Week 9, Term 1 2022 - 22nd March 2022

Principal's Reflection

Dear parents, staff and students,

This year I have been reading Angela Duckworth’s bestselling book, “Grit”, a very readable and coherent exploration of the habits, mindsets and approaches which contribute to success.  If you are looking for a book that focuses on personal development, I highly recommend Duckworth’s offering.

For some people, grit can be misunderstood as a self-centred, competitive mindset.  It is very important to note that grit is not a ‘win-at-all-costs’ approach, nor a mindset of constant comparison. It is also not about showing off or gloating about our success.  A more accurate understanding of grit includes qualities of persistence and resilience, passion and purpose.  It is with this definition that I view grit.

This week I want to focus on the concept of deliberate practice, an important facet of grit. 

Deliberate practice is the approach to continual improvement, whereby you identify a small subskill to practice, then continually focus on that while responding to feedback to reflect on how to get better.  Grit author, Angela Duckworth, explores the importance of deliberate practice in this short, 2 min video.  

Focusing on a very specific skill will maximise your practice time.  Time spent practising this small skill will lead to improvement.  Reflection and feedback will guide your development.

Deliberate practice is a great way to maximise your time and get better at what you are trying to improve.  It can be applied to all aspects of our lives, be it our sporting endeavours, hobbies or our working life.  I invite you to consider ways how you can make deliberate practice an aspect of your own improvement journey.

All the very best,

Wes Rose
Principal

From our Principal - Mr Wes Rose

Just One 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.  Please click here to register your response to this short 1 minute survey.  To date, we have only about 40% of families who have submitted a response.  Parent responses by class are as follows;

Quote of the Week

Prep 2023 Enrolments

St Mary’s are currently taking enrolments for Prep 2023. We encourage both existing and new families who have a child starting Prep next year to lodge their enrolment application as soon as possible. Applications are to be made via our online enrolment form available from our website www.smmrok.catholic.edu.au with interviews to commence on 9th May.

 Please contact the school office for further information or any assistance required.

Pupil Free Day

Youth Mass & Children's Liturgy

Please join us!

St Mary's School will join with Mercy College to celebrate our Youth Mass this Saturday 26th March at St Mary's Church at 5pm. Children's Liturgy will also be held.  

Mass will be followed by a supper outside the church which the whole family is most welcome to attend.

We look forward to seeing you there. 

Mrs Terri Leotta
APRE/Teacher

Holy Week Prayer Service

We invite all students to dress in the custom of Jesus' time for a Holy Week Prayer Service to be held next Thursday 31st March 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

Project Compassion-Fourth Week of Lent

Rosalie 44, is an ex-combatant who lives with her husband and seven children in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Forced to join the army when she was just 15-years-old, Rosalie experienced significant trauma and hardship during her years in the military. After she was demobilised from the army, Rosalie, like other ex-combatants, was left to fend for herself in the community.

With your generous support and through our local partners, Rosalie was able to connect with other members of her community and participate in business skills training to help her to reintegrate into society.

Please donate to Project Compassion 2022 and help women like Rosalie to succeed in the future, providing hope For All Future Generations.

Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow For All Future Generations.

You can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes in classrooms, by visiting lent.caritas.org.au, or by calling 1800 024 413.

Caritas Classroom Tally

House Shirt Day

Hot Cross Bun Collection

Thank you to all staff and students who have supported the St Mary’s P&F Hot Cross Bun Drive.  Orders are now closed and you can collect the fresh buns on Tuesday 29^th March at the School Hall: 8am to 8.30am and 2.30pm to 3pm.

Sport News

Junior Fun Run

Next Tuesday 29^th March (8:40-10:40am) is the date for our Prep-Year 2 Fun Run. Students in these year levels are invited to wear their house colour shirt on this day.

On arrival you will see plenty of action as we prepare our epic obstacle course on the school oval. Once assembled and vigorously tested, students from will progress through the course. The event  is  non-competitive, however students may choose to wear their house shirt along with their HPE shorts and usual runners. It is a morning focused on fun and participation.

'Spilt the Beanz' Coffee Van will be on-site for the parents!

Come and cheer on your child for  what is sure to be a fun-filled  morning. 

Year 3-6 Cross-Country / Fun Run 2022

The 2022 Inter-House Cross-Country / Fun Run will be held on Wednesday 30th of 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 (2014, 2013) 2km Competitive Race Boys
                      9 years and under (2014, 2013) 2km Competitive Race Girls
• 9:30am   10 years (2012) 2km Competitive Race Boys
                      10 years (2012) 2km Competitive Race Girls
• 9:50am    11 years (2011) 3km Competitive Race Boys
                       11 years (2011) 3km Competitive Race Girls
• 10:10am   12 years (2010) 3km Competitive Race Boys
                        12 years (2010) 3km Competitive Race Girls
• Fun Run Boys 1km
• Fun Run Girls 1km

Students will choose on the day to compete in either 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.

Simone Sibley
HPE Teacher
simone_sibley@rok.catholic.edu.au

Touch Footy Draw - Round 4

Interschool Touch Football Year 3/4 & 5/6 Draw for this coming Wednesday 23rd March. This is the same draw that was rained out last week.

Harmony Day/National Day of Action against Bullying

Last Friday, we acknowledged Harmony Day which is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism and the National Day of Action Against Bullying. Students were invited to wear an orange coloured item. Each class participated in lessons about tolerance, respect and learned skills to resolve conflicts.Students then wrote pledges on mini-people stating how they will be upstanders against bullying, live in harmony with others and resolve problems amicably. The result was this brilliant display which signifies our commitment to making St Mary’s a great place to be.

NAIDOC Pageant

Hello families,

NAIDOC is slowly approaching and our community will be celebrating this significant date across the region in many different ways. One of the events that is highlighted is the Mr and Miss NAIDOC Pageant. Applications are open now for ages 13-17.

 If you know of someone who would like to enter please talk to Aunty Veronica or have a chat to myself if you are unsure. I am also keen to help design/dress the entrant! {in my spare time I sew}.

Karlie Tatchell
Regional Indigenous Education Liaison Officer

Lost Property

We have an abundance of water bottles, lunch boxes & some other miscellaneous items in our lost property box.

Please encourage your student to check the box outside the office, if they are missing any of these items. 

Student of the Week

Week 8, Term 1 Student Award Winners

Community News