Newsletter 2025 Term 2 Week 5

PRINCIPAL NEWS - Mr Peter Hughes

Fortunately we were able to hold our athletics carnival yesterday with the weather improving as the day progressed. I was able to watch most of the running races and was impressed by the support and encouragement the students were displaying towards one another during and after the races. They celebrated for those that ran well but also those that were having a go, probably knowing they were not going to win before the race, but competing to earn points for their house. I did not hear one negative comment from where I was standing and I know many parents would have noticed this and also been impressed.

This is our last school carnival for the year and I again thank the parents that generously give up their time to assist in so many ways without which these sporting events could not proceed. Thank you once again to the students from Hennessy Catholic College who have assisted at every carnival.

We had many events taking place at the same time and this required a lot of staff involvement. Thank you to all staff members involved on the day and especially to Mrs Challen for her organisation.

AP NEWS - Mrs Katie Thompson

Age Assurance Technology is designed to protect children and young people from utilising media apps services that could not be safe  or appropriate for their age. 

The following Cheat Sheet from Kirra Pendergast at Safe On Social provides parents with a quick snapshot of:

• What is Age Assurance Technology?

• Why is it Important?

• How Does it Work?

• How do you Stay Safe While Using Age Assurance Technology?

At school through our Behaviour Focus of the Week, your children are continuing to learn about bullying. Please take the opportunity to have conversations with them about what they are learning or what they know about bullying.

RE NEWS - Ms Jillian Murray

SPORTS NEWS - Mrs Leonne Challen

Mortimer Legends Day

Some very dodgy weather did not dampen the spirits of our footy fanatics last Tuesday. A big thank you to the NRL for organising the day and to Mrs Eastwood and Mrs Dal Molin for attending with the students. We were very excited to showcase our new uniforms and we thank the Community Council for their generous donation.

Athletics Carnival

We were lucky with some sunny weather yesterday although the breeze was a little cool in the morning! It did not deter us and we had a very successful day of track and field events. The kids were outstanding in their enthusiasm and school spirit!! A big thank you to our parents that assisted on the day. We can not run events like these without your support. Thank you so much to Liz Sheridan, Lauren Oakley, and Harmony Brown for helping out with events. Thank you to Lucinda Burgess, Pauline Sharpe, Rajshree Jhunjhunwala, Liz Wright, Annie Carson ,Georgia Pollard and Ian Pollard for their assistance in the canteen.

The biggest thank you goes out to the wonderful teaching and support staff we have at St Mary’s. It was a huge day and your generosity and assistance was truly appreciated. Thank you for manning the events and supporting the students. You are all amazing!

Thank you also to our fantastic group of Hennessy students that never let us down at any of our sporting events. Once again they were wonderful and looked after our groups, helped on the finishing line, mastered the high jump heights and assisted on events. We are so grateful! Thank you to Jess McInerney who pulled together a terrific bunch of students for us!!

Our presentations for Age Champion and the winning house will be held at the Assembly next week.

MacKillop Football Trials

We're cheering for Piper Hardy today as she represents the Canberra-Goulburn Archdiocese in the upcoming MacKillop Football Trials. We hope you are having an amazing day!!

Rugby Union Trials

These trials have been moved to Tuesday 3rd June and the registrations have been extended to the 1st June. If your child is interested in trialing please register via the CSNSW Sport Portal. 

CANTEEN NEWS - Mrs Jennifer Harden

Many thanks to everyone that has come to volunteer in the canteen over the last couple of weeks.

It has been great getting to know some of you more and the help has been wonderful, I could not have done the Canteen at the Athletics carnival without you,

Next week I would like some help on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, one or two people per day would be great. I am happy to have you for whatever time you can give.

If you are interested in helping out, you can contact me by email at Jennifer.vorvis@cg.catholic.edu.au or you can text or call me at 0428 115 296

We will be prepping pizzas, meatballs and sauce,  soup and baked goods (or at least some of these things).

Thank you to all those who participated in the poll to see which hot lunches you would like offered on a Tuesday.

You and your children were in sync!  The top two choices for both the parents and children were Tacos Tuesday and Baked Pasta with garlic bread.

I will aim to start our Hot Lunch Tuesdays in week 7 and we will rotate those two choices for a few weeks to see how we go, please note that will be the only lunch offered on Tuesdays once we start.

More information will go out in next Friday’s newsletter.

SCHOOL PHOTOS - Tuesday 3/6

Please be reminded that school photos will be taken on Tuesday, 3rd June 2025. All students are required to wear their full blue school uniform, including their blue knitted jumper and tie.

Orders to be placed via COMPASS 
1. Click the Community Tab in the Compass App
2. Select Photos
3. Place your order

EYE HEALTH - Young Eyes Optometrists

As many of us love to spend time on our electronic devices Catherine and Janine from Young Eyes Optometrists are keen to tell you about the problems that are impacting vision and learning. Myopia or trouble seeing far away, a problem that was previously seen in larger cities has become more prevalent in our country areas and in our practice.

Myopia often develops during childhood and early adolescence; it is important to screen children and young adults regularly. Early detection and identification of risk factors including the use of new diagnostic equipment, specialty lenses and eyedrops can slow the progression and prevent long-term vision and health problems.

We strongly encourage all students have regular eye examinations. However, some clues that there may be a problem are:

• Screwing up their eyes to see distant objects such as the board at school
• Headaches and sore eyes
• Poor posture while reading
• Lack of interest in playing outdoor games