Newsletter - 12th October 2023
Principal Report
Dear parents and carers,
A warm welcome back to school for Term 4. I sincerely hope that you have been able to enjoy the extra time with your children and found some relaxation for yourselves in the break from routine.
I had an absolutely wonderful time in the UK with my family and friends and was certainly spoiled by them all as I celebrated a milestone birthday. I was then fortunate to have a week in the magical Maldives, so coming back to work has been a jolt to the system! I'm sure you can relate... one moment you are on holidays and the next it seems as though you've never been away.
The school grounds are looking magnificent in this beautiful weather and it is wonderful to see the students more relaxed in their summer uniforms. Please remember to provide them with a labelled hat each day, as we do not want any of our children to miss out on their play by having to remain in the shade. If lost hats are clearly labelled they are easy to return to their owners.
We are providing some exciting sport, performance and cultural opportunities this term with the students attending weekly dance lessons for seven weeks, culminating in our annual dance concert. Cricket Australia is also running weekly cricket clinics. The choir will have an opportunity to perform in the Orange Christmas Parade. Dates will be published as soon as they are confirmed.
NAIDOC week in Orange is fast approaching and we have some wonderful events lined up for Monday 16 October in preparation for this celebration. This year the theme is, For Our Elders.
As a special treat, one of our local Elders, Gerald Power, the deputy Mayor of Orange, is visiting St Mary's. Gerald runs his own business called the Indigenous Cultural Adventure and he will provide the students with a chance to sample foods that were traditionally enjoyed by the Aboriginal people. The food will be presented as taster burgers or sliders (kangaroo, crocodile, emu), with lovely pestos and bush honey and lemon myrtle popcorn.
Of course, the students may opt out of tasting the food. While working with Gerald, the students will also have an opportunity to do some art, see some indigenous weapons and tools, and experience a traditional dreamtime story.
The artwork will consist of a series of painted hands that will be put together to recreate Gaanha Bula Mount Canobolas.
You may be aware that we recently wrote our very own St Mary's Acknowledgement of Country, which will now be used at every school assembly and gathering. I include this below...
Have a wonderful weekend when it arrives,
Gayle Stratton
'We would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Wiradjuri People, who in the arms of Gaanha Bula Mt Canobolas, continue to nurture the land, waterways and sky. We pay respect and give warm thanks to the Elders, past, present and emerging. May we all tread gently together on this land.'
Religious Education
Christian Leadership Awards
Bhadri Sreejith Amelia Grelli
Nasochi Odoemene Evie Benson
Maggie Frew Hudson Shirvington
Saara Sabu Isla Olano
Georgie Pearson Rhys Thomas
Tazmin Brown Hudson Shirvington
"In Recognition of Community & Common Good "
Iza Joseph
"God's Presence in the Whole World"
Frankie Curran Pippi Jarick
"In Recognition of Positive View of Life"
Lulu Meldrum Peyton Zwiers
Viven Shyankumar Henley Morris
"In Recognition of Search for Truth & Wisdom"
Academic Results
Class News
In Week 9 of Term 3, Year 1 attended the Kinross Wolaroi School performance of “Tut, Tut!” at the Orange Civic Theatre. The children thoroughly enjoyed the story of Prince Tut swapping places for three days with a peasant. We were still singing the songs on the bus on the way home!
Library News
Sports
SPORTS UNIFORM Term 4 (any changes to the uniform days will be sent out in compass)
Kindergarten - Monday & Friday
Year One - Monday
Year Two - Monday
Year Three - Monday
Year Four - Monday
Year Five - Monday
Year Six - Monday
Katie Sharp participated in the NSW PSSA State Championships this week as part of the Polding team. Playing 12 games over three days in high heat and wind, the team played some wonderful softball and formed lots of new friendships. Coming from far and wide, the team quickly learned how to work together, and support each other, eventually coming away with a 9th place finish from 13 teams, improving Polding’s position from 12th last year.
Canteen News
Student Wellbeing
School Wide Positive Behaviour for Learning (SPB4L)-SCHOOL UNIVERSALS
As learners at St Mary's we are expected to:
BE SAFE BE RESPECTFUL BE RESPONSIBLE
The aim of SPB4L at St Mary's, is to actively teach and model positive behavioral expectations through consistent, reasonable, and proactive strategies that will foster positive relationships with students, staff, and parents.
BE SAFE ❖ We will keep our hands and feet to ourselves ❖ We will follow the rules of the game
BE RESPECTFUL ❖ We will use kind words ❖ We will follow the teacher directions
BE RESPONSIBLE ❖ We will include others and play fairly ❖ We will engage in our learning
CEDB Mobile Phone Policy Information to Parents
Mobile Phones
Students are not permitted to have mobile phones in their possession during school hours. On arrival at school, students are to submit their phones to the office and they may be collected at 3.10 pm once dismissed from class.
Community News
