Yesterday we were able to celebrate a mass in our school hall to acknowledge the legacy of the Presentation Sisters who began Catholic schools in many rural communities including Young. Thank you to Father Mark who celebrated the mass. It was wonderful to hold a mass on our school site. It was good to see a number of family members in attendance.

House Captains

Yesterday we had twenty seven students across our four houses deliver speeches to other members of their houses. I thank them for putting themselves forward for these important positions. Students from across the school voted for the house leaders for 2025. The leaders are;

Finnegan: Oscar McRae & Layla Stinson

McGrath: Nixon Gault & Mehram Thind

O’Dwyer: River Hambilton & Oliver Harden

McCarthy: Sam Wright and Yuhan Alcoy

Chess

This week we held the St Mary’s Chess Championships with twenty-nine participants. The competition was conducted over eight rounds with every child experiencing some success. At the end of the first seven rounds it was very close with a number of players fighting to finish in the top three. The final results were:

School Champion: Nate Neilsen

Second Place: Sophie Anderson

Third Place: Annabelle Carson

I thank Harjot and Zabir from Hennessy Catholic College for being our adjudicators for the day.

Reading Challenge BBQ

Congratulations to all the students who read every night during our four week challenge. Mr Hughes and Mr Williams will be cooking the BBQ lunch next Tuesday 3rd December. Mr Hughes will remind students of who is involved on Monday.

The Vinnies Christmas Appeal - Celebration Foods

Last week we launched our Vinnies Christmas Appeal, Celebration Foods. We have one week left to collect food items and bring them to school. As many families in Young face a very difficult Christmas, we can make a difference! 

Vinnies has asked for non-perishable food items that would be suitable for a Christmas meal celebration. Items such as the following would be gratefully received: tinned fruits, jelly mixes, chocolate, chips, biscuits, cake mixes, crackers, Christmas cake, custard, shortbread, and any other items you may think of. Pet foods can also be donated.

Thank you for your generosity! Your support makes the world of difference during the Christmas season.

Presentation Day Whole School Mass 

Yesterday we joined together for a whole school mass, acknowledging our Presentation school history.  Fr. Mark celebrated the mass with us in our school hall. Parents and carers are welcome to join us.

Advent Resource for families

The Christmas: Way of the Star is a guided series of testimonies, scriptures, reflections and prayers that follow the scriptural encounters leading up to the birth of Christ.

2025 Archdiocesan Basketball Trials

Congratulations to Henry Aiken and River Hambilton for their success in being selected in the Archdiocesan Basketball Team for 2025. What a fantastic achievement and we look forward to cheering you both on next year!!

2025 Archdiocesan Tennis Trials

A big well done to Annabelle Carson & Mehram Thind who competed in the 2025 Archdiocesan Tennis Trials yesterday in Canberra. The weather conditions were a little dicey and at times very hot and humid. The selector of the trials Mrs Susan Carswell (nee Watson) - who would be known by many of our school community as a former teacher at St Mary’s - contacted me yesterday to let me know what a fantastic effort both girls put in and how commendable their behaviour and attitude was all day. It is certainly so wonderful to hear such praise about our students. Great effort girls!!

Gecko Sports at St Mary’s

Our sessions continue this week. A reminder that our make up session for Week 4 will be held on Monday as well as our normal Wednesday session. Students need to wear their sports uniform on their Gecko Sports day. Please see the revised timetable below:

Week 8 Monday: 1/2C, 6C, 6E, 3/4S, 5Z

Week 8 Wednesday: 2M, 3/4A, 5D, 3/4R

Weekly & Fortnightly payments based on payment schedule starting 1st January, 2025.

We remind parents to reach out to Mr Hughes or Mrs Dal Molin if you have any concerns regarding your outstanding debt or 2025 School Fees. All conversations are confidential, and assistance is available to families who are experiencing financial hardship.

This year we had a total of 60 students who successfully completed the Premier's Reading Challenge.  This was a super effort and reflects the commitment and dedication of these students to their reading.  

The following students were awarded certificates for completing the PRC over a number of years:

Kynan Burgess  - Platinum Certificate (completing the PRC for seven years)

Henry Burgess, Shiven Jhunjhunwala, Nina Robinson and Frankie Sullivan  - Gold Certificate (completing the PRC for four years).

We look forward to the opportunity to participate and continue our reading journey in 2025!

Over the Christmas Break we ask that students with medical conditions such as Asthma, Anaphylaxis or Diabetes have their medical plans reviewed by their Medical Practitioner and have their Individual Medical Response Plan form & Action Plans updated. 

If your child has other illnesses that does not require a plan but could affect their health at school, we ask that you keep us informed so that we can record it on their student medical file.

Students who take medication at school are also required to have a Medication Authorisation Form completed. All medication must be in its original container, bearing the original label and instructions.

Printed copies are available at the front office. We ask that you forward these to the front office by Friday 7th February (Week 1)

The Community Council will be hosting the end of year Family Christmas Event on Friday 13th December starting at 6:30pm.

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.

This will be a free event with food and drinks available for purchase on the night. 

• Hot Dogs
• Chips
• Pulled Prok or beef n slaw
• Fish bites and chips
• Prawn poppers and chips
• Nuggets and chips
• Oven roasted vegetable medley with aioli rolls

Charcuterie Boxes

• $25 per box (for 2-3ppl) option of meats or vege and GF option

Orders to be placed via the square by 5pm Wednesday 12 December 2024.

Concession Stand 

• Drinks
• Snacks
• Ice creams
• Lollies

Bring your own picnic

FOUND

This helmet was left behind on our last whole school reward. If this belongs to your child please collect it from the front office asap as all lost property will be cleared at the end of the year. 

LOST

An earing was lost last week at school if found can you please return to the front office.