Dear Parents and Carers,

I would like to offer everyone a warm welcome to term 4, which is historically a very busy term. While there will be some adjustments, most of the usual term 4 events will take place. Some events to look forward to are: school photos, Year 5/6 day excursion, 2022 kinder orientation, intensive swimming program, end of year performances & yearly awards ceremony, Year 6 graduation mass and graduation dinner. More information on these events will be communicated in the coming weeks.

I am excited to inform you that we have a new student starting at St Mary’s today. Olivia Hoye has joined us from Kalgoorlie, Western Australia and she is in Year 1 Joy. We offer Olivia and her family a warm welcome to our school.

Our Year 3/4 students have been preparing for the Sacrament of First Communion and on Sunday they began the formal process by attending the Commitment Mass. On Tuesday they will continue their preparation with a retreat day and they will engage with symbols, meanings and experiences of the Eucharist with Fr Dom, Mrs Daniher, Mrs Nielsen and Mrs Harland. This Sunday 17 October the children will complete the initiation process where they will receive the Sacrament of First Communion.

The school is still operating under level 3 COVID-19 restrictions and I will relay any changes that are announced as soon as I am able.

Thank you for your continued support of our school.

God bless,

Phil Nielsen

St Mary's prays for the following children who will receive the Sacrament of the First Eucharist on Sunday the 17th of October:

Ashton Barber, Abbie Blampied, Amelia-Rose Blampied, Charlotte Carne, Zahli Cattle, Maci Coburn, Hunter Connellan, Evie Cuthbertson, Max Cuthbertson, Edith Dean, James Dean, Alan McCoullough, Hannah McDonell, Chloe Morton, Caitlin Parker, Larna Pilon, Alexander Ridley, Nate Sams, Leo Stephens, Marlee Wendt.

Lord Jesus,

Bless the children who are receiving the Sacrament of First Eucharist.

May this be an initial step into a life-long love of the Eucharist.

Give them a hunger for this sacred food so that they turn to you for comfort, guidance and wisdom as they grow into full discipleship.

Thank you for their innocence and goodness.

May their hands extended to receive your Body and Blood, inspire all of us to cherish this sacred sacrament.

Amen.

Term 4, 2021 Class and Whole School Mass Timetable

Unfortunately due to the current COVID restrictions we are unable to have parents, grandparents and carers attend the church.

The school is still at Level 3 COVID restrictions so parents are not permitted on the school grounds.  

However parents are welcome to come to the school office via the front door in England Street in order to do a late dropoff, early pickup or attend a scheduled meeting.

St Mary's would like to thank Bernardi's for their generous donation of hand sanitizer. It will be very useful.

Happy Birthday to

Ted Curry and Archer Crawford

who celebrate their birthdays this week.

We hope you enjoy your special day.

DON'T FORGET TO GET YOUR ORDER IN NOW IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO.

St Mary's War Memorial School

School Photography Date: 21 October 2021

ONLINE ORDER CODE: 6G9 B9C 7GD

Online Order link: https://www.advancedimage.com.au/keycode/keycodefinder.aspx?keycode=6G9B9C7GD

   

During October, St Mary’s will be participating in Socktober, an Australian Catholic Missions initiative to raise funds for global poverty. This year’s effort will be directed to children in Thailand.

In Week 3 of Term 4, students will be learning about the life experiences of children in Thailand and making their own sock puppets.

Our school fundraising goal has been set at $200. This equates to roughly $2 donation per St Mary’s student. The following link will send you to our SMWMS fundraising page to donate. Your child’s name can be attached to the donation or you can choose to remain anonymous.

Link to St Mary's Socktober Fundraising page

 Please give generously and support our fundraising effort.

Mrs Daniher

All students will need to bring a sock to school on Monday of Week 3 the 18th of October.

Our school counsellor, Mrs Emma McRae, will be visiting our school every Tuesday for Term 4, 2021, with the exception of week 3 and 6 when Emma will visit on a Monday.

Please follow this link for detailed information on the service provided to our families by Catholic Care.

If you would like to make a confidential appointment for your child please contact the school office or you can complete an online form at this link:

Catholic Care - Counselling Referral Form

This information can also be found on our school website and the SZApp and includes a link to the referral form.

Would you like to have the opportunity to be actively involved in decisions that directly affect the educational environment at our school?

We are actively seeking new Board members for 2022.

If you are interested in serving on the school board or you wish to nominate someone please indicate your willingness by completing the online form in the link below.

School Board Nomination Form

  Closing date is Monday 25 October 2021

We were able to start the ICAS testing before lockdown with students completing the Digital Technologies test.

The rest of the test dates have now been confirmed as below:

• • • • • Writing - Monday 11 October
        • English - Monday 18 October
        • Science - Friday 22 October
        • Mathematics - Monday 25 October
        • Spelling Bee - Thursday 28 October

Please note that the test days are subject to change at late notice, please advise your children it could be within that week rather than the actual date given.

The following events are in the calendar in the next week.

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