Weeks 4/5, Term 4

Term 4 Week 6-7 Important Events

• 8 November - Year 1 Fire Safety Talk
• 9 November - Bowen State High School Parent Info Night (Year 6 Transition)
• 10 November - Remembrance Day Liturgy, 9am; Year 5 Leadership Speeches
• 16 November - Board / P&F end of year dinner, 6pm

Acting Principal- Michael Colahan

This week I have had the good fortune to join the St Mary’s School community as Acting Principal while Mrs Ninnes is on a course in Brisbane.  My name is Mike Colahan and while my time here has been relatively short, I have enjoyed working with the staff and students of this beautiful School.

Last Friday was World Teachers Day, a day dedicated to honouring and appreciating the incredible educators who shape our students’ lives and futures.  Even though I have only been here for a short time I have been impressed by how dedicated, passionate and hard-working the teachers and assistants are.  I have found all the classrooms to be safe, nurturing environments where the teachers obviously know their students well. Let us remember that the impact of a teacher extends far beyond the classroom and for that, we are incredibly thankful. Together, we can make every day a celebration of the remarkable work they do.

Thank you to the P&F who presented staff members with a coffee voucher as a token of their appreciation for all our teachers do.

Have a great weekend. Mrs Ninnes will be back on Monday.

Mike Colahan

New Teaching Staff

Joining the staff at St Mary’s next year will be Abbey Ross who is moving up from South-east Queensland. 

"I can’t wait to be joining St Mary’s Catholic School in 2024. I have spent the last 3 years teaching at a Catholic School in Gatton. I believe that building a positive relationship with students and their families is key in a small school community. I’m looking forward to nurturing the students‘ development, academically, spiritually, socially and emotional well-being throughout the year. 

When I am not teaching I like to spend time with family and friends or out watching a rugby league game. I am so excited to get to know you!"

Religious Life of the School

All Soul’s Christian Meditation

This week we celebrated All Saint’s and All Soul’s day. Mrs Young and Miss Wenta ran a whole school prayer and meditation service to recognise All Soul’s day on Thursday and it was a very special occasion. Students said a prayer for loved ones who have passed, and we prayed for the soul’s of all people. All Saints and All Souls day reminds us to always try hard to practice the gifts God has blessed us with during our lifetime, and to pray for those we love who are no longer with us. 

Socktober

We want to thank all parents and students who contributed to the people of Timor Leste this past term. Through both our school and online fundraising, we have raised over $800 for this struggling community, who will put the money towards their medical centre and health care. Students had a bunch of fun trying to outscore their teachers, who got very competitive! The school has donated $100 for all of the goals the students managed to score against their teachers. Also, thank you to the teachers who came and helped with the sausage sizzle, much appreciated! Well done everyone and thank you so much. 

Football training

Football training has been a huge success and we want to thank the parents and staff who have facilitated this great opportunity for St Mary’s students. Students who are turning at least 8 next year may join if parents fill out and return permission forms. Also, please remember mouthguards and hats this Tuesday!!!

Football Training

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Join us for a very special Remembrance day liturgy in the big shed, at 9 am on Novemer 10th. Also please see some slight changes to the schedule in terms of our end of year Mass and liturgy dates. 

Thank you to the students and staff who attended the Family Mass this past weekend. It was a lovely service and it was wonderful to see you all there! 

Sacramental Program 2024

Mrs Young, Mrs Ninnes, Mrs Beverly Lowcock and Mrs Windridge are already busy preparing the Sacramental program for next year. We are so excited to begin this special journey with families in the local community. Please see the notice below and get in early to register your child for the 2024 Sacramental program. 

Learning and Teaching

As we enter week 6 of the term next week, please remember that most students will be starting to complete their final assessments for the year. It is not uncommon for students to start feeling tired and emotional at this point of the year. However, if your child is finding it stressful to complete their assessments, we strongly encourage you to speak to their classroom teacher.  Semester 2 Reports will be sent out on Wednesday 29th November by 3.00pm. 

Next Friday Mrs Menzies, Miss Wenta and I are off to Townsville to present our 2023 Journey with The Writing Project. It will be a wonderful day of celebration, and I thank Mrs Menzies and Miss Wenta for helping lead the project in our school this year. I would also like to thank all of our teachers from P-6 for their commitment to improving writing, we have seen wonderful growth across all cohorts this year.

Please see below a comparison of one of many students writing samples that we are very proud of! Sample one is from January this year and sample two from the end of September. 

Kind regards,

Krystal Land

Learning and Teaching Adviser

Day for Daniel

From the Guidance Counsellor

In this edition of SchoolTV - EXAM JITTERS
Every year, more and more emphasis is placed on achieving good results in exams causing many students to feel extraordinary pressure and having unrealistic expectations. This month on SchoolTV, parents will find advice on how to help students cope with the pressure and how students can work smarter to achieve the results they desire.

Exams are like a game. Once you know how to play the game, your chances of achieving great results rapidly increase. Parents can learn how to assist their kids to maintain perspective and keep their sanity intact during exam time.

Diet, exercise and sleep all play an important part in helping a student balance a busy schedule and study smarter. Keeping stress levels to a minimum and reducing anxiety can be easily achieved through careful  planning and having a supportive environment.

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 Exam Jitters edition of SchoolTV
https://smbtsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/exam-jitters

Sports News

Swimming lessons have started for 2023!

On Fridays, please remember to send your child with:

• swimmers,
• sun-safe swimshirt,
• towel, goggles (optional),
• swim cap,
• appropriate footwear,
• sunscreen.

Please have items marked with your child's name and in a named bag.

If your child is arriving at school with their swimmers on underneath their uniform, please also remember to send a pair of underwear to change into after the lesson.

NRL

Award Winners Week 4, Term 4

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

Mary's Way Award Winners:

Back row: Ramsay, Beau, Edie, Aaliyah, Saxon, Sienna

Absent: Austin

Praise Note Winner of the Week:  Jake

Star Reader of the Week: Matilda

Award Winners Week 5, Term 4

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: Lannah, Gea'Jae,  Angus, Andrey. 

Front Row: Jaxon

Praise Note Winner of the Week: 

Star Reader of the Week: Aaliyah 

150th Anniversary Event

Birthdays

Birthdays

Anderson

Laila

Kobi

Tuckshop Menu Term 4

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 came 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 Camila on 0428 216 062 OR at bowenoshc@mmcnq.catholic.edu.au

School Student Broadband Initiative

The School Student Broadband Initiative, in partnership with NBN Australia is providing unconnected school aged students and their families with free internet for 12 months.

This Initiative aims to boost education opportunities by providing up to 30,000 Australian eligible families with school age children (K-12), with free nbn-powered broadband internet at home.

For more information on how to apply and grant guidelines follow the link:

NRL Workshops

Bowen Blazers Swim Club

Healthy Lunch Boxes Cooking Class

School Dental Service

UQ Research Project

Community Christmas Carols 2023