Newsletter Term 3 - 25th July 2024

Parents & Carers - Important information for your calendars:

St Marys Primary School will be closed to students -  

Term 3, Monday 12th August 2024  for a Staff Spirituality training day. 

Welcome Back to Term 3

A very warm welcome back to all our St Mary's families for Term 3. Thank you for sending your children dressed so beautifully in their correct full winter school uniform. Our focus for this term is on students wearing correct school uniform with pride. This includes children wearing the school tie and clean black leather shoes.

At St Mary's we take great care wearing the correct school uniform, this signifies who we are and promotes a sense of community and inclusivity. Parents and community members often comment on how well St Mary's students wear their school uniform. If you child cannot wear full school uniform for a particular reason please inform your child's teacher in writing. Please make sure your child's clothing is labelled with their name, our lost and found uniform cupboard has many unlabelled items in it. Please ask your child to check lost property if they are missing any clothing.

Term Three Overviews

Parents and carers will be emailed Term Overviews next week. The Term Overview outlines helpful information about what your child is learning in class this term. It outlines topics that your child is learning about in each Key Learning Area, class routines, homework and some other handy tips!

NAPLAN

All parents of children in Year 3 and Year 5 should have received paper copies of The National Assessment Program- Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) results. These were sent home from school on Tuesday. This assessment was held early in Term One 2024 in March. The report includes:

• an achievement scale showing your child's results for each assessment area
• a national average marker for each assessment area, indicating the average performance achieved by the national cohort of students in Year 3
• tables which provide additional information on your child's performance and a description of the skills and understanding assessed.

The assessment provides a snapshot of your child's achievement at a point in time. The information in this report should be considered together with school based assessments and reports. Further details of  school NAPLAN results will be included in the following newsletter.

Bullying: No way: National Week of Action 12-16th August 2024 

St Mary’s Year 3-6 students will be participating in the live virtual classroom webinars. This year's theme: ‘everyone belongs,’ highlights our shared responsibility to prevent bullying and create safe, inclusive spaces. For parents who would like more information and helpful resources please visit:  esafety.gov.au

Below is an overview of the content of the webinar:

Be an e Safe kid: Better together – connecting with others and being positive online 

For Year 3 and 4 students, the key outcomes are:

• understand what an online community looks like 
• identify the qualities of a good digital citizen 
• explain how to be a good friend online 
• understand the importance of security and privacy. 

Be an eSafe kid: We are connected – using tech safely, responsibly and with respect 

For Years 5 and 6 students, the key outcomes are:

• gain insights into online communities, group chats and echo chambers 
• identify the qualities of a good digital citizen 
• use strategies to safeguard themselves and others online. 

Welcome to Term 3!

We hope you had a restful and enjoyable break, recharged and ready for the exciting term ahead. As we embark on Term 3, we look forward to continuing our journey of learning, growth, and deepening our faith together.

This term promises to be filled with enriching experiences, both academically and spiritually. Our dedicated staff have been preparing diligently to ensure a dynamic and engaging curriculum for our students. We encourage everyone to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead and to approach each day with enthusiasm and curiosity, guided by our shared values and faith.

Let's work together to make this term a memorable and successful one. Welcome back, and may God's grace be with us all as we strive to make Term 3 the best yet!

Grandparent’s Day 

Tomorrow we will celebrate Grandparent’s Day, a cherished tradition that allows us to honor and appreciate the wisdom and love of our grandparents. We look forward to sharing this meaningful occasion with our school community, reflecting on the blessings and faith that our grandparents bring into our lives.

Our Year 6 leaders will lead a special liturgy to celebrate our grandparents. The liturgy will commence promptly in the hall at 12:15pm. After the liturgy, grandparents and visitors will be invited back to the classroom where students will share their work and read a book. Depending on the weather, grandparents and visitors are welcome to stay and sit with their grandchild/child for lunch. A message will be put out on Compass if this part of the day is cancelled. 

Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst (CEDB) Religious Education Test. 

Last term, Year 6 sat the annual Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst Religious Education Test. Students across the 33 CEDB schools sit this test in Year 6 and again in secondary school. Each student who particulates in the test receives a certificate from the CEDB. Congratulations to the following students who received a High Distinction. 

Aishwarya Sangwan 

James Rudd

Brianna Zwiers

Bonnie Venner

Savanna Meldrum 

Ada Golding 

Elwyn Evans

Bree Collins

Confirmation 

This term, students in Year 6 who have been Baptised Catholic and have completed their First Reconciliation and Holy Communion are eligible to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

There is a parent information meeting this evening at 5:30pm at St Mary’s Church, Gathering Space. If you cannot attend, please arrange for another family member to attend on your behalf. Children do not attend this meeting.

Students will meet with Fr Greg, Fr Duong and Fr Augustine in week 3 to discuss Confirmation. At this meeting, students will hand their letter to Fr Greg requesting the Sacrament of Confirmation. Details of what to include in the letter have already been sent out by the parish. 

Confirmation takes place over three weekends on the following dates:

Fr Greg will celebrate the Mass on this weekend 

Saturday 17th of August, 5pm at St Mary’s Church 

Sunday 18th of August, 8.30am at St Joseph’s Church and 10am at St Mary’s Church 

Fr Greg will celebrate the Mass on this weekend 

Saturday 24th of August, 5pm at St Mary’s Church

Sunday 25th of August, 8.30am at St Joseph’s Church and 10am at St Mary’s Church 

Bishop Michael will celebrate the Mass on this weekend

Saturday 31st of August, 5pm at St Mary’s Church 

Sunday 1st of September, 8.30am at St Joseph’s Church and 10am at St Mary’s Church 

Upcoming Liturgical Events

Week 1:

- Friday 26th of July, Grandparent’s Day Liturgy, 12.15pm School Hall 

Week 2:

-Tuesday 30th of July, Parish Grade Mass Year 6, 9.30am St Mary’s Church

-Tuesday 30th of July, Class reconciliation, 3 Gold and 3 Blue 

Week 3:

-Tuesday 6th of August, Class reconciliation, Year 6 

-Thursday 8th of August, Mary MacKillop Feast Day Mass, lead by Year 4, 10am St Mary’s Church

PDHPE - Physical Education - Gymnastics 

Year 1, 2 and 4 students enjoyed their first of five sessions of Gymnastics at Central West Gymsports this week.  They will be  participating in lots of activities to develop their skills such as: static and dynamic balancing with different body parts and at different levels, jumping vertically and horizontally with control and hopping from one point to another around objects. They loved the ninja course and are keen to master the warped wall!

Feedback - Staff Professional Development

The research around feedback is clear. Effective feedback strategies can greatly improve student learning and teaching quality.

Following on from our professional learning with Michael McDowell in Semester One, the teachers have been working on implementation of feedback strategies. They have completed a number of learning modules and set professional goals around providing quality student feedback.

At St Mary's we are developing a whole-school approach to pedagogy and feedback, based on research. This ensures a consistent experience for all students, as well as a common language for teachers to discuss student progress and outcomes. Collaborative data analysis allows for setting learning targets that address the next steps in learning. Teachers use a range of feedback practices, including pre-assessments, success criteria, modelled work samples, bump-it-up walls, check-in activities and peer feedback, to name a few.

This week, we had Chad Ferris deliver a session in our staff meeting around effective feedback strategies. Teachers have set a new professional goal for Term 3 to implement a variety of feedback practices in the classroom to improve student learning and enhance student outcomes.

STEM Workshop - Where Space Meets Fun! 

This week, Year 3 and 4 students participated in a STEM workshop presented by FLEET (a satellite building company) and LEGO Australia. The LEGO Group's mission is to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow through the power of play. The students used their imagination to designed and built their own space satellite! It was fun and very engaging.

As part of the workshop, students are invited to design an artwork to enter the following competition.

"Give me Space" Competition: Students will have the unique opportunity to unleash their creativity by designing an artwork that embodies Australia’s pioneering space spirit. Whether it’s an emblem, symbol, or message, the winning design will be laser-etched onto our next-gen Centauri satellite, joining our expanding constellation in space. This hands-on activity aims to inspire students about the wonders of space, providing them a platform to express their imagination and instil a sense of pride in contributing to a real space mission. Additionally, students will gain insights into the features of Fleet’s satellites and learn how they can unlock endless possibilities. The competition is open to all students in NSW from Year 4 through Year 12. 

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)

Book Week / Parade  Thursday 29th August 2024 

During library lessons, classes have begun to share the Children's Book Council of Australia, (CBCA) shortlisted books for 2024. During this time, our lessons link literature and art.
The theme for this year is "Reading is Magic".

The Reading is Magic theme celebrates the reading of stories and their amazing power to transport minds.
The CBCA event concludes with winners announced during the official book week of 17-23 August. At St Mary's we will celebrate Book Week the following week.

The book parade is scheduled for 9.30am Thursday the 29 August. We look forward to sharing our creations with you on this day. Further information will follow next term.

Students will have an opportunity to wear a costume for a dress up day based theme, 'Reading is Magic" or a character from their favorite book.

if you need ideas these websites may assist.

https://www.bountyparents.com.au/expert-advice/easy-book-week-costumes/

https://madisonslibrary.com/2021/08/01/book-week-easy-costume-ideas-from-things-in-your-wardrobe/

Six Universal Expectations

This week, we are revising our 6 universals and reminding the students of the expectations around being safe, respectful and responsible learners.

Next week, our focus will be on uniform expectations. All students are reminded to wear the correct school uniform and to wear it neatly, with pride. 

Medication at School-  Parental  Advice

If your child requires medication that needs to be administered during school hours, please bring the medication to the school 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 

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. This includes Nutella/hazelnut spread. Thank you for your assistance.

Children with communication devices such as iPhones and Smart Watches must be handed to the school office in the morning before class and collected at the end of the day. This includes any device capable of taking photos.

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 8:45 am for an hour on  Friday Mornings. 

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