Dear Parents and Carers 

Welcome to Book Week 2023, our stories are such an important part of our history, they tell us who we are and who we can be. Everyone has a favourite book and this is the week to share and celebrate. The well known author Mem Fox says the best books will always move you emotionally. We live vicariously through their characters: their highs, their lows, their challenges and their triumphs all from the comfort of our own home, classroom, library. We can experience so many things, and learn so many life lessons. We are excited to see the many favourite characters that will be parading to St Mary’s on Friday, please come and join the fun at 9:30am in the school hall. 

“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.”
Roald Dahl

In Honour of Book Week, my Principal’s Awards this week will be inspired by the world famous author Roald Dahl, who rated kindness above all human attributes. I will be recognising those very wonderful students in our school who follow Gospel values by being kind, putting others before themselves and by choosing words and actions that are thoughtful and the best for everyone. 

Next week we are very excited to be welcoming our Kindergarten for 2024 in for the first Transition To School Playgroup on Thursday. This is an opportunity for our new Kindergarten students and their families to get to know our school and feel a sense of belonging and connection to our St Mary’s community. It is such an exciting time for our community and our new families. 

Recently I have sent a letter to our Stage Three parents, regarding internet use and social media. I do not envy the task that parents of this generation have in navigating the virtual world with and for their children. I applaud our families who have the courage to be pro-active in protecting their children in the online world, and understanding the ever-changing challenge of keeping their children safe. If your child has access to devices, please ensure you know what and who they are connecting with and who is connecting with them. Boundaries are important to establish in the early years, I thank you for your support. 

Thanks to Mrs Katy Reid and our staff for organising and running a fantastic STEM day last Friday. All students were so engaged and enthusiastic about the many projects and experiments happening around the school. These included; drone obstacle courses, bottle rockets, 3D printing and catapults. Thanks to Mr Chard and the St John’s students for supporting and inspiring scientific excitement and thinking  in our school. 

Yours in partnership

Laurinda Nelson
Principal

Students have been busy learning a dance item that will be part of our school play, The Wizard of Oz. We will showcase our whole school performance in Week 10 on the 21st of September and again the next day for Grandparents day on the 22nd of September.

Students that have main parts in the play have started rehearsing with Mrs Cooper and Mrs Chard. Mrs Johnston is beginning to organise costumes for these students.

We ask that students who are not in the play come dressed in their own clothes to match their class theme as follows : 

Kindergarten: Munchkins from Munchkin Land - Colourful clothing.

Year 1 & 2: Half time performance /The Witches are back - Witch or wizard clothes.

Year 3: Tin Man dance - Grey or silver clothing.

Year 4: Scarecrow dance - Farmer clothes.

Year 5 & 6: Thriller dance - Spooky clothing. 

Thank you
Mrs Cooper

Father’s Day Liturgy

Every year we love to show a movie of the wonderful fathers and grandfathers in our families. Please send a photo of the Dad or father figure in your family to info@sosmdow.catholic.edu.au (Attention: Father’s Day).

Igniting the Spark of Innovation: A STEM-Tastic Day to Remember

Unleashing Drones, Building Catapults, and Launching Rockets—Oh My! With an explosion of curiosity, a zest for discovery, and an atmosphere of pure exhilaration, St Mary’s celebrated an unforgettable STEM Day that reached for the skies—quite literally! From Kindergarten all the way to Year 6, our budding scientists, engineers, and innovators embarked on a journey that transformed classrooms into laboratories of wonder and playgrounds into aerospace launch pads.

A Cornucopia of STEM Activities

The spectrum of activities was as diverse as it was captivating. Kids took to the skies (or ceilings) with drone-flying missions, tapping into the art of aerial navigation. The 3D design and printing station were a whirlpool of creativity as students molded their imaginations into tangible objects. History and engineering collided when young minds constructed catapults, effortlessly catapulting marshmallows across the room. 

A Touch of Mad Science

What’s a STEM day without a dash of eccentricity? The mad science experiments introduced the children to the wacky, unpredictable, yet foundational aspects of chemistry and physics. Mouths fizzed, popping tops erupted, and oobleck oozed (was it a liquid or a solid?) It was science at its most magical and mesmerising form.

Engineering in Action

The crane-making and helicopter-building stations exemplified applied science at its best. Our young engineers worked diligently to create towering cranes and rotors that spin with the elegance of a ballet dancer. The rocket-launching event was, without a doubt, the icing on the cake. The thrill in the air was palpable as each rocket soared higher and higher, invoking awe and amazement from all onlookers.

Special Guests from St John’s

A special thanks to our visiting science teacher, Mr Chard and the vibrant Year 9 and 10 students from St John's, who orchestrated an assortment of intriguing experiments with our kids. Their expertise and enthusiasm added an extra layer of learning and inspiration to the day’s festivities.

Why STEM Matters

It’s not just about the rockets and drones; it’s about inspiring a new generation of thinkers, explorers, and problem solvers. The STEM Immersion Day served as a platform for students to embrace the possibilities that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can offer, both as a career path and a tool for bettering the world.

To all the teachers, staff, students, and volunteers who made this event possible: Thank you. You have proven that when it comes to fostering a love for STEM, the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning!

Mrs Katy Reid

Year 5 students are learning the meaning of being stewards of creation. Lexi and Torin have illustrated this very beautifully for us all.