Newsletter Term 3 - 8th August 2024

Parents & Carers - Important information for your calendars:

St Marys Primary School will be closed to students -  

Term 3, Monday 12th August 2024  for a Staff Spirituality training day. 

Free Webinars for Parents and Carers

Council of Catholic Schools Parents Free Webinars for Parents and Carers (CSNSW Ref: 167/24)

Breaking Point with Dr Justin Coulson
Wednesday 11 September from 7.00pm – 8.00pm
Join Dr Justin Coulson, Australia’s leading parenting expert, as he unpacks the mental health crisis enveloping our kids. He’ll cover:

• The root causes behind the deteriorating state of mental health, and who (or what) is responsible
• The tools you need to reverse this trend for your children
• Science-backed, relationship-focused strategies to remedy school refusal
• Realistic approaches for managing screen time in a way that protects your child’s wellbeing without completely alienating them from their peers
• Creating margin in your home and family life to protect and promote mental wellness

To register click here.

Student Representative Council Term 3

A big congratulations to the students who were elected by their peers to be part of the SRC this Term.

2 Blue - Molly Tracey, 2 Gold-Theodore Holmes,

3 Blue - Lilliana Marshall, 3 Gold - Frankie Curran, 3 Orange - Lachlan Nobes

4 Blue - Nicole Mandemwa, 4 Gold - Alfred Suneesh

5 Blue - Flynn May, 5 Gold - Mia Scoins, 5 Orange - Macey Shirvington

6 Blue - Seth Pulbrook, 6 Gold - Ada Golding

McNamee House Captains: Bonnie Venner and Lewis Hinchcliff

Bullying: No way: National Week of Action 12-16th August 2024 

St Mary’s Year 3-6 students will be participating in the live virtual classroom webinars. This year's theme: ‘everyone belongs,’ highlights our shared responsibility to prevent bullying and create safe, inclusive spaces. For parents who would like more information and helpful resources please visit:  esafety.gov.au

Below is an overview of the content of the webinar:

Be an e Safe kid: Better together – connecting with others and being positive online 

For Year 3 and 4 students, the key outcomes are:

• understand what an online community looks like 
• identify the qualities of a good digital citizen 
• explain how to be a good friend online 
• understand the importance of security and privacy. 

Be an eSafe kid: We are connected – using tech safely, responsibly and with respect 

For Years 5 and 6 students, the key outcomes are:

• gain insights into online communities, group chats and echo chambers 
• identify the qualities of a good digital citizen 
• use strategies to safeguard themselves and others online. 

Inclusion Awareness Program

On Wednesday Prue McCarthy visited our Year 5 students and facilitated an inclusion Awareness program called ‘Different on the outside but same on the Inside.’ Students examined and discussed several topics including the different types of disabilities, appropriate terms to use when we are speaking about people with disabilities and how it is important to put the person first, being resilient, compassion and inclusion. Prue was born with Cerebral Palsy and was one of the first people with a physical disability to enter into the mainstream education system. Prue works with our students every year to help educate our students about people with disabilities and how to be inclusive and understanding of others who may be different to ourselves.

 Science Week

The school theme for National Science Week in 2024 is Species Survival - More than just sustainability. The theme aims to highlight the importance of science and innovation in ensuring the survival and thriving of different species in an ever-changing world.

Students have an amazing variety of topics to investigate, and be able to dive into issues of particular interest to them: disease-causing organisms, life-saving chemicals, clean water, photosynthesis, genetic screening, physics of building structures, artificial intelligence, and microplastics. We look forward to sharing some photos of our Science lessons in the next newsletter edition in week 5!

Webinar Week Term 3 Week 6- Staff Professional Learning

As part of our ongoing professional commitment to learning all teaching staff at St Mary's participate in Webinar Week each term. This is a Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst (CEDB) initiative which offers engaging and interactive online sessions differentiated for all levels of teaching expertise and experience for teachers K-12. Areas of focus include: classroom management strategies, Digital Technologies, analysing school data in Reading, Maths and Religious Education, Maths Number Talks, strategies to assist with anxiety in students and much more! This is great opportunity for teachers to upskill in areas of interest and network with teachers across schools in our diocese.

Upcoming Liturgical Events 

15/8/24- Feast of the Assumption Mass (Primary classes attending Mass at James Sheahan Catholic High School)

15/8/24- Confirmation Reflection Day (Year 6) 

22/8/24- Praise and Worship Concert (Year 5 and 6) 

30/8/24- Father's Day Liturgy- 12.30pm in the school hall 

Starr's Planetarium

Last week, Years 1, 3 and 5 engaged in an incursion throughout our solar system. This was related to the Science and Technology units of work, Earth and Space. The students watched 360 degree movies in a large dome. Year 5 explored Aboriginal stories in the sky, Day and Night. 

STEM - Science Technology Engineering Mathematics - Engineers Without Borders - Stage 3

Academic Competitions

Over the past two weeks, many of our students have had a variety of opportunities to extend and challenge their mathematical and computational thinking and problem solving skills. The Newcastle Permanent Mathematics Competition (Year 5 & 6), the Australian Mathematics Competition (Year 3-6), Maths Olympiad #3 (Olympiad Team), as well as the ongoing Australian Maths Trust Enrichment Program have all taken place this fortnight. Over the next few weeks, some of our students have elected to sit the ICAS academic competitions for Digital Technologies, English, Science and Mathematics. We value providing opportunities for our students to be challenged and motivated to showcase their academic achievements.

Sally Curran

Parents, are you curious about AI and its impact on your child's life? Concerned about the risks of deepfakes and online safety? Join this must-attend webinar to explore the world of Generative AI (GenAI)!

Learn how GenAI is woven into your child's digital experiences and understand its role in potential risks like image-based abuse. Discover strategies to protect your child and gain valuable tips for starting conversations about responsible GenAI use.

This free online event is perfect for parents of children of all ages who want to stay informed about AI's influence on how kids live, learn, and play online.

7.30pm AEST 10th September 2024. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for essential insights and resources. Register now at bit.ly/AIDEEPFAKES to safeguard your child's future in the digital world!

Celebrating National Tree Day: Growing Our Green Spaces

This July, our school joined the nation in celebrating National Tree Day, a special event dedicated to nurturing and appreciating our environment. As part of this initiative, student representatives from each grade (SRC) enthusiastically participated in planting a tree in our school playground. This hands-on experience not only taught our students the importance of trees in our ecosystem but also allowed them to contribute directly to making our school a greener and more beautiful place.

Each tree symbolises growth and a commitment to caring for our planet. We are proud of our student's efforts and look forward to watching these trees grow along with our community. Let's continue to nurture these young plants and celebrate the positive impact we can have on our environment!

Jenni Preston

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/

Henley’s Polding Success!

On Monday, Henley (Year 3) travelled to Blackheath to take part in the NSWCPS Golf Tournament, which featured competitors from Years 3 through 6. After playing 18 holes, Henley demonstrated impressive determination and skill, finishing with a score of 97 shots. His outstanding performance earned him fourth place and a spot on the Polding Team! Next, he will travel to the Hunter Valley in September to compete for a position on the NSW team. We are incredibly proud to have such a talented golfer at St Mary’s. Congratulations, Henley!

Girls ONLY Cricket Clinic

Phoebe Litchfield is coming to Orange and we will be running a Girls Only Cricket Clinic from 12:00pm until 1:30pm at Wade Park on Tuesday, 22nd October. There may be other players from the Sydney Thunder will also be present. The purpose of this clinic will be to promote Girls Cricket in Orange. There will be no cost for attending this event as it is being sponsored by West Orange Motors Toyota, but we do ask that all girls in attendance are REGISTERED.

If you are interested please contact our school office ASAP as spots are limited. 

Year 4 Gold News 

Book Week / Parade  Thursday 29th August 2024 

Book Character Parade

DATE:  On Thursday 29th August, all students have the opportunity to wear a book character costume or one based on this year’s theme:
‘Reading is Magic”.

(While we love seeing your creativity, we also encourage costumes that allow students to participate in our usual school activities).

If you are looking for costume ideas, these websites may assist:

Costume ideas from things in your wardrobe

Homemade costume ideas

https://www.bountyparents.com.au/expert-advice/easy-book-week-costumes/easy costumes-here

TIME: The book parade commences at approximately 9:30am.
Parents, friends and family are invited to watch and join in the fun. The students have produced wonderfully creative art responses related to this year’s shortlisted books. After the parade, we invite you to view this display in the library.

Also at this time, from 9:00am-1.30pm, the Book Fair will be operated by our local book store, Collins Book Sellers (EFTPOS available).

Book Fair
Students will have the opportunity to purchase a book for themselves and/or donate one to the library.

Students will have the chance to view the titles and record three books on their wish list sheet that they would like to purchase, with parental consent. (You are under no obligation to purchase the books they have listed.) They can then bring the money in on Thursday if you are unable to attend.

If the titles have sold, Mindy from Collins Bookstore will take orders and deliver the book(s) to school when they have arrived.

Titles that we would like to have donated are not available for student take-home purchase.

(When a book is donated it is inscribed with the donators name and they may borrow it first after processing is completed).

Six Universal Expectations

This week, we are revising our 6 universals and reminding the students of the expectations around being safe, respectful and responsible learners.

Next week, our focus will be on uniform expectations. All students are reminded to wear the correct school uniform and to wear it neatly, with pride. 

Medication at School-  Parental  Advice

If your child requires medication that needs to be administered during school hours, please bring the medication to the school office, where it is stored safely. This includes asthma inhalers.

Students can come to the office at an arranged time to have the medication administered by trained First Aid Officers.

The office does not have Panadol, unless parents supply and complete a form for their child only.

Thank you 

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. This includes Nutella/hazelnut spread. Thank you for your assistance.

Children with communication devices such as iPhones and Smart Watches must be handed to the school office in the morning before class and collected at the end of the day. This includes any device capable of taking photos.

Please support your child to meet this school requirement.

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

Dear Parents & Carers

Please label students' clothing , so we can return them from lost property with ease.

Clothes that don't have names will be returned to the clothing pool, if not collected by the end of term.

Thank you 

St Mary's Uniform Shop

is run by  Parent Volunteers and is open from 8:45 am for an hour on  Friday Mornings. 

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