Dear Parents and Carers,

At morning assembly I asked the question, how do we normally finish term 1? A student replied “We finish strong”. The actual answer I was chasing was we normally finish with Holy Week, however her response triggered the realisation that we have had another strong finish to a term. Our students have development a culture to finish a term or school year in a manner that is positive and maintains our relentless focus on being compassionate, respectful, courageous, resilient and committed people of our school.

On Friday morning the school had a last minute opportunity to have a very special guest come and talk to our students. I was so pleased that we took this opportunity to have Josh Hanlon attend our Friday morning assembly. Josh was a student at St Mary’s from kinder to Year 2 and it was wonderful to have him come back to the school. As you know, Josh finished 6^th in the Men’s Slalom Sitting at the Paralympic Games.

Josh presented our students with their ‘Whatever you do, do well’ awards and then spoke to the school. He spoke about the adversity he had been through, and that he did not let this keep him down. In fact, just 10 months after his life was changed forever he began to explore his possibilities and started to set some personal goals. It was truly inspirational to hear Josh’s story and see how his determination and hard work has led to such a strong showing at the Winter Paralympics. Josh had a profound impact on our students and we are all excited to follow Josh in his upcoming events.

Our Counsellor Emma Mcrae will not be with us next term. To continue offering support to our students, families and school staff, Donna Spillman, a Telehealth Counsellor will be filling in for her. Donna will be available via Zoom two mornings a week and students will be provided with a private space with an adult close by to take them back to class when finished. Donna will also be offering some courses for parents and children, so this is a wonderful opportunity for us to make use of different services.

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. Donna would love to hear from you with other topics or activities that would be valuable for you and your children. You can contact her directly at donna.spillman@catholiccare.cg.org.au. The normal referral process for individual counselling will continue.

Thank you everyone for a wonderful Term 1 and we hope you enjoy the break over Easter.

Mr Nielsen

    

This weeks Lenten story from Caritas Australia

Shaniella's story

Shaniella grew up in a remote village in the Solomon Islands in a province which has limited educational and job opportunities – and one of the country’s highest poverty rates. 

After leaving school, she decided to move closer to the capital city, Honiara, to study hospitality and tourism. 

However, her vocational training school was hit by a landslide and cyclone in quick succession, destroying its water supply system and the vegetable garden that it relies on for food. The landslide destroyed the school’s main source of water, damaged school buildings and devastated the garden which the school relies on for food. 

With your kind support, Caritas Australia Solomon Islands (CASI) was able to help the school to install eight water tanks. This restored students’ access to clean drinking water and the tanks also supply water to nearby schools, health centres and the wider community.

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

Happy Birthday to

Billy Pettit, Audrey Pritchard, Hugo Harper, Beth Sturgess, Olivia Hoye, Alex Ridley, Nate Sams, Frederick Miles and Blair Bales

who celebrate their birthdays this week and during the holidays.

We hope you enjoy you special day.

ANZAC Day falls on the first Monday of Term 2 which is a public holiday.  As usual St Mary's is participating in the march and wreath laying ceremony in West Wyalong on the morning of April 25.

Students who would like to participate in the march are asked to meet at Thom Dick & Harry's corner by 10:20am for the commencement of the march.

The students and parents are invited to stay for the wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph at the S&C Club.  Students should wear the full winter school uniform including ties and their black polished school shoes. The students will be accompanied by supervising teachers from our school.

Due to distribution issues with the Sydney suppliers, we have had a delay in our Year 6 shirts.

We apologise profusely but unfortunately they will not be ready until next term.

Award Winners

St Mary's Cross Country

St Mary’s school spirit was alive and running on Thursday with our annual Cross Country.

  

Years 2-6 ran their course at the showground whilst K-1 participated in sporting activities between recess and lunch.  It was wonderful to have family members back spectating and cheering the children on. The positive energy, support and encouragement filled both venues and lots of fun was had.

  

The weather was favourable and the children weren’t too hot after all their running.

Well done to all the students for their efforts and next week the ribbons will be given out to those that placed in the Yr 2-6 races. Students will also find out who has made it to the next level.

  

Thank you to Mrs Harland for her organisation of the Yr 2-6 events and Mrs Meincke & Mrs McGee for organising K-1 activities. Teachers and parents thank you also for your help on the day.

  

Opening School Mass

  

Some more wonderful pictures at our Opening School Mass

  

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.