Dear Parents and Carers,

As you have seen with our daily reporting, St Mary’s has students who have contracted COVID-19 in the last week. We will continue to be vigilant at school with children who display the common symptoms of the virus. Students displaying these symptoms will be directed to the sickbay and parents contacted for pick-up.

As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, the school has received additional Rapid Antigen Tests to be distribute to students and staff. Originally it was thought that students will receive 8 tests, however after a count of tests, students will receive 5 extra tests. A combination of nasel swab and mouth swab tests will be distributed.  This brings the total number of tests to be used for symptomatic testing to 10. The tests are to be used at your discretion such as when your child is symptomatic or when exposure may have occurred.

Thank you to our parent community for the continued support you have given during these ever changing times.

Regards,

Phil Nielsen

 

Opening School Mass

Wednesday 30th March

12 pm  

We are celebrating our whole school Opening Mass on Wednesday the 30th of March 2022 at 12pm. Our Year 6 leaders will be inducted at this mass.

If you are a Year 6 parent and you will not have a family member attending the mass, could you please let the school know so a staff member can be with your child during the badge ceremony.

All students attend this Mass and parents and carers are warmly invited to attend.

We are excited to welcome parents and carers back into our school and class masses.

    

CARITAS PROJECT COMPASSION 2022

At St Mary’s we are promoting the theme, For All Future Generations.  Your children will learn about who Project Compassion is for, why we are fundraising and how their giving can help.

Some ways that you and your family could make a difference could be:

-          Giving up weekly canteen money;

-          Going without takeaway during Lent;

-          Giving the loose change found around the home; and

-          Giving pocket money.

Some families would have received a Project Compassion box but we are still waiting on more.  However we have boxes in each classroom and we encourage your children to make a difference and fill their class box.

Each week of Lent, we will share the story of another person who always goes further. These stories show how Caritas Australia’s training, development and support have improved their way of life.

Biru's story

India

Biru lives in a rural village in India. He lost mobility in one of his legs, after contracting polio as a child, which makes it difficult for him to walk. He managed to complete his education until grade six but was always dependent on his parents to get him to school because he was unable to walk so far on his own.

With your generous support, Biru was able to access an entrepreneurship and livelihoods training program, run by Caritas Australia’s partner, Caritas India.

He gained the support and skills he needed to establish his own bicycle repair business. Participating in the program also helped Biru to apply for government disability and housing schemes.  

Now, Biru is financially independent and can forge a path out of poverty for his four young daughters.

The Taronga Zoomoible will visit St Mary's on Monday the 21st of March.

This service provides a hands on, engaging learning experience for the students.  Students will have the opportunity to meet fascinating native animals and learn about roles of wildlife in the environment and their unique features that help them survive.

There will be small cost for each child of $6 which should be paid via QKR!, a  permission form to allow your child to attend will pop up before you pay.

Our school cross country will be held on Thursday 31st of March.

Students in Years 2 to 6 will compete at the West Wyalong Showground.  Please note students who are 7 this year cannot progress to the Western Region carnival.

Kinder and Year 1 will participate in cross country games at Perseverance Oval.

All students must have a permission note to attend, please click on the link below to complete the form.  Forms due Wednesday 24th of March.

Cross Country Permission Note 2022

This year St Marys is celebrating St Patricks day with a dress up day on Thursday 17^th March.

Come dressed in all your green coloured clothes and celebrate all things Irish.  We will have some games, dancing and food on offer.

A $2 coin donation is required for all children and these coins will be collected in the morning and then used to fill shamrocks drawn on the cement under the covered area.  This money will be donated to Flood victims in  Queensland and NSW.

Please send your children with extra coins because at recess we will have green food and treats for sale.  There will be a "Guess the number of lollies jar" for 50 cents, along with some Irish dancing and other fun activities.

Can’t wait to have the luck of the Irish on our side!

St Mary's will be marking the National Day of Action against Bullying this Friday 18th of March. Our students will engage in a afternoon of fun and activities to say no to bullying.

   

To reinforce this theme students are to wear mufti to school, with an emphasis on the colour orange.  This can just be a splash of colour or the whole hog!

Happy Birthday to

Mae Dean, Nixon Hart, Rose Hague, Stella Murrells, Will McDonell and Annabelle Brose

who celebrates her birthday this week.

If you need to get a message to your child please contact the school office and the message will be delivered at the time that best suits the students learning.

Please remind your children not to contact you via their iPad or mobile device while at school.  It they require any assistance students should speak first to their teacher who will ensure their parent is contacted if necessary.

Award Winners

The following events are in the caldendar in the next few weeks.

To see the school's full calender check out the SZApp or our website.