Week 4/5 Term 1

From the Principal

Last week I attended a training on Leading School Improvement with other TCE principals. The training was presented by established education researcher and author, Vic Zbar. Vic's research has identified that there are particular pre-conditions required for a school to improve and flourish over time. The pre-condtions are:

• High expectations for teachers and students
• An orderly learning environment
• Focus on what matters most

The research has shown that the defining characteristc of schools that perform better than others is consistency. St Mary's has an established culture of learning for students and staff through the provision of high quality teaching. High expectations are evident in the consistent implementation of our school rules and focus on using data to drive academic improvement. Our Positive Behaviour for Learning (The Mary's Way) ensures an orderly learning environment where students learn to Show Respect, Mercy and Outreach, Compassion and Care, to be Safe, Just and Fair and to Be Their Best. Ensuring consistency in the implementation of these first two pre-conditions enables us to focus on our main goals within our Annual School Improvement Plan.

The Annual School Improvement Plan and our focus goals will be presented to the Senior Leadership Team from Townsville Catholic Education on March 15. In essence, we will be focussing on:

• The use of data, by teachers, to inform their planning and teaching practice, specifically in the areas of Inclusive Education and Writing;
  
• Reviewing and developing the school prayer through engagement with the Prayer Renewal Project;
• Hosting a successful 150th Anniversary celebration in September, with the support and collaboration of the whole community; and
• Building Indigenous cultural competence and celebration through key events and staff professional development.

Next week the Board will be holding its AGM, at 5.15pm in the staff room. The Annual School Improvement goals will be presented to the Board, and all are welcome to attend this Annual General Meeting.

God bless,

Alicia Ninnes

Religious Life of the School

This week, the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

The theme of Project Compassion 2023 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good we do today extends to impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues.  We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through prayer, fasting and almsgiving in support of Project Compassion. Each classroom will receive a Project Compassion box for their coin donations. Students are challenging each other to be the class who raises the most, with a popcorn and movie afternoon up for grabs for the winners! Alternatively, you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion

This week students participated in Shrove Tuesday, as well as an Ash Wednesday liturgy at the Church. Teachers are working with students to help them select something simple that they can go without or take up for the Lenten period. Lent is a period of 40 days which comes directly  before Easter. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is a season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus’ sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. Lent is marked by fasting, both from food and festivities. Whereas Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus after his death on the cross, Lent recalls the events leading up to and including Jesus' crucifixion. It is a very significant time of year as it encourages us to contemplate what it truly means to be a follower of Christ. It is a time of self reflection where we consider our failings and recommit to living a better life. If you should wish to join with us, St Mary’s is holding weekly Lent meetings. Contact swindridge@smbtsv.catholic.edu.au or aninnes1@smbtsv.catholic.edu.au, you are very welcome to join us!

Many blessings, 

Mrs Windridge

Youth Group Excursion

Celebrating 150 Years of St Mary's

27 July, 1864: The first Catholic church in Bowen, St Mary’s, was opened . Fr William McGinty, the first priest of the newly established parish, had arrived in February of the same year.

September 1873: St Mary’s School was opened by Sister Mary De Sales and Sister Mary Gertrude. They had travelled from Townsville to Bowen to help care for Father Tenison-Woods, who took ill with a fever while visiting Bowen.

1874: Two cottages were purchased to accommodate girl boarders at St Mary’s School. These were mostly Irish immigrants and orphans.

1875: Mother Mary of the Cross visited St Mary’s Primary School and probably taught classes during her stay. A year later there were 42 children on the school roll.

E-Safety

Hi everyone, as school chaplain I recently completed a course from the ESafety Commission on Internet Safety, Cyberbullying and Young People. I have shared some important information below that may be of interest to you. If you have any questions feel free to contact Alicia or myself for further support or resources.

Key points:

• One in five students report they have experienced cyberbullying
• Students can make a complaint about cyberbullying to the social media service or the esafety commission https://www.esafety.gov.au/report 
• Esafety also has resources to help parents ingrain cyberbullying prevention and to help deal with cyberbullying https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents 
• The esafety guide also has excellent information about current apps that may be harmful at The eSafety Guide  

Again, if you have any concerns about your child experiencing possible cyberbullying, please contact the links above or the school for more information and support. 

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.

RE in Prep

Prep have been looking at different ways we can pray and how we can communicate with God. Students have been exploring symbols of prayer and have looked at Rosary beads. First we all held our own Rosary beads and looked at what it is and how we use it. Students then got to make their very own Rosary beads to take home! It was a great fine motor skill and tested their resilience to complete it.

From the Guidance Counsellor

In this edition of SchoolTV - SLEEP

Students today have extremely busy schedules, with ever increasing responsibilities at school and at home. Many kids, especially adolescents, are going to bed later and later and are at risk of sleep deprivation. This affects three areas of a child’s development: psychological, physiological and psychosocial. All three are essential to a child's growth, learning ability and overall wellbeing. Sleep is vital to a child’s overall development and is as important as diet and exercise.

Sleep also strengthens a child’s immune systems and supports their ability to function properly on a daily basis. Children who do not get enough sleep show increased levels of aggressive behaviour, are less attentive and are much less active. Trying to catch up on sleep on weekends is not the answer and can still lead to severe sleep deprivation.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn about the importance of sleep and how sleep deprivation can have adverse effects on a child’s health and wellbeing.

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 Sleep edition of SchoolTV
https://smbtsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/sleep

Award Winners

In Week 4, our weekly awards were presented to students following Mary's Way by showing "C"  Compassion and Care.

Mary's Way Award Winners:

Back row: Mica McVeigh, Wilhelmina Nowlan, Sophie Palmero, Chelsea Woodward.

Front row: Lazariah Prior, Georgia Jeffrey, Lewis Smith

Praise Note Winner of the Week:  Paulo Ngauamo

Star Reader:  Lulu Falzon

Award Winners

In Week 5, our weekly awards were presented to students following Mary's Way by showing "S''  Safe, Just and Fair.

Mary's Way Award Winners:

Back row: Rafferty Pilcher, Charlotte Wood, Ryan Guy

Front row: Wynter McMahon, Collins Nowlan, Lulu Falzon

Paise Note Winner of the Week: Harry Menzies

Star Reader:  Delta Lane

Tuckshop Menu Term 1

P&F News

Throughout the start of Term one it's been wonderful for the new P&F committee to meet with so many families within our school community, new and returning.  It's been fulfilling to hear how all students and teachers are all settling in and with the excitement for our end of term Easter Disco, we are eggcited!
It's with special thanks that we take the time to thank all staff who were involved with the recent information sessions, with families having the opportunity to learn about the St Mary's learning journey and ask questions to teachers and staff.
Don't forget to save the date for some of events throughout the year and join us for our next meeting will be held Thursday 2 March, joining the Board for their AGM at 5.15pm in the staff room, followed by P&F in the Library. Everyone is welcome!

Ellie Palmero,
P&F President

Birthdays

Birthdays

Penelope Jones                    25 January                           Alexander Eldred                  18 February        Ramsay Pudsey                   13 February                          Kendall Malone                     19 February        Locklan Mackay                    15 February                         Darcy Matheson                    24 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.

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

Free Hockey Workshops

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

Please see below for more information.

Weeks 6 and 7 Important Events

• 28 February - Keeping Kids Safe (Bravehearts) presentation, Prep - Yr 3
• 2 March - Board AGM and P&F meeting, 5.15pm in the staffroom and library
• 3 March - Yr 1 / 2 Mass ; Mulkadee applications close
• 7 - 10 March - Early Years Testing, Prep - Yr 2
• 8-10 March - Year 6 Leadership Camp
  

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