Week 3, Term 2 2023 - 2nd May 2023
Principal's Reflection
Each Friday afternoon this term, all St Mary’s students are involved in MJR sessions. Consisting of small, multi-age groups of students and led by a pair of Year 6 students, each MJR group explores the various Catholic Social Teachings through games, stories and other activities. It is a fun and interactive session that aims to reinforce in students how these Catholic Social Teachings are relevant and important in our lives today. This week, the focus will be on Solidarity.
Solidarity means coming together and supporting one another; a whole-hearted commitment to the good of all people. Jesus was a great example of solidarity. He demonstrated this by caring for the sick, the poor, and the marginalized. He showed compassion and kindness to everyone he met, regardless of their social status or background. He taught us to love our neighbours and to treat others as we would want to be treated. Jesus also spoke up against injustice and inequality. He challenged the oppressive systems of His time and stood up for those who were being mistreated. He demonstrated that we should use our voices and actions to advocate for a more just and equitable society.
As followers of Jesus, Christians can practice solidarity by following His example. We can care for those in need, speak up against injustice, and treat everyone with kindness and respect. We can also work towards creating a society that is inclusive and equitable, where everyone is valued and respected for who they are.
In both large and small ways, there are many examples of how people can show solidarity with others. Indeed, at St Mary’s, there are several ways students and families can be involved in this throughout the year. One such example is the council’s new ‘Be a Legendary Neighbour’ initiative. We welcome Mayor Greg Williamson to assembly this Friday to talk about this initiative, which looks to connect people to their neighbours. As Mayor Williamson says,
“We want to help build a more connected community because connected communities are resilient – they look out for each other. That can take the form of checking in on each other’s physical and mental wellbeing or helping to prepare for, or recover from, natural disasters.”
Remember, we can all make a difference in creating a more inclusive and equitable world, inspired by Jesus' example of solidarity. Let's practice solidarity and work towards a better future for everyone.
All the very best,
Wes Rose
Principal
From our Principal - Mr Wes Rose
Staff News
- This Tuesday and Wednesday, we welcome Mr John Campbell (Maths Consultant) who will work with teachers and students to present some high leverage Maths teaching strategies.
- This Wednesday, Mrs Terri Leotta will have her APRE appraisal. We welcome Mrs Kellie Jenkinson (Assistant Director: Mission) to St Mary’s school, who will assist with this appraisal.
Sporting News
- St Mary’s Battlers Rugby League commences this term, with training each Monday from 3pm-4pm. Interschool games start this Wednesday; with game details posted on the school Facebook page. This week’s game see the St Mary’s Battlers play Sarina SS at 4:50pm (Field 2).
- Southern Suburbs Tennis trials will be held at the Pioneer Tennis courts this Friday 5th May from 1:30pm-4:30pm. If your child did not receive a note, please contact the office. These notes are due by 2nd May.
Prep 2024 Enrolments
St Mary’s are currently taking enrolments for Prep 2024. 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 https://www.smmrok.catholic.edu.au/enrol-now and close on 2nd July.
Please contact the school office for further information or any assistance required.
Sacramental Program
Our Sacramental Program for children who have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation will recommence in the coming months.
The program will prepare the students (usually Year 4) for the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation. Students need to have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation last year.
We would like to advise that the program is expected to commence across the Southern Cluster in the week of the 22nd of May.
Further details will be provided as soon as possible; this message is intended to provide ‘save the date’ information for you.
Terri Leotta
Assistant Principal: Religious Education
Curriculum Corner
Today, St Mary’s welcomed John Campbell (Diocesan Mathematics Consultant) to work with students and teachers on mathematical strategies such as collaborative problem solving, extending learning and purposeful questions and prompts.
John will visit classrooms today and tomorrow to demonstrate the mathematical strategies in practice and he will deliver this afternoon’s staff meetings to teachers and teacher assistants on high leverage teaching practices to engage learners.
Belinda Battaia
Assistant Principal: Curriculum
Year 6 Leaders Forum
Last Wednesday the leadership team met with the 2023 St Mary’s student badge holders to initiate the first of our Year 6 leaders forums.
At this meeting, we joined in prayer, discussed the roles and procedures of a formalised meeting and had a productive discussion about upcoming calendar events and possible future playground initiatives.
One of the key topics that came up was the importance of student voice in shaping the initiatives that we undertake. As we move forward, we will be working closely with students to ensure that their voices are heard and that their ideas are incorporated into our plans. We believe that this is essential in creating a school community that is inclusive, responsive and engaging for all students.
Ideas shared from students in our first meeting included:
- New soccer and football goals for the playground
- New pickleball nets and bats
- Support for the emu parade rostered through each class on a daily basis, to ensure our grounds are kept clean
Our next meeting will be held at the end of this term.
Belinda Battaia
Assistant Principal: Curriculum
St Mary's Schoolzine App Update
Schoolzine have released an update for their App. If your device is still showing a green logo, please update the app through the App Store or Google Play. The parent sign-in code for St Mary's is 4142.
Once updated, the logo should change to orange.
Important Dates
Sport News
Whitsunday Futsal Titles
St Mary’s had three teams participate in the Whitsunday Futsal Titles at Sarina High School last week.
Our U10 team had a great day on Wednesday, making it to the semi-finals and placing 4th.
Our U11 and U12 teams played on Thursday and were fantastic representatives of our school, improving their skills and playing better with each game. Both teams came 3rd in their pools.
Special thanks to Trent Dyson, Natalie Phelan, Brett Vassallo and the many parents who assisted and cheered on our teams.
Belinda van Lint
Futsal Coordinator
MDSS Cross-Country
Well done to our students who competed in the MDSS Cross-Country last Friday at Queens Park. A big congratulations to the following girls who will be competing in the Capricornia trials later this month.
Nina Lucas – 1st in 10 year old girls
Rylie Hanson – 2nd in 10 year old girls
Madison Malagueno – 2nd in 11 year old girls
Mayson Vassallo - 6th in 11 year old girls
Simone Sibley
HPE Teacher
Mother's Day Stall
Book Club
Student of the Week
Week 2, Term 2 Student Award Winners
| Prep P | Helena | For wonderful work with making patterns during Maths rotations this week. You are a patterning star! Keep up the great work Helena! |
| Prep P | Stella | For great work in our activity group learning sessions this week. Thank you for trying so hard and for doing your neatest work. Keep up the wonderful work! |
| Prep R | Jack | For working so hard in our Maths lessons. You are always listening and paying attention. Keep up the fantastic work. |
| Prep R | Rory | For being a sound superstar in Soundwaves lessons. You are always listening, putting your hand up and working hard on your sounds. |
| 1B | Poppy | For the effort you put into producing your best work. You always show care and this week your art work was particularly polished and beautiful! Well done! |
| 1K | Halle | For always brightening up the day with your smile and enthusiasm. Always eager to help around the classroom. Superb Math work this week. |
| 1K | Remi | For great participation and engagement in all aspects of his work. A fantastic reliable helper in the classroom. |
| 2A | Elena | For listening attentively and making thoughtful contributions to class discussions. |
| 2A | Millie | For being a kind, cooperative and responsible class member. You are an MJR star! |
| 2L | Clanci | Clanci it’s lovely to see you help other students in the classroom. You are friendly, caring and compassionate. Well done. |
| 2L | Charlotte | Charlotte you are a delight to have in the class. You have a big beautiful smile that lights up the room and you love being friends with everyone. |
| 3B | Elyse Smith | For your show don't tell writing piece, I liked how you described the hot sand, I could tell you were at the beach because of the laguage you used in your writing, well done |
| 3B | Cohen | For completing all activities to the best of your ability. Your attitude was very much appreicated |
| 3P | Finnley | For being always working to his full potential and being a respectful class member. Well done, Finn! |
| 3P | Henare | For working extremely well in a team and trying his best to always participate. Great job Henare! |
| 4A | Hudson | For making great choices both in the classroom and the playground. We are so proud of you. Keep up the great effort! |
| 4A | Millie | For being a valued member of our class. We are so impressed with your work in class and love it when you ask questions. Keep up the great work! |
| 4C | Makenna | For the attentiveness you have shown in class. It is great to see such wonderful contributions to class discussions. |
| 4C | Matilda | For your considerate approach to learning time. You are a wonderful example of positive classroom behaviour and your work reflects this. |
| 5SA | Evie | Evie showed a great deal of respect and leadership through her participation in the ANZAC march, staying in time and leading a class row beautifully. Evie has also shown great kindness and friendship to her peers who were needing extra support this week. Thank you and well done Evie. |
| 5SA | Sophie | Sophie showed a great deal of respect with her approach to the ANZAC march, leading one of the class rows and staying in step perfectly. Sophie has also shown great diligence in her efforts to complete Maths Online tasks in her own time. Congratulations Sophie. |
| 5T | Harper | For the positive attitude you have showed in Mathematics this term. You are working hard to overcome challenges to deepen your understanding. I am very impressed Harper! |
| 6M | Aylah | For the wonderful way you led your MJR group last Friday. You were kind, caring and organised. Great work Aylah! |
| 6M | Heidi | For bringing enthusiasm and joy to everything you do. You brighten up our classroom Heidi! |
| 6V | Ava | For being an organised, confident and efficient group leader for our first MJR session. Well done Ava. |
| 6V | Mayson | For excellent contributions to our human migration discussions this week. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas with such confidence, Mayson. |
Community News
