Newsletter 2025 Term 2 Week 8

PRINCIPAL NEWS - Mr Peter Hughes

Today you are able to access your child’s mathematics work sample that was mentioned in the newsletter several weeks ago. A lot of work has been put into developing these so parents can see how their child is performing against the stage level standard. I ask parents to take the time to examine this work sample with their child and then leave a comment for both the teacher and their child to read.

To access your child’s work sample via your mobile device: open Compass and click on your child’s profile picture. Click on the TASK tab which can be found next to the Dashboard tab. You can then access the Assessment Task.

To access your child’s work sample via a PC: open Compass and click on Profile (found underneath the photo of your child) you then click on Learning Tasks which is the third tab across at the top of the Profile page. You can then access the Assessment Task.

Semester One Reports

Next Friday, school reports for Semester One will be available on Compass. Federal legislation requires schools to do A-E reporting twice per year. For a limited number of students a modified report will be going home as a hard copy. These are for students new to the school where we don’t have enough assessment data to give a grade. Other students will be those that struggle to master basic literacy and numeracy skills and this impacts their learning across all KLAs. Their personal reports would have the D or E grade across all areas. All of these students have many wonderful attributes which will be the basis of the modified report. I could imagine how disheartening it would be to get a report with all D and E grades despite trying their best and working well in class. The modified reports are to help maintain their sense of self-worth.

The parents of students getting a modified report will be contacted by their child’s teacher. Please look in their bag when they get home and you may choose to focus on the content of the modified report and keep the more formal report for yourself.

If any parents have any questions or concerns after examining their child’s report, please make an appointment to speak with your child’s teacher.

Reading Challenge

The Reading Challenge for term two concludes today. For students from Years Three to Year Six, all reading logs are to be handed in to the front office at the start of next week, Mr Hughes will advise families of when he will cook lunch in the last week of term. 

We will gather the reading history of students from Kinder to Year Two by examining teacher records.

Chess

Next Thursday we are hosting the St Mary’s Invitational Chess Championships with over 70 students participating, some coming from Canberra. We have a large number of students from our school competing at the event.

The day will be run by Shaun Press who is a referee with the World Chess Federation and travels to all parts of the world to run events. He also coordinates all the primary and secondary school events in Canberra, of which there are many. We thank him for his generosity in agreeing to run our tournament.

Good luck to all our competitors.

TOY DONATIONS NEEDED

Recently the Community Council funded the installation of a large secure storage space under the kindergarten rooms. We will be looking to fill the tubs with toys to use in the sandpit and concrete play areas. Before they purchase new equipment the Community Council has asked families that may have some toys or equipment that are in good condition and may be suitable to consider donating them to the school.

AP NEWS - Mrs Katie Thompson

Wonderful sight

Early this week at lunchtime, I took a shortcut back to the office through the hall and stumbled across a wonderful sight. Many tables and chairs were set up, students AND teachers, sitting down enjoying a very delicious hot lunch, whilst it was cold and damp outside. Most of the plates were nearly empty and there were many BIG smiles on little faces. We have a wonderful canteen manager, and along with her incredible team of volunteers they are making lunchtimes this term fun and yummy. Thank you Jen and all the canteen helpers for creating a wonderful community canteen atmosphere in our St Mary’s Primary school hall. Well done. 

Safe-on-Social with Kirra Pendergast.

Group chats are a popular way to stay connected with friends and classmates, but

they can sometimes become overwhelming or toxic if not handled properly.

Learning how to manage group chats respectfully and create healthy boundaries will

help your children maintain positive relationships and protect their mental well-being.

Read on for some excellent ideas from Safe-on-Social. 

RE NEWS - Ms Jillian Murray

UPCOMING EVENTS:  

Week 10 - Whole School Mass

On Thursday 3rd July, we will be celebrating our Term Two Whole School Mass at St. Mary’s Church, 9 am. This will be a celebration of our school and a beautiful way to end a busy term.

Photos Needed 

We are asking students to email a photo of themselves and their grandparents to Ms. Murray or the front office by the end of this term please. These photos will be used as a part of our special slideshow during the prayer service in Week 1 Term 3, to help us celebrate our loved ones. 

jillian.murray@cg.catholic.edu.au

office.stmarysyoung@cg.catholic.edu.au

LIBRARY NEWS- Mrs Joanne Murphy

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING IN OUR 3/4 CLASSROOMS

3/4 White

In ¾ White this term we have been learning about the First Fleet and Colonisation and the effects it has had on First Nations People. The students have learnt the steps involved in writing a Factual Report and have each prepared individual reports that they have published on their Chrome Books.

3/4 Blue

3/4 Blue students created an artwork based on the theme “My Family”. This program has been inspired by artist Sarrita King.

Through a range of activities, students explored painting through colour mixing, colour theory and the emotional quality of colour. Students create an artwork exploring their own response about their family, and ways to share ideas and responses about their family through an artwork.

3/4 Gold

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Our Grade 3/4 students have had a vibrant and active week!
They explored history and innovation through a hands-on First Fleet STEM activity, got their hearts pumping with some joyful skipping in the hall, and let their creativity shine during a colourful art class. It’s wonderful to see so much curiosity, energy, and imagination in action!

CANTEEN NEWS - Mrs Jennifer Harden

On Tuesday we had our second Hot Lunch, a baked penne pasta! 

The warm baked pasta topped with cheese was a perfect lunch for the chilly day outside. The students had fun sitting together and dining as a family in the hall. 

Keep an eye out on flexischools for next week's Hot Lunch Tuesday, we are having round two of tacos! 

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YOUNG PARISH NEWS