Week 8/9 Term 1

From the Principal

This week we celebrated Harmony Day on Tuesday. Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone, from our Traditional Owners to our most recent arrivals, which resonates strongly with our Mercy charism and Gospel values of Compassion, Justice and Outreach. 

St Mary's students celebrated Harmony Week by wearing orange on Tuesday, 21 March (Harmony Day), and participating in activities related to the 2023 theme of "Everyone Belongs". One of the activities was a collaborative poster, completed by students across all year levels, which has been displayed on the wall outside the staff room. 

Last week, our School Improvement Team (Mrs Alicia Ninnes, Mrs Suzette Windridge, Mrs Krystal Land and Mrs Catherine Antonio) met with the Townsville Catholic Education Orange Service Team to present our 2023 Annual School Improvement Plan and our four primary goals for the year. 

The goal of "Build Indigenous cultural competence and celebration through key events and staff professional development" has been in focus over the past two weeks, with the Harmony Day events, the first 2023 meeting of the Indigenous Education Advisory Group (IEAG) and a presentation to staff about the St Mary's Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Our RAP is under development by the IEAG and contains our vision for the school as an inclusive community, and the actions that we will take towards reaching that vision. Three primary actions that will be occuring in the near future include:

• The installation of three new flagpoles, which will allow us to fly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags alongside the Australian flag;
• The installation of a yarning circle that will be available for use by all members of the school community;
• The completion of the Pedagogy of Difference cultural competency training by all staff by the end of July.

I would like to welcome our new members to our Indigenous Education Advisory Group, and RAP working group: Landon Querro, Katy Ward and Shana Lyons. Thank you for your input and we look forward to guiding the school towards achieving our vision for true reconciliation together.

God bless,

Alicia Ninnes

Religious Life of the School

Students enjoyed a fantastic day lawn bowling last Saturday, there was so much laughter and it was great to see our community come together in a relaxed environment. Our older youth group members led the younger students in prayer and Rachel Strambini and Melanie Menzies organised some challenging games that had everybody joining in! We  appreciate the parents, parish members and Towsville Youth minister, Gabbi Tait, for attending and helping the children have a wonderful time. 

The members of the Wangaratta bowls club also gave the youth group lessons on how to bowl, which is much harder than it looks!  The club is eager to offer their time to new members and welcome people of all ages to come and give it a try.  They are there every Sunday from 1.30 pm and want people to know that this a professional sport that has state wide competitions and is played by many young people all over Queensland.  Penny Warren is a club coach and her number is 0438 852 509 or email penwarr@hotmail.com

Keep your eyes peeled for the next Youth group excursion, and we will continue to run our lunch time youth group sessions at school in the meantime. 

Project Compassion: Fourth week of Lent (Week beginning Monday 20^th March)

This week through Project Compassion we learn about Thu, who lives in Vietnam. When Thu was 12 years old, he stepped on an unexploded land mine and lost his leg. ​

Living with a disability in rural Vietnam presented many challenges for Thu, who worked mainly as a rice farmer. Thu also took on the role of caring for his wife, Linh, after she suffered a stroke.​

Determined to turn their lives around, Thu and Linh joined the Empowerment of People with Disabilities program, run by Caritas Australia’s local partner in Vietnam, the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD).    

For Thu, the greatest impact the program has had is enabling the change in Linh’s physical and mental wellbeing. With the support of a physiotherapist, Linh can now walk short distances with the aid of a walking stick. 

Watch a short film about Thu’s story here.

Please support Project Compassion: www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion

Here are some photos of our Year 2 students enjoying making pretzels for Lent this week. Pretzels  represent the tradition of the crossed arms during prayer that was once common many centuries ago. The simplicity of the ingredients reminds us of the true meaning of Lent, the giving up of pleasures in order to enrich our relationship with God, reconnecting again to what is truly important.

Reminders: 

• Please continue to send in donations, such as a gold coin, for a Project Compassion donation. Classes are competing to see who will win the prize of a movie and popcorn afternoon and there is an atmosphere of healthy competition in the air!
  
• A reminder that we have a whole school Mass on the last day of term, at 10 am in St Mary's Church. All members of the community are warmly encouraged to join us. The Mass will be lead by Year 3 and 4 students. This will start the MMBDO celebration and we invite all parents to come along and join in for an Easter Egg hunt, games, picnic lunch and Easter bonnet parade over the course of the day. 
• The sacramental program will continue on Sunday the 26th of March, directly after Mass at 9:00 am with Mrs Bev Lowcock. Please have your forms returned or contact swindridge@smbtsv.catholic.edu.au for more information.
  

Many blessings, 

Mrs Windridge

Mary's Marvellous Big Day Out

Families are invited to join us on Friday, 31 March for our Mary's Marvellous Big Day Out (MMBDO).

Celebrating 150 Years of St Mary's

1895: The Parish Priest, Father Jule Bucas, purchased and re-erected the old "Immigration Depot" buildings for use as a school. This new school was situated on the corner of Sinclair and Powell Streets, together with most other Parish buildings.

1905: A new convent was erected next to the school. 

1911: A new Parish church was erected on the corner of Gordon and Sinclair Streets in 1911 and the "Immigration Depot" school was made into an extension of the Convent for the accommodation of boarders.

School Photo Day

From the Guidance Counsellor

In this edition of SchoolTV - HAPPINESS & GRATITUDE

Happiness is a term that captures a huge variety of positive emotions such as humour, serenity, optimism, joy, pride, inspiration, love and hope. Happiness means different things, to different people and is essential to your understanding of emotional literacy. Throughout history, philosophers, religious writers and poets have pondered on the meaning of happiness and how it might be achieved. In the last few decades, scientists and psychologists have researched this further by studying a field of science called positive psychology.

The result of this research suggests there is a strong correlation between gratitude and greater happiness. Practising gratitude helps you shift your focus to positive memories or experiences, noticing the good in your life. Over time, this will re-wire your brain to create new neural pathways, increase your state of happiness and overall wellbeing.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents and care-givers will learn how to achieve happiness and the benefits of practising gratitude.

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 Happiness & Gratitude edition of SchoolTV
https://smbtsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/happiness-gratitude

Award Winners Week 8

In Week 8, our weekly awards were presented to students who have been following Mary's Way by showing Mercy and Outreach.

Mary's Way Award Winners:

Back row: Asha Lane, Charlotte Wood, Leland Acton

Front row: Arthur Watson, Abigail Wood, James Butler

Praise Note Winner of the Week:  Emerson Graf

Star Reader:  Charlotte Wood

Award Winners Week 9

In Week 9, our weekly awards were presented to students following Mary's Way by showing Compassion and Care.

Mary's Way Award Winners:

Cooper Garnett, Grace Veth, Elishia Petersen, Matilda Smith, Mia Cernusco, Ben Pugh

Paise Note Winner of the Week: Leland Acton

Star Reader:  Arlee Garnett

Tuckshop Menu Term 1

P&F News

Birthdays

Birthdays

Aaliyah Conway                              13 March                               Ada Beygirci                    17 March                Bailee-Maree Tapp                          14 March                              Jaxon Lowcock                 21 March         Mateo Waite                                    16 March                              Abigail Wood                     21 March                                                                                                                      

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

Weeks 9 and 10 Important Events

• 24 March - P&F Easter Disco
• 31 March - MMBDO (Mary's Marvellous Big Day Out) Easter picnic
• 31 March - Last day of Term 1
• 17 April - School resumes for Term 2

Community News