Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community,

Here's what's happening this week and a look at some exciting upcoming events:

What's On This Week

• Tuesday, June 17: Athletics Carnival .
• Sunday, June 22: Year 2 Family Mass, 10:30 AM
• Sunday, June 22: Poetry Slam at Williamstown Town Hall, 12:30 PM (Come and support our talented student poets!)

Upcoming Events

• Tuesday, July 1: Year 5/6 Shark Tank, 6:30 PM (See our budding entrepreneurs in action!)
• Friday, July 4: End of Term - School finishes at 1:30 PM
• Friday, August 29: School Disco!!! (Get ready to dance!)

Athletics Carnival Success

This week, we braved the inclement weather and had a very successful Athletics Carnival! The students were in great spirits and showed remarkable resilience, maintaining a positive attitude despite the cold and wet conditions. A huge thank you to all our volunteers, staff, and especially Kieran Condon, and a surprise appearance by Karoline Cooke, for making the day run smoothly and allowing our students to shine.

Poets Ready for Williamstown Literacy Festival

Our budding poets will represent the school at the Williamstown Literacy Festival this Sunday as our Poetry Slam once again becomes one of the biggest events at the festival. The students have been working incredibly hard, led by teacher Daryl Marmion. We are excited to see our students grace the stage at the Williamstown Town Hall, competing for our Poetry Slam Champion title.

St Mary's School Building fund

As we get to the end of the financial year, a good reminder that our School Building Fund is Tax Deductible. You may also choose to support the school by making a donation to the St Mary's Parish School Building Fund.  Funds can be spent on a set criteria which includes building maintenance, repair, replacement or a new building.

BSB: 083 347 Account Number: 435931250

God Bless,

Anthony

Reminder that the last day of Term 2 is Friday July 4. The students finish at 1.30pm. School resumes for Term 3 on Tuesday July 22.

St Mary’s Faith News

 School and Parish Connections

Gospel:  John 16: 12-15

The Most Holy Trinity

Whatever the Father has is mine. The Spirit will receive what I give and tell you about it.

 Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I still have many things to say to you

but they would be too much for you now.

But when the Spirit of truth comes

he will lead you to the complete truth,

since he will not be speaking as from himself

but will say only what he has learnt;

and he will tell you of the things to come.

He will glorify me,

since all he tells you

will be taken from what is mine.

Everything the Father has is mine;

that is why I said:

All he tells you

will be taken from what is mine.’

St Mary’s Family Monthly Mass

Sunday 29th June 2025

Please indicate whether your child would like to participate in Mass

The monthly children’s Liturgy is fast approaching - Sunday 29th June.

Forms will be sent home in today’s mail, so please check your child’s reading folder or school bag.

Please fill in the forms and return as soon as possible - especially if you would like your child to read at Mass. There are limited readings and we need to make sure the children have time to practice at home and then in the church.

Anyone is welcome to sing with the choir. There will be a practice in the church with Monique and myself the week before the Mass. This is also an opportunity for the readers to practice.

A heartfelt thank you to all families who encourage their children to participate. It is always wonderful to see familiar faces at these Masses, and we hope even more families will join us in this special school tradition.

New Front Office Display

Crosses from Around the World

As part of our recent staff Reflection Day, we were inspired by the idea of creating a new display in our front office – a collection of crosses from around the world. This will be a whole school initiative, and we warmly invite our families and staff to take part.

If you have a cross from your travels – whether from overseas or within Australia – that you would like to donate, we would be honoured to include it. The crosses will be thoughtfully displayed on the wall beneath the mounted monitor in the front office.

We look forward to creating an inspiring and meaningful space that invites contemplation, discussion and reflection for all who visit.

Thank you for helping us bring this idea to life.

Wednesday Morning Masses

As part of our ongoing commitment to nurturing the spiritual life of our students, each class has been taking turns to attend the Wednesday morning Parish Mass at 9:15am.

The response from teachers has been positive. The children have been able to connect with parishioners and pay attention to rituals that they have been taught in class.

Moving in to term 3, we warmly invite parents and carers to join their child’s class on the day they are rostered to attend.

You may receive an email invitation or a paper invitation, so please check emails, children’s reading folders or take heed of your child’s verbal invitation.

This is a beautiful opportunity to come together in prayer and strengthen our connection as a school and parish community.

The class Mass timetable is linked [here], and we encourage you to check when your child’s class will be attending the Wednesday Mass.

We look forward to welcoming you to this special part of our faith life.

Sacramental Program 2025

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

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.

Lights, Camera, POETRY! 

 St Mary's couldn't be prouder!