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Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,
On Ash Wednesday we start our Lenten journey as we prepare ourselves for Easter. As Catholics we enter a period of Almsgiving, Prayer and Fasting. Our classrooms now have their Project Compassion Boxes, which date back to 1965. As the Catholic Church's international aid and development agency, Caritas Australia works hand in hand with the most marginalised communities in Australia and overseas, to confront the challenges of poverty. Caritas is a Latin word meaning "charity" or "love". Let us all be generous in our donations to help eradicate poverty in our world.
Thank you to all our Parents who helped out with the cooking of pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. It looks like that had a ball!! Thank you to Natasha Alatan who coordinated it all. Our students loved it!
Thank you to all our families who were able to check in with the teachers at our 'Meet and Greet' Meetings. If this time did not suit, please get in touch with our teachers as soon as possible.
Promoting the School. Thanks to everyone saying great things about our school. I am already very busy doing tours for next year and we have quite a few applications!! We have a few other things planned to really get our name out there. This week at our School Board we are looking at "Talking Points," What are those 3 or 4 quick points that we all use when anyone asks us about the school. We will share these with everyone soon so we all can promote our school. When anyone enrols at our school as part of the application they do have to indicate how they heard about our school. You can see the main reasons below.
Garden Update. Currently we have some tomatoes coming through and some spinach growing. (please help yourself) Our zucchinis continued to grow over summer so we arrived back with about 30-40 giant sized zuchini's, marrows. We have cleared out most of the weeds and will plant again soon once we get through these hot weeks.
Collingwood Premiership Cup Visit. The Collingwood Premiership Cup will be visiting the School on February 28 for all those Collingwood Supporters who have not done enough celebrating. We will have a short assembly at the start of the day with a bit of time for some photos. The Cup will then visit every classroom finishing in Year 2E for Show and Tell.
Uniform Shop Update: Starting this Monday, David Marcs Menswear will be at the school weekly Mondays 2:30 to 3:45 selling the school uniform. If you cannot come on the Monday, you can still leave the order form at the office for David Marc's staff to organise on the Monday. Their website is close to being finished and should be available in the next week or two. You will be able to order online and then receive your order on the Monday when their staff are at the school. Orders can be left at the office if you are unavailable on the Monday to pick up your order.
God Bless
Anthony
Summer Uniform
Blue check dress or Navy skort (optional)
Sky blue short sleeve shirt with school logo (if wearing skort)
Sky blue socks
Woollen jumper with school logo
Navy blue school hat (Term 1 & 4 only)
Gold/navy hair ribbons/clips
Hair scrunchy in summer dress material or gold/navy (optional)
Black leather school shoes
School bag with school logo
Winter Uniform
Navy tunic or Navy drill pants (no cords or leggings)
Sky blue long sleeve shirt with school logo
Navy tights or sky blue socks
Woollen jumper with school logo
Black leather shoes
School spray Jacket with school logo (optional)
School bag with school logo
Summer Uniform
Navy drill shorts
Sky blue short sleeve shirt with school logo
Navy blue school socks with gold bands
Woollen jumper with school logo
Navy blue school hat (Term 1 & 4 only)
Black leather school shoes
School bag with school logo
Winter Uniform
Navy drill pants or Navy drill shorts
Sky blue long sleeve shirt with school logo
Navy blue school socks with gold bands
Woollen jumper with school logo
Black leather school shoes
School spray jacket with school logo (optional)
School bag with school logo
Sports Uniform
Navy school tracksuit with school logo (jacket & pants)
Navy shorts
Sport's top short /long sleeve Indigenous Designed polo shirt with school logo
Runners
White short socks (Black socks and branded socks not permitted)
Navy blue hat (Term 1 & 4 only)
All articles of clothing are to be marked clearly with the child’s name.
Unisex Items:
Spray Jacket: worn as an addition or alternative to the woollen jumper.
Beanie: The St Mary's Beanie should be the only one worn to school.
The only jewellery permitted at school is a watch, one stud or sleeper earring in each ear. Necklaces, friendship bands, multi-coloured accessories in hair etc. are not permitted.
Hair Cuts: Hair should be neat and tidy and students with long hair are expected to tie their hair back. Students should not come to school with patterns; eg stripes, letters, logos, waves; cut into their hair.
The following clothes are not considered suitable school clothes and children must not wear them to school.
1. Jeans for boys or girls
2. Cords for boys or girls
3. Thongs for children - these create a safety problem
4. Sneakers/ Runners - (except on sports days & Physical Education days)
5. Blundstone boots
St Mary’s Faith News
School and Parish Connections
Gospel: Mark 1: 40-45
And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down said to him: If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
And Jesus having compassion on him, stretched forth his hand; and touching him, said to him: I will. Be thou made clean.
And when he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was made clean.
And he strictly charged him, and forthwith sent him away.
And he said to him: See thou tell no one; but go, shew thyself to the high priest, and offer for thy cleansing the things that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.
But he being gone out, began to publish and to blaze abroad the word: so that he could not openly go into the city, but was without in desert places: and they flocked to him from all sides.
Shrove Tuesday - Pancakes
A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful parents and friends for their generous contributions and dedicated efforts during our recent Pancake Day event!
The delicious feast wouldn't have been possible without the thoughtful donations of pancake mix and toppings.
A special shout-out to the parents who volunteered their time to cook and serve the pancakes, making the day a delightful experience for all.
Another round of applause for the organizing parents who ensured the event ran smoothly.
The joy on the faces of our children spoke volumes, and as a school, we express our deep gratitude to our supportive parent community for making this event a memorable success.
The Season of Lent
Today, we mark the beginning of Lent with a heartfelt Mass led by Year 5/6 D and S on Ash Wednesday.
We extend our gratitude to our dedicated choir, whose beautiful voices added a special touch to the occasion. Special thanks to Monique for her continuous support in providing music and helping our talented singers practice the hymns.
A warm thank you to the families who joined us for the Mass – your presence is always cherished.
Lent is a sacred time for reflection on God's love and the sacrifice of Jesus.
While the tradition suggests giving up indulgences, at St Mary’s, we encourage our children to focus on positive changes and selflessness. Students have made Lenten promises, blessed by Fr Greg, and will pray for support during daily prayer sessions at school.
Let's embark on this Lenten journey together, fostering kindness and consideration for others."
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 how the school’s contributions will support those less fortunate that us!
Lenten Liturgies
As part of our school Lenten journey we will be holding a Lenten Liturgy in the Hall every Friday during the season of Lent.
This will be part of the Friday school assembly.
All are welcome to attend
Lenten Liturgy |
Date |
Year Level Leading |
1 |
16th February |
Charism Team |
2 |
23rd February |
Year 3 /4 |
3 |
1st March |
Charism Team |
4 |
8th March |
Year 2 |
5 |
15th March |
Year 1 |
6 |
22nd March |
Prep with the support of charism Team |
Children’s Mass - Sunday 25th February
We have our first St Mary’s Children’s Liturgy on Sunday the 25th February at 10:30 am.
Flyers will be sent home this week asking for volunteers to read and sing in the choir.
For Families new to the school, the 10:30 Mass on the last Sunday of each month is dedicated to the children at St Mary’s.
The children lead the Mass with the support of the Charism team. Children at the school can volunteer to read and /or sing with the choir.
Both Monique, the pastoral care officer for the parish and myself, Charlotte Lipnicki, attend the Mass and support the children.
The numbers are growing and the children are keen to be involved.
Thank you to all the families who are encouraging their children to get involved. It is wonderful to see and as a school this is something we hope more families will take up the invitation to join.
Some important Dates to Remember for Term 1
Event |
Date |
Time |
Where |
Feast of St Joseph - led by Yr 3/4 |
19th March |
9:15 |
Church |
Sacramental Program 2024
If you have any queries can you please contact me directly at clipnicki@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
Hopefully all year 3 families received the information note that was sent home last week.
If you did not receive the note, please email me at clipnicki@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au and I will email it to you.
Reconciliation Information evening:
Maria Forde will be running the session.
This session will be held online, on Monday the 26th February.
The link and further details will be forwarded shortly.
There will be some additional dates added for Parent information sessions.
Sacrament |
Term |
Date |
Where |
Notes |
Reconciliation Bookings Open |
1 |
|
online |
Look for email sent |
Reconciliation Information session |
1 |
Monday 26th February Time - TBA |
online |
Student and at least 1 parent to attend. |
Reconciliation Year 3 students |
1 |
Tuesday 5th Wednesday 6th Friday 8th March Time: 4:00-6:00 and Saturday 9th March Time: 10:00-12:00 pm |
Church |
Will need to book a time early in Term 2 |
Eucharist 3 / 4 RM |
2 |
Saturday 18th May 6:00 pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Eucharist 3 / 4 C |
2 |
Saturday 25th May 6:00 pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Eucharist 3 / 4 T |
2 |
Saturday 1st June 6:00 pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Confirmation 5 /6 D |
3 |
Tuesday 27th August - 6:00pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Confirmation 5 /6 S |
3 |
Wednesday 28th August - 6:00pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Confirmation 5/ 6 A/K |
3 |
Thursday 29th August - 6:00pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Happy LOVE YOUR LIBRARY DAY to EVERYONE!
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)