Dear Parents and Carers,

Last Friday, we gathered in the weather shed for an amazing parade of book characters! As this year’s theme for Book Week was ‘Reading is my Superpower’ we had many superheroes but also witches, princesses and sporting heroes. There was Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2, Alice the Detective and Aragon from Lord of the Rings and even a Minecraft figure. A big thank you to Mrs Murray for all her preparation for the day and a bigger thank you to all parents and carers who came along and then, everyone who got into the spirit of dressing up and celebrating our love of literature. Thank you!

Today is our ski trip to Selwyn which set off at 6:00am from the school. We organise this trip every second year for interested students and families and it is optional. We trust everyone is having a lovely time in perfect weather conditions and we look forward to hearing of their day when they get back later this evening.

Tomorrow, our Year 3/4 girls will travel to Gundagai to participate in the Trent Barrett Shield league tag competition. Ms Clark will be in charge and we also look forward to hearing about their day. All girls need to be at the school gate by 8:30am in the morning for an early start.

This Thursday, St Mary’s will be hosting the ‘Speak Off’ Competition between St Mary’s and St Joseph’s students from Year 3 to 6. The winner in each year level will progress to the Western Region Public Speaking Competition to be held in Cootamundra on Monday 9 September. Good luck to all students involved.

Thank you to all parents who responded to our quick survey regarding our application for a grant. Student feedback will be sought as well.

If parents can also keep an eye out for an email in regard to our stall that Community Council are holding at the Apple Blossom Festival this year. We need many helpers over the day to make this successful. Please let us know if you can help out with volunteering your time by responding to the email as soon as possible.

On a more serious note please read  Archbishop Mark Coleridge's response to Cardinal Pell's recent appeal which was dismissed last week. It is a just response which emphasises the Catholic Church's committment to caring  for all in our care, especially children.

Have a lovely week everyone.

Jannine

An open invitation to all to join the St. Mary's community for Mass this Sunday 1st September.

Last term Year 6 had a PJ Day fundraiser and put down the challenge if they raised over $200 teachers were to purchase an item from St Vincent de Paul and wear to school. The fundraiser raised $200.10 so the challenge was met, with staff wearing some lovely fashion items from St Vinnies. The money raised on the day was to be donated to the Tumut St Vincent de Paul for Vinnies Winter Appeal.

Year 6 leaders Liam, Jonny and Sarah are pleased to present Mr Vanzella with a cheque for the money raised.

Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is a project of Samaritan’s Purse. It partners with local churches in developing nations to reach out to children by providing gift-filled shoeboxes and bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ. St Mary’s will again help reach more children with gift-filled shoeboxes for distribution to children in the developing world?

If you would like to participate please call into the office to get a box.

BOXES ARE DUE BACK BY MONDAY OF WEEK 10 THIS TERM! UNSEALED WITH $10 INCLUDED FOR POSTAGE

FILL EACH SHOEBOX WITH SIMPLE GIFTS

Include something from each of the 6 categories.
Something to wear, Something to play with, Something for school, Something to love, Something special and Something for personal hygiene.

      Our home cooks this week are the SHANG & KORN families.       

The Breward family is asked to cook the cake for the raffle this week.

Next Tuesday our radio announcers will be 

SEBASTIAN & JADE

Please tune in to FM96.3 at 1.45pm each week to hear what is happening at St Mary's.

Birthday wishes this week go to William who turns 12 0n 3rd September, Ruby who turns 6 on the 4th and Brendan who turns 11 on the 6th. Have a great day everyone.

Winter Warmers tomorrow is CHOW MEIN. $3.50 per serve or two for $6.00, Hot Milo $1.50.

Orders to the office by 9.00am with money or direct deposit to the Community Council BSB: 062786 Acc: 000027184. Please still put your order to the office if you have direct deposited.

The third and final instalment of $30 is due this Friday 30th August for the 5/6 excursion to Beechworth.

Payment can be sent into school or deposited into the school account

BSB: 062786 Acc: 000010032

Years 3 to 6 will have a public speaking speak off with St Joseph's Adelong this Thursday 29th August. The topics this year are - 

Year 3 - "Best Friends"

Year 4 - "Good Advice"

Year 5 - Don't Try This"

Year 6 - "View from the Top"

The winner of each year level will go on to represent St Mary's at the Western Region Public Speaking held in Cootamundra on 9th September.

Good luck everyone.

YEAR 5/6 have been doing paper craft activities in Indonesian. Thay have made 'Canang Sari' Balinese Offerings. Hindu women make the offering saying thank you for balance and peace in the world.

Year 2/3/4 embraced their snow day with snow themed learning on the Monday. In Maths students learnt about symmetry and created snowflakes. In Literacy they created Snow Day acrostic poems and wrote recounts in writing. In the afternoon students learnt about the Science behind snowflakes and how each snowflake is unique, finishing the day with snowflake selfie art.

The 2019 Challenge finished THIS Friday 30th August. Make sure you go on to the Challenge website and register the books you have read.

Trivia Night Raffle

First Prize: Family weekend in Canberra, includes one nights accommodation. passes to Questacon, Cockington Green, National Dinosaur Museum & Dendy Cinema. Valued at over $500.

2nd Prize: $100 Wish Gift Card

3rd Prize: Yesteryear Eucalyptus $80 Hamper.

PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE IF YOU DIDN'T RECEIVE YOUR TICKETS OR WOULD LIKE MORE.

TICKETS ARE DUE BACK BY THE END OF NEXT WEEK.