Week 9, Term 1 2021 - 23rd March 2021

From our Principal - Mr Wes Rose

Diocesan Principals’ Conference
Please note that this Tuesday-Friday, I will be attending this conference in Rockhampton.  While I am away, Mrs Leotta will be acting principal.  If you have any queries, please make a time to see her.

Afternoon Pick-Up Procedures
I thank the many parents who continue to use the afternoon pick up zone properly.  However, over the past 2 weeks we have noticed that when exiting our carpark, a few parents are not turning left into Morley St.  Turning right banks up traffic in our carpark, and slows down the line for all parents.  Turning left into Morley St enables the flow of traffic to continue smoothly and I ask that all parents please assist us by following the correct route when exiting the school carpark.

'Just 1 Thing' Campaign
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.  Currently, we have 54% of families that have submitted a response, short of our goal of 80%.  Please see below a snapshot of families who have completed the survey from each class.  Please click this link to complete the short, one-minute form. 

Purchasing tuckshop items for friends 
The St Mary’s tuckshop works on a pre order basis through Quickcliq online.  Students also have the ability to bring money from home to purchase items over the counter like ice blocks, muffins and other sweets.  
All students will be reminded by their teachers that the purchase of items for friends is strongly discouraged.  We ask that you support this practise by reminding your children that their tuckshop money should be spent to purchase items for their lunch only.

P&F Meeting
Please note that interested parents are invited to attend our next P&F meeting, to be held next Tuesday 30^th March from 6:30pm in our staffroom.  At this meeting, we will finalise the P&F funding priorities for the year, a very important task.  

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

Holy Week Prayer Celebration

We invite all students to dress in the custom of Jesus' time for a Holy Week Prayer Celebration to be held on Thursday 1st April in the School Hall.
The picture at left is an indication of what to wear. Please ensure students wear their school uniform underneath.

Thank you.

Mrs Terri Leotta
APRE/Teacher

Hot Cross Bun Drive

Our P&F invite you to participate in our Hot Cross Bun Drive.

Order forms were emailed to parents last week. Use this form to keep track of orders from friends and family. Once you have received all orders, please go to quickcliq.com.au and select the Events Tab. You will see the St Mary's Hot Cross Bun Drive. Click on Place Order and select your total number of items required. Click on Confirm and follow the prompts.

All orders must be placed BEFORE midday on the 25th March 2021. 

Collection of Hot Cross Buns will be on Wednesday 31st March 2.30pm-3pm from the School Hall. For further details about prices please click on the order form below. 

Sustainable Cutlery Logo Competition

St Mary’s will soon have their own cutlery pack available for students to purchase.

We are calling for all creative students to create the design which will be printed on our cutlery packs. The winner of the competition will receive a cutlery pack and a tuckshop voucher.

For more details, please view or downloand the entry form by clicking on the link below.  Completed forms are to be returned to the School Office by Tuesday 30th March. 

From our APC-Mrs Belinda Battaia

NAPLAN is a point-in-time assessment that allows parents to see how their child is progressing in literacy and numeracy against the national standard and compared with their peers throughout Australia. At the classroom level, NAPLAN provides additional information to support teachers’ professional judgement about student progress.

The year 3, 5, 7 and 9 2021 NAPLAN Online test window is from 11th–21st May.  Confirmed St Mary’s test dates will be provided early next term. The tests are taken in a specific order: Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy. Should a student be absent for a test, on their return to school they will sit catch up missed tests in the required order. Examples of the questions and key features of NAPLAN online can be found on the NAPLAN public demonstration site

Schools generally receive their students’ NAPLAN reports from mid-August to mid-September.  The school will notify parents when the reports are being sent home. The same report format is used for every student in Australia.

NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students have already learnt through the school curriculum. Teachers will ensure that students are familiar with the test formats and will provide appropriate support and guidance. Excessive preparation is not useful and can lead to unnecessary anxiety. If you have any questions about your child's preparation for NAPLAN, please make a time to speak with your child's teacher.

NAPLAN tests are constructed to give students an opportunity to demonstrate skills they have learnt over time through the school curriculum, and NAPLAN test days should be treated as just another routine event on the school calendar. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to reassure them that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program, and to advise them to simply do the best they can on the day.

All students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are expected to participate in NAPLAN tests.  NAPLAN tests give you information on how your child is progressing against national standards. This information can be used to identify areas in which your child may benefit from additional assistance. NAPLAN does not replace, but rather complements assessments run by your child's classroom teacher throughout the year.  Adjustments can be provided for students with disability to enable them to access the tests on an equivalent basis to students without disability. 

Mrs Belinda Battaia
APC/Teacher

Sport News

Year 3-6 Cross-Country/Fun Run 

The 2021 Inter-House Cross-Country/Fun Run will be held on Wednesday 31^st March at Queens Park. Students will need to arrive at school promptly wearing their sports shorts and house shirt. Students will be transported to the venue by bus. Once students are assembled at Queens Park, races will commence.

The order of events and approximate times will be:

• 9:10am  9 years and under (2013, 2012) 2km Competitive Race Boys
                   9 years and under (2013, 2012) 2km Competitive Race Girls

• 9:30am 10 years (2011) 2km Competitive Race Boys
                   10 years (2011) 2km Competitive Race Girls

• 9:50am  11 years (2010) 3km Competitive Race Boys
                    11 years (2010) 3km Competitive Race Girls

• 10:10am   12 years (2009) 3km Competitive Race Boys
                      12 years (2009) 3km Competitive Race Girls

• Fun Run Boys 1km
• Fun Run Girls 1km

Students will choose on the day to compete in the Competitive Race OR the Fun Run. The students cannot enter both. The Competitive Race will have placing ribbons and will be the trial for the selection of the St Mary’s Cross-Country Team. The Fun Run is not for placing, it will be a staggered start with participation points  being allocated for every student who completes the run. At the end of the day, the winning house will be announced.

What to Pack

• Healthy snack to take to Queens park
• WATER BOTTLE
• Hat, sunscreen applied before school

PLEASE NOTE:  Tuckshop will be available for first break upon returning to school. 

Thank you to the parents who have already offered their help.  I am still after volunteers, so if you are able to stand at a station and cheer on our runners, please send an email to the address below.  The job required is very low on difficulty factor but very high on job satisfaction.

We’re hoping for a fun day finished with tired legs and full hearts.

See you at the track.

Caroline Kerrisk
caroline_kerrisk@rok.catholic.edu.au

Touch Football Draw - Round 7

Harmony Day/National Day of Action Against Bullying

Last Friday, as we acknowledged Harmony Day, National Day of Action Against Bullying and Close the Gap Day, our students participated in activities and lessons about tolerance, respect and learning skills to resolve conflicts. Dressed in an item of orange to signify these days, each student created an 'Upstander' as a commitment to making our school a safe, welcoming and homogenous environment.

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Student of the Week

Week 8 Term 1 Student Award Winners

Qld Health Advice

Parents please be aware there have been some recent cases of Chickenpox at St Mary's. For more information please refer to the Qld Health Fact Sheet by clicking on the link below. 

If you have any concerns or queries, please do not hestitate to contact the School Office. 

Community News