Week 9, Term 4 2024 - 26th November 2024
APC News - Transition Day
This Thursday 28th November, St Mary’s students participate in a transition morning. On this morning, 2024 class groups travel to their 2025 classrooms and teachers. New students enrolled at St Mary’s will attend, including our very new prep cohort.
Students experience all sorts of emotions as a result of this day, these include:
- Excitement at the idea of a new teacher and class mates
- Apprehension about their confidence in the new curriculum
- Sadness at leaving an old school and joining a new one or the possibility of not having their friends in their class.
All of these emotions are very normal but still worth validating if identified by your child.
Our teachers, have planned for a range of enjoyable activities where students may:
- Complete an interview on their teacher
- Play a favourite maths or literacy game (Five moves to 100 is one of my favourites!)
- Learn more about events and excursions of their new year level
- Participate in ice breaker games to mix up friendship groups and promote collaboration.
This transition process is an important step in preparing the students for a new academic school year surrounded by a new group of peers and in partnership with a new teacher. There is always an excitable buzz around the school following these sessions and I’m sure this year won’t be any different.
Belinda Battaia
Assistant Principal: Curriculum
From our Principal | Mr Wes Rose
2025 Orientation Morning
Our orientation morning is scheduled for this Thursday 28th November. Students in Years 1-6 next year will visit their 2025 classrooms and spend time with their new year level teachers. We also welcome our new teachers on this morning; Mrs Parrott, Mrs Ford, Miss Graham and Mrs Cleaver. Several new students in Years 1-6 will also attend our orientation day and I am sure that our existing students will make them feel very welcome. Our 2025 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. Year 6 students attending Catherine McAuley College in 2025 will spend the entire day at the college. I am sure that this orientation day will give students and teachers in insight into the new school year.
Report Cards
Semester 2 report cards will be published on Thursday 5th December. I encourage all families to log in to Parent Lounge to access and read these reports, which give parents a comprehensive report of your child’s academic progress this semester.
End of Year Gifts and Treats
With the end of year upon us, many students bring in cards, lollies and gifts for classmates and staff. Whilst it is a lovely gesture to bring in a card or gift, I ask that students refrain from bringing in candy cane or other lollies to share with their classmates.
Chewing Gum
We have noticed some students bringing chewing gum to school. I remind all students that chewing gum is not allowed at school, as we are increasingly finding gum left on the concrete and other places. I thank parents and students for their support with this matter.
Uniform Guidelines
With the Christmas holidays fast approaching, it is timely to look forward to the 2025 school year and remind all families about the school uniform guidelines in place for all students. I ask parents to consult this guide to assist with decisions particularly around hairstyles, shoes, jewellery, ear rings, etc.
Quote of the Week
“Goodness is the only investment that never fails.”
- Henry David Thoreau
Bookpack Collection Reminder
Reminder: If you ordered your 2025 Bookpack through Mackay School Supplies please note the collection dates below.
End of Year Mass Invitation
All parents, friends and carers are invited to attend our End of Year School Mass on Tuesday 3rd December in the St Mary's School Hall. Please note change of time to 9am. This final Mass will include a candle ceremony and handover of Year 6 leaders to our 2025 leaders.
Student Medication
A reminder that all student medication held in the school office, needs to be collected by a parent at the office by Friday 6th December as we are not legally allowed to give this to a student to take home.
Any medication that is not collected by this date will be disposed. When collecting the medication, you will be issued with a new authorisation form to bring at the start of term in 2025.
St Mary's Christmas Concert
The St Mary’s Christmas Concert will be held in the Basketball court area next Thursday 5th December. Please join us from 5:00pm for a BBQ dinner, with the concert starting from 6pm. A reminder that the food menu (burgers, sausage on bread and roast pork & gravy rolls) are limited items, first in first served. Drinks for adults and the kids will also be available for purchase on the night. A big thank you to the helpers who have signed up to assist with the BBQ/bar, it is really appreciated.
Please note that students will be sitting in their class groups, with parents to find a suitable seat (BYO chair) around the student seating area. The year levels have been practising their concert items over the past few weeks, so I really do encourage every student and family to attend.
A special note about car parking for the event. The boundary gates will be open for parent parking on the Year 5 soccer field (access from McDonald St gate) and Year 1 and 2 soccer field (access from Morley St). Please observe the cones and temporary fencing, and be mindful not to park others in.
2025 School Leaders
Following last week’s student speeches and voting process, the following students have been selected as our 2025 student leaders. They are a fine group of students and I am sure they will do a great job as leaders.
School Captains: Harvey Savige and Mila Taylor
Vice Captains: Jayce Leslie and Gemma Cusack
Illawong Captains: Flynn Pace and Ava Corrigan
Iluka Captains: Hudson Porter and Lexie Martin
Eungella Captains: Oliver Dwyer and Nina Lucas
Student Ministry: Ashton Camilleri and Ashlyn Mullaney
Social Justice: Ollie Dalglish and Violet Fairbairn
Cultural Leaders: Matilda Allardyce and Isla McGowan
From the Library
School Uniforms - Message from Lowes
We have been notified from our uniform supplier, that certain items are currently out of stock. Please see below the list of items and expected re-stocking times:
Dresses – Lowe’s are currently out of size 4, 6 and 8 dresses. Bulk order arriving towards the end of December.
Blouses – Currently fully stocked in all sizes.
Shirts – Lowe’s sold out of size 6, but have stock on its way; due to arrive by the end of Nov.
Skorts – Currently fully stocked in all sizes.
Shorts – size 4 & 6 are out of stock; bulk order arriving in December.
Prep Polo – sizes 4, 6 and 10 are out of stock; re-stocking in store by mid-December. Also sold out of sizes 2 and 8 but have stock arriving next week.
Sport Shorts – fully stocked in all sizes in store.
Sport Polo – Size 6 and 8 have run out of stock; back in stock by the end of December.
Swap It
Student of the Week
Week 8, Term 4 Student Award Winners
| Prep P | Ryker | For your hard work during our literacy and maths rotations sessions this week. You are a reading, writing and maths star. Thank you for being such a wonderful worker Ryker! |
| Prep P | Sierra | For the reverence you have shown when practicing for our Prep liturgy. You are doing a wonderful job with singing, actions and acting. Thank you Sierra! |
| Prep R | Piper | For the dedication you show during writing sessions. You are being creative with your word choices and using excellent vocabulary. Wow, we are so impressed Piper! |
| Prep R | Harper | Harper you could receive this award every week! You show up everyday with a smile and positive attitude and try your best in everything you do. Thank you for being so amazing all day everyday. |
| 1B | Helena | For the wonderful singing and actions in our class liturgy. You showed reverence and respect. Well done! |
| 1S | Thea | For your clear and confident reading at our liturgy. What a star! |
| 1S | Georgia | For your great partner work and problem solving this week when working on your moving mechanisms. Well done! |
| 2A | Remy | For being an enthusiastic learner and getting all your tasks done this week. You have tackled every challenge with a smile and have been a wonderful support to your classmates. Great work Remy! |
| 2A | Emerson | For the dedication and focus you have shown in mastering money transactions this week. I was so impressed with your understanding of the two part strategy. Way to go Emerson! |
| 2L | The Whole 2L Class | Your teacher is super-grateful for your persistence and effort when completing assessment tasks over the past week! When the going gets tough ...... 2L rocks!! |
| 3C | Olivia | For writing a captivating narrative. Your sentences were rich with vivid descriptions, painting the scene in a way that drew the reader in. Your teacher is impressed by the thought and creativity you've poured into your work. |
| 3C | Jacob | Jacob, your increased concentration and effort in English this term have been pleasing to see. The persistence you've shown while constructing your narrative has been particularly impressive. Keep up the great work! |
| 3P | Alice | For the amazing progress you’ve made this semester. It has been such a joy to see your confidence grow and to watch you embrace new challenges with determination and enthusiasm. Keep up the fantastic work Alice, I am so proud of you! |
| 3P | Ila | Being a responsible class member of 3P by always being prepared, completing work on time, and helping others when needed. Ila’s dedication and positive attitude make our classroom a better place! Thank you! |
| 4C | The Whole 4C Class | For your wonderful efforts to present our Showcase this year. You all spoke clearly and 'showcased' yourselves beautifully. I am so proud of your efforts! |
| 4R | Theo | For the time and effort you have put into writing your historical recount in English. Great work Theo! |
| 4R | Alecxa | For your positive attitude and the effort you have made to catch up on your work. Well done Alecxa, keep up the great work! |
| 5C | The whole 5C Class | I am so incredibly proud of the amazing job you have all done in preparing and giving your leadership speeches! |
| 5M | Mia | For being such a little ray of sunshine in 5M. You brighten everyone's day with your fun and optimistic outlook. |
| 5M | Creed | For your hard-working attitude and determination to do your very best in everything you do. |
| 6T | Kalani | For consistently demonstrating exceptional leadership skills and the positive example you set for our school community. Well done Kalani! |
| 6T | Flynn | For your commitment and effort this week in completing your assessment tasks. Your hard work is truly commendable! |
| 6V | Reginald | For the diligent way you are completing your assessments. You are a mature and responsible student. Keep it up Regi! |
| 6V | Jaylah | For your kind and considerate manner. You can always be relied upon to help others. |
| Sport | Class 4C | Your teacher was very impressed with the effort you all put into our PE game this week. It was fantastic to see you encouraging each other with kind words and loud cheers when batting and working together as a team when out fielding. Keep up the great work 4C. |
| Drama | Classes 2A & 2L | You are all dazzling stars, performing the Christmas Star with infectious enthusiasm and precision! |
Community News
To apply for St Mary's Tuckshop Coordinator, please click the link below:
https://applynow.net.au/jobs/CER1168
To apply for OSHC Coordinator please click on the link below:
https://applynow.net.au/jobs/CER1162-oshc-coordinator-st-brendan-s-catholic-primary-school
To apply for OSHC Assistant please click on the link below:
OSHC Assistants - St Brendan's Catholic Primary School | Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton
