Week 2/3 Term 1

From the Principal

Greetings from Townsville, where Suzette Windridge and I have been participating in TCE-led training in Enhancing our Catholic School Identity. The training has been very practical and interesting, as we have examined the data related to the beliefs and practices within our own school, and have also learned of strategies to develop the Catholic identity of our school further, in dialogue with the many faith backgrounds of our community. Developing an experience of Faith and Mission, which enriches students' lives and futures is one of the six key strategic directions for Townsville Catholic Education, and all Principals and APREs from the diocese will be taking part in this training during February.

The students and staff at St Mary's have had a very productive start to the year and are already stuck into their learning. Thank you to the parents and students who attended our Wadda Mooli afternoon tea! It was lovely to gather socially and share food while getting to know each other. We look forward to getting to know even more families at future events! The Parent Information session and first P&F meeting for the year were also well attended and set the tone for a productive year to come.

There have been a few questions regarding pick-up and drop-off times. With regards to pick-up, the supervision officially ends at 3.10pm, however if parents are running late, we will exercise our duty of care by bringing the students into the office to ensure their safety until a parent arrives. For morning drop-off, official supervision of students starts at 8.15am. Prior to this, students should technically be in OSHC, as there are no teachers on duty. Please help us ensure the safety of your children in the mornings by either waiting until after 8.15am to drop them off, or enrolling them in OSHC. There is a notice below about the upcoming changes to Child Care Subsidy that will reduce the cost of OSHC for most families from July. The OSHC service also provides breakfast to students at no extra charge, so the children are well fed in preparation for the day.

For anyone who isn't aware, NAPLAN has moved from Term 2 to Term 1 this year. More information about this year's NAPLAN is provided below.

We have been fortunate to obtain a Sporting Schools Grant, which will provide the funds for specialised training in gymnastics this term. All classes will be taking part in gymnastics classes on Mondays from 20 February to 13 March. Students will be allowed to wear sports uniform on Mondays for these four weeks to aid in the movement required as part of gymnastics.

Finally, for any Year 5 or 6 families interested in sending their children to Mulkadee, there will be an information session held on Tuesday, 14 February, at 3.15pm in the library. More information about Mulkadee registrations can be found below.

God bless,

Alicia Ninnes

Religious Life of the School

Hello everybody. Last week we had our first whole school Mass, only missing the Preps (who are still settling into their new school routines), and it was wonderful to see the school come together to celebrate our new school leaders. The Year 6 Captains and Mini Vinnie students took their pledges and said a prayer before being blessed by the whole school community and given their badges. I am sure that they will make life long memories this year as leaders within our school community. 

During the service Father Lyons shared a Gospel story which tells us about how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples at the last supper. At that time, people often had very dusty feet and it was the job of the lowliest servant to wash the feet of their masters before a communal meal. The disciples must have been shocked by Jesus’ act! Jesus gave us this example so that we too can be like servants to each other, building each other up in humility and love, washing away the ‘dirt’ of the road as we do so. In his homily at Sunday Mass last weekend, Father Lyons said that it is in the everyday, simple acts that we can show our love for others, and that our capacity for goodness is ‘the most important thing about us’. 

In Year 2, Mrs Menzies read this same passage to students and they recreated the scene with playdough. Some of the little feet and bowls of water were extremely cute! What a wonderful way for students to consolidate their learning with a hands-on activity of the word. 

Many blessings, 

Mrs Windridge

NAPLAN

NAPLAN will take place between Wednesday, 15 March, and Wednesday, 22 March. All students in Years 3 , 5 , 7 and 9 across Australia take part in the NAPLAN tests during this time.

Please see below for the St Mary's NAPLAN timetable, and click on the images to read the following information for parents provided by the Australian Curriculum, Assesment and Reporting Authority.

Catholic Identity Team

The Catholic Identity Team will be meeting on Thursday, 16 January, at 3.15pm in the staffroom.

This session will be coordinated by Suzette Windridge and she will present information from the Enhancing Catholic School Identity training for Principals and APREs that she and Alicia Ninnes attended. If you have any questions or are interested in attending, please see Suzette.

Parents and carers are also invited to our Ash Wednesday Liturgy, to be held in the Church, on Wednesday, 22 February, at 9.00am.

From the Guidance Counsellor

In this edition of SchoolTV - SCHOOL TRANSITIONS

In this edition of SchoolTV - ONLINE GAMING Games are an integral part of human behaviour. It
is normal and healthy for young people to engage in play as a part of their daily lives, including
playing games online. And like most activities, online gaming can have both positive and negative
outcomes. It can be intimidating and confusing for carers trying to understand a young person’s online experiences with many considering that staring at a screen is an unhealthy habit. However, the World Health Organisation does believe that as well as the risks, there are also many positive benefits associated with online gaming and these could be key in nurturing bonds with others.

During the pandemic, there was an explosive growth of gaming as people sought much needed
connection during isolation. In the media, gaming often gets bad publicity because most coverage
tends to concentrate on the minority of gamers who play to such an extent that it compromises all
other areas of their life. However, online gaming can teach young people many skills including
teamwork, concentration, communication and problem-solving. It requires a level of interaction and skill from the player; unlike watching television, which is more passive.

Online communities provide opportunities for young people to feel socially connected and have a
sense of belonging. At healthy levels, gaming can increase their self-esteem and social
acceptance. However, any behaviour, when taken to extreme, can also have a negative impact on
a young person’s everyday life. Understanding what your young person experiences online and
knowing the warning signs if they are at risk, will help nurture a more positive relationship with
online gaming and help your family find the right balance.

If you are concerned about your young person’s online gaming habits, it’s important to consider a
number of factors. This edition will provide strategies in how to deal with any issues you may be
experiencing.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we
always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the
school guidance counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to the Online Gaming edition of SchoolTV
https://smbtsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/online-gaming

Award Winners

In Week 2, our weekly awards were presented to students following Mary's Way by showing "S"  Show Respect.

Mary's Way Award Winners:

Back row: Tate Buckley, Andrea Firth, Sam Murray.

Front row: Edie Grieve, Ashton Watters, Hudson Mee, Jaicee Peterson

Praise Note Winner of the Week:  Maggie Romano

Star Reader:  Wilhelmina Nowlan

Award Winners

In Week 3, our weekly awards were presented to students following Mary's Way by showing "M''  Mercy and Outreach.

Mary's Way Award Winners:

Back row: Emerson Graf, Blake Williams, Anderson Graf

Front row: Isabella Williams-Hockings, Lannah Murray, Zane Prior, Harley DeLacey-Green

Paise Note Winner of the Week: Benjamin Pilcher

Star Reader:  Saoirse Gentle

Tuckshop Menu Term 1

P&F News

St Mary's is already off and running into this new and exciting year.  Thank you to all who had the opportunity to join us for the first P&F meeting for 2023. We have been successful in welcoming a new committee for this year. However, all this would not be possible without the ongoing support of so many who gave endless hours to support the 2022 P&F.  A special thanks to Kristy Sylvester who took time to manage the treasurer position throughout 2022 and thank you Jackie Veth who gave her time as the secretary.  These ladies did more than just those positions, they took the time to support, help and create engaging events that the P&F was behind last year.  We are very grateful to continue to see them at our meetings and events. 
2023 will bring some fun events, so watch out for Term's 1 Easter Disco which will be held week 9 on Friday, 24 March.  In Term 2 we will be doing something special for the Mothers in our school community plus we will be hosting a Musical Bingo night on Friday, 16 June.  Term 3 will bring great importance to the St Mary Community with the celebration of 150 years.  Also, a breakfast morning will be held to say thank you also to the Father figures of our school which will be held on Thursday, 31 August.
Thank you, and welcome, Angela Gonzalez as 2023 Secretary, and special thanks to Lindy Anderson for stepping into the Treasurer position.  Everyone's time is truly appreciated, we may be a little school but with the support of parents, families and friends we can enjoy some great fun events.

Ellie Palmero,
P&F President

Birthdays

Birthdays

Lulu Falzon                     5 January                                        Harley Wallis                        24 January         

Letti Williams                 10 January                                        Ashton Watters                    24 January  

Jaicee Petersen            11 January                                        Dwyatt Schultz                     26 January 

Benjamin Antonio          12 January                                        Elijah McIntosh                    28 January 

Tyler Henry                   12 January                                        Caleb Brockbank                 29 January 

Lewis Smith                  16 January                                        Xander Gomersall                 5 February

James Butler                 17 January                                       Arlee Garnett                         10 February

Jack Lawrance              17 January                                       Rosalina Quisel-Mason         11 February

Sam Murray                   19 January                                      Oliver Eldred                          12 February                 

Gymnastics

Students will begin gymnastics training with Hayley Gordon, from Dare Gymnastics, on Monday, 20 February. This opportunity is provided due to a Sporting Schools grant. 

Students are invited to wear sports uniform on Mondays in Weeks 5, 6, 7 and 8 to support their freedom of movement during gymnastics lessons.

Free Hockey Workshops

Bowen Hockey will be providing free hockey workshops after school on Wednesday for three weeks.

Please see below for more information.

Mary Mackillop OSHC

OSHC at St Mary’s Catholic School is now operating Monday to Friday from  6.30 am to 8.30 am and 2.45 pm to 6.00 pm.

The government has announced changes in the way that Child Care Subsidy is worked out. The income limit for CCS will be increasing to $530,000, meaning that the cost of OSHC will reduce for the majority of families. The changes will come into effect on 10 July.

Currently the service costs $17.50 for Before-School Care, and $22 for After-School Care, before CCS reductions are applied. Food (breakfast and afternoon tea) is provided at no extra cost. Please see below for more information about the upcoming reduction in fees.

If you would like more information or to register, please contact Miss Rob on 0428 216 062 OR at bowenoshc@mmcnq.catholic.edu.au

February Important Events

• 13 February - Shake  & Stir Theatre company presentation
• 14 February - Mulkadee Parent Information session, 3.15pm in the library
• 15 Febraury - Free hockey workshop 1, 3.00pm - 3.45pm in the undercover area
• 16 February - Catholic Identity Team meeting, 3.15pm in the staffroom
• 20 February - Gymnastics sessions start at school, Mondays for four weeks
• 21 February - Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) and Project Compassion launch; Vision screening for Prep / Year 1
• 22 February - Ash Wednesday liturgy, 9am; Vision screening for Prep / Year 1; Free hockey workshop 2, 3.00pm - 3.45pm in the undercover area
• 23 Febraury - Indigenous Education Advisory Group meeting, 3.15pm in the staffroom
• 24 February - Census day; Parent and Families Engagement Evening (movie and sausage sizzle on the oval)
• 28 February - Keeping Kids Safe (Bravehearts) presentation, Prep - Yr 3
  

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