Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community,

I would like to share some key updates and events happening in our school:

Jubilee Year 2025
As we approach the Jubilee Year 2025 in the Catholic Church, we look forward to celebrating this significant occasion together as a school community. More details on how we will mark this event will be shared soon.

Upcoming Events This Week

• Australian Mathematics Competition
  Certificates for the Australian Mathematics Competition will be handed out at our school assembly this Friday. We are proud of all our students who participated.

• Prep 2025 Storytime
  Yesterday, we welcomed our incoming 2025 Prep students for Storytime. It was wonderful to see so many eager young faces as they start their transition to school.

• Year 2 Big Day Out
  Today (Wednesday), our Year 2 students are enjoying their Big Day Out. We hope they have a fun-filled day at the zoo and create lasting memories.

• Year 6 Soccer Tournament
  This Friday, our Year 6 students will participate in a soccer tournament against other schools. We wish them all the best and know they will make us proud!

• Deputy Principal Conference
  Michelle Ristovski and Laura Graham will attend the Deputy Principal Conference on Thursday and Friday. We look forward to hearing about their insights upon their return.

Looking Ahead to Next Week

• Open Classrooms: We are very excited about the impact the Science of Learning is having on our student outcomes. Please join us Wednesday September 18 from 8:30 to around 9:15 in our classrooms to view your children's work. All welcome.  The Science of Learning is not a program, it just incorporates what science has taught us about how to learn and remember. It can be used in all aspects of life.

• School Leaders Training
  I will be attending a two-day training for school leaders on the Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue program next Tuesday and Wednesday. I am excited to bring back valuable strategies for our school.

• Mini Beasts Incursion
  Our Year 1 and Year 2 students will have an exciting Mini Beasts Incursion next Wednesday. It promises to be a great learning experience!

• Firefighter Visit for Preps
  Our firefighters will return next week with their fire truck to visit our Prep students again. This is always a highlight for our youngest learners.

• Footy and Fairies Day
  Next Thursday, we’ll have Footy and Fairies Day, where players from the Western Bulldogs will join us. Students are encouraged to participate in the fun by dressing up, and we’ll have a sausage sizzle with a gold coin donation. We moved from the Friday so the Westen Bulldog players can attend.

Other News

• Cadbury Chocolates Fundraiser
  We are excited to announce that we will be participating in the Cadbury Chocolates fundraiser. Families will receive a box hopefully next week to take home over the holidays.

• Jogathon
  Mark your calendars! Our annual Jogathon has been scheduled for November 22nd. More information will follow.

End of Term
A reminder that Term 3 finishes at 1:00 p.m. on the last day. OSH Club will be available from 1:00 p.m. for those needing care.

A note:

We have been noticing a lot of students coming late to school. We know at times this is unavoidable, however, it is important that students get to school on time as not only does it disrupt their own learning it is very disruptive to the other students learning.

Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement with our school community. We look forward to an exciting few weeks ahead!

God Bless,
Anthony

St Mary’s Faith News

 School and Parish Connections

Gospel: Mark 8: 27-35

Jesus and his disciples left for the villages round Caesarea Philippi. On the way he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say I am?’ And they told him. ‘John the Baptist,’ they said, ‘others Elijah; others again, one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he asked, ‘who do you say I am?’ Peter spoke up and said to him, ‘You are the Christ.’ And he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone about him.

And he began to teach them that the Son of Man was destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and to be put to death, and after three days to rise again; and he said all this quite openly. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. But, turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said to him, ‘Get behind me, Satan! Because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’

He called the people and his disciples to him and said, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.’

Important Dates for Term 4

SPORTS UPDATE

DIVISIONAL ATHLETICS

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This week, our talented Dance Club students had the wonderful opportunity to attend Robina Scott Kindergarten to deliver a dance workshop. The students showcase their skills by performing two choreographed dances and one short routine that they had created themselves. It was a pleasure to see our students shine in performance and share their passion for dance with the kinder children.

Not only did our students perform, but they also led dance games and taught the kinder children their short routine. It was heartwarming to see the joy on the faces of the kinder children as they learned new dance moves and had fun with our students. The workshop was a great opportunity for our students to not only showcase their talents but also to inspire and engage with younger children.

Throughout the workshop, our St Mary’s students presented themselves in an exemplary manner. They were patient, kind, and encouraging towards the kinder children, helping them to feel comfortable and confident in their dancing. Our students truly embodied the values of our school and represented St Mary’s with pride.

The workshop concluded with a creative task where our students helped the kinder children create their own dance routine. It was a collaborative and inspiring experience for all involved, and it was wonderful to see the creativity and teamwork on display.

We are incredibly proud of our Dance Club students for their hard work and dedication in preparing for this workshop. They not only showcased their talents but also demonstrated leadership, teamwork, and kindness throughout the event. We are grateful to Robina Scott Kindergarten for hosting us and providing such a fantastic opportunity for our students.

Thank you to all the families who support our Dance Club students and to Goodes Custom Designs for our beautiful t-shirts. We look forward to sharing more exciting news about the upcoming workshops in week 9 at Kids by the Bay and Explorers. 

Kind regards

Gina Coetzee

Performing Arts Teacher

The St Mary’s P&F Coordinating Group are running a Cadbury Chocolate drive, helping to raise much needed funds for our playground redevelopment, including the sand pit upgrade.

On Thursday next week, a Cadbury Fundraiser box will be sent home with the eldest child in each class.  We’re asking all St Mary’s families to participate, by selling one box.

Fundraiser details:

• Individual chocolates sell for $1.50 (with 40 units per box), total value is $60.
• Sell to family members, friends or neighbours. Or, take the entire box to work to sell to your colleagues.
• Once boxes are opened, you are committing to fundraise the full amount of $60.
• If you are able to sell more than one box of chocolates, please let the school office know and we’ll gratefully send another box home.
• Our fundraiser will run for a period of four weeks, with all money to be returned in the second week of Term 4 – Wednesday 16 October.
• Payment methods:
• In cash, using the envelope provided, returned to the office. Please ensure your child’s name and class is clearly marked on the envelope.
• Via CDF Pay
• EFTPOS in Front Office

If you’d prefer not to participate in this fundraiser, please contact the office by this Friday 13 September.

If you’re unable to participate but would like to donate in lieu of the Cadbury fundraiser, you can do so at the office. 

We’re confident that this fundraising drive will help raise much needed funds to help pay for important playground works to further improve our school’s facilities.  

Thank you for your continued support.

P&F Coordinating Group

  

• Skill Development: Focuses on fundamental netball skills including passing, catching, and shooting.
• Fun and Inclusive: Games and activities are tailored to be enjoyable and engaging for all skill levels.
• Social Interaction: Encourages teamwork and making new friends in a supportive environment.
• Physical Fitness: Helps children develop coordination, agility, and overall fitness.
• Experienced Head Coach and Junior coaches: Sessions are run by experienced NetSetGO Coordinator, Naomi McCurry who is experienced in working with young players. Naomi is supported by Junior coaches, who also play netball with Willi Tigers.