Filter Content
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community,
What's On This Week
- Thursday, Feb 27 – Year 3/4 Try Sailing at Williamstown Yacht Club
Upcoming Events
- Tuesday, Mar 4 – Shrove Tuesday
- Wednesday, Mar 5 – Ash Wednesday
As we approach Easter, our classes are preparing for this important season. Next week, we will observe Shrove Tuesday and our Ash Wednesday Mass. Shrove Tuesday reminds us of earlier traditions when families would use up rich ingredients like eggs, butter, and sugar before the fasting period of Lent—pancakes became a meaningful way to do so.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a time of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. It is a season of reflection, where we acknowledge our shortcomings and strive for personal growth. May this Lenten journey, especially in this Jubilee year, inspire us all to become better people.
2026 Enrolment Tours for Current Families
Enrolment tours for 2026 are now in full swing! If you are a current family with a child starting in 2026, please book a tour for them. These tours typically take about 15 minutes, and I am available most days.
Staffing Changes for Term 2
Normally, I would notify individual classes before including staffing changes in the newsletter, but as these adjustments affect multiple classes, I wanted to share them with everyone.
Our Sports Teacher, Karoline Cooke, will soon be going on maternity leave, and we have made the following staffing changes for Term 2:
- Sports Teacher: Kieran Condon (Monday–Wednesday) Kieran remains in 3/4 Blue on Thursday and Friday.
- 1 Blue: Ellie Marioli (Monday–Wednesday), Jenni Flynn* New appointment (Thursday–Friday)
- 3/4 Blue: Stephanie King-Shipp moving to 3/4 Blue (Monday–Wednesday), Kieran Condon (Thursday–Friday)
We are pleased to welcome Jenni Flynn, an experienced teacher who has previously done relief work at our school. We were excited when she expressed interest in part-time work, and she has already spent a day in the classroom this year and has met the students.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. All teachers will ensure a smooth handover for their students.
Thank you for your support and understanding.
God Bless,
Anthony
St Mary’s Faith News
School and Parish Connections
Luke 6: 39-45
A person speaks from what is in his heart
Jesus told a parable to his disciples,
‘Can one blind man guide another? Surely both will fall into a pit?
The disciple is not superior to his teacher; the fully trained disciple will always be like his teacher.
Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own?
How can you say to your brother, “Brother, let me take out the splinter that is in your eye,” when you cannot see the plank in your own?
Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter that is in your brother’s eye.
‘There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces sound fruit.
For every tree can be told by its own fruit: people do not pick figs from thorns, nor gather grapes from brambles.
A good man draws what is good from the store of goodness in his heart; a bad man draws what is bad from the store of badness.
For a man’s words flow out of what fills his heart.’
St Mary’s Family Mass
Children’s Mass
St Mary’s School Mass – Get Involved!
Thank You for a Wonderful Mass!
A big thank you to all the families who attended the Mass! It was wonderful to see so many of you there.
A special thank you to our amazing St Mary’s children who took part in the Mass—whether through singing, reading, or offertory. Your efforts made the celebration even more special!
Fr. Michael Kalka was very impressed with how beautifully the children led the Mass. He especially loved the choir, saying it added something truly special to the service. He also had high praise for our fantastic readers.
Many parishioners also shared how much they enjoyed the children’s involvement, so well done to everyone who participated!
We look forward to seeing even more families at future Masses and encourage all children to take part in some way. Let’s keep making our school and parish community proud! ??
Ash Wednesday Mass
Next Wednesday, the 5th March, we mark the beginning of Lent with a Mass led by the year 3 / 4 students on Ash Wednesday. The Mass will begin at 9:15 am.
A warm welcome is extended to all families to join us for the Mass – your presence is always cherished.
Lent is a sacred time for reflection on God's love and the sacrifice of Jesus.
While the tradition suggests giving up indulgences, at St Mary’s, we encourage our children to focus on positive changes and selflessness. Students have made Lenten promises, these will be blessed by Fr Greg, and we will pray for support during daily prayer sessions at school.
Let's embark on this Lenten journey together, fostering kindness and consideration for others.
Wednesday Masses
Strengthening Our School & Church Connection
This year, we are excited to introduce a new initiative to bring our school and church community even closer together!
By attending more Masses as a school, we hope our students will become more familiar with the format of the Mass and the responses. To support this, each year level has been rostered to attend a Wednesday Mass at 9:15 AM.
A big thank you to the Year 3/4 team for being the first to take part! The teachers shared fantastic feedback, and the students had a wonderful experience. Fr. Greg took the time to explain the different parts of the Mass, making it a truly engaging and meaningful time for everyone.
We look forward to seeing all our year levels participate throughout the year!
Altar Servers
Join Our Altar Server Team!
We are looking for students in Years 3-6 who would like to train as Altar Servers!
As an Altar Server, you play an important role in supporting Fr. Greg during Mass. You will be part of the entrance and recessional processions and, most importantly, assist in preparing the gifts for the Eucharist.
If your child is interested in this special opportunity, please contact Mrs. Lipnicki at clipnicki@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au or Fr. Greg at greg.trythall@cam.org.au
We look forward to welcoming new Altar Servers to our team!
Sacramental Program 2025
This year the only Sacrament the school will be facilitating is the “Rite of Reconciliation”.
If you child is in Year 4 and is yet to make their “First Eucharist” please contact Mrs Lipnicki at clipnicki@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au.
Likewise if your child is in Year 6 and is yet to make their “Confirmation” please contact Mrs Lipnicki at clipnicki@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
School Masses
Some important Dates to Remember for Term 1
All families are welcome to attend the school Masses.
At St Mary’s, students sit as a class with their teacher in reserved pews.
The Altar servers sit in the first pew to the left of the Altar. The pews to right of the Altar are reserved for the choir and music ministry.
Parents are asked to find a seat towards the back of the church and not sit in the pews reserved for the school children.
|
Event |
Date |
Time |
Where |
|
Ash Wednesday Mass - led by Year 3/4 students |
5th March |
9:15 am |
Church |
District Swimming
