Dear Parents and Carers,

This week saw the first session of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program at St Mary’s, and it was incredible! Our Year Five students, with the expert tuition of Jodi Donelly in the kitchen, were introduced to kitchen safety and equipment. They made spinach and cheese tarts from freshly harvested spinach from our garden, and the most delicious basil pesto (which the staff are still talking about!). In the garden, with Anna Sim and Anneliese Robinson, they planted garlic and violets, cabbage seeds into seedling trays in the greenhouse, and weeded existing garden beds - all in a day’s work!  

It is only fitting that as we commence the program, we also celebrate Laudato Si’ Week 2023 from May 21-28, to mark the eighth anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on care for creation. In 2015, Pope Francis released his encyclical letter, ‘Laudato Si’(Praise be to you, my Lord), and called us to be stewards of creation; to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. His Holiness states “When we speak of the ‘environment’, what we really mean is a relationship existing between nature and the society which lives in it. ... Strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature.” (LS 139).   Initiatives such as the Kitchen Garden, the Mini Vinnies, our Environmental leaders, Soul Food, Cultural lessons, our new playground, and our beautiful native gardens, are all examples of our response to Pope Francis’ call for ‘ecological conversion’ and demonstrate so powerfully our faith in action.  

This Sunday, many of our Year 6 students will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at 11am Mass at Ulladulla. The Sacrament of Confirmation is the second of the three sacraments of Christian initiation. Confirmation completes Baptism, by which in the laying on of hands and the anointing with Chrism Oil, which first happened at Baptism, we are confirmed with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Through Confirmation, we are reminded of our participation in the ministry and mission of Jesus, and strengthened to follow Jesus more closely. We wish the following students many blessings on this special day: Anika D, Tehya G, Kayden L, Joshua Mc, Alexandra W, Georgie D, Madeleine H, Mila G, and Aurelia R. 

Congratulations to our incredible choir who attended the Shoalhaven Eisteddfod today (Thursday) and were placed 1st in the Small School Division, and 2nd in the Primary Division. Thank you to Erin Chard and Daniella Cooper who have prepared the choir so beautifully and to all students for representing our school with pride, and talent!  

We look forward to our annual Book Fair next Thursday. Classes will be visiting the Fair on Tuesday and Wednesday to create their Wish Lists. Shopping Day is Thursday, with classes taking turns to visit the Fair. Parents are very welcome to visit the Fair on Thursday afternoon at pick-up. 

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead.

Kind regards,

Julie Valentini

Class Merit Awards

Kinder –  Archer W, Aliera B

Year 1 – Austin C, Theodore A, Ari L

Year 2 – Brody B, Leif C 

Year 3 – Adele B,  Evie T

Year 4 – Madeleine G, Jacob Mc, Bryn S

Year 5 – Ryder L, Payten B

Year 6 – Kayden L, Charli P, Josh Mc

Super Star Awards for Week:  

We Care For Ourselves- 

Andie M, Brody B, Leif C, Xavier S, Adhya M, Evie L Keanu S, Jack T, Leeyana M, Seave D, Jemima C, Madeleine G, Parker G, Evie P, Ruby F, Aliera B, Obie M

All Stars: Mackillop

Well done to our amazing School Choir and Mrs Chard

Ist place in Primary Coral Small School and 2nd place in Primary Choral Restricted

On Thursday the 19th of May the St Mary’s school choir travelled to Nowra for the Shoalhaven Eisteddfod. We are happy to announce our school placed first in the small school category and second in the restriced category. Our students represented our school beautifully as we showcased our talents to the wider community. We would like to especially thank our wonderful P & F for funding our expensive bus ride. Without you we wouldn't be able to attend events like this. 

So much JOY! Thankyou Mrs Cooper and all the students involed last Friday.

SCHOOL HATS - Can be purchaced at the office $15

Please note Students must be wearing their own hat 

Please label your childs clothing clearly with name E.G hat, jumper, jacket as this helps us to return clothing items to the correct child. 

Orders for Winter Uniforms can be made on line at LOWES please ensure your child/children are wearing the correct uniform/shoes for winter.

Just some of our wonderful families enjoying our Mother's Day Liturgy and Picnic.

Year 1 painting their Pinch Pots in Visual Atrs with Mrs McGregor.

This Term, Year 6 have been exploring the characteristics of

Fantasy Fiction and surealism in relation to Lewis Carroll’s Poem "Jabberwocky" and his photograph ‘Saint George and the Dragon’. Using their visual literacy knowledge, they have created poems inspired by Carroll that include descriptive words and, like Carroll, coined words, onomatopoeia, and vivid imagery.

Here are some examples;