Week 7, Term 4 2023 - 14 November 2023
Week 7 Reflection
“Throw off everything that hinders us and run with endurance the race that is set before us” – Hebrews 12:1
Can you believe that there are only 13 school days left for the year? With a host of events and celebrations including the Parish fair, the Christmas concert and the Year 6 Graduation, there is only a hop, skip and jump to Christmas.
Facing this downhill run, it can be easy to take the foot off the accelerator and coast into the Christmas season, however it is important to guard against complacency. It is important to aim for what St Paul writes about in his letter to the Hebrews – show endurance and to finish strong.
Finishing strong exemplifies the importance of students maintaining a high level of commitment and effort to their studies, right to the very last day of term. As you know, there is a high correlation between student effort and success. Therefore, I urge all students to give themselves the best chance to succeed by ensuring they begin each day ready to learn and strive to complete all their set work to the highest level possible.
There also needs to be commitment to maintaining high behaviour standards that we strive for each and every day. I encourage all parents to reinforce this with their children, as over the past fortnight, I have noticed an increase in the number of students being referred to the reflection room.
By way of a sporting parallel, I share footage of the 1996 Stawell Gift 400m final, featuring Mackay’s Olympic champion, Cathy Freeman. For those who don’t know, races at the Stawell gift are handicapped, with slower runners receiving a ‘head start’ to ensure close finishes. In this final, Cathy gave the rest of the field a whopping 54m head start, a seemingly insurmountable lead. Watch the video to see what happens.
Each day, our students are building a foundation for their future; a future heavily influenced by the level of education they attain. I know that with the support of parents and teachers, that future can be a desirable one. With effort comes success. Finish strong!
All the very best,
Wes Rose
Principal
From Our Principal - Mr Wes Rose
St Mary’s Fair
I hope to see many staff, parents and students at our annual Christmas Fair, which is always a lovely night for all. The profit from this Fair contributes significantly towards the Parish and our School, so thank you to the many businesses and families who have donated items, cooked sweets and volunteered their time to help on a stall. Your help is greatly appreciated.
2024 Teacher Placements
I am pleased to advise that we have appointed the following teachers for the 2024 school year.
Year | Teacher | Teacher |
Prep | Denise Rokic | Andrea Pembroke |
1 | Madonna Berardi | Stacey Banks |
2 | Virginia Lewis | Val Paul (3 days) / Angie Albert (2 days) Renee Aslette (internship Term 1) |
3 | Natasha Cornell | Taryn Potts |
4 | Lisa Cusack | Angela Russo |
5 | Jenni Motteram (4 days) Simone Sibley (1 day) | Ashleigh Carmody |
6 | Belinda van Lint | Rob Townsend |
Learning Support | Lisa Sorbello | |
HPE | Simone Sibley (4 days) | |
Performing Arts | Donna Wood (3 days) | |
LOTE/ESL/ Internal Relief | Maria Lenz (4 days) | |
Leadership Team | Wes Rose (Principal 5 days) Terri Leotta (APRE 5 days) Belinda Battaia (APC 5 days) | |
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.
I also announce that Miss Katrina Azzopardi will be taking leave for 2024, returning in 2025. On behalf of the school community, I wish Katrina all the best for her year of leave.
Staff News
- This Thursday, Mrs Leotta and I will attend a Student Protection training session to enable us to be accredited to train staff in 2024.
- Please note that Mrs Weizl’s Piano lessons will be held on Thursday this week, due to the Fair.
2024 Orientation Morning
I advise that our orientation morning is scheduled for next Thursday 23rd Nov. Students in Years 1-6 next year will visit their 2024 classrooms and spend time with their new year level teachers. We will welcome our new teachers on this morning; Angela Russo, Tash Cornell and Ashleigh Carmody. Several new students in Years 1-6 will also attend this morning, and I am sure that our existing students will make them feel very welcome. Our 2024 Prep students will attend from 9:15am-10:30am. Families will initially assemble in the Hall and then students will proceed to the Prep classrooms while the parents stay on for morning tea. Students attending St Patrick’s College and Catherine McAuley College will spend the entire day at their respective colleges. I am sure that this orientation day will give students and teachers in insight into the new school year.
2024 School Leadership Speeches
We will hold our leadership speeches next Tuesday 21st Nov from 8:40am in the Hall. Yr 5 candidates will make a speech to the assembled audience of students and staff. Following speeches, students and staff will cast their votes for the various leadership positions. Parents are most welcome to attend.
The list of candidates is as follows:
First Name | Last Name | School | Green | Blue | White | Cultural | Ministry | Social |
Isla | Amos | 1 | ||||||
Parker | Appleton | 1 | ||||||
Justin | Arbuthnot | 1 | ||||||
Charlie | Baker | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
Jaylah | Breayley | 1 | 1 | |||||
Venice | Cahilig | 1 | 1 | |||||
Peyton | Cameron | 1 | ||||||
Lacey | Cheyne | 1 | 1 | |||||
Xander | Clarendon | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
Addison | Cookson | 1 | 1 | |||||
Ellis | Cullen | 1 | ||||||
Jack | Davies | 1 | ||||||
Oscar | Devries | 1 | ||||||
Georgie | Duncan | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
Blake | Dyson | 1 | 1 | |||||
Indy | Gillis | 1 | 1 | |||||
Gavin | Gou | 1 | ||||||
Rylie | Hanson | 1 | ||||||
Ellie-Harper | Head | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
Harper | Jamieson | 1 | ||||||
Max | Kinnane | 1 | 1 | |||||
William | Lenz | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
Milla | Llewellyn | 1 | 1 | |||||
Oliver | McNeill | 1 | ||||||
Ava | Miles | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
Annaliese | Miles | 1 | ||||||
Aston | Mills | 1 | 1 | |||||
Hannah | Mulherin | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
Zander | Otto | 1 | 1 | |||||
Flynn | Pace | 1 | 1 | |||||
Chiara | Pozza | 1 | 1 | |||||
Aylee | Proberts | 1 | 1 | |||||
Ryder | Reynolds | 1 | 1 | |||||
Sophie | Richardson | 1 | 1 | |||||
Isabelle | Rose | 1 | 1 | |||||
Griffin | Russell | 1 | 1 | |||||
Josh | Sadural | 1 | 1 | |||||
Daniel | Saw | 1 | ||||||
Lauren | Shields | 1 | 1 | |||||
Mackenzie | Smith | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
Noah | Sommerfeld | 1 | ||||||
Harper | Standish | 1 | ||||||
Oliver | Standish | 1 | ||||||
Lincoln | Suratman | 1 | ||||||
Nikol | Sutherland | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
Sefton | Tass | 1 | ||||||
Evie | Trannore | 1 | 1 | |||||
Chase | Tudman | 1 | 1 | |||||
Kalani | van Lint | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
Brady | Vassallo | 1 | 1 | |||||
Sophia | Zammit | 1 | 1 | 1 |
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 will see students 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.
Quote of the Week
“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.”
- Beverley Sills
Christmas Fair Update
🎉🎄 St Mary's Christmas Fair is going to be bigger and better this year, all thanks to the incredible support and generosity of our community and local businesses. We are so grateful for all the donations making this year's fair truly special. 🙏🏼
📣A huge shoutout to the amazing businesses & families below for their contributions. Please, if you can, support these wonderful businesses in any way possible. 🙏🏼
Let's make this Christmas Fair unforgettable for our school and parish community!
Volunteers
We are still looking for volunteers to assist with set up on Friday afternoon. If you have a few spare hours, please come to the school office at 2pm.
Early Bird Wristband Sale - LAST CHANCE
Don’t miss your LAST opportunity to get an unlimited rides armband for $35. The Pre-Sale finishes on Wednesday.
On the night of the fair they will be $40.
Please click on this link to get your tickets.
Wrist bands will be available for collection beside the Ticket Box from a St Mary's staff member from 5.30pm.
St Mary's Community Christmas Fair Raffle
Our raffle tickets are selling like hotcakes! There are limited numbers of books left available in the school office. Don't forget to return your rafflet tickets to the office by Friday.
This year's prizes are:
- 1st Prize $1000 cash + $500 Woolworths Gift Card
- 2nd Prize Dunlite 2.8kVA Honda Powered Generator
- 3rd Prize Bike from Mackay Cycles
- 4th Prize $500 Woolworths Gift Card
- 5th Prize 2 nights accommodation at Dolphin Heads for 2 adults & 2 children
- 6th Prize Petite Spa Ritual at Ultra Medi Spa
Cent Sale Stall
Don't forget to visit the Cent Sale Stall this Saturday night. Thank you to very generous local business, families and community who have genorously donated making this is our most amazing Cent Sale in history. There are too many prizes to list, so don't miss out!
MDSS Sports Person of the Year Awards
Last week, the annual Mackay Schools District Sport Awards were held with oustanding representation from St Mary's students. Well done to the following students:
- Louis M: Nominated for 10-12 years Squash
- Magenta N: Nominated for 11 years Netball
- Thomas H: Award for 11 years Rugby League
- Thomas L: Award for 10-12 years Tennis
- Madison M: Nominated Cross Country 11 years girls
- Madison M: Award for Aquathlon 11 years girls
- Madison M: Award for Swimming 11 years girls
- Madison M: Col Webley Encouragement Award
- Madison M & Oliver S: Awarded Plaques for their outstanding achievement in representing the state
Vinnies Christmas Appeal
Our school will be participating in the St Vincent de Paul Society QLD Christmas Appeal again this year.
The focus of the Vinnies Christmas Appeal for 2023 is on the continuing impacts of the cost-of-living-crisis in Australia, including rental and housing affordability and its compounding effects. This Christmas, more families are experiencing poverty and are on the brink of homelessness. After struggling with the cost-of-living crisis for over a year, they barely have anything left to hold on to. As the crisis deepens, so does their desperation.
Your urgent help can provide relief. With the price of necessities rising at a relentless rate in Australia, Vinnies has seen a growing number of people relying on support to get by – many are seeking assistance for the first time.
This year we have allocated a specific range of items needed for each year level:
- Prep: Christmas Hamper Items
- Year 1: Babies and Toddlers
- Year 2: Toiletries & Games for Seafarers
- Year 3: Young Children (4-8 years)
- Year 4: Older Children (9-12 yrs)
- Year 5: Christmas Hamper Items
- Year 6: Teenagers
We appreciate you joining with us to help make a difference to people’s lives this Christmas. All items can be sent into classrooms and will be presented to St Vincent de Paul representative on Friday 1st December.
End of Year MASS
All parents and carers are invited to attend our End of Year School Mass on Tuesday 28th November at 9am at the St Mary's Basketball Court. This final Mass will include a candle ceremony and handover of Year 6 leaders to our 2024 leaders.
Student of the Week
| PP | Vivienne N | Your amazing writing! You always think of creative sentences and your work is presented so neatly. What a super writer you are becoming. Great work Vivienne! |
| PP | Ariana J | Super work with show and share this week. You were a confident presenter during your show and share and a great speaker when introducing other students for their show and share. Thank you Ariana! |
| PR | Willem M | Always being a respectful and responsible member of our class. Thank you for always working so hard everyday. You are fabulous. |
| PR | Benz J | Being amazing everyday. Benz you could have this award every week. You are always listening and trying your best and are show the spirit of Jesus in all you do. |
| 1B | Adeline C | Your amazing poetry skills. Your Haiku from our nature walk was well written. Well done! |
| 1B | Thomas O | Having the confidence to play the keyboard in front of all the year one students. You are so talented and it was a joy to watch you perform the tune you learnt overnight! |
| 1K | Hayden P | Excellent reading and comprehension skills in Boost this week. For always bringing joy and laughter into the classroom and helping others to succeed. |
| 2A | Dillon M | For the care and attention you put into all tasks. The quality and presentation of your bookwork is excellent! |
| 2A | Hudson P | For your fabulous work in mathematics! You are becoming a Maths Wiz! |
| 2L | Riley D | Riley you are kind and caring. You always show encouragement, care and respect and you are a wonderful role model to all members of our class. You are FABULOUS! |
| 2L | Eileen H | Eileen you have been working very hard in 'Boost' reading groups. Your teacher loves how you can make connections and know the importance of finding the meaning of words to help understand the information. You are a star reader. Well done! |
| 3B | Mischa C | The confidence and persistence you've shown this week when writing your poems. You've taken on the feedback and worked to improve your pieces further. Well done! |
| 3B | Olivia D | The amazing comprehension you show in your BOOST reading group. You share some wonderful thoughts about the text. |
| 3P | Sthefany M | For staying focused and working consistently on her assessments. |
| 3P | Emerson O | For working hard to complete her religion poster with information about the Rockhampton Diocese. |
| 4A | Creed P | For the focus and attention you put into your creative writing task. It was wonderful to see you so engaged in the work. We are very proud. |
| 4A | Elly W | For the thoughtful and organised way in which you approach any task in any learning area. Your creative writing this week was outstanding. You are testament to what working hard can achieve. |
| 4C | Mia C | Your persistence and hard work in money problem solving tasks. It was wonderful to see the way you applied strategies to solve the problems. |
| 4C | Jai N | Your focus and commitment to learning this week. It is great to see your active participation in class discussions and complete work of a high standard. |
| 5SA | Isla A | For your consistent and dedicated approach to all that you do. You always display impeccable behaviour, put in your absolute best effort and treat everyone with the utmost kindness and respect. Thank you Isla! |
| 5SA | Gavin G | For always treating others with gentle kindness and respect. It is greatly appreciated by your teachers and classmates. Thank you Gavin! |
| 5T | Georgie D | For the persistence you show each week in RTI when faced with challenging and complex questions. You always work hard and never give up to deepen your understanding. Well done, Georgie! |
| 6M | Nate K | Great results in your Pat Maths test. You read the questions carefully and put in the effort to do your best. Congratulations Nate! |
| 6M | Jessica O | For always applying 100% effort to every assessment task. I'm really looking forward to your oral presentation on fast fashion. It will give us all something to consider seriously. |
| 6V | Kaylee H | Working diligently to complete your maths tasks this week. Keep up the great work Kaylee. |
| 6V | Louis M | Offering your technical expertise to assist your classmates in completing and printing their travel brochures. Thank you Louis, your help was appreciated! |
Having conversations with children and young people
The National Office for Child Safety has provided a series of resources on how to start sensitive conversations with children and young people as part of its ‘One Talk at a Time’ campaign.
The national initiative is part of the Australian Government’s recently launched child protection and safety campaign and encourages adults in the lives of children to talk with them about feeling safe and where to seek support and help. The campaign aims to prevent child sexual abuse by encouraging adults to learn about the issue and have preventative conversations with children, young people and other adults.
The initiative is a key measure under the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021-2030 and fulfils a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Find out how to have these conversations and access resources and guides for parents and carers at www.childsafety.gov.au.
Community News
