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- PRINCIPAL REPORT - MR PETER HUGHES
- AP NEWS -MRS KATIE THOMPSON
- HELPING PARENTS STAY SAFE ONLINE - Kirra Pendergast’s Expert Advice
- RE NEWS - MS JILLIAN MURRAY
- SPORTS NEWS - MRS LEONNE CHALLEN
- WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING IN OUR CLASSROOMS
- 2024 CHERRY FESTIVAL STREET PARADE
- COMMUNITY COUNCIL FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVENT
- SCHOLASTIC BOOKCLUB - ISSUE 8
- YOUNG PARISH BULLETIN
- CROSSING SUPERVISOR
- COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
As you are aware the school has organised for Kirra Pendergast from ‘Safe On Social’ to work with students, teachers and parents on Thursday 5th December. Given the prevalence of dangers associated with children being on-line this presentation is a must for all parents.
To encourage parents to attend the decision has been made to make this a free event. We still ask parents who intend to come along to RSVP via the Compass message so we get an indication of attendees so we can hold it in the most suitable venue. The parent session will begin at 5.30pm.
A reminder that next Tuesday we hold our second and final multi-age evening for parents. We will go over the reasons for this decision, as well as outline how multi-age classes work. There will be an opportunity for parents to ask questions. We will also announce teachers for 2025 and this will be conveyed to all families via Compass that evening.
Year 5 and Leadership
Under the direction of Sarah Dwyer and Warren Ziebowski, with the support of MOAD (Museum of Australian Democracy), our Year 5 students, ove the last two terms have been guided through understanding what leadership is about, what makes a good leader, and pondering what their role as our future Year 6 leaders looks like. Through this process we also ask them to discern whether they would consider taking a badged leadership position as School Captains, Vice Captain and House Captains.
Yesterday we heard 11 students deliver speeches on why they would like to be considered as a School Captain and this is what we heard:
- Qualities of a leader at St Mary’s are: kindness in words and actions, love of learning, enthusiasm for my school and all it offers.
- To be a voice for all students.
- To be welcoming and inclusive of everyone.
- I’ve had a wonderful 6 years at St Marys and now its time to give back.
- Leaders are brave and courageous
- Leaders show others how to be through their actions and words
- When you’re a leader you serve others, being in a leadership position means you are in service to others like being a good friend, a good listener, honest, fair and approachable.
- Leaders enthuse others to find their voice and use it for change.
- Being a leader is about how we inspire others to achieve their goals.
We would like to congratulate all 25 students who were interviewed last week and the 11 students who delivered speeches yesterday. They all demonstrated incredible courage to step up and put themselves in front of the school community asking for consideration as a School Captain.
WHOLE SCHOOL PRAYER - REMEMBRANCE DAY
On Monday we gathered together for a whole school prayer to particularly remember those families affected by the impact of war. Remembrance Day is a time to acknowledge the courage, sacrifices, and selflessness of those who have given so much for the freedom and peace we enjoy today.
At 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month each year, we remember the moment in 1918 when World War I came to an end. Today, on Remembrance Day, Australians unite to honour that moment of peace and to remember the sacrifices of those who fought, those who died, and all who have served our nation with courage and dedication, past and present.
2025 Archdiocesan Cricket Trials
We wish Oscar McRae, Shiven Jhunjhunwala & Henry Aiken the very best of luck as they compete for selection in the 2025 Archdiocesan Cricket Team in Queanbeyan next Tuesday 19th November. We hope you have an amazing experience!
Archdiocesan Sport for 2025 - NOTIFICATION OF TRIAL DATES
Please note that some Archdiocesan Sporting trials for 2025 will occur this year in Term 4. These trials will be open for students who will be in Year 5 & 6 in 2025. Registrations will be via the Canberra-Goulburn Sports Webpage.
2025 Tennis - to be held in Belconnen on Thursday 28th November, 2024. Registrations are open now and will close on Friday 22nd November, 2024.
2025 Basketball - to be held in Macquarie on Tuesday 26th November 2024. Registrations are open now and will close on Friday 22nd November, 2024.
https://www.sport.cg.catholic.edu.au/nominations
https://csnsw.sport/help/help-guide-for-parents
Gecko Sports at St Mary’s
Our sessions continue next week. We have had to make a slight adjustment to the timetable due to an unexpected change to Geoff's schedule - 1/2C will now have their session on Monday of Week 8. A reminder that students need to wear their sports uniform on their Gecko Sports day. Please see the revised timetable below:
Wednesdays:
Week 6: KMW, 3/4A, 5D, 3/4R
Week 7: 1Mc, 3/4A, 5D, 3/4R
Week 8: 2M, 3/4A, 5D, 3/4R
Week 8 Monday: 1/2C, 6C, 6E, 3/4S, 5Z
Visual literacy is the ability to understand and make meaning from images, pictures, and other visual content. Just like we read words in a book, visual literacy helps us "read" pictures and illustrations. When we look at an image, we don’t just see what’s there—we try to figure out the message, mood, or story it is telling us.
Year 5 students have been busy during our library lessons learning about a variety of visual literacy techniques and using these to analyse picture book illustrations.
Students have the opportunity to represent St Mary's by paraticipating in the Annual Cherry Festival Street Parade on Saturday 30th November. Students and teachers will walk together with Hennessy Catholic College as a group along the Street Parade Route as part of the annual Cherry Festival celebrations.
Students are to come dressed in red & green! They will receive some extra accessories to wear. All students must wear clothes that provide adquate protection from the sun (no singlets, muscle t-shirts or spaghetti straps) and this includes a HAT please!
Students are to assemble at the corner of Calabash and Cloete St at 3.30pm to have their name marked off. The parade will begin at approximateley 4pm. At the conclusion of the Parade parents/carers are to collect students from Clarke St (out the front of Turner's Furniture One). Students must be collected by an adult from this spot immediately after the parade concludes.
This is an opt in event. Please confirm your child/rens attendance in the COMPASS Event.
The Community Council will be hosting the end of year Family Christmas Event on Friday 13th December starting at 6:30pm. This will be a free event with food and drinks available for purchase on the night.
There will be a visit from Santa, class/stage group performances and as the sun starts to set, we will be treated to a movie on the big screen featuring Elliot the Littlest Reindeer.
Transport for NSW have a vacant Casual School Crossing Supervisor position in our school area and are seeking interested applicants for the position. To apply please use the link https://jobs.transport.nsw.gov.au/job-invite/97138/
Domestic and Family Violence “Paint the Hilltops Purple!” Day.
On Friday November 22nd, 2024, we are aiming to “Paint the Hilltops Purple” to raise awareness about Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) and allow our community to start the conversation about the impact DFV has on our community and how to access support locally.
Unfortunately, there has been a significant increase in DFV in Australia and in our region. Young Crisis Accommodation Centre have supported 138 survivors of DFV in our service area in the last financial year and sadly this number has increased every year since our inception. Raising awareness and starting the conversation is a way we can stand up and use our voices to support victims and to educate our community.
