Catholic Identity 

ECSI survey 

St Mary’s Primary school will be participating in the Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) surveys this year. This initiative is implemented across the diocese of Sandhurst as an integral component of the system-wide school improvement agenda. The survey gathers important data and meaningful insights into how St Mary’s school views its Catholic identity today and how such identity might be shaped for tomorrow. Your input is valuable to support us and how Catholic Identity is shaped into the future. 

I encourage you to take 45 minutes from your day to complete the survey. Every parent who completes the survey within the fortnight timeframe will enter the draw for the following two prizes: 

Choice of: 

1. Family meal $100.00 voucher at an Echuca Hotel of your choice 

2. Home cooked lasagna and Sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce (feeds 6) 

The two lucky recipients will be contacted! 

Please keep an eye out on Compass for the survey.  

Thank you in advance. 

Caritas Fundraising events: 

To support Caritas Australia as they reach out to those in need, each week a Year level will be responsible for organising a fundraising event where we encourage learners to bring a gold coin.   

All funds will be donated to Caritas.   

The amount raised by each Year level each week will be announced at the final event! 

Footy colours day and Rainbow day were a wonderful success as a fantastic healthy donation for Caritas is growing. 

Big Water Walk 

Caritas Australia's Big Water Walk is a Lenten fundraising initiative for schools, parishes, and groups to walk in solidarity with people in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific who walk long distances daily to collect water. It raises funds for clean water, sanitation, and health projects, directly supporting communities to escape poverty.  

On Thursday 19th March at 10.30am, St Mary’s Primary School will be joining with the Parish and St Joseph’s College to gather for liturgy. United, we will then walk from St Mary’s Church to St Mary’s school, carrying a bucket of water to walk in the shoes of those who walk great distances to collect clean water for their family and household. 

Upon our return to school we will gather for a liturgy followed by a sausage sizzle.  

A gold coin donation from each learner will support Caritas Australia. 

G’day Weekend Mass

On Sunday 15th March at 9.30am the Brennnan Community (Years 5 & 6 and staff) have been invited to contribute to the Parish Mass by way of readings, the Offertory procession and the final hymn. Morning tea will also be served following the Mass as an opportunity to socialise and connect with Parishioners. 

You are welcome to bring a small plate to share. 

Feast of St Joseph 

On Thursday 19th March we celebrate St Joseph’s Feast Day. Joseph is the husband of Mary and the father of Jesus. Often when we see images of St Joseph, he is pictured with a hammer due to his occupation of carpenter. At St Mary’s, St Joseph’s House colour is blue. 

Harmony Week

At St Mary’s Primary school, we are blessed with diversity. Diversity of faiths, culture, talents and strengths. We celebrate our inclusivity and the wonderful sense of belonging which we all embrace.  

Promoting diversity involves recognising and addressing the specific needs of all learners, including those with different abilities, genders, and backgrounds, ensuring everyone has a voice and feels safe. 

The theme, ‘Culture connects us all’ embraces who we stive to be at St Mary’s.  

On Thursday 19th March we will celebrate Harmony Week encouraging all learners to come to school wearing a splash of orange or dressed in their cultural dress. Together we will continue to grow our understanding about one another, embracing and celebrating diversity. 

Growing our Charism at St Mary’s 

Last week we gathered in our House communities of St Anne, St Augustine, St Brigid and St Joseph to retrieve our learning about the Charism of our school. Learners in multiage groupings completed trivia quizzes, revisited the difference between a sign and a symbol, recalled important information about their House Saint and listened to the story of Sisilia who daily walks kilometres to collect clean water for her family and household.  

Learners were asked to bring a bucket to school to participate in a similar experience, recognising some of the challenges faced by those such as Sisilia. 

Daylen (Grade 5) showed great creativity and initiative and decorated his bucket to recognise Caritas and their outreach to others. Throughout the season of Lent, we too will recognise Caritas as weekly we are asked to donate a gold coin.  

Well done Daylen!