Newsletter T3 W1

Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome back, I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing holiday spending time with family and friends. The winter sunshine is such a precious thing and capable of turning any day into a wonderful one. During the holidays we travelled out through parts of western NSW, we are so fortunate to live in such a vast and beautiful country. The country providing a stark reminder that many parts of the country are still struggling with the relentless drought, please keep these people in your thoughts and prayers. 

This Thursday, the first Parent Information Session for Reconciliation will be held in our lovely Milton Church at 6pm. Reconciliation is a word used widely in our society but we as Catholics hold this idea of forgiveness and peace with others as core to the message of Jesus. In our school we practise Restorative Justice processes which like Reconciliation leads us to accept responsiblility for our actions, to say sorry and to fix the relationships we have broken through word or action. If your child is making their first Reconciliation this year, it is essential that you attend to learn about the sacrament and the logistics of the celebration. 

Over the holidays the school has been a hive of activity with air-conditioning/ heating being installed throughout the school. We have also had the ceiling of the tunnel between the Library and Year Two covered in to stop the birds nesting there. These projects were financially supported by our Diocesan Office and will make our learning environments more comfortable for all of our students.  We are also very grateful to the Shoalhaven City Council who have improved the streetscape and safety of our school entry with a path and resealing of the road in front of the school. 

The last week of Term 2 was certainly an action packed one with three significant events occurring;  the first of which was a very moving NAIDOC ceremony. The theme of ‘Voice, Treaty, Truth, let’s work together for a shared future’ beautifully expressed in so many ways. Our students and visitors were welcomed by our Year Six students singing in language as the smoke of the fire pit cleansed all who entered out School Hall. We thank Ulladulla High School, as some of their students attended to play the didgeridoo with such skill and haunting significance. Many students participated with singing and dancing and every person present presented specially painted rocks which will become part of a special feature in our school. An enormous thanks to Mrs Melissa Henry, Mrs Ann-Marie Wilson and Mrs Annelise Robinson who along with a team of staff and students prepared for and coordinated this wonderful event. 

Our hall was rocked by the Sydney Grammar School Band who were staying in the area. The band arrived with many cases and stands all combining to bring an outstanding musical force for all of our students. The conductor took us all on a magical tour of many movie themes, and the many instruments that all combine to make a successful band. Tom Squires accepted the chance to be ‘stand in conductor’, and  swung the band into action. The performance culminated into everyone getting up and dancing in a conga line and sharing the best surfing safari moves. An enormous thank you to Sydney Grammar School Band.

A big thanks to our parents and carers for making time to attend Parent/ Teacher Interviews, the teachers had the opportunity to share your child’s progress with you, and most importantly the teachers had a chance to learn more about your child from you. Research has found that being involved in your child’s education promotes learning confidence and success.

Finally on the last day of term St Mary’s was inundated with many and varied ‘Soup-er Heroes” who in the blink of an eye turned our school grown pumpkins into delicious Pumpkin Soup. Our Mini Vinnies group coordinated this enormous effort serving the soup from our very own kitchen cafe, following Kindergarten Mass. The Kindergarten showed great reverence and reading skills by participating with Father Michael to celebrate their special mass. During the day, cans of soup were also collected to be distributed by the St Vincent dePaul Society as well as a gold coin donation for the cafe diners, raising $106-00. Thank you to Mrs Julie Valentini and Mrs Annelise Robinson for leading the Mini-Vinnies in this soup-er initiative!  

We look forward to another fabulous term at St Mary’s, I look forward to seeing you at school.

Yours in partnership 

Laurinda Nelson 

Class Merit Awards Week, presented at Assembly on Friday afternoons

Kinder –Parker G, Zuri G

Year 1 – Max C, Henry K

Year 2 – Jemma McM, Georgia K

Year 3 – Uma D Austin G

Year 4  - Ezekiel L, Lillie P

Year 5 – Sienna D, Alexander L

Year 6 –Lily M, Tom S

Shining Star 

Hamish K, Ila H, Liam R, Henry K

Super Star Awards for Week,

We care for Ourselves

 Tex L Ella R, Milla G, Summer G, Henry K, Zach D, Charlize D

We Care For Others 

Hamish K, Liam R, Max C, Summer G, Xavier B

We Care For Our Learning

 Matthew R, liam R, Henry K, Coen R, Jemima C, Charlize D

We Care For Our School

Austin G, Max C, Elijah D, Summer G, Luen R, Max B, Alexander B, Eden S

Congratulations to the Mini Vinnies team for a soup-er successful 'Souper-Hero Day' on the last day of Term 2. Thank you to our fabulous community for the donations of canned soup - 5 crates of canned soup were donated! The day raised awareness of people experiencing homelessness and financial hardship and demonstrated that a small act of kindness can have a big impact. Thank you to Anneliese Robinson and team for the delicious home-grown pumpkin soup. In total $106.00 was raised from this initiative, all proceeds going towards St Vincent dePaul Winter Appeal. A representative of the local Vinnies chapter will accept our donations in the coming weeks. The Winter Appeal will continue this term with donations of winter blankets and warm clothes kindly appreciated. These items can be sent to the front office. Once again, thank you for your support of those in great need in our local and wider community. 

Youth Mass Sunday 10:15am at Holy Family Church Ulladulla. Please join us and the enthusiastic NET team from Wollongong for a joyous youth mass this Sunday.