Principal's Report
Term 4 is here!
Hello parents and families, it's Jarrod here again, filling in for Dino who is enjoying himself overseas on a well earned break. For those of us back here at St Mary's there is no time to stop and smell the roses, we are flat chat - dodging the swooping magpies ... and out of fear of losing my job, that will be all I will say about the Magpies.
Term 4 is shaping up as a busy term. We have the Grade 3 students making their First Reconciliation (Week 3), our Whole School Peter Pan performance (Week 6) and Whole School Twilight Sports (Week 7) as important events to work towards. Christmas trees are already up in some of the shops, and it will be Advent before we know it!
Walk 2 School - I encourage all students and families to enjoy the warmer weather and take up the challenge to walk, scoot and ride to school as often as possible this month (and for the rest of the term) as we celebrate 'Walk 2 School' month. Each class is currently tallying their 'healthy commutes' to and from school, and I will update everyone of these numbers at assembly each Friday.
Reconciliation - as mentioned earlier, this term sees the Grade 3 students take the 'Sacramental limelight' as they learn all about the Holy Sacrament of Reconciliation (formerly known as Penance and Confession). These students and their families have been working through the Sacramental Program and will celebrate the Sacrament on Thursday 25th October.
Peter Pan - our whole school performance is really starting to take shape and 'Director' Emma Cutler, 'Producer' Amanda Gill and 'Professional Understudy' Dino De Propertis are all excited with the progress made by the students. Please ensure that your child/ren have their costume all sorted, and please contact your child's teacher if you are having any 'costume issues' and we can get it sorted out. We can't wait for the big night! ... which is Friday 16th November!!
Twilight Sports - Mr Luckman is back from his 'overseas training camp' ready to run the Twilight Sports. The event is a wonderful night where students can enjoy competing in their House Teams in events such as Sprints, relays and field events. Twilight Sports is on Friday 23rd November (the week after Peter Pan), more details about the Twilight Sports will follow.
Locking the gates - can I please ask all parents when picking their students up to leave the school grounds before 3:45pm. We are noticing that a small amount of parents are staying well past this time which is unfair on the teachers who are locking the gates.
Mega Monthly Maths Quiz - yes the MMMQ is back for October (or what is left of October). So if you're looking for a Maths activity to do at home with you children have a look in 'Other News' (in this newsletter) for a couple of problems (plan a birthday party or find a house for Miss Gill!). Anyone wanting to enter the MMMQ, please get your answers to me (or the Office) by the end of the month.
2019 Canberra Camp Information Night - we will be holding an information night for next year's Canberra Camp on Wednesday 31st October starting at 7pm. On the night we will outline the purpose for going to Canberra as well as our itinerary for the 3 nights and 4 days that we are away. Parents do not need to bring their child/ren along to this meeting.
Graduation - and of course, let's not forget our Grade 6 students who have only 8 more weeks of primary school left ... and 6 years of high school ... and probably 4 years of university ... but who's counting! They have been great role models so far this year and I look forward to seeing that continue throughout their final term with us here at St Mary's. The Grade 6 students will celebrate their Graduation with the school community on Thursday 13th December.
Keep smiling and enjoying the sunshine,
Jarrod Mullavey