Dear Parents,

I know that recent media reports of the trial and conviction of Cardinal Pell in Melbourne have caused distress to many.  The school received a letter from our CEO Director Ross Fox (see below) and I believe it addresses some of the key questions you might have about this situation.

The letter illustrates the commitment to child safety by our organisation and shows the support that the CEO offers to our staff.  I would like to extend my support to our parent community.  If you have questions regarding the contents of this letter or feel you need to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

St Mary's is deeply committed to our mission statement of Plant the Seed, Nurture the Growth and Celebrate the Harvest.  As I informed my staff in our very first meeting this year, the students of St Mary’s must be the driving force behind all decisions made by the school.  We fully appreciate the trust and faith you have placed in us for the care and the quality education of your children.

Phil Nielsen

Please, loving God, bring us rain to renew the ground, replenish our dams, to bring some chance of feed, to bring the possibility of some reward to those who have toiled so hard.  We turn to you in faith and hope.

We pray for our community.  We pray for all those whose lives are under the shadow of drought.  We think first of those who work with the land, for farmers and their families, for those who rely upon the land for their life and relationships.

We pray for contractors, merchants and truck drivers, for rural counsellors and support workers, for all our rural community.

We pray, too, for justice; for fair prices for our stock and our wool and our crops.
We pray for governments, banks and corporations to be driven by the wisdom of community, justice and compassion.

We pray for each other, keep us aware of the needs of those around us:
for those who are struggling, who are grieving, who are ill, who are dying.

Let us see the miracle of healing in relationships, in lives, in communities,
where there is illness and hope is far away.

Keep us always conscious of the task we have in ministry and mission in your world.

May the refreshment of your Spirit, present in miraculous and truly human ways, be with all of us as we move forward into the days ahead.

We offer all these prayers in the name of Jesus.

Amen.

• Internet Agreement - Year K to 6 - Due Friday 16 March
• Documentary for Parents - Year K to 6 - Please reply to host directly via the link in the article. 
• Family Project Compassion Boxes - Keep at home, donate and send back to school in Week 1, Term 2.

Mrs Emma McRae our counsellor will be visiting our school next week on Wednesday 13 March.

 If you would like to make a confidential appointment for your child please contact the office.

Happy Birthday to

who celebrates her birthday this week.

We hope you enjoy your special day.

Your child has received the St Mary's School ICT & iPad Student User Agreement.

The content of this document is of high importance.  Parents and students need to engage with the document and discuss key points before signing.  Please take particular notice of the social media requirements of the document and be aware most social media applications require a minimum age of 13.  The signed agreement is due back to school before Friday 15 March.

Students who have not returned the form by the due date will not be permitted to use an iPad at school.

The school strongly advises that parents of primary school children need to have a healthy presence is their child's internet activity.

Next Friday 15th March is the National Day of Action against Bullying.  

To reinforce this theme students may wear mufti to school, with an emphasis on the colour orange.  This can just be a splash of colour or the whole hog!  There will also be orange treats on sale at the canteen.

An invitiation is extended to parents by Lara Kirk from the Marriage, Family and Relationships Centre at the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn to attend a screening of a documentary giving a clear-eyed examination of modern pornography and its effects on children, teens, parents and others.  It demonstrates why children in particular, are susceptible to addiction.

Parents are asked to register to attend as catering will need to be arranged.  The link to register is http://bit.ly/westwyalong.

Parents are encouraged to attend as the potential exposure of your children to adult themes is very real in today's internet and social media age.

CARITAS PROJECT COMPASSION 2019

Your eldest child will have brought home a Project Compassion box for your family, extended family and friends.  We are hoping that as a community we can raise funds for this worthy cause.  Your families Project Compassion boxes should be sent back to school in Week One, Term Two.

At St Mary’s we are promoting the theme, Give 100%, and we are running a class competition to generate the children's understanding and interest.  Money for the class boxes should just be brought to school in an envelope and put in the class box.

Lives change when we all give 100%.

Issue 2 of Scholastic Book Club will close on Friday 15th of February

AFL SKILLS DAY

All students will be participating in an AFL skills day on Wednesday 13 March.

Please send your children in their sport uniform that day.

P & F Annual General Meeting

Canteen Roster

Archdiocesan Swimming, Representative Touch Football and Assembly

Flyer - Children's Rugby Union in West Wyalong

The West Wyalong/Wyalong Centenary Time Capsule will be opened by Bland Shire Mayor Brian Monaghan at the launch of the 125^th anniversary of West Wyalong/Wyalong celebrations at Cooinda Park, Wyalong at 10am on Monday 11 March.

All media and members of the community are invited to attend and discover the treasures contained in the capsule.

Red Bend Catholic College invite Year 6 students who are interested in enrolling at the college to visit the school on either of the following mornings:

• Wednesday 8 May - 9:50am to 12:30pm
• Wednesday 15 May - 9:50am to 12.30pm

What to bring: hat and jumper

Food: Students will be provided with a substantial morning tea

Medical: Please advise the school of any allergies or medical conditions

Students will be involved in activities in the areas of Technology, Science and Art.

Past experiences suggests that these days are enjoyed by the students and assist them to feel less anxious about starting secondary school.

Please advise the college at rbcc@redbencc.nw.edu.au