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Dear Parents and Carers,
Lent is a time for both reflection and action. It is by entering into stillness, silence, and solitude that we are able to peel back all the distractions that impact our lives, and listen to the whisperings of God in our hearts, calling us to serve the community in compassionate action. The practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during Lent encourage us to both reflect and act as we focus on strengthening our relationship with God, others, and our world. Lent is also a time of joy. As we know, children have a great capacity for joy. We only have to look to the playground to see the sheer joy our students demonstrate in the mud kitchen, on the jumping pillow, or as they fill their buckets at the water pump. From children, we learn that we must cultivate small moments of joy in each and every day. It doesn’t have to be a lot, or anything fancy or complicated. That’s the thing about joy: it can be very simple. As Pope Francis reminds us, ‘We have good reason to be joyful and that joy is a gift from God that fills us from within and cannot be held at heel, it must be let go’.
During this Lenten season, what brings you joy, and how can you share your joy with others?
It was wonderful to see so many families enjoying the Milton Show last weekend. Our students walked proudly in the Grand Parade on Friday and participated in many events over the weekend. To name a few, the Saunders’ family goat ‘Rain’ won Best Listener, Most Loyal, Best of its Kind, and Molly S won Best Trainer. Jemima C, Molly O, and Parker G entered the Poetry recital competition and made St Mary’s incredibly proud. Fleur won 1st Prize for felting and in the 9 and under Craft section, and Ben WG came 1st in the Whip-cracking competition. What talented and creative students we have! We are all very grateful to Mrs. Emily McGregor for being our in-school coordinator of the Show and for assisting the students with Artwork and beautifully painted banners. Thank you also to the Milton Show Society for the many volunteer hours of planning and work that went into staging such an event.
On Tuesday 7th March, 21 of our students attended the South Coast Regional Swimming Carnival at Corrimal. A big congratulations to all students who competed on the day and demonstrated excellent team spirit and received a bevy of ribbons and PBs. Please read Mrs Reid's segment for more details. Thanks as always to Mrs Reid for preparing and supporting our team on the day, and to the many parents who transported children to the carnival and assisted throughout the day.
Our Sacramental program will begin next Thursday at 6pm with the Sacramental Meeting. The sacraments are such a special and sacred rite of passage for all Catholics. If you have a child who is eligible for making Reconciliation, First Communion, or Confirmation this year, please ensure that you attend this session to receive information for all sacramental programs.
Attached to this Newsletter is a Flyer for our P&F Annual General Meeting on Monday 13th March. All Parents and Carers, particularly those interested in meeting other parents and assisting in the decision-making and fundraising for the school, are very welcome to join us. Our P&F are always looking for ways to connect our families and continue to build on our community spirit. To this end, the P&F have organised a ‘Barefoot Bowls & Pizza Afternoon at Mollymook Bowling Club on Sunday 26th March. Please refer to the flyer for more information, including RSVP details. Please show your support for our P&F and attend one, or both, of these events.
We welcome back Lindy Nelson this Friday, and Gab Peters next week. We are all looking forward to hearing about their learning and adventures in the USA.
Go joyfully about your week,
Kind regards,
Julie Valentini
Class Merit Awards Week 5
Kindergarten - Olivia S, Gemma W
Year 1 - Adhya M, Clifford C
Year 2 - Sunny G, Jacob Mc
Year 3 - Lily L, Evie T
Year 4 - Jay B Jemima C
Year 5 - Mila L, Payten B
Year 6 - Aurelia R, Luke R
We Care For Ourselves - Owen K, Marc B, Henry H, Steven K, Maddy G, Jemima C, Daisy D, Parker G, Fleur C, Ruby F, Chace F, Ellyana S, Ruth A, Thomas G, Matilda O’D, Isla P, Oliver B, Lara N, Ally S, Max C, Arlo D, Aurelia R, Charli P, Georgie D, Jesinta N, Joshua M, Maddy H & Tehya G.
Friday 10th March - 10am School Assembly
Canteen 1st Break
Monday 13th March - P AND F Meeting and AGM 5.30pm
Wednesday 15th March - Playgroup 9.30am School Hall
NAPLAN -Writing
Thursday 16th March - Canteen Lunch Orders to the Office by 9.30am
NAPLAN - Reading
Friday 17th March - 10am Stage 2 leading Parish Mass, Church - Picnic with the Parish
Canteen 1st Break
Monday 20th March - NAPLAN - Language Conventions
Tuesday 21st March - NAPLAN - Numeracy
Wednesday 22nd March - Playgroup 9.30am School Hall
Thursday 23rd March - Canteen Lunch Orders to the Office by 9.30am
Friday 24th March - 10am School Assembly, Hall
Canteen 1st Break
Wednesday 29th March - Playgroup 9.30am School Hall
Dr Justin Coulson PhD; Anxiety and Resilience 7pm FREE WEBINAR
Thursday 30th March - Canteen Lunch Orders to the Office by 9.30am
Friday 31st March - 10am Parish Mass, School Hall- Palm Sunday
Canteen 1st Break
NRL Gala Day Years 3,4,5 and 6
Sunday 2nd April - 5pm Family Mass, Milton Church
Tuesday 4th April - AFL Auskick Gala Day Years 3 and 4
Wednesday 5th April - Playgroup School Hall 9.30am
CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL
Thursday 6th April - LAST DAY OF TERM 1
Monday 24th - Return for TERM 2
Tuesday 25th April - Anzac Day
Diocesan Swimming Carnival
On Tuesday a team of 21 students travelled to Corrimal Pool in Wollongong for the South Coast Regional Swimming Carnival. I was very proud of all our competitors for their positive attitude, their team spirit and determination. Most competitors achieved at least one PB (personal best time) with a special mention to Arlo Sakora who beat his PB by 6 seconds! There was a fantastic effort by Alexandra Woods who placed 5th in 100m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke and the 200m Individual Medley, missing out on a place at the Selection Trial by less than a second.
Finally, congratulations goes to Isla Peters who placed 4th in the 50m Freestyle and will be returning to Corrimal next Monday for the Wollongong Selection Trial. We wish her the best of luck!
A huge thank you to all our guest speakers who came in to talk to Stage 1 about the olden days.
Year 1 and Year 2 have had a wonderful time making toys from the past out of recycled materials for History this week. Their wonderful imagination come up with camera, Yo Yos, doll houses, robots, cars, fishing equipment and board games.
Please remind your child to pack their school hat that is clearly labelled with their name. We have a limited number of spare hats that are given out play times.
Children without hats are to remain under shade during play time.
HATS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT THE SCHOOL OFFICE $15
