Happy end of Week 6 Angels!

It has been a busy one, a huge thank you to Flick Williams for the donation of her time on Wednesday in the office when we were short staffed. It is small acts like this that demonstrate to our school how much our parent/carer community care for us and our students. A catholic community of care, thank you Flick, you are a God Send.

Staff News

Staff are looking forward to a twilight professional development with Denise McHugh from NESA next Wednesday, staff will be developing their skills in the practice of triangulation of student data. The practice of using multiple pieces of appropriate evidence to form a conclusion on student achievement, means more accurate reporting of students content knowledge and skills and provides educators and parents with a better picture of where a student 'is' at that time and what is needed 'now' to move that student in toward positive growth academically. We look forward to sharing our learning with you as the weeks progress.

Teacher Appointment

I am very excited to announce the appointment of Ms. Carla Holmes to the St Mary of the Angels Team. Ms. Holmes comes to St Mary of the Angels with 30 years of experience in education in both Private and International Baccalaureate schools in Australia and overseas. Ms. Holmes will spend the rest of the term supporting SMOTA, Mrs. Cox and the Year 3/4 students in readiness for taking over the 3/4 class in Term 2.

Please make Ms. Holmes feel welcome when you see her at our wonderful school.

Advertising continues for a teaching position at St Mary of the Angels as we head towards the end of term and Miss Archibald's leave commencement. Please direct all interested parties to the Catholic Schools Office Recruitment page HERE. Applications close on the 13th March 2023.

Student News:

Year 3/4 students have been looking into the Parable of the Talents as part of their RE work lately, in class there have been discussions of; What are talents? Where do they come from? Students explored the how their gifts and talents are a reflection of who they are, what they are capable of and ultimately the pathway they can take for their success.

They took this deeper and identified how they can use these gifts and talents to support not only themselves but their peers, community and the greater world around them.

I love to watch them explore their uniqueness and how we are all special in our own ways... and like Catherine of Sienna tells us, “Be who God created you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

Last Friday, seven of our students headed to Gunnedah to the Diocesan Swimming Carnival. A huge thank you to the parents/carers who travelled with them and of course to Amber McFarlane for accepting to role of 'Team Manager' for the meet.

Hugo S placed third in the 9 years boys Freestyle and Flynn M placed second in 10 year boys Freestyle and second in the 10 year boys Backstroke. Both Flynn and Hugo will now travel to the Polding Swimming in Sydney. Well done to all of our swimmers (Darcie C, Charlotte B, Christopher W, Fergus R, Hugo S, Darcy S and Flynn M) and good luck to Hugh and Flynn!

UPCOMING EVENTS at SMOTA

St Patrick's Day 17th March MUFTI, Liturgy and Activities.

Eagerly looking forward to St Patrick's Day this year. Mr Niemerg and the Year 5/6 Students are getting ready to host the 2023 St Patrick's Day events at St Mary of the Angels.

Students will be able to wear St Patrick's Day inspired MUFTI clothes for a gold coin donation, which will go towards our Caritas Collection.

Our Year 6 leaders will head to classes to collect this from students on the morning of the 17th March.

Year 5/6 students will also prepare St Patrick's Day inspired Morning Tea which will be sold at recess. These will be $1:00 each and may include green cupcakes, green popcorn, green jelly, green pancakes, green cookies...etc... please note there will be allergy aware products as well.

Our students will then celebrate a Whole School Liturgy at 12:30pm in the Parochial Hall, hosted by our senior leaders.

After Lunch: Students will partake in afternoon activities lead by our Year 5/6 students, supervised by staff. Please note there will be a slippery water slide (supervised by Mr Niemerg) students will be able to wear their swimmers under their MUFTI clothes, please indicate to guyadmin@arm.catholic.edu.au, if you DO NOT wish for your child to participate.

Canberra Camp Year 5/6 Students

A reminder to all Year 5/6 Parent/Carers that the 2023 Canberra Camp will occur on

Sunday 17th September to Thursday 21st September 2023.

Over the next month the final preparations will be completed to the Year 5/6 camp schedule. Once this has been done, the camp will be listed for consent, packing sheet will go home and the first of the camp instalments will be sent to parents.

Contacting Your Child's Teacher

Teachers welcome contact from parents, if you need to talk with staff please either contact the class teacher by phoning the school – 02 6779 1661 or email the school on guyadmin@arm.catholic.edu.au

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