Newsletter Term 2 - 30th May 2024

St Mary's Biggest Morning Tea

This event was the highlight of my week. It gave me great joy working with our Year 6 students to organise St Mary's Biggest Morning tea. Our Year 6 students continue to rise to the occasion of being leaders and 'serving others' and being positive role models in our school community. I would also like to thank all of our parents who baked or bought goods to contribute to this event. We were overwhelmed with parent support. Our school community managed to raise over $1400 to donate to The Cancer Council!

Police Liaison Officer School Visit

Last week, Senior Constable Jane Heffernan visited St Mary's to discuss a number of topics including online safety, bullying and harrassment, responsible gaming, stranger danger, tik tok and many other topics. Thank you Jane, we love having you visit our students each semester.

Wellbeing Week at St Mary's

We celebrate wellbeing week during week 5 at St Mary's. This is mid point in our school term, this is where we check in with ourselves and our friends around us to pay particular attention to our wellbeing and focus on building and maintaining healthy habits in our lives. Each day during wellbeing week, we talk to the children about incorporating  healthy habits for their mind and body.

Mindful Monday - noticing what is going on in our bodies and minds is an important skill for staying mentally healthy. Time for being mindful and thinking about our feelings and actions. Enjoy calm, quiet activities that energize us!

Talk to God Tuesday - students calm their minds and nourish their faith by spending time with God and  participating in Christian Meditation.

Wellness Wednesday  - we spend time in Health lessons focusing on the benefits of nutrition, drinking plenty of water, exercise and sleep. In class, we discuss why it is important to build these consistent habits into our lives.

Thoughtful Thursday - evidence suggests that helping others is actually beneficial for your own mental health and happiness too! Do something nice for someone else without expecting anything in return. 

Friendship Friday - enjoy time playing with friends and participating in fun sporting games.

e safety education at St Mary's

Different topics are run throughout the year, covering a range of current online safety issues. The advice is informed by the latest research and intelligence from the investigation teams and eSafety's Best Practice Framework for Online Safety Education. 

E safety Virtual Classroom webinars are live video sessions where a trainer talks through a presentation and facilitates student interaction using moderated chats and polls. Students participate in their school classroom using a smartboard, guided by their teacher. 

The webinars run for about 40 minutes and include resources and links to further information and support. St Mary's Year 3 -6 students will participate in the following webinars on Tuesday 28th May and Thursday 30th May.                                                                                                

Be an esafe kid: Gaming with others

A live Virtual Classroom webinar to help Year 3 and 4 students identify ways to protect themselves when gaming online and what to do if things go wrong.

Level up: Creating a positive gaming culture

A live Virtual Classroom webinar to help Year 5 and 6 students learn how to protect themselves and contribute to a positive culture when gaming online.

There are excellent resources on the esfaety website for students and parents https://www.esafety.gov.au/

First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion 

This week, we begin our First Reconciliation Liturgies and First Holy Communion Masses for our Year 3 students. We pray for these students during this special time in their faith journey. 

The parish has been in contact with families in regard to booked times for children to receive the sacrament. Children are asked to arrive for the sacrament of First Holy Communion 25 minutes before the Mass. 

First Reconciliation

Children receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation the Thursday prior to the weekend they receive their First Holy Communion. This commences at 4:30pm in St Mary’s Church. 

First Holy Communion Masses 

Weekend 1

Saturday 1st June 5pm at St Mary’s Church

Sunday 2nd June 8:30am at St Joseph’s Church

Sunday 2nd June 10am at St Mary’s Church

Weekend 2

Saturday 8th June 5pm at St Mary’s 

Sunday 9th June 8:30am at St Joseph’s Church

Sunday 9th June 10am at St Mary’s Church

Weekend 3

Saturday 15th June 5pm at St Mary’s Church

Sunday 16th June 8:30am at St Joseph’s Church

Sunday 16th June 10am at St Mary’s Church

Year 3 Reflection Day 

This Friday, students will be participating in a reflection day with students from Catherine McAuley at Mercy Hall at James Sheahan. Reflection days are a wonderful opportunity provided by our school to assist students to reflect upon their faith journey. It is also an opportunity to form and strengthen friendships through games and discussions. 

RISE (Year 6) 

Students in Year 6 are invited to embark on an inspiring journey filled with faith, friendship, and fun? RISE is our Diocesan Catholic youth event tailored specifically for Youth in the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst.

RISE isn't just another event; it's an opportunity to connect with peers, deepen your relationship with God, and discover the joy of being part of a vibrant Catholic community. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Mt Panorama, RISE promises two days packed with engaging activities, thought-provoking discussions, and moments of spiritual growth.

Here is what happens at RISE:

1. Inspiring Talks and Workshops: Our lineup of speakers and facilitators are committed to empowering you with insights that resonate with your journey as a young person.
2. Prayer: Experience the power of collective and personal prayer as we come together to praise and honor our faith through music, prayer, and reflection.
3. Meaningful Connections: Forge lasting friendships with fellow participants who share your values, beliefs, and aspirations.
4. Outdoor Activities: Enjoy the beauty of nature as we incorporate outdoor adventures and recreational activities into our program.
5. Encounter: Deepen your spiritual journey through moments of Encounter with God and the Church.

RISE will take place on the 11th and 12th of July, offering you two days filled with inspiration, growth, and joy. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to rejuvenate your faith and connect with like-minded peers from across our diocese.

To register for RISE and secure your spot, simply visit and complete the online registration form.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHNv-42N5f75quNrpzZ7pjDYfCK_jhkWaiAQB2uYKinXix3g/viewform

Early registration is encouraged as space is limited, and we wouldn't want you to miss out on this transformative experience.

Mary Help of Christians

Last Friday our school community celebrated the feast of Mary Help of Christians. This feast day has been celebrated in Australia since 1844. The infant church in Australia had a special reason for turning to Mary. No priests were sent to the colony in its early days so Mass was not allowed. It was the Rosary in those early days that kept the faith alive. Catholics remained faithful to Mary and Australia was the first nation to choose her under the title, 'Mary Help of Christians'. Australia also became the first country to have a

cathedral dedicated in Mary's name. St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney was dedicated in her honour by the Irish pioneer priest, Fr John Therry who arrived in Sydney in 1820.

As a whole school community, we celebrated the day with a special Mass. It was also the first whole school Mass of the year. For our Kindergarten students, this marked their first Mass of their schooling years. All students should be commended for their reverence in the church. Thank you to Year 5 for leading the Mass, Mr. Duncan, Mrs. Carruthers, and Miss Nicholson for preparing the students with the readings, our altar servers, our vocal group for their beautiful singing, Mrs. Brown for playing, and Fr. Duong for celebrating the Mass with us.

Further celebrations throughout the day included special tabloid sports led by Year 6. Thank you to Mrs. Frew and Mrs. Wilson for organising this component. It was certainly a highlight for our students, and the perfect weather made it even better. 

Almighty God, deepen in our hearts

our love of Mary Help of Christians.

Through her prayers and under her protection,

may the light of Christ shine over our land.

May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.

Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.

Bless especially the men and women

of the Australian Defence Force and their families.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.

Creative Arts - Musica Viva Performance

St Mary's hosted a musical performance on Tuesday. The members of 'Eastwinds' showed students how to harness their creativity by expressing and sharing their personal experiences through music. A Persian ney (flute) and daf (drum) player, a musical instrument inventor and didgeridoo virtuoso drew on their own diverse cultural and musical backgrounds to create a sound that was uniquely theirs. In this special program, students were given the opportunity to create and connect to each other through making music on the spot. Our students always thouroughly enjoy being the audience of a live show and we are fortunate to have such professional performers visit our school to entertain and inspire our students. Thanks to Mrs Funnell for arranging this opportunity. 

National Simultaneous Storytime

Thanks to Mrs Fredericksen, our Teacher Librarian, for organising the much loved event for our students to participate in. Through reading, sharing and responding to quality literature, we hope to foster a love of learning. Students also enjoyed bringing in blue 'bits and bobs' for the bowerbird display in the Library. 

2024 CaFE Grade Reps

Kinder: Alicia Holmes, Stacey Tracey (Kinder Orientation Night, Set up Kinder FB group)

Yr 1: Olivia Day-Gorham, Amy Hinchcliff (Kinder Welcome Morning Tea)

Yr 2: Renee Davis, Alicia Holmes (Mother’s Day gifts)

Yr 3: Mel Balchin, Olivia Day-Gorham (Mother's Day breakfast)

Yr 4: Jess McGrath and Katrina Holway (Father's Day gifts)

Yr 5: Kym Flitcroft, Kellie Pickering (Father's Day breakfast)

Yr 6: Kate Pulbrook, Sharon Collins (Easter Egg raffle and eggs. Organise Yr 6 2024 end of year event)

Amazing Things Happening in 2 Gold

In 2 Gold this term, students have been enthusiastically exploring many new concepts across all key learning areas. Here’s a glimpse into our exciting journey:

Religious Education:
Students have delved into the significance of the Easter story within the Catholic faith. Additionally, they celebrated their first Mass as a school community, honouring the feast of Mary Help of Christians.

Mathematics:
We are closely following the new Mathematics syllabus. Students are engaged in their maths groups, learning new counting concepts, exploring various strategies for addition and subtraction, and understanding the importance of positional concepts.

English:
Our class has been exploring quality literature, including "Nian, the Chinese New Year Dragon" by Virginia Loh-Hagan and "Great White Shark" by Claire Saxby. Students have been practising writing a variety of sentences and paragraphs, incorporating subject-specific vocabulary to enhance their skills.

Science:
Through hands-on learning experiences, students have been investigating the properties of different materials. They will apply this knowledge by designing and creating model houses, using diverse materials to test for strength and durability.

History:
Students have been engaging in discussions about life in the past, enriched by a recent excursion to the Millthorpe Museum, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

Creative Arts:
The focus has been on preparing for the Orange Eisteddfod early in Term 3. Students are learning verse speaking poems, specifically "The Band" by Michael James Stanislaus Dennis and "Good Morning Dear Students" by Kenn Nesbitt. This activity has sparked a lot of enthusiasm as they embrace the challenge of memorising their pieces.

Keep up the good work, 2 Gold!

Breaches of Expectations

At St Mary's, we are commited to the development of safe, respectful and responsible learners. Our SPB4L focus this week has been around breaches. Each day, the teachers revise with the students the expected behaviours and the insuing consequences if these expectations are breached. The students are regularly reminded of  their responsibility to adhere to the school-wide expectations and the consequences of a breach. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions. 

Positive Levels

We understand how important it is to teach, model and encourage positive learning behaviours. These are frequently reinforced in many ways such as Class Dojo points, Class Awards, House Points, Christian Leadership Awards and Level Merit Awards. Some students have already received their reward for achieving Bronze Level and all are working towards achieving their next merit level. 

Medication at School-  Parental  Advice

If your child requires medication that needs to be administered during School Hours

Please bring the Medication to the Office, where it is stored safely, This includes asthma Inhalers.

Students can come to the office at an arranged time to have the medication administered by trained First Aid Officers.

The office does not have Panadol unless Parents supply and complete a form for their child only.

Thank you 

Hannah was part of the Southern Inland team with girls from the Riverina area and as far south as Moama. The Southern Inland team competed against teams from the South Coast, Mid-North Coast, Northern Coastal, Metropolitan East & West. They won 2 out of 5 games.      Only two girls from the Southern Inland team were selected for the NSW Team, Hannah missed out, but she came up against some very strong competition and talent from the other regions. She had a great time and loved meeting new friends with the same love of AFL and enjoyed the opportunity to gain some great experience.

Rugby Union Success ~ Tom travelled to Bathurst today to participate in the Rugby Union Winter Sports Trials. We congratulate him on being selected in the Bathurst Diocesan team! We wish him luck as he prepares to attend the Polding trials in Forbes in July! #rugbyunion #polding #brightfuturesstarthere

School Athletics Carnival News  by Mrs. Katie Frew 

There were four records broken on the day:

Frankie Bunworth broke the school record for the 8 year girls 100m sprint with a time of 16.70. This record of 17.24 was held since 2017.  

Elwyn Evans a broke the senior girls 800m with a time of 2:47:05. This record of 2:55:55 was held since 2018. 

Elwyn also broke the record for the 12 years girls 100m dash with a time of 13.33. This record was previously 14:14 and has been held since 2012.

 Elwyn broke the record for the 1500m as well with a time of 5.55. This record was previously 7:20.

A fantastic effort girls!!

 McNamee was crowned the house winner for 2024! Congratulations to the McNamee house and the McNamee house captains, Bonnie Venner and Lewis Hinchcliff. 

Congratulations to those students who have progressed to the Southern Region Carnival to be held in Canowindra on the 2nd of August.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the staff members whose organisation and dedicated effort made our Athletics Assembly a resounding success, despite the challenging conditions of cold and rain. A special acknowledgment goes out to the James Sheahan students and parents for generously volunteering their time. Your invaluable contributions ensured the smooth running of the event. We sincerely appreciate your unwavering support, as we couldn't have pulled off our athletics carnival without you. Thank you!

Katie Frew

Bathurst Diocesan Community Sport

Dear Parents,

Keep up to date with sporting events and achievements across the Bathurst Diocese. Search CEBD community sport or use the following link. 

https://sites.google.com/bth.catholic.edu.au/cedbsportcommunity/

St Marys is a Nut and Egg Free school 

Please do not put these in your child's lunch box as we have children at our school with severe reactions to these items.

 Children with Communication devices such as Phones and Watches must be handed to the school office in the Morning before class and collected at the end of the day.

Please support your child to meet this school requirement.

If you need to contact your child during school hours please call the school office.

  Dear parents & Carers

Please label students' clothing , so we can return them from lost property with ease.

Clothes that don't have names will be returned to the clothing pool, if not collected by the end of term.

Thank you 

St Mary's Uniform Shop

is run by  Parent Volunteers and is open from 9:00 am Friday Mornings. 

If you have put your order through Flexi schools it will be packed the following Friday and sent home with your child.