Dear Parents and Carers

As we are entering the Season of Advent, please take the time to reflect on the coming of Jesus into our homes, this is often a difficult concept for children. Wondering 'Was Jesus born every year?’, this of course is a time of remembering and reflecting on the mystery of the King of Creation being born in a stable, the lowest of the low. Please take time to prepare your hearts for this great celebration. 

I hope everyone has remained safe and dry under the extreme weather conditions that prevailed this week. I understand that many people in the area were again faced with the ravages of mother nature and were flooded or without power for significant periods yesterday. It was so lovely to see the sunshine this morning, drying out the earth and allowing our Swimming Program to continue, enormous thanks to Mrs Katy Reid for her organisation of the program involving many staff members and timetabling changes. 

As our Year 6 students are preparing for their transition to High School, we are so pleased to be able to officially launch our new MacKillop Award for Exemplary Behaviour across the school. This award is named after St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, the founder of the Sisters of St Joseph who started our school. This award will be presented to students in Years 3-6:

Who show contribution to our community of learners by living Christ’s love through action. Working to the best of their ability. Bringing a sense of joy and belonging to all. Contributing to a just and sustainable world. This award is presented to an exemplary leader who lives the school motto. ‘Help one another’

This award will be presented to students in each stage group once a year, students will be eligible for this award if they meet the data rule of no major behaviour incidents over the previous 12 months, and show evidence of living our school Vision and Mission statement as listed above. If a student receives three of these awards in consecutive years they will be eligible to receive the MacKillop Badge representing the ‘Head, Heart and Hands’ of the student’s development at St Mary’s. There will also be a Junior (Infants) Award launched in 2024. We look forward to seeing our exemplary students proudly wearing their badges. 

We were informed last week that we have been successful in applying for the Roger O’Sullivan Memorial Award, this award is awarded on behalf of the Council of Catholic School Parents. Our application was based on furthering the work of our ‘Kitchen Garden‘ Project, providing resources to support our garden and kitchen program. We are so grateful for this financial support of $1000, it is also wonderful to see our community initiative recognised so highly among Catholic Schools in NSW and the ACT. Congratulations to our team for a great submission. 

I look forward to seeing you over the next two weeks as we prepare for the Christmas Season.

Yours in partnership
Lindy Nelson