Dear Parents and Carers,

What a cool week! Yes, it is summer but we are still reaching for jumpers and putting on heaters. However, we are really hoping for a change in the weather as our K/1 students start their swimming program next week! All details were emailed via Schoolzine today. Parents are warmly welcome to join us at the pool for the sessions if they are available.

We also know it is such a busy time of the year for school events and family commitments with other organisations. To keep on top of dates please refer to our dates section in this newsletter.

Even though it is busy if parents would like to give us any feedback regarding this year please feel free to let us know either by sending an email, chatting at the gate or making an appointment. ‘My door is open.’ We are ready to listen especially to assist our planning in 2020.

I have just finished reading student reports and can see the gains students have made since the end of Term 2. I particularly enjoy reading about what each individual student’s ‘highlight’ of the year was. I’m sure parents will enjoy hearing of their child’s highlight too. It proves that it is the ‘little things’ that count for our students, every day.

This Friday is Country Day, an initiative organised by our Year 6 leaders to support St Patrick’s Primary School in Trundle NSW. Students are invited to wear country clothes and share in a special lunch to raise funds for the tiny school’s end of year celebration. Please see further details in this newsletter.

Also coming up over the next week is Carols by Candlelight on Thursday Evening starting at 7:00pm at the Batlow RSL Club. Students are to meet teachers at 6:45pm wearing the full summer school uniform. We hope to see you there at this wonderful community event.

Have a lovely week everyone.

Kind Regards

 Jannine

Happy New Year! It is a new year in the Catholic church. It is the time that we wait for the clebration of the birth of Jesus. It is the time when we hope for joy and peace in our world.

    ‘The world waits for a miracle

     the heart longs for a little bit of hope

     O come, oh come Emmanuel‘     Light of the World - Lauren Daigle

Thank you to everyone who came to Mass to celebrate the first Sunday of Advent. Bev, Martin, EJ and James, Clarissa, Annie and Marlie, Kellie and Ethan, Letisha and Emily, Kathy Hamilton and Nace, Miss Collins, Mrs Dobbie and Mrs. Murray.

Thank you to our amazing (yet small) St. Mary’s staff who contributed to our ‘Bags for Dignity’ drive.  There is little that we go without these days, so the staff decided to contribute to the Toyworld Tumut promoted ‘Bags for Dignity’ drive.  Bags donated will be distributed locally.

Our Year 6 and Thanksgiving Mass will be next Thursday 12th December at 10:00 am. 

We would love to see you next week!!! Come and have a cup of tea after Mass...

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held with the Parish during the Easter season in 2020.
If you would like your child to make this Sacrament, please fill in an enrolment form. The forms are available at the Church or contact Liz Murray (elizabeth.murray@cg.catholic.edu.au).
Children need to be in Year 3 and above (in 2020) to prepare for this Sacrament. Please complete the enrolment form before the end of the school year as lessons will commence early next year.
If you have any questions please contact me.
Kind regards
Liz Murray

The rotary Carols by Candlelight will be held at the RSL club THIS Thursday 5th December at 7pm.

Students are asked to meet teachers at the club at 6.45pm dressed in FULL summer uniform. 

Year 5/6 visited Batlow Daycare last week, Year 2/3/4 will visit tomorrow.

Year 6 Leaders will be hosting a fundraiser THIS Friday 6th December.

The money raised will go to St Patrick's Trundle, a small school with 28 students whose families are farmers feeling the effects of the drought.

Students can wear country themed clothes to school for a gold coin donation. There will also be country themed activities in the afternoon.

There will be a Meal Deal for $5.00, including a sausage sizzle, rice crispy treat (at recess) and a zooper dooper (no sugar), an extra sausage can be purchased for $2.

The Home Cooking (50c each) and Cake Raffle (20c a ticket) takings will also go the the fundraiser. IGA Batlow have kindly donated the sausages.

Please send in orders for the Meal Deal with correct money by TOMORROW, Wednesday 4th December.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK

K/1 - Phillip, Jack, Elise, Callee-Bree, James Sk, Ruby

2/3/4 - Zayn and Annabelle

5/6 - Catriona, Caleb, Isabelle

Kindergarten and Year 1 enjoyed creating Patterns in Maths.

Could all Library books to be returned to school as soon as possible please. Children are still allowed to borrow for reading in their classroom but are not taking them home.

The uniform shop has new stock items and we also have a good selection of second clothing for a donation. We will advise a time and date when the uniform shop will be opened in January for any purchases.

ALL students are to wear plain black school shoes.

When purchasing new school shoes for 2020 please be aware of our policy.

 

   

Our last radio announcers next week and for 2019 will be 

Jiemin & Daniel

Tune into FM 96.3 at 1.45pm to hear what is happening at St Mary's.

Birthday wishes this week go to Ethan who turns 9 and Sarah T who turn 7 this Saturday 7th December. Enjoy your special day.

This week Ms Collins will be cooking our cake raffle and all profits will go to our "Country Day" fundraiser.

THANKS MS COLLINS!!!

Our Year Six leaders and Ms Collins will be on home cooking this week raising funds for our "Country Day". 

Cooking will be sold for 50c per item on Friday.

Please return TICKETS AND MONEY by Monday 9th December. 

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

Choice of Abode Kingston, Gungahlin, Murrumbateman, Narrabundah, Woden or Tuggeranong.

SECOND PRIZE: Cockington Green family pass

THIRD PRIZE: Two Forum Cinema tickets

 $2 per ticket or 3 for $5

DRAWN WEDNESDAY 11TH DECEMBER

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.

Reminders will be sent home this week for overdue School Fees. All fees should now be paid for 2019 unless paying by regular instalments.

White Cross Mobile dental care will be visiting St Mary's in Week 3 Term 1 2020. Information and consent forms where sent home last week. If you would like your child to take this opportunity please fill in the form and return to school by 13th December.

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

The program focuses on teaching students:

• when dogs should be left alone
• things we should not do to dogs
• how can you tell if a dog is happy, scared or angry
• a safe way to approach and greet a dog
• what to do if approached by an unknown or aggressive dog
  
  
  
  
  
  

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