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Dear Parents, Guardians and Community,
Today the Collingwood Premiership Trophy visited the school. There were many very happy Collingwood supporters today. Not long now to the 2024 season!! What a great thing to bring for 'show and tell.'
Fair Meeting Tonight Online 7pm: I hope to see as many as you as possible tonight for our Fair Meeting. Tonight will be about what we want our Fair to be so we have some guiding ideas to how we organise it. It can be what ever we want it to be and as big or as small as we want. We can be creative, simple or whatever... it is our Fair.
Link works best on a computer
Enrolment update: Still very busy with tours and applications coming in daily. We have our billboard going up soon and we have advertising in the local paper in the next couple of weeks, and a news story to accompany that in Catholic Education Week. We have flyers at most of the local kinders as well, so we are really out and about at the moment. I have been so busy for tours I only just started my newsletter piece an hour before publication. Thank you to all those parents out spreading the word!! We will start story time for our 2025 enrolments not long after we send our offers out to get our future students more comfortable with starting at our school.
We wish Daryl Marmion the best for his trip to Sydney for his training with the Bell Shakespeare company. Daryl is one of 20 teachers across Australia chosen to take part in this training. He is already very excited about how he will incorporate Shakespeare into our school.
God Bless
Anthony
St Mary’s Faith News
School and Parish Connections
Gospel: Mark 9:2-10
This is my Son, the Beloved
Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter spoke to Jesus: ‘Rabbi,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say; they were so frightened. And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and there came a voice from the cloud, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’ Then suddenly, when they looked round, they saw no one with them any more but only Jesus.
As they came down from the mountain he warned them to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They observed the warning faithfully, though among themselves they discussed what ‘rising from the dead’ could mean.
Introducing The Charism Team for 2024
Congratulations to Charlotte Hussey, Stevie Hudson, Harry Mitchell and Xavier O’Keefe on being selected for their role as Charism Team leaders for 2024.
I look forward to working with this amazing team. I know they have so much to offer St Mary’s as a school and a community.
You will see our Charism team leaders, lead the Prayer every Monday morning. Please follow their lead.
In the next few weeks of term they will be visiting classrooms and talking to the children about Project Compassion.
They will also be leading the Lenten Liturgy this week.
‘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 |
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 |
Thank you to all the families who came along to our Monthly Children’s Liturgy on Sunday.
The children in the choir sang beautifully under the guidance of Monique, and our readers did a wonderful job leading us in the readings and prayers of the faithful.
Thank you too, Isabella and Maya Pont for agreeing to do the offertory at the last moment.
The feedback from parishioners was wonderful. They were so full of praise for you all. They love to hear you read and sing at Mass.
Fr Greg also noted the smiles on the faces of the congregation - truly a sign that the children did a wonderful job.
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 am |
Church |
Sacramental Program 2024
If you have any queries can you please contact me directly at clipnicki@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
Year 3 Reconciliation evening with Maria Forde
Thank you to all the Year three students and their families who joined our Reconciliation reflection evening with Maria Forde on Monday night.
First of all I would like to congratulate all the Year three students for their engagement and participation in the session. Maria was very impressed with your knowledge and understanding of the sacrament and the scripture stories. Your teachers and myself were very proud of you all.
I would also like to apologise for all the technical issues and thank you for your patience and understanding.
On a positive note, we had a record attendance - so thank you. Twenty out of twenty two families at St Mary’s attended the session. Thank you again for your support.
I am open to feedback, so I will be sending out a Google form shortly. One for students to be completed online at school, and one for parents so that you can share your thoughts and ideas on how to improve the session going forward.
Sacrament |
Term |
Date |
Where |
Notes |
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 am |
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 Jume 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 |
Cybersafety and ICT Agreement
All students have now participated in their first online session with Inform and Empower. Inform & Empower provide a Cyber Safety & Digital Wellbeing program for our school.
Each term the students participate in an online Cybersafety session filled with interactive kahoots, videos and important information about being safe online. We are all learning to become more aware, clever, brave and kind online.
Each term Inform and Empower provide a Parent Tip Sheet to be shared.
Another thing to remember is our St Mary’s ICT agreement. This agreement outlines our school's expectations for using technology and being online.
It is very important that you read this with your children and return it to school by the end of the week (Friday 1st March)
If you require another copy of the ICT agreement your child can collect this from their teacher or the office.
If you require another copy of the ICT agreement your child can collect this from their teacher or the office
Round 4 Interschool Sport
When: Friday 1st March (Week 5)
Time: 9:30-10:30
Versing: Newport Lakes
Location/s: Newport Lakes school grounds and Loft Reserve
Transport: Train
Clean Up Australia Day
for St. Mary’s School
St Mary’s School is proud to do their part in helping the environment by participating in the annual Clean Up Australia day on:
Friday the 1st of March.
Students, with their teachers, will be assigned areas around our local area and school to help clean up.
Remember: Students will need to bring to school a pair of gloves from home for the day.
Teachers will also ensure that all hands are washed and sanitised at the end of the clean up.
It was wonderful to see students cheering each other on, participating in team events and reaching
their personal best in individual events at Athletics Day last week. Congratulations to Winters House
at St Paul’s and McCoy House at Notre Dame in achieving the most House points on the day.
Year 7 2026 – Applications close Friday 16 August 2024
If your child is currently in Grade 5, it is a requirement to submit an application, if you wish to be
considered for a place in Year 7 2026, even if you already have an older child who attends the
College.
A Prospectus Pack containing an application form can be requested under the Enrolment Information
tab on the right-hand side of the homepage of the College website: Request a Prospectus here,
by coming into either campus office or by calling our College Registrar on 8325 5119.
Our first College experiences for the year are coming up, commencing with the Meet the Principal event
and tour - details for each campus are below:
St Paul’s Campus · Meet the Principal - Thursday 29 February at 9:15am
Notre Dame Campus · Meet the Principal - Thursday 7 March at 9:15am
Registration is essential – please follow this link: College Tour and Event registration
We look forward to seeing you at a College event soon.
Yours sincerely
Jenny Hendricks
Bees Wax Wrap Workshop – Thursday 18 April -10am
Here at St Josephs by the Sea we are committed to finding ways to live more environmentally friendly. We will be holding and teaching participant to make their own bees wax wraps. These wraps are a great alternative to using plastic wrap in the kitchen.
Facilitated by Carmel and Sharon
Morning tea provided. Cost $ 20
Address: 16 Esplanade, Williamstown, VIC 3016
Phone: (03) 9397 6012
Email: admin.sjbtsw@sosj.org.au
How are we Treasuring our Later Years? - Wednesday 18th September -1030am – 330pm
-Presenter – Nicole Rotaru rsm
The second half of life’, our later years continue to hold potential. We bring a wealth of experiences to treasure and to share with others. We are also open to new opportunities, to come alive in new ways.
This one-day workshop will explore the following themes that are part of our journey:
Adjustment ~ Transformation ~ Fulfilment
Nicole Rotaru is a member of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea. For some time she has had a particular interest in the ‘second half of life’ that has its fill of joys and challenges. She has enjoyed offering workshops for older folk for a number of years and valued learning from their experiences. These learnings as well as reflection on her own life and reading, inform the workshops she continues to offer.
Morning tea provided, please BYO lunch. Cost $30
Address: 16 Esplanade, Williamstown, VIC 3016
Phone: (03) 9397 6012
Email: admin.sjbtsw@sosj.org.au
Retreat- Art as Prayer2
9 June 2024
Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, the less the artist does the better. Contemplating art works, allowing the visual language of line, colour, shapes, tones and textures to speak and to help us recognise and accept the gifts of life of our Creator God. Making an Art Journal, mandalas, zen of seeing, playing with clay.
Directed by Therese Quinn rsj
Cost :$800 (Cost includes live in Retreat with all meals provided)
Address: 16 Esplanade, Williamstown, VIC 3016
Phone: (03) 9397 6012
Email: admin.sjbtsw@sosj.org.au