Week 6/7 Term 1, 2024

Weeks 8 and 9 - What's On

• Saturday, 9 March - 3pm, Youth Group pool event; Family Mass, 6pm, St Mary's Church
• Monday, 11 to Friday, 15 March - Parent/Teacher Interviews
• Wednesday, 13 March - NAPLAN Writing test, Year 3 and 5
• Thursday, 14 March - NAPLAN Reading test, Year 3 and 5
• Tuesday, 19 March - NAPLAN Language Conventions test, Year 3 and 5
• Wednesday, 20 March - NAPLAN Numeracy test, Year 3 and 5
• Wednesday, 20 March - Prayer Renewal Project World Cafe, 5pm-7pm, pizza provided
• Thursday, 21 March - Harmony Day
• Friday, 22 March - Cross Country Carnival, 1.50pm

Principal News

This week I attended the Principals' Meeting in Townsville, from Monday to Wednesday. The three days were jam-packed with important information for the operational and strategic management of our Townsville Catholic Education schools.

Sessions were focused on a variety of topics. On Monday, we were provided training in Faith Formation, Youth Ministry and Evangelisation. There is an expectation from Townsville Catholic Education that an increase in targeted faith formation training will support school leadership teams across the Diocese in building their own confidence and capacity as the faith leaders in Catholic schools. Mrs Suzette Windridge has already set St Mary's on the right path in this space, with the introduction of the Youth Group and the plans for Mission and Outreach within our school and community, including the market garden being developed between the church and the presbytery. I would like to acknowledge the contributions of the Bowen Men's Shed and Lowcock Builders in supporting this project. On an exciting note, our Executive Director, Mrs Jacqui Francis, presented us with the Executive Director's Laudato Si' Award for 2023 for the amazing work that Suzette has led over the last year. Congratulations Mrs Windridge, and everyone who has helped in achieving the St Mary's plans for Mission and Outreach! The trophy will remain on display in our school office until the end of 2024.

Other sessions focused on closing the gap for our First Nations students, the pastoral wellbeing of staff and students, and Townsville Catholic Education's new Literacy Position Statement. Over the coming months, we will be developing our own St Mary's Literacy Statement that aligns with TCE's Position Statement and will outline the specific evidence-based strategies and resources that we use at St Mary's in supporting the literacy development of every student. We look forward to unveiling this document once it is finished.

God bless,

Alicia Ninnes

Religious Life of the School

Hello everyone, we are now heading into the tail end of the Term and I hope you are all travelling well! We have some important events happening in the last few weeks that you may wish to attend. I have attached the flyers with further details below. 

A reminder to also complete the ECSI survey which was previously emailed! All parents who do so (and send in a screenshot of their completed survey), go into the draw to win a family day cruise to Whitehaven beach.  Completing this survey assists us in planning for and managing the Catholic Identity of our school. 

Thank you to all families and students who attended our Clean Up Australia event as well. It was a great success and St Mary’s is doing their part to contribute to a cleaner, healthier local environment, as well as educate students on their responsibility to be stewards of creation. Well done everyone and thank you! 

On the 15th of March we will be celebrating St Patrick's feast day at St Mary's. Please feel free to dress students in green! There will be a whole school meditation at 9 am on this day in the big shed. 

Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.  

Many blessings, 

Mrs Windridge. 

• Youth group excursion, pool Saturday 9th at 3:30 pm (students Grades 4-6).
• Family Mass, all students and families invited 6 pm St Mary’s Church, Saturday 9th March. 
• St Patrick’s free dress (green) and whole school meditation event, Friday 15th March.
• School prayer discussion meeting, March 20th at 5 pm staff room (all parents invited to discuss our school prayer). 

Clean Up Australia St Mary's

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Learning and Teaching

NAPLAN Testing begins next week in our school on Wed 13th March at 9.00am. The first test that the students will be doing is Writing. We wish all of our learners the very best over the next two weeks while they complete their tests. Thank you to our wonderful P and F who are providing breakfast each morning of the NAPLAN tests for our Year 3 and 5 students. We hope that this lovely gesture ensures that all students are given the best start to the day by having a full belly before completing their tests.

Last year all of our staff engaged in professional development around The Pedagogy of Difference Project. The Pedagogy of Difference Project is a call for all teachers and school officers to respond to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island students' requests for pedagogical change. The following video is a great resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about the Pedagogy of Difference Project. This year all of our teachers will be implementing some of the high-impact teaching strategies from the project into their daily learning experiences.  

Kind Regards,

Krystal Land

Acting Assistant Principal Pedagogy and Learning

Week 6 Awards - Be My Best

Week 7 Awards - Show Respect

MacqLit Graduate

Birthdays

Sports News

Guidance Counsellor News

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

The Resilience Project

Family Fun Day

Non-State School Transport Assistance Scheme

As part of our ongoing efforts to support families, we wish to provide you with information regarding the Non-State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme (NSSTAS), an initiative funded by the government and managed by Queensland Catholic Education Commission.  

About:

• • What is it: The Students with Disability program helps reduce transportation costs for families of those students whose disability necessitates transport assistance to and from non-state schools.
  • Application Process: We encourage you to visit https://www.schooltransport.com.au/ for a straightforward online application. 
  • When to apply:
    • Semester 1 Travel: Please apply in May 2024. 
    • Semester 2 Travel: Application opens in October 2024.

What’s New in 2024:

Following the discontinuation of the Education Adjustment Program (EAP), the eligibility criteria has been updated.  

Revised Eligibility Guidelines: 

• NCCD Requirement:
• The student must be recognised in the most recent NCCD submission as requiring supplementary, substantial, or extensive adjustments due to a disability. OR 
• If the student is in Prep or a new student, the student must have a diagnosed disability and the school must confirm by the end of Term 1 that the provided adjustments align with the descriptors of supplementary, substantial or extensive in the NCCD guidelines. 
• Individual Education Plan:
• An Individual Education Plan or equivalent document must highlight transport needs unique to the student’s disability, that are demonstrably different to those of their same age peers. 
• Travel Capability Rating (TCR):
• The student must have a TCR of C, D, E, or F as per the Student Travel Capability Rating Scale. 
• Or meet Exceptional Circumstances eligibility:
• Additional provisions are in place for those meeting specific exceptional criteria.

We recognise the complexities surrounding these changes and wish to assure you of our support throughout this process. Our goal remains to facilitate a seamless and hassle-free travel experience for your child and family.

Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Mary's Munchkins Playgroup

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

Cooinda Family Centre

School Dental Service

Tuckshop Menu 2024