Week 1, Term 3 2023 - 11th July 2023

Principal's Reflection

Nurturing Happiness through Enjoyment, Satisfaction, and Meaning

Over the school holidays I was fortunate to listen to a podcast from Dr Arthur Brooks, Harvard professor, author, newspaper columnist and expert in the field and science of happiness.  (Interestingly, Arthur’s new book is co-authored with Oprah Winfrey and is out later this year.)

Arthur’s podcast shares his very interesting and thought provoking take on happiness and for those interested, I highly recommend his work.

According to Brooks, happiness is not merely a fleeting emotion, but a result of intentional actions and choices that contribute to a fulfilled life.  He emphasises the significance of enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning in cultivating happiness within ourselves and others.  Let’s explore how we can incorporate these three key ingredients into our daily lives, and at our school.

Enjoyment is an essential element of happiness. It involves finding delight in the simple pleasures and embracing the present moment. In our school, we encourage a positive and engaging learning environment, where students can find joy in their studies, collaborate with their peers and explore their interests. By fostering an atmosphere of curiosity, creativity and fun, we aim to help our students develop a genuine enthusiasm for learning, leading to lasting enjoyment.

Satisfaction is another crucial aspect of happiness. It arises from setting and accomplishing meaningful goals that align with our values and aspirations. At St Mary’s, we encourage our students to set ambitious academic and personal goals, guiding them towards growth and achievement. By celebrating their milestones and recognizing their progress, we cultivate a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction within each student, nurturing their overall happiness.

Meaning adds a deeper dimension to happiness. It stems from our ability to connect with something larger than ourselves and contribute to the well-being of others. As a Catholic school, we embrace the teachings of the Christian faith, which emphasize service, compassion and the pursuit of the common good. Through community service projects, acts of kindness and encouraging empathy, we want students to discover meaning in their lives. By living a life inspired by faith and making a positive impact on others, we hope students find profound fulfillment and genuine happiness.

As parents, you play a vital role in nurturing your child's happiness. Encourage them to pursue activities they genuinely enjoy, support their passions, reinforce good habits and emphasize the importance of personal growth and fulfillment. By fostering open communication, demonstrating love and understanding and instilling moral values at home, you provide a solid foundation for their happiness and well-being.  In conclusion, by embracing enjoyment, satisfaction and meaning in our daily lives, we pave the way for a more fulfilling and happier reality.  Together, let us embark on this journey of happiness, incorporating these essential ingredients into our lives and nurturing a vibrant and thriving school community.  May God's blessings of enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning be with you all.

All the very best,

Wes Rose
Principal

Sources: https://arthurbrooks.com/
https://hallow.com/chapters/1323

From our Principal - Mr Wes Rose

Challenge Cup Rugby League/Netball

All the best to the students participating in the Diocesan Challenge Cup competition in Yeppoon this Wed-Fri.  This carnival is always a great event and I look forward to our students representing their school with pride and determination.  I thank the following staff members for coaching/managing the teams; Phil Clancy, Belinda Battaia, Rob Townsend and Belinda van Lint.

School News

• I extend a warm welcome to our new teacher assistant, Mrs Fallon Tass, who commenced work this Monday. Fallon is well known to the school community and it is lovely to have her back working in our school. 
• Ms Lenz will be on Long Service Leave in week 1 and 2.
• Next Tuesday 18^th July is the Mackay Regional NAIDOC Mass at St Joseph’s Church. Our indigenous students, Ms Loban and Mr Rose will attend this celebration. 

It's Showtime for Rock, Pop Mime!
All the very best to our Yr 5/6 students participating in this Friday’s RPM performance.  Mrs Wood and her helpers have been working feverishly to prepare our ‘minions’, who I am sure will thoroughly enjoy the experience.

Whitsunday Voices
This Thursday, our Year 2-6 students will attend a session of Whitsunday voices.  This annual literary festival is always a great opportunity for our students.  For more information, please visit their website.

Prep 2024 Interviews
Over the coming weeks, we will be conducting interviews for the 2024 Prep year.  You may see some new families around the school, please make them feel welcome.

School Maintenance
Over the holidays, several jobs were undertaken at school, including;

• External washdown of Admin block
• Pressure clean of all walkways, basketball court and eating areas.
• Air-conditioner maintenance in F Block
• The foundation for the B Block elevator was completed
• The external roof linings in the F Block undercover area were installed and painted.
• A sprinkler system was installed in the grassed area outside the library.
• Our alarm system was serviced.

P&F Meeting
Our next P&F meeting is scheduled for this evening, Tuesday 11^th July from 6pm in the staffroom.  At this meeting, we will have a ‘wrap-up’ of the Trivia Might, look at the P&F fundraising commitments for 2023 and plan some other great events for the remainder of the year, including the bike-a-thon.   All parents are invited to attend.

Uniform Reminders
With the cold weather upon us, it is timely to remind parent and students of the uniform expectations at St Mary’s.  A reminder to all families of our uniform guidelines.  Some important areas to note include;

• Students are to wear plain black footwear (formal shoes or joggers). Please note that appropriate footwear can be purchased from many retailers in Mackay, including Athletes Foot and Intersport.
• Navy jumper with school badge on left side. Navy stockings or tracksuit pants.
• No coloured nail polish or acrylic nails.
• Boys hair styles. Be neat in appearance and not falling into eyes or past the collar. Hair may not be dyed or worn in a style that is extreme or inappropriate for school (e.g. no tracks, rat’s tails, mo-hawks, top knots, hair no shorter than gauge 2 or undercuts that have a large variance between length).
• Boys: No earrings or body piercings.
• Girls hair styles. Be neat in appearance and not falling into eyes. Girls with shoulder or longer length hair must have it tied back. Hair may not be dyed or worn in a style that is extreme or inappropriate for school. Hair accessories should be minimal and must be in colours of navy, blue or white.

Quote of the Week

Parent/Teacher Interviews

Parent/Teacher Interviews – Week 2
As advised previously, Semester 1 student report cards are now available via the parent lounge.  Following the release of these reports, I ask all parents to make a time to meet with their child’s teacher to discuss their progress and areas for improvement:

• Parent Teacher Interviews can be booked via the parent lounge (tab on the left)
• Interviews will take place between 17th-21st July (next week)

If you are having problems accessing the parent lounge, please contact the school office for assistance.

Office Reminders

Student Absences
Student absences from school can be advised through our St Mary's Schoolzine App by clicking on the 'Absentee' tile and completing your student's details. Parents can also use our designated phone number 4994 8271 or email SMM_Absences@rok.catholic.edu.au  to inform the school if your student is to be absent.

Details on how to install the St Mary's App can be found by clicking this link. 

Once downloaded, please complete your registration, using our parent sign-in code 4142.

If you have any queries or difficulties downloading the App please contact the school office.

Personal Details
Do we have your correct personal and address details?

Please ensure all residential addresses and other personal details held by the school are up to date and correct. 

The easiest way for families to check this information is by logging into their Parent Lounge account by using the 'Parent Lounge' tile on the St Mary's App or on our St Mary's School website to review what is recorded.

1. Click on the Parent Lounge icon
2. a) Enter your Username (Parent code located on school fees statements-6 digit number) and
    Password
    If you do not know or have misplaced your password,  click on 'Forgot Password?'
    b) Click 'Login'

Once logged in - Click “Parent Details” then “View Address Details”.

• If address details are correct, no further action is required.
• If the address is incorrect, change it via “Update Address Details” then “Update Address” in Parent Lounge.  Once saved the address will be updated.

Office Hours
Monday to Friday
8am to 3:30pm

Students who arrive late to school, are to sign in at the School Office. If you collect your child early before 3pm you must also notify the school office before leaving school, so the school roll can be updated.

Student Medication
All medications administered during school hours require a completed medication form signed by a parent. These are available from the school office. Medication needs to be labelled by a pharmacist with your student's name and dosage.

Please inform office staff of any student allergies. 

Sacramental Program

Catholic Education Week

The Catholic Education Week 2023 theme is " Communities of Faith, Hope and Love".  

Celebrated annually in week 3 of term 3, Catholic Education Week is an opportunity for all 309 Catholic schools in Queensland to celebrate and promote their distinctive mission and ethos. Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society. 

We will celebrate the week through these following activities, liturgies and events:

Student of the Week

Week 10, Term 2 Student Award Winners

Community News