Student News
Health
This term, students have been learning about safety within the community. The beginning of February marked Safer Internet Day, which aims to raise awareness of a safer and better internet experience for all. Students completed activities around cyber safety, people we can trust, and the safety issues around sharing digital images.
Over the past few weeks, we have explored safety around water. Students have enjoyed creating posters demonstrating their understanding of safety considerations at the beach and developed some very creative and entertaining role-play performances depicting water safety at inland waterways. Our water safety focus at the beginning of this term has integrated well with the Friday swimming sessions the students have participated in, and it's been great to hear the students speak about ways they can demonstrate their learning around water safety during their swimming lessons.
Swimming
On Tuesday, 20th February, Jordan Pickering and Kiarah McEwan travelled down to Bendigo to compete in the Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival at East Bendigo Aquatic Centre.
This was the first time in over a decade that students from St Mary's students have competed against other schools in swimming! They had a fantastic day and swam in the Freestyle, Breaststroke and Backstroke events for their age group.
It was blue ribbons for all.
Congratulations to Jordy and Kiarah!
Caritas Launch - Bendigo
Last week, we celebrated Shrove Tuesday, a Catholic tradition where people clean out the pantry and get ready fast for Lent. As Faith Leaders, we went to the Project Compassion - Caritas Launch held in Hargreaves Mall Bendigo.
We learnt that we can provide an act of service to others during Lent. We also learned that Caritas Australia supports people in need with supplies for schools, health facilities and funding for the community.
Many of the schools performed a song or poem based on giving to others. Bishop Shane was there to help us support Project Compassion back at our school and community. Bishop Shane also told the crowd he appreciated them coming to the even though it was hot weather.
On the way back to school, we discussed funding-raising activities for Project Compassion for St Mary's. We have come up with the following initiatives.
- Family Movie Night
- Zooper Dooper sales
- Crazy Dress Up Day
We are asking all our classmates to take home a project compassion box to help raise money. We want students to complete small acts of service in exchange for a donation.
Our target is to raise $300 by the end of Term 1. This will supply enough money to provide a safe toilet for families in Samoa and medicine for people in the Philippines.
By Abby and Fin
Year 5/6 Faith Leaders
Gymnastics
Last week, students had to participate in many different activities, including walking across a beam, climbing, jumping and swinging off the parallel bars. The instructors, Isaac, Liam and Adam, taught us how to complete forward rolls on the mats, and eventually, we could work our way up to backrolls using the bars. My favourite part of gymnastics is going to the 'air pit'. Afterwards, our muscles are well-worked and tired, which means they grow stronger each week. Some students even fall asleep on the way home on the bus. Next week, we look forward to learning some new skills on the vault.
By Jordy
Year 5 Community Leader
Student Birthdays
