Hello Everyone,

I would like to thank our students for their wonderful singing last week at Pioneers Night, at the Choir Competition in Tumut and also at the Apple Blossom Festival on Saturday. It is such a big week for Batlow and we rose to the occasion beautifully and played our part. Thank you also to parents for supporting your children in the ‘behind the scenes’ organisation. The students were organised and ready for all events with no confusion. Thank you.

Several staff members attended Shane McDermott's funeral last week in Barellan. It was a sad farewell to a young man, partner and father who was so admired by many. Our friend and colleague, Rhiannon Clark is staying in Barellan with family for now and will let us know of her intentions of returning to St Mary's Batlow in due course.

As you know, I have been appointed Principal of St Mary's, Batlow. It is my privilege and honour to continue serving the students and the St Mary’s community over the coming years. I look forward to working with staff to support continued improvement in Literacy and Numeracy and enjoy the many celebrations we have ahead of us.

 Have a lovely week everyone.

Jannine

World Mission Sunday fell on Sunday 20th October.  It was instituted by Pope Pius Xl in 1926, the annual day and month encourages  prayers, cooperation and help for missions as well as reminding Christians about the fundamental missionary character of the Church and of every baptised person.

The theme of this years observance is ‘Baptised and sent: The Church of Christ on Mission in th World’

We will celebrate World Mission Month with midday Mass thisThursday 24^th with the K/1 Class.  The children will be given a plain coloured t-shirt to wear as we will take part in an interactive Rosary after Mass. The Mission Rosary is a way to pray for the needs of the whole world. Each of the decades is coloured to represent a different region of the world.

The t-shirts are of no cost (the children can take them home after Thursday) and we will be asking for a gold coin donation for our fundraising which you will hear more of next week.

^{Our first session of Season for Growth begins this Thursday 24th October at 3:30 pm in the top clasroom.}

^{November is traditionally the month when we remember all of our deceased relatives and friends.  I will be sending out some envelopes with hearts in them; can you write any family members names on them and have them back to the school no later than Thursday 31st October. They will be displayed in the school entrance during November.}

^{We continue to keep Miss Clark, Rory and Reagan in our thoughts and prayers.}

We continue to bloom and grow at St. Marys

Anne Saunderson

REC

St Mary's will be celebrating Mission Month with a Mass this Thursday 24th October 12:00.  Mrs Saunderson has organised a t-shirt for every student so that we can do a human rosary activity. Students will be asked to wear jeans/trousers/ shorts on Thursday and any t-shirt to school.

The activity requires a gold coin donation. Students will get to keep their t-shirt. All money will be forwarded to Catholic Missions.

The Year 2/3/4 Excursion to Borambola is fast approaching. The third and final instalment of $30 is due this Friday 25th October. 

As part of our preparations for the excursion in Week 5, all parents MUST complete the Medical and Consent form as required by Borambola for each child/ren that will be attending. 

Borambola camp have requested that ALL 'Medical and Consent' forms are to be completed online by TODAY Tuesday 22nd of October. 

On Thursday our K-4 Choir participated in the Western Region Choir Competition at McAuley. They performed beautifully and represented St Mary’s proudly. It was wonderful to watch the seven other choirs and see the various styles. We congratulate Trinity Murrumburrah on receiving first place position.

On Saturday our students sang at the opening of the Apple Blossom Festival. 

Thank you for your support with choir commitments last week. It was a huge week with Pioneers Night as well, but a wonderful week!

Year 2/3/4 using Cuisenaire Rods in Maths to make Art Work to the value of a number. Cuisenaire rods are mathematics learning aids for students that provide an interactive, hands-on way to explore mathematics and learn mathematical concepts. Our new sets may be familiar to many parents. Old 'tried and true' tools never date.

Footsteps Dance program started yesterday and continues each Monday for 6 weeks. Footsteps specialises in curriculum, age-based movement programs for Kindergarten to Year 6 students. Footsteps delivers engaging and relevant dance and drama programs which have been developed around the Australian National Curriculum. The program develops students’ social skills, confidence, fitness levels, creativity, expressive skills and coordination, ensuring a safe, positive and stimulating environment for all students!

Footsteps is being funded by the Extra-Curricular Levy on Fees.

We have Little Champions from Wagga for Gymnastics starting Wednesday THIS Week starting at 12:45pm for 40 minute sessions at the Batlow RSL.

Students will need to wear their sport uniform Mondays (Footsteps) and Wednesdays (Gymnastics).

The gymnastics program is partially funded by the Term 4 Sporting Schools Grant.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday evening Staff and some members of the community attended First Aid and CPR courses. Thank you to Margaret and Denise from St John's for running the course

PUPIL FREE DAY -  FRIDAY 8TH NOVEMBER (Staff Spirituality Day)

McAULEY Yr 7 2020 ORIENTATION DAY - FRIDAY 8TH NOVEMBER

2/3/4 EXCURSION 11th - 12th NOVEMBER

CHILDRENS MASS - SUNDAY 1ST DECEMBER

AWARDS DAY - WEDNESDAY 11th DECEMBER, 1.30 - 3.00pm Literary Institute

YR 6 GRADUATION MASS - THURSDAY 12th DECEMBER - 10.00am

LAST DAY TERM 4 - WEDNESDAY 18TH DECEMBER

Birthday wishes this week go to James Sk who turns 6 24th October and to Jie Min who turns 12 26th October. Have a wonderful day boys.

Students are to wear SPORTS UNIFORM on Monday and Wednesday

from this week due to gymnastics being held on Wednesdays.

The IRWIN family are on cake raffle this Friday

Our home cooks this week are the

TAINIO & SULLIVAN families

Our radio announcers next Tuesday are

DANIEL & CATRIONA

Tune into FM96.3 each Tuesday at 1.45pm.

COMMUNITY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE MEETING 

If you have any items you would like on the agenda please email 

office.stmarysbatlow@cg.catholic.edu.au

by Monday 28th October.

The "Everything Apple" stall held on Saturday at the Apple Blossom Festival was a great success.

Thank you to those parents and staff who assisted on the day.

 A fantastic raffle has been organised for Christmas.

FIRST PRIZE: One night's accomodation for two at an Abode Hotel

SECOND PRIZE: Cockington Green family pass

THIRD PRIZE: Two Forum Cinema tickets

$2 per ticket

DRAWN WEDNESDAY 11TH DECEMBER at our awards afternoon. 

We will be selling at the RSL Auditorium 6-9pm on Friday 1st and 22nd November. If anyone can assist please let Tracee know.

Tickets will go home to families in November to sell or purchase.

MONDAY IS SCHOOL BANKING DAY

Years 2-6 will attend the cricket blast cup to be held at the Batlow oval on Friday 1st November.

The school is totally out of tissues. Could each student bring in a box for their classroom please.