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Dear Parents, Carers and Community,
Welcome back. I hope everyone had a wonderful and Faith filled Easter.
Firstly, we welcome back to the Collett family with Olivia joining 3/4 T and James 1E. How times flies, it just seems like yesterday they headed off to the Soloman Islands. It might take some time readjusting to Williamstown weather. Welcome Melinda and Tristan too.
We also welcome back Rebecca Backman from maternity leave. Rebecca will be our Maths Leader supporting teachers with their planning and teaching of Mathematics.
Art Award for our Year 5/6 Students. Our Year 5/6 students were succussful in a Art competition. The theme for the competition was "That Song' and the children had to respond artistically using a 5x7 canvas. Only 24 entries could be entered for each school. Our students came third in the school section. Our school received a voucher from Atelier Art Supplies which will be used to purchase resources for the Art room.
Enrolment Update: Thanks for everyone who has been spreading the word as enrolment numbers are up this year and we are tracking to be at full capacity in Prep next year. We only have a couple of spaces left at the moment, which is much further than we normally are at this time of year. We will be sending out first offers after April 30. If you are a current family and have not applied, please do as soon as possible to secure your place.
School Fair Meeting next week. We need to have a meeting next week to really make some decisions about the school fair. What we do need is for people to take on some of the coordinating roles. We have many many people have said they can help on stalls etc. however without anyone coordinating things we may not be able to organise the Fair. I guess this is a real call out to see if we really have enough people to run it. The idea behind the Fair is that it is a Parent run event to support the school. So please if you can join us at the school next Wednesday the 24th of April at 7pm, we can hopefully form a coordinating team and get the event moving.
Coming Up : Anzac day Public Holiday April 25th
In the lead up to Anzac Day we are selling Anzac day badges. It is purely cash sales. If you wish to purchase you can do so at the front office or through students selling before and after school. Badges and Pins range from $2 to $10.
School Closure Day. A reminder we have our school closure day on April 26. Staff will be attending Thomas Carr College for our first Flourishing Learners Day. Close to 800 teachers will be attending this day from Melbourne Archdiocesan Catholic Schools, Western suburbs. I know they even struggled to find a venue that could hold that many people. The first day is about Behaviour Curriculum and setting up rules and routines in a school.
Call for Expressions of interest to join the School Advisory Board. We have two vacancies that are coming up this year on the School Advisory Board and we would like to start the process by getting potential candidates. Our School Advisory Board meets twice a term and discusses matters of importance for the school. This can include School Improvement Plans, Enrolments, Building projects, New Policies, Faith and other matters. The most important skill we are looking for is best described as 'common sense.' We need representatives who can have a holistic view of things and be able to stop and reflect and offer their thoughts and opinions. As part of the process we would normally organise a candidate to meet informally with myself, Father Greg and the School board Chair separately. This is not a formal interview. If you would like to be considered can you please send me an email to principal@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
Update on School Building Fund: With the change to Melbourne Archdiocesan Catholic Schools, School Building Funds have now changed as well. Previously, our School Building Fund was referred to as the St Mary's Parish School Building Fund, meaning it was housed within Parish Accounts. Now, the School Building Fund has been separated from the Parish and is now housed within the School's Accounts. As much as this is an administrative change, it still operate the same way and this account is used by the school for works on our building, including new builds and upgrades. Our accounts have been used to make substantial improvements to our school in the last few years. Our Building Account has been used to repaint the school, re-carpet the school and install the electronic doors. We have a couple of projects we are considering such as installing some indoor doors in the hall way to create a warmer space for student to work and converting the outside wall of the dance/drama room into sliding doors so we can open up that area to create a stage and indoor/outdoor teaching space. These would be funded through our school building fund. The great thing about the School Building Fund is that it is Tax Deductible. It also has new account numbers if you are wishing to transfer. BSB 083 347 Account number 435931250 We thank everyone who can make a contribution to this fund.
God Bless
Anthony
Disasters, the media and your child.
Given the events of this week in Sydney and other events that are happening, we share this resource with you. We keep the families and friends of those involved in our prayers and thoughts.
St Mary’s Faith News
School and Parish Connections
Gospel: John 10:11-18
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
ANZAC Day
Dear Families,
As we approach ANZAC Day, we extend a heartfelt invitation to you and your loved ones to join us for the Dawn Service on April 25th. This solemn occasion offers us a precious opportunity to come together as a school community, to reflect, remember, and honor the sacrifices made by our brave servicemen and women.
The Dawn Service holds a profound significance in our national consciousness, marking the exact hour when Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula during World War I. It's a moment to pay tribute not only to those who fought in that campaign but to all who have served and continue to serve our nations in times of conflict and peacekeeping missions.
We understand that attending the Dawn Service may require an early start, but we assure you, the experience is profoundly moving and meaningful. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a seasoned participant, your presence enriches the commemoration and ensures that the spirit of ANZAC Day endures.
So, mark your calendars and set your alarms. Join us as we gather at dawn to honor, remember, and reflect. Together, let us ensure that the legacy of our ANZACs lives on in our hearts and minds.
Lest We Forget.
We have our first St Mary’s Children's Liturgy on Sunday the 28th April 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.
Sacramental Program 2024
If you have any queries can you please contact me directly at clipnicki@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
Sacrament |
Term |
Date |
Where |
Notes |
Eucharist Information Session |
2 |
Wednesday 24th April 6:00pm |
School Hall |
Led by Denise Arnel |
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 Information session |
3 |
Thursday 1st August 6:30pm |
School Hall |
Led by Fr Elio Capra |
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 |
Important Dates for Term 2
Event |
Date |
Time |
Location |
Eucharist Information Session |
Wednesday 24th April |
6:00/30pm |
School Hall |
ANZAC Day ceremony |
Thursday 25th April |
Dawn |
Williamstown Cenotaph |
Seniors Mass 5 /6 D |
Friday 3rd May |
11:30am |
Church |
Mother’s Day Mass |
Friday 10th May
|
9:15 am |
Church |
Year 3/4 Family Mass |
Saturday 11th May
|
6:00pm |
Church |
Year 3/4 RM First Eucharist Mass |
Saturday 18th May |
6:00pm |
Church |
Year 3/4 C First Eucharist Mass |
Saturday 25th May |
6:00pm |
Church |
Year 3/4 T First Eucharist Mass |
Saturday 1st June |
6:00pm |
Church |
Seniors Mass 5 /6 S |
Friday 7th June |
11:30am |
Church |
Year 1 Family Mass |
Sunday 9th June |
10:30 am |
Church |
Summer Interschool Sport Finals
When: Friday 19th April - Week 1
Teams playing/Versing:
Boys/Mixed Basketball - St.Mary's VS Williamstown North
Girls Volleyball - St.Mary's VS Altona
Location: Newport Gardens
Transportation: Bus sharing with Willy Primary.
(If any parents can drive their child to the event can you please Mrs Cooke know ASAP via the office or email kcooke@smwilliamstown. catholic.edu.au)
Mother's Day Stall and call out for volunteers
Vouchers: $5 each via CDF pay (access through SZapp) available now; you can purchase as many as you wish. One voucher equals one gift, and gift bags are included. Voucher sales close Monday, 29 April, at 5 p.m., and no late sales or cash on the day will be accepted.
INQUIRY INTO CATHOLIC FAITH
St Mary’s Parish is now entering a new period of sessions for those wanting to look more into the Catholic faith. This is an opportunity for at least furthering your knowledge, asking questions, being open to new insights or even in the end becoming a Catholic Christian. There is no obligation to proceed to become a Catholic as one can drop out of the sessions at any time. New sessions on the Catholic Faith will be commencing on Tuesday April 30th between 7 to 8 pm at the Presbytery 116 Cecil Street Williamstown. If you wish to find out more, please ring Fr Greg on 0400524363 or email greg.trythall@cam.org.au