Week 1 Newsletter Term 3 2024

Term 3 - Week 2 & 3- What's On

• Thursday, 18 July - Bowen Sub-District Athletics Trials  
• Friday, 19 July - First Day of Pre Prep Program
• Monday, 22 July - Mass at 9am - Catholic Education Week -
• Monday, 22  - Parade moved to 2.15pm, due to Mass
  
• Tuesday, 23 July - School Captains in Townsville - Catholic Education Week Mass
• Friday, 26 July - Pre Prep Program (Parents invited)
  
• Sunday, 28 July - First Communion and confirmation

Principal News

Wadda Mooli everyone!

As we move further into the school year, I am thrilled to share the highlights of our recent NAIDOC Week celebrations and my experience at the Stronger Smarter training.

NAIDOC Week Celebrations

NAIDOC Week is a significant event in our school calendar, celebrating the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year, our students and staff participated in various activities that honoured the spirit of NAIDOC.

Bowen Community March and Ceremony On Monday, a group of our First Nations students from Years 4, 5 and 6 proudly joined the local Bowen Community March, organised by Girudala. It was inspiring to see so many members of our community come together to celebrate and recognize the importance of NAIDOC Week. Following the march, we attended a moving ceremony that included a traditional performance of Torres Strait Islander dancing, and speeches, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of our First Nations peoples.

NAIDOC Day Liturgy On Tuesday, our school held our annual NAIDOC Day, The day began with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by Ranger Jim Gaston, followed by a special NAIDOC Day liturgy. This was a wonderful opportunity for our entire school community to come together in prayer and reflection, acknowledging the contributions and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The liturgy was a meaningful moment for students to deepen their understanding and respect for Indigenous cultures. 

Following the liturgy, the local Torres Strait Islander dancers, including past pupils, performed for our students, and invited our students to participate in a traditional seated dance, Taba Naba. We then listened to both Ranger Jim Gaston and Mrs Deb Belyea, winner of the national NAIDOC Poster competition, as they spoke about their understanding of this year’s theme, “Keep the Fire Burning: Blak, Loud and Proud”. 

After morning tea, students engaged in rotational activities that celebrated First Nations culture, including traditional art, storytelling sessions, face painting, Indigenous sports and games, and dancing. The involvement and enthusiasm from our students were heartwarming, and it was evident that they gained a deeper appreciation for the significance of this week.

Stronger Smarter Training

I am also pleased to share my recent professional development experience at the Stronger Smarter training, conducted by the Stronger Smarter Institute and Townsville Catholic Education, at St Teresa's College, Abergowrie. This training was an incredible opportunity to enhance my leadership skills and deepen my understanding of how to support our Indigenous students more effectively.

The Stronger Smarter training focuses on high-expectation relationships and positive student identity. The sessions were enriching and provided practical strategies to foster a supportive and inclusive school environment that will benefit all students. I am excited to implement these learnings at our school and work towards creating an even stronger and smarter community for all our students. The insights gained from the Stronger Smarter training will undoubtedly contribute to our ongoing efforts to support and uplift every student at our school.

Thank you to everyone who participated in and supported our NAIDOC Week activities. Your involvement and enthusiasm made this celebration truly special.

God bless,

Mrs Alicia Ninnes

Principal

Religious Life of the School

Welcome back to our third term here at St Mary's! We hope you have all had a wonderful break and students are feeling ready to begin a new and busy term once again. 

Gardening/buddies program: Every Thursday, second break, students have the opportunity to attend our buddies program. Students from years 4-6 can come to the Parish Garden with Mrs Young and Mrs Windridge and do weeding, watering, games and prayer activities. They really love this time and we love teaching them how to care for the earth. Students have successfully sold sunflowers this week and will be selling more next week. Keep an eye out for tomatoes and herbs as well in the upcoming weeks. Let us know if you are able to help out, especially if your child is interested in the buddies or gardening program (contact Suzette swindridge@smbtsv.catholic.edu.au or school office). 

Catholic Education Week: From 21-27 July, Queensland celebrates Catholic Education Week. There were over 800 000 students enrolled in Catholic schools in Australia last year and this number is steadily growing. This growth shows the great importance Australian families place on choosing a school that meets the needs of their child and reflects their values and beliefs. 

St Mary's will be holding a whole school Mass to celebrate Catholic Education Week on Monday 22nd of July at 9am, and our School Captains will attend a very special Mass in Townsville on the 23rd July. Teachers will engage in a series of activities involving scripture to further teach students about the theme for this year; hope, love and faith. Please see your child's teacher about joing their class for a special Christian Meditation during this week as well. Let's acknowedge the good works Catholic Education has contributed, and continues to contribute, to our communities. https://catholiceducationweek.com.au/ 

Esafety: As part of my role as Chaplain, I update my knowledge of cyber safety issues and strategies each year. As a result of cyber bullying, 55% percent of children feel sadness and 22% feel powerless to do anything about it. At least 1 in 5 children will bear the brunt of cyber bullying and targets are growing increasingly younger. As adults, it can be hard for us to understand our child's cyber 'world',  however we must equip our children and students with strategies to keep them safe and protect them as much as possible in their new, virtual reality. 

There are 5 steps to effective esafety management when you are made aware of something concerning that has occured online:

- provide immediate support to the child

- gather key information

- undertake and assessment and plan for action

- collect as much evidence as possible (including screen shots, dates, usernames and URLs etc)

- report harmful content

- prevent further contact

It is important that parents do not become angry and 'blame' their child for what has occured. Their role is one of support and education. Try these excellent resources for both parents and children, available on the esafety website:

https://www.esafety.gov.au/kids/be-an-esafe-kid

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/resources#information-sheets 

Many blessings, 

Mrs Windridge. 

Photos of our Year 1 Whole School Mass on the last day of Term 2. It was a wonderful, joyful Mass for the school community, well done Year 1! 

My New Gallery

We are busy raising funds to send local young people to Brisbane in September to attend the annual Catholic Youth Conference. This allows regional students to mix with a huge group of young Catholics in a fun environment in which music, drama, workshops and guest speakers meet for three days of faith formation. If you know a young person who may be interested or benefit from getting involved in this amazing opportunity, please contact swindridge@smbtsv.catholic.edu.au or gtait@tsv.catholic.org.au

Week 9 - Term 2 Awards - "Safe, Just and Fair"

Week 10 Awards - Term 2 - "Be My Best"

Principal Awards

Congratulations to all our Principal award recipients! 

Birthdays

Term 3 - Student Council

Sub District Cricket Trials

Matthew, Sam and Joel competed in the Bowen Sub District Cricket Trials!

A big congratulations to Sam on being selected. 

Young Battle of the Bands

Congratulations to the students in the 'Krusaderz' who did a fantastic job on Sunday at the Young Battle of the Bands in Airlie Beach. They performed two songs in the competition and placed first for their age group.

NAIDOC WEEK 2024

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Guidance Counsellor News

In this edition of SchoolTV - CULTURAL DIVERSITY - AU

Cultural diversity encompasses the variety of cultures, beliefs, and traditions present globally, contributing to a rich tapestry of human experiences and perspectives. By valuing every child's cultural background, we enable them to excel in all facets of life. Nurturing an environment of curiosity, open-mindedness, and respect for all cultures, will to only promote unity but a deeper appreciation of the nuances that distinguish us.

Inclusion is about more than just words; it's about fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance for every child, regardless of their cultural background. When children and adolescents feel seen and valued for who they are, they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Valuing and understanding cultural diversity, helps our communities benefit from a wealth of perspectives and experiences, enhancing our collective capacity for empathy and innovation.

As parents and adult carers, instilling an appreciation for cultural diversity is vital to equip young people with the tools they need to navigate an increasingly interconnected world. Through leading by example and showing that kindness and understanding knows no boundaries, we can encourage them to embrace multiculturalism. This will not only prepare young people for personal success, but also for contributing to a world that views diversity as a strength. Through collective efforts, we can help pave the way for a more accepting and vibrant future.

In this edition of SchoolTV, learn how best to embrace and celebrate cultural diversity with your children.

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 Cultural Diversity - AU edition of SchoolTV
https://smbtsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/cultural-diversity-au

The Resilience Project

Mary's Munchkins Playgroup

St Mary's OSHC Opportunity

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 Mrs Sue Lawless on 0428 216 062 OR at bowenoshc@mmcnq.catholic.edu.au

Community Events

Cooinda Family Centre

School Dental Service

Tuckshop Menu