Dear Parents, Guardians and Community, 

We had many many families visit us this morning for our first Open morning of the year. Thank you for coming in and taking up the chance to have a look at your child's progress.

OSHCLUB NEWS: Some of our families may have noticed that we have some extra students at our after school care with students from Newmark Primary School now using our service. Newmark approached us recently about using our service and it all happened really quickly with the students starting last week. The students are brought to our service at the end of their school day.

National Walk to School day: This Friday is National Walk to School day. Although we have not promoted this event extensively, it could be an opportunity to get a bit of exercise on the way to school.

Con's Last day. Next Friday, the 26th of May, is Con's last day as our school crossing supervisor on Cecil St. Con has been involved with the school for many many years our school crossing supervisor. If you get the chance, please take the opportunity to say thank you and say goodbye.

There are lots of students and staff with colds and flu at the moment and I know many schools are being hit with lots of Covid Cases. If your child is unwell, please keep them at home so we can try to minimise the spread.

God bless

Anthony

ST MARY'S FAMILY SUPPORT 

Did you know that families often financially donate to support other families. This may come in the form of offering to pay for another families school fees, camp fees or other costs. We cannot give money to another family directly, however we can use that money to supplement their school fees, camp fees or other school costs.

If you would like to support another family in our school, use our normal bank account with a reference; Family Support Donation

Bank Account BSB 083 347 Account Number: 658206494

Second Hand Uniform Shop:

Many families donate old uniforms to our second hand shop. These second hand uniforms are either resold or donated to families in our school.

Book Exchange:

Did you know we have a book exchange near the entry of our school? Many families use this to donate and swap books.

St Mary's School Building fund

You may also choose to support the school by making a donation to the St Mary's Parish School Building Fund. All donations to this fund are tax deductable. Funds can only be spent on a set criteria which include building maintenance, repair, replacement or a new building.

BSB: 083 347 Account Number: 435931250

St Mary’s Faith News

School and Parish Connections

Gospel – John 14:15-21

Jesus said to his disciples: If you love me, keep my commandments.

And I will ask the Father, and he shall give you another Paraclete, that he may abide with you forever.

The spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it sees him not, nor knows him: but you shall know him; because he shall abide with you, and shall be in you.

I will not leave you orphans, I will come to you.

Yet a little while: and the world sees me no more. But you see me: because I live, and you shall live.

In that day you shall know, that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

He that has my commandments, and keeps them; it is he that loves me. And he that loves me, shall be loved of my Father: and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Important Information for Year 4’s

This Saturday evening the Year 4 students have their family Mass. We encourage all year 4 families to attend as part of their child’s preparation for their First Eucharist.

The Children will be called to the Altar after communion, where as a group they will present themselves to the Parish community and ask for their prayers.

Each child will then go into the congregation and give their ‘Pray for me’ cards to someone in the congregation - ideally not their family!

As faith Formation Leader, I look forward to seeing as many families as possible at the Mass.

Important Information for Year 3

On Wednesday the 24th May we will be hosting a Faith formation session for the Year 3 students and their families.

Maria Forde will be the presenter on the evening and will lead the children and their families in exploring the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Maria has been presenting Sacramental Programs to schools for over twenty years. I look forward to welcoming Maria to St Mary’s and working together to prepare the children for their Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The session will be held in the school Hall and run from 7:00-8:00pm.

We do ask that all students making their Reconciliation attend with at least one parent/guardian.

The year 3 teacher and myself look forward to seeing you there.

Welcome to the Table

Last Wednesday, the year four students and their parents attended an information session in preparation for their First Eucharist.

Thank you to all the families who attended - this was the biggest attendance in years and demonstrates how supportive you are as parents in supporting your children in their faith development. As the Faith formation Leader at the school, I thank you.

Denise had some wonderful stories to share and it was wonderful to see how well the children participated in the session.

As teachers attending the session we were very proud of the children.

On Sunday 20th May the Year 4 students will present themselves at the 10:30 Mass and ask for the parish to pray for them in their preparation and we invite all St Mary’s School families to attend and support the Year 4 students..

Desperately needed -Altar Servers

Year 3 and 4 Meeting

On Friday, I will be holding a meeting with all year 3 and 4 students to talk about the opportunity to be an Altar server at St Mary’s. Our current Altar server will be attending to talk to the children about the role and answer any questions children may have. Please take the time to talk to your son or daughter about this opportunity.

The children will be trained in the role.

All new Alter servers will be partnered with an experienced Altar server until they are confident in the role.

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

Important information for year Three Families

Bookings will be open for Reconciliation dates and times later this term. We need to wait patiently for the Parish children to be offered the opportunity to sign up for their instruction.

We are hoping to open bookings for the week beginning 29th May, so please keep checking your emails and reading the newsletter.

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.

Information Sessions for the Sacramental Program

Open Classroom Morning

It was wonderful to see so many parents, grandparents and caregivers come into our classrooms this morning. There were many happy and excited families sharing in their child’s learning.

Class Representatives

Congratulations to the Class representatives who were presented with their certificates and badges at last week’s assembly.

They will participate in regular meetings with their class to identify suggestions to improve their school and voice those ideas to the school leadership.

One idea already being actioned is to increase the variety of Lunchtime clubs and activities available.

In addition to Chess Club run by Mr Howat, new activities being offered are a Board Games and Puzzles Club and an Arts/Craft/ drawing Group.

To support these activities at school, we are gratefully asking for donations

• Lego
• Puzzles,
• Jigsaws
• Board games

Donations are being accepted at the school office. 

Thank you kindly for your continued support.

The Lego kart and Nudel cart are also other lunchtime activities available.

On Monday, the Staff of St. Mary’s participated in the Biggest Morning Tea to raise funds to support those affected by Cancer and their families.

Many staff have had personal connections and supported this cause very generously.

Thank you to all staff for your donations and the morning tea was heavenly.

Should any families also want to contribute funds to this cause, please use the QR code to donate electronically. 

St Mary's School is a Child Safe School and as such complies with all aspects and legal obligations that relate to the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (VIC)