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

• Monday July 21: School Closure Day: Literacy
• Tuesday July 22: Start of Term 2 for students.
• Thursday July 22: School Board
• Thursday July 22: Year 2 Parent Teacher Interviews
• Thursday July 22 2:30: Andy Griffith Presentation 

Upcoming Events

• Monday July 28 and Wednesday July 30: School Review
• Tuesday July 29: Parent Teacher Interviews
• Thursday July 31: School Compliance Review 
• Friday, August 1: Entries close for the Australian Mathematics Competition ($9 entry fee - Registration to school by Thursday July 31)
• Friday August 1: Principal Meeting.
• Friday August 1: 100 Days of School.
• Wednesday, August 6: Australian Mathematics Competition
• Friday, August 29: School Disco!!! (Get ready to dance!)

Welcome Back and New Students

Welcome back to all students and families! We hope everyone enjoyed the break and is feeling well after the recent cough and cold season.

We're excited to welcome back some familiar faces:

• Levie (Grade 3)

• James (Year 3)

• Olivia (Year 1)

James and Olivia are joining us from Guatemala for Term 3, continuing a tradition from the past two years.

School Review

Next week, Monday and Wednesday will be Day 1 and 2 of our School Review. This important process happens every four years and is crucial for developing our School Improvement Plan. The review will involve:

• Interviews with staff, parents, and students

• Analysis of NAPLAN results and other data

• Review of parent, staff and student surveys

• Assessment of system goals and various school processes and procedures

The main goal is to evaluate current practices and strategy for the next four years. Additionally, on Thursday, a separate compliance review will take place to check policies, processes, and documentation, ensuring the school's official registration.

Australian Maths Competition

Entries for the Australian Maths Competition close next week. We already have several students registered. To ensure all entries are submitted on time, please make sure all registrations are completed by Thursday morning of next week, as the I have has a meeting on Friday so I need to register all students by Thursday.

• Entry Fee: $9 per student

• Eligibility: Students in Grades 3-6

Special Performance: Andy Griffith

This week, students are in for a treat with a surprise performance from Andy Griffith and Bill Hope! They will be launching Andy's new book series, giving students a fantastic opportunity to hear from the authors as they introduce new characters and adventures.

It definitely sounds like a busy but exciting week ahead!

God Bless

Anthony

St Mary’s Faith News

 School and Parish Connections

Gospel: Luke 10: 38-42

Martha took up the duties in the house. Mary chose the better part

 Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said, ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’

 St Mary’s Family Monthly Mass

Sunday 27th July 2025

Please indicate whether your child would like to participate in Mass

Forms will have already been sent home.

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.

Thank you for your support!

For families new to the school, the 10:30 AM Mass on the last Sunday of each month is dedicated to St Mary’s Primary School students. The children lead the Mass with the support of the Charism team and have the opportunity to volunteer as readers or sing with the choir.

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.

Way of the West

 The Month of August

This year’s Charism team will be very present around the school in the next few weeks making everyone aware of the ‘Way of the West’ program and reminding families of items that will be collected each week.

Most of the Saints did practical things for people, especially those in need. Accordingly we ask that you help us support the eleventh year of the ‘Way of the West’ program.

The program runs for the month of August, and asks for donations of food and living essentials to support Refugees and those seeking Asylum in the West.

There will be a box in each classroom for families to drop off their donations.

In the coming weeks you will see posters around the school, items in the newsletter and the Charism team will be visiting the classrooms and speaking at each Assembly to let families know what will be collected each week.

Gemma has also kindly volunteered to send out a message reminding all families of donations required for each week.

Please make sure that donations are in date - especially food items!

This is a kindly reminder that this program will be happening soon and an opportunity to start adding the odd item to your weekly shop. Please do not send items into school until they are asked for as we need to set up the collection tubs.

Update on Project Compassion

Congratulations on Supporting Project Compassion!

Over the holidays, we received a special thank you from Caritas Australia for our school’s generous contribution to Project Compassion this year.

It was wonderful to be able to share with them the many fantastic initiatives introduced by our Charism Team and other student groups to help raise funds for this important cause. We also sent in the creative and meaningful artwork from students who entered the art competition — keep your eyes peeled, you may just see your artwork used by Caritas!

As a result of everyone’s efforts, our school has been awarded a Certificate of Appreciation. A big thank you to all students, families, and staff who contributed, and a special shout out to the Charism Team and our Year 3/4 students who went the extra mile. Your compassion and enthusiasm truly made a difference!

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 should have been sent home as a PDF last week by your child’s teacher.

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

Confirmation

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

If your child is in Year 6 and is yet to make their “Confirmation” please contact Mrs Lipnicki at clipnicki@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au

Confirmation will be held on Thursday 14th August at 7:00pm.

Term 3 Masses

At the weekend 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.

St Mary's School is a Child Safe School and as such complies with all aspects and legal obligations that relate to the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (VIC)