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Dear Parents, Guardians and Community,
Charity
Charity is patient, is kind; charity does not envy, is not pretentious, is not puffed up, is not ambitious, is not self-seeking, is not provoked; thinks no evil, does not rejoice over wickedness, but rejoices with the truth, bears with all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Cor. 13:4-7).
To have Charity is to love God above all things for Himself and be ready to renounce all created things rather than offend Him by serious sin. ( Matt. 22:36-40)
We have now moved to the Holy time of Lent. Our students are now preparing for Easter. Across our school the students are learning much about what we as Catholics can do in this special time. It is a time of generosity and charity where we take the time to help those in need.
This week our Year 5 students have been in their school camp. This is the first time in a while where the Year 5 and 6 students have separate camps. They started having their camp together when there were multi-age classes across Year 5/6 so they went on camp together. From all reports they are having a great time and having lots of adventures. Many of the activities they have include some element of risk taking. School camps about teaching students how to get out of their comfort zone in a safe way. Students return today to school.
Increase in students having playground accidents. After a recent conversation with my son's physio, I don't know if I had a sense of relief, but she let me know that across the world their has been an increase of playground accidents, so it is not just St Mary's. We now have many students who through covid have had less playground experience, and basically they are having more accidents and taking risks that they should not be taking. Children learn to fall when they are young and their bones and more soft and flexible. Without that learning when they are young they are now falling when their bones are not as soft and flexible, hence an increase in breaks across the world. Lack of upper body strength, less muscle memory, thinking they can do something that is beyond their capability are some of the reasons explained to me. Perhaps it is up to us as parents to get our children into parks more, climbing trees so they build up that strength and ability.
Clean Up Australia Day. This Friday our students are our making our school and surrounding streets a better and cleaner place. Clean up Australia Day is now in it's 33rd year and an estimated 20 million people have volunteered at some stage. What a great community initiative this has been and something we are proud to be part of.
This Friday we have staff attending a Roundtable event. The topic of this is Research in Improvement Cycles. We will be listening to four school present about how they use research to improve their practice at schools. John Munro will be leading the day. At St Mary's we do use research to guide our practice so it is a great opportunity to hear how other schools use research as well so we can further improve what we are doing. “Expert teachers continually learn and collaborate with others in diagnosing, problem solving, and evaluating the impact of the chosen solutions” (Dunn and Hattie, 2022)
God Bless
Anthony
Arriving on time/ leaving early
We would like to see all students arrive on time and leave at the correct time. Our office is a very busy place so we would appreciate as many students as possible leaving and arriving at the correct times (during recess - 11 to 11.40, or during lunch - 1.50 to 2.30). It can be quite disruptive to office work if they have to stop their work to go to collect a child.
St Mary’s Faith News
School and Parish Connections
Gospel – Sunday 26th February 2023
Matthew 4:1-11
At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.
The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.”
He said in reply, “It is written:
One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth
from the mouth of God. “Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple,
and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written:
He will command his angels concerning you
and with their hands they will support you,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
Jesus answered him, “Again it is written,
You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”
Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence,
and he said to him, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.”
At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written:
The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.”
Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.
Project Compassion
‘Working together for justice and dignity. Walking together in hope.
Building together a thriving future for all.’
Caritas Australia is an international aid and development agency of the Australian Catholic Church.
They strive to seek social justice and dignity for every person.
They work with local communities in Australia and overseas, listening to concerns and assessing the needs of communities.
With help, compassion and our support, Caritas hopes to work towards a world where all people may thrive!
In every classroom there is a project compassion box. During this time of Lent, the children are being encouraged to be compassionate and think of others in need. As part of our Lenten journey we think of those less fortunate and consider ways we can help.
We would like to fill the boxes as much as we can - ways the children can contribute are:
- Put some of their pocket money into the box.
- Choose to donate icy pole money.
- If the children have given up a treat - try and donate the cost, so the children can see their abstaining is benefiting someone else.
You will see posters around the school encouraging participation, but also letting you know what the school’s contributions will support!
Lenten Liturgies
There will be a Lenten Liturgy held every Friday afternoon in the school hall at 3:00pm.
The Liturgy will be followed by the school assembly, where Student of the Week and birthdays will be celebrated.
Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing as many of you at the next few Liturgies/Assemblies.
Some important Dates to Remember for Term 1
Event |
Date |
Time |
Where |
Seniors Mass - Yr 5 attending |
3rd March |
11:30 am |
Church |
Feast of St Joseph - led by Yr 4 |
17th March |
9:15 |
Church |
Sacramental Program 2023
All dates and times for the Sacrament Masses are outlined in the table below.
Year 4 and Year 6 students will be making their Eucharist and Confirmation as a class this year.
Early in Term 2 we will open the ‘booking online’ for parents in Year 3 to make a time for their child to make their Reconciliation.
Sacrament |
Term |
Date |
Where |
Notes |
Reconciliation |
2 |
Tuesday 20th, Wednesday 21st, Friday 23rd June Time: 4:00-6:00 and Saturday 24th June Time: 10:00-12:00 am |
Church |
Will need to book a time early in Term 2 |
Eucharist - Year 4RM |
2 |
Sunday 28th May 10:30 am |
Church |
No booking required |
Eucharist - Year 4H |
2 |
Sunday 4th June 10:30 am |
Church |
No booking required |
Confirmation - 6D |
3 |
Tuesday 22nd August - 6:00pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Confirmation - 6B |
3 |
Wednesday 23rd August - 6:00pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Information Sessions for the Sacramental Program
Sacrament |
Date and Time |
Location |
Presenter |
Reconciliation - Students and parents |
Wednesday 24th May 7:00 pm |
School Hall |
Maria Forde |
Eucharist - students and parents |
Wednesday 10th May 7:00 pm |
School Hall |
Denise Arnel |
Confirmation |
Thursday 20th July 6:30 pm |
School Hall |
Fr Elio Capra |
Altar Servers
Any student in Years 3, 4, 5 or 6 who would like to train as an Altar server, please contact with Fr Greg at greg.trythall@cam.org.au or Mrs Lipnicki at clipnicki@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au.
Training will be organised by Fr Greg. Fr Greg will also put together a roster which he will share with families.
Term 1 Sporting Events
Summer Interschool Sports Timetable for
Years 5 & 6
10/2 (St Mary's Primary School)
24/02 (Newport Lakes Primary School)
10/03 (Williamstown North Primary School)
24/03 (St Mary's Primary School)
Easter Raffle
The Easter Raffle is on again this year. Donations of chocolate eggs, Easter related toys etc can be left at the office. Please no alcohol. More information will be sent home soon
Final Reminder
We have Teeth On Wheels visiting our school for dental visits starting the 16th of March.
Please click on the link below to complete your child’s consent form.
https://teethonwheels.com.au/consent-forms/consent-eform/
CUT OFF DATE FOR COMPLETING YOUR CHILDS FORM IS ON THE 15th OF MARCH.
Complete your form today and the Teeth On Wheels team will be in contact to schedule your child’s appointment and notify you on your child’s eligibility.
Any further questions, please contact the Teeth On Wheels team on (03) 9338 1191.
As each new week rolls around the activities and events and avenues of connection for students with the College continue.
At St Paul’s Campus in the last week students have has their athletics carnival and the Year 7s attended camp at Portsea. Camp was great adventure, being with new friends and old as well as allowing students to build very important connections with their teachers. Students enjoyed a range of daytime and evening activities in absolutely fantastic weather before returning to school on Friday afternoon.
It’s not just the Year 7s with lots on, the Year 12 students are getting ready for their Retreat which is fast approaching in a week or so. This provides a great opportunity for the students to plan for their year ahead, to be mindful of the things for which they are grateful and hear from inspiring speakers.
Our first College experience opportunity is coming up quickly, with the Meet the Principal event in early March. Bookings are essential for this event and can be made via the College website and clicking the Tours & Events tab on the right-hand side of the homepage www.ecmelb.catholic.edu.au Details are as follows;
St Paul’s Campus - Thursday 2 March, 2023 - Commencing at 9.15 am
We look forward to seeing you at the College soon.