Week 6, Term 4 2023 - 7th November 2023

Week 6 Reflection

Dear Parents, 

After recently completing a Christian meditation degree I’d like to share the information I have learned and the explanation of why saying the Rosary and meditation time has been an important part of St Mary’s school for many years.

While it has been well-documented that exercise is important for healthy, growing brains (and we always include this in each student’s day),  it is now being recognised  that mental stillness, or mindfulness, is just as crucial.

We know that 

• Meditation increases blood flow to the brain, and increases positive changes in the decision-making area of the brain. 
• Mindfulness has a strong, positive effect on the immune systemand health of the gut, which is crucial for emotional and mental health.
• The book, “Handbook of Mindfulness In Education,” includes evidence from developmental neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience that shows the potential for mindfulness to increase children’s brain functioning and positive brain structural changes.
• A recent study shows increased cognitive function in children who practice mindfulness, as emotional control indicates increased cognitive function. This one-two punch of both elevated mood control and cognitive function appears to be an easily integrated practice for schoolchildren, with large benefits. 
• The ability to regulate behaviour and cope with set backs is essential for children to function optimally in the classroom.

Teachers at St Mary’s use a variety of apps, recordings and scripts for meditation, it is easy to bring meditation to your home life. You can find a plethora of opportunities and offerings on the internet.

Terri Leotta
Assistant Principal: Religious Education

https://www.headspace.com/articles/meditation-can-help-kids-too

From our Principal - Mr Wes Rose

In our Prayers
Please keep Milah Breayley (Yr 2) and her family in your thoughts and prayers.  Over the weekend, Milah was involved in a serious accident and is currently in Townsville hospital receiving treatment.  On behalf of the school community, I pray for God’s blessings for Milah and the Breayley family and for the expert care that she needs at this time.

2024 Class Teachers
I am pleased to advise that we have appointed the following teachers for the 2024 school year.

You will see a few new names on our teaching staff list.  Some information about our new staff is as follows;

Angela Russo – Ms Russo is a mature-age graduate teacher, who joins St Mary’s for her first teaching placement.  Prior to completing her teaching degree, Angela was a teacher aide for over 20 years, and has vast experience working with students of a variety of year levels. 
Natasha Cornell – Mrs Cornell will be a familiar face, having done many relief teaching days at St Mary’s this semester.  Tash is a very experienced and dynamic teacher, having worked in various schools in the Central Highlands and the Pioneer Valley.
Ashleigh Carmody – Mrs Carmody resumes her teaching career at St Mary’s following the birth of her 2 children.  Previously, Ashleigh has worked at St Anne’s Sarina and also in Catholic schools in the Brisbane Archdiocese. 
Lisa Sorbello – Mrs Sorbello has worked as a teacher for nearly 20 years, most recently at Andergrove State School.  Lisa’s name should be familiar to many of you, as her family has been associated with St Mary’s for many years, with her 3 children being previous school captains. 

Modified Lunch/Play Procedures
For the next 2 weeks, we will trial a new procedure at lunch break times, with view to making it a permanent arrangement.  Our trial procedure which began yesterday, students will play in the first period of lunch break, and then eat in the second half of the break.  We hope that this will enable our students to enjoy their play, and then have a chance to eat and cool down during the eating time before returning to class. 

Sacrament of Reconciliation 
Congratulations to those students who will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation this Thursday at St Mary's Church. Please pray for these children as they grow in their love and knowledge of Jesus. 

Swim Carnival
Well done to the students, staff and parents who were involved in the Swim Carnival last week at the ARC.  It was a lovely day of fun, participation and competition, with Illawong Blue claiming the ‘Overall Points’ trophy and Iluka White winning the ‘House Spirit’ trophy.  Sincere thanks to Mrs Sibley for organising the day and to all the parents and staff who assisted to make the day a success.  If you have any feedback about our Swim Carnival, please complete this feedback form by Friday 17^th November.

Families Leaving
As our total enrolment drives many aspects of our school (staffing, budget, class sizes and structure) it is important that we try to be as accurate as possible in predicting the school enrolment for 2024. If you know that you will be leaving at the end of the year, please notify the office as soon as possible. Your assistance with this matter is greatly appreciated.

Quote of the Week

St Mary's Christmas Fair

Today, each eldest sibling was given 1 book of raffle tickets for our Christmas Fair to take home and sell.  Tickets are $5 each or $30 per book.

This year’s prizes are:

• 1^st Prize $1000 cash + $500 Woolworths Gift Card
• 2^nd Prize Dunlite 2.8kVA Honda Powered Generator
• 3^rd Prize Bike from Mackay Cycles
• 4^th Prize $500 Woolworths Gift Card
• 5^th Prize 2 nights accommodation at Dolphin Heads for 2 adults & 2 children
• 6^th Prize Petite Spa Ritual at Ultra Medi Spa

Sold tickets (with correct cash) can be returned directly to the school office by Friday 17^th November, or handed in on the night of the Christmas Fair, Saturday 18^th November.  Unsold tickets can be returned direct to the school office. If any extra raffle booklets are required, these can be collected from the school office.

Thank you for your continued support of the St Mary's community.

Tanya Davies
Fair Coordinator

UNLIMITED RIDES - EARLY BIRD SALE

Don’t miss your opportunity to get an unlimited rides armband for $35. On the night of the fair they will be $40. Get in quick! They won’t last long Please click on this link to get your tickets. 

From our Library

Year 5 News

Last Monday our Year 5 students were lucky enough to finish off their robotic unit within Digital Technology with a visit to St Patrick’s College Mercy Campus. On arrival students witnessed a range of robotics programs with advanced programming, electronics, and mechanical design. We all enjoyed the experience and would like to thank everyone involved at the Mercy Campus for the afternoon. 

Rob Townsend
Year 5 Teacher

Swimming Carnival Wrap-Up

Last Friday we ran our St Mary’s Junior and Senior swimming carnivals at the ARC. It was a fantastic venue and all students participated with great sportsmanship, smiling faces and plenty of splashing. Our junior students competed in noodle races as well as the competitive strokes in the 25m pool whilst our senior students were able to decide between swimming the competitive strokes in 25m or 50m races.

Congratulations to Illawong Blue who were our champion house on the day and to Iluka White who took out the Spirit Award for their fantastic cheering and support of each other throughout the day.

The results for the day were-

Iluka White: 265 points
Eungella Green: 286 points
Illawong Blue: 312 points

A big congratulations to our students who broke records in the 100m and 50m events. Some of our records were broken by both 1^st and 2^nd placed competitors which shows that the competition was of a very high standard.

Madison Malagueno broke her own record from last year in the open girls 100m freestyle as well as the 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly. Ava Corrigan broke records in the 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 50m breaststroke and junior 50m butterfly. Well done girls on an outstanding day of swimming. Lachlan Ware broke the 50m breaststroke record.

Congratulations also to our 2023 swimming age champions as listed below:

9B - Ewan Ruddick
9G - Ava Corrigan
10B - Brady Vassallo
10G - Nina Lucas
11B - Lachlan Ware
11G - Madison Malagueno
12B - Kai Norris
12G - Ariah Corrigan

Thank you to all our spectators who cheered the students on, our volunteer parent helpers who were able to assist with set up and pack up, lifesaving duties, house marshalling, timekeeping, judging and ribbon writing. Thank you also to Mr Clancy for all his behind-the-scenes preparation with tents, tables, chairs, water (and the list goes on!).

Simone Sibley
HPE Teacher

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