Week 6, Term 1 2021 - 2nd March 2021

Principal's Reflection

Last week we held our P&F AGM, where we appointed our 2021 executive.  I am pleased to announce the committee this year is;

As well as the AGM, the meeting attendees also undertook some goal setting activities, identifying areas where P&F funds could be spent to enhance our school community.  Following input from our staff and Yr 6 leaders, at the next P&F meeting we will prioritise these projects and commit funds for their completion.  If you can make it along to this meeting, please do.

These types of activities really remind me of the importance of parental involvement in a school. A parent’s involvement in their child’s education is one of the most important contributors to a child’s development. There have been many studies looking at parental involvement; overwhelmingly they show a host of significant benefits. Some key findings from these studies include;

• Parental involvement in children’s education from an early age has a significant effect on educational achievement, and continues to do so into adolescence and adulthood.
• Family learning time can also provide a range of benefits for parents and children including; improvements in reading, writing and numeracy as well as greater parental confidence in helping their child at home.
• The more parents participate in schooling, in a sustained way and at every level, the better it is for student achievement.
• When parents are engaged in their child’s education, students have:
  • Higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates
  • Better school attendance
  • Increased motivation, better self-esteem
  • Lower rates of suspension
  • Decreased rate of substance abuse
  • Fewer instances of violent behaviour

These findings reinforce what most of us already know. As the old saying goes, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’.  Being interested and more importantly involved in your child’s education can take many different shapes. Some effective ways include;

• Read with your child at home and help them with their homework.
• Debrief with them about their day. It may be difficult to ‘tease’ the information out of some children, but don’t believe them when they say, ‘I did nothing today’.
• Make yourself available to assist in the classroom. Whether it is helping with reading groups, assisting with math’s rotations or supervising an art activity, please remember that you are always welcome in your child’s class.
• Become involved in one of the parent organisations in the school. At St Mary’s we have the P&F and the School Board, as well as the year/class groups, organised by a class coordinator. It is a great way to get involved and meet other parents.
• I urge all parents to think about the way that they involve themselves in their child’s education. Our ‘Just One Thing’ campaign aims to record the varying ways in which parents can contribute, and I urge all parents to submit a response below.

If you would like further information on this topic, please make a time to come and see me.

All the very best,

Wes Rose
Principal

From our Principal - Mr Wes Rose

I ask that all St Mary’s parents submit a response to the ‘Just 1 Thing’ campaign, which assists us to engage parents in their preferred ways.  Please click this link to complete the short, one-minute form. 

Leadership Formation Day
This Wednesday, our school leadership team (Wes Rose, Terri Leotta and Belinda Battaia) will be attending a leadership formation day with Mr McCusker.  During our absence, Mrs Motteram and Mrs Belinda van Lint will be acting Principal.

Clean Up Australia Day

This Sunday we continue our commitment to caring for Our Common Home by inviting everyone to participate in Clean Up Australia Day.

This video illustrates the importance of us all working together for this cause. We will meet at Quota Park (near the Ocean International) at 9am. We hope to see you there.

Peace & blessings,

Mrs Terri Leotta
APRE/Teacher

Quote of the Week

Project Compassion - Holy Week

As we enter Holy Week, we continue to reflect on the lives of people vulnerable to extreme poverty and injustice and how we can respond through supporting Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion appeal. 

Let us take time to remember the life and teachings of Saint Oscar Romero. His many lessons include: live a simple life, commit to bringing peace to the world, speak the truth and of course aspire not to have more, but to be more. Some words from what has become known as the Oscar Romero prayer; “We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.”

Thank you for supporting Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion Campaign. Your generosity will work for the freedom of those living in poverty, challenge unjust structures, and empower people to work for a sustainable way of life.

Caritas Classroom Tally

Prep 2022 Enrolments

St Mary’s are currently taking enrolments for Prep 2022. We encourage both existing and new families who have a child starting Prep next year to lodge their enrolment application as soon as possible. Interviews will commence on 10th May. Applications are to be made via our new online enrolment form available from our website www.smmrok.catholic.edu.au. Please contact the school office for further information or any assistance required.

From our APC - Mrs Belinda Battaia

Calling all writers!!

The 2021 Schools Writing Competition is now open.  School students across Australia have the opportunity to battle it out for the great cash and prizes on offer.  

The quickest and easiest way to enter is online at Schools write4fun writing competition.

To assist with the creative writing of poetry or a short story in the competition there is NO THEME!  Entries can be on any topic and in any style. 

Entry is free and the closing date is Wednesday 31st March 2021.  Please feel free to share your child’s story or poem with me via email, I would love to read what the students come up with - belinda_battaia@rok.catholic.edu.au.

If you require any assistance with the submission of your child’s entry, please contact the school office. 

Mrs Belinda Battaia
APC/Teacher

The 2021 Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee is on soon.  Students from Years 3 to 6 are invited to take part in an online spelling bee.  They will compete against other students in Australia to correctly spell 30 randomly selected words. Finalists will be invited to take part in the State and National finals.  Entry is free for all students.  A signed consent form is required.

What: 2021 Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee
When: March 15- 26
Where: Online competition during school
Who: See your class teacher or Mrs Paul for a consent form.

Please join us!

Sport News

Congratulations to the following players on their selection in the Southern Suburbs Rugby League sides. The boys will attend the Mackay trials next week.

U10 – Bodene Tass
U11 – Harper Shields, Blake Battaia, Fynn Shears, Harrison Roberts, Charlie Galea and Jack Hurley

Congratulations also to Jack Sellentin who was selected in the Mackay & District U12 Basketball side yesterday. Jack will travel to Rockhampton to play in the Capricornia trials.

Mrs Caroline Kerrisk
HPE Teacher

Touch Football Draw - Round 4

Tuckshop News

Our tuckshop is open from Tuesday to Friday at first & second break. 

Order something healthy & delicious for your student today!
Visit Quickcliq or go to our St Mary's App & click on the Tuckshop tile.

Click the link below to view or download our latest menu. 

P&F Welcoming BBQ

Please join us for the P&F Welcoming BBQ on Monday 8th March in the Basketball area. Our P&F is sponsoring the BBQ for all family members. BYO drinks!

We will also have classrooms open for a walkthrough from 5:30pm-6pm to allow families to see the modern and dynamic learning environments our students enjoy each day.
Please RSVP here if you would like to attend.
We hope to see you there!

St Mary's Trivia Night

Student of the Week

Week 5 Term 1 Student Award Winners

Celebrating Catholic Education in Australia

Community News