Good afternoon families,

Welcome to Week 3

 Upcoming events and reminders

Mothers Day Breakfast and Mass- Friday 9th May

We warmly invite all our wonderful mums, grandmothers, and special women in our students’ lives to join us for our Mother's Day Mass and Breakfast on Friday, 9th May.

Details:

Breakfast

Time: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Mothers Day Mass

Time: 9:00am for a 9:15am start

Mass will begin at 9:15am and the children will start arriving at the church shortly after 9:00am. We ask that those attending the Mass be seated by 9:00am. Children are welcome to sit with their mums or special person if they are attending the Mass.

Open classrooms- Monday 12th May

We warmly invite parents and carers to join us for an Open Classroom Morning next Monday 12th May. Come and see the wonderful learning happening in our classrooms.

Time: 8:45 AM – 9:20 AMSpecial Focus – Spelling Mastery:
From 9:00 AM, we invite you to stay and observe a Spelling Mastery session in action. This is a great opportunity to see how our students develop their spelling skills through structured, evidence-based learning.

We look forward to welcoming you into our classrooms!

Upcoming school closure day- Monday 19th

On Monday 19th we have our next planned school closure day, the focus for the day is on professional development and learning for staff in the area of Mathematics.

On the topic of Maths, we have just enrolled all classes from Years 2-6 in the Times Table Rock Stars competition.

Get ready to put your multiplication skills to the test! Our Times Tables Challenge is on, and we’re looking for speedy, accurate maths champions in every class. Whether you're mastering your 2s or flying through your 12s, this is your chance to shine.

How does the competition work?

Between the 14th-16th May Students will answer as many multiplication and division questions correctly as they can. The winning school and class will be based on the highest average number of correct answers per pupil.

Which class will win bragging rights as the St Mary’s timetable rockstars?

Some exciting news from Mrs Cooke, on Sunday 27th April she safely welcomed Mr Harvey Darcy Cooke into the world. All at home doing well, she sends her love and we will share some photos in coming weeks.

Meet our Year 5/6 Teachers

Name: Danielle Sal

How long have you worked at St Mary’s?   This is my 6th year at St Mary’s. I started as a Year 2 teacher in 2020. After two years, I moved to Prep, and then last year I began teaching Year 5/6.

Photo:  My last trip to London.

What is your favourite thing about our school and especially teaching Year 5/6? The St Mary’s School community is unlike any other. The amount of respect, kindness and love that is shared amongst students, staff and families makes our school special. This is my second year in 5/6 and my favourite thing is the kids. They make me laugh every day and I am always so proud of their work ethic and general care for each other and our school.

What’s an interesting fact about you?  When I was in High School, I was involved in all of my school’s drama and musical productions. I’m also known for my incredible Pavlova baking ability!

Name: Connie Karangelis

How long have you worked at St Mary’s? This is my third year at St Mary’s!

Photo: My family at a wedding last weekend!

What is your favourite thing about our school and especially teaching Year 5/6? My favourite thing about teaching at our school is, of course, the wonderful students, families, and staff. It’s such a positive and welcoming community to be a part of and I’ve felt very fortunate during my time here. I love working in the 5/6 community—every day is an adventure shared with the best team and students. Their smiling faces make every day worth coming to work

What’s an interesting fact about you? Teaching wasn’t always my career path! Before becoming a teacher, I studied journalism and worked in various roles, including public relations, copywriting, and even television.

Name: Angela Pezzano

How long have you worked at St Mary’s? This is my 7th year teaching at St. Mary’s. I began as a specialist teacher for the Music/Performing Arts program, the Italian language program, the LifeLab Well-Being and Resilience Program and now as a classroom teacher in Year 5/6 Yellow with Mrs. Karangelis.

Photo: Visiting Sydney.

What is your favourite thing about our school and especially teaching Year 56? I like that our school is part of a Parish Community, which has caring staff and teams. I like that our students are willing to do their best and that they show kindness and respect.  I also really appreciate their sense of humour.

What are some interesting things about you? I have other jobs including working at the RCH, I play the organ and piano at church, I love using LEGO as a learning tool with my students, I enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles and going to see musicals,  live theatre and orchestras.

Name: Daryl Marmion

How long have you worked at St Mary’s? This is my 5th year. I took over from another Irish man half way through 2021 so that the students wouldn’t be confused about how I say ‘turty tree tousand’.

Photo: With family in Ireland

What is your favourite thing(s) about our school and especially teaching Year 5/6? The students. They are maturing and becoming the versions of themselves that they will carry into their teenage years and beyond. I love interschool sport, Canberra trips, poetry slams, Mini BOSS and water park adventures. The extras that the senior students are offered also stimulate me and make me so happy. Lastly, my wonderful team—they are the best!

What’s an interesting fact about you? I was nominated for a national radio station ‘Teacher of the year Award’ in Ireland by my year 12 students (I lost.)

What’s happening in Year 5/6:  This term in Literacy, we’re diving into the fascinating world of construction with our unit “How Things Are Built.” From the Burj Khalifa to the ancient pyramids and the Shard in London, we’re exploring the how and why behind some of the world’s most iconic buildings. As students learn technical vocabulary related to engineering and construction, they’re also developing their writing skills by crafting explanation texts. The unit will culminate in an expanded essay on how skyscrapers are built. To wrap up, we’ll research a famous Melbourne landmark and head off on an exciting excursion to learn about its history firsthand.

In Mathematics, we’re focusing on fractions. Our three targeted maths groups ensure every student is supported and challenged—whether they’re consolidating core concepts or extending their learning. This structure allows us to meet individual needs and celebrate growth at every level.

We also kicked off a major term-long project last Thursday with the Mini Boss incursion! Each Thursday this term, students will be working in teams to plan, design, and launch their very own product. The unit will conclude with a ‘Shark Tank’-style showcase—and who knows, maybe we’ll see one of their items on Kmart shelves in the near future. Watch this space!

Meet our Office Staff

Name: Madeleine Grace

How long have you worked at St Mary’s?  I started working here 27 years ago but my 3 children attended St Mary’s so as a parent I've been here since 1993.

Photo: This is a photo of my husband Michael and myself in The Netherlands last year visiting our son who lives in Utrecht.

What is your favourite thing about our school and especially working in the front office? I have met so many wonderful parents over the years, some I consider to be good friends. But the best part of my day is talking to the students, some that I've seen come through here are now parents at the school themselves! You'd be amazed at what I hear in sick bay. As they say 'out of the mouths of babes'. I'm also exteremely lucky to work with 2 people I call good friends, Gemma and Sherralee,

What’s an interesting fact about you? Probably not a secret but I've been a one eyed Carlton fan since birth, thanks Mum and Dad! I go to the games every week with my daughters, even some interstate. I also love the ballet. My other passion is travel and I've been lucky to see some wonderful things like the Pyramids, The Taj Mahal, Notre Dame to name a few. I'm also the proud Nanna to two beautiful grandaughters Sophie and Immy.

Name: Sherralee O'Reilly

How long have you worked at St Mary’s?  5 years

Photo: At a wedding in Italy

What is your favourite thing about our school and especially working in the front office?  Coming over the bridge each morning and feeling like I have just entered a small village.  It feels wonderful to be part of St Mary’s and Williamstown.

I am very blessed to be part of a team that makes the school run so smoothly and supports the whole community.  Madeleine and Gemma are superstars and amazing co-workers.

What’s an interesting fact about you?  I once worked as a Nanny for a Local GP, in a 6 storey Georgian house in Bath in the UK.  Boy, was I fit running up the stairs 100 times a day!

Name: Gemma Marshall

How long have you worked at St Mary’s?  I have been at St Mary’s for 6 years. Myself, my husband and my son moved to Melbourne from South Africa in 2019. My husband specialises in a product that a manufacturing company uses here in Australia. They offered him the job and the visa process took 3 years to finalise. It was a very long 3 years! Moving to Melbourne was the best family decision we ever made and we couldn't be happier. I joined St. Mary's in 2019, 2 months after we arrived. In my previous job, I managed an imports company that imported confectionery from the UK to South Africa for expats.  I worked there for 14 years. Moving into a reception job from that position wasn't an easy transition. There is a lot of energy in a school and I had to adapt quickly to the new environment. The friendliness from staff and parents made the transition very easy and I was very welcomed into the community. 

Photo: Sherralee, Madeleine and myself.

What is your favourite thing about our school and especially working in the office? My favourite thing about St. Mary's is the close community feel. I have become friends with colleagues and parents. This was a massive part of my transition. I get hugs from students daily and that really makes my day. No two days are the same in the office. Every day is unpredictable. 

Myself, Sherralee and Madeleine found a bond in music and we listen to music every day. Mostly the 80s.

What’s an interesting fact about you? I have been chased by an elephant who was in musth! I have also been bitten on the bum by a lion! #thisisafrica

St Mary’s Faith News

 School and Parish Connections

Gospel: Third Sunday of Easter

John 21: 1-19

Jesus stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ They replied, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night.

It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, ‘Have you caught anything, friends?’ And when they answered, ‘No’, he said, ‘Throw the net out to starboard and you’ll find something.’ So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ At these words ‘It is the Lord,’ Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land.

As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.

Mother’s Day Mass 2025

We are looking forward to celebrating all our mother’s and mother like figures on Friday 9th May

Mass will begin at 9:15am and the children will be start arriving at the church shortly after 9:00am, so we ask that those attending the Mass be seated by 9:00am - CHILDREN WILL SIT WITH THEIR MOTHERS. They will be brought to the church and find you inside.

The front row is reserved for the readers and their mothers and siblings. The following three rows will be reserved for the Year 1 students and their mothers and siblings.

The seats to the right of the Altar are reserved for our choir.

Children whose parents are unable to attend will sit with their classroom teacher.

We know that all mums will be enjoying a coffee and catching up with other mothers in the hall prior to Mass, but we do ask that if you are attending the Mass, that you make your way over to the church for 9:00am and that no coffee cups are brought into the church.

We look forward to seeing as many mums and mother like figures at the Mass as possible. The year ones have worked hard in preparing for this and are so excited to lead the Mass for us.

Project Compassion

On behalf of everyone involved in Project Compassion, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for your generous support and enthusiasm throughout our fundraising efforts. This year we have raised an outstanding grand total of $1,297.50. This is an amazing amount of money that will help a lot of people to better their lives through initiatives run by Caritas A

Year 3 Reconciliation evening with Maria Forde

We invite all Year 3 students and their parents to attend an important Information Session about the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which will be celebrated this term.

The session will provide an overview of the preparation program and key dates. It is essential that at least one parent attends with their child.

 Date: 27th May
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: The school Hall

We look forward to supporting your child on this special faith journey.

An Information booklet will be sent home with your child this Friday 2nd May.

If you have any questions please contact your child’s teacher or Charlotte Lipnicki at clipnicki@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au

Sacramental Program 2025

This year the only Sacrament the school will be facilitating is the “Rite of Reconciliation”.

Below are the dates for Reconciliation

Two weeks prior to the Sacrament you will receive an email requesting you to book a time for child to make their Reconciliation.

There will also be an information evening session for candidates and their parents. Details will be provided in next week’s newsletter.

Eucharist and Confirmation

Instruction will be conducted through the Parish with the Support of Mrs Lipnicki

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

Term 2

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 or any free seats once the children are all seated.

Please do not sit in the pews reserved for the school children.

Mother’s Day Stall Thank You

The Mother’s Day Stall was a success last Friday. It was lovely to see the kids choosing gifts for the special people in their lives. Thank you to everyone who bought tickets, and to all the parent volunteers who helped out on the day, we really appreciate your time and support. We hope everyone enjoys their gifts and has a special Mother’s Day on Sunday. ~ The Parents and Friends Coordinating Group.

Shout out to our stall volunteers:
Sasha Oliver, Stella Kyriakou, Kate and Mitchell van Noordenne, Leah Pepe, Christine Vasiliou, Diem Hoang, Colleen Page, Fatima Serafino, Katie O'Hara, Kayleen Dumic and Laura Montebello. A special thanks to our Treasurer, Luyen Tan and to Gemma and Madeleine for continued support.