Term 2 Week 10 Newsletter 2024
Important Dates
July 01 | Whole School Assembly - 1.40 pm |
July 02 | Stage 3 Debating Workshop - St. Mary's |
July 04 | Semester One Reports on Compass |
July 05 | Last Day of Term 2 |
July 22 | Term 3 Commences |
July 22 | Stage 2 and Stage 3 - Luke Kennedy (guest speaker) |
July 26 | Western Region Chess Competition - St. Mary's school hall |
Aug 02 | Grandparents Day |
Aug 19 | BOOK WEEK commences |
Vision Statement:
St. Mary's Primary strives to be a welcoming Christ-centred learning community that promotes a quality holistic
education and trusting relationships in a caring and supportive environment.
Acknowledgment of Country: We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Wiradjuri people, who, long before us, lived, loved, educated and raised their children on this site. We pay our respects to elders past and present, and we recognise the young people who are our future. We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in our community. We respect their deep physical and spiritual connections to the country through their stories traditions and living cultures.
Character Virtue: K N O W L E D G E
Knowledge is a gift of the Holy Spirit to help you choose the right path that leads you to god. It encourages you to avoid barriers that will keep you from Him. Sometimes we can make wrong decisions that lead us away from God. This might be when we face peer pressure from others, and we must make the right decision.
From the Principal
Mr Luke Wilson
Principal
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the last week of Term 2. I would like to thank all of our parents and friends for your support throughout another very busy term at St. Mary’s. I hope you can find time over the coming two weeks of school holidays to spend quality time with family and friends.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Whole School Assembly - This afternoon, we held our Whole School Assembly, a significant event celebrating student achievements. At this assembly, we announced and congratulated the students who had been awarded a Citizenship Award for Term 2. These students were recognised for their positive attitude, behaviour and for working to the best of their ability in the classroom, and for their qualities as good citizens.
Congratulations to:
| Alfie Bonham - KB | Gundy Madgwick - KG | Ellie Eagleston - 1B | Irish Salloum - 1G |
| Maddison March - 2B | Payton Pyne - 2G | Sean Edwards - 3B | Ravnoor Bains - 3G |
| Nasha Jarry - 4B | Asher Goodstat - 4G | Aidan Constantine - 5B | Addyson Tobin - 5G |
| Gracie March - 6B | Brandon Seton - 6G |
Semester Reports - The Semester 1 Reports will be available on Compass this Thursday. The Semester 1 Report is a report on your child’s progress for work assessed during this reporting period using various assessment strategies. The school report will outline your child’s achievements and efforts during Terms 1 and 2.
Pupil Free Day - Our Pupil-Free Day, originally planned for the first day back next term, has been postponed.
The day will be held later in Term 3 and we'll let you know when we confirm a new date.
We'll be back at school on Monday, 22nd July for the commencement of Term 3.
Grandparents Day - Our Grandparents Day will be held on Friday, 2nd August (Term 3 - Week 2).
We'll have Mass at 10:00 am, followed by morning/tea and open classrooms. We’ll share more information closer to the event.
Automated Attendance Notification:
CEDB will set up Automated Attendance Notifications during the school holidays for our school, so it begins the first day back in Term 3.
Attendance Tracking: Teachers will record attendance as usual.
Automated Alerts: If your child is marked absent without a known reason, an SMS will be sent to your registered mobile number.
Immediate Action: You can take immediate action by contacting the school if the absence is
unexpected or unaccounted for.
Ensure Your Contact Information is Up-to-Date: Verify and update your mobile number with the school office.
Communicate Absences: Notify the school in advance if your child will be absent.
Stay Alert: Look out for SMS notifications from the school.
Religious Education
Mr Tim Keady
RE Coordinator
Dear Parents,
Rise - RISE Youth Festival is for young people in Years 6 to 9 (anyone in Years 10-12 can be involved as a youth team member). The Diocesan Youth Ministers facilitate a festival full of fun, friendship, small group challenges, workshops, games, music and lots of opportunities to encounter Jesus. Register HERE.
Rego is open (even though it's not until July holidays) - St. Brigid’s Parish will subsidise the cost to bring the participant's contribution to $50. We'll also try to arrange transport or carpooling.
Gospel Focus: Healing Faith (Mark 5:21-43)
Be open to the wonders of God.
ST. BRIGID'S PARISH - MASS TIMES:
St Brigid's: Saturday - 5pm, Sunday - 9am and Sunday - 5pm
St. Laurence's Church: Sunday - 7.30am
Sport
Congratulations to CJ Gordon, who represented Polding at the NSWPSSA Rugby League Championship last week. Unfortunately, CJ picked up an injury during the carnival, but this in no way diminishes his achievement in competing at this elite level.
Athletics Carnival - Thanks to Mr Keady, Miss Herbert, Mrs Sutcliffe, Mrs Alexander and Mrs Bruce for their work in organising another wonderful Athletics Carnival last Monday, and thanks to all staff and parents for their contributions to making the day a success. Congratulations to Moore, who got the double on Monday at our Athletics Carnival. Marching and Point Score champions.
Well done to all of our Moore students.
Also, congratulations to our talented Age Champions:
| Junior Boy | Jake Butcher |
| Junior Girl | Esther Williams |
| 11 Year Boys | Slater Gray |
| 11 Year Girls | Zara Maas |
| Senior Boys | Levi Gilholme |
| Senior Girls | Claudia Cook |
| CONGRATULATIONS! | |
Wellbeing
Luke Kennedy
Motivational Speaker & Mental Health Advocate
Motivational speaker & mental health advocate, Luke S. Kennedy, will be presenting to our 3-6 students on Monday, 22nd of July. He's one of the most sought after guest speakers in the country, and reports from all schools state that he leaves a huge impact on students and the school community. Topics covered in his student talk; Bullying (self-bullying/Negative self-talk) Mental Health - Overall Wellness Resilience and How to be yourself and stop worrying about what other people think. As well as this, Luke will be holding a session for teachers where he focuses on reducing stress, increasing connection, and overall wellbeing.
The Year 6 Ministers and Deputies have been proactive in introducing the Wellbeing wagon at St Mary's. The Year 6 leaders take turns to distribute games, puzzles and toys to students in the playground during targeted recess and lunch times throughout the week.
ICAS
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AND ASSESSMENTS FOR SCHOOLS (ICAS)
Students who have a particular talent in a specific area relevant to the subject nominated in the International Competition are invited to participate in the 2024 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS), which will be held next term. Competitions are offered in English, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Digital Technology and Spelling.
ICAS Assessments are now online, a move that reflects a sector-wide transition to computer-based assessment. This allows greater accessibility for students and faster delivery of results.
Please Note: Years 3 to 6 students who have a talent in the relevant Key Learning Area are eligible to enter.
We do not promote these competitions as a relevant means of diagnosing and assessing students who do not display a high degree of ability. The content of these competitions does not always reflect our curriculum. We would only encourage students that have the ability to work at a high level of competence in these particular KLA’s.
School Access Code: RCI592
Parent Page link: https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps
| Subject | Date | Price incl. GST |
| Digital Technology | Monday, 5th August | $19.95 |
| Writing | Monday, 5th August | $23.95 |
| English | Wednesday, 14th August | $19.95 |
| Science | Thursday, 22nd August | $19.95 |
| Spelling Bee | Thursday, 22nd August | $19.95 |
| Mathematics | Wednesday, 28th August | $19.95 |
Awards
HOUSE AWARDS:
Congratulations to the following students for gaining 10 points for
their Sports House for exemplary behaviour:
| LA SALLE: | McAULEY: | MOORE: | LENNON: |
| Brendan Bell - KB | Eknoor Gill - KG | Ruby Smith - KB | Hank Dunworth - KG |
| Charlotte Gilmour - KG | Tommy Bashford - KG | Conor Carroll - KG | Mollie McNamara - KG |
| Beau Georgiou - KG | Jimmy Job - KG | Nate Hopkins - KG | Charlie Knight - KG |
| Ned Johnson - 1B | Ava Richardson - KG | Evie Pratten - KG | Albie Isbester - 1B |
| Ellie Eagleston - 1B | Beau Edwards - 1B | Grace Taylor - KG | Willow London - 1B |
| Maggie Lawson - 2G | Tommy O'Connor - 1B | Eboni Cook - 1B | Reggie Green - 1B |
| Kieran Dixon - 2G | Nora Smith - 2G | Mackenzie O'Brien - 1B | Louie Rootes - 1B |
| Althea Higgins - 2G | Tex Simpson - 2G | Charlie Coyle - 1B | Nate Salt - 1B |
| Logan Nichols - 2G | Althea Williams - 2G | Lexi Anderson - 1B | George Knight - 1B |
| Rio Wilson - 3G | Charlotte Bruce - 3G | Will Large - 1B | Bede Isbester - 2G |
| Harrison O'Brien - 3G | Harvey Curtin - 3G | Lewy O'Connor - 1B | Quinn Box - 2G |
| Nasha Jarry - 4B | Buddy Salloum - 3G | Jack Peterson - 2G | Leila Cusack - 2G |
| Jobe Pearson - 4B | Lexi O'Connor - 3G | Jack Coyle - 3G | Payton Pyne - 2G |
| Millie Morris - 4B | Ryder Gray - 3G | Lucinda Anderson - 3G | |
| Torah Maas - 3G | Bella Cowden - 3G | ||
| Emily Bruce - 4B | Trace Gardiner - 3G | ||
| Anna Godwin - 3G | |||
| Aidan Good - 3G | |||
| Eva McArthur - 3G | |||
| Alice Sykes - 3G | |||
| Louie Knight - 3G | |||
| Charlie Pitt - 3G | |||
| Zoe Taylor - 4B | |||
| Lachlan Hattenfels - 5B |
School Fees
Term 2 Fees were emailed on Friday, 10th May 2024 and DUE on Friday, 24th May 2024.
If you'd like to start up a Payment Plan to manage your school fees, please phone the school office. Thank you.
Attendance
Attending special school events fosters a sense of belonging to the school community. Expect your child to attend and participate in events.
Setting the expectation for children to attend and actively participate in special school events is a positive step toward creating a supportive and vibrant school community. It contributes to a well-rounded educational experience that extends beyond the academic curriculum.
Expecting children to attend and participate in school events instills a sense of responsibility. It teaches them that being part of a community involves active involvement and a commitment to shared experiences.
PARTIAL ABSENCES:
Parents must attend the school office to use the Compass Kiosk to complete a PARENT DROP-OFF or PARENT PICK-UP if arriving late or leaving early.
FULL DAY ABSENCES:
A Note should be submitted via Compass for a FULL DAY absence from school.
Reminder: Parents to submit an attendance note within 7 days of absence. Thank you.
Community News
THE CLOTHING POOL - PRICE LIST | |
| BOYS SUMMER UNIFORM Blue Short Sleeve Shirt - $3.00 Grey Shorts - $5.00 | GIRLS SUMMER UNIFORM Pink Check Dress - $10.00 |
| BOYS WINTER UNIFORM Blue Long Sleeve Shirt - $3.00 | GIRLS WINTER UNIFORM Maroon Tunic - $10.00 Maroon Trousers - $5.00 Fawn Blouse - $3.00 |
UNIFORM BOYS & GIRLS | |
Canteen
Canteen Roster
TUES Jul 02 | Amanda Isbester |
WED Jul 03 | Zoe Fox |
THURS Jul 04 | Chris Catelotti and Jackie Pratten |
FRI Jul 05 | Michelle Howarth, Hayley Lee and Tiffany Single |
MON Jul 22 | Kristy Hubbard |
A BIG THANK YOU to all the ladies who helped out in the Canteen at the Athletics Carnival.
Your time was very much appreciated.
REMINDER:
MunchMonitor cut-off time for placing lunch orders - 9.45 am.
LATE LUNCH ORDERS:
9.45 am - 11.00 am - Parents are welcome to phone the school office to place a lunch order.
After 11.00 am - Students have an option of a Vegemite Sandwich, Cheese Sandwich
or Cheese and Vegemite Sandwich only.