Dear Parents and Carers,

The end of the school year is fast approaching, however we have some wonderful events to look forward to before this time comes.

Obviously we are still operating under some COVID-19 restrictions and we have developed our end of year activities to allow for the greatest parent and student participation possible.  To ensure we stay within these restrictions we will be asking for parent cooperation at different times.  All end of year events will require parents and guests to show proof of double vaccination.

I thank you in advance for understanding our position and adhering to our requirements.

Whole School Award presentation and Class Performances Thursday 9th December

While at the club auditorium we will be entitled to have up to 75 parents and guests attend during class performances and awards. Our traditional speech night will be held during the day and broken into parts to allow for as much parent attendance as possible. If 2 or 3 guests per student attend each section we should stay under the club limits.

School Major Awards and Year 6 Presentation

Audience: Year 5 & 6 classes, special & academic award winners (45 students & staff) plus parents and guests of this group (155 visitor limit).

• 9:15am 5/6 parents & Special / Academic award winner parents and guests enter auditorium
• 9.20am Welcome & Advance Australia Fair (Played not sung)
• 9.30am Prayer - Fr Dominic Byrne
• 9.35am Year 3 to 6 academic awards and special awards
• 10.10am Principal Address
• 10.15am Parents & Friends Presentations
• 10.20am Year 6 Graduation certificates
• 10.30am Announcement of 2022 School Captains
• 10.40am All parents & guests leave the auditorium

Class Awards and Performances

Audience: Whole school (125 students & staff) and parents of each year group rotating throughout the awards and performances (75 visitor limit).

• 11.10am 5/6 parents & guests enter auditorium
• 11.15am 5/6 performance and class awards
• 12.05pm 5/6 parents leave auditorium
• 12.10pm 3/4 parents & guests enter auditorium
• 12.15pm 3/4 performance and class awards
• 12.35pm 3/4 parents leave auditorium
• 12.40pm 1/2 parents & guests enter auditorium
• 12.45pm 1/2 performance and class awards
• 1.00pm   1/2 parents leave auditorium
• 1.05pm Kinder parents & guests enter auditorium
• 1.10pm Kinder performance and class awards
• 1.20pm Kinder parents leave auditorium

As you can see we have very specific times for arrival and departure and this is to limit the interaction between large groups of people.  Parents can wait in other areas of the club but must follow the times above for entry to the auditorium.

Please also note that there will no opportunity for interaction between students and visitors. This is not the normal culture of our school, however it was one of the restrictions that was clearly stated by CECG.

We look forward to the time when we can have our parents involved with our celebrations as is normally the case with our school.

If you require any clarification on any details listed please contact the school office.

Regards,

Phil Nielsen

Advent is a time of great activity, which takes us from one place to another, often overwhelming us, but also filling us with renewed energy. We unwittingly combine religious and secular activities. We end up so weary that we forget what we are actually celebrating, awaiting the Light of the World.

We are all able to reflect the light that is Jesus. We still have time to slow down, take a break and devote time to getting ready and enjoying the wonderful Advent celebrations with our families. We can still be the light to shine on others for them to see Jesus, the light of the world. We shall shine lights of friendship, love, companionship, generosity, compassion and peace.

   

Our final Kinder Orientation is this Friday the 3rd of December from 8.55am to 3.20pm.

Children should wear comfortable clothes and a hat, and bring a piece of fruit, recess, lunch and a drink.

Please drop your children at the Parish Centre from 8:45am so please park in the church carpark.  Mrs Meincke will be there to greet your children.  As per our current COVID regulations parents are not allowed into the school grounds, please wear your mask and leave the church carpark immediately after dropoff.

Three people associated with each year 6 child are invited to attend.  Please inform the school office of attendees by Thursday the 10th of December.  If numbers allow, families may be given the option to invite one extra guest.

The following students will have a part in the Mass:

Please find a link here to the readings so you can practice with your child.

The Annual General Meeting of the School Board was held on Tuesday the 23rd of November.

St Mary's would like to thank the outgoing Board members, Emily Patton, Josh Curry, Linda Thomas and Clare Parker, for their commitment to the school over several years.

Our school board is made up of the Principal, Parish Priest, two teacher representatives and elected parents.  The board assists the school to support the development of the Catholic identity, ethos and mission of the school.  It promotes the school in the community, develops capital and maintenance plans, provides advice for educational policies as well as student welfare policies. 

Kate Dean has remained on the Board and has been elected Board Chairperson:

Kate Dean- School Board Chairperson

We would like to welcome our new Board members and wish them a productive and  successful term:

	Amy Pursehouse - Board Secretary
	Diana Carne - Vice Chairperson
	Meg Hardie - Board Treasurer
	Kath Carey - P&F Representative to the Board

Please feel free to contact any of our board members if you have any questions regarding the board and how it works.  Phone numbers are available on request from the school office.

Students in Year 5/6 will travel to Narrandera on Friday the 3rd of December.

 This day excursion is in leiu of the bi-annaul Canberra excursion which, due to COVID-19, has been cancelled for the last two years.

Students will participate in an indigenous experience at "Sandhills Artefacts" with Michael Lyons.  This experience will include a visit to Koori Beach to explore shelter trees and bush tucker, listening to dream time stories, some aboriginal painting and a tour of the artifacts in the studio.  It includes an indigenous morning tea of Wattleseed and Lemon Myrtle cake.

This fabulous experience will be followed by a visit to the Lake Talbot Pool for a swim, use of the water slide and lunch.

Assembly

Our award winners this week.

Swimming

Last Wednesday was the final day of our intense swimming program at Holland Park Pool. We have been so fortunate that the weather has allowed the students to have uninterrupted lessons throughout the 5 days. They had a fun last lesson with the addition of the water slide being open for students to use.

A big thank you to Eric and his team at Holland Park Pool for their wonderful teaching and care of the students during the lessons.

Thank you also to our wonderful P & F who have funded the Intense Swimming Program for all of our students.

  

Year 5/6 Science

Last week in Science, all Year 5/6 students worked on their building and coding skills. As a class, they had to work together to construct a maze. Once this was constructed, they had to program the blue-bot to go through the maze. Year 5/6 Faith also used the Edison-bots as a remote controlled car and had to manoeuver them through the maze too.

All students were highly engaged and enjoyed the challenge.