Dear Parents,

Yesterday we held our Opening School Mass which included the  presentation of leadership badges to our student leaders. It was a wonderful way to begin the school year and was the first opportunity for us to showcase our new school song ‘To Love is to Serve’ written by Michael Mangan and a number of Year Five and Year Six students from last year. It was wonderful to see so many parents attend as well as the Hon. Steph Cooke, our local member. Thank you to Mr Ziebowski for his organisation and to all the children for their participation, especially our Kindergarten students at their first school mass.

On Wednesday we held our Parent Information Sessions. Thank you to those that attended. During the sessions teachers gave a brief overview of the reporting schedule for 2023. A more detailed letter outlining these changes will be sent to parents next Monday. All parents should have received an overview of what is happening in their child’s class this term.

The first meeting of the Community Council took place this week and it was pleasing to welcome two new members. They are Alecia Dennis and Jenna Hoskins. They join our existing members Emma McRae, Nathan Robinson, Pauline Sharp and Elecia Anderson. They are joined by Siobhen Roberts, our teacher representative and myself. We would still like to have two more parents join the council. Please contact the front office if you are interested.

The committee looked at various options for social events to enable parents to meet one another and support the school. This links to the school’s second bold goal which is to ‘Enhance Learning by Building Positive Relationships Across the Community.” These events will be advertised once details are confirmed.

The Community Council will be running a BBQ at next Thursday’s Western Region Swimming Carnival commencing at 8am. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Today is our last day of work for Shelley McRae, our canteen manager. We thank Shelley for her hard work and the service she has provided in her role during her time at St Mary’s. We wish her all the best in the next stage of her career.

The position of canteen manager will be advertised on the Catholic Education website with applications closing on the 6th March. Please contact the school office should you require further information.

Year 1/2 M

We were advised yesterday that Mrs Murray will be away from school for the next four weeks. While her injury is healing it is not to a stage where she can return to work.

Mrs Sewell who has done a wonderful job teaching the class in Jillian’s absence, has a prior contract beginning next week at St Raphael’s in Cowra. From next week Mrs Alex Amos will be teaching the class. Mrs Amos is well known to the students through her work as a casual at St Mary's. We thank Ursula for the wonderful work she has done setting the students up for success over the last four weeks.

Girl Guides

Next Wednesday Girl Guides from around Australia will be wearing their uniform to school to help celebrate World Thinking Day. Guides will be celebrating the service, advocacy and leadership skills developed in Girl Guide Units around the world. There are more than 10 million members worldwide.

We are happy to support this day by allowing guides from St Mary's to wear their uniform to school.

'Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. In truth I tell you, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, is to disappear from the Law until all its purpose is achieved. Therefore, anyone who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of Heaven; but the person who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of Heaven. 'For I tell you, if your uprightness does not surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of Heaven. 'You have heard how it was said to our ancestors, You shall not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you, anyone who is angry with a brother will answer for it before the court; anyone who calls a brother "Fool" will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and anyone who calls him "Traitor" will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. In truth I tell you, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny. 'You have heard how it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say this to you, if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye should be your downfall, tear it out and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of yourself than to have your whole body thrown into hell. And if your right hand should be your downfall, cut it off and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of yourself than to have your whole body go to hell. 'It has also been said, Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a writ of dismissal. But I say this to you, everyone who divorces his wife, except for the case of an illicit marriage, makes her an adulteress; and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 'Again, you have heard how it was said to our ancestors, You must not break your oath, but must fulfil your oaths to the Lord. But I say this to you, do not swear at all, either by heaven, since that is God's throne; or by earth, since that is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your own head either, since you cannot turn a single hair white or black. All you need say is "Yes" if you mean yes, "No" if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the Evil One.

REFLECTION

This week, Jesus instructs His disciples what not to do.  He begins His instructions by saying: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets, I have come, not to abolish them, but to fulfil them.”  He continues on: “Of this much I assure you: until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter of the law. . . shall be done away with until it all comes true.”  Anyone who fulfils the law is the least in the kingdom.”  Then He adds: Whoever fulfils and teaches these commandments shall be great in the kingdom of God.  And unless your holiness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of God.”

Jesus also speaks about judging others.  If we judge a sister or brother, we are the ones who will be liable for judgement, not them.  He then talks about anger.  He tells his disciples that if they get angry or use abusive language they will be held in contempt and they also are risking “the fires of Gehenna.”  Jesus warns his disciples about the danger of thoughts of impurity, adultery, divorce or making false oaths or pledges.  He ends with these words: “”Say ‘Yes’ when you mean “yes” and ‘no’ when you mean “no.”  Anything else is from the evil one.”

Take a moment and ask yourself: how often do I speak words that are neither just nor appropriate?  If you are like me, it is far too often!  Yet, I may continue to do it.  Why do we do this?  Most of us know what is appropriate and inappropriate yet we continue to berate, judge, or demean others. In today’s Gospel, Jesus is very clear about what we are not to do!   Today pause a moment and ask yourself: Do I take Jesus’ words seriously?  Do I strive to live as He calls us to live?  Or will I continue to act in a manner I know is not healthy for me or for the people in my life?  Every day, every moment, we have a choice!  What will we choose today? (Sr Kristine Anne Harpenau)

OPENING SCHOOL MASS

Yesterday, we celebrated our Opening School Mass. The Mass was based around our school theme, “Walking Together”. This year’s theme is very timely as we regroup after three years of Covid, and unite once more and journey forward together.

As we walk together, we celebrate together and today was a day of celebration, a day when we inducted our new student leaders to take up their positions and aspire to be the best people they can possibly be as they learn about leadership amongst their peers.

The gospel yesterday reminded us how Jesus is the centre of our Emmaus Walk. He is there to guide us and make his home in our hearts. We welcomed our new students, staff, families and leadership team today and encouraged them to listen to their calling and let their path serving our school community always be one of faith and light.

It was a lovely celebration and we thank everyone who was able to join us.

SHROVE TUESDAY

In Australia, the day preceding Ash Wednesday is popularly known as Shrove Tuesday. It is the name “Shrove” that shows its religious origins. Shrove is the past tense of the English verb “Shrive” which means to obtain absolution for one’s sins by way of confession and by doing penance.

With Shrove Tuesday taking place before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, it was the day when Christians were encouraged to go to confession in preparation for the penitential season that would end 40 days and 40 nights later with Easter Sunday.

Dating back to 1000 AD, over the years Shrove Tuesday not only became a day for Confession but a time for Catholics to feast on eggs, sugar and dairy which are traditionally restricted during the Lenten fast.

Not only was Shrove Tuesday a last chance to gorge on such foods but it was also a way to use them up before the fast began. The feast of these foods would become pancakes, hence the name Pancake Tuesday. (https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/shrove-tuesday/) 

On Monday, Year 1 and 2 will be celebrating Shrove Tuesday with a special Prayer Service held in the Hall at 8:50am. We extend a warm welcome to our school community to join us.

ASH WEDNESDAY

Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer.

Ash Wednesday takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday, and is chiefly observed by Catholics, although many other Christians observe it too.

Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolise the dust from which God made us. As the priest applies the ashes to a person's forehead, he says: "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Alternatively, the priest may speak the words, "Repent and believe in the Gospel."

Ashes also symbolise grief, in this case, grief that we have sinned and caused division from God.

Writings from the Second-century Church refer to the wearing of ashes as a sign of penance.

Priests administer ashes during Mass and all are invited to accept the ashes as a visible symbol of penance. Even non-Christians and the excommunicated are welcome to receive the ashes. The ashes are made from blessed palm branches, taken from the previous year's palm Sunday Mass. (https://www.catholic.org/lent/ashwed.php)

St Mary’s will Celebrate Ash wednesday with a Whole School Liturgy on Wednesday Morning at 9am in the school Hall.  Again, we extend a warm welcome to all members of our school community to join us. Alternatively, there will be an Ash Wednesday Mass held at St Mary’s Church at 6pm. Kindergarten will receive their ashes on Thursday.

God Bless,

Warren Ziebowski

(Religious Education Coordinator)

Swimming Carnival Spirit Awards

Each year we award School Spirit Awards for Swimming and Athletics to recognise those students who shine brightly at the carnivals by putting in effort, being enthusiastic, supporting others and being brave to try new things. This year we recognise:

Junior Boy & Girl: Jono Eastwood & Matilda Hill

Intermediate Boy & Girl: Henry O’Brien & Kathryn Robinson

Senior Boy & Girl: Lelan Ralph & Lyla Bruce

We congratulate these students on their tremendous efforts! 

MacKillop Touch Football Trials

We had five students compete last Wednesday at Yass - Sarah Webber, Amelia McRae, Daisy Sullivan, Zander Ashton & Leo Holt. From all reports the competition was very fierce and our students displayed great effort and heart. What a fantastic achievement to represent the Archdiocese at this level. Well done!

Raiders Mixed Tag Gala Day

The Raiders Mixed Tag Gala Day will be held  in Harden on Friday the 10th March at Roberts Park, Murrumburrah.  We invite students from 3/4 & 5/6 the opportunity to participate. The day will be for both boys and girls and is non-competitive. Previous experience playing Tag is not necessary. If your child would like to participate please opt in to the Compass Event invitation that has been sent out today. The events button can be found by clicking on the 3 horizontal lines titled More. Please click on Events and then follow the prompts to opt into the Gala Day. Click on Accept and then fill in the permission form which asks for details about your child’s class and transport arrangements. Once you have filled in all the required fields a green button at the bottom will light up for you to confirm consent. Your nomination will not be recorded until this green button is clicked and confirmed. Parents will need to provide their own transport for this event due to the late finishing time. Permission is also need through COMPASS by the 27/2/23 for your child to attend.

Western Region Swimming

Please ensure those attending have completed the online consent and have made their payment either via Compass or to the Front Office. Thank you so much to those parents that have offered to assist with Timekeeping. Tammy Terry will be organising a roster on the day to spread the love around!! We are on Lane 4 and require 2 timekeepers there and as we are hosting, we are also required to provide the 2nd timekeeper for the other lanes. Unfortunately we are unable to provide any teachers to fill these rolls as they are busy in classrooms so we are relying on your generosity to help us out. Thank you!

STUDENT MEDICAL INFORMATION

With the start of the school year it is essential that your child’s medical information is updated.  Asthma and Anaphylaxis plans need to be current and must have been reviewed and updated by a doctor. A review is required every 12 months. This ensures that we are able to assist your child in the event of a medical emergency. Can you please ensure that we have a current Action Plan.

TERM 1 SCHOOL FEES

CE are still setting up the background information required to invoice Term 1 School Fees.  Whilst we understand this is not ideal it is unavoidable as we need to ensure we are invoicing fees correctly.

We encourage existing parents to set up their payments using the Fee Statements that have been emailed to you on the 2nd of every month.

Our new families can make payments through cash or eftpos at the front office.

WESTERN REGION SWIMMING CARNIVAL BBQ HELPERS NEEDED

We will be hosting the Western Region swimming carnival this coming Thursday. Mr Hughes and Mr Williams are looking for some volunteers to help cook the BBQ. Please contact the front office if you can help or simply pop down and say hi.