Dear Parents, Guardians and Community, 

A shortened week this week with the Melbourne Cup public holiday and school closure day. I hope everyone got a chance to take a break. We really do start to look towards the end of the year and our future planning for 2025. In 2025 the School will be under review to produce our next four year school improvement plan. There are two parts to the review, one being the plans and programs for the school and the other being the registration of the school for government requirements. This goes through all our compliance areas. So it will be a busy 2025.

Events of this week

- Thursday: 5/6 Beach Program begins

- Friday: Year 4 Emmanuel College Soccer Day

Upcoming Events:

• Monday, November 11 – Grade 3/4 Camp begins
• Monday, November 11, 10:45 am – Remembrance Day Service
• Tuesday, November 19, 9am - Parent Science of Learning Learning Walk

ST MARY'S FAMILY SUPPORT 

Did you know that families often financially donate to support other families. This may come in the form of offering to pay for another families school fees, camp fees or other costs. We cannot give money to another family directly, however we can use that money to supplement their school fees, camp fees or other school costs.

If you would like to support another family in our school, use our normal bank account with a reference; Family Support Donation

Bank Account BSB 083 347 Account Number: 658206494

Second Hand Uniform Shop:

Many families donate old uniforms to our second hand shop. These second hand uniforms are either resold or donated to families in our school.

Book Exchange:

Did you know we have a book exchange near the entry of our school? Many families use this to donate and swap books.

St Mary's School Building fund

You may also choose to support the school by making a donation to the St Mary's Parish School Building Fund. All donations to this fund are tax deductable. Funds can only be spent on a set criteria which include building maintenance, repair, replacement or a new building.

BSB: 083 347 Account Number: 435931250

Mark in your diaries - the last of school for Prep to Year 5 is Tuesday December 17 finishing at 1.30pm

St Mary’s Faith News

 School and Parish Connections

Gospel: Mark 12: 41-44

Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the treasury, and many of the rich put in a great deal.

A poor widow came and put in two small coins, the equivalent of a penny. 

Then he called to his disciples and said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on.’

Reflections from our Pilgrimage

As many of you know, during the recent school holidays, Michelle Ebinger and I, Charlotte Lipnicki, were privileged to embark on a sacred journey to Italy. This pilgrimage provided us with a profound opportunity to explore and deepen our understanding of our own identities, as well as our relationship with God and our faith.

Over the coming newsletters, I will share glimpses of the sacred places we were blessed to visit. Both Michelle and I found ourselves in awe of the complexity and beauty of these holy sites. This journey allowed us to appreciate more deeply the significance each place holds within our shared faith story.

We look forward to sharing these reflections and experiences with you, hoping they may inspire your own spiritual journeys.

ROME

The Appian Way and the Catacombs

Our journey began at the historic Appian Way (or Via Appia Antica). Walking along the ancient stones of this road was like stepping back in time. As we strolled, we were surrounded by remnants of the past—ancient mausoleums and even the remains of old Roman circuses.

One of the most moving experiences was visiting the catacombs, the final resting place for thousands of early Christians. Here, among the quiet chambers, we saw the first known depiction of Christ as the Good Shepherd, painted above a grave—a poignant reminder of the hope and faith held by the early followers of Christ.

But there was one place that left a particularly deep impression on me: a small, unassuming chapel that could easily be overlooked. It is called “Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis,” which translates to “The Church of ‘Lord, Where Are You Going?’” This tiny church stands on holy ground and became the highlight of our day.

According to the apocryphal Acts of Peter, it was here that Peter, fleeing Rome, encountered the risen Christ. Peter saw Jesus walking towards the city and, in astonishment, asked, “Lord, where are you going?” Christ replied, “I am going back to Rome to be crucified again.”

At that moment, Peter understood the call. He turned back towards Rome, accepting the fate awaiting him as a participant in the divine nature of Christ. Obedient and resolute, Peter returned, where he was ultimately arrested and crucified.

This experience became the inspiration behind the prayer service that Mour small group led. We wanted to capture the essence of Peter’s encounter and the call to embrace faith with courage and conviction. Drawing from our time at Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis, we aimed to create a prayerful atmosphere that invited reflection on the moments in our own lives when we are called to turn back, trust, and follow God’s guidance, even when the path ahead is daunting.

Important Dates for Term 4

Colour Explosion Jogathon

Friday 22 November

Congratulations to those students who have already got their fundraising off to a great start. To date, we’ve had 35 students raise money on their profile page – well done to those who have their fundraising underway.

If you haven’t done so, please activate your children’s online profile to begin fundraising. It’s very easy and only take two minutes to complete: 

• Go to australianfundraising.com.au
• Click the ‘My Profile Page login’ button
• Search “St Mary’s School – Williamstown”

To create some friendly competition, the class that fundraises the most money will win “slime time”. The winning class will get to slime their classmates and play with slime during the Jogathon. We’ll provide regular updates – but for now, Prep M is at the top of the leaderboard, followed by 1AG. 

This year, we’ll run the Colour Explosion Jogathon over two sessions:

• 12.20pm – 1.00pm – Prep to Grade 2
• 1.10pm – 1.50pm – Grade 3 to 6

We’d love for you to join us on the day, so please save the date, and come down to Robertson Reserve to cheer your kids on.

Following the Jogathon, students will enjoy a sausage sizzle and an icy pole. We’ll also combine sports activities for the students in the afternoon, designing the day for maximum fun.

We’re now looking for volunteers to help the P&F run this event. If you can spare an hour or two on 22 November, please sign-up here.

Calling all electricians – in the past we’ve had a generator kindly supplied to Robertson Reserve for the duration of the Jogathon. We’re hoping someone in our school community can help – if you’re able to, please contact the school office. 

Happy fundraising!

P&F Coordinating Group

We are delighted to share that two of our students (Roman Pantalleresco and Oliver Zorko) were selected as finalists in Australia Post's Design a Postcard competition at Williamstown Post Office.

The students are among just 10 finalists selected from more than 200 entries. We asked local primary school students to show us what they love about Williamstown – and they did a beautiful job! 

See their pictures below

Uniform Shop

We are looking for a casual retail person for our school shop at St Mary's school Williamstown . 

The role involves uniform sales, picking and packing orders and checking stock levels for reordering.

The role is on a Monday between 2pm and 3.45.

There are busy times which are early December and late January and July .

Please contact:markatdavidmarcs@gmail.com

INVITATION TO JOIN THE CAROLS BY DAYLIGHT CHOIR AT FED SQUARE! 

Do you love to sing? We warmly invite St Mary's Primary School students to be part of the Carols by Daylight CHOIR .

This is a wonderful opportunity to perform at a traditional Melbourne music event alongside other young and professional musicians at the 17th Annual Hello Music Carols by Daylight!
This concert will be televised for Channel 31 and Digital 44 (on 24th & 25th Dec)

About:
The Hello Music Carols by Daylight at Federation Square, is an annual sing-along Christmas variety show featuring the combined schools Orchestra, choir, opera performers from Melba Opera Trust, and other special guests including Santa Claus!

Event Details:
 The Edge Theatre, Federation Square
 3pm -4.30pm Sunday, 1st December

Rehearsals at St Mary's Primary School:
Open to all ages! Join us every Friday at lunchtime during November.

Enquiries: hello@hellomusic.com.au Mob: 0414776613 More info: www.hellomusic.com.au