National Volunteer Week

This week, we celebrate National Volunteer Week, and I want to take a moment to express my thanks to all those who give their time so generously to our school community. As a Catholic school, we are called to live out our faith through service. Thank you for being a living example of this.

National Simultaneous Storytime Day

Yesterday St Mary's students participated in National Simultaneous Storytime Day with millions of children, teachers, parents and caregivers across Australia. The book for 2025 was 'The Truck Cat' written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell. Like many great books, this one had a great back story that was shared with the students. Thank you to Mrs Murray for her coordination of this event at St Mary's and for all you do in our school library!

School Athletics Carnival – Tomorrow!

Our School Athletics Carnival is tomorrow (weather pending!).  Students will be walking to Memorial Park to take part in running events and some field events. Students should wear their sports uniform or their house colours and bring a water bottle, hat, and be ready for a fun and active day. Families are very welcome to come along and support—we’d love to see you there!

Athletics Events – Long Jump & High Jump

Next week, students in Years 2-6 will be travelling to Tumut and Adelong to complete their long jump and high jump events. These events will take place throughout the day, and travel has been organised with Shaws Buses. Please ensure your child wears their sports uniform and brings their water bottle.

Ryan

What wonderful rain! I hope you are all enjoying this refreshing rain, I know our gardens are all very appreciative. 

Pope Leo celebrated his Inauguration Sunday evening in a beautiful Mass in Saint Peter's Square. Pope Leo celebrated with over 200,000 pilgrims and representatives from religious delegations from all over the world. Pope Leo called for unity and peace:

"I was chosen, without any merit of my own, and now, with fear and trembling," said Pope Leo, "I come to you as a brother, who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God’s love, for he wants us all to be united in one family."

Pope Leo XIV recalled how love and unity are the two aspects of the mission entrusted to Peter by Jesus.

In the Gospel on this Sunday, Jesus entrusts the disciples to continue the mission, to be “fishers of men” and bring the “hope of the Gospel” to all people, so that all may experience God’s embrace.”

Peter’s experience of the “infinite and unconditional love of God" enabled him to take up this mission, the Pope explained.

Our Pope has called for peace and unity in our world in a time when then is so much unrest. I would like to offer a prayer for peace to reflect Pope Leo’s call to all of us for love and unity.

Jeanette Dumbrell

Religious Education Coordinator