St Mary's War Memorial School West Wyalong eNewsletter

Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to Week 3 at St Mary’s. With so much happening last week it is good to have a week where all classes are settled and ready to learn. Last week we had number of primary students travel to Wagga for Rugby Union and AFL. A special thanks to those teachers who accompanied them and to Wendy Connellan for organising.

Last Thursday, the students at St Mary’s enthusiastically supported the “Do it for Dolly Day”. The entire school wore blue and supported the cause by purchasing the many blue treats that were on offer at recess. A special thanks to Sarah Curry and Paul and Anne Crerar who cooked the BBQ donated by the community council and for the many hours they spent baking the blue treats for the students. Also, a special thanks to Bernadette Fitzgerald (Evie McKinnon’s grandma) for baking some tasty treats to sell at the canteen. The school community supported this important cause by raising $1730.20 for the “Do it for Dolly” foundation that helps fund vital anti-bullying programs, education, and support services - giving families, schools, and communities the tools to prevent bullying and promote kindness.

I trust all the mothers in the St Mary’s community had an enjoyable day on Sunday. A particular thanks to Casey Judd for running the Mother’s Day stall and to Fiona Hague, Stacey Smith and Kate Cassidy for helping with setting up.

On Friday morning we awoke to the news that white smoke had risen out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signalling that the Cardinals had voted and that a new Pope had been chosen. We are delighted to acknowledge the appointment of Pope Leo XIV to lead our Church. I encourage you to read Archbishop Christopher’s statement (attached) on the occasion of the announcement of the 267^th successor of St Peter. Therefore, let us join together in offering our prayers for Pope Leo XIV.

Remember my door is always open.

Principal

Damian Collins

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Faith

The focus value this week at St Mary’s is Faith. Faith is accepting the word of another and trusting that we know what the other is saying is the truth. It’s like trusting in what you can’t see but you still believe. This is not always easy, especially to have faith when we can’t see God. The Virgin Mary is a great example of faith because she believed the Angel Gabriel when he told her that she would give birth to Jesus.

A Prayer for our new Pope

Class masses will reconvene upon Fr Hilary’s return from annual leave. More information will be forthcoming.

This Sacrament follows Reconciliation. If you would like your child to receive their First Holy Communion, the enrolment information session will be held on Wednesday the 21^st of May at 5pm at St Mary’s church. The Sacrament will be held on Sunday the 22nd of June.

Week 2 Award Winners

Dhiya Jeyadinish	Jonty McDonell	Lila Speedy
Jack Connellan	Sam Robertson	Arlie Orr
Hendrix Stewart	Charlie Gregor	Paul Eza'awe
Olivia Hoye		Hugh Ridley

Happy Birthday to

George McCoullough & Stevie Smith

who celebrate their birthdays during this week.

We hope you enjoy your special day.

Only a few things to go sporting wise for the term! It's been a busy few weeks already!

Week 3 - League Stars Day - Mortimer Shield & Trent Barrett Shield (Thursday)

Week 5 - St Mary's Athletics Carnival (Tuesday). Due to unforseen circumstances we have had to move the carnival from week 4 to week 5.

Wagga Wagga Primary School 10's Championship

On Wednesday last week 23 students, along with Mrs Iverach and Mrs Baker travelled to Wagga for the Primary School 10's Championship. The students had a fantastic day and showed fabulous sportsmanship! Thank you to Mr Brent Morton who travelled over to coach.

Paul Kelly Cup 2025 - Wagga Wagga

Paul Kelly Cup was held last Friday in Wagga. This is an annual competition for years 5 and 6 that all the kids thoroughly enjoy. Mrs Dean, Mrs Speedy and Mr Peter McDonell headed over nice and early with 20 year 5/6 students. They all had a fabulous day and we may even have some rising AFL stars in our school! Once again our students showed incredible sportsmanship and behaviour! Thank you to Mr Peter McDonell for coaching the boys team.

Trent Barrett & Mortimer Shield 2025

This year the NRL are hosting both Trent Barrett Shield (Year 3/4) and Mortimer Shield (Year 5/6) this Thursday, 15th May at Nixon Park, Temora. This event is for Stage 2 & 3 students and consists of both tackle and League Tag teams. Boys and girls can play either one.

A bus has been organised by the school at the cost of $15 per student. The draw and all other infomation is under Resources in the Compass event.

Students must bring a hat, water bottle, sunscreen plus any protective wear your child uses including head gear, mouth guards and fit for purpose football boots. (Not compulsory but highly recommended).

There is a canteen operating but we recommend packing food for your child.

Uniforms will be handed out tomorrow. Please pack you child a spare change of clothes as uniforms will need to be given back to the teachers at the end of the day.

We would love to get parent coaches for the League Tag teams. Please contact the front office or Wendy on 0427900829 if you or anyone you know would like to volunteer.

Canberra Goulburn Archdiocese Trials

If your Year 5/6 child has the ability to compete at a representative level in the following sports - Netball, Football (Soccer), Softball, Touch Football and Rugby Union - you are able to nominate them for the Archdiocesan trials.

Please note that the Archdicocesan representative sport trials are highly competitve and there is an expectation that children nominating for these trials have extensive experience in the sport and currently compete at a high level.

If you would like to nominate your child to trial for a sport please go to https://csnsw.sport

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Cross Country 2025

Good luck to Emily McCoullough, Indi Fair, Meila Fair and Reni Wendt who are travelling to Canberra this Friday to compete in the Canberra Goulburn Cross Country at Stromlo. We wish you all the best and can't wait to hear how you all go!

St Mary's Athletics Carnival 2025

We are looking forward to our Athletics Carnival in 2 weeks time!

Date	Tuesday 27th May
Venue	McAlister Oval, Park Street, West Wyalong
Time	9.15am
Transport	Students in Year 2 to Year 6 need to indicate how they will be getting to and from McAlister Oval in the Compass event. Staff will be present at the public school bus stop for children getting off and on there. Students in Kinder and Year 1 will leave the school at 11.15 and walk to the oval. Once finished they will return to school around 1. These students may also leave the oval with their parents once they advise their teacher.
1500m race	The 1500m race is not compulsory and students will need to nominate for this race. PLEASE CALL THE SCHOOL TO NOMINATE YOUR CHILD. This race will be run on Friday 23rd May. All other events will be run at the carnival.
Please bring	Food and drink as required. A canteen will be operating and ordering is open on the Qkr! app.
Clothing	House colours
Staff Attending	All class teachers and Learning Support

Please complete the Compass event for your child/ren if you haven't done so already.

Do It For Dolly

Our Do It For Dolly day was an absolute success! The school raised $1730.20 for this worthy cause!

We are welcoming new enrolments for the 2026 school year.

Please enrol online before 26th September however late enrolments are always accepted, at our website with the link below - https://smwms.nsw.edu.au/enrolment

If you require further information please call the school office.

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

The Compass Calendar is updated to show Mass times, sporting events, important events.

Day	Event	Location
Thursday 15th May	Stage 2 & 3 League Stars Gala Day - Trent Barrett & Mortimer Shield	Nixon Park, Temora
Friday 16th May	Canberra Goulburn Cross Country	Stromlo, ACT
Wednesday 21st May	National Simultaneous Storytime @ 12pm	At School
Wednesday 21st May	First Holy Communion Enrolment & Information Session @ 5pm	At St Mary's Church
Tuesday 27th May	St Mary's Athletics Carnival	McAllister Oval
Tuesday 3rd June	Ratburger - Year 3-6	Wagga Civic Theatre
Friday 6th June	Book Fair and Parade	At School
Monday 9th June	King's Birthday Public Holiday
Friday 20th June	Western Region Athletics	TBC
Sunday 22nd June	First Holy Communion Mass	St Mary's Church
Wednesday 2nd July	CE Director Mr David de Carvahlo visiting	At School

Week 3

Date and Day	Teacher on Leave or PD	Class	Relief
Tuesday 13th May (pm)	Mrs Harland	n/a	n/a
Wednesday 14th May	Mrs Harland	n/a	n/a
Thursday 15th May	Mr Collins	n/a	n/a
Friday 16th May (pm)	Miss Thomas	Year 2 Mercy	n/a

Fee statements for Term 2 have been posted.

Thank you to those families who have payment plans in place.

The school has the ability to provide school fee support for families in genuine need. School fee payment records are strictly confidential and access is restricted to office staff and the school principal. Please contact Mr Collins if you wish to discuss this matter or any other issue.

Fees can be viewed in the Compass app. Select the 3 lines at the bottom of the home page, from there select school fees. This will tell you what you owe.

If you would like to help in the canteen in Terms 2 please contact our canteen manager Casey Judd at casey.judd@cg.catholic.edu.au or on Facebook.

If any volunteers are unable to fill their shift please contact Casey on 0400 472 921.

Please complete the Compass event for your child/ren if you haven't done so already.

Date and Day

Teacher on Leave or PD

Class

Relief