Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community,

We hope you're having a wonderful week!

Upcoming Events

• Monday, June 9, 2025: School Closure - Public Holiday
• Tuesday, June 10, 2025: School Closure Day - Faith Formation
• Tuesday, June 17, 2025: Athletics Carnival
• Sunday, June 22, 2025: Poetry Slam at Williamstown Town Hall, 12:30 PM (Come and support our talented student poets!)
• Tuesday, July 1, 2025: Year 5/6 Shark Tank, 6:30 PM (See our budding entrepreneurs in action!)
• Friday, July 4, 2025: End of Term - School finishes at 1:30 PM
• Friday, August 29, 2025: School Disco!!! (Get ready to dance!)

A Look Back at a Shortened Week

This week was a bit shorter due to the public holiday on Monday and our staff Faith Formation day on Tuesday.

Yesterday was a fantastic success for our staff as we delved deeper into integrating prayer into our school day. Our speaker, Denise Arnel, shared inspiring methods of prayer, with a special emphasis on using scripture. Staff left feeling uplifted and equipped with new ideas to enrich our students' spiritual journeys. A big thank you to Charlotte Lipnicki for her incredible work in organizing this valuable day.

We also had a productive visit from the Knowledge Society for our latest round of teacher coaching. The coaches observed our teachers in action, providing valuable feedback and advice to further enhance their teaching practices. This ongoing professional development is proving incredibly beneficial, continually strengthening the quality of education our students receive.

Celebrating First Reconciliation

A heartfelt congratulations to our students who recently celebrated their First Reconciliation. We extend our sincere gratitude to Father Greg and our dedicated staff for guiding them so beautifully through this significant spiritual journey. Please keep these students in your prayers and thoughts as they continue their faith development.

We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!

God Bless,

Anthony

St Mary’s Faith News

 School and Parish Connections

Gospel:  John 20: 19-23

Pentecost Sunday

 As the Father sent me, so I send you: Receive the Holy Spirit

In the evening of the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you,’ and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.

‘As the Father sent me,

so am I sending you.’

After saying this he breathed on them and said:

‘Receive the Holy Spirit.

For those whose sins you forgive,

they are forgiven;

for those whose sins you retain,

they are retained.’

Sacramental Program 2025

This week, we congratulate our Year Three students who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.

It was a special and sacred moment in their faith journey, and we are so proud of the reverence and maturity they demonstrated.

Thank you to our families for your ongoing support and to the Year three teachers who helped prepare the children for this important milestone.

May God continue to guide them with love and grace.

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

Staff Professional Development Day

As a staff, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to all families for their understanding and support in allowing staff the opportunity to come together and deepen their own faith journey.

As part of a teacher’s qualification to teach in a Catholic school, they are required to complete ten hours of Religious Education professional development each year. While much of this is completed in their own time, these reflection days provide a valuable opportunity for staff to gather, share in faith formation, and collaboratively plan for future teaching in the area of Religious Education.

We are truly grateful for your continued support in allowing us to deepen our own faith and plan for a richer Religious education for your children.

School Masses

Term 2

At the family Masses, families sit together. Children who are reading are encouraged to sit with their family near the front of the church and ideally to have the reader sit in the aisle seat.

Athletics Carnival

Winter Interschool Sports

Poetry SLAM Update! 

The competition is fierce and we are buzzing with excitement to showcase all the incredible hard work from our young poets on 22nd June as part of the Willy Lit Fest. Even more exciting - it’s a SOLD OUT event!

We’re thrilled to announce our 2025 Poetry SLAM judges: Ms. Graham and Mrs Cutroni!

Ms. Graham, our brilliant Leader of Literacy, brings her love of language, her sharp eye for clever wordplay, and her infectious passion for poetry. Expect thoughtful feedback and lots of enthusiasm.

Mrs Cutroni- or as she’s known in the poetry world, Mamma Cutroni — brings the heart and soul. She’s judged before and knows just what it takes to move an audience. She’ll be looking for poems that tug at the heartstrings and stay with her long after the mic drops.

We’re also thrilled to share that Mr. C will be our MC for the day! With his trademark dry wit and fun presence, he’s sure to keep the crowd entertained and the poets feeling confident on stage.

 And finally — a huge shoutout to Olivia and Pia from 2 Yellow, who were accidentally left off the list of performers last week. Their poem “School School, Fun Fun” is a true gem, and we can’t wait for everyone to hear it!

Bring on the rhyme, rhythm, and roaring applause — Poetry SLAM 2025 is nearlyhere! 

Daryl Marmion