Newsletter Term 1 - 4th April 2024

Student Parent Teacher Conferences

St Mary's Student Parent Teacher Conferences were held this Tuesday and Wednesday evening in the school hall. Thank you to all the parents and families that took time out of their busy day to attended. It was so lovely to see so many students attend the conferences and talk about their goals and achievements. We as teachers value working with parents and carers to achieve the best outcomes for our students at St Mary's. We welcome any parent feedback about the interviews, as professionals we are always looking at ways to improve our interview procedures.

Year 6 Leadership Day

Our Year 6 students really stepped up during their Leadership training day on Wednesday. This day was facilitated by Chad Ferris who has been working with our staff and students to develop a new learning framework. Students discussed and examined the four pillars of our framework: Relationships, Growth, Purpose and Curiosity. This was followed by a Question and Answer panel. We were fortunate enough to have leaders in the Orange community work with us and describe their leadership journey. A big thank you to Phil Donato (MP Member for Orange Independent), Cara Denman (Orange Priceline Pharmacy owner and operator) and Abigail Francis (former St Mary's School Captain in 2018 and current Year 12 House Leader at James Sheahan High School). These people were very generous in sharing their time and expertise with us. The students asked thoughtful and  insightful questions keeping the panel on their toes! In the last session of the day students learnt how to manage and lead lessons with their peer groups. Year 6 students approached the training day displaying great listening skills, collaboration and maturity. The students were so impressive throughout the leadership program. Congratulations Year 6, you are already demonstrating excellent leadership skills this year.

Mitch Tambo concert

On Tuesday some of our Aboriginal students had the opportunity to attend the Mitch Tambo concert at James Sheahan High School. Mitch is a proud Gamilaraay man who blends traditional Aboriginal sounds and language with contemporary beats and production. The multi-talented recording artist first stunned the nation when he performed a spine tingling First Nations version of the iconic John Farnham anthem, You're The Voice on the 2019 Finale of Australia’s Got Talent. St Mary's students enjoyed this concert immensely.

Walk to School Safely Day

As part of the PDHPE curriculum the school covers Road Safety. To mark National Road Safety Week from the 6-10 of May, the students are invited to walk to school on Thursday the 9th May. 

For the walk families will meet at Robertson Park at 7.45am and walk down Byng street to school. 

In the next week there will be an invitation and permission slip on compass for any families interested in participating in the walk. Please fill in the permission slip for your child to attend. Every child must be accompanied by a parent or grandparent/carer. We look forward to having families join us on our walk to school.

Easter Reflection

Easter is not just one Sunday. Easter is a way of life. It is a life where Christ is always at the center lifting us from the things that keep us in the grave and do not allow us to experience the life that God intends for us. As Easter people, we know what it means to rise from the grave and experience life as God has prepared for us. We have glorious hope in Christ through the power of His resurrection. We are offered a joyous message that He is not dead, He is risen. What a strength to know that because of His resurrection, God has promised us the power of eternal life too and it doesn’t start when we die. It started the moment we placed our faith in Jesus.

Holy Week Liturgy 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude for joining us during the Holy Week liturgy last week. Your presence made the experience more meaningful and special. Thank you for sharing this sacred time with us. Our students will celebrate the resurrection in the form of an in class liturgy with their grade. 

Project Compassion

Project Compassion boxes are now due back to school. Please return all Project Compassion boxes to school by Friday 12th April. Thank you for your support and kind donations. 

MATHS ESCAPE ROOM

This week, the Year 3-6 children took part in a race to escape from the Maths Museum. They worked in teams, moving to different stations, solving maths questions or puzzles. The students were very engaged in the session which challenged their mathematical thinking. They were extremely proud of their teamwork and creative problem solving to escape from the room!

ENGLISH

Below is the second of three publications for parents regarding the new English syllabus. 

Winter Uniform Term 2 - Term 3

           Girls                                                                                               Boy

Winter Tunic with Fawn Tights                                          Grey Trousers

or      Maroon Trousers                                                      Blue Long Sleeve Shirt

    Fawn Long sleeve Shirt                                                           School Tie

             School Tie                                                                       Moroon Jumper    

       Maroon Jumper                                                                 School Dry & Cozy

    School Dry & Cozy                                                                    Grey Socks

         Fawn Socks 

2024 CaFE Grade Reps

Kinder: Alicia Holmes, Stacey Tracey (Kinder Orientation Night, Set up Kinder FB group)

Yr 1: Olivia Day-Gorham, Amy Hinchcliff (Kinder Welcome Morning Tea)

Yr 2: Renee Davis, Alicia Holmes (Mother’s Day gifts)

Yr 3: Mel Balchin, Olivia Day-Gorham (Mother's Day breakfast)

Yr 4: Jess McGrath and Katrina Holway (Father's Day gifts)

Yr 5: Kym Flitcroft, Kellie Pickering (Father's Day breakfast)

Yr 6: Kate Pulbrook, Sharon Collins (Easter Egg raffle and eggs. Organise Yr 6 2024 end of year event)

Bathurst Diocesan Community Sport

Dear Parents,

Keep up to date with sporting events and achievements across the Bathurst Diocese. Search CEBD community sport or use the following link. 

https://sites.google.com/bth.catholic.edu.au/cedbsportcommunity/

St Marys is a Nut and Egg Free school 

Please do not put these in your child's lunch box as we have children at our school with severe reactions to these items.

 SAFETY AROUND SCHOOL 

Please use our School Crossing when arriving or leaving  our School 

Parents always set a good example by choosing a safe place to cross.

Please tell your child that it's safest to cross at the pedestrian crossing.

If driving please keep to the 40KLM speed limit and watch out for children.

Please park in the designated parking areas and DO NOT call your child over to you.

When it is wet weather, please collect your child from the School Hall .

 Children with Communication devices such as Phones and Watches must be handed to the school office in the Morning before class and collected at the end of the day.

Please support your child to meet this school requirement.

If you need to contact your child during school hours please call the school office.

St Mary's CaFE Fundraising with bulbs

Go online to place your order at:

https://www.bulbfundraiser.com.au/STMORANGE

Campaign end date :11/04/2024

Products available to order until this date unless sold out prior

St Mary's Uniform Shop

is run by  Parent Volunteers and is open from 9:00 am Friday Mornings. 

If you have put your order through Flexi schools it will be packed the following Friday and sent home with your child.

The new Active and Creative Kids voucher is now available, helping to make activities more affordable for eligible NSW families. 

Parents, guardians, and carers of eligible school-aged children will be able to use two $50 vouchers per calendar year.
About the new program

• Vouchers are available to those receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A, or Family Tax Benefit Part B, or both.
• Vouchers can be downloaded as a QR code and used toward either an eligible physical or creative activity.
• The $50 vouchers will be issued in school term 1 and school term 3.
• Vouchers must be redeemed before their expiry date. 

For more information, visit Active and CreativeKids.

https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/active-and-creative-kids-voucher