Dear Parents,

Last Thursday and Friday, I travelled to Lake Cargellico to attend the Western Region Principals’ Meeting. St Francis Xavier in Lake Cargellico, is a small school just like St Mary’s and is part of the Canberra Goulburn Archdiocese. They also have three classes and a committed staff and parent community. I watched a ukulele lesson, learned a new prayer and played a fun game which I will share with the students this week. Principals were updated on new programmes and initiatives with the Deputy Director Tony Bracken. It was a great opportunity to visit another school within our region.

Study Leave

Ms Crozier and Ms Buckmaster will begin school holidays early this week due to enrolling in a course to support teaching in Catholic schools. They will be attending a study program on Thursday and Friday called  ‘INSPIRITUS’. Ms Collins will be on K/1/2 and Ms Mulholland will be on Yr 5/6.

Ms Lamont

Yesterday, I contacted all parents of students in 3/4  to advise that Ms Lamont has resigned from her position and her last day is this Friday. Ms Lamont has decided to return to her home town on the Central Coast to be closer to family and friends. As a school community we wish Ms Lamont all the best. Ms Collins and Ms Hughes will be working with Year 3/4 for the remainder of the year.

This is the final week of the term and I want to congratulate our students on a wonderful semester of learning. It is hard to believe we are already half way through another year. We wish all students and their families a happy and safe school holiday break. All students and staff will return to school Monday 12 July.

Have a lovely week everyone.

Jannine

Thank you to all of our beautiful students and their families for donating generously to our Vinnies Winter Appeal yesterday! An extra BIG thank you to Matthew Wilson (Youth Liaison Officer from St Vincent De Paul) who travelled to Batlow yesterday to run some workshops with our students to raise awareness about:

• Homelesness: An exploration of the experience of homelessness and the challenges that lead to people losing access to safe and affordable housing. And
• Catholic Social Teachings: What do I stand for? An exploration of the guiding principles that drive us to promote justice, dignity and hope for all – to build a more just and compassionate society.

Students enjoyed a delicious hot chocolate to end the sessions while wearing their warm winter woollies!

I hope you have a blessed and safe holiday with your family.

Melissa Hotham - Religious Education Coordinator

School Fee Statements were sent out today so you know where you are up to. All fees are due by Week 6 of each term unless paying by instalments. If you would like to arrange Direct Debit payments or increase your current amount please see Trish in the  office on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesdays. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Let’s Chat Habitat is a colourful collection of short segments with the common theme of taking care of the environment. It tackles both the micro and macro from litter in the playground, turning off taps, lights and appliances, to the protection of endangered species. Students were shown how everyone doing a little can make a big difference.

The performance was entertaining and engaging. Students from K-6 could all relate to and take something from it in regards to looking after the environment. Students loved the student engagement section including puppets and quizzes.

The presenter Sam was enthusiastic and warm and relatable for all the students.

On Monday the students were visited by Matthew Wilson a Youth Liaison officer from Vinnies.

The students participated in games and discussions about the types of homelessness, who can be homeless, how they can fundraise to raise money to help the work of St Vincent De Paul. They had a great time and learnt a lot.

We would like to sincerely thank St Mary's staff, students and families for your prayers, donations, care and support for us over the past difficult months.                      Thomas is now healing and regaining his health supported by his specialists, therapists and medication.                                                                                                        We are forever grateful. Tracee, Daniel & Thomas.

TOMORROW

Weather permitting, students will walk to the Batlow Showground for some FUN SPORTING ACTIVITIES. Year 6 leaders will help run the events. All students are invited to wear house colours.

A big thank you to Rachel Galvin for bringing an elevated platform to replace the flag pole ropes and getting balls off the roof.

We are excited to be able to put the flags up again!

Our annual trivia night is on Saturday 11th September! 

We had to cancel last year due to covid restrictions. 

Start getting your tables of up to 10 people organised for a fantastic fun night out!!!

If you want to be in with a chance to win the fabulous tennis racquets, please return all sold tickets by tomorrow.

All proceeds to S.M.A.R.T.

We need one VOLUNTEER for Home Cooking this Friday 25 June. Please let the school know if you can help out this week. Thank you to the BROWN family for helping out.

All proceeds to the end of year fun day.

The QUARMBY family are asked to supply the cake for the cake raffle this Friday June 25.

Another NSW Active Kids voucher is available to families valid for Jul-Dec 2021.

You are no doubt aware of the NSW Active Kids vouchers available to families with children aged 4.5 to 18 years of age. This has been made available to make sport and recreation more accessible to children of all backgrounds.

Cyberbullying.pdf