Week 3, Term 1 2021 - 9th February 2021

Principal's Message

From our Principal - Mr Wes Rose

Welcome Mr McCusker
Today we hosted a visit from Mr Michael McCusker, the Assistant Director: Schools for the Northern region.  Michael attended our opening Mass, visited classrooms and met with several staff.

School Touch Footy Comp
It is great to see so many students participating in the Mackay school touch footy comp.  Games start this Wednesday at the Mackay Touch fields, Norris Rd.  I sincerely thank the staff members and parents that are assisting with each team.  The draw for each week will be posted on our school Facebook page, so please ensure you check there to find your team’s playing time and field.

School Photo Day
A reminder that our school photos are being taken tomorrow, Wednesday 10^th February.  Please ensure your child wears their formal school uniform, including correct shoes and socks. 

Pupil Free Day
A reminder that this Friday 12^th February is a pupil free day. Staff will be involved in our annual Bishop’s Inservice Day, which will be held via videoconference this year. The school office will be closed on Friday. 

Student Protection Contacts
Child safety is of utmost importance at St Mary’s school.  Students have several discussions throughout the year about student safety, focusing on recognising unsafe situations, reacting appropriately and reporting to a responsible adult.  Everyone at St Mary’s has a role to play to ensure the safety of each student.  We also have three designated Student Protection contacts, who share the role of coordinating the school’s education and response.  Our Student Protection contacts for 2021 are Mr Wes Rose, Mrs Terri Leotta and Ms Wendy Parker. 

Expectations Regarding Behaviour in Toilets

Students are regularly reminded regarding the school’s behaviour expectations when they are using the toilets. Another reminder occurred at school this week.

The focus of the discussion was:

• Educating students about germs in toilets.
• Hygiene practices (washing hands, not taking food into toileting area etc.).
• Students should use the toilet responsibly (e.g. not waste time and keep noise to a minimum).
• Discourage play in toilets (e.g. should not be a location for tiggy or hiding games).
• Not a place for playing ‘tricks’ on others or contact with other people (minimal time in toilet).
• Strict rule – one person in a cubicle at a time.
• When using the toilet to change clothing for an activity, individual cubicles to be used with one person per cubicle.
• If individual showers or cubicles are not available, remember the public and private rule. Students must continue to wear clothing that would be acceptable for public places.
• Adults must not be in a one-on-one situation with students in toilets or changing areas.

In the aim of enhancing student hygiene and safety, it would be appreciated if parents reinforce these behaviours at home with regard to not only the school toilets, but all public toilet areas.

Quote of the Week

Pupil Free Day

A reminder that this Friday 12th February is a pupil free day. All staff will be involved in our annual Bishop’s Inservice Day. Our school office will also be closed on Friday.

Opening School Mass

Thank you Fr Don for leading us in the celebration of our Opening Mass this morning. Each class  contributed a commitment to caring for our common home which was shared at the Mass. 

Thank you also to our readers and the dancers who prepared a liturgical dance for the occasion. 

Reminder! School Photo Day Tomorrow

From our APC - Mrs Belinda Battaia

Reminder! ICT Code of Practice

This form must be completed for each student.

Please find below a copy of the Information and Communications Technologies Code of Practice V6 which outlines the Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton's policies and procedures regarding use of technology in schools. These forms have also been emailed to you directly for your child/children for their appropriate year levels.

Please take the time to read through the document with your child/children before completing the google form (link provided below).

ICT Code of Practice Prep-Year 2

 ICT Code of Practice Year 3-Year 6

There are a few important points to note:

1. You must complete a separate form for EACH child enrolled at St Mary's
2. The form must be completed as soon as possible
3. Failure to complete the form will result in your child being unable to use technology at the school
4. For children in Prep - Year 2 parents will complete the google form only
5. For children in Year 3-6 parents will complete the google form AND students will sign a paper copy of the form in class after reading through the document with their teacher/s.

Should you have any questions in relation to the above, please don't hesitate to contact the school office on  4951 1743.

Mrs Belinda Battaia
APC/Teacher

Parent Communication 

This week our classrooms are abuzz with parent teacher conferences to discuss the many gifts, talents and learning needs of our students. These interviews are held early in the year as a means of opening the lines of communication between home and school to ensure the most positive school experience for all students. 

At St Mary’s we endeavour to keep the communication lines open between home and school throughout the year by:

• Providing a parent information email or handout at the beginning of the school year 

• Providing a class newsletter at the beginning of each term outlining the major learning topics and important dates

• Conducting parent teacher interviews each semester 

• Providing academic reports each semester with follow up conversations where necessary 

• Providing Facebook posts of school events and individual classroom learning at least once a semester

• Providing teacher email details as an efficient means of communication between home and school (Please allow a turn around of at least 24 hours and longer on weekends/holidays)

• Being available to meet upon request at a mutually agreed time

We encourage the presence of families around our school to ensure that an environment of strong community, mutual respect and openness is maintained.

Mrs Belinda Battaia
APC/Teacher

Shrove Tuesday - 16th 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!
Gluten free option available.  
All proceeds to Project Compassion.

If you can spare some time on Tuesday, Sharon in our Tuckshop would greatly appreciate your help. Two volunteers are needed from approx. 8:30-9am for placing labels on bags and then five volunteers would be appreciated from 10-10:45am with bagging orders.  Please contact the school office if you can help.

Sport News - Mrs Caroline Kerrisk

Touch Football

Notes were sent home on Friday including the team lists. New information below has arrived from the coordinator. Please support these procedures to ensure a smooth and safe season. Student attendance will  be taken by staff and submitted at the end of each round.

Parent and Spectators
All parents and spectators will need to sign in on arrival by scanning the QR code located at various entrances to Mackay Touch Association fields.   Parents are also advised to social distance whilst at the grounds and remain outside the confines of the sub box (10 metres each side of the halfway line) for the entirety of the match.  

Please bring water bottles!

Parking
Mackay Touch COViD industry plan has parents parking in certain car parks when kids are playing on certain fields. Please take note of the diagram below and what field your child will be playing on. This will be shared to the Mackay School Sports Facebook page, as well Mackay Touch Facebook page.

Mrs Caroline Kerrisk
HPE Teacher

Touch Footy Draw - Round 1 - 10th February

Run Club

Run club will begin this Thursday 11^th February and be held each Thursday for the Semester. Training begins at 3:00pm and the tired legs will be ready for collection at 3:45. Run Club is offered to all students from year 2 through to year 6 who share a love of being active. This term our focus will be cross-country preparation. Runners will need comfortable clothes and shoes, a water bottle and hat. The St Mary’s Run Club hats are perfect, $12.50 from the office. They look great, are lightweight and definitely increase both endurance and speed!

“One run can change your day, many runs can change your life”

Mrs Caroline Kerrisk
HPE Teacher

School Banking News

Join School Banking today!

The School Banking program provides a fun, interactive and engaging way for young Australians to learn about money and develop good saving habits. When children join the program they receive a Dollarmites deposit wallet to use when making School Banking deposits.

See Mrs Houston in the library or contact the school office for more details. 

Buddy Readers

The Year 1L class and Year 2B class had a wonderful time sharing their reading together in buddy time.

Anniversary of the National Apology

On the 13^th February 2008 former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered a National Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for the injustices of the past government policies, in particular the Stolen Generations. The apology itself was seen by many as the first step towards Reconciliation and continues to be the platform for understanding and recognition that these policies continue to have a long-lasting affect upon the First Nation’s people today.

Want to know more? There are wonderful resources and online platforms such as Reconciliation Australia. Have a look at what is happening locally to mark this event.

Karlie Tatchell
Regional Indigenous Education Liaison Officer

Student of the Week -Week 2, Term 1

Community News