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Dear Parents,
I welcome everyone back to term four. I welcome Maloney family who have joined us from the Southern Highlands with Henry joining Year Two. We hope they enjoy their time at St Mary’s.
As we head towards the end of the year I begin to arrange staff for the 2024 school year. Last term we advertised and then filled several positions for 2024.
Jillian Murray has been appointed to the role of Religious Education Coordinator to build upon the wonderful work undertaken by Warren Ziebowski. On behalf of the school community I congratulate Jillian on her appointment to the role and look forward to her leading this key aspect of school life at St Mary’s.
Mrs Kirsty Miller has been appointed to take on the role of Learning Support Teacher in 2024. Kirsty takes over the role from Jade Presser who will be taking her passion for music to her new role running our music/drama program. Kirsty joins us from Murrumburrah Primary and has previously worked in this role in other schools, both locally and further afield.
I hope to advertise the remaining teaching positions, most of which are part-time by the end of next week with the hope of finalising teaching placements by week six of this term.
Last term I applied for funding under the School Chaplaincy Program and we have been advised that we have been successful in obtaining funding for the next four years. This will allow us to employ a student welfare officer on a part-time basis commencing in 2024. This position will also be advertised shortly.
Homework Policy
All parents would have received information regarding a survey we are conducting to gauge parents' views on homework. This will help form our new homework policy which will come into effect from the commencement of the 2024 school year. This was sent to all families via Compass on Tuesday. I encourage all parents to contribute their thoughts on the topic.
GOSPEL: Matthew 21:33-43
'Listen to another parable. There was a man, a landowner, who planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug a winepress in it and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When vintage time drew near he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his servants, thrashed one, killed another and stoned a third. Next he sent some more servants, this time a larger number, and they dealt with them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them thinking, "They will respect my son." But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, "This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him and take over his inheritance." So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?' They answered, 'He will bring those wretches to a wretched end and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will deliver the produce to him at the proper time.' Jesus said to them, 'Have you never read in the scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this is the Lord's doing and we marvel at it? 'I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.'
REFLECTION
Today Jesus tells us another parable. This parable is about a landowner and his vineyard. The landowner planted the vineyard and then he built a wall around it to protect it the animals. He also dug a winepress and built a tower. After the landowner had all of this completed, he leased his property to some of the local farmers who were given the responsibility of tending his vineyard and his home while he was gone for several months.
As the time for harvesting the grapes drew near, the landowner dispatched several of his servants to bring him his share of the crop. However, when the servants arrived, the tenants took them and beat one servant, killed another and then stoned a third servant. When the landowner received this news, he was outraged and saddened.
After a time, he decided to send another group of servants to deal with his tenants. This time he thought it wise to send twice as many servants. Yet, the results were the same: all of these servants were killed also. When the owner received this news, he finally decided to send his own son. He thought the tenants would respect his son. However, when the tenants saw the landowner’s son coming, they decided that this was their great opportunity. If they killed the owner’s son, then they could seize his inheritance. That is what they did.
As Jesus was telling his listeners this parable, he knew that this scenario would be played out in his own life. He realised that the Pharisees were plotting against him and, most likely, they were planning to kill him. This parable was a foreshadowing of what was to come. Were the Pharisees taken aback by Jesus’ astuteness?
If we had been in Jesus’ shoes, I wonder if we would have had the courage to continue on this journey. Matthew makes it clear that Jesus knew that likely he would be killed, but he stayed true to his call. Despite the threat, He continued to preach and teach. Today may we draw the strength from Jesus to be true to “our call — whatever that call may be. Jesus will walk with us, guide us, and strengthen us. May we walk with Jesus today and every day. (Sr Kristine Anne Harpenau)
PRAYER SERVICE AND LITURGIES
On Monday, Year 4 will lead the school in a whole school prayer celebrating World Students Day in the Hall at 8:50am. On Friday, Year 3 will celebrate their liturgy at 9:30am in the Prayer Room. We extend a warm welcome to all members of our school community to come and celebrate with us.
RECONCILIATION
This week, our Year 3 students commenced their preparation for the celebration of Reconciliation. If you wish for your child to receive this Sacrament, a registration evening will be held on Tuesday October 17th at the Parish Centre at 5:30pm. A $50 fee per family and a copy of your child’s Baptismal Certificate will be required. If Cath is asked to search the Parish records, then an additional fee will be charged. Please note that all registrations will be dealt with by the Parish and not the school. Training and preparation will take place at the school. Students from Years 3 and 4 are welcome to register for this sacrament as they will have all completed the training. Reconciliation will be celebrated on Saturday March 9th 2024.
PARISH FAIR
On Saturday 28th October, St Mary’s Parish will be hosting the Young Community Spring Fair. The fair will run from 10am to 4pm with all funds raised going back into the Young community. This week, all students received a colouring competition sheet. The winners will be announced at the fair and you will need to attend to collect your prize. If you would like to enter, please return your entry to the school office or parish office by Thursday 26th October.
God Bless,
Warren Ziebowski
(Religious Education Coordinator)
Boorowa Touch and Netball Carnival
Reminders:
- Students are to wear their sports uniform
- Please ensure students have a hat, sunscreen and plenty of food and drink for the day
- Canteens will be in operation. Preferred payment is CASH. Eftpos is available but may be limited.
- Students should arrive by 8.30am due to the expected amount of traffic. First round games will begin at 9am sharp. Students must have their name checked off by a teacher on arrival and departure please. Teachers attending are: Yr 2 - Amelia Bowden, Yr 3 - Amy Collins, Yr 4 - Sarah Sullivan, Yr 5 - Erin Rumble, Yr 6 - Vicki Eastwood.
- Please look for the large blue St Mary’s tent that will be set up near the Marquee area - please see Mud Map here this will be our base for the day. This map will also give instructions on where to park for both Touch and Netball.
- Please see attached the Netball Draws:
- Touch Football draws will be sent home when made available by the organisers as they are still being finalised. All draws will be available on the St Joseph’s Boorowa Website when posted.
- Team Managers will receive a full pack with all the information next week.
- Hennessy students will be our Umpires/Refs and will be attached to a team.
- Please see the updated team list here
Brumbies Touch Gala Day - Rugby 7s - Young
Students in Year 3 to 6 are invited to participate in the upcoming Rugby 7s Touch Gala Day to be held on Thursday 2nd November at Cranfield Oval. Teams of 10 students will be mixed boys and girls in a 3/4 and 5/6 division. No experience necessary!
Students have been invited to attend via Compass. This is an Opt In invitation so will be available in the Compass Events section. The Compass permission must be received by Monday 16th October - Term 4, Week 2.
Archdiocesan Sport for 2024 - CHANGE OF DATES
Please note that some Archdiocesan Sporting trials for 2024 will occur this year in Term 4. These trials will be open for students who will be in Year 5 & 6 in 2024. Registrations will be via the Canberra-Goulburn Sports Webpage.
2024 Cricket - to be held in Queanbeyan on Friday 3rd November 2023. Registrations are open now and will close on Friday 27th October.
2024 Touch Football - to be held in Lyneham on Friday 24th November 2023. Registrations are open now and will close on Friday 17th November 2023.
2024 Tennis - to be held in Belconnen on Thursday 30th November, 2023. Registrations are open now and will close on Friday 24th November, 2023
2024 Basketball - to be held in Macquarie on Friday 1st December 2023. Registrations are open now and will close on Friday 24th November, 2023
