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Dear Parents and Carers,
Lent begins next week on Ash Wednesday which marks the start of a special season of reflection and preparation for Easter in our church. Lent is a time to grow closer to God through prayer, fasting, and acts of kindness. On Ash Wednesday, we will gather for a liturgy at 12 noon, where ashes will be placed on our foreheads, symbolising repentance and forgiveness. The forty days of Lent remind us of the forty days that Jesus spent in the desert, taking time to reflect and to pray. For us, Lent is a time of renewal, when we make a conscious effort to pray, give to the poor and give up something we like (fasting). Each class will have a Project Compassion Box, which allows our students to donate to those who are in need. Lent is the time we prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter.
This week the AGM for our P & F was held. During the meeting, our President Melissa Gibson stepped down after leading our parent community over the last year. We thank Melissa for her passion and hard work, and the many achievements she has contributed to our community. I congratulate our incoming P & F executive:
President: Judith Erwin
Vice President: Sophie Costello
Treasurer: Elle Donnellan
Secretary: Jessica Clare
Canteen Manager: Lisa Lirantzis
There are many ways to support these amazing people on our P & F executive. Our new committee will be looking for a contact person for each year group to make contact with parents for events, or come and lend a hand in the canteen, many hands make light work. Your involvement is a gift to your child.
We are looking forward to the Milton Show next weekend, please pop into the pavilion to see St Mary’s Banners and produce entries.
I look forward to seeing you in our school next week,
Yours in partnership
Laurinda Nelson
Please come along and bring your friends to one of our Open Day sessions.
It has been wonderful to see our classes actively engaging in Religious Education over the past two weeks. A particularly inspiring moment has been watching our Kindergarten students begin to make the Sign of the Cross with confidence and joy. They are also learning to recognise the many things in our school that make us a Catholic community—from our sacred spaces to the values we live out each day. I have included a photo of Charlie’s work in Religion who noticed that the front of our school has a cross on it!
Our Catholic faith is at the heart of everything we do and we value the partnerships we share with families in nurturing this faith. Mass this Sunday will be celebrated at Milton, commencing at 5pm. This is a way for you to share in the celebration in an environment that they are familiar with. All families; whether Catholic or not, are welcome to attend!
Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. This signifies the commencement of Lent, a 40 day period where we reflect on our lives and how we can strive to be better people of God. We will hold a short Liturgy of the Word which will take place on the church grounds at 12pm. Weather permitting, this will take place outdoors. All are welcome to attend.
Over the coming weeks, I will be sending some information out regarding Holy Week; in particular, Good Friday. Holy Week is in the first week of the school holidays this year; however, we would still like to support the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday as is custom with St Mary’s. Please keep an eye out for any notes via students and Compass.
Lastly, I welcome any and all feedback regarding the Catholic life of our school community and I encourage you to reach out if you have anything you wish to suggest or discuss.
Yours in faith,
Dylan Anderson
Religious Education Coordinator
| WEEK 6 | |
| Sunday 2 Mar | Family Mass, Milton Church, 5:00pm |
| Monday 3 Mar | |
| Tuesday 4 Mar | Shrove Tuesday Pancake Day, Mini Vinnies Fundraiser Project Compassion Launch, Warrawong Diocesan Swimming Carnival, Corrimal |
| Wednesday 5 Mar | Ash Wednesday Whole School Liturgy, Church Grass, 12pm |
| Thursday 6 Mar | Canteen Open |
| Friday 7 Mar | Milton Show Parade: pick up 12pm, meet at 12:30pm for 1pm Parade |
| WEEK 7 | |
| Monday 10 Mar | |
| Tuesday 11 Mar | |
| Wednesday 12 Mar | NAPLAN Commences, Years 3 & 5 |
| Thursday 13 Mar | NAPLAN Canteen Open Stage 2 & 3 (opt-in students) Inschool Safe Tackle Clinic |
| Friday 14 Mar | NAPLAN Assembly (Year 6), School Hall, 2:20pm |
| DATES TO REMEMBER | |
| Thursday 20 Mar | St Mary's Kinder 2026 Open Day Session, 5:30pm-7:00pm |
| Friday 20 Mar | St Mary's Kinder 2026 Open Day Session, 9:30am-11:00am |
| Friday 11 Apr | Last Day of Term 1 |
| Monday 28 Apr | Term 2 Commences |
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Next Tuesday 4 March, is Shrove Tuesday, traditionally the day that we eat pancakes before the first day of Lent. Mini Vinnies will be preparing and selling pancakes at first break for $1 each to raise money for Caritas. United together, our students will put their faith and compassion into action and raise vital funds that will change lives. Thank you for standing with Caritas Australia as we Unite Against Poverty this Lent. |
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Our Year 4 class has had a fantastic start to the year! Students have embraced routines and enjoyed hands-on activities that make learning fun and engaging. In Maths, we began by exploring place value and decimals and we are now developing our skills in addition and subtraction strategies. In English, we are learning how to write narratives while immersing ourselves in the novel Blueback by Tim Winton. In HSIE, we are discovering different celebrations and their significance. In Religious Education, we are reflecting on Jesus’ commandment: "Love one another as I have loved you,". We are learning how we can show kindness and respect in our daily lives. It has been a wonderful start, and we are excited for all the learning ahead.
Mrs Cooper & Mrs Cerff
FROM THE CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE
2025 School Fee Management - Advice to Parents
From the commencement of the 2025 school year, the management of certain aspects relating to school fee accounts in Primary Schools has been transferred to the School Fees Liaison Office at the Catholic Education Office in Wollongong.
What does this mean for families:
- Your school’s administration office is your first place for enquiry regarding school fees. School staff will provide information regarding instalments, methods of payment, giving access to an Application for Fee Concession and attend to other general enquiries.
- If you are experiencing financial difficulty or need to make an arrangement for payment of your school fee account, please email sflo@dow.catholic.edu.au with your name and the school in which your children are enrolled. The School Fees Liaison Office will then contact you directly to offer assistance.
- Please note that each school has a dedicated School Fees Liaison Officer to provide a personalised service to individual families. This Officer will also have a close relationship with your school.
If you require further information about this initiative, please do not hesitate to contact your school’s administration office.
