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Dear Parents, Guardians and Community,
A quick update from myself as I am away in Tasmania involved a Principal Immersion tour looking at Indigenous Culture and history. I do apologise if I am not replying to emails as the days are long as we are travelling from Hobart each day to places of significance and are arriving back late. So far it has been an excellent experience which I would recommend for anyone to do.
We have been told by our crossing supervisors of a number of parents who are driving the wrong way along Cecil st to secure car parks. To be honest I was quite surprised by this simply because of the safety issues involved. Obviously my request is for parents to stop doing this. Our process in this situation is to contact police to patrol the area as this is a traffic issue that falls under their domain.
Some students are coming to school with coloured hair extension braids. This is a reminder that this is not part of our school uniform and need to be removed.
Canberra Update. From all reports the camp is going well and the year six students are having a brillant time. What a great experience for our students and thanks to all staff who are away from their families to give them the opportunity.
God Bless
Anthony
PACER ( Parliament and Civics Education Rebate )
Students from St Mary’s are currently undertaking an educational tour of Canberra. Students will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.
The Australian Government recognises how important it is for young Australians to visit the nation’s capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government contributed funding of $45 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion
St Mary’s Faith News
School and Parish Connections
Gospel – John 10:1-10
Jesus said: “Amen, amen I say to you: He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up another way, the same is a thief and a robber.
But he that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
To him the gatekeeper opens; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.
And when he has let out his own sheep, he goes before them: and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice.
But a stranger they follow not, but fly from him, because they know not the voice of strangers.
This proverb Jesus spoke to them. But they understood not what he spoke to them.
Jesus, therefore, said to them again: Amen, amen I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
All others, as many as have come, are thieves and robbers: and the sheep heard them not.
I am the door. By me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved: and he shall go in, and go out, and shall find pastures.
The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they may have life, and may have it more
abundantly.
IMPORTANT - YEAR 5&6
MOTHER’S DAY MASS
Unfortunately we have a clash with the Mother’s Day Mass and the year 5/ 6 interschool sports.
The teachers have tried to reschedule the interschool sports, but to no avail. The children are not in a position to forfeit because they are already forfeiting the week that the Year 6’s are away on camp.
The solution - we will have a special year 5 /6 mother’s day liturgy.
We would like to have this liturgy in the Church, so please bear with us as we try to organise a time and date.
Thank you for you patience and understanding.
There’s something New Happening at St Mary’s school and Church!
Children’s Masses
On Sunday we had our first children’s Liturgy and it was very successful.
Thank you to all the children who sang in the choir, you sounded beautiful.
Thanks you to our readers, you were all amazing.
Both Monique and I had a lot of parishioners come up to us at the end of the Mass and say how wonderful you all were.
The next children’s Liturgy coincides with Year 4RM making their First Eucharist. The Mass will of course focus on the children in year 4, but we invite everyone to come and join the candidates and their families and celebrate as the Year 4 children take the next step on their faith journey.
Desperately needed -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
Some important Dates to Remember for Term 2
Event |
Date |
Time |
Where |
Seniors Mass - Yr 5 attending ● Change in dates due to Yr 6 Camp |
5th May |
11:30am |
Church |
Year 4 Eucharist Information evening |
|||
Mother’s day Mass |
Friday 12th May |
9:15 am |
Church |
Year 4 Presentation Mass |
Saturday 20th May |
6:00pm |
Church |
Year 3 Reconciliation Information Evening |
Wednesday 24th May |
7:00pm |
School Hall |
4RM First Eucharist |
28th May |
10:30 am |
Church |
Seniors Mass - Yr 6 attending ● Swapped with Year 5’s |
2nd June |
11:30 am |
Church |
4H First Eucharist |
4th June |
10:30 am |
Church |
Year 3 Family Mass |
18th June |
10:30 am |
Church |
Year 3 Reconciliation |
Tuesday 20th June |
4:00 - 6:00pm |
Church |
Year 3 Reconciliation |
Wednesday 21stJune |
4:00 - 6:00pm |
Church |
Year 3 Reconciliation |
Friday 23rd June |
4:00 - 6:00 pm |
Church |
Year 3 Reconciliation |
Saturday 24th June |
10:00 -12:00am |
Church |
2nd Children’s Mass |
Sunday 25th June |
10:30 - 11:30 |
Church |
Important information for year Four Families
An information booklet was sent home on the last day of term with information about The First Eucharist. If you did not receive yours, can you please let your child’s teacher know and will give you a copy.
I hope that the booklet will answer any questions you may have about preparing the children for the Sacrament and what to expect on the day.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at clipcnikci@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au or speak to your child’s teacher.
Important information for year Three Families
Bookings will be open for Reconciliation dates and times later this term.
You will receive an email inviting you to book a date and time. Once you have made your booking can you please add it to your diary.
In the next coming weeks your child will bring home a booklet with information about Reconciliation at St Mary’s. I hope that it will answer any questions you may have about the Sacrament.
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 |
.
Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia
The ‘Way of the West’ Group have sought our help with this new program to help refugees on permanent visas to assimilate in Australia. We are seeking the help of Parishioners to join this endeavor. The Program is called CRISP! This stands for COMMUNITY REFUGEE INTERGRATION AND SETTLEMENT PILOT.
There is further information in the Parish bulletin.
Alternatively if you want more information you can email sandyandpeter@gmail.com . They have been at the forefront of this potential program.
Families
Class Representatives will have their badges presented to them at assembly on Friday May 12 at 3pm.
CyberSafety
During this term, students from Years 1-6 will continue to participate in a CyberSafety incursion provided by Inform and Empower. Each session is age-appropriate and cover content relevant to issues that commonly affect kids within that age bracket.
These sessions will be supported with follow -up activities in class and families will be provided with a Support Tip Sheet so that families can continue the conversation about the safe and informed use of technology both at home and in the classroom.
Links will be provided in next week’s school newsletter.
Some of the foci covered during these sessions will include:
Years 1 and 2
- Balancing screen time
- Healthy digital habits
- Putting down the tech
Years 3 and 4
- Balancing screen time
- Healthy digital habits
- How different tech makes us feel
Years 5 and 6
- Balancing screen time
- Building a healthy relationship with tech
- Why it's so hard to put down devices
Mothers Day Stall
Mother's Day Breakfast & Coffee Cart and Special Mass.
Mothers Day Photos
Maclean Reserve
A very big Thank you to those parents/carers whom are currently on the Maclean Reserve Roster and a very warm welcome to all our new families who may like to think about assisting. Term 2 roster is about to be completed and I am only seeking a few more volunteers . Currently, there are several volunteers on the roster meaning that it is a maximum of twice per term or should you only be available once per term - we completely understand.