Dear Parents and Carers, 

As we approach Mother's Day this weekend, we are reminded of the incredible gift of motherhood and the profound impact mothers have on our lives and our communities. At St Mary’s, we hold a special place in our hearts for our mothers, recognising them as nurturers, educators, and beacons of love in our families. Mothers exemplify compassion, resilience, and selflessness.  Our Catholic school community is named in honour of Jesus’ own mother, Mary, let us take this opportunity to reflect on her uncompromising love, dedication, and strength. Jesus challenged her as a child, running away from her at the temple, like most mothers I’m sure there were moments when she wondered if she was doing all she could, and was his willful behaviour her fault?  I hope that this Sunday every mother, grandmother, special aunty or friend will be blessed with the gratitude of the children they love. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the mothers within our community, your tireless effort, sacrifices, and support do not go unnoticed. You are the guiding lights who shape the character, values, and aspirations of the next generation.

During the week, we held our Open Day including a night session, this was a wonderful showcase of our school. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to our wonderful Stage Three students who escorted the visitors around the school at both sessions. Our visitors were so impressed with the joy and passion for St Mary’s that was clearly evident during the tours. A big thanks to the staff who supported this important event in our enrolment process, we are blessed to have such dedicated teachers at St Mary’s. If you have a child starting school in 2025, please get your enrolment from in, as interviews will be held in the next few weeks. 

This week the funeral of Bishop Peter Ingham was celebrated. Bishop Ingham was the Bishop of Wollongong Diocese for many years, he was a man of great faith, wisdom and humour. I am grateful that I worked closely with Bishop Peter as he confirmed many students in Nowra, he was a humble man, a man of God and a man who walked with his people. Please keep him in your prayers, may he now rest in peace. 

Looking forward to seeing everyone in their full winter uniform next week, don’t forget the tie!

Yours in partnership
Laurinda Nelson 

End of Term 1 Award Recipients

“Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit”

Our Confirmation candidates in Year 6 have commenced preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation to take place at 9am on Sunday 26 May at Holy Family Church in Ulladulla. We warmly invite all families to celebrate with our candidates. A retreat day will be held here at school on Friday 17th May with all Year 6 students and visiting students. This is a wonderful day of reflection, connection  and prayer. Students may wear mufti on the day. We remind all families that the Feast of Pentecost will be celebrated at 9am Mass, Sunday 19th May. Our confirmation candidates will continue with their preparation following Mass.  Please keep our candidates in your prayers.

Stage Two has been learning about how quantities change when multiplied by 10 and 100 in Mathematics.

We have been practising real-world applications of this by enlarging images and making smoothies.

National Simultaneous Storytime
Parents and Siblings you are welcome to join K-2 for National Simultaneous Storytime in the Hall on Wednesday 22 May at Midday.

Bookclubbers
Year 6 will be starting Book Clubs in week 4. Watch this space!!!

Did you know?
Students can visit the library to browse and borrow on Tuesdays and Thursdays with their class as well as at lunchtime. You are welcome to visit the library after school with your child on a Thursday. I will stay back until 3:45pm.

Mrs Lisa Collins
Library Teacher

Students from St Mary’s Star of the Sea Choir were lucky enough to be part of the City of Shoalhaven Eisteddfod held in Nowra on Thursday 9 May. They sang two songs and placed 1st in the Small School Category. Congratulations!

Annual Consent Requirements

Some families have yet to complete 2024 consent requirements for the following:

1. Consent for the use of Student Image and/or Work 

2. Acceptable Use of Technology 

These annual requirements are now available online via Compass Insights.