Term 3 Week 3 Newsletter 2024

Important Dates

Character Virtue:   P A T I E N C E
Patience is coping with annoying and difficult situations - especially long drawn-out ones - without becoming angry or aggressive.  It's normal to feel angry and annoyed sometimes, but you can choose how you react.  By being patient, we are following the example that all the saints displayed throughout their lives, especially the patient St. Francis of Assisi.

From the Principal

Dear Parents,

Welcome to Week 3.

A huge thank you to our grandparents, parents, and friends who joined us for Grandparent’s Day on Friday. A big thank you as well to our REC, Mr Keady, and our Year 1 and Year 4 teachers for organising a beautiful Mass. Thanks also to Mrs Dann, Mrs Fiander, and our wonderful choir for their contribution to the celebration.
This week, we have Western Region Athletics on Tuesday and a Soccer Gala Day on Friday. Year 6 are heading to Canberra on Wednesday for their three-day excursion, and we’re sure they’ll have a wonderful trip.

Saint Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day - We will celebrate Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day with a liturgy this Thursday.
When Mary saw families living on the margins without access to education, she set up a school to teach children herself — regardless of their situation. She and the Sisters of St Joseph went wherever the need was greatest. And despite facing enormous challenges, they continued to walk with people every step of the way.

“Let no obstacle deter us from proceeding with courage.”
– St. Mary MacKillop

This August, let’s walk in Mary’s footsteps.  Like Mary, let’s be fierce in the face of adversity.  Let’s be fair and act when we see injustice.  Let’s give love to those we encounter each day.  Together, let’s be Fierce for Fair!
www.marymackilloptoday.org.au/mary-mackillop-feast-day/

Uniform reminders relating to hair and jewellery - Jewellery is not permitted except a signet ring, a watch, a crucifix on a fine chain, and one sleeper or plain stud earring in each ear lobe. 
Make-up or nail polish is not to be worn. 
Hair is to be of one natural colour, clean, tidy, neatly cut, out of the eyes and tied back below the collar (this applies to both boys and girls).
Ribbons, hair bands, and clips, if worn, must be maroon, black, pink, or made from the fabric of the school uniform.

Sport

Polding Touch - Congratulations to Zara Maas and Max Muller, who will represent Polding at the NSWPSSA Touch Champions in Wollongong this week.  Reaching this level of elite competition is a huge achievement, and we wish them the best of luck.  We know they will represent St. Mary's with pride.

Western Region Athletics - We have a huge team of 77 athletes who will be competing at the Western Athletics Carnival on Tuesday. We wish them all the best of luck.  From this carnival, a Western Region Athletics Team will be selected to compete at the Bathurst Diocesan Carnival.

Soccer Gala Day - Primary children who have been nominated for Friday’s Soccer Gala Day will receive information, and online permission will be sent home via Compass on Tuesday.

Religious Education

Dear Parents,

Communion Registration - First Eucharist sessions are being held in the coming weeks.  A reminder that Year 3 children and their parents are required to attend one meeting per week in the lead-up to the sacrament. 

ST. BRIGID'S PARISH - MASS TIMES:
St Brigid's:  Saturday - 5pm, Sunday - 9am and Sunday - 5pm
St. Laurence's Church:  Sunday - 7.30am

Wellbeing

Peer Support Groups
Year 6 Leaders at St. Mary's Primary act as facilitators for our Peer Support Groups. This program runs each year in Term 3 with the invaluable expertise of the Year 6 teachers, who guide the new Peer Support Leaders through their lessons each week. The Year 6 students play a challenging role in becoming group leaders of their peers. The topic of our program this year is Making Connections - creating friendships and keeping them. Start a conversation with your child about their Peer Support experience.

Peer Support

Library

Author Visit
St. Mary’s is very fortunate to have an author coming to help us celebrate Book Week on Monday, 19th August.  Beckie Plant is the Author and Illustrator of the children’s book ‘Amazing Like You’, a story that encourages children to believe they are amazing and to focus on their strengths.
 
Phillip Donato Orange MP review
“The essence of this book lies in its artful rhythms and illustrations. Beckie encourages our children to embrace their unique qualities and empowering them to see their strengths. Her book does not merely tell our children of their brilliance, she guides them in comprehending the very reasons that make them exceptional”.  
Beckie Plant will give author talks to each of our grades throughout the day and will also be selling her book. Amazing Like You is available on the day for the Author  price of $20, or $21.99 at The Book Connection Dubbo, Collins BookSellers Orange, Early Childhood Australia and online with free postage in Australia via rebecca-plant.square.site.
Instagram and facebook: beckie.plant.author

Awards

STUDENT OF THE WEEK:

HOUSE AWARDS:
Congratulations to the following students for gaining 10 points for
their Sports House for exemplary behaviour:

ICAS

Dates for students (Years 3 to 6) who have entered the International Competition and Assessments for Schools:

Gallery

Grandparents Day

GREEN AND GOLD DAY...

Lego STEM Challenge - People hard at work learning about the new bridge...

School Fees

Term 3 Fees were posted on Friday, 2nd August 2024 and DUE on Friday, 16th August 2024.

If you'd like to start up a Payment Plan to manage your school fees, please phone the school office.  Thank you.

Attendance

Attendance Matters - The impact of school absences, even seemingly small ones, can accumulate and affect a child's learning significantly.  The cumulative effect of absences over time can lead to gaps in knowledge and understanding. 
Consistent attendance is vital for academic success, as each day in school provides valuable learning opportunities.
If your child is expressing reluctance to go to school regularly, it's essential to address the issue promptly. 

Community News

BIRTHDAYS:
Celebrating their birthday this week are: 
Bella Cowden, Charlie Boothby, Kiel Caliboso, Maddix Chapman, Jimmy Job, Lola Whiteman, Chloe Lindsay, Merryn McArthur, Owen Fitzgerald and Archie Farrelly.
We hope you enjoy your birthday!

SO MUCH LOST PROPERTY....
As students warm up, they often remove layers of clothing.  It is much easier to return items that are clearly labeled.  We currently have quite a few track pants and jumpers that we cannot return because they are not labeled.  Additionally, some labels are hard to read due to repeated washing.  Proper labelling not only helps us return items promptly but also ensures that students don't lose their belongings.  Please ensure that all clothing is clearly labeled so we can return it to its rightful owner.

Canteen

Canteen Roster

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.