Hello Parents and Carers,

We had a great start to Term One last week! Students moved into routines quickly and appear very happy to be back with their friends and are very settled in their new class groups. Our six new Kindergarten students have taken their first two days in their stride, despite the heatwave!  Playground activities have varied from handball, to soccer, to enjoying sand pit time again in our new sand.

This week we have the Swimming Carnival on Wednesday (tomorrow). This is a wonderful day for students of all abilities to enjoy some water time as well as improve on personal best times for individual swimming events. We wish all competitors the best of luck as they seek selection in our St Mary’s Swimming Team to compete at Western Region level on Monday 17 February in Harden. We hope parents are able to join us and help us with time keeping if they are able too. Timekeeping helpers are needed between 10 and 12pm.

At the beginning of the year it is timely to draw parents attention to the Canberra Goulburn Archdiocese Parent Charter. It sets out some expectations on which our partnership is based upon. Our partnership ultimately relies on good communication so please know that we are happy to meet with you and discuss any concerns you may have in regard to your child’s education.

On a final note it was truly wonderful to see so many students proudly wearing our St Mary’s school uniform last week.  Uniform binds us together as a community and shows that we care about where we play and learn. While not perhaps a big issue in the whole scheme of education, we believe that when students are in full uniform it builds a sense of belonging and school pride. If you ever have difficulty purchasing the correct shoes or items please don’t hesitate to let us know. Our uniform shop is located here at school for your convenience. Tracee Holland oversees the uniform shop Thursdays and Fridays. There are currently some new shoes in the uniform shop that have been donated. They are brand new and in a variety of sizes for K-2 students. Please take a look, and there is no cost involved of course.

Have a lovely week everyone.

Jannine

Our whole school prayer this morning was all about looking out for each other. Being kind, compassionate and loving toward each other as we move forward (slowly!) from the past weeks.

Our Opening School Mass is next Thursday February 13 at 10:00 am.  You are all invited to join with us as we begin the new year; morning tea will be served after Mass for students and their families.  We would love to see you.

Mass on Sunday morning was a blessing as we had the men from Vanuatu sing parts of the mass; they are here until August and have said they will be back to sing again.

As I drive into Batlow each morning I am seeing little by little, day by day small changes to the landscape.  Go ever so gently people of St. Mary’s; your grief and sadness is carried in our hearts.  You will rise again.

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

Anne Saunderson - REC

Mrs Jannine Richards - Principal. Mrs Anne Saunderson - REC & Literacy/Numeracy Coordinator. Mrs Justine Hughes - Classroom Support Teacher (CST).

Miss Amy Buckmaster - Kinder/Year 1 teacher. Mrs Mercedes Brown - Year 2/3 Teacher. Miss Maddison Crozier - 4/5/6 Teacher.

Student Information Checklist's went home with each student yesterday. It is important that our records are up to date. Please check ALL details carefully and make any necessary corrections. When you have completed the form, please sign and return to your child's teacher.

The form needs to be returned even if there are no changes to any of the details.

A huge thank you to the school community of Holy Family Gowrie for the donation of sporting equipent, back packs and back to school supplies to all of our students.

OUR FIRST HOME COOKS FOR 2020 ARE THE 

JACKSON & SULLIVAN FAMILIES

Cooking is sold each Friday morning for 50c per item

Our first cake raffle family for this year is the 

McLEAN FAMILY

Tickets are sold for 20c each on Friday morning.

Holiday birthday wishes go Dylan who turned 9 on the 4th January, Isabelle who turned 11 on the 9th and Maverick who turned 8 on the 23rd. Happy birthday to EJ who turns 11 on the 7th, Thomas who turns 10, and Nace who turns 8 on the 8th February. Have a fabulous day.

JADE & ISABELLE 

will be our first radio announcers next Tuesday.

Tune in to FM 96.3 each Tuesday at 1.45pm to hear what has been happening at St Mary's.

This term the school counsellor will visit on:

THIS Thursday 6th February

Tuesday 10th February

Thursday 20th February

Thursday 12th March

Tuesday 17th March

Thursday 2nd April

Tuesday 7th April

Parents are able to take advantage of our School Counselling service. It is a service for students and their families.

Alternatively, counselling support can also be sought through the Bushfire Response Mental Health Accessline: 1800 800 944.

Josh and his family helped weed and mulch our garden just before school came back last week. The family were holidaying in the area and wanted to help in some small way.