Dear Parents and Carers,

I would like to welcome everyone back to school for another busy term. Traditionally Term 2 is one of the busiest terms and this year is no different. Along with all the regular term 2 events, Mortimer Shield, school athletics carnival, NAPLAN, school reports and parent teacher interviews, we have another event on that occurs every 5 years, which is Registration and School Improvement. In week 6, 31 May to 2 June, St Mary’s will have a panel of guests come to the school and review our current policies, procedures and directions in education. The feedback from this process will form a significant part the school’s three year strategic plan, which will be construct in the second half of the year.

It was wonderful to see so many students participate in the ANZAC Day March last week. It was a special occasion to pay our respects to past and present service men and women. A huge thank you to our parents for bringing along your children who were so beautifully dressed for the occasion.

I have attached CECG's COVID Plan for your reference found here. Please note that the parent letter I sent you last week, contained information from our office, stating that close contacts are to test every 48 hours. This is incorrect. Close contacts attending school will need to adhere to the following:

• They must notify the school if they are intending to return under this provision.
• They should conduct a daily RAT and return a negative result each morning before attending school for five school days.
• No student or staff member identified as a close contact will be permitted to participate in overnight excursions, including school camps.
• Any visitor to a school site who is a close contact is required to advise the school that they are a close contact before they come on site. These visitors should conduct a daily RAT and return a negative result before attending. They must also wear a mask indoors at all times. Schools should consider if the visit can be conducted virtually.

Donna Spillman, our telehealth counsellor, is offering online courses while she is working with St Mary’s. The first on-line course on offer is the Bringing up Great Kids program. This is free to parents and consists of 12 hours online in small groups, spread over the school term. Couples are encouraged to participate together to get the best outcomes for children. If you would like to participate in this course please contact Donna directly at donna.spillman@catholiccare.cg.org.au.

Regards

Mr Nielsen

Good and Gentle God, we pray in gratitude for our mothers who have joined with you in the wonder of bringing forth new life.

You who became human through a woman, grant to all mothers the courage they need to face the uncertain future that life with children always brings.

Give them the strength to live and to be loved in return, not perfectly, but humanly.

Give them the faithful support of husband, family and friends as they care for the physical and spiritual growth of their children.

Give them joy and delight in their children to sustain them through the trials of motherhood.

Most of all, give them the wisdom to turn to you for help when they need it most.

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

St Mary's will be celebrating our mothers at our Mother's Day Mass on May 5th.

If you are a mother or grandmother with children at our school and are happy to have a photo of yourself and your children displayed during the mass using PowerPoint and also on our Facebook page please email the photo TODAY to Jacqui at:

jacqui.cuthbertson@cg.catholic.edu.au

MOTHER'S DAY MASS - Readers

Students who are reading at the mass will be advised before Thursday.

If your child is chosen to read and will not be available on this day please contact Mrs Daniher or the school office so a replacement can be arranged.

MOTHER'S DAY STALL at SCHOOL

Thursday 5th May

The P&F will be holding a Mother's Day Stall on Thursday the 5th of May for students to purchase a small gift for their mum.

Send your children to school with money to purchase a gift, the price range will be from $2- $10.

Students in Years 3 & 5 will sit the NAPLAN tests over the next two weeks:

• Tuesday 10th May - Writing
• Wednesday 11th of May - Conventions of Language
• Thursday the 12th May - Reading
• Tuesday 17th May - Numeracy

On each test day the Year 5 test will start at 9am and the Year 3 test will start at 11.30am.  Any child who is away on the days above will be caught up on the next available test session.

Children are ready for these tests and the best preparation for them is plenty of sleep and to remain calm.

Please click on the link below to see more information for parents on the NAPLAN testing.

Happy Birthday to

Poppi Barber, Asha McDonell, Louis Morton and Hug Ridley

who celebrate their birthdays next week.

We hope you enjoy you special day.

Farewell to Mrs Scott

 Pictured is Mrs Scott with our students who gave her a wonderful good luck celebration as she left St Mary's to start her new position at Junee.  All the students sang "Light the Way" to show appreciation for everything that Mrs Scott has done over the last three years.

Paul Kelly Cup - Year 5/6

On Wednesday the 6th of April our year 5/6 students travelled to Wagga to compete at the Paul Kelly Cup, a large AFL competition with many schools in attendance.

  

The students had a wonderful day, learnt new skills, displayed fabulous sportsmanship and improved as a team throughout the day.

 

St Anne's Taster Day

 Our Year 6 students enjoyed a taster day at St Anne's in Temora on Tuesday the 5th of April.

 

This excursion is to give our Year 6 students a insight into Year 7 and the subjects they will engage with.

  

ANZAC Day

  

Western Region Cross Country

More pictures of our runners at Western Region Cross Country.

  

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

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