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Dear Parents, Guardians and and Community,
Paris Olympics 2024
STRIVE SUPPORT CONNECT
This week Olympic fever has hit St Mary's with the Olympic Games beginning this Friday. The staff and students are very excited and looking forward to cheering on the success of the Athletes. This Friday we celebrate the Olympics with students taking part in activities and dressing up in cultural colours. Go the Aussies.
Last Week, Para Olympian and ex St Mary's student, Nathan Pellissier, visited the students showing them his Tokyo Para Olympics Silver Medal and speaking to them about his journey. The students were very inspired and we thank Nathan for giving up his time to visit the school. Nathan is competing in the Para Table Tennis event in both the singles and mixed doubles.
Whole School Art Day Friday 2nd August
Australian Maths Competition. I have now registered all the students for the competition who have paid. The last day for registration is Friday 2nd of August. Please pay at the office ($8:50) if you still want to register your child Grades 3-6.
St Mary’s Faith News
School and Parish Connections
Gospel: John 6: 1-15
Feeding the five thousand
After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.
A large crowd kept following him because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick.
Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples.
Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5 When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?”
He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.
Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.”
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?”
Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place, so they sat down, about five thousand in all.
Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.
When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.”
So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets.
When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”
When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
Children’s Mass - Sunday 28th July
World Day of Grandparents
We have our monthly St Mary’s Children's Liturgy on Sunday the 28th July at 10:30 am.
Flyers were sent home last 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. If your child or children would like to participate, please fill in the form sent home and return to the school.
Both Monique, the pastoral care officer for the parish and myself, Charlotte Lipnicki, attend the Mass and support the children.
Thank you to all the families who are encouraging their children to get involved. We hope more families take up the invitation to join the celebration.
Way of the West
Most of the Saints did practical things for people, especially those in need. Accordingly we ask that you help us support the tenth ‘Way of the West’ program.
The program runs for the month of August, and asks for donations of food and living essentials to support Refugees and those seeking Asylum in the West.
There will be a box in each classroom for families to drop off their donations.
In the coming weeks you will see posters around the school, items in the newsletter and the Charism team will be visiting the classrooms and speaking at each Assembly to let families know what will be collected each week. Please make sure that donations are in date - especially food items!
This is a kindly reminder that this program will be happening soon and an opportunity to start adding the odd item to your weekly shop. Please do not send items into school until they are asked for as we need to set up the collection tubs.
The order of collections is as follows:
Week 1 - Dried food (healthy breakfast cereals, rice, dried fruits, pulses)
Week 2 - Tinned food (fish, vegetables, pulses)
Week 3 - Toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, sanitary products, nappies)
Week 4 - Other household items (washing powder, dishwashing items, cloths)
Thank you in advance for your support!
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 |
Confirmation Information session |
3 |
Thursday 1st August 6:30pm |
School Hall |
Led by Fr Elio Capra |
Confirmation - 5/6D |
3 |
Tuesday 27th August 6:00pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Confirmation - 5/6S |
3 |
Wednesday 28th August 6:00pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Confirmation - 5/6AK |
3 |
Thursday 29th August 6:00pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Important Dates for Term 3
Event |
Date |
Time |
Location |
Year 5/6 Confirmation information evening |
1st August |
6:30 pm |
School Hall |
Seniors Mass 5/6AK |
2nd August |
11:30 am |
Church |
Mary MacKillop Mass |
9th August |
9:15 am |
Church |
Feast of the Assumption |
15th August |
9:15 am |
Church |
Year 5 & 6 Family Mass |
Saturday 17th August |
6:00 pm |
Church |
Confirmation 5/6D |
27th August |
6:00pm |
Church |
Confirmation 5/6S |
28th August |
6:00pm |
Church |
Confirmation 5/6AK |
29th August |
6:00pm |
Church |
Fathers Day Mass |
30th August |
9:15am |
Church |
Seniors Mass 5/6D |
6th September |
11:30 |
Church |
Whole School Art Day
Friday 2nd August
- Dress up as your favourite artist, your favourite colour or yourself as an artist.
- We will be creating artwork throughout the day.
- First-semester class artwork will be displayed around the corridors in the school and also in the hall.
- Parents are most welcome to walk through and view the artwork from 8.30 am to 8.50 am or after school from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm.
Looking forward to a fun day everyone!
Congratulations to the following students who are Class Representatives for Term 3
PL |
Olympia Demertzis & Lachlan Simpson |
PM |
Indiana Biley & Louis Trethowan |
1AG |
Maya Pont |
1C |
Dean Karangelis |
2E |
Maggie McMahon |
2H |
Luca Kalimnakis |
3/4T |
Louis Lazaridis-Shu |
3/4C |
Leonardo Napolitano |
3/4RM |
Rory O’Mahoney |
5/6AK |
Emma Soliman |
5/6S |
William Godde |
5/6D |
Harrison Barnes |
The St Mary’s School Disco is Coming!
Less then 3 weeks to go!!
The P&F Committee are very pleased (and excited) to kick off ticket sales for the beloved St Mary’s School Disco! This is a great time of year for the kids to come together, have some fun and show off their dance moves. Alternatively, for those who need a break from the dance floor are welcome to have some chill out time in our dedicated quiet zones.
Regardless, this is set to be a fun night just for our children!
The Disco is locked in for the 9th August and will be held across 2 sessions in the School Hall.
- Session one is for the Preps, Grade 1 & 2’s and will run from 6.00pm to 7.15pm.
- Session two is for Grade 3, 4, 5 & 6’s and will run from 7.30pm to 8.45pm.
The cost is $10 per child and tickets can be purchased via CDF Pay. Please note that only St Mary’s children are able to attend this event.
We are also seeking volunteers for the night to help serve lollies and keep an eye on these party animals! If you are interested in volunteering please also register via CDF Pay or email ebonygalizi@hotmail.com directly. This event cannot go ahead without the help of our volunteers.
All volunteers must hold a current Working With Children Check.
Father's Day stall, call out for volunteers
Date: Friday 23 August
On the day, each class will come down and choose their gifts. If your child is absent on the day, gifts will be kept at the office for them to choose from when they return. The children love coming to the stall to search for something to make Dad, Pop, or Nonno feel special. There will be various gifts to choose from.
Volunteer to be a parent helper: This is fun and rewarding, so if you can spare an hour or more, please sign up via the link below. If you can give more time, you may sign up for more than one time slot. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4AACAB2DA6FECF8-50388106-fathers
Vouchers available next week: $5 each via CDF pay (access through SZapp) starting next Monday. You can purchase as many as you wish. One voucher equals one gift, and gift bags are included.
Live Your Best Life in Love...
A Marriage Encounter weekend is for you…
Every married couple deserves this very special weekend.
Time-out to nurture your most precious relationship away from daily distractions.
The two of you will come away from your weekend feeling more deeply connected
and with tools to help keep the passion alive.
No group sharing required.
The weekend is based around Catholic values. Couples of all faiths are welcome.
Please check our website for more details and to book your special weekend:
Our next weekend is: 4 - 6 October 2024 at St Paul's Retreat Centre, Wantirna South.
Starts Friday evening at 7pm and finishes Sunday afternoon around 4:30pm
Information/Bookings: Phone Mercy & James 0409 183 676 or
Email: vicbookings@wwme.org.au Website: wwme.org.au