Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to Week 3, another busy week of fun and learning at St Mary’s.

Last week we implemented the new Maths Games sessions that students can engage in before school. This has proven very popular. I thank staff for their effort in organising this for the children and thank the students for their sensible approach to these games. Last week we had Chris Higgins the Maths Consultant from Catholic Education to work with our students in several areas. Chris also led staff by introducing a number of fluency tasks to be used to help engage students and ensure their maths understanding continues to grow.

The “Tell them from Me” survey for parents opened on Monday. This survey is an opportunity to provide us with much needed feedback on what you feel we need to do at St Mary’s to ensure you and your child’s schooling experience is a positive one. Students from Year 4 to Year 6 will be invited to complete the survey too. The questions have been carefully crafted in consultation with Canberra Goulburn Catholic Education and the school’s leadership team. I look forward to reflecting on the results and acting on the responses.  The survey can be accessed via this link or the QR code below.

http://tellthemfromme.com/sx

On Sunday our Year 5 and 6 students will complete their initiation into the Church as adults through the Sacrament of Confirmation. This will be administered by Archbishop Christopher Prowse. This will be a momentous occasion and I join with you in warmly welcoming the Archbishop to our Parish and our beautifully renovated church. St Mary’s is known for its singing, this will be on display at Confirmation as we invite any students who are available to come to Mass and share their singing talent with the Parish. The ceremony will take place during the Mass at 9:30 on Sunday. If you are unavailable to attend but your child is available, feel free to drop them at the church from 9:20. They’ll be supervised by our staff. The Mass will go until approximately 10:30. 

Please remember drop off pick up procedure that was communicated via compass last Friday. Please be aware that the Drop Off and Pick Up procedure at St Mary’s is as follows. Students are not to arrive at school before 8:30 as there will not be any supervision. Children are to be picked up at the conclusion of the day at 3:20 from the grass area behind the school building. If you arrive after 3:30 you will need to come to the front office to collect your child. Students will not be permitted to wait in the carpark to be picked up or left to wait by themselves.

On Thursday, our K-2 students will travel to Wagga to watch the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre’s performance of Grug. More information can be found on Compass. I thank all staff for their efforts in organising this experience for the children.

Remember my door is always open.

Principal

Damian Collins

Term 3, 2024 Class and Whole School Mass Timetable

Special Mass for our Grandparents and special elderly friends - Wednesday 14th August

St Mary’s would like to invite all our parents, grandparents and significant elderly friends to a special whole school Mass to celebrate the important role you play in all our lives. The Mass will be held in our beautifully renovated Church on Wednesday 14th August at 12pm. We hope you can join us for this special celebration. 

We would love to show a PPT of photos of students with their grandparents/elderly friends. If you could share a photo with your child’s class teacher of your child with their special person it would be greatly appreciated.  Photos can be brought to school to be scanned if this is easier. 

      Happy Birthday to

Maci Coburn and Henry Pursehouse

who celebrate their birthday during this week.

We hope you enjoy your special day.

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
Monday 5th August - Friday 9th August	ICAS - Writing & Digital Technologies	At School
Thursday 8th August	'Grug' Kinder, Year 1 & 2 excursion	Wagga Civic Theatre
Monday 12th August - Friday 16th August	ICAS - English	At School
Thursday 15th August	School Photo Day	At School
Monday 19th August - Friday 23rd August	ICAS - Science & Spelling	At School
Monday 26th August - Friday 30th	ICAS - Maths	At School
Tuesday 27th August	Canberra-Goulburn Athletics	AIS, Canberra
Wednesday 4th September	West Wyalong Show Day - Public Holiday

• Winter uniform to be worn
• Hair is to be tied up and neat & tidy
• Socks - Boys grey and Girls navy
• Ties with top button done up
• Jumpers to be worn
• Girls in navy pants or school skirts and boys in grey pants
• No jewellery other than small studs or sleepers

  - Envelopes will be available at the front office when they arrive for those who do not wish to order online.

St Mary's War Memorial School

School Photography Date: 15th August 2024

School photography day is coming up soon. Group and portrait photographs can be purchased by following the link above.

Important Information:

• School photos purchased online DO NOT require envelopes returned to school.
• Don’t forget to order your sibling photos now - when you order your single photos.
• Late fees/additional charges will be applied for purchases after photo day
• Photos will be returned to your school for distribution approximately six weeks after photos are taken
• Past years’ photographs are available at school’s advancedlife & your advancedyou photo sites (follow the link above)

*Sibling photographs must be ordered either online, 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.

advancedlife would like to express our appreciation to St Mary's War Memorial School for placing your trust in us. Please remember we offer a 100% money back guarantee on our products to ensure your peace of mind. We would also love to receive your feedback or resolve any issues you may experience as fast as possible, to ensure your satisfaction. If you have any questions, comments or feedback relating to your advancedlife experience please contact us at  enquiries@advancedlife.com.au.

Writing - Monday 5th - Friday 9th August

Digital Technologies - Monday 5th - Friday 9th August

English - Monday 12th - Friday 16th August

Science - Monday 19th - Friday 23rd August

Spelling Bee - Monday 19th - Friday 23rd August

Mathematics - Monday 26th - Friday 30th August