Dear Parents,

After a very busy first term, I trust that you all had a relaxing time over the holidays. It is always good to break the routine of getting up early, making lunches and having the children to school on time. I hope that you had the opportunity to experience some time away with your family enjoying the warmer weather before winter arrives. I would like to remind families that the children need to be in full winter uniform from the 1st of May.

This term will be a long one with 11 weeks. Term 2 is always busy and productive in relation to the children’s learning. I have included as many dates as possible in this newsletter, so please sit down and place the events in your calendar for Term 2. Additional information will come in correspondence from class teachers in class newsletters.

Staff News

Sienna Koop will commence work in Term Two as a part-time Learning Support Officer.

Staff Leave

Kelly Moxon is taking Long Service Leave from Monday 15th April until Monday 3rd June. Kelly will be replaced by Angela Saliba (Mon-Wed) and Catherine Wensley (Thurs- Fri).
Marie Hird is taking Long Service Leave for all of Terms 2 and 3. Marie will be replaced by Lindsey Torr and Sophie Helling who will both work part-time.
Renae has been away this week on sick leave and is very unwell. We are hoping she will return to work next week.

Fortnite Game

Towards the end of Term 1, it has become apparent that some of the senior-level children are spending a significant amount of time on Fortnite and some of the behaviour on this game is less than satisfactory. We all realize that technology is part of our students’ world but as parents and carers, parents must monitor their children online and continue to communicate with them about what is happening when their child is online. No primary school child should be using technology in their bedrooms. We will be holding a Cybersafety night for families on Wednesday 7th August.

Events for Term Two

Interschool Sport

This Friday afternoon Interschool Sport is commencing for all Year 5 & 6 students. Your child has chosen to play either football or netball. This will be held on the following Fridays: 19/4, 26/4, 3/5, 10/5, 17/5, 24/5, 31/5, 7/6.

To be permitted to play football, students must wear a mouthguard. Football boots are optional, runners can be worn as an alternative.

School Open Days

The school will hold two more open days for the year. The dates for these meetings will be on Tuesday 23rd April and Tuesday 28th May. Tours can be conducted from 9:00 am-3:00 pm on each of these days. This is a chance for parents to undertake a tour of the school and a chance to meet the staff and see the programs in operation.

District Cross Country

The District Cross Country will take place on Wednesday 1st May with all children in Grades 3-6 who have expressed an interest, able to participate in this event.

Mother’s Day & Special Friends Stall

The Mother’s Day Stall will take place on Thursday 9th May. This is an exciting opportunity for children to buy gifts for their mothers or special friends.

Mother’s Day & Special Friends Breakfast

The Parents and Friends Committee will hold their annual Mother’s Day Breakfast on Friday 10th May from 7:30am.

Mother's Day and Special Friends Liturgy

On Friday 10th May the children invite their mothers and special friends along to a liturgy to celebrate the great work our mothers and special friends do for us. The liturgy will commence at 9am and last approximately one hour.

Student Wellbeing Family Night

On Tuesday 14th May at 6pm families are invited to join us for a fun, relaxing night of art with Ms M. We will warm up with drawing games, then draw to music, and create group art pieces. Siblings are also welcome to attend! Please register your interest by completing the Google Form below as spaces will be limited: https://forms.gle/uqbAM4ZZDgrL3ck58

Year 6 Camp

The Year 6 will head off to Canberra for their camp from Monday 13th to Friday 17th May. This is an educational camp and the children will travel to and from Canberra by bus. More details will be forwarded by Operoo.

Parents and Friends Meeting

The next Parents and Friends meeting will take place on Tuesday 28th May at 6:00 pm.

Sacrament of Eucharist Year 4

The children in Year 4 will have the chance to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist on Saturday 1st June at 4:00pm Eucharist. As part of the preparation for this sacrament, the children will have a reflection day on Wednesday 22nd May and there will be a Parent Information session for those parents with children receiving the sacrament in the evening of Wednesday 22nd of May at 6pm.

Year 5 and 6 Cluster Day

On Wednesday 5th June the children in years 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to come together with the children from St Finbars and St Joan of Arc to learn and socialise together. More details will be forwarded later in the term.

School Closure Days

The school will be closed on Thursday 6th and Friday 7th June for staff to undertake professional development.

Soccer Lightning Premiership

The Soccer Lightning Premiership will take place on Wednesday 12th June. The school will have both a boys' and girls' team entered on the day.

Netball Lightning Premiership

The Netball Lightning Premiership will take place on Thursday 13th June. Children from Years 5 and 6 will be part of these teams.

Football Lightning Premiership

The Football Lightning Premiership will take place on Friday 14th June. Children from Years 5 and 6 will be part of these teams.

Semester One Reports

Semester One Reports will go home on Wednesday 19th June.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

Parent-teacher interviews will take place Thursday 20th June from 1:30-8:00 pm. To enable these interviews to take place. School will conclude at 1:00 pm on this day.

Conclusion of Term 2

Term 2 will conclude on Friday 28th June at 1:00 pm.

Assembly

Assembly will be held on Monday afternoon commencing at 2:15pm. Class awards will be presented at each assembly. Each class will take a turn at hosting the assembly and listed below is this timetable:

Monday 22nd April Year 5
Monday 29th April Year 4
Monday 6th May Year 3
Monday 13th May Year 2
Monday 20th May Year 1
Monday 27th May Year 6
Monday 3rd June Preps
Monday 10th June No Assembly (King’s Birthday)
Monday 17th June Year 5
Monday 24th June General Assembly

Winter Uniform

At the start of Term 2, students may commence wearing their winter uniform and all children must be in full Winter Uniform by the 1st May. The uniform is available for purchase from PSW Cheltenham and some items may be available at the Second Hand Uniform Shop.

Following is a list of the uniform requirements for Winter:

BOYS WINTER

Long Navy school trousers or Navy shorts with Navy socks
St Mary's long-sleeved school shirt
St Mary's navy blue woolen jumper
Black leather school shoes
Navy socks
St Mary's school jacket with logo

GIRLS WINTER

Navy blue tunic
St Mary's long-sleeved school shirt
St Mary's Navy Blue woolen jumper
Black leather school shoes
Navy tights or navy long socks
St Mary's school jacket with logo

Please Note: The St Marys Sports Jacket is only to be worn with the Sports Uniform. St Mary’s Formal Jacket must be worn on all days the children wear the formal uniform.

School and Community News