Yesterday, Dr Michael Roberts returned to St Mary's to work with our staff on using Daily Review. Daily Review is a systematic and efficient teaching tool designed to revise learned content on a regular basis. We have been using this technique to commence Maths lessons since the beginning of the year and this is the fourth time Dr Roberts has worked alongside our staff. Our students like Daily Review because they can see their knowledge and skills are improving and teachers can see their growth as well.

Last night our region, particularly Tumut, featured on Backroads on the ABC. You can catch it on ABC iView if you missed it. Tumut Takes 2 was showcased and our own Ms Amy Buckmaster is part of the line up for this year! Please see Amy's REC Report for more details.

I'm currently holding interviews with our new enrolments for 2023. It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to show new 'kinders' around our school and chat with parents about their hopes for primary education. If you know of any families looking to enrol their child at St Mary's next year now is the time to get enrolments in to us. Online enrolment forms can be found on our website.

https://www.stmarysbatlow.nsw.edu.au/

Apart from being a good person in all that we say and do, the Bible states that we, as Christians, are called to give generously to others in need.

Here at St Mary’s we aim to help others in need at least once a term to organisations like Project Compassion, St Vincent De Paul and other local organisations.

Every little bit helps and we thank our families for their ongoing support to our causes.

This year I have chosen to give to others a little differently by putting my hand up to be part of a large community event that’s sole purpose is to give to local charities who help individuals in our community every day. You may have heard of it - Tumut Takes 2; a musical event where local people pair with local musicians, are allocated a song to sing for an audience; all while raising funds for a chosen local charity in the lead up.

I have been paired with local singer Amiee Zabbia (a former parent of St Mary’s). Both being people of the Batlow community we wanted our efforts to go directly to Batlow, which is why we have chosen the ‘Do It For Batlow’ organisation. (You may have seen our tin in the Batlow Bakery - thanks Lisa!)

‘Do it for Batlow’ came together after the disastrous 2020 bushfires to promote, encourage and assist with projects and initiatives which will socially, environmentally and economically benefit the well-being of the Batlow community.

We have seen some lovely initiatives from ‘Do it for Batlow’ committee recently that remind us just how wonderful our community of Batlow is. One of my favourites is the addition of the Book Exchange in the main street that some of our St Mary’s students are already accessing and contributing to.

I am excited for not only the adults of the community but mostly for the children of our community and the positive contributions that ‘Do it for Batlow’ will bring in the near future and we are so happy to be able to support and give back to our community.

Have a lovely week everyone.

Amy Buckmaster - Religious Education Coordinator