In Mr Hughes’ absence, who returns on Monday,we welcome everyone back to Term 3 and especially welcome the James and Comerford families who join the St Mary’s school community.

NAPLAN REPORTS

This week we received individual NAPLAN reports which were sent home yesterday to students in Year Three and Year Five who sat the tests in Term One of this year. Please contact the school if you do not receive your child’s report.

As a school we will make a deeper analysis of our results and share our findings with parents.

WESTERN REGION NAIDOC MASS

Today schools from the Western Region joined together for a mass to celebrate NAIDOC Week. Our ATSI students attended with Ms Murray, Ms Moorby and Mr Ziebowski followed by a BBQ lunch where they mingled with other ATSI students across the Western Region, from Kindergarten to Year 12. At the conclusion of mass  they presented the 2024 NAIDOC Awards.These awards serve to acknowledge:

• people within our school communities that have made a valuable contribution to developing Australia’s future through their active involvement in promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders histories and cultures.
• students, teachers, staff and schools who are providing significant contributions and or are achieving at a high level across all fields; music, art, culture, education, VET, sport, leadership, curriculum or community initiatives. 

We are very proud of our students and staff who were acknowledged in the following ways:

• Tyler Malkav who received a Leadership Award for his guidance, inclusion and initiative with students in the schools’ gardening club
• Skylar Gunning who received a Deadly Encouragement Award for her outstanding commitment to studies, showing perseverance and determination with challenges.
• Ms Emma Moorby who received a Leadership Award for her excellent contributions to Indigenous culture at St Mary’s. Emma is a proud Wiradjuri woman who develops a culturally rich experience for students in her Aboriginal Education Worker role.  

On behalf of St Mary’s, congratulations to Tyler, Skylar and Ms Moorby.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

Most students attend school every day. It is important that children are at school all day, every day. There may be reasons why children can not attend school from time to time, such as illness or natural disasters like floods or fires.  It is not a good idea to skip school for reasons like sleeping in, shopping, completing work or to go on holidays (unless the Principal has been advised and agreed to it.  

Every day counts at school. Missing even 1 day can make a difference. One day off school each fortnight equals missing more than one year of learning over 12 years. Each day's learning builds on what has been learnt before. Good attendance begins in Kindergarten, where good habits begin. 

What can parents do? 

• Promote the importance of school at home
• Ask about your child’s day
• Get to know the teacher
• Go to school events
• Read the school newsletter
• Supervise reading or homework at home
• Volunteer to help at school

Give your child every chance to succeed.

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

Mass

Tomorrow, Saturday July 27th at 6:00 pm at St Mary’s Church, our Year 6 students will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

Children have been asked to wear neat and tidy clothing.

Could parents please drop their children off to the Church between 5:30 - 5:45 pm so they can prepare for the Mass. Mrs Connelly and Mrs Eastwood will be present to greet children outside the church to take them to the Chapel for prep . 

Parents and families are asked to then make their way into the Church. Pews will be labelled with children’s name and saint for families to sit in. Ms Murray will be in the Church to greet families.

All are welcome to attend mass and celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with their family and friends. 

We ask members of our community to keep these children in our prayers as they make their Sacrament of Confirmation over the weekend: 

Rory Brodbeck 

Emily Cusack 

Charlie Maher 

Willa Morris 

Charlotte Noakes 

Henry O' Brien 

Samuel Presser 

Freya Silk 

Daisy Sullivan 

Oscar Wright 

Trinity Silva

Harry Collins  

Diyon Peiris 

Maggie Canellis 

Primrose Bloor 

NAIDOC WEEK MASS

On Friday July 26th, ATSI students from St. Mary’s attended a mass as part of our Western Region NAIDOC Week celebrations. The students participated in a smoking ceremony when entering the church. It was a lovely event celebrating our indigenous students and their accomplishments. The Mass involved schools from around our region as well representatives from Catholic Education and our local community. 

KOREAN LESSONS

안녕하세요 (Hello). This year, our students in Years 4, 5 and 6 have been enjoying their Korean lessons. We have learnt how to greet each other informally, ask and tell what the weather is and tell the seasons. We have started reading Korean words also. We have been learning about big Korean businesses and we have also learnt to write our names in 한글 (Hangul), the Korean writing system. Students got to enjoy 부대찌개 Budae Jjigae (Korean Army Soup) at the end of last term. It was a great treat on a cold Winters day! For those that want to try this great soup, please find the recipe below.

The school now has school scarfs availabe for purchase though the front office for $30.00. These are a poly cotton scarf and can be worn through winter for extra warmth. 

Orders due via the LOOP 12/08/2024

https://issuu.com/scholastic_australia/docs/bc_5-24_issuu?fr=sMTZmNjcwNDI5MTA

We are seeking assistance from parents in providing afternoon tea for the Grandparents Day afternoon tea.
Please complete the google form if you are able to supply something https://forms.gle/6qaxXUFcBJYUo8E4A

WEEK 1

• Confirmation - St Mary Catholic Church - 6pm

WEEK 2

Friday 2nd August

• Grandparents Day & Prayer Service
  • 1.00pm Prayer Service
  • 1.30pm Afternoon Tea in the hall
  • 2.00pm Open Classrooms with Grandparents

WEEK 3

Thursday 8th August

• Year 6 Leaders - First Aid Training 

Friday 9th August

• Western Region Public Speaking - St Mary's hosting 
• 2PM - Assembly