Newsletter Term 4- 28th November 2024

Class Awards

Wednesday we celebrated with our student class awards for the year. Each child received a certificate acknowledging their efforts, interests or achievements. We are very proud of each and every child at St Mary's and appreciate their special gifts, talents hard work for the year. Special white awards are recognised in each class for Christian Leadership, Consistent Effort, Most Improved, Achievement in Mathematics and Achievement in English. 

Advent: A Season of Hope and Preparation

This Sunday marks the beginning of the season of Advent, a special time in the Church calendar when we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. Advent invites us to reflect on hope, peace, joy, and love as we journey together toward the celebration of His birth.

May this season bring a sense of renewal and joy to our community.

Feast of Christ the King Mass

On Sunday, we celebrated the Feast of Christ the King, reflecting on Christ’s love, guidance, and reign in our lives. It was heartwarming to see so many students, families, and staff at Mass. As a Catholic community, we are reminded of Jesus’ call to serve with humility and compassion, striving to live as faithful members of His Kingdom. May this celebration inspire us to share His peace and justice with the world.

Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal 

This week, we concluded the Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal, and once again, the St Mary’s community came together in a wonderful display of generosity and compassion. The contributions from students, families, and staff will make a meaningful difference for those in need during the Christmas season. Thank you to everyone who donated and supported this important initiative, reflecting the true spirit of giving. Together, we have helped bring hope and joy to others, reminding us of the power of kindness and community.

Year 5 Leadership Day 

The Year 5 students participated in an engaging leadership workshop facilitated by Year 10 students from James Sheahan. This enriching session provided an opportunity for them to delve into the qualities and values of effective leadership. Together, they explored how these traits are exemplified in the life of Jesus and through the storytelling of The Lion King. The students reflected deeply on the importance of courage, humility, and responsibility, drawing meaningful connections between these examples and their own potential as future leaders.  St Mary's students were complimented by the James Sheahan teachers on their exemplary behaviour and participation in the day.

November- The month of remembrance 

As November comes to a close, we take a moment to remember and honor all those we have loved and cherished who have departed this world. We reflect on their lives, the impact they had on us, and the memories that continue to live in our hearts. This time allows us to give thanks for the gifts they shared with us and to pray for their eternal peace. May we find comfort in knowing that their love and legacy remain with us, guiding us in our journey forward.

Year 6 Graduation Mass 

Our Year 6 students are excited to celebrate their Graduation Mass on Tuesday, December 10th, at St Mary’s Church. The evening will begin with the Mass at 5:45 pm, a special time to reflect on their journey and give thanks. Following the Mass, the Year 6 presentation will take place, highlighting their achievements and memories from their time at school.

CURRICULUM REFORM

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)

As part of the ongoing NSW Curriculum Reform, there are four new syllabuses to be implemented for Primary Schools over the next three years. These are

• HSIE (Human Society and Its Environment) - History and Geography

• SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• CREATIVE ARTS - Music, Visual Arts, Drama and Dance

• PDHPE - Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

In addition to the new HSIE syllabus, we have planned to teach the new PDHPE syllabus from K-6 in 2025. While many of the knowledge, understanding and skills in PDHPE will remain the same as our current syllabus, we are excited to be teaching some new concepts. Our teaching staff will engage in professional learning during the pupil-free days before the students start school for the new year.

PDHPE K–6 will be organised under 4 focus areas:

• Movement skill and physical activity
• Respectful relationships and safety
• Identity, health and wellbeing
• Self-management and interpersonal skills

There will be a greater emphasis on the fundamental movement skills in Physical Education and more focus on protective behaviours in Personal Development and Health.

Thankyou to those Parents that have settled their school fee account. If those who have a balance could please attend to payment by the 6th December. Any outstanding accounts after this date may be sent to collections. Please contact Nicole if you have any concerns with your fees.

School Disco 12th December 2024

Circular Circus - a Mathematical Concept Circus

Roll Up! Our K-3 students had all the fun of the fair as they learnt how mathematical concepts  help solve everyday problems. Ring Mistress Heidi Hoops amazed us with her circus tricks of all proportions & dimensions. Ropes transformed into spinning circles & with a crack of the whip the sound barrier was broken. All manner of objects were kept aloft in different juggling patterns and a staggering array of geometric shapes were created with those great circus circles, hula hoops.

Students observed patterns, gathered data and employed their skills of counting, fractions, measurement, space, geometry and probability. With audience participation, comedy, rope tricks, illusions, juggling, whip cracking and lasso spinning, everyone got involved exploring the maths behind the excitement.

2025 CaFE Grade Reps

Kinder:  Michaela Wilson & Alice Weily 

Yr 1: Sharon Henry & Stacey Tracey 

Yr 2: Olivia Day Gorham & Amanda Fragar 

Yr 3: Renee Davis 

Yr 4: Olivia Day Gorham

Yr 5: Jess McGrath & Katrina Holway 

Yr 6: Kellie Pickering, Kym Flitcroft & Angela Duncan

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/

SEVERE REACTIONS TO ‘NUTS’ & ‘EGGS’
As some of our students have a ‘nut’ and/or ‘egg’ allergy, we ask that nuts, nut
products and eggs NOT be packed as part of school snacks and lunches.
Sometimes even contact with nuts or eggs can trigger the severe reaction. This
severe allergy is called ANAPHYLAXIS and can be life-threatening.
Please, NO eggs, peanut butter, Nutella, nut products, etc.

(Check those labels to see that products do not contain nuts.)

SPB4L 

ASSEMBLY EXPECTATIONS

I will: 

• walk quietly into the hall with the teacher
• sit in rows with my class
  
• listen quietly and use my best manners
• say ‘thank you’, shake hands with and look at the presenter when I receive an award and stand quietly, while holding the award
• wait quietly after the presentation
• follow directions from the teachers
• display responsible behaviour for the occasion: eg. respect and/or reverence 
  

BREACHES OF EXPECTED BEHAVIOURS

CONSEQUENCES OF CLASSROOM OR PLAYGROUND BEHAVIOUR

I will:

• be reminded of the expected behaviours
• be redirected
• be re-taught the rule
• apologise to the person/people affected by my behaviour
• possibly have time out

MINOR BREACHES - CONSEQUENCES 

I will:

• be reminded of the rules and redirected
• be removed from an activity/to an alternate space or
• have time out of play or go to a buddy class
• complete a ‘behaviour reflection sheet’
• have a ‘minor’ recorded on my Compass record
• be reminded of the expectations (by the teacher on duty or classroom teacher)
• apologise to the person/people affected by my behaviour

MAJOR BREACHES - CONSEQUENCES 

I will:

• attend a thinking time session with Mrs Cranney or Mrs Stratton
• complete a ‘behaviour reflection sheet’
• understand that my parents will be contacted
• have time out in the office
• be reminded of the expectations (by Mrs Cranney or Mrs Stratton)
• apologise to the person/people affected by my behaviour (written or verbal)

• Three minor breaches = one major breach
• Three major. breaches in a term = in-school suspension
• Repetitive ‘minor’ behaviours are considered a ‘major’ breach

I may be:

• removed from play or activities
• excluded from school activities
• excluded from representative or leadership opportunities 

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.

Medication must be authorised by a Medical practitioner with a letter 

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 

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.

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.

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 

NO Parking in the  Bowling Alley car park

the bowling alley car park is for their patrons so please  park elsewhere when dropping or picking up your children.

The PCYC has many parks that can be used for dropping off and picking up

Thankyou