Dear Parents,

The weather for outside play has been superb since the snow a week ago. The students have been enjoying a variety of activities, including the parachute last Friday which was a picture perfect day. The weather also saw some students busily looking after the playground under their own initiative. A big thank you to Liam W, Lacey, Josh, Ryley and Thomas who spent some of their playtime time sweeping and weeding to keep our school environment in tip top condition. Tennis has also moved into the court area as another option for lunchtime play. It is wonderful to see the students trying different activities. Play is such a valuable part of the day and we make every effort to vary the options available to the students.

Gymnastics started yesterday for our PE sessions. It will continue every Monday till the end of term. The program is led by Ben from Little Champions and he has a COVID Safe Plan in place which meets NSW Guidelines. Students will be walking to and from the Batlow RSL Club to access the auditorium for their sessions.

As we continue with The Resilience Project at St Mary’s, please see the invitation from St Joseph’s Adelong to be part of an online session with child educator Maggie Dent. This opportunity can be done in the comfort of your own home. It’s a great opportunity to learn strategies to support your child to grow in their resilience presented by a highly regarded child educator.

Have a lovely week everyone

Jannine

We hope all of our St Mary’s Dads, Granddad’s and Uncles have a wonderful Father’s Day on Sunday.  

The Resilience Project 

The Resilience project has been implemented at St Mary’s over the last 6 weeks and already we can see the positive benefits on the playground and in the classroom everyday.

The Resilience Project has developed a Parent and Carers @ Home Learning platform to help you to reinforce what your children are learning at home.

 TRP @ Home has been designed to provide families with easy to implement learning activities and digital content linked to the The Resilience Projects key principles; Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness & Emotional Literacy.

These principles are simple to implement and are supported by research that shows practising them everyday will help you feel happier and more resilient. Just like anything in life if you want to become better at something, you just need to practice!

The @ Home Learning platform provides activities for Lower Primary (Kindergarten – Year 2) Upper Primary (Year 3-6) and Secondary students that focuses on The Resilience Project principles.

The Resilience ProjectLink

GEM Awards Week 6

Liam, Lacey, Josh, Ryley and Thomas felt like sweeping and gardening last week. Thanks guys! The school grounds are looking pretty tidy thanks to you!

Year 2/3 have been using playdough to spell their words for the week.

This is a great, fun hands on activity to help with spelling and fine motor skills.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK

Next Tuesday 8th September Isabelle and Catriona will be our radio announcers. Tune into 96.3 Sounds of the Mountains at 1.45pm for all the latest news at St Mary's.

As Spring is here and the weather is warming up, don't forget to bring a school hat. No Hat, Play in the Shade.

Our school counsellor Mel will be here this Thursday 3rd September.

Birthday wishes this week go to Ruby who turns 7 this Friday 4th September. Have a fabulous day.

What is a more beautiful way to spend a Friday afternoon than with our buddies?! Year 4/5/6 joined their K/1 buddies FRIDAY afternoon to help them learn to skip using the long rope followed by fun and laughter with the parachute. The joy on all their faces was priceless!

Please remember to pack a water bottle everyday. Bubblers are still out of use due to COVID restrictions. 

All students are enjoying the drumming lessons with Mrs Wild every week.

Gymnastics began yesterday and will continue every Monday until the end of term.

The program is led by Ben from Little Gymnastics and he has a COVID Safe Plan in place which meets NSW Guidelines. Students will be walking to and from the Batlow RSL Club to access the auditorium for their sessions. Lessons are free, partly funded by the Sporting Schools Grant.

Tennis lessons will begin in Term 4. Birdie will be here every Friday from Week 1 and will continue for 6 weeks. Lessons are free and funded by the Sporting Schools Grant applied for and granted for Term 4 sport.

Footsteps Dance will commence in Term 4. Lessons will be on Mondays from Week 2 and conducted via ZOOM.

St Mary's will be having their Book Week Parade on Friday 11th September. The theme this year is  'Curious Creatures, Wild Minds'. 

Each class will have their own parade, and students are asked to come dressed as their favourite book character or Curious Creature!!

School Photo Day is Thursday 22nd October.

St Joseph's ADELONG is excited to present Maggie Dent - Live in your Lounge Room on Wednesday 23rd September - 7:00pm - 8:15pm.

Maggie Dent is commonly known as the 'queen of common sense', she has become one of Australia's favourite parenting authors and educators with a particular interest in the early years, adolescence, and resilience.

St Joseph's have been successful in receiving a grant from Catholic Care to bring this webinar to their community and would also like to invite other schools in the region who have been affected by the bushfires.  

The topic chosen for the webinar is 'Real Kids in an Unreal World'.  Real children need real experiences with real people to grow up happy, healthy, strong, kind and resilient.  Maggie explores the 10 essential building blocks that help children build resilience and self-esteem in our chaotic, uncertain world.

If you would like to participate please let the office know, and we will forward your email address to St Joseph's and a link will be forwarded to participants closer to the event.

If you have any queries, please don't hesitate to contact our school.

Day 1 of Term 4 Monday 12th October will be a PUPIL FREE DAY. Staff have professional development. First day for students in Term 4 will be Tuesday 13th October.