Dear Parents and Carers

On Sunday we celebrated with the Parish as many of our students made their First Communion. It was a beautiful gathering of many families sharing this significant step in their faith journey. An enormous congratulations to all of the communicants and their families, everyone approached this sacrament with great reverence and a great sense of the sacred. Thank you to Father Michael for his support and guidance to all of the communicants and to Simon Kinch, Erin Chard, Anneliese Robinson and the children who sang and read to make this mass so special. 

Last week we were so fortunate to have a chance to appreciate the many and varied talents of our students, through the 'Showvember' Talent Show. Not only were the audience treated to singing, dancing, playing and comedy acts, but there were also funds raised for Catholic Mission. We were also blessed to have celebrity chef Garth Dickenson in our very own St Mary’s Canteen cooking up a storm of Mac’n’Cheese with our Mini Vinnies Team. As a result, not only did the students have a delicious lunch and the Mini Vinnies team learn to cook a simple and nutritious meal from scratch, but two big trays of Mac’n’cheese were also delivered to the Soup Kitchen in Ulludulla, supporting those in need in our local community. Both events combined to raise over $240 for Catholic Mission, in particular the children of Ghana. Thank you, Garth, we are so lucky to have such clever and generous people in our school community. If you would like to share your skills or enthusiasm in our school please let us know!

Last week, the Pand F also hosted our ‘Movie Night’, which attracted a big crowd armed with beanbags, pillows and PJ’s. The night began with a BBQ run by the Year 6 Fund-raising parents, an enormous thank you to the P and F and the many helpers that made this possible. Much fun was had by all with lots of people watching Aladdin and many children enjoying the opportunity to play in the school after hours. We are so fortunate to have such lovely grounds to enjoy. The new sandpit and slippery dip were given an unofficial christening and the verdict was unanimous; excellent fun had by all. Thank you to our P and F for their financial backing of these playground improvements. 

Our 2020 Swimming Carnival will be held this Wednesday, we look forward to a great day. We hold our swimming carnival at the end of the year as do most schools in our Diocese to ensure that our team is entered by a very early date next year. It also allows our Kinders to come and enjoy the day as they are so grown up now almost ready for Year 1! Thanks to Kristy Delia for her organisation of the carnival, if you can help in any way on the day please call the Office. 

Our second Orientation Day for Kindergarten 2020 is on this Thursday. This is such an exciting time for all of our families. This year we have introduced many elements of 'Play-based Learning’ into Kinder which provides engaging and hands-on learning experiences that are developmentally appropriate for children in their first year of school, transitioning from Early Childhood settings. Childhood play benefits social, interpersonal and resilience skills, as well as creativity and problem-solving, these are the skills that are most mentioned by employers as highly desirable in job applications and the skills that are being most adversely affected by screen time. (SMH 2019) Play is essential for children of all ages, I am always so proud of the creativity of our students in the classrooms and on the playground.

Last Friday night I was fortunate to attend the Lighting The Way Awards in Campbelltown to support our very own Glenda Johnston. Glenda was nominated for the 'Outstanding Support Staff' Award. I’m sure most families would have had some interaction with Glenda in our Office or Uniform Shop. She is always so friendly and welcoming, and her dedication to the community of St Mary’s is astounding. Glenda for many years has been behind the scenes of the school productions including 2019’s The Bee Musical, organising and making all of the costumes all in her own time. Glenda epitomizes the gospel values of generosity and kindness, I know you will join me in congratulating Glenda on this most significant achievement. 

I look forward to seeing you around the school.

Lindy Nelson

Principal

SPB4L Celebration Corner

Class Merit Awards Week, presented at Assembly on Friday afternoons

Kinder – Alexander B, Lachlan W

Year 1 – Summer G, Coen R, Arabella B, Henry K

Year 2 – Andie M, Milla G, Alexa R, Jacob D

Year 3 – Abby L, Aska P

Year 4 - Charlize D, Frankie N

Year 5 – Finn W, Sienna D

Year 6 – Lily Martin, Preston Lee

Shining Star

Finn B, Aska P, Peyton MJ, Jemma M, Liam R, Max B, Ben K

St Mary’s Pennant - 

Finn B, Max C

Super Star Awards for Week,

We care for Ourselves

Lily W, Elisa S, Kayden L, Andie M, Summer G(Yr1), Imogen H, Max C, Eli D, Delphi SH, Liam R, Jacob Mc C, Bowie M

We Care For Others 

Chiara G, Finn B, Aska P, Jack C, Joshua M, Alexa R, Madeline H, Milla G, Charli P, Peyton MJ, Jemma M, Max C, Arlo D, Henry K, Liam R, Summer G(Yr1), Coen R, Ben K, Max B

We Care For Our Learning

Uma D, Sumarni W-C, Eliza S, Kayden L, Anika D, Parker MJ, Arlo D, Liam R, Ryder L, Imogen H

We Care For Our School

Noah H, Isabella L, Olivia R, Sia K, Joshua M, Peyton MJ, Jemma M, Luen R, Liam R, Max B, Lucy K

Mathematics

Year 3 - Hamish K- Distinction

Year 3 - Matthew R - Distinction

Year 4 - Tess W - Credit

Year 4 - Zara C - Credit

Year 4 - Xavier B - Credit

English

 Year 4 - Xavier B - Credit

Year 4 - Hamish K - Credit

Year 4 - Zara C - Merit

Sience

Year 5 - Saxon F - Credit

Spelling 

Year 5- Saxon F - Merit

This term in PE students have been participating in Gymnastics with a specialist gymnastics coach which was made possible by the Sporting Schools Grant.  Some of the movement skills taught included forward and backwards rolls, balancing on a beam, jumping on a mini trampoline and strength skills on the bar.  

Our final sport item for this calendar year is our annual swimming carnival which will be held this week on Wednesday 27th November at the Ulladulla Leisure Centre.  Students will be travelling by bus to and from the pool. We encourage all parents to come along and support the students in this fun day! Parent helpers are needed on the day so please let me know if you can help out! Many thanks in advance. 

Also in sports news on Friday 15th November one of our very talented athletes Eden S. was honoured at the 23rd Annual CDF Sports Awards night held in Wollongong she received a Primary Sports Council Medallion for all her achievements this year which is amazing and we are all so proud of her.  Last month she travelled to Sydney Olympic Park to compete in the State athletics carnival in the 800m event. She had an amazing run in hot conditions and placed 20th. Well done! 

Mrs Kristy Delia

It has been a great few weeks in Creative Arts this term. Each class has been busy working on a Christmas song and dance that they will perform at the end of the year Awards Ceremony on Monday the 16th of December. Year 5 are also working on The Nativity play that will also be performed during our end of the year awards ceremony. We invite you to join us on this day to watch all our students perform on the stage in the hall at 11:30.

A group of students have also been practising two Christmas Carols as our school will be singing at the Milton Carols on the Green on Tuesday the 3rd of December. Any student attending is able to come up on the stage and sing our songs “Mary’s boy child” and “Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer.”

Thank you from the Creative Arts team

 Mrs Chard and Mrs Cooper.

Book Review- Race To The End Of The World

The first book of this great, action packed series (The Mapmaker Chronicles) really gets you hooked and excited to read the next book. When I read it, I am consumed in a world of wonder, suspense and adventure.I could never seem to predict what would happen next. A.L. Tait writes this fabulous book with a main character called Quinn. 

Quinn grows up in a poor family with lots of older brothers. Being the youngest child in the family he is his mums boy and is taught how to cook, knit, to wash clothes and dishes. All of his brothers are mean to him because of this. Only his mum and dad know his secret, which is that he is gifted with an amazing memory. This means that he can remember everything that happens.

This gift helps him when he is chosen to map the world for the king. Mostly rich people were chosen for this. At the mapmakers school he made friends with Ajax who was also chosen to map the world, he was reunited with his old friend Ash and becomes enemies with Ira.

While he is on the ship, A.L. Tait can make up a whole new world straight her imagination. She describes everything that happens with incredible detail and description. Quinn faces fierce tribes, horrible storms and dangerous beasts. It is a great book. 

I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reviewed by Hugo Perry- Dickenson Year 5, 2019.

1. Our future building extraordinaire Alexander working hard on his rock structure. 

2-4. Our little buzzing bees rehearsing for The Bee Musical. 

5. Max and Timothy trying out a different way of meditating! 
6. Bryn was very proud of all the awards he received at the last assembly. Well done, Bryn!
7. Zuri exploring the Aboriginal Sacred Space. 
8. Ben and Lucy dancing to the birthday song (happy birthday, Ben!). 
9. Lachlan and Jacob spending some quality time with Lachlan’s grandparents on Grandparent’s Day. 
10. Every Kindergarten student received an award at the last assembly. We are so proud of all your hard work!
    
    

Call to anyone who would be willing to donate half an hour a week of their precious time for God!

The young Catholic children of our Parish within our Public Schools need you. Come and join our Special Religious Education (SRE) Team and make a difference in a young person’s life.

Catechist Teachers and helpers are needed for 2020 even if you can only assist us part time.

Please call the Parish Office on 4455 1313 to learn more.