Dear Parents,

Last term St Mary’s participated in the 5 year cycle of Registration and School Improvement. A panel of six Catholic Education Canberra & Goulburn staff members analysed the school’s policies and procedures. Five of the members also came to St Mary’s and engaged with our staff, students and selected parents to give commendations and recommendations in the areas of Catholic Identity and Culture, Staff Capacity and Leadership, Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Partnerships and Community and Stewardship and Resources.

The process was an extremely positive experience and a summary report can be found here. Recommendations from this report will form the basis of St Mary’s 3 year Strategic Plan which will be created next term. Once the strategic plan is developed 3 Annual Improvement Plans will be developed each year to achieve the goals of the Strategic Plan.

Regards

Phil Nielsen

Having a thankful heart can change your entire perspective and outlook on life.  One of the best ways to experience the power of thanksgiving is to through prayer.  When we offer a prayer of thanks, our focus shifts from our problems to our blessings.  And that is the beauty of faith - we can experience gratitude and give thanks despite the circumstances and storms that surround us. For the Bible tells us “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

Heavenly Father, we want to thank You for our countless blessings.

We thank You not only for the food we have to eat, that You have lovingly prepared for us, but also for spiritual gifts, in particular the loved ones we cherish dearly, a comfortable place to live, the beauty that surrounds us, health, and spiritual wealth to name a few.

We acknowledge you for the countless blessings You have provided.

Thank You for giving us clear direction through Your Holy Word. Through good and bad times, help us to see that we are blessed beyond measure.

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 celebrates her birthdays this week.

We hope you enjoy your special day.

We would appreciate any donations of tissues for your child's classroom.

Please send any boxes to the office or with your child for their teacher.

Thank you.

Wednesday 7th September

The West Wyalong Show Day is a half day public holiday in our town.  In lieu of the St Mary's Twilight Swimming Carnival, the CEO Canberra Goulburn has granted approval for our school to close for the morning of show day.

This means children and staff will not come to school on show day and gives everyone an opportunity to enjoy a full day at the show.  Bus companies have been informed of this change.

St Mary's has organised a visit from the amazing Scott's BMX Trick Bike Show on the 5th of September at 1:50pm in the school hall.

This show is one about self discovery designed to encourage students on their own life journey with a 'can do' and 'what if I' approach. It fits within the PDHPE curriculum helping with problem solving and creative thinking.

This is the story of when Scott was given his first BMX bike, he asked "is there another way to ride this?"

Scott Hone is a father of two, BMX rider, juggler, acrobat, clown, photographer and teacher who started his performing career with Circus OZ and has gone on to perform at countless festivals around Australia and the world.

The cost of the show is $5.50 per student so please logon to COMPASS to give consent and payment.

Bellarwi Country Women's Association Education Grants

Bellarwi CWA are calling for applications for the Phillip Group Education Grants 2023. 

These are for students going into Years 3 to 12 or first year Tertiary/TAFE education and are intended to assist families with the financial responsibilities associated with educating their children.

Application forms are available from the school office, please contact the office if you would like a form sent home.

The forms must be returned to the school by Friday the 16th of September.

Mrs Haworth is looking for some old torches that have a traditional globe in them, not LED, for her Science experiements.

If you have a torch that you are happy to donate to the school please send to 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.

Assembly

Zoo Mobile Pictures

Sally Russell from the Lake Cowal Conservation Centre took some wonderful pictures of our children with the animals from the Zoomobile last Monday.

Year 6 Bland Shire Library Visit

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.