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Dear Parents, Guardians and Community,
This week marks the half way point of the term. It is also a week we were planning to hold our Feast of the Assumption Mass. The Catholic Church teaches that the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, was taken up body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life. As a Church we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15 each year.
PRAYER TO MARY
Holy Mary, on this day,
we honour your life as the chosen
Mother of Jesus.
We remember your dedication to God
and the joy and heartache you had in
your life as you followed God’s plan
for you.
We pray for the love you had for God,
the hope you had in Jesus, and the
joy you found in your heart.
Pray for us as we grow in love, hope and joy
Amen
Next Tuesday is our Michael Grose Parenting Seminar. I would really urge you to join us, Michael is a known world expert so it is an incredible opportunity to hear from him directly in our school. Tuesday August 17. 7pm to 8:30 pm
Tickets are available at https://smwilliamstown.cdfpay.
His books include.
T
St Mary's Pantry: One thing I really like about community is how we support those in need. A reminder to all about our St Mary's Pantry. We have a number of families that donate meals to this. These meals are available to families in our school when they need a little help. Many families have used these meals when there is illness in the family, death in the family, a birth in the family... there are many reasons. Please let the office know if this would help you or you would like to take one of the meals to help one of our families. We do this very privately. We all need some help at times.
2022 Enrolments: A reminder to our families that if you have a child who is starting at St Mary's next year to make sure you hand in your enrolment form as soon as possible. We are starting to look at kinder visits and other processes that the school does in preparation for new students arriving.
Book Fair 2021: Finally, the decision has been made to cancel this years book fair. Our current situation of density limits, limits on who can enter the school, the financial strain many of our families are under have led to this decision. Deb and Helen have spoke to many schools and all had made the same decision. It is not a decision we have made lightly, we know how important it is for students to love books. We do have a wonderful book store in Williamstown that we encourage you all to visit and we also have an excellent local library!!!
God Bless and Stay Safe and hopefully we see each other soon
Anthony
Feast of the Assumption
The Assumption of Mary is a Holy Day of Obligation and is celebrated annually on August 15. Every year, Christians celebrate when Our Blessed Mother was taken up into Heaven body and soul at the end of her life.
Even though Mary was assumed into Heaven, she is always with us. Heaven is our home and Mary wants us to be with her and her Son for all eternity. On the Solemnity of the Assumption, let us remember our Mother who is in Heaven and who loves us very much. The Assumption is the fourth Glorious Mystery in the Rosary. So, every time we pray the Rosary we can remember that she is always with us and that she loves us more than anyone else on earth could!
7th Annual Way of the West - continues this week!
Last week the Year 6 children were overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who was able to contribute. There were so many donations that we were able to cover the table in the staffroom!
What can we donate to help:
As we are in lockdown during this time, we ask that you leave any donations on Father Greg's front porch.
Thank you for your amazing support!
Upcoming Events
TERM 3 |
|
Way of the West Week 2 Monday 9th August - Sunday 15th August |
Tinned Food Fish like sardines or salmon, vegetables such as tomatoes, corn, peas, lentils, chickpeas, beans (not baked), tomato paste, small jars of honey and long life milk |
Way of the West Week 3 Monday 16th August - Sunday 22nd August |
Toiletries Shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, sanitary products and shaving items |
Saturday 4th September 6pm
Sunday 5th September 8.30 & 10.30am
|
Year 5 First Eucharist
Bookings will be transferred from the original date and time to the new date and times
*** numbers for this event will be announced closer to the date****
|
TERM 4 |
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Saturday 16th October 6pm
Sunday 17th October 8.30 & 10.30am
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Year 4 First Eucharist
Bookings will be transferred from the original date and time to the new date and times
If these new dates create any problems, then please feel free to contact Father Greg directly. |
Mental health resources for children and young people
The Victorian Government’s website has a variety of resources to help support families during these challenging times. Navigating changing routines and interactions with family, friends and school can cause children, teenagers and young adults increased anxiety and stress during the pandemic.
St Mary’s Lego Station and the Rainbow Retreat
St Mary’s School is gratefully asking for donations of any unwanted lego you might have at home. We have set up “Leah the Lego Lorry” and are looking to increase supplies at school for students to use their creative skills during recess and lunchtimes. We are also seeking any Matchbox cars you no longer need to top up the ones available in the Rainbow Retreat.
Donations are being accepted at the school office.
Lego
In continuation of supporting families with guiding students in the online world, please find the following resources to support your family through navigating the world of technology safely with your family.
A reminder that there are the following interactive webinars are being offered online by the Australian Government’s e-safety Commissioner to help parents and carers.
eSafety's parent guide to popular apps
Learn how to help young people safely use popular apps including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube.
This webinar is designed for parents and carers of young people aged 8-13.
It will cover:
- an explanation of the popular apps used by young people
- case studies, research, and targeted advice
- ways you can support the young people in your life to have safe, enjoyable online experiences.
Dates (Australian Eastern Standard Time)
Monday 16 August 12.30 to 1.30 pm
Tuesday 31 August 7.30 to 8.30 pm
Lunch Order Update
The latest lockdown has postponed our trial with the new supplier. When we return, the new supplier will meet with relevant staff at the school and give them instructions about the ordering process. The main message to parents is that the ordering system will no longer be part of CDFpay, and orders will need to be finalized the night before. Further details will be made available once we are back at school.
Secondhand Uniforms
Are you looking to volunteer at school? Have you thought about running the second-hand uniform service? The P&F are looking for a coordinator for the second-hand uniform service; tasks include checking incoming stock for suitability, fulfilling orders and stocktaking. Training and a formal hand-over will be provided. If you are interested, please email volunteers@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au for more information. Please note that there will be no second-hand uniform sales until a replacement coordinator is found.
Chocolate Drive
Thanks to everyone that has already returned their money. 37% of boxes have now been paid in full; for each box paid in full by August, your family will receive an entry into the golden raffle to win a $150 voucher to Santorini's. Thanks to Craig and the team at Santorini's for their support. If you think you can sell additional boxes, these can be collected from the School Office at any time. If you cannot sell a full box, please return the unsold box and contents, with payment for the sold contents to the office please.
To make things easier for families, Chocolate Drive money can be returned via the CDFpay app.
Father’s Day Stall
The Father’s Day Stall will be held on Friday 27th August. If you have not yet had a chance to purchase a voucher you can do so until Sunday 22nd August through CDF Pay.
Vouchers will be distributed to students in the classroom prior to heading to the stall. All items on the stall are valued at $5 and you can purchase multiple vouchers for the special men in your child’s life.
The stall will go ahead even if we are still in lockdown. If we happen to be home-schooling on the stall day, we will transform the stall to online and gifts will be available to pick-up from the school the following week.
If you have any questions, please email Katherine volunteers@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
How do I purchase Father’s Day stall vouchers?
You can buy vouchers through your CDF Pay account.
- Access the CDF Pay button through the schoolzine (SZAPP) app*
- Go to parent login (or select ‘new parent account’ to register if you haven’t already done so)
- Select your child’s name, then select Father’s Day Voucher
- If you are purchasing for each sibling, please select a voucher under each of their names before checking out (you can buy multiple vouchers per child)
- Finally review your cart and check out!
Vouchers will NOT be available from the school office, after the cut-off day, nor on the day, so please ensure that you are organised beforehand. This is to ensure that there is sufficient stock available for all children who have purchased a voucher. Thanks for your understanding.
Father’s Day Breakfast
We are seeking help as an event coordinator and some volunteers for our Father’s Day Breakfast held on Friday 3rd September. If you are keen to get involved please contact volunteers@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
Disco
We mentioned last week that we were postponing the School Disco to Friday 20th August! Obviously with current restrictions, this must be postponed again. We are working with the school and once government restrictions have eased, we will let you know of the new date.
Victoria Crowe
P&F Vice-President vicepresident@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au