Dear Parents and Carers, 

We hope this message finds you well as we navigate through the midpoint of the term. The winter season has settled upon us, bringing with it winds and chilly temperatures. As we embrace the colder weather, we kindly remind you to ensure your child brings a jacket, jumper and school hat each day. It is essential for their good health and wellbeing, especially during playtimes. 

I thank our parents who diligently keep their children at home when they're feeling unwell. Your proactive efforts contribute significantly to maintaining the health and safety of our school community.

In recent weeks, we celebrated Confirmation at our Parish Church in Ulladulla. This sacred occasion reminds us of Pentecost, marking the arrival of the Holy Spirit to fortify and inspire the apostles after the passing of Jesus. Many of our Year 6 students participated in Confirmation, affirming their commitment to their faith and the Church. It's a significant milestone as they embark on their journey into adulthood, guided by their parents and the principles and values of our Catholic faith.

Our dedicated leadership team has been working hard to prepare a comprehensive report for the upcoming school's Cyclic Inquiry Process, scheduled for Monday 1 July. As part of this process, a panel will convene to meet with parents. If you're interested in being part of this parental panel, please reach out to the office. We eagerly anticipate your participation as we collaborate to shape the strategic direction of our school for the next four years.

A gentle reminder: students should not arrive before 8.45am, as this is when teachers commence their duties in the playground. We're delighted to see families enjoying our school playground in the afternoons after school hours, fostering connections and creating a sense of community. If you choose to stay and play, please supervise your child, as our staff members primarily oversee safety during school hours. Additionally, we kindly request that children refrain from using the jumping pillow after school, as strict safety protocols are in place to ensure everyone's wellbeing.

Looking ahead, we're excited about our upcoming Disco tonight, starting at 5.30pm and concluding at 7.30pm. We encourage all students to join in the festivities and create lasting memories together. We look forward to seeing you there!

Yours in Partnership,
Laurinda Nelson 

Congratulations to our wonderful Year 6 students on their Confirmation on Sunday 26 May! We are incredibly proud of each of you for reaching this significant milestone in your faith journey. The Mass was a truly beautiful celebration, filled with heartfelt prayers and a strong sense of community. The reverence and joy you displayed were a testament to your dedication and preparation for this sacrament. We thank everyone who contributed to making this day so special, and we look forward to seeing how these young individuals continue to grow in their faith and service.

On Friday 24 May, our very own St Mary's AFL Team travelled down to Batemans Bay to compete in the AFL Paul Kelly Cup. The team put on a spectacular display of determination, teamwork, and sportsmanship, showcasing their incredible skills despite their limited experience. 

St Mary's faced off against two formidable opponents: St Mary’s Moruya A and St Mary’s Moruya B. Despite losing their skipper early in the day to injury, our St Mary’s came away undefeated. Get Well soon Ryder!

The St Mary's fantastic performance has secured their progression to the next level of the competition, the South Coast Final. The next challenge awaits them in Ulladulla on Wednesday 26 June. A special thank you to Mr Neil Woods who has kindly offered to coach the team in preparation for this.

Last Tuesday, a team of twenty St Mary's students travelled to "Willandra" in Cambewarra for the Diocesan Cross Country Championships.

We are delighted to announce that two of our outstanding athletes have qualified for the next level of the competition. Congratulations to Adele Bracken who secured an impressive 6th place and Evie Peters, who claimed an outstanding 3rd place. We wish them the best of luck as they progress to the NSWCPS MacKillop Cross Country Trial.

St Mary’s also took out the Small Schools Champions Trophy for their overall effort. An amazing achievement!

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the Diocesan Cross Country Championships. Your commitment to sportsmanship, resilience, and healthy competition is truly admirable. We applaud you for your achievements and wish you continued success in your athletic pursuits.

Scholastic Book Fair: Thank you to all the students and families who so enthusiastically visited the book fair this year. The interest from our students and purchases by families was fantastic and as a bonus St Mary’s is able to purchase some new books for the Library. 

Bowerbird Blues: The whole school gathered in the Hall on Wednesday 22 May for National Simultaneous Storytime.

It was wonderful to be joining thousands of students all over Australia to listen to Aura Parker read her book and talk about how she created her illustrations.

Knitting in the Library: Thanks to the Parish ladies Carol & Lynne, the Mini-Vinnies team have been spending their lunch break learning to knit and working together to make enough squares to make a 'Wrapped with Love' blanket.

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

All Kinder to Year 6 students will rotate through various track and field events including; High Jump, Shot Put, Discus, 100m sprint, informal relays, and ball games.

Our infants will participate in modified versions of these events. A program of events will be made available closer to the date. If you can volunteer to help on this day or would like further information regarding these events, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Katy Reid (info@sosmdow.catholic.edu.au).