Week 4, Term 1 2024 - 13th February 2024
Week 4 Reflection
From our Principal - Mr Wes Rose
Bishop & Director Visit
Last Wednesday we were fortunate to receive a visit from Bishop Michael McCarthy and our Diocesan Director, Miss Leesa Jeffcoat. Bishop Michael and Miss Jeffcoat spoke with all students, met new staff and toured our school grounds. I thank Bishop Michael and Miss Jeffcoat for taking the time to visit our school, it was lovely to see you.
Rumble’s Quest – Social Emotional Learning Tool
All families received a letter outlining a new initiative at St Mary’s, focused on improving student wellbeing–Rumble’s Quest. When children participate in Rumble’s Quest, they complete fun challenges and answer questions about the way they experience the world. The game takes students approximately 45 minutes to complete and will be undertaken in class groups at school. The information we gather will help our school set directions for student support and to inform teaching and learning strategies.
Parents, if you would not like your year 1-6 child to participate in Rumble’s Quest, please advise the school office by 19th February.
Tuckshop Closed Indefinitely
I advise all families that our new tuckshop convenor has resigned. Unfortunately, this means that we will have to close the tuckshop until a suitable person can be employed. Any updates will be shared via our school newsletter. I thank you for your patience with this matter.
Staff Training
- Today Mrs Belinda Battaia (Assistant Principal: Curriculum) attended the regional curriculum meeting at Emmanuel Catholic school.
- I advise parents that this Friday 16th February is the Bishop’s Inservice Day, a religious formation day for all staff. This is a pupil free day and the school office will be closed.
Just 1 Thing
We continue to promote our Just 1 Thing campaign and ask all parents complete this short, 1-minute survey. This survey will be open until Friday 16th Feb.
The ‘Just 1 Thing’ campaign was hugely successful last year and it is our aim to gather 200 responses this year, so please make time to consider the ways to can be involved in your child’s education. Well done to 3P, who lead the school in form submissions. If you haven’t submitted your response yet, please do so asap!
Quote of the Week
"Gratitude sweetens even the smallest of moments."
-unknown
Ash Wednesday
St Mary's Wellbeing Day
A reminder that our whole school Wellbeing Day will take place this Thursday 15th February. Students are invited to wear their HOUSE SHIRTS to school.
During the day, students will participate in a range of activities including boot camp, water colour art, music, yoga and cooking. They will be invited to share in a fruit platter as a class and they will complete a reflective art canvas to finish the day.
Thank you to the staff and parents who are contributing their time and expertise to make this day happen. We are looking forward to a great day!
Project Compassion - First Week of Lent
This year, Project Compassion brings you the stories of three resilient women from three different corners of the world. They are facing vastly different challenges, but are all united by one dream: to create a better tomorrow for all future generations.
Meet Ronita from the Philippines. Ronita is a mother of two young boys living in a slum in Quezon City. She went back to school to finish her education so that she could earn income to support her children.
Meet Leaia from Samoa. Not having access to a reliable source of clean water was very difficult for Leaia and her family. But, with the support of Caritas Australia, a water tank was installed at their home, improving their health and living conditions.
Meet Memory from Malawi. Memory, the eldest daughter from a rural Malawian family, trained to become a carpenter and is now a trailblazer for future generations of women in her village.
Please donate to Project Compassion.
You can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes and envelopes available from your parish, by visiting caritas.org.au/project-compassion or by calling 1800 024 413.
Photo: Richard Wainwright/Caritas Australia
Pupil Free Day
Sport News
Congratulations to Oliver Standish and Max Kinnane for their selection in the 10-12 boys AFL Mackay District team. They will play in the Capricornia trials in March.
Year 3-6 Cross-Country/Fun Run 2024
Letters will be emailed to all Year 3-6 parents tomorrow with information regarding the 2024 St Mary's Fun Run/Cross-Country which will be held on Friday 15th March at Queen's Park.
Please click on the link below to view this letter.
Simone Sibley
HPE Teacher
Music Program
Hi parents/guardians! I am Chelsea Jansen, Instrumental Strings Tutor, teaching Violin and also teach the Cello. I would love for you to consider your child learning strings at St Mary’s with me and help us grow a string community at the school.
I have 10 years teaching experience at various local Catholic Education schools, conduct local school string ensembles, am a performer with extensive performance experience and studying at the Conservatorium of Music. I provide my students with a tailored-approach learning experience and expose students to a wide variety of music with a passion for developing their music skills whether for specific goals or purely fun and enjoyment. I offer both private and group lesson options (groups only subject to availability).
For enquiries and further information, please contact me on 040 223 1740 or email Chelsea.jansen@outlook.com. As soon as an instrument is organised (I will help you with this), students can have an immediate start!
Parent Volunteer Induction
A huge thank you to all the parents who take time out of their busy lives to volunteer at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School.
Each year, all volunteers are required to acknowledge that they have read the Induction of Volunteers Guidelines (click on link below). Once these have been read, please go to Parent Lounge and complete as follows;
- Navigate to Events & Payments on the left hand side;
- Select 2024 Volunteer Induction;
- Click on the SMM Induction of Volunteers document to read;
- Once you have read the document, click the tick box to acknowledge;
- At the bottom of the page, click accept.
If you have any questions, please contact the school office.
School Photos
Swap It - Week 4
Student of the Week
Week 3, Term 1 Student Award Winners
| Prep P | Reuben | For the 'can do' attitude you show with all of your schoolwork in Prep. Thank you for being a great listener who is always willing to share his ideas with the class. Keep working hard Reuben! |
| Prep P | Vance | For a great start to Prep! Thank you Vance for working so hard in class and being a kind friend to everyone. Keep up the great work! |
| Prep R | Carlo | For trying hard and showing a positive attitude when completing learning tasks. Pete Persistence and your teachers are so proud of you. |
| Prep R | Harper | For being a beautiful ray of sunshine in our class. Harper you are just an absolute joy and we are so lucky to have such a kind and lovely friend in Prep R. |
| 1B | Ariana | For the brave way you approached all activities this week. You are being just like Charlie Confidence! Well done. |
| 1B | Aleyna | For being willing to help your teacher and classmates. You are an amazing student and friend and we can count on you always! |
| 1S | Charlie | For being a star reader in your Boost group and chopping up your words when writing. What a Super Star worker you have been this week. |
| 1S | Thea | For the kindness and encouragement you show your classmates. You set a great example for others Thea. |
| 2A | Willow | For being a role model for our class. You enter the classroom with a smile on your face and a positive attitude. You are amazing! |
| 2A | Louis | For your positive and friendly presence in the classroom. You participate with enthusiasm and share great ideas. Keep up the great work! |
| 2L | Audrey | Audrey your teacher thought she was standing next to an angel during the opening school Mass on Tuesday. You sang the most angelic tones. Your teacher was in awe! You have a beautiful voice! |
| 2L | Hudson | Hudson you have been a model student this week! You have worked so diligently to complete all activities with neat and tidy handwriting. Your teacher is super-impressed! Keep up the great work! |
| 3C | Norsang | Norsang, Thank you for being a diligent worker and a friendly, cooperative student. The enthusiasm you bring to all tasks is outstanding! Your teacher is very proud! |
| 3P | Hudson | Hudson, you have had a wonderful start to the year. You are always prepared to begin the day and have shown persistence in all that you do! Keep being AMAZING! |
| 3P | Evan | For beautiful fluency and expression during boost groups. Great work Evan! |
| 3P | Ellie | For amazing sentence writing and show don't tell strategies. Well done Ellie! |
| 4C | Tane | For your confident thoughts and 'hard yakka' with your schoolwork. Your efforts are wonderful to see. |
| 4C | Santiago | For the persistence you show in completing your work and trying your hardest. Keep up the wonderful work. |
| 4R | Emily | For your interesting and well-written 'My Vacation' recount. We are so pleased to have you join our class, welcome to St. Mary's Emily. |
| 4R | Theo | For your happy, smiling face and positive attitude to all tasks. Your cheerful greetings during our Welcome Circle brighten everyone's day! Thank you Theo. |
| 4R | Finn | For being a polite annd responsible member of our class. What a great start to the school year Finn! |
| 5C | Flynn | For your excellent use of descriptive language in your narrative writing this week. Keep up the great work! |
| 5C | Hunter | For your persistence with division problems this week. Your consistent use of your whiteboard to help you solve problems has shown your determination to get an answer. Well done! |
| 5M | Isabella | For putting 100% effort into everything you do, you set an excellent example to others. |
| 5M | Creed | For listening, focusing and showing persistence in everything you do. Well done Creed. |
| 6T | Parker | For the persistence and willingness that you have shown towards your learning. Fantastic start to term one. Well done, Parker! |
| 6V | Samantha | You are demonstrating confidence to give everything a go and excellent organisational skills. Your calm, positive attitude is appreciated in our classroom. Keep up the great work! |
| 6V | Joshua | Thank you Josh for sharing your knowledge and experience of the Eucharist with the class and taking pride in your bookwork. |
| Mrs Sibley's Weekly Sport Awards | ||
| PE Award | George | Thank you for displaying the ‘getting along’ key in PE this week. You led by example by treating everyone with respect, following rules, listening attentively and seeking help from the teacher when someone behaved unfairly. Well done. |
| PE Award | Nate | You definitely displayed persistence in our PE lesson this week. When completing the fitness tasks you continued to give 110% even when the intensity increased and the activities became harder. You also avoided distractions from others and were efficient with your break time. Great work. |
Community News
