Week 4, Term 1 2023 - 14th February 2023

Reflection - Week 4

Today at our Welcome Mass class representatives presented the goals their classes composed, to the school community.

Embracing the spirit of Subsidiarity and Participation we saw commitments such as…..to share, participate, give generously, welcome others, fundraise and many more. These goals will now be displayed in our school office foyer.

Thank you Fr Gasper for leading our Mass, parents and parishioners who attended and to all the wonderful student who assisted in the Mass today.

Terri Leotta
Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Welcome Mass Photos

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 17

Next

From our Principal - Mr Wes Rose

Parent-Teacher Interviews
Sincere thanks to our teachers who spent each afternoon last week meeting with parents to discuss their child’s growth and achievement. A positive home-school partnership is key to improved student outcomes, and these meetings positively contribute towards this partnership.  Parents, if you have not met with your child’s teacher, I invite you to contact them to arrange a suitable meeting time.

Office Secretary – Term 1
Many parents may have noticed that Mrs Katrina Wilkes has not been in our school office this term.  I advise that Katrina is presently unwell and is taking sick leave for the remainder of Term 1.  On behalf of the school community, I offer Katrina our prayerful and practical support in this time of recovery.  In her absence, Mrs Tanya Davies has been appointed as our Office Secretary and I thank Tanya for assisting us at short notice.

Just 1 Thing Campaign
Positive parent engagement in a child’s education is critical to achieve the very best of educational outcomes.  To assist the school and P&F to engage parents in their preferred ways, we ask that all parents complete this short, 1-minute survey. This survey will be open until Friday 17^th Feb.  The ‘Just 1 Thing’ campaign was hugely successful last year, with over 160 families submitting a response. 

We have received 132 responses to our just 1 thing campaign thus far.  It is our aim to achieve over 200 responses this year, so please make time to consider the ways to can be involved in your child’s education at St Mary’s school.  Please see below a graph of entries by class. Well done to Prep R for being the class with the most responses.  The form closes this weekend, so let’s see which class can get the most responses!

If you have any questions, please contact the school office. Complete the survey here.

Interschool Touch Football Term 1 Competition
A reminder that the first round of games start this Wednesday 15^th Feb.   Please note that unfortunately there will not be any school training sessions this year, due to time constraints and other commitments.  Please click on the link below to view touch football teams. Further announcements and game times will be communicated through our St Mary’s Facebook page. Thanks for your support!

Opening Year Mass
Our Opening School Mass was held today in the school hall, presided by Fr Gaspar.  Special thanks to Fr Gaspar, our APRE Terri Leotta and the many staff and students that assisted in the Mass; it was a lovely prayerful celebration to formally commence the 2023 school year.

School TV
St Mary’s is very excited to introduce a new initiative to help support the wellbeing of our students. After all, happy and well supported students are better equipped to learn and succeed.

We know that it can be difficult and time consuming for parents to source credible information when it comes to ongoing wellbeing support strategies for their children.   To aid with this we have partnered with SchoolTV, an online resource designed to empower parents to better deal with the challenges for raising happy, well and resilient young people.

Because parenting doesn't come with instructions, the SchoolTV resource has now been implemented at our school to assist parents and caregivers in navigating the challenges of modern-day parenting. This outstanding resource delivers credible information with practical strategies featuring video interviews with leading specialists, supported by a host of resources from key wellbeing organisations.

SchoolTV offers parents a fresh approach to the issues and pressures faced by children and young people in our communities throughout Australia.

Some topics featured include:

• Youth Anxiety
• Raising Girls
• School Refusal
• Positive Parenting
• Digital Reputation
• Managing Screen Time
• Cyberbullying

We encourage you to visit our SchoolTV site and view the content but more importantly use this resource if and when needed to support your child and family through particular needs as they may arise. At a time when the wellbeing of our youth has never been more challenged, we are pleased to be able to offer this accessible, credible and empowering resource to our families.

Many thanks again to the support provided by Catholic Education Rockhampton Northern Region to get this up and running across all schools in the region.

Quote of the Week

Shrove Tuesday - 21st February

Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday. The name Shrove comes from the old middle English word 'Shriven' meaning to go to confession to say sorry for the wrong things you've done. 

The other name for this day, Pancake Day, comes from the old English custom of using up all the fattening ingredients in the house before Lent, so that people were ready to fast during Lent. The fattening ingredients that most people had in their houses in those days were eggs and milk. A very simple recipe to use up these ingredients was to combine them with some flour and make pancakes!

Don't forget to place your order for pancakes next Tuesday! 
All proceeds to Project Compassion.

Ash Wednesday Liturgy

From the Office - Finance Department

Dear Parents

Please note that school fees were issued on the 2^nd February 2023 and are due for payment this Thursday, 16^th February 2023.

Thank you to all those parents who have paid fees or entered into a payment plan to pay off their fees over the course of 2023.

If your fees are yet to be paid and you would like to enter into a payment arrangement (either weekly, fortnightly or monthly) please contact me as soon as possible to arrange this.

You are most welcome to call into the office, email smm_finance@rok.catholic.edu.au or phone on 4951 1743 to arrange this.

If you have any questions in relation to school fees, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Kathy Parrish
Finance Officer

Office 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 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 install the St Mary's App can be found by clicking the link below. 

Once downloaded, please complete your registration, using our parent sign-in code 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. 

Parent Volunteer Induction

A huge thank you to all the parents who take time out of their busy lives to volunteer at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School.  In order to volunteer at St Mary’s, please read the 2023 Induction of Volunteers Guidelines (attached) and complete the google form.  

It is our hope that all parents complete this induction package and complete the acknowledgement via the google form.  If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

Pupil Free Day

NAPLAN Online

Assessment Window:  15th – 27^th March 2023

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. NAPLAN assesses skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time, through the school curriculum. NAPLAN is not a pass or fail type test, but rather shows how students are progressing in numeracy and literacy skills against national standards for all Australian children. NAPLAN tests fundamental skills rather than specific content, and as such is not a test for which students can study or drill.  It is important to remember that the NAPLAN tests and report is only ONE aspect of the school's assessment and reporting process and does not replace the more extensive and informed judgements made about your child by their teachers. 

This year our year 3 and 5 students will undertake NAPLAN testing online, with the exception of year 3 writing which will be done on paper. The assessment schedule for NAPLAN online has been finalised. 

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.

The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to let them know that NAPLAN is just one part of their school program, and to urge them to simply do the best they can on the day.

If you have any questions regarding NAPLAN please contact me or your child’s teacher.

Belinda Battaia
Assistant Principal: Curriculum

Collection Notice for Parents/Guardians

Please find below a letter from the Australian Government regarding the 2023 Student Residential Address Collection Notice. 

Please click on the link below for further information.

Sport News

Hockey Trials

If there are any students interested in trying out for 10-12 boys & girls Hockey please see or email me (simone_sibley@rok.catholic.edu.au)

Senior Cross Country & Junior Fun Run

RACQ Road Safety Lessons

This term, the RACQ Streets Ahead road safety program is being delivered to our Prep to Year 6 students focusing on pedestrian, passenger and riding safety. 

Resource Packs with age- appropriate activities and videos demonstrating strategies are available here: www.racq.com.au/streetsaheadresources. These will assist you to continue to teach road safety, implement the strategies your child/ren have learnt and apply them to your everyday lives.

Touch Footy Draw - Round 1 -Wednesday 15th February

Student of the Week

Week 3, Term 1 Student Award Winners

Community News