Issue #5 5th April 2023
Principal's Message
This term has been a busy one, and we are so grateful for the wonderful learning opportunities, memories and fun times our community has been able to share together. During this Holy Week and Lenten Season, enjoy your time with family, friends and have a safe and holy Easter.
Open Day
Our Open Day and Information Evening a few weeks ago was a great success. A huge thank you to our wonderful Year 5 and Year 6 volunteers who lead activities and guided tours for our prospective families. We are proud of you, boys and girls!
Cinema Under the Stars
Relunctantly, our much-anticipate 'Cinema Under the Stars' was cancelled due to a muddy oval. We hope to find a new date to hold it, later in the year. A huge thank you to our PIP Team, including Tenille, Eileen and Corrine who organised the event.
Concert
This morning, you would have received a letter outlining information about our school concert. The confirmed dates are Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th September.
School Photos
Our dates for school photos are coming up quickly. School photos will be held in Week Two of next term: our two dates are Monday 1st May (all individual photos, class group photos, small group photos and Year 6 group) and Thursday 4th May (sibling photos, makeup individual photos and 50th Anniversary Whole School photo). School photos must be purchased before photo day. Please check your emails and Compass, as purchases are made directly through the Compass App to MSP Photography.
Mothers Day
Our Mother's Day stall will be held on Wednesday May 10th. All gift purchases are $7 and must be finalised by Thursday 4th May, through Qkr!
Winter Uniform
Winter Uniform begins on Monday 15th May. If ther weather turns significantly cold before that date, we will bring the date forward. All students will begin back in Summer uniform in Term 2 and for School Photos.
Term 2 dates
Once again, our Term 2 calendar is attached to our newsletter today. Please note, children return to school on Wednesday 26th April. (Please see below for attached calendar).
ANZAC Day
Thank you to the many students who have volunteered their time to join us at the ANZAC Day March on April 25th. Please attend from 9.15am at Toukley near the Coles carpark in full summer school uniform. Our ANZAC Day Liturgy will be held on our first day back, Wednesday 26th April at 10.30am in the Quad Area. Parents are welcome to join us.
Early Leavers
Unfortunately, we are regularly seeing children signed out early of an afternoon, particularly on a Thursday and Friday afternoon. Our school day, and student learning, is until 3.15pm. There are very few reasons that a child should be signed out before this time.
Thoughts and Prayers
Please keep the Intia (Elise, 3 Blue) and Gormley (Liam, 5 Green) family in your thoughts and prayers. Elise and Liam's great grandfather recently passed away. May your treasured memories help you through this difficult time.
Easter Raffle and Easter Hat Parade
Thank you to the many parents who helped donate eggs, make Easter hats, or help construct the 100+ prizes for our Easter Raffle. Thank you!
Easter!
The P.I.P Team Say Thank You!
A big thank you to all of the helpers who have been able to offer their support and assistance to different initiatives this term. We say 'thank you' to those who were able to help at the Kinder Enrolment Information Night and Easter Raffle prize wrapping afternoon. Your time was much appreciated!
Please keep an eye out in the newsletter for up coming community events early Term 2.
REC
Andrew Chinn - Holy Week Liturgy
Tomorrow we will finish the term with a special Holy Week Liturgy. Andrew Chinn will be working with our students through out the day to put this together. We invite parents, grandparents and parishoners to join us at 1.50pm for this.
Sacred Space - 3 Blue and 3 Gold
Thank you to our 3 Blue and 3 Gold students who shared their learning in Religious Education. It was wonderful to see them sharing with us the story of Moses and the burning bush. We also loved seeing the biblical micrography the students created.
Year 1 Sunday Parish Mass
Thank you to all our families who joined us for our Year 1 Parish Mass. We were so proud of our students who read so well! We loved seeing our students sing and dance to "My Lighthouse." You put a smile on so many parishoners faces. It was lovely to catch up for morning tea with our friends.
First Reconciliation
Congratulations to all our students who made their First Reconcilation last week. Thank you to Lorrie, our Parish Sacramental Coordinator, for preparing such a beautiful liturgy. We are very blessed to have you. Thank you to all our leaders and parents for preparing our students so well.
First Eucharist
On 26th April enrolment for First Eucharist begins. This is open to all students in Year 4 or older who have been Baptised, Confirmed and made their Reconciliation. Parent information sessions will be run on 11th May. Please read the attached flyer for further information.
Year 6 Leadership Day
Last Thursday our Year 6 students joined all the other Year 6 students in our diocese for a Leadership Day via zoom. The theme this year was ”Fruitful Leadership.” We explored the scripture, ”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 It was wonderful to hear from Bishop Anthony and listen to his reflection.
Project Compassion
Thank you to all our families for their support and generosity. We have raised nearly $2000 as a schoool to support Caritas in their Project Compassion campaign. We raised over $530 on Harmony Day and $1330.30 through out Lent in our Project Compassion Boxes. Congratulations to 2 Green and 5 Gold whose class raised the most money and get to throw water balloons at Mrs Sellars today.
Stations of the Cross - Good Friday 9am
On Friday at 9am our parish and school will come together to share "The Way of the Cross." If you are not busy this will be a great reflection of the events leading up to Jesus' death.
St Mary's 50th Anniversary
We want to celebrate our school's 50th Anniversary with a fun night our with friends. So, gather a group of friends and save the date - a fun, child-free night at the Hali for dinner, drinks and dancing.
Please contact the parent team if you can help, StMarys50yrs@gmail.com and click on the link.
Mother's Day Breakfast, Friday 12th May
All Mothers and Carers Welcome
This year, the St Mary's PIP Team are excited to host a special Mother’s Day celebration breakfast in honour of all mother’s, those in motherly caring roles and their children. We will be supplying a yummy, scrummy, mummy feast compliments of our school. Breakfast will include either a sausage sandwich or bacon and egg sandwich with tea, coffee and juice provided. Please complete the breakfast order form Via QKR! APP Friday 5th May. Please ensure that you place your QKR order under your eldest child ONLY, for all family members. Please also remember to select the timeslot you will be attending so that we can ensure that your food is ready.
COOKING UP A STORM! Attention all Dads and Pops! We need an eager team of helpers to help cook the BBQ for the mums! Also to serve and wash up during the morning… Please use the ‘Sign Up’ link to register your commitment and help volunteer during the morning. https://signup.com/go/eLLyKbk
Merit and Star Awards
Sport
Polding Swimming
Congratulations Elizabeth, Phoenix, Koby, Harry, Byron, Archie Yenna and Ollie!! St Mary's is so proud of you all! All these children gave their best an came in the top 10 in their races. That means that they are top 10 in Catholic schools in Northern NSW. What an achievement from everyone. Best of all though - Elizabeth C came 1st in 50m Freestyle.
She is competing at NSW All Schools today at Homebush. We wish her the best of luck and can't wait to hear results.
Polding Touch Trials
Congratulations Willow F and Chloe S on your fabulous efforts in Parkes. It is an amazing achievement making a Broken Bay Team and St Mary's is proud of your efforts. Although not making the Polding Team both girls are a credit to their sport and School. Well Done.
Liz Bain, Sports Coordinator
Toukley Neighbourhood Centre
Please click on the linked attachment to view Toukley Neighbourhood Centre's news and upcoming events.
Piano Tuition
There are currently vacancies for piano tuition during school hours. Please contact Chris Hochkins for further details. Ph. 0414 186 044
Spotlight on Year 3
