Dear Parents,

Last Tuesday we were able to hold our postponed swimming carnival in fine, sunny conditions. The carnival saw many children challenging themselves to swim longer distances than they had before and trying strokes they do not normally swim. This was particularly evident in the non-competitive relays which saw students who had not attempted fifty metre events participate in the relay. We also have some very capable swimmers who will go on to represent St Mary’s at the Western Region Swimming Carnival this coming Monday in Tumut. We wish them all the best of luck.

I thank Mrs Challen for her organisation of the carnival; the Hennessy students who acted as lifeguards; school staff who supervised the students and all the parents that assisted as starters and timekeepers. Without your willingness to assist, the swimming carnival could not go ahead.

Reading Challenge

Next Monday we commence our first reading challenge for the year. Students from Year 3 to Year 6 will receive their recording sheets at school today. Students in the younger grades will use their InitiaLit reading log.

The challenge is for students to read at least 19 of the 20 school days over the next four weeks commencing on Monday. Each night they read, an adult needs to sign their reading log. If they read for at least 19 or the 20 nights Mr Hughes will cook them a free lunch with a drink and a Zooper Dooper in week nine. Reading logs need to be returned by Monday 31st March.

Opening School Mass

Next Tuesday at 9am we will be celebrating our opening school mass at St Mary’s Church. At this mass we will present our School Captains and Vice Captains as well as our house leaders their leadership badges. There will also be a small presentation to our Kindergarten students. We would love to see a good representation of parents at the mass.

Parents are asked to drop their children off at the church from 8.30am which is when supervision will commence. Buses will be asked to drop students off at the church instead of school. Following the mass, older students will walk back to school while the younger students will be transported on the school bus.

Year Five Camp

Next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday students from Year Five will attend the Sport and Recreation Camp at Borambola. They will be accompanied by Miss Dwyer, Mr Hughes and Mrs Dal Molin. Everyone is looking forward to undertaking some challenging activities in hopefully ideal weather. 

Holy Honey - Food for the Soul

Last week Finn Aitken and Frankie Sullivan from Year 4 helped Mr Hughes harvest honey from the school beehive. We emptied three frames from the top box and left three to get the bees through Winter. This week we finished bottling the honey and all the Kindergarten students tried the honey which they all enjoyed. We had about 12 bottles for sale and they went very quickly.

We hope to harvest our next batch of honey towards the end of Spring.

Swimming Carnival

We managed a glorious day with lots of sunshine! We enjoyed a relaxed day with competitive swimming, continuous 50m relays, lots of novelties and even a parent/staff v Hennessy v school leaders race!

A big thank you to all our parents that assisted with timekeeping on the day. We really appreciate your time to help us out. Thank you to Pat Brodbeck - our starter, Peter Ward - our head judge and Justine Neilsen for her support with the dolphin timers.

Thank you also to the Young Amateur Swimming Club for the use of their Dolphin Timers - we are very grateful for your support and generosity.

Thank you to our wonderful teachers on the day - your enthusiasm and support was outstanding both at the pool and back at school. It was an amazing team effort and we are lucky to have such dedicated and generous staff here at St Mary’s!

My last thank you is for the students - you were simply the best! So much laughter and smiles. You all showed such school spirit and we are proud of you all!!

Well done to our winning house - McCarthy

Congratulations to our Age Champions:

8-10 Age Champions - Evie Brodbeck & Henry Burgess

Runner Up: Nina Robinson & Ashton Callaghan

11yrs Age Champions: Agatha Murphy & Nate Neilsen

Runner Up: Ayla Terry & Alex Presser

12/13yrs Age Champions: Marlie Oakley & Nixon Gault

Runner Up: Belle Morris & Patrick O’Reilly

Western Region Swimming Carnival

We wish our squad of swimmers heading to Tumut on Monday the best of luck as they compete for selection in the Western Region Swimming Team. Mrs Presser will be attending with the students and will need some assistance with timekeeping - we are responsible for Lane 4 throughout the day. Notes were sent home on Wednesday. We hope you all have a fabulous day!

MacKillop Basketball Trials

We wish Henry Aiken & River Hambilton the best of luck as they represent the Canberra-Goulburn Archdiocese today in Beaton Park as they compete for selection in the MacKillop Basketball Team. We look forward to hearing all about your day!!

MEETING SUMMARY - FEBRUARY 2025

Following Community Council's first meeting of the year, that was held on Wednesday 19 February 2025, excited to share the council committee members and office bearers for 2025:

Chair: Alecia Denniss

Second Chair: Amy Parkes

Secretary: Pauline Sharpe

Treasurer: Jenna Hosken

Parent Representatives: Judd Morris, Karan Thind, Liz Wright, Andrew Holland, Ashwini & Kirankumar Jadhav

Aim of Community Council:

• Assist to build school community
• Support school principal
• Advise on issues related to the school
• Organising fundraising activities

Upcoming events for 2025:

Term 1

Parents of St Mary's get together at Bowling Club

Easter Egg Draw for students

Term 2

Soccer Carnival Canteen

Disco

Mother's Day Raffle

Term 3

Disco

Father's Day Raffle

Term 4

Colour Run

Family Christmas Event

If you would like to become involved or have an idea or suggestion please reach out to us. New members are always welcome.

CONTACT US: communitycouncil.stmarysyoung@cg.catholic.edu.au