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Dear Parents,
Yesterday we were fortunate to be able to hold our swimming carnival after early morning storms. It was wonderful to see so many students pushing themselves no matter their swimming ability. There were also some outstanding swims with a number of school records being broken.
Well done to our school leaders for leading the four houses with their war cries and for supporting one another. It certainly added to the carnival.
I thank all of the parents and the students from Hennessy for their support of the carnival, especially all that assisted with time-keeping. I also thank the staff from St Mary’s for their efforts, with a special mention to Mrs Challen for once again coordinating a wonderful carnival.
Congratulations to all of the swimmers chosen to represent St Mary's at the Western Region Carnival.
School Focus
Last year St Mary’s underwent a school review conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research. From this review the school has developed a strategic plan to take us forward. This is a three year plan and has two bold goals. These are:
- To improve student achievement through a rich and challenging curriculum.
- To enhance learning by building positive relationships across the community.
In our planning we break these goals down further to come up with specific targets and what actions we will take to meet these goals.
Young Leaders Program
This week 6C began their community service component of the Young Leaders Program. We had students volunteering at St Vincent de Paul, Annette’s Place, Brock Street Pre School, Goodstart Early Learning Centre and Gumnut Grove. The students enjoyed the experience and the feedback we received from their hosts was also very positive. Thank you to Mrs Silk, Mrs McNight and Ms Lovegrove for assisting on the day.
School Bags
Parents are reminded that St Mary’s school bags are a compulsory part of the school’s uniform policy. There are a number of alternate school bags being used in the upper grades. I will be following this up with students in Week 4. School bags are available at the school’s front office for $40. These bags are very hardy. There are a number of used bags in the clothing pool that are of a good quality.
As we begin a new school year we are searching for several parents to join the school’s
parent body, the Community Council. We have lost several members from last year’s
committee as either they had served the maximum term as allowed under the constitution, or
their youngest child left St Mary’s and they no longer have any children at our school.
The committee meets twice a term for approximately two hours.
It has a variety of roles which are clearly outlined in the constitution. The Council has
responsibility to take decisions in the following areas:
● Supporting the development of the Catholic identity, ethos and mission of the school.
● Supporting pastoral care strategies in the school community.
● Promoting the school in the local community.
● Appointing a member to the school’s enrolment committee, if needed
● Developing, approving and monitoring the annual budget, including school
determined levies, loan commitments and the fees collection and remission policy.
● Developing capital and maintenance programs.
● Developing local strategic plans (finances, buildings, resources) and contributing to
Archdiocesan educational strategic planning.
● Facilitate local school community debate in response to System leadership by the
CEC and the CEO in lobbying governments in school funding campaigns.
● Approving school uniform items decided at school level.
● Provide input on parent priorities and suggest ideas about Catholic schooling for the
school’s strategic plan.
● Raise money for resources as identified in the School’s Strategic Plan and Annual
Budget process.
● Provide student and parent services eg. Canteen.
● Provide support for school programs involving parents.
● Provide opportunities for social interaction and for parents to form supportive
networks.
Our first meeting for this year is on Wednesday 15th February at 6pm following our Parent
information Sessions.
I ask all parents to consider supporting the school by joining this committee.
If you wish to join the Community Council or have any questions please email
peter.hughes@cg.catholic.edu.au or contact the front office.
GOSPEL: Matthew 5:13-16
'You are salt for the earth. But if salt loses its taste, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled under people's feet. 'You are light for the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in people's sight, so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven.
REFLECTION
This week, Jesus coins a phrase that we continue to use today. He tells his disciples: “You are the ‘salt of the earth.’” Take a moment and ask yourself: What does this phrase mean to me? What is my understanding of the phrase “the salt of the earth?” What characteristics do you think a person who is “the salt of the earth” would possess? Down to earth? Practical? Sensible? Caring? Most likely all of us are “salt of the earth” in a variety of ways. However, Jesus then adds that if we lose our saltiness, we also will lose our flavor and then we will not be good for anything!
Jesus also tells his disciples: “You are the light of the world.” This is a powerful, and yet perhaps an intimidating, statement. Light is essential in so many ways. Plants will not grow without light. Light enables us to see clearly. If we do not have light, we may stumble and struggle through life. If we take Jesus’ words seriously, we need to share our “light” with everyone we encounter.
As yourself: Do you consider yourself “the light of the world?” If you answer yes, how do you strive to share your light? What are the gifts of light you share with others: a smile, a kind act, noticing someone who needs some help or encouragement, reaching out to someone who is lonely, sitting with a friend who is ill, or simply sharing a flower or fresh tomato from your garden? These are small acts but they are filled with light!
Now, let’s shift the focus. What are the arenas of your life where your light may be dim or perhaps extinguished? What is the cause of the loss of light? Do you sense any glimmer of light beginning to shine in this arena of your life? How do you experience God in this situation?
Our light is not our creation. God chose to make us creatures of light. Our light is not our light, rather it is a share of God’s light. Our light is meant to be shared, not hoarded. Our light has been given to us to share with our family, friends, the strangers we meet, and our world.
Today may you consciously and generously let your light shine! Our world is in desperate need of light. There is a tremendous amount of darkness, pain, tragedy, loneliness, and sadness in our world. Today and every day, the world needs your light and my light. Together we can fill the world with God’s light and love! (Sr Kristine Anne Harpenau)
OPENING SCHOOL MASS
On Thursday, February 16th, we will be celebrating our Opening School Mass at 9am in St Mary’s Church. All students from Kindergarten to Year 6 will be attending and we extend a warm welcome to all members of our school community as well. The mass will celebrate the commencement of a new academic year at St Mary’s Primary School and will include the commissioning of our new school leaders as they receive their badges.
Families are asked to please drop students at the church on Thursday morning no later than 8:50am. Students will then be returned to school at the conclusion of the mass. If your child catches a bus, we ask that they get off at Hennessy. Supervision will be provided from 8:20am.
We look forward to a wonderful celebration.
ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL APOLOGY
The National Apology formally acknowledged the injustices of past Government policies and practices that forcibly removed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, country and culture. It is a day to reflect on these past wrongs and consider how we might individually and collectively ensure the same wrongs don’t occur again.
This year, 2023, marks the 15th anniversary of the formal apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples made by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, on behalf of the nation, in 2008.
To commemorate this milestone, Year 3 will be leading the school in a Whole School Prayer at 8:50am in the Hall. We welcome all members of our school community to join us for this special event.
God Bless,
Warren Ziebowski
(Religious Education Coordinator)
Swimming Carnival
After a dodgy start to the morning weather wise we ended up with a much cooler but glorious day for our carnival. The kids were amazing and it was lovely to hear their cheers and laughter. Lots of fun with the novelties and some fierce competition in the pool! Thank you so much to our parents who assisted with time keeping - we really couldn’t run the carnival without you! Thank you to Jose Webber - our starter for the day - we will miss you next year!
A big thank you to our incredible teachers who work hard on the day to make sure everything runs smoothly. They encourage, soothe, remind and celebrate our students and I am very grateful for such a supportive team.
We congratulate our age champions who were presented with their trophies and medals at the conclusion of the carnival. We will present the House Trophy and School Spirit Awards at Assembly in Week 3.
Junior Boy Age Champion: Kynan Burgess
Runner Up: Nate Neilson
Junior Girl Age Champion: Kate Aston
Runner Up: Bella Robinson
Intermediate Boy Age Champion: Samuel Presser
Runner Up: Rory Brodbeck
Intermediate Girl Age Champion: Chloe Buck
Runner Up: Myami-Jein Robinson
Senior Boy Age Champion: William Woods
Runner Up: Harry Robinson
Senior Girl Age Champion: Sarah Webber
Runner Up: Ivy Murphy
Winning House: McGrath
Western Region Swimming - Thursday 23rd February
The organisation for the upcoming Western Region carnival is well underway and we are very excited to be hosting this year. Notes for competitors who placed in the top two for our carnival events have been placed in class notebags today.
As the host school we are required to provide extra officials on the day. If you could possibly help us with timekeeping it would be most appreciated. If you are able to assist could you please email me at leonne.challen@cg.catholic.edu.au
Archdiocesan Sporting Trials - Year 5 & 6
Archdiocesan Sporting trials are held each year for the purpose of selecting MacKillop Representatives. Students should have experience in playing their chosen sport at a school, local and representative level. Registrations are now open for the following sports:
Netball Championships 14th March 2023 - open to both teams and individual students. If your child is interested in forming a team please email me at leonne.challen@cg.catholic.edu.au so I can register our team prior to the 24th February. If we do not have enough for a team students are able to register for selection individually (nominations close 6th March) via the Canberra Goulburn Sports webpage.
Rugby League (11yrs and Opens) - 14th March 2023 - please register via the Canberra Goulburn Sports webpage. Nominations close 6th March 2023.
Hockey - please register via the Canberra Goulburn Sports webpage. Nominations close 10th March 2023.
Canberra Goulburn Sports webpage links:
https://www.sport.cg.catholic.edu.au/nominations
https://csnsw.sport/help/help-guide-for-parents
The Full Sports Calendar is now available on the Canberra Goulburn Sports webpage:
