Week 7, Term 1 2021 - 9th March 2021

From our Principal - Mr Wes Rose

P&F Welcoming BBQ
Many thanks to the families that attended the welcoming BBQ and open classroom event last night.  It was a great chance to meet new and existing parents, showcase our new classrooms and learning environments and enjoy a BBQ dinner.  A special thank you to the parent helpers who assisted with the dinner and clean up.

Just 1 thing Campaign
I ask that all St Mary’s parents submit a response to the ‘Just 1 Thing’ campaign, which assists us to engage parents in their preferred ways.  Currently, we have only 29% of families that have submitted a response, a long way from our goal of 80%.  Please see below a snapshot of families who have completed the survey from each class.  Please click this link to complete the short, one-minute form. 

Clean Up Australia Day
Well done to the 80 members of St Mary’s who assisted in the Clean Up Australia Day event on Sunday.  Our group managed to collect over 30 bags of rubbish around the Quota Park and Illawong Beach areas. Well done. 

Quote of the Week

From our APRE - Mrs Terri Leotta

MJR Shirt 
This morning last year’s yr 6 student and designer of our new MJR shirt - Keean Rackham, visited St Mary’s to have his photo taken with the staff. Keean’s design was chosen as the staff shirt for the whole Rockhampton diocese. It was wonderful to have him come back to see his design being worn by his previous teachers and support staff.

Wellbeing Survey
In last week’s newsletter parents were invited to complete a Wellbeing Survey. This graphic has been prepared to show St Mary’s commitment to the wellbeing of our whole school community and a selection of the various initiatives, resources and events utilized. We would love to hear from as many families as possible. Please click here to complete the survey.

Harmony Day/National Day of Action against Bullying

This Friday 19th March we will acknowledge Harmony Day which is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism. We will also recognise the National Day of Action Against Bullying.

On this day each class will participate in lessons about tolerance, respect and learning skills to resolve conflicts. Each class will contribute to creating a whole school anti-bullying display.

We invite all students to wear ONE orange item of clothing with their uniform. This could be an orange t-shirt, ribbon, socks, etc.

Mrs Terri Leotta
APRE/Teacher

From our APC - Mrs Belinda Battaia

Toys at School

The excerpt below is from our school Behaviour Management Student Guide:

GENERALLY

•   Respect all school property.
•   Bikes should be walked along the footpath and stored under ‘F’ block.
•   Toys and electronics are not to be brought to school.
•   Mobile phones are to be left at the office during school hours.
•   Do not enter rooms or the sports shed unless a teacher is present.

This guide states that there are to be no toys or electronics brought to school.  Over the last few weeks we have noticed a growing number of toys including Fidget toys, Rubik cubes, Pokemon cards etc making their way to school and being played with during break times.  We have spoken to all students to remind them that these toys are to be kept at home and we ask parents to support these guidelines going forward.  These items are often precious to the students and are better left at home where they know they will be looked after.

Mrs Belinda Battaia
APC/Teacher

Project Compassion - Holy Week

As we enter Holy Week, we continue to reflect on the lives of people vulnerable to extreme poverty and injustice and how we can respond through supporting Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion appeal. 

Let us take time to remember the life and teachings of Saint Oscar Romero. His many lessons include: live a simple life, commit to bringing peace to the world, speak the truth and of course aspire not to have more, but to be more. Some words from what has become known as the Oscar Romero prayer; “We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.”

Thank you for supporting Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion Campaign. Your generosity will work for the freedom of those living in poverty, challenge unjust structures, and empower people to work for a sustainable way of life.

Caritas Classroom Tally

Prime Minister's Spelling Bee

The 2021 Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee is on soon.  Students from Years 3 to 6 are invited to take part in an online spelling bee.  They will compete against other students in Australia to correctly spell 30 randomly selected words. Finalists will be invited to take part in the State and National finals.  Entry is free for all students.  A signed consent form is required.

What: 2021 Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee
When: March 15- 26.
Where: Online competition during school.
Who: See your class teacher or Mrs Paul for a consent form.

Have a go before you begin: Click here to try The Bee

Sport News

Congratulations to Alexis Kavanagh (U12), Alexis Sorbello ( U11), Sunny Hodder (U11) and Emma Pace (U11) on their selection in the Mackay Netball sides. The girls will travel to Rockhampton later this month to play at the Capricornia Trials.

Save the Date

We can confirm the following dates for our 2021 Interhouse sporting events;

• Tuesday 30^th  March – prep-year 2 Fun Run at St Mary’s
• Wednesday 31^st March – year 3 -6 cross-country and fun run at Queens Park

• Tuesday 8^th June – 9-12 years Athletics Field events at St Mary’s
• Thursday 10^th June – year 3-6 Track events at the MARC
• Thursday 24^th June – prep-year 3 mini-athletics

• Friday 19^th November – Swimming Carnival at the Memorial Pool
  

Mrs Caroline Kerrisk
HPE Teacher

Touch Footy Draw - Round 5

Prep 'T' Day

Qld Health Advice

Parents please be aware there have been some recent cases of Chickenpox at St Mary's. For more information please refer to the Qld Health Fact Sheet by clicking on the link below. 

If you have any concerns or queries, please do not hestitate to contact the School Office. 

Student of the Week

Week 6, Term 1 Student Award Winners

Community News