Dear Parents,

Next term, our school will be implementing the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum across the school. The curriculum is based on principles of best practice in child safety education and centres around three key messages: Recognise, React and Report. Through a series of lessons, students will learn how to recognise, react and report when they are unsafe or find themselves in situations that can have a significant detrimental effect on their physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing. 

Recognise 

The first key safety message of the curriculum is recognise. Recognise is about being aware of your environment. 

Children, young people and adults can all learn to take notice of what is happening around them to help keep themselves safe. Everyone can use clues, such as the things we see, hear, smell or feel to help protect us from harm and keep ourselves safe. Clues can be simple things that warn us about a danger, e.g. hearing a fire alarm or seeing smoke, that prompt us to react. We can also use clues to prepare for potentially unsafe situations, e.g. if we are walking alone at night, then we try to use a well-lit route and avoid secluded lanes or parks. 

When we recognise that there might be a safety problem we can take steps to move away or reduce the risk or develop strategies that can help keep us safe. For instance, if you are in a busy environment where there are big crowds, you might consider what you and your child could do if you became separated. Strategies could include: going to a highly visible pre-determined meeting spot; writing your phone number on a card and placing it in your child’s pocket; identifying who your child could approach if they become lost, e.g. police, staff at a booth. 

React 

The second safety message: react.

When children recognise that they are in an unsafe situation, we encourage them to think about what they could do to be safe again. They will have opportunities to think about ways to react using real-life scenarios. Our students will also learn that breaking the rules (e.g. saying no to an adult who is behaving inappropriately) is sometimes necessary so that they can become safe again. 

Report

The final key message is report. This means that when children or young people have been in a situation that is unsafe that they are taught to report what has happened to an adult. Even if a child has been able to make themselves safe, it is vital that they still report what has happened. Adults need to know about unsafe situations so that some action can be taken to help the child be safe again or ensure it doesn’t happen again. 

Students will be encouraged to make a list of adult safety helpers. These are adults the children and young people nominate whom they can talk to when they are feeling unsafe or have experienced an unsafe situation or feel they are at risk of something that may cause them harm. This list will include a selection of adults who live in and outside the home.

Report also includes telling an adult about unsafe or inappropriate incidents which may occur when children or young people are online. This might occur when surfing the net or using social media sites like Facebook and twitter, and can include cyberbullying, viewing or receiving inappropriate images or messages or communicating with unknown contacts.

It is important that the key safety messages of the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum: Recognise, React and Report are reinforced, both at school and home. I encourage you, wherever possible, to talk with your child about safety to help them stay safe now and in the future.

Information about the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum can be found at www.education.qld.gov.au/child-safety-curriculum.

As Jesus was walking on from there he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, 'Follow me.' And he got up and followed him. Now while he was at table in the house it happened that a number of tax collectors and sinners came to sit at the table with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, 'Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?' When he heard this he replied, 'It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. Go and learn the meaning of the words: Mercy is what pleases me, not sacrifice. And indeed I came to call not the upright, but sinners.'

REFLECTION

The Gospel reading for today is “the call of Matthew.” Jesus saw Matthew as he walked by Matthew’s custom post. Jesus simply said to Matthew, “follow me,” and immediately, Matthew got up and followed Jesus.

Matthew then invited Jesus and the disciples to his home to share a meal. Many tax collectors and sinners also were invited to the meal and sat in the midst of Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they were scandalised. They asked Jesus’ disciples: “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” However, the disciples did not have a chance to respond to the question. Jesus had heard their question and said: “Those who are well do not have need of a physician, the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words: I desire mercy, not sacrifice!” Jesus continues: “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Pope Francis is a wonderful example in our day of a man who truly follows in Jesus’ footsteps. He reaches out to the poor, the needy and disenfranchised. He is a man who embodies the grace of joy. Joy simply flows out from his being. Today Jesus is calling us to follow him. Will we follow him with a joyful and merciful heart? Today’s world is in desperate need of joy and mercy! If we share our joy and mercy with others today, we may find that joy and mercy will return to us 100-fold!

FIRST EUCHARIST

Congratulations to our students in Year 4 who celebrated their First Eucharist last Saturday and Sunday. Both celebrations were lovely and we are proud of all students who received Christ for the first time through the bread of life. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all families who participated and supported your children through this great milestone in their life. I would also like to thank Mrs Sullivan and Mrs Downes who helped to prepare the students. Finally, I would like to extend my gratitude to Jessica Buchanan and Helen Fowler, who are part of the Sacramental Team and Father Jiss who celebrated both masses with us.

CONFIRMATION REGISTRATIONS

Just a reminder that Confirmation registrations close on Friday June 30th. We have had a huge response from our Year 6 classes and welcome any other Catholic students in Year 6 to join in this Sacrament. Registration forms are available from the front office and need to be returned with a $50 registration fee and a copy of your child’s Baptism certificate.

VINNIES WINTER APPEAL

This year as part of our Vinnies Winter Appeal, we are looking to support vulnerable women and children who are facing homelessness in our community. To raise funds to support the great works of Vinnies, we will be holding a special Winter Appeal Day on Friday 23rd June (Week 9). In exchange for a $5 donation, students will get to wear their pyjamas to school for the day, be provided with a hot chocolate and will participate in a marshmallow guessing contest and an ice-cream eating contest. It should be a fun day! Students are encouraged to start bringing in their $5 as of Monday. It can be given to the class teacher or handed in at the front office. If you wish to make an additional donation to the appeal, you are more than welcome to include it in the envelope. Thanks to all families who have already sent in their donations to help those in our community who are vulnerable this winter.

God Bless,

Warren Ziebowski

(Religious Education Coordinator)

A timely reminder has been issued to St Mary’s to speak with the students regarding wearing their seatbelts on buses when travelling to and from school.

Could you please discuss this matter with your children and frame the conversion around safety. Just as in cars we are required by law to wear seatbelt, so too we are required by law to wear them on buses and all this is to ensure the safety of everyone. Mr Hughes will also speak to all students K-6 at the Week 9 Assembly. 

Thank you for your support in this matter. 

Safe Drop Offs in the Mornings - No drop offs in the Bus Zone please.

It has been noticed that some families are dropping their children off in the Bus Zone in Boothby Street in the mornings. This is problematic as it is illegal to do so and it is very dangerous for the children. We ask that all parents support the traffic laws which are:

Bus zone: You must not stop in the direction of the arrow or arrows on the sign, unless you’re driving a public bus. Some bus zones have times shown. You can stop or park your vehicle outside those times.

• Mornings: 8.00am - 9.30am School Days
• Afternoons: 2.30pm - 4.30pm School Days

Fines for doing so are $272 and two demerit points.

No Standing: On the far side of Boothby street it is No Standing Zone for the same times. Fines for stopping in a No Standing Zone are $116 and two demerit points.

MacKillop Cross Country

Well done to our two runners who represented the Canberra-Goulburn Archdiocese for selection in the MacKillop Cross Country Team in Sydney on Tuesday. From all accounts the girls had an amazing day and showed tremendous spirit! Indianna Brown came in 24th out of 50 runners and Sarah Webber came in 18th out of 50 runners. An amazing effort!!! We are still waiting to hear official results for the Canberra-Goulburn Team and once available I will share these with you.

Western Region Athletics

We wish all our athletes the very best of luck today as they compete for selection in the Western Region Athletics Team today in Tumut. Thank you to Mrs Jade Presser for attending with the students. Our relay teams had a run through yesterday and they are looking very smooth!!! Looking forward to sharing the results with you! Go St Mary’s!!

MacKillop Girls Rugby 7s Trials  - Year 5 & 6 only

A reminder the registrations are open for these trials and details can be found HERE It will be held in Sydney on Thursday 31st August. Please register via the Canberra Goulburn Sports webpage. 

Canberra Goulburn Sports webpage links:

https://www.sport.cg.catholic.edu.au/nominations 

https://csnsw.sport/help/help-guide-for-parents

Harden Trent Barrett Legends Gala Day - Year 3 & 4

Students in Year 3 & 4 are invited to participate in this Gala Day on Thursday 10th August (Term 3, Wk 4). This year’s draw will feature:

• Students from Years 3/4 Rugby League Tackle Division A (Experienced) and Division B (Inexperienced)
• Years 3/4 League Tag
• All Tackle & League Tag divisions will be 7 a side

Nominations for the day are now available via Compass. Students in Year 3 & 4 have been invited to attend. Please access the invitation via the Events page on Compass (click on the More button to access Events) please ensure you answer all the questions and confirm the permission by clicking the green button at the bottom of the page.

Nominations for this event will close at the end of Term 3, Week 1 - 21st July. We cannot accept late entries once the teams are full.

Enrolments are still being taken for Kindergarten 2024. Please visit https://enrolments.stmarysyoung.nsw.edu.au/nsw-schools/start to enrol. 

The Young Basketball Association is excited to be hosting some free clinics these holidays. 

FREE HOLIDAY CLINIC IN YOUNG

I am a Girl, I can do Anything Basketball

Our free girls-only session is aimed at new or returning basketballers that want to learn some new skills, be active and have fun making new friends.

Come and give it a go with Basketball NSW and Young Pacers Basketball

: PCYC Young - 46 Lachlan St, Young NSW 2594

: Thursday 6th July 2023

: 4.5yrs - 17yrs: 9.30-10.30am

Please use the below link to register and select your applicable program:

https://membership.mygameday.app/regoform.cgi?formID=98307

*** FREE HOLIDAY CLINIC ***

Looking for something to keep the kids busy and active during the school holidays?

Sign them up to a FREE Basketball NSW - Indigenous Basketball Australia 3x3 Holiday Camp on Thursday 6th July at PCYC Young with Young Pacers Basketball.

This camp will give boys and girls a chance to take to the courts in their teams for plenty of 3x3 basketball action. All players are welcome, both indigenous and non-indigenous.

Registration is required, register as an individual and then gather your friends to make a team of 3 or 4.

Canteen will be open for refreshments.

Suitable for beginners to representative, indigenous and non-indigenous players aged 8-21 years.

Young PCYC, 46 Lachlan St, Young NSW 2594
Thursday 6th July 2023
8 yrs to 21yrs: 11.00am - 2.00pm

Please use the below link to register:
https://membership.mygameday.app/regoform.cgi?formID=99711

Registrations are now open for our next junior basketball competition, to be held over terms 3 and 4. 

TERM 3 and 4 BASKETBALL COMPETITION

Registrations for our next competition are now open!!

This will be played as a regular 5x5 competition played over terms 3 & 4 for ages 11 – 18 years. Held on Wednesday afternoons at the PCYC. For more information, head to www.young.basketball.net.au