Every year parent’s are invited to complete a survey that asks for your views on a range of issues related to St Mary's School. It is called the ‘Tell Them From Me’ survey and is distributed to a range of schools across Australia. Some of the questions related to topics such as gang violence and drugs are not pertinent to our school.

I encourage all families to complete the survey as it does provide some useful information for both the school and the Community Council. The more families that participate gives greater validity to the data collected.

The link is http://tellthemfromme.com/stmarys2594 

Please note the survey concludes on Friday 23rd August.

Chess Championships

Yesterday a number of our students travelled to Burgmann Anglican College in Canberra to compete in the North Canberra/Gungahlin zone of the ACT Chess Championships. 

The students performed very well with our best player being Nate Neilsen who won five out of seven games with Layla Wright our next most successful with three wins and one draw. All of the participants experienced success.

Thank you to Kylie Wilder for joining us for the adventure.

Public Speaking

Today we hosted the finals of the Western Region Public Speaking Competition with 24 speakers taking part. St Mary’s was represented by Pippa McKnight in Year Three; Alex Preser in Year Four; Amity Sullivan in Year Five and Jayda Holt in Year Six. From our speakers Alex Preser won his division and now travels to Batemans Bay for the Archdiocesan Public Speaking Finals.

The standard of public speaking across all grades was very high and all students are to be commended for the work they put into their speeches and for having the courage to present in front of a large audience.

I also thank our two adjudicators, Mrs Rita O’Connor and Mrs Vivien Pavett for taking on the difficult role of adjudicating.

Three Way Conferences

Just a reminder to parents that Three Way Conferences are taking place on Wednesday 21st August. We encourage all parents to go to the Compass App and schedule a time to meet. If you are unable to make Wednesday, please contact your child’s teacher.

SAINT MARY MACKILLOP PRAYER SERVICE

On Monday, we celebrated the Feast Day of Saint Mary MacKillop, during our whole school prayer time. Each class received a stained glass window, made by 1Mc, to take back to their classroom’s prayer table as a symbol of Saint Mary MacKillop.

Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop is Australia’s first saint and her feast day is held on August 8th each year. She is recognised for her commitment to the poor, and helping those who needed it the most in any way she could. 

“Mary MacKillop embodied all that is best in your nation and in its people: genuine openness to others, hospitality to strangers, generosity to the needy, justice to those unfairly treated, perseverance in the face of adversity, forgiveness to those who hurt her, kindness and support to the suffering. 

Think of Mother Mary MacKillop and learn from her to be a gift of love and compassion for one another and for all Australians” 

Pope John Paul 11 - January 1995

ALTAR SERVERS

Students who are in Years 4, 5, and 6 who have made their First Holy Communion are invited to be a part of our Parish Altar Serving Roster for the Saturday or Sunday Masses at St. Mary’s Church. It is a beautiful ministry that you can offer your children in their faith life.

If you have made your First Communion and are interested in becoming an Altar Server, please fill in this permission form and return it to Ms Murray.

Harden Trent Barrett Legends Gala Day

We look forward to a great day of footy next week in Harden. The draw and updated team/bus list can be below. Students that are accompanied by parents should meet Mrs Rumble & their managers at Roberts Park at approximately 9.30am and ensure their name is marked off before they leave. Students travelling by bus are to meet Mr Rumble & Mrs Dal Molin in the Sr Phil Shelter as soon as the bell goes please. These students will return to school in time for normal afternoon departure. Students will receive their shorts and socks on Monday. Students will need to make sure they have their school hat, sunscreen and plenty of food and drink for the day. There will be a canteen in operation.

We wish Chloe Buck the best of luck as she competes for selection in the MacKillop Girl’s Rugby 7s team in Sydney next Wednesday. It is a very competitive day and we will be cheering you on Chloe!!

WEEK 4

Tuesday 13th August

• Trent Barrett Legends Gala Day

Wednesday 14th August

• Girls Rugby 7

Thursday 15th August

• 9am Mass - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Friday 16th August

• Vinnies Winter Appeal - Beanie Day - Gold coin donation
• Interim Reports

WEEK 5

Wednesday 21th August

• Parent Teacher Student 3-Way Conferences

WEEK 6

Tuesday 27th August

• Achdiocesan Athletics

Friday 30th August

• Father's Day Breakfast
• 2pm Assembly - 3/4R Class item 

SAVE THE DATES

Friday 6th September 

• Meerkat Performance
• 12:30pm Book Character Parade - K to 6

Saturday 7th September 

• Community Council Bunnings BBQ 

Monday 9th September 

• Archdiocesan Public Speaking Finals - Batemans Bay

Tuesday 10th September 

• 9am Whole School Mass - St Mary's Catholic Church

Thursday 12th September 

• Student Disco

Friday 20th September 

• 8:50am to 10:50am - Kindergarten Orientation Session #1 

Wednesday 25th September 

• Yr5 & Yr6 Boys to the Bush Community Engagement Day
• MacKillop Athletics 

Thursday 26th September 

• Mission Day Fair
• Last Day for Term 3 for all students