Week 1, Term 1 2024 - 23rd January 2024

Principal's Reflection

Welcome back to the new school year! 

We are very blessed to have a wonderful school.  Two very important documents at St Mary’s are our School Mission and Vision statements, which articulate ‘Who we are’, ‘What we value’ and ‘What we stand for’.  They are important statements for all members of the school community to know and appreciate and for your reference, are included below;

As you can see, there is a real focus on the holistic development each child, based on the knowledge and inspiration of Jesus Christ.  The goal of educating ‘from and for a faith perspective’ is articulated, where the eventual goal is for students to grow as confident and well-rounded people who in adulthood, can ‘make a living, and have a life’.  It is optimistic, visionary, perhaps even a bit idealistic, but considering that we are dealing with the lives of our children, it has to be.

Everyone involved with the school; staff, parents and students, has a part to play.  At the commencement of the school year, I invite all of us to work together to make real these statements in our school.

All the very best,

Wes Rose
Principal

From the Principal - Mr Wes Rose

Welcome Back
It has been wonderful to see our 377 students return; refreshed and excited for the new school year.  I extend a special welcome to the 46 new families that have joined the St Mary’s community.  If parents have any questions, please do not hesitate to come and see me. 

It has been lovely to hear many students and staff regale their adventures over the holidays.  The start of school is always filled with exciting stories and experiences, a time of renewal and fond memories.  I also acknowledge that during the break, some of our families received terrible news or experienced sadness and loss.  For these families, I offer my heartfelt support.  Please reach out if you need support of any kind.

Australia Day – Reflect, Respect, Celebrate
On Australia Day we celebrate all the things we love about Australia: land, sense of fair go, lifestyle, democracy, the freedoms we enjoy, but particularly our people.  Australia Day is about acknowledging the contribution every Australian makes to our contemporary and dynamic nation. From our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have been here for more than 65,000 years, to those who have lived here for generations, to those who have come from all corners of the globe to call our country home. 

It is also a day we pay respect to the stories, histories and contributions of the Australians who lived, worked and fought for the values and freedoms we often take for granted. It is a day where wealso celebrate the diversity of this nation's people with our various cultures, traditions and belief systems.

If you are looking for a uniquely way to celebrate this Australia Day, click here for some great ideas.

I take this opportunity to heartily congratulate the following members of St Mary’s who are being recognised in our local MRC Australia Day ceremony;

• Trent Dyson (current parent) on his Citizen of the Year and Lori Burgess Community Volunteer nominations.
• Sarah Rozekrans (current parent) on her Arts and Culture award nomination.
• Kevin Casey (past parent/ P&F President and St Mary’s Parishioner) on his Citizen of the Year and Lori Burgess Community Volunteer nomination.
  

Weather Update
We continue to monitor the movements of Cyclone Kirrily as it tracks towards the Qld coast.  Please be assured that we will liaise with our Diocesan Education office and advise parents of any impacts to the normal operation of our school.  Any information will be emailed to parents as well as posted on our school Facebook page.  Local radio stations will also be informed if school closures are warranted.

New Staff to School
This year, we welcome the following new staff to St Mary’s. 

• Mrs Tash Cornell (Yr 3). Tash comes to St Mary’s following her extensive career with Education Qld, teaching in several primary schools in Moranbah, Coppabella and Marian.  Many students and parents will recognise Tash from last year, when she did several relief days at St Mary’s.  Tash brings a professional and caring attitude to her classroom and I am sure her students will thoroughly enjoy being in her class.
• Ms Angela Russo (Yr 4). We welcome Angela to St Mary’s as she begins her teaching career.  Last week, Angela was recognised for her 20 years of service as a Teacher Assistant at MacKillop Andergrove, so is no stranger to Catholic schools!  Angela brings a caring and organised approach to her room and will no doubt cherish her time with her class this year.
• Mrs Ashleigh Carmody (Yr 5). Ashleigh joins St Mary’s following maternity leave. Ashleigh is a mum to 2 young children and brings an organised and hardworking nature to her classroom. Ashleigh is an experienced teacher, having worked at St Anne’s Sarina and also for Brisbane Catholic Education.  We are delighted to welcome Ashleigh to our school.
• Mrs Lisa Sorbello (Learning Support). Lisa commences at St Mary’s following a distinguished career at with Education Queensland, where she has worked in a myriad of roles, including class teacher, learning support teacher and deputy principal. The Sorbello family are well known to our St Mary’s community, with Lisa’s 3 children all being former school captains!  It is great to have Lisa on staff this year.
• Mrs Jana Schweitzer (CAP student). Jana is a 3^rd Year Education student at CQUni and a new recruit of our Career Assistance Program (CAP).  CAP students work with a mentor teacher (in an ‘apprentice’ type relationship), deepening their knowledge and understanding of the demands of a classroom teacher.  Jana is a mum of 3 children, involved in a number of sports and has previous experience in adult education, where she was a mine site trainer. We are very blessed to have Jana placed at St Mary’s, where she will work alongside Mrs Rokic in Prep R.
• Mrs Stella Rodrigues (Prep P Teacher Assistant). Following 7 years as a daycare/kindy teacher, Stella now makes the move to Primary education as our Prep teacher assistant. Originating from Brazil, Stella is fluent in Portuguese and English and her creative and dedicated personality is sure to be an asset to our school
• Mr Joe Brooks (Teacher Assistant). Joe is a young man who has recently moved to Mackay from country Victoria.  Last year, Joe worked at a Catholic High School in regional Victoria, where he completed a Cert 3 in Sport and Recreation. An avid Australian footballer, you will see Joe lace up his boots for the Magpies AFC this year alongside his brother who is the development officer for AFL Qld.  Welcome Joe!
• Mrs Kylie Young (Teacher Assistant). We welcome Kylie back to St Mary’s as a general teacher assistant 4 days/week. Previously Kylie has been a relief teacher assistant and completed short term contracts in 2023.
  

Long Serving Staff Plaques
Last Friday, all Mackay Catholic Schools gathered for our Regional Opening Mass.  At this mass, three of our staff members were recognised for their commitment to Catholic Education.  Congratulations to Terri Leotta (30 years), Wes Rose (20 years) and Angela Russo (20 years) for their outstanding contribution to St Mary’s and the wider Mackay Catholic School family.

Baby News
Congratulations to Jaak and Brooke Long on the birth of their daughter, Charli, over the holidays.  Charli is a little sister to Hudson (yr 2). 

Courtney and Scott Waine welcomed a baby daughter, Olivia to their family. She is little sister to Dominic (yr 3).

Nicholas and Caitlin Cullen also welcomed a baby boy, George. He is a baby brother to Jack (yr 1).

Finally congratulations to Norbu and Maya Lama on the birth of their daughter Norma.  Norma is a little sister to Norsang (yr 3).

P&F AGM and 1^st General Meeting
St Mary’s values the strong partnership between home and school.  This partnership has a host of benefits, positively impacting outcomes for all students. The St Mary’s P&F warmly invite all parents to attend the AGM/GM next Tuesday 30^th Jan from 6pm-7pm in the staffroom.  This meeting is a chance to review 2023, set goals and plan for some great activities for the year ahead.

Uniform Guidelines
A reminder to all families of our uniform guidelines.  Some important areas to note include;

• Fingernails. No coloured nail polish or acrylic nails.
• Boys earrings. Boys are asked to take out their earring, or alternatively wear a clear ‘invisible’ stud to school.
• Boys Hair. Be neat in appearance and not falling into eyes. Hair past the collar must be tied back.  Hair may not be dyed or worn in a style that is extreme or inappropriate for school (i.e. no tracks, rat’s tails, mo-hawks, mullets or undercuts that have a large variance between length).
• Girls Hair. Be neat in appearance and not falling into eyes. Girls with shoulder or longer length hair must have it tied back. Hair may not be dyed or worn in a style that is extreme or inappropriate for school. Hair accessories should be minimal and must be in colours of navy, blue or white.
• Footwear. A reminder that plain black shoes/joggers are required each day. Please see graphic below for more information.

Our students demonstrate pride in St Mary’s school by the way they wear their uniform correctly.  From next Monday, an infringement letter will be sent home to notify parents of any areas that need to be addressed.   If you have any queries about this, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

Peanut Policy
The start of the school year is a timely opportunity to remind all families that we are strictly ‘peanut free’ at St Mary’s school.  We have a number of students who are highly allergic to peanuts and for their safety, we ask that you are vigilant with ensuring your child packs a peanut free lunchbox.  It is also best practice to discuss with your child the importance of not sharing their lunch with other students.

Parent Teacher Interviews
In week 3, parents are invited to talk to their child’s classroom teacher about their child.  This will allow teachers to be fully informed about each child’s needs and strengths.  There will be 10 minute time intervals.  If more time is needed, this can be arranged during the interview. Classes will have their interviews after school on Monday 5^th to Friday 9^th February.  Please see next week’s newsletter for online booking details.

School Photo Day
This year’s school photos are booked Wednesday 7^th February.  Students are to wear their formal school uniform (Preps to wear their prep uniform).  Photo order packs will go home with students this week. Please contact the school office if your child has not received a photo pack. See additional article below in newsletter for further information.

Afternoon Pick Up Procedures
All students in Prep are to be collected from their prep classroom by a parent or guardian.

• For all other students, the car park works effectively when everybody follows the procedures. 
• Please allow others to come out of car parks. Drive slowly through the car park, especially when merging in front of the parking bays. 
• Cars should drive from MacDonald St. into Morley St. and turn right into the school car park. 
• Everyone must turn right into the car park in the afternoon and turn left when exiting. (In the afternoon those that turn left into the car park are pushing in and this upsets others!)
• If everyone is considerate it will be safe and fair for all users. I encourage parents who are not Prep parents to actively use our drive through pick-up protocol. 
• We have two staff members supervising this area. Parents are asked to drive on and line up if their child is not ready.  This avoids any unnecessary delays.
• Please ensure your name is displayed on your sun visor as this will speed up the process. 
• In the afternoon please turn left when leaving MacDonald Street as this speeds up the line-up. 
• Please do not encourage children to wait outside of the school or church where they are not directly supervised.  We have had some unpleasant situations in the past when children have been told to wait outside the school by parents. It is simply not worth the risk!  

Please support us to ensure the safety of your children. For those families using the drive through for the first time, please contact the office for your laminated name card.

Tuckshop News
Please note that our school tuckshop will be closed until further notice as we endeavour to find a new tuckshop convenor. I thank families for their patience and flexibility with this matter.  

From the Office-Important Reminders

Personal Details
Do we have your correct personal and address details?

Please ensure all residential addresses and other personal details held by the school are up to date and correct. 

The easiest way for families to check this information is by logging into their Parent Lounge account by using the 'Parent Lounge' tile on the St Mary's App or on our St Mary's School website smmrok.catholic.edu.au  to review what is recorded.

1. Click on the Parent Lounge icon
2. a) Enter your Username (Parent code located on school fees statements-6 digit number) and
    Password
    If you do not know or have misplaced your password,  click on 'Forgot Password?'
    b) Click 'Login'

Once logged in - Click “Parent Details” then “View Address Details”.

• If address details are correct, no further action is required.
• If the address is incorrect, change it via “Update Address Details” then “Update Address” in Parent Lounge.  Once saved the address will be updated.

Office Hours
Monday to Friday
8am to 3:30pm

Students who arrive late to school, are to sign in at the School Office. If you collect your child early before 3pm you must also notify the school office before leaving school, so the school roll can be updated.

Student Absences
Student absences from school can be advised through our St Mary's Schoolzine App by clicking on the 'Absentee' tile and completing your student's details. Parents can also use our designated phone number 4994 8271 or email SMM_Absences@rok.catholic.edu.au  to inform the school if your student is to be absent.

Details on how to download the St Mary's App can be found by clicking the link below. 

Once downloaded, please complete your registration, using our school passcode 4142. 

If you have any queries or difficulties downloading the app please contact the school office.

Student Medication
All medications administered during school hours require a completed medication form signed by a parent. These are available from the school office. Medication needs to be labelled by a pharmacist with your student's name and dosage.

Please inform office staff of any student allergies. 

Connection then Curriculum

Connection then Curriculum - Week One

This year, we are proud to announce the implementation of a Wellbeing focus to the first week of the school year, dubbed ‘Connection then Curriculum’ .  This week is dedicated time designed to foster connections, establish routines, and clarify expectations for both students and teachers alike. At St Mary’s, we understand that a positive and supportive school environment plays a crucial role in academic success. ‘Connection then Curriculum’ is our proactive approach to building these essential foundations.

The heart of ‘Connection then Curriculum’ lies in a series of carefully curated activities that have been thoughtfully put together by our Wellbeing Team. These activities are about building relationships, setting routines, and ensuring that each student feels valued and understood.

From team-building exercises to interactive mindset challenges, students will engage in activities that promote collaboration, communication, and a sense of belonging. These activities will take place in various settings, both inside and outside the classroom, providing students with a well-rounded experience that goes beyond traditional academic instruction.

Studies consistently show that students who feel connected to their school community are more likely to thrive academically and socially. By dedicating time to fostering student wellbeing, we aim to create an environment where students feel comfortable, supported, and ready to learn. This is a key aspect of our commitment to fostering positive mental health and wellbeing among our students.

During week one, teachers will not only introduce academic expectations but also discuss the importance of their personal responsibility to adopt and promote the ‘You Can Do It’ keys of success - persistence, organisation, getting along, resilience and confidence.  By establishing these expectations early on, we lay the groundwork for a successful and productive school year.

As we embark on this exciting venture, we look forward to witnessing the positive impact the emphasis on ‘Connection then Curriculum’ will have on our school community. Together, let's build bridges, forge connections, and set the stage for a year of growth and achievement.

Belinda Battaia
Assistant Principal: Curriculum

Wellbeing Day

We are excited to share with you an upcoming event that promises to uplift, inspire, and promote the well-being of every student in our school community. Our Wellbeing Team has crafted a special day dedicated entirely to fostering positive mental health, self-care, and connection - Wellbeing Day!

Wellbeing Day is an initiative designed to provide our students with a variety of activities and tools to enhance their emotional resilience and wellbeing. Our goal is to equip them with strategies that they can carry with them and use whenever they feel the need for a boost.

Our Wellbeing Team has carefully curated a range of activities that cater to different interests and preferences. From mindfulness sessions and creative arts to physical activities and relaxation techniques, students will have the opportunity to explore various avenues for enhancing their well-being.

One of the unique aspects of Wellbeing Day is the involvement of our teachers and the wider parent community. We believe in tapping into the diverse talents within our school family to enrich the experience for our students. Teachers and parents who possess skills in areas like meditation, art, music, yoga, or any other wellbeing-related practices are invited to contribute their talents and lead workshops.

We extend an open invitation to parents who may have a skill or passion they would like to share with a class group. Whether it's leading a meditation experience, sharing insights on nutrition or conducting a fun and energizing physical activity, your contribution can make a significant impact on the well-being of our students.

If you have a talent or interest you'd like to share, please email belinda_battaia@rok.catholic.edu.au or phone the school office by Monday 29th January.  Your participation will not only contribute to a memorable Wellbeing Day but will also reinforce the strong sense of community that defines St Mary’s.

We encourage all parents to mark Thursday 15th February on your calendars. It promises to be a day filled with positivity, connection, and valuable well-being practices that will benefit our students.

School Photo Day - Wednesday 7th Feb

Sport News

In 2024 and 2025, the following changes have been made to representative sport:

- 2025 will see sub-districts of MDSS abolished;
- 2024 sees MDSS transition to this arrangement;
- 2024 any students interested in participating in a rep school sporting trial will be assessed and nominated by their school directly to MDSS (except for 6 sports that will still go through to Southern Suburbs level in 2024);
- 2024 6 sports still at Southern Suburbs are: Cross Country, Track & Field, Basketball, Netball, Rugby League and Soccer.

Upcoming sports will be posted to Facebook, requesting those interested for a nomination to contact the school office.

Once a student is selected to proceed to Southern Suburbs and/or MDSS they will receive a permission booklet to complete and return to school as soon as possible. The permission booklet will be approved by our principal and returned to the student.

It is the student's responsibility to take the paperwork to the trial this year.

It is important to understand that representative sport pathways are not ‘come and try’ events. Students need to have high skill levels in the sport that they nominate for to be considered for a trial at either SS or MDSS level. Schools have been asked to limit the number of students attending trials, to ensure that trial can be run effectively. Having a large number of students at a MDSS trial, limits the opportunities for students to demonstrate their skills to selectors. Students who do not get selected to trial for SS or MDSS teams will be encouraged to further develop their skills by participating in the gala days that occur throughout the year.

If you have any questions about the new process or about representative sport, please contact me via email: simone_sibley@rok.catholic.edu.au 

Simone Sibley
HPE Teacher

Run Club

St Mary's Chess Club

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