Hello Parents and Carers,

Class arrangements for next year have been finalised. There will be a Kindergarten/One, Year 2/3 and a Year 4/5/6. This is a return to a familiar model. Our decision was guided on what was the best learning environment for the students in each cohort and all factors were considered. Teachers are still to be allocated to classes.

This Wednesday is the final transition day for our new Kindergarten students for 2020. We have seven happy and enthusiastic students in our new cohort who are already looking very settled in their new learning environment. This Wednesday Bianca, Layla, Kevin, Theo, Hunter, Harley and Rianna will join us for a full day.

With new students getting ready to join us, we also have some students getting ready to leave us. Our Year 6 students have been participating in their own transition programs for their chosen secondary school. We will be farewelling Sarah, William, Liam, Sebastian, Jie Min, Daniel and Jonny in our Thanksgiving Mass on Thursday 12 December at 10am. All parents and friends are welcome to attend to join in our fond farewell and give thanks for the 2019 school year. We have much to be grateful for and we hope you can join us.

A gentle reminder to all parents that students are required to be in school uniform including hats and correct shoes. Please refer to our School Uniform section in this newsletter.

Have a lovely week everyone.

Jannine

The Advent season is filled with preparation and expectation. Everyone is getting ready for Christmas — shopping and decorating, baking and cleaning. Too often, however, we are so busy with the material preparations that we lose sight of the real reason for our activity: the Word made flesh coming to dwell among us. Christians are urged to preserve the spiritual focus of Christmas amidst the prevailingly secular and consumer-driven society.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the season, let us strive to keep Advent a season of waiting and longing, of conversion and hope, meditating often on the incredible love and humility of our God in taking on flesh of the Virgin Mary. In our shopping and baking, let us remember to purchase and prepare something for the poor. When we clean our homes, let us distribute some of our possessions to those who lack many necessities. While we are decking the halls of our homes, let us not forget to prepare a peaceful place in our hearts wherein our Saviour may come to dwell.

Come and join with us on  Sunday 1^st December for Children’s Liturgy as we celebrate the beginning of the new church year.

Seasons for Growth continues this Thursday 3:30 pm in top room.  We have one more session to conclude for this year.

Baskets for our Giving Mass on Thursday 12^th December are at the front office.

We continue to blossom and grow at St. Mary’s

Anne Saunderson

This year we are again invited to join in making a difference to people's lives, by giving NON PERISHABLE GOODS that will go toward hampers for families at Christmas.

Baskets are in the front office of the school until Wednesday 11th December.

Goods donated will be presented to St Vincent de Paul members at our Thanksgiving Mass on Thursday 12th December at 10.00am.

The rotary Carols by Candlelight will be held at the RSL club on Thursday 5th December at 7pm. tudents are asked to meet teachers at the club at 6.45pm dressed in FULL summer uniform. Dresses for girl's please.

Student of the Week Awards Week 6

Year 2/3/4 - Maverick, Annie, Nace and Edie.

Year 5/6 - Jade and Sarah

BONZA AWARD 

Daniel

A children's Mass will be held THIS Sunday 1st December at 8.30am. We would like all student to attend this special Mass. Any children attending will participate in the Mass.

Secret Santa or Kris Kringle (KK) gift giving has been a long tradition of St Mary’s Primary School. It is always exciting, and it is a gesture of friendship and sharing that is important to each and every student. But this year we have simplified this gift giving activity.

We ask that every student provide one gift only on the very last day of term, Wednesday 18 December, to the maximum value of $10, which will go under our school Christmas tree. If students could bring in a gift for their gender and class group, clearly labelled e.g. Boy, Year 2/3/4 or Girl K/1. The gift could also be non-gender specific for any student in their class group. 

Students will find out that morning who their KK is and make a card for them. Teachers will assist in distributing the gifts using music so that each student experiences the act of giving generously and receiving graciously.

Our radio announcers next Tuesday will be Liam P & Sebastian.

Our home cooks this week will be the BRADFIELD and WOODLAND families.

Our cake raffle this Friday is the KORN family.

Families are reminded as per our uniform policy, students need to be in the correct school uniform each day. 

Monday & Wednesday this term is SPORT UNIFORM which is the sky blue polo, navy sport shorts, white socks, joggers & red jumper for all students.

Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays is full summer uniform BOYS blue shirt, grey shorts & grey socks.

GIRLS summer dress or blue blouse, navy skorts & white socks.

ALL students are to wear plain black school shoes NOT joggers on these days. 

  

The uniform shop is full of new stock and has a good seconds supply available for a small donation.

A reminder that hair needs to be neatly tied back with navy or black ties once it reaches shoulder length and nail polish is NOT permitted at school.

There is a lot of lost clothing at the school which has been washed and is ready to be taken home. 

If you think it may be your child's, please come and have a look this week or it will be put in the seconds clothing.

Just a reminder that children MUST wear a hat when playing outside. This is at recess, lunch and all outdoor activities. 

If your child does not have a hat they will be asked to sit or play in the shade.

Raffle tickets were sent home to families yesterday. Please return by Monday 9th December. If you need more tickets see the office. 

A big thank you to Cindy, Leah, Jannine & Tracee our raffle sellers last Friday night.

Year 5/6 will hold their class assembly THIS Friday 29th November at 2pm.

ALL WELCOME.

Year 1 visited our friends at Daycare last Wednesday. Year 2/3/4 will go this Wednesday.

K/1 will have wimming lessons on the 9th, 10th, 12th and 13th December from 1.45 to 2.30pm. More information and permission notes will be sent home soon.

School Fees are now overdue for 2020. If you do not pay by direct debit installments, please pay before the end of Term 4.

St Mary's will farewell Year 6 at the Thanksgiving Mass on 12th December at 10am. Everyone welcome.

The End of Year Awards afternoon will be held on Wednesday 11th December. The presentations will begin at 1.30 and conclude at 3.00pm and will be held at the Literary Institute. FULL SUMMER UNIFORM. DRESSES FOR GIRLS please.

he Batlow Pool has been booked for our annual end of year party on Tuesday 17th December. More details to follow.

White Cross Mobile dental care will be visiting St Mary's in Week 3 Term 1 2020. Information and consent forms were sent home today. If you would like your child to take this opportunity, please fill in and return to school by the end of week 9 this term.

Year 5/6 had a visit from Constable Amy from Batlow Police last week. They got to ask questions, discuss how to become a Police Officer and explore the Police car.

K/1 had a visit from the Responsible Pet Ownership (RPO) Program. The program educates children from ages 4–12 on living safely with dogs and responsible pet ownership.

The students learned the guidelines for Responsible Pet Ownership. ... Lifelong care of the pet. This means committing to the relationship for your pet's entire life. Selecting a pet that is suited to your home and lifestyle and avoiding impulsive decisions. Recognizing that owning a pet(s) requires an investment of time and money.

Year 2/3/4 had fun learning about Angles in Maths this week.