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- PRINCIPALS NEWS
- RE NEWS
- CHERRY FESTIVAL PARADE
- STUDENT MEDICAL INFORMATION - MEDICAL PLANS & ILLNESSES
- SPORTS NEWS
- HILLTOPS LIBRARY VISITS
- ST MARY'S MELBOURNE CUP 2023
- HENNESSY ORIENTATION DAYS
- YR 6 CAKE STALL
- BOOK CLUB ISSUE 8 - ORDERS CLOSE 1/12/2023
- ST MARY'S FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVENT
- HILLTOPS WATER MAIN UPGRADES
- ST MARY'S PARISH BULLETIN
- COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD
YOUNG LEADERS SHINE
This week students from Year Six at St Mary’s held a celebration to mark the end of their involvement in the Young Leaders Program. There are three distinct aspects of the program; Service, Leadership and Skills.
The service component saw students volunteer with activities at school, assist local organisations such as our pre-schools and the St Vincent de Paul shop, and give up their own time to help local community groups. The children worked towards different awards. To receive a bronze award they needed to do a total of ten hours volunteering over the year . To get either a silver or gold award there was a requirement to volunteer at events in the community, which they organised, and to get the hours signed off. To receive a silver award they needed to have twenty volunteer hours, five of which were in the community and a gold award in which they needed twenty-five volunteer hours with ten hours in the community.
At the presentation ceremony twenty-nine students received a bronze award, one received a silver while eleven students managed to volunteer for at least twenty-five hours and received a gold award. In total, the students volunteered for an amazing eight hundred and sixty four hours over the year.
The second component was leadership which saw the students receive four full days of training over the year. The school worked with staff from the Museum of Australian Democracy (Old Parliament House), who along with school staff helped deliver the training. The students were able to put what they learnt into practice when running their Peer Support groups and refereeing lunch time sports as part of their service hours.
The skills component saw students undertake both first aid and water safety training. They also had to develop a skill over the year in their own time and showcase this at an expo which coincided with the presentation of awards. The skills they students chose to develop were very diverse. While not giving a comprehensive list skills chosen included reversing a trailer, changing a tyre, welding, new tricks on skateboards and bikes, lots of cooking, playing musical instruments, knitting, juggling and a young girl who, with her father, made roller blades from scratch. The students were very proud of what they had achieved and it certainly impressed the parents and visitors who attended.
This was the first year of the Young Leaders Program, and given the positive feedback from all involved it will run again in 2024. St Mary’s thank all the parents and organisations that were involved and welcomed the students to their sites. It certainly gave the students the opportunity to model the school’s values of respect, responsibility and service.
JACKETS
We currently have a number of students across the school, but particularly in the older grades who are wearing puffer style and Winter jackets to school, in classrooms and on the playground at recess and lunch.
Given the weather is rapidly warming up with today expected to reach 29 degrees I am concerned for the health implications for students should they overheat.
From this coming Monday students may wear their jackets to school but must remove them before going into class and will not be allowed to wear them at lunch or recess.
If you are concerned your child may get cold, please give them a jumper or school top to wear.
Exceptions will be made for any child who has to wear a jacket for medical reasons. If this applies to your child you will need to supply a letter from your doctor to that effect and give it to the front office.
Year 5 Parents
As you know we are scheduled to travel to Narrabeen Sport and Recreation Centre for our camp next year. The dates have had to change due to the Western Region Swimming Carnival being scheduled in the middle of our original booking. The camp will now commence on Monday 26th February and the children will return on the evening of Wednesday 28th February.
GOSPEL: Matthew 23:1-12
Then addressing the crowds and his disciples Jesus said, 'The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do and observe what they tell you; but do not be guided by what they do, since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people's shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader headbands and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted respectfully in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.'You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one Master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who raises himself up will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be raised up.
REFLECTION
Jesus continues his diatribe on the Pharisees. He says to the people: “The scribes and Pharisees do observe the letter of the law completely.” However, Jesus then instructs the people not to follow the example of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus is angry with them. He criticises the Pharisees for the many burdens they place on the people’s shoulders. And they do nothing to relieve the people of these burdens.
Jesus also is critical of their motivation for the good works they do. He believes that the Pharisees “do good” not to help the people but rather to be seen and applauded for their seemingly good actions. In addition, they love having the places of honour in the temple and at banquets. They wear long robes and they like having people defer to them. And they love to be called “Rabbi.” Jesus instructs his listeners: “Do not wish to be called Rabbi.” All are brothers and sisters and they are to be equals.
Jesus then says: “You have only one Father, who is in heaven.” And he adds: “You have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled and the individuals who humble themselves will be exalted.”
These words of Jesus may hit home with us. After all, don’t we also appreciate attention, compliments and even praise for the good we do? Jesus is not saying that compliments are bad. However, Jesus primarily wants us to look at our motivation for the good that we do. Jesus does want us to do good, to be helpful and caring of others. However, Jesus desires that we do this with the proper motivation: love!
How many times a day do you do something simply because it is expected? Or you do it simply because it is your duty, your job or your responsibility. Jesus desires that every act we do is done in a loving and caring manner, even the activities we prefer not to do. The reality is that almost all of the loving acts we do are pretty small: being attentive to someone who needs attention, helping a neighbour with a job, striving to be patient with your children when you really want to scream at them.
The reality is that for most of us life is mundane, repetitive and perhaps boring. I assume most of us are not typically saving someone’s life, working with inner city children or serving as a missionary in Africa. Yet, we all do good in our own way in our personal, social and professional lives. For us, these acts may seem trivial or insignificant. However, if these acts of good are done with love and care, they may be a great gift to the receiver!
Today I invite you to consciously strive to be loving in your thoughts, words and deeds. You may not only make the people you interact with feel noticed and cared about, you also may find that you experience being more loving, peaceful and cheerful. What a great gift this may be to others and to us! (Sr Kristine Anne Harpenau)
REMEMBRANCE DAY
Saturday 11th November is Remembrance Day. On the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, a minute’s silence is observed and dedicated to those soldiers who died fighting to protect the nation.
At 11am on 11 November 1918, the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. The Germans called for an armistice (suspension of fighting) in order to secure a peace settlement. They accepted the allied terms of unconditional surrender.
The conflict had mobilised over 70 million people, left between 9 and 13 million dead, and as many as one third of these with no grave.
The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month attained a special significance in the post-war years. It became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the war.
Originally known as Armistice Day, it was renamed Remembrance Day after World War Two to commemorate those who were killed in both World Wars.
Today the loss of Australian lives from all wars and conflicts is commemorated on Remembrance Day.(army.gov.au)
To commemorate this special day, we held a prayer service today. The students participated with great reverence.
We will remember them. Lest we forget.
PRAYER SERVICE
Next Monday, Years 1 and 2 will be presenting a prayer service celebrating World Kindness Day. The celebration will take place in the Hall at 8:50am. We extend a warm welcome to all members of our school community to join us and don’t forget to show someone kindness as you go about your day.
PRESENTATION MASS
On Tuesday, 21st November, all students will be attending our Presentation Mass at St Mary’s Church at 9am with Hennessy Catholic College. We ask that all students be dropped off at the church no later than 8:50am. Students who usually catch the bus are to exit at Hennessy. Teacher supervision will be provided from 8:30am outside the Parish Centre. All students will walk back to school following the mass to commence their regular school day. We again welcome all members of our community to join us for this special mass celebrating the Presentation Sisters who have a long history with both Hennessy Catholic College and our school.
God Bless,
Warren Ziebowski
(Religious Education Coordinator)
We will once again be participating in the annual Cherry Festival Parade! This year’s theme is ‘All things summer fruit harvest’
An Opt-in Compass permission invitation has been created for all students in Kindergarten to Year 6 and we would love for you to come along and join us!! You will find this in the Events section of your Compass - look for the 3 lines that say more.
The details:
What: Students and teachers will walk together with Hennessy Catholic College as a group along the Street Parade Route as part of the annual Cherry Festival celebrations.
When: Saturday 2nd December. Students are to assemble at the corner of Calabash and Cloete St between 3.15 and 3.30pm to have their name marked off. The parade will begin at approximately 4pm. At the conclusion of the Parade parents/carers are to collect students from Clarke St (out the front of Turner's Furniture One) Students must be collected by an adult from this spot.
Dress Code: Students are to come dressed in bright colours! They will receive some extra accessories to wear. All students must wear clothes that provide adequate protection from the sun (no singlets, muscle t-shirts or spaghetti straps) and this includes a HAT please!
Permission is due via Compass by Monday 27th November, 2023
CE have updated the Medical Welfare of Students Policy. We are currently reviewing all student medical information, to ensure that we have the most up to date information for all students.
Once the review is complete we will be sending home Individual Medical Response Plan forms for those students who require them. These will need to be completed at the beginning of each year. It is advised that you make an appointment with your GP or specialist over the holidays so that they can complete their portion of the form. Please also note that if your child has asthma or anaphylaxis it is important that we have a valid up to date plan (these are also required to be reviewed every 12months). If your child has other illnesses that does not require a plan but could effect their health at school we ask that you keep us informed so that we can record it on their student medical file.
Any student who is required to take medication at school is required to have a Medication Authorisation form completed. All medication must be in its original container, bearing the original label and instructions.
Archdiocesan Sport for 2024
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 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
2024 AFL (Boys) - to be held in Wollongong on Tuesday 20th February, 2024. Registrations are open now and will close on Thursday 30th November, 2023.
Links for the Canberra-Goulburn Sports Webpage:
Students visited the Hilltops Library this week. Hilltops Library staff, Beth and Sharon gave us a tour of the library. Students loved the kids reading room and outdoor area as well as looking at the unique artefacts that were discovered during the building site excavation. Students were invited to register for the Hilltops Kids Summer Reading Club. More information about this reading club and other fun library activities may be found on their website: https://hilltops.spydus.com/
To celebrate and enjoy the 2023 Melbourne Cup festivities, St Mary's held hobby horse races in each class throughout the week. On Thursday, 9th November, during recess, amongst a little drizzle of rain, the finals were conducted.
The last race saw competitors Elissa Batinich, Oliver Parkes, Pippa Harris, Mason Terry, Hannah Jackson, Sam Cartwright, Aggie Murphy, Jono Eastwood, Keaton Bedford, Chloe Buck, Leo Holt and Ivy Murphy ride their hobby horse two times around the bottom oval. It was a fun event.
The winning horse was decided upon from a card drawn out reading 'The Wild One' and this went to Pippa Harris. She accepted the perpetual St Mary's Melbourne Cup trophy with a big smile.
Congratulations Pippa and to all St Mary's students for being involved with our annual fun, hobby horse event!
We have been advised by Hilltops Council that water main upgrades will commence along Elizabeth St, between William St and Brock St, from next Monday 13 November 2023.
During this time, Brock Street shall be closed for approximately four weeks, therefore school drop off and pick up for parents and parking for teachers will be affected.