Dear Parents and Carers 

It was so lovely to finally welcome our parents and carers back into our school grounds this week. It is very strange to think that it has been a year since we locked our gates and erected a safety barrier outside the hall for parent pick up. You will notice that we are no longer hand sanitising at the front gate in the mornings, children will still wash their hands before they enter classrooms. Please continue to be vigilant with keeping children home if they are unwell and thank you to our parents who continue to get COVID tests for any flu-like symptoms. 

Today our Mini Vinnies team met to elect new student leaders to lead this significant group in our school. Social Justice or working to improve the life of those that are vulnerable in our community is a crucial aspect of living as Chrisitians in our community. It is so heartening in our school to see so many of our students give up their lunchtimes to volunteer their time, we look forward to seeing what the Mini Vinnies group has planned for Project Compassion fundraising during Lent. 

Last Monday we held our P and F AGM. It was great to see so many people present at school and tune in through Zoom to contribute to building our community. We are so fortunate that we have such a dedicated group of parents who work collaboratively to connect our community and raise money to support our students. Co congratulations to the P and F executive team:

President : Jodie Lee

Vice president: Anneliese Robinson

Secretary: Tara Daly

Treasurer: Anna Sim 

Thank you to the many parents who have attended the Personal Planning Meetings for their child over the last two weeks, the staff have benefited in so many ways learning from you and your child about their hopes and learning goals.  An enormous thank you to Mrs Julie Valentini who works tirelessly in our school to ensure that the needs of every student are met. Research shows that children whose parents are actively involved in their child’s education have better academic and social outcomes. 

Next week is Harmony Week, which celebrates the diverse cultures within our community. This year’s theme is ‘Everyone belongs’. On Friday we invite all children to bring in a symbol of their cultural background, this should be suitable to share with their own class. We are lucky to have such a rich and diverse St Mary’s school community all bringing their unique gifts from their family backgrounds. 

I look forward to seeing you inside the school gates,

Yours in partnership

Laurinda Nelson 

Class Merit Awards Week, 

Kinder – Jacoba F, Angelo A

Year 1 – Harrison K, Finn M

Year 2 – Evie P, Mandy G

Year 3 – Imogen H,  Mila L

Year 4  - Axel B, Aurelia R

Year 5 – Lucas B, Matthew R

Year 6 – Jack C, Freya A

All Star Winning Class 

Year 2

Principal's Award

Zara C, David K

Super Star Awards for Week,

We Care For Ourselves

Sadie N, Ryder L, Phoebe H, Parker M-J, Matt R, Zara C, Lucy A, Mae V, Ariana C, Ben K, Daisy D, Ellyana S, Jemima C, Mana V, Zuri G

We Care For Others 

Matt R, Faith S, Luke S

We Care For Our Learning

Torin D, Ryder L, Aurelia R, Tex L, Clay C, Lucas S, Seave D, Henry H

We Care For Our School

Delphi S-H, Arabella B, Matt R, Freya A, Leeyana M, Steven K

Friday 12th March -

School Mass 

AFL Gala Day (Year 3 & 4) Students will depart school 9.10am Bus leaving 9.10am SHARP

Wednesday 17th March -

St Mary's Playgroup at Mick Ryan Park Milton 9.30am -11.00am

St John's - Information session for 2022 Enrolments 5.30pm @ St Mary's

Thursday 18th March -

Sacramental Meeting 6.00pm Ulladulla Church (for all Sacraments 2021)

Friday 19th March -

Harmony Day 

School Assembly 

Tuesday 23rd March -

Cross Counrty

Wednesday 24th March -

St Mary's Playgroup at Mick Ryan Park Milton 9.30am -11.00am

Thursday 25th March -

Easter Egg Donations Due

AFL Skills Day (Year 2, 1 and Kinder) Milton Public School

Friday 26th March -

School Mass Stage 1

Monday 29th March -Thursday 1st April - Holy Week

Tuesday 30th March - 

Easter Raffle and Money Due

Wednesday 31st March -

St Mary's Playgroup at Mick Ryan Park Milton 9.30am -11.00am

Thursday 1st April -

School Assembly

Easter Raffle Drawn 

Last Day For Students Term 1 

TERM 2

Monday 19th April- Students Return to School

Sunday 2nd May - Family Mass Milton Church 5.00pm

Monday 3rd May - P & F Meeting

Friday 7 th May  -Mothers Day Liturgy

                            Mothers Day Stall

  Third Week of Lent  

We are now in the third week of Lent with the Project Compassion story of Oliva, a 22-year-old woman from Tanzania. She did not have the opportunity to go to school and was embarrassed that she was unable to read, write or count. As an adult, her business was losing money because she couldn’t add up her money and give the right change to customers.

Then Oliva enrolled in Caritas Australia’s literacy and numeracy classes. She also set up a home classroom to teach her neighbours, for free, because they were too shy to attend larger classes.

Oliva has now graduated, attendance at her classes are growing, her kiosk is thriving and she is helping her children with their homework. She aims to become a pastor and run for leadership in the next local election - to help her community to ‘Be More.’ 

• Approximately 260 million children don’t have the chance to go to school (un.org)

Watch a short film about Oliva’s story here.

 “Aspire not to have more, but to be more.” Please support Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.au

Fortnightly Mass this week is Year 3 and 4. 12pm in the church.

Our amazing Diocese swimming team travelled by car to the Corrimal Pool on Tuesday 5th March.  It was an early start for everyone as we headed up the Princes Highway in the cold and rain, with lots of nervous kids on the way.  We arrived at the pool with parents dropping kids off at the gate and Mrs Delia meeting them as they came in with huge smiles on their faces.  All the students did well with some personal bests and as well as gaining lots of experience and meeting some new friends on the day.  Congratulations to Zara C gaining a 2nd place in the 50m backstroke which will see her compete at the Diocese selection trials on Monday 8th March at Corrimal Pool.  We are so proud of her and wish her the best of luck on the day. Our amazing swimming team consisted of:

Year 6 Zara C, Charlize D, Audrey S, David K, Zach D

Year 5 Hamish K, Matt R, Abby L

Year 4 Alexandra W, Georgie D, Kayden L, Anika D, Charli P

Year 3 Louis R, Liam R, Henry K

Year 2 Evie P

We had a fabulous day! A big shout out to all the parents that drove kids up but unfortunately couldn’t come into the pool grounds on the day we missed you but it was so lovely to see your smiling faces at the front gate for pick up.  I also want to say a huge Thankyou to Mrs Reid for her dedication to the swimming team with early morning training sessions at the Milton Pool and her help and support on the day, we really appreciate this. 

Warm wishes Mrs Kristy Delia (sports coordinator).