Dear Parents and Carers,

This week saw the first session of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program at St Mary’s, and it was incredible! Our Year Five students, with the expert tuition of Jodi Donelly in the kitchen, were introduced to kitchen safety and equipment. They made spinach and cheese tarts from freshly harvested spinach from our garden, and the most delicious basil pesto (which the staff are still talking about!). In the garden, with Anna Sim and Anneliese Robinson, they planted garlic and violets, cabbage seeds into seedling trays in the greenhouse, and weeded existing garden beds - all in a day’s work!  

It is only fitting that as we commence the program, we also celebrate Laudato Si’ Week 2023 from May 21-28, to mark the eighth anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on care for creation. In 2015, Pope Francis released his encyclical letter, ‘Laudato Si’(Praise be to you, my Lord), and called us to be stewards of creation; to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. His Holiness states “When we speak of the ‘environment’, what we really mean is a relationship existing between nature and the society which lives in it. ... Strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature.” (LS 139).   Initiatives such as the Kitchen Garden, the Mini Vinnies, our Environmental leaders, Soul Food, Cultural lessons, our new playground, and our beautiful native gardens, are all examples of our response to Pope Francis’ call for ‘ecological conversion’ and demonstrate so powerfully our faith in action.  

This Sunday, many of our Year 6 students will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at 11am Mass at Ulladulla. The Sacrament of Confirmation is the second of the three sacraments of Christian initiation. Confirmation completes Baptism, by which in the laying on of hands and the anointing with Chrism Oil, which first happened at Baptism, we are confirmed with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Through Confirmation, we are reminded of our participation in the ministry and mission of Jesus, and strengthened to follow Jesus more closely. We wish the following students many blessings on this special day: Anika D, Tehya G, Kayden L, Joshua Mc, Alexandra W, Georgie D, Madeleine H, Mila G, and Aurelia R. 

Congratulations to our incredible choir who attended the Shoalhaven Eisteddfod today (Thursday) and were placed 1st in the Small School Division, and 2nd in the Primary Division. Thank you to Erin Chard and Daniella Cooper who have prepared the choir so beautifully and to all students for representing our school with pride, and talent!  

We look forward to our annual Book Fair next Thursday. Classes will be visiting the Fair on Tuesday and Wednesday to create their Wish Lists. Shopping Day is Thursday, with classes taking turns to visit the Fair. Parents are very welcome to visit the Fair on Thursday afternoon at pick-up. 

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead.

Kind regards,

Julie Valentini