Dear Parents and Carers

Thought for Book Week from Roald Dahl: 

“I think probably kindness is my number one attribute in a human being. I’ll put it before any of the things like courage or bravery or generosity or anything else ...Kindness - that simple word, To be kind - it covers everything to my mind. If you’re kind that’s it.”

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend and has enjoyed the amazing sunshine that we have been blessed with. Last week we gathered to celebrate two very significant events in our Catholic life. The first being the Feast of ‘The Assumption’, which marks the entry of Mary into Heaven to be with her son, Jesus. Mary like all mothers showed great unconditional love and kindness to her son, Jesus. Even so, I can only imagine the worry and heartache that Jesus caused his mother as he revolutionised the church and human relationships, openly challenging the religious customs and society of the times. What strength and faith Mary must have had to stand by and have faith that such a miracle could happen through her son in her world. So all of us mothers can take heart, showing patience, kindness and love to our children with the hope that like Jesus, our children will grow and also be a light of hope for our world. 

The other significant event was the Commissioning Mass for our Mini-Vinnies team on Friday. Strength and faith are two of the characteristics that are indicative of our St Mary’s students, and this was clearly evident in these amazing young men and women who volunteer their time to make the world a little easier for those in need through their commitment and works of kindness. The local St Vincent de Paul President Mr Neil Parker was present at the commissioning as well as many parents and friends. Mr Parker spoke about the hope that Mini Vinnies brings to his local chapter and to the broader community, as our students hear and act to the call of those in need. The students had collected many things for the Winter Appeal including blankets, tinned food and money all donated from our wonderful families. An enormous thank you to Mrs Julie Valentini and Mrs Anneleise Robinson who support this group within the school. 

Some of our students also had the opportunity to represent St Mary’s at the Diocesan South Coast  Athletics Carnival last week. For a small school our results were outstanding, with Eden Sakora being named Age Champion on the day. The team displayed great sportsmanship and I was delighted to receive an email during the week complimenting one of our senior students, Jasper Tay on his kindness to a younger child on the day. It is wonderful to see that our senior students are leading the way for our younger students in word and action, please see the sport report in our Newsletter for all of the details of our great team on the day. Congratulations to our whole team, we are so proud of you all!

A big congratulations to our P and F on a great Disco on Friday Night, it was a fun filled night and lovely to see our Kinders all dressed up ready for their first school disco. The hall was transformed by TJ the DJ with smoke machines, lights and some groovy tunes. A big thank you to our P and F for their amazing organisation and to our parents that volunteered to help on the night, it was a great response making it a great night. 

Today the Year 5 and 6 will be heading to Berry Sport and Rec Centre for their annual camp. The excitement has been building for quite a while and the day has finally arrived! Being involved with peers and teachers in this different environment , having a go at outdoor activities allows our children to grow and learn together, it also gives an opportunity for children to share their talents out of the classroom. I am looking forward to joining the students and teachers on Monday afternoon, I thank Mr Brent Harding, Mrs Ann-Marie Wilson and Mrs Emily McGregor for giving up their time to organise and support our students on camp. I know everyone will have a great time, and maybe will have parents a little moment of peace tonight. 

This week we will also be celebrating Book Week on Friday with a book character parade with the Theme of ‘Reading is my superpower!’ We invite all parents and friends to our parade at 9:20 then we are excited to welcome A. L. Tait -author extraordinaire to talk to our students about the world of books.  The Year 3/4/5/6 will have the opportunity to do a writing workshop with A.L on the day also. 

Next week, we are looking forward to inviting our dads in on Friday (30th August) for a Father’s Day Breakfast before school and the P and F will be helping the mums by holding a Father’s Day stall on Thursday. 

I hope everyone has a great week, and I hope to  see you at school.

Yours in partnership 

Laurinda Nelson

Class Merit Awards Week, presented at Assembly on Friday afternoons

Kinder –Daisy D, Alexander B

Year 1 – Imogen H, Parker M, Elijah D

Year 2 – Maddy H, Joshua McC, Samuel S 

Year 3 – Lilly W, Meka C

Year 4  - Tess W, Lillie P

Year 5 –Oliver P, Toby K

Pennant 

Hamish K

Shining Star

 Eden S, Hamish K, Zuri G, Max B, Tim O, Bowie M, Milla G, Georgie D, Charli P, Kayden L, Tehya G, Ivy-Jean WC, Max C, Elijah D, Arabella B, Delphi SH

Super Star Awards for Week,

We Care for Ourselves

 Kylah L, Benjamin K, Max B, Alexander B. Timothy O, Darasimi O, Hamish K, Coen R,

Max C

We Care For Others 

Hamish K, Max B, Zuri G, Bryn S, Bowie M, Elijah D, Arabella B

We Care For Our Learning

Benjamin K, Zuri G, Phoebe H, Arlo D, Coen R

We Care For Our School

Eden S, Max B, Ellyana, Kayden L, Georgia D, Teyha G, Charli P, Milla G,  Henry K, 

Delphi SH

Monday 19th August

Religious Literacy Assessment Year 4

Berry Sport and Rec Camp Year 5 & Year 6

Tuesday 20th August

Breaky Canteen 8.40am-9.00am Gold Coin

Lunch Orders Due for Thursday Lunch (Butter Chicken $6)

Berry Sport and Rec Camp Year 5 & Year 6

Wednesday 21st August

Berry Sport and Rec Camp Year 5 & Year 6

Friday 23rd August

Book Week Parade 9.20am & Guest Author A.L.Tait

Assembly 2.40pm Year 1

Sunday 25th August

Childrens Mass Ulladulla Church 10.15am

Tuesday 27th August

Breaky Canteen 8.40am-9.00am Gold Coin

Lunch Orders Due for Thursday Lunch (Butter Chicken $6)

Police Visit to Year 2

Thursday 29th August

P & F Fathers Day Stall for students

Friday 30th August

Fathers Day Breakfast 7.30am

Mass 9.30am Year 4

First Reconciliation

Monday 2nd September

P and F Meeting 6.00pm

Bush Poetry Recital Entries Due

Tuesday 3rd September

Breaky Canteen 8.40am-9.00am Gold Coin

Lunch Orders Due for Thursday Lunch (Butter Chicken $6)

Wednesday 4th September

Lions Club Public Speaking

Friday 6th September

Assembly 2.40pm Year 6

Saturday 7th September

Bush Poetry 2pm St Mary's School Hall

Wednesday 25th September

St Mary's Bee Musical

Friday 27th September 

Grandparents Mass

BUTTER CHICKEN & RICE

Friday 23rd August 

Book Week Parade 9.30am and Guest Author A.L.Tait

It’s been a busy start to Term 3 for the students as well as myself, being new to the position of PE and Sport Coordinator, with regards to Sport and Physical Education at the school with Stage 2 students travelling to Nowra for a Soccer Gala day- all students had a fabulous day! Thanks to Simon Kinch and Ursula Porter for taking the students and parents that went along to support the students. 

Last Tuesday was an early start for our 24 students who travelled to Kerryn McCann (Beaton Park) Athletics track for the South Coast Regional Athletics Carnival to represent our school.  Congratulations to all students for your amazing effort and sportsmanship. It was lovely to see all schools engaging and supporting each other. We might be a little school on the hill but we have so many amazing athletes and I’m so proud of all of them.  A number of students have made it to the next level of the selection trials which will be held on Tuesday in Wollongong at the same venue. Eden S. is a star she was the South Coast Age Champion for the 11 years girls. Her results were 1st 800m and High Jump, 2nd 200m, 3rd 100m and 3rd Long Jump.  Other amazing results were Annelise K. 12 years 4th Place High Jump, Preston L. 3rd Place in 12 years shot put and Maddison R. 11 years 1st Place in Discus and 4th Shot Put. We wish them the best of luck for Tuesday. A special thanks to Mrs Katy Reid for being team manager on the day and making sure all students made it to their events and Mrs Karynne Treweek for being our parent helper on High Jump. Also many thanks to the parents, grandparents and carers that drove the kids up to the event or came to support them, it was so well run and a fabulous day! 

In PE on Wednesdays students have been participating in dancing as a form of physical activity.  Some of the dance styles the students have participated in include bush, folk, modern, indigenous, contemporary, singing and dancing games.  The students in Stage 2 and Stage 3 composed their own dance routines and performed them to the class, they were brilliant! While the younger years have explored and participated in learning about dance elements. 

For most of the second half of Term 3, in PE we are lucky to have a NSW AFL Development Officer coming to the school.  The students will practise fundamental movement skills which may include running, kicking, throwing, jumping and passing while learning to play the game of AFL.  To have specialist teachers running sessions is so beneficial for the students. This is made possible by The Australian Sporting Schools Grant which is a Government initiative to help schools bring sport into schools and encourage students to enjoy the benefits of sport both physically and mentally. Most importantly for our students  to develop a lifelong passion for physical activity.  

Mrs Kristy Delia

 David and Benjamin Kobold enjoying some quality time with Kindergarten class toy Bubby Jeff. 

 Max and Timothy showing off their painted rocks at our NAIDOC week celebration. 

 Parker using sticker boards during the literacy block. 

 Kinder love reading to their Year 5 buddies.

 Mrs Nelson thinks we are reading superstars!

Sienna D

Year 5 student enjoying Ulladulla High School taster day.

Ensure your child/children travel details are updated via the link below.

SSTS website under Facts and Brochures at https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/#/usefulFormsAndInformation