Dear Parents and Carers,

St Mary’s has hit the ground running to begin Term 3 with the big focus being our school uniform.  One of the benefits of having a new staff member join the school is having a fresh set of eyes and a new perspective to see areas of improvement.  Mr Collins has been very impressed with St Mary’s, however he could see that the way our students wear their uniform could be improved and improve they have.

Through the introduction of a uniform award and positive reinforcement during assembly, St Mary’s students have made a big effort to wear their uniform correctly.  Everyone looks absolutely amazing, wearing their uniform with pride.  A student noticed the change and recently gave a St Mary’s Shout Out saying "normally we finish the term strong but I’d like to give a shout for everyone starting the term strong with our uniforms".  I would also like to thank our parents for supporting our school with this initiative.  Please see the article later in the newsletter with more detail on the correct winter and sport uniforms.

COVID Update

Ross Fox the Director of Catholic Education Canberra & Goulburn has provided a letter detailing the impact of COVID 19 on schools in term 3 and it can be found here. The NSW CECG COVID-19 Management Plan can be found here, the major points of this plan are:

• Household Contacts – Students who are deemed a household close contact must have their parents notify the school to advise they are a household contacts. Students stay at home where it is practical to do so. Where a student needs to attend school they must undertake a COVID test each morning for 5 school days and may only attend school if negative and they have no symptoms.
• Staff, students and visitors must not attend school if they are unwell and will be sent home if they any have symptoms of COVID-19.  All staff, visitors and students should at all times maintain appropriate hand and respiratory hygiene.
• Essential visitors are permitted to attend school sites. Essential visitors are considered to be anyone who provides a critical service to a student or staff member, including allied health. Student placements are also allowed.
• Parents and carers can attend outdoor areas of the school site for drop off and pick up, or when attending a permitted activity that is not whole school.

Your cooperation in the management of COVID 19 is greatly appreciated and if you have any questions please contact the school for further information.

Kind Regards,

Phil Nielsen

We come together as a school this week to celebrate NAIDOC week where we recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Prayer written by Aunty Dr Doseena Fergie

God of Mercy and Grace –

in your quest to bring about justice. You understand what it is like to persevere in an unjust society when you suffered and died on the Cross Have mercy on us.

This Land weeps in sorrow. It is filled with sadness and grief because of the atrocities of the past and present. Have mercy on us.

We yearn for conciliation and peace in this place. To yarn and listen deeply to each other with Care and Compassion.

God of Truth –

You are pure and true – we worship you for who you are. There is no one like you – for you shine in the darkness.

Enable all the peoples of this Country to desire, listen and understand the True History of this Land. For only then can we walk this journey together.

Jesus, you are the tree life. Help us to be your instruments of Truth, by the Power of your Holy Spirit.
We pray for discernment and wisdom to impart your Truth.

Deliver us from devastation and bring about Healing to Country and our communities.”

Our Healer –

May all Creation, the birds, animals, fish, trees, plants, rocks, mountains, waters, and peoples be healed to flourishing.
Strengthen us, lead us, inspire us into action, ignited by our faith in you Lord Jesus.

Help us not to lose Hope.

For it is only through justice, forgiveness and Love can there be Healing and Peace.

Amen.

   

St Mary’s Parish Sacramental Program, 2022

The Sacrament of Confirmation for Year 5/6 students will be held this year and the following are important dates for your diary:

Happy Birthday to

who celebrate their birthdays this week.

We hope you enjoy your special day.

PLEASE NOTE THE TEXT SENT THIS MORNING REGARDING COVID TESTING BEFORE ATTENDANCE AT THE INTERVIEWS

Reports were available online in Compass on Friday the 1st of July.

• logon to Compass (make sure you have the most current version of the APP)
• on the first screen which has your child/ren's picture click on the three lines on the bottom RHS,
• select Conferences button and book as required.

As this is the first time we have used Compass please contact the office if you are having any issues and we will try to guide you.

The following information was sent to parents via email last week:

Dear Parents and Carers

Please take note of the following in regard to our school uniform policy that has been taken directly from the school handbook. Below are some important aspects of the handbook that I have highlighted for your consideration.

The following items make up St Mary’s Winter School uniform:

• • The Winter school uniform is compulsory from the first Monday in June to the last Thursday in August.

Girls

• • Tartan skirt with tights/stockings OR navy slacks with navy socks
  • Light blue shirt (with top button done up and covered by tie)
  • Polar fleece school jumper
  • School jacket
  • School tie (must be worn and worn up)
  • Black shoes (no boots with the skirt, no joggers)
  • Bucket hat
  • Ribbons in hair need to be dark or light blue in colour. No other colours are permitted

Boys

• • Grey trousers with grey socks
  • Light blue shirt (with top button done up and covered by tie)
  • Polar fleece school jumper
  • School jacket
  • School tie (must be worn and worn up)
  • Black shoes (no joggers)
  • Bucket hat

Winter Sports Uniform both boys & girls

• • Polo shirt
  • Navy track pants
  • Polar fleece jumper 
  • White socks  (white socks or socks with motifs are not permitted e.g. Santa Cruz socks)
  • Joggers
  • Ribbons in hair need to be dark or light blue in colour. No other colours are permitted

Sport Days for Term 3 are Kinder to Year 4 on Thursday and Year 5/6 are on Friday.

Please ensure your students come to school wearing the correct uniform.

Our uniform when worn proudly sets apart from other schools in the district and enhances our catholic identity. Please help us by discussing this at home with your child.

Thank you for your support.

Damian Collins

The Taronga Zoomoible visit to St Mary's on Monday the 21st of March was postponed.

The visit will go ahead in Term 3 on Monday the 15th of August.

This service provides a hands on, engaging learning experience for the students.  Students will have the opportunity to meet fascinating native animals and learn about roles of wildlife in the environment and their unique features that help them survive.

On the COMPASS APP please complete the permission form to allow your child to attend and also pay the small cost of $6 for each child.

NOTE: There are a number of parents who gave permission and paid previously.  You should have received a text to advise that you will not have an option to complete the process on Compass.

Order your school photos now!

School Photography day is this Thursday 11th August

On photo day children must wear their winter uniform, this means:

• • A neat and clean school shirt with a tie
  • A clean and neat school jumper
  • blue trousers with blue socks or winter skirt with tights and polished black shoes for girls, no boots with a skirt
  • grey trousers with grey socks for boys and polished black shoes.

  
St Mary's War Memorial School

ONLINE ORDER CODE: 6G9 B9C 7GD

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

*Sibling photographs must be ordered either online or by order envelope prior to the day of photography.  A photograph will not be taken without an order. Sibling photographs only apply to children enrolled at the school.

We are welcoming new enrolments for the 2023 school year.  We appreciate that this is a significant decision for parents and know that new families will need time to consider all available options.

Please enrol online at our website with the link below or call at the school office for a paper form.  https://smwms.nsw.edu.au/enrolment

If you require further information please call the school office.

For students who have been nominated to take the ICAS tests this year the confirmed  test dates for 2022 are:

• • Writing - Monday 8 August
  • Digital Technologies - Friday 12 August
  • English - Monday 19 August
  • Science - Monday 22 August
  • Spelling Bee - Friday 26 August
  • Mathematics - Monday 29 August

The ICAS test window for each test is open for one week, the week starts on a Monday.  If your child does not attend school for either of the two Friday tests they will not be able to sit the test on another day.  Please take note of the test days.

Please note that the test days could be subject to change at late notice.

Library Timetable 2022

   

Sport Days 2022

St Mary's are currently finalising bookings for the biannual Year 5/6 overnight excursion to Canberra.

The dates proposed are Term 4, Week 4, Wednesday 2nd of November to Friday the 4th of November. Most of the itinerary is finalised and we have secured cabin accommodation at the Alivio Tourist Park.  Costing has not been finalised but we were looking between $250 - $350 maximum.

Please mark these dates on your calendar and hopefully COVID restrictions will allow the excursion to proceed.  We will keep you informed as we know more.

Please find below information about the NCCD and the collection of data in August 2022.

Assembly

Our award winners this week.

  

St Anne's Central School Temora

  

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.