St Mary's War Memorial School West Wyalong eNewsletter

Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to Week 9. This is the biggest week in the life of the Church, Holy Week. The week begins with Palm Sunday where we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Later in the week we remember Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday which marks the Last Supper, where Jesus ate with his disciples. He also taught us a valuable lesson that we should be humble and treat everyone as equals as he washed the feet of his disciples. Good Friday is the day in which we remember how Jesus was put to death on the cross. We believe that he sacrificed his own life so that everyone could be forgiven for their sins. It is a very sad event. Our Year 5 and 6 students will reenact this story on Thursday morning in the hall at 9:30. Everyone is welcome to attend. After which we will hold our Easter Bonnet Parade at school under the COLA. Please note the Easter Bonnet parade is not a competition and the hats must be made at home. This is not an in-school activity. This is a more relaxed fun celebration where we rejoice in knowing that Jesus died for us but will rise again on Easter Sunday.

Last week, our students who are competing in the Rugby Union Gala Day Grenfell in Week 11 were treated to some expert training from Gina and Brent Morton and Kate Dean. This will occur again on Thursday afternoon at 2pm, could those involved please bring their training gear, mouthguard, headgear (if they have any) and boots or joggers. Teams will be announced soon.

Next week on the 2^nd of April, Principal from St Anne’s Mr Grant Haigh will come to St Mary’s to talk to our 5/6 class about what St Anne’s has to offer. This will be at 2:50 in the 5/6 Faith classroom.

It has been brough to my attention some students are hanging around after the bell playing on the equipment, running around the school unsupervised or riding their bikes. Whilst this is very unsafe it is also illegal as our insurance doesn’t cover students if they have an accident in the playground after they’ve been dismissed. Please ensure your child leaves the school promptly after the bell sounds. Thank you for your assistance and co-operation in this area.

Remember my door is always open.

Regards

Acting Principal

Damian Collins

Holy Week

In partnership with families, we are dedicated to educating children who reflect on the events of Holy Week.

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is a day when Christians commemorate Jesus going into Jerusalem on a donkey for the celebration of Passover. There were many people waiting for him to arrive, who spread out their cloaks in his path.

Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday)

Maundy Thursday marks the Last Supper, where Jesus ate his last meal with his disciples. We also remember a lesson Jesus taught us, that we should be humble. He demonstrated this as he washed the feet of his disciples.

Good Friday

Good Friday is the day on which Jesus was put to death on the cross. We believe that he sacrificed his own life so that everyone could be forgiven for their sins.

Holy Saturday

This is the day on which Lent traditionally ends. It marks the final day of Jesus’ death, which he spent resting in his tomb.

Easter Sunday

You might be familiar with Easter as a day of chocolate eggs and bunnies which celebrate the coming of spring. These are folk traditions, but the day also celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. According to the Bible, it marks the third day after Jesus was crucified when he rose from the dead.

A Prayer during Holy Week

Lord God,

I give you thanks, for you are good, and your mercy is endless.

Here I stand, at the start of this holy week,

This week in which your church remembers Jesus’ passion and death,

And I am distracted by many things.

Turn my eyes now to the One who comes in your name

The one who opens the gates of righteousness

The one who answers when we call.

I bless you, Lord, for shining your light upon me,

And for sending your son to us, in human frailty.

To walk the road we walk.

Open my eyes that I may see him coming,

And may praise him with a pure heart.

And may walk in the way of his suffering,

And share also in his resurrection.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God for ever and ever.

Amen.

Term 1, 2024 Class and Whole School Mass Timetable

Date

Class

Week 9

Wednesday 27th March

Kinder & Year 5/6 Class Mass @ 12pm. Parents are most welcome.

Project Compassion brings together Australian schools, parishes and supporters to raise funds for people in vulnerable communities across the world.

Project Compassion is a demonstration of the faith, empathy and generosity of our supporters. It is the lifeblood of Caritas Australia – without it, we could not do the vital work we do. Thank you for helping transform lives today and for all future generations.

Caritas boxes have been sent home. Students will be seeing which class can raise the most money!

ONLY 4 DAYS LEFT TO GET YOU MONEY IN!

St Mary’s Parish Church will close down for renovations immediately after Easter for about two months.

We will paint the inside of the Church, replace the existing carpet, and polish the under seat floorboards.

The last time the Church was painted inside was in preparation for Fr Peter Millar’s ordination on May 8, 1987.

Every day during the week immediately after Easter we will be looking for volunteers at 3pm each day for about two hours.

The Tuesday is a little different, as over the whole day we will move the pews into the School Hall where we will celebrate Sunday Mass during this time.

We have a system for moving the pews with a lifter and truck but still need volunteers.

So, please do help us if you are able to. God bless and have a blessed peaceful Easter.

Week 8 Award Winners

Mirabelle Pham	Billy Iverach	Luna Kelly
Owen Browne	Halle Lashbrook	Harrison Chantrill
Indi Fair	George Weir	Nikolai Eza'awe
Molly Gaynor		James Curry

Happy Birthday to

Emily McCoullough, Frankie Pettit, Owen Browne, Isabelle McDonell and River Greenwood

who celebrate their birthday's during this week.

We hope you enjoy your special day.

Brumbies Rugby Union Gala Day - Grenfell 9th April (Tuesday Week 11)

Thank you to Gina and Brent Morton and Kate Dean who gave up their time to train our students and help prepare them for their gala day in Week 11. Gina, Brent and Kate will conduct training again on Thursday at 2pm. Please ensure you bring your mouthguard, boots, headgear (if you have one) and a change of clothes. If your child is playing you must provide consent via compass if you have not done so already. Teams and information about the day will be updated on compass.

Archdiocese Trials

Below are dates for those wishing to trial for Archdiocesan selection in 2024. For more information please see Mr Collins

Football (Soccer) - 9th April in Lyneham. Nominations close 2nd April
Rugby Union - 28th May

Our school Cross Country will be held on Friday 5th of April.

Students in Years 2 to 6 will compete at the West Wyalong Showground from 9am.

Kinder and Year 1 will participate in cross country games on the school oval from 9am.

All students can wear house coloured shirts to school on this Friday.

We are looking for parent volunteers at the showground. If you can help please call the school office.

Parents are welcome to attend.

The following events are in the calendar in the next few weeks.

The Compass Calendar is updated to show Mass times, sporting events, important events.

Day	Event	Location
Wednesday 27th March	Kinder & Year 5/6 Class Mass @ 12pm	At Church
Friday 29th March	Good Friday
Monday 1st April	Easter Monday
Friday 5th April	Cross Country	K-1 At School Years 2 - 6 At the Showgrounds
Tuesday 9th April	ACT Brumbies 10's Gala Day	Grenfell
Friday 12th April	Making Friends - School Performance Tours. Last Day of Term 1!	At School
Monday 29th April	Staff Development day/Pupil Free Day
Tuesday 30th April	Term 2 Begins - All students return to school	At School

Date and Day	Teacher on Leave or PD	Class	Relief
Monday 25th March - Thursday 28th March	Mrs Breust	3 Peace	Mon - Wed - Mrs Daniher Thursdays - Mrs O'Brien
Tuesday 26th March	Mrs Harland @ AP Network Meeting	n/a	n/a
Thurdays 28th March	Mrs Iverach	Kinder	Mrs Reichstein

Full winter uniform, including ties, is compulsory for all students to wear from June 1.

Students are permitted to wear pants and skirts prior to June 1 if the weather suits.

Parents can refer to the school handbook on our website.

Our school uniform is always to be worn with pride. It is our brand and reflects the quality of our school.

Girls Winter Skirts and Ties available from the school office

Girls winter skirts - various sizes - $40.

Ties (either zipper or tie your own) - various lengths - $16

Canteen Roster

We are still needing volunteers for a few dates on the Canteen Roster - Thank you to those who have volunteered for the remainder of the term!

The Canteen is an important service to the children and parents at St Mary's. We do not wish to close for good, however we will have to if more volunteers do not come forward. Please if you can help notify the school ASAP.

Please contact the school office or comment on the St Mary's Community Council Facebook page if you wish to volunteer.