts, egg, dairy and bees. Anaphylaxis is life threatening and can be triggered not only by directly eating or coming into contact with the above triggers, but also by exposure to foods that contain these allergies.
To foster a safe environment for all children, please talk to your child about our school rule of never sharing food with others. We also ask that no nut products are included in lunches. Thank you for your support in this important matter.
Jersey Day This Friday we invite students to wear a team jersey or shirt or team colours to school. Students must wear their usual sports shoes.
We are holding our Jersey Day to raise money for some soccer goals for the oval, for the students to use during lunchtime. Our goal is to raise $1000 to be able to purchase multiple sets of goals. If every child brings some gold coins on the day, we hope to be able to reach it. A big thank you to Toukley-Gorokan Gunners for helping us with organising the goals and fundraising.
Tech Team Our St Mary’s Tech Team is made up of Year 5 and Year 6 students who assist running Technology groups at lunches with Mrs Perry, and also assist teachers across the school. Billy H and Sophie C are the two Tech Team Leaders, and Harry B, Harvey L, Jackson Q, Willow L, Charlotte C, Jack H, Jackson M, Oliver E, Nixon P, Tiana OC, Eli F, Talan C, Taj R, Will M, Roman, Jonah R and Siaosi M make up the Tech Team. Congratulations to you all and thank you for being such fantastic leaders.
Church seating for Parents Whenever we hold a whole-school Mass, we love when parents are able to attend and share in the morning with us. Please be aware that our students take up 98% of the seats in the church. If you plan to join us, please be aware that we lack a lot of additional seating. There will be approximately 3 rows downstairs at the back of the church, and upstairs will also be available. These will always be signposted. Thank you for your understanding. Our Opening School Mass is next Friday 28th at 9.15am.
Mini Vinnies Leaders We have a great team of Mini Vinnies leaders who will assist the entire Mini Vinnies Team in running initiatives in the school and local community. Congratulations Willow L, Mila C, Harper B, Adalita S, Grace L and Lillian M on your formal leadership role within this outstanding group.
Choir Our 2025 choir have now formed, practicing each Thursday with Mrs Hodgson and Mr Hochkins. We love the way they lift our Masses with their beautiful voices. Well done, girls and boys!
Thursday Morning awards Each week we celebrate children from each class who receive a ‘Merit’ Award or ‘STARS’ Award. These have traditionally been presented to students on a Thursday afternoon. For Term 1, our Student Parliament are trialling presenting these weekly awards each Thursday morning at 9.00am, to allow more parents to share in this moment. Due to the nature of the awards, parents will not be notified ahead of time if their child receives an award.
NAPLAN Our Year 3 and Year 5 students will sit their NAPLAN testing in the upcoming weeks, beginning Wednesday 12th March. This is national testing that all children will be included in. These children must have working headphones to be able to access the test, which is online, covering the areas of Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language, Spelling and Maths.
CCC Swimming On Monday, 30+ students represented our school so well at the CCC at Mingara. The students were well behaved and tried their best, with some wonderful results. Congratulations to all of our swimmers. A special mention to Oliver C, Ollie B, Flynn B, Eva W, Jase B, Aidan B and James C, who have all made it through to Broken Bay. Congratulations!
Sacred Space Once a year, each class will present a short morning ‘Sacred Space’ at our Monday 9.00am assembly. The purpose is for the children to present what they have been learning about in their Religion lessons to their peers and audience. This term, our Sacred Spaces will be: March 3rd Mini Vinnies, March 10th 6 Gold, March 17th 5 Gold, March 24th 4 Gold and March 31st 3 Gold. These can change due to inclement weather.
Permissions: Cyber Safety and Photo Recently you received two 'events' on Compass to give permission for, a Photo Permission for your child and a Cyber Safety permission. Please complete these on Compass as soon as possible.
From our REC
Celebrating our Catholic School
Next week we will be celebrating "Our Catholic School." We will hold a Sacred Space on Thursday morning on line up. If your child has a role in this liturgy a note will come home from school today. Our students have been sharing in class the different things they love about our school, St Mary's. Keep an eye out on Facebook to hear what our students value about our school.
Opening School Mass
Next Friday, 28th February we will be celebrating our Opening School Mass. This will begin at 9.15am. Due to our increasing numbers there will be limited seating for parents in the church. Please keep an eye out for signage. The choir loft is always a good option. Our Year 5 and 6 leaders will pledge their commitment to our school in front of our community. We look forward to celebrating Mass with those who are able to be with us.
Kinder and Year 6 Welcome Mass
On Sunday 2nd March Kinder and Year 6 will be leading our Sunday Parish Mass. Our Year 6 teachers have handed out readings and other responsibilities and Kindergarten are excitedly preparing the Thanksgiving song. This is always a special Mass to attend. Year 6 are bringing along morning tea. Please join us for this wonderful celebration.
Grade Sunday Parish Masses
Every year, we invite families to attend the Sunday Parish Mass for their child's grade. We know that everyone has busy schedules, but as part of the Catholic community, we encourage you to join us in celebrating this special Mass. Each grade participates by reading and singing a Thanksgiving song, making it a meaningful opportunity to unite and strengthen our community. Please save the date for your child or children's Grade Mass.
Ash Wednesday - Year 5 are Leading Mass
On Wednesday 5th March we will be celebrating "Ash Wednesday" with Mass at 11.30am. Our Year 5 students will be leading the ministries at this mass. This is an important Mass as it marks the beginning of Lent. Lent is the 40 days before Easter. During this time we prepare ourselves for Jesus' death and resurrection.
On Monday 3rd March at 9am, Mini Vinnies will launch the Project Compasssion initiative and fundraising.
🔥 St. Joseph’s Men’s BBQ 🔥
Date: 28 Feb
Time: 7:00–8:30 PM
Who: Men 18+
Good food. Good company. A chance to grow in faith and brotherhood. Join us for an evening of real conversation and genuine fraternity as we explore what it means to live authentic Catholic masculinity.
We’re honoured to welcome Shayne D'Cunha as our guest speaker. Born in Mumbai, India, and raised in Sydney, Shayne pursued a professional soccer career, playing as a defender for the Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-League and representing Australia at the under-20 level. In 2019, he answered a higher calling and entered the Seminary to study for the Catholic priesthood for our Diocese of Broken Bay. Shayne's journey from the soccer field to the seminary offers profound insights into faith, purpose, and the essence of true Christian manhood.
"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." – Proverbs 27:17
Come, connect, and be strengthened. No pressure, just men striving for more.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Tonight Sr Jiji will be holding the final information session for parents wanting their child or children to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It will run from 7pm-8pm. Please use the following link to join.