Dear Parents,

Last week's Book Week activities were simply fun! Thank you to our librarian, Ms Murray, the students and teachers on their engagement with all things about great literature. Our school was a buzz of excitement as we paraded, shared our literary characters and danced. The highlight for me was taking the parade around town especially passing by the windows at the hospital where residents and staff waved back to us. It's been a while since we've been able to visit the residents so to connect in such a simple way was exactly what we needed. Thank you to all parents for supporting your children in costume creation and also to those parents who were able to position themselves along the route as we paraded around the CBD. We hope we shared our fun and laughter with you all. The children loved it! Please see the many photos included in this newsletter.

I am currently in Melbourne at the National Catholic Education Conference. The theme is 'The Future is Listening'. The keynote address calls us to fully embrace the important role principals have in leading a true connection to faith and hope for the future. My takeaway from the keynote address is that schools are 'Sacraments of hope'.  I see this lived out every day at our school from the smallest gesture of a smile to the beautiful celebration we had last week for Book Week. We are a hope filled community. Our own bushfire recovery has taught us that. But, of course,  there is always more we can do! This is the ongoing challenge for each of us. 

This Thursday, we celebrate St Mary's Feast Day with Mass at 10am. Students will lead us in the readings and Fr George will preside. We trust and hope that this Feast Day for our Patron St Mary, is a chance to once again think of the future we are preparing for our students through a Catholic worldview.

And finally, following an interview process, Ms Tracee Holland has been appointed to Office Manager following the resignation of Patricia Marsh. Tracee is well known to many parents already and we welcome her into her new role. Congratulations Tracee!

Have a lovely week everyone.

Jannine

I hope that all of our wonderful St Mary’s fathers, step-dads, uncles, grandads and father figures had a special day on Sunday, enjoying the treats your children made and the glorious sunshine.

St Mary’s Feast Day

This Thursday, 8th of September is a special day for our school as we celebrate the life of our patron saint, Saint Mary.

Mary is honoured around the world as the ‘Mother of God’, she was a gift from God to bear the child who would bring peace to the world and did so humbly, living a life free from sin.

The 8th of September is known as the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or otherwise known as the day of Mary’s birth. Therefore we celebrate her for the joy she was to bring to the world by giving birth to Jesus.

Our day will begin with a K-6 Mass at 10am in our St Mary’s parish church, followed by a small ‘feast’ for students afterwards. During the afternoon we will gather to play some activities, remembering how blessed we are to be together here at St Mary's Primary in Batlow.

Have a lovely week everyone.   

Amy Buckmaster - Religious Education Coordinator