Week 6, Term 2 2023 - 23rd May 2023
APRE's Reflection
National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
The date remains the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.
Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Reconciliation is all about working together. This year’s theme is all about encouraging kids to speak up and continue the work of those before them to bring about change.
It is an opportunity for all Australians to reflect on how they can use their voice for good. It asks us all to think about everything we know about change and change makers and share our ideas about change loud and proud!
This year all students will share their reconciliation messages in a sea of hearts which will be displayed on the walkway near the hall.
Terri Leotta
Assistant Principal: Religious Education
From our Principal - Mr Wes Rose
Staff News
- This Wednesday we welcome Mr Michael McCusker (Assistant Director: Schools) to St Mary’s.
- Over the next two weeks, teachers will be released from class on various days to give them some time to prepare the Semester 1 report cards.
- This Friday, Mr Rose will be away, attending the Diocesan Festival in Rockhampton. Mrs Leotta is acting principal.
Interschool Chess Competition
Next Monday 29th May, we have several students representing St Mary’s at the Mackay regional competition, held at Mackay Christian College. Interested students in Year 2-6 are invited to attend, but entries close Wed 24th May. Register via parent lounge.
National Reconciliation Week Luncheon
This Friday from 11:30am-12:30pm in our Hall, we will host our National Reconciliation Week luncheon. At this event, we welcome indigenous students, families and elders to enjoy lunch, view our Reconciliation Action Plan and view a showcase of student artwork. Many thanks to Mrs Tatchell and Mrs Loban for organising this special event.
Quote of the Week
"Peace begins with a smile."
- Mother Teresa
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
Youth Mass & Children's Liturgy
PLEASE JOIN US!
This Saturday 27th May, will be the Sacrament of Confirmation Enrolment Mass, 5pm at St Mary's Church. St Mary's School will also join with St Patrick's College (Mercy Campus) to celebrate our Youth Mass with Children's Liturgy.
Mass will be followed by a pizza outside the church. Everyone is most welcome to attend.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Mrs Terri Leotta
APRE/Teacher
Sea of Hearts Challenge
We are creating a Sea of Hearts which will depict our commitment to ensuring that Reconciliation lives in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians. We are working to create a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the Australian community and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We request that you:
- decorate the heart (click on the link below) and fill in "What Does Reconciliation Mean To You". Cut out the heart and return it back to the school.
- The hearts will be used to create a Sea of Hearts.
- We thank you for your support in making positive changes in our community.
Terri Leotta
Assistant Principal: Religious Education
May - The Month of Mary
This term the Year 5 students have been investigating the life of Mary our Mother and sharing her virtues. These are some more artworks from our Yr 5T and 5SA classes.
Terri Leotta
Assistant Principal: Religious Education
St Mary's Trivia Night
Roll up, roll up! You are officially invited to our upcoming Trivia Night with a fun 'Carnival' theme. Join us on Friday, June 2nd, from 6pm on the Basketball Courts for an unforgettable night of games, laughter, and prizes.
PRIZES:
- $1,000 cash prize for First place
- Best Dressed Team
- Side show alley games & Raffles
Come dressed in your best carnival-inspired outfits and get ready to test your knowledge on a range of subjects.
So, lock in your brains trust and start studying. But that's not all! We will also have some carnival games, delicious food, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to keep you entertained throughout the event.
Whether you're a parent, teacher, or local trivia buff, this is an opportunity to come together as a community and enjoy a night of friendly competition and fun. Hurry and purchase your tickets before they sell out!
Tickets are available at https://events.humanitix.com/st-mary-s-trivia-night-2023. We can't wait to see you there!
Sport News
2023 Interhouse Athletic Carnivals
Our Interhouse Athletic Carnivals are to be held across 3 days in week 8 and 9 this term.
- Monday 5th June will be the Interhouse Field Events for 9, 10, 11 and 12 year old students (2014 – 2011) on St Mary’s oval.
- Friday 9th June will be the Interhouse Track Events for all Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 students at the Mackay Aquatic and Recreation Complex, Boundary Road, Ooralea.
- The Prep- Year 2 Carnival will be held on Thursday 15th June on St Mary’s oval. Prep- Year 2 will participate in a 65m sprint and rotate through modified field events and tabloid activities. Students in Year 3 who were born in 2015 will also participate in this carnival.
The Interhouse Field Event Day will be broken into two sessions; session 1 starting at 8:40 and session 2 staring at approximately 11:45. Students born 2014 and 2013 will rotate through Discus, Shot Put, Long Jump and High Jump during session 1. Students born in 2012 and 2011 will compete in the same events during session 2. Students should be wearing their sports uniform and remember their hats. Students in year 3 who were born in 2015 will stay in their classrooms for the day.
The Interhouse Track events will be at the Mackay Aquatic and Recreation Complex, Boundary Road, Ooralea. All year 3-6 students will bus over to the venue first thing in the morning so please ensure your children arrive to school on time. Snack, lunch, water bottles and hats will all need to be taken to the field with the students. Students are asked to wear running shoes and socks, HPE shorts and their house shirt. They will need to sit with their team rather than with family to ensure they do not miss their race. Events on this day include 800m (optional), 100m, 200m and relays. There is room for spectators if you would like to bring a chair or rug, but please take photos from behind the fence. If you choose to take your child home early, please let one of the staff members know.
I will need volunteers for our Interhouse Track Carnival. Helpers are needed for marshalling, timing, ribbon writing and set up/pack up. Please email simone_sibley@rok.catholic.edu.au with your preferences if you can help out. Thank you in advance for your support.
Simone Sibley
HPE Teacher
Congratulations to Ryan Phelan for his selection in the MDSS boys soccer team. Good luck at the Capricornia trials Ryan.
St Mary's Battlers - Week 3
The St Mary’s Battlers took out another great win on Wednesday afternoon with a 22-6 score over Bucasia State Primary School.
Ryan Bettini and Jimmy Rogers co captained the team to victory with their hardworking defense and support. Try scorers Cooper Ricciardi, Griffin Russell, Ryan Bettini, Tom Hurley and Campbell Smith showed that we are beginning to spread the ball and show confidence near the line, well done boys. Lucy Clark, at dummy half gave great ball and Travis Deguara took a run off the tap that showed his increasing confidence against the big competitors.
Next week we play a tough and capable Marian side at 4:50pm on field 2.
Belinda Battaia
Walk Safely to School Day
Last Friday, we had over 150 students from St Mary’s participate in the National Walk Safely to School Day, followed by a free breakfast at school. Students, families and teachers walked from Mackay Basketball to St Mary’s to help raise awareness of the health, road safety and environmental benefits of walking to school. It was great to see so many families and siblings attend and show their support for the St Mary’s community.
A special shout out to Mr Gibbs for putting on a spectacular breakfast spread and to Mrs Battaia for organising our first event. We can’t wait to do it again!
Student of the Week
Week 5, Term 2 Student Award Winners
| Prep P | Sabine | For wonderful work with your writing this week. You are working so hard to sound out words and remember your heart words. Keep up the great work Sabine! |
| Prep P | Ella | For trying so hard in all that you do at school. Thank you for always taking so much care to complete your work neatly. Keep up the great work Ella! |
| Prep R | George | For working so hard to concentrate and participate in lessons during mat time. Keep trying hard everyday, you are doing fantastic. |
| Prep R | Christina | For always working hard and listening during class time. You are a pleasure to have in our classroom. |
| 1B | Gwen | For the kind and courteous way you treat everyone. You show a respectful attitude which makes your teacher proud of you. Well done! |
| 1B | Adelynn | For showing persistence and determination. It is also great to see your enthusiasm in class and the way you love to help others. Super effort! |
| 1K | Edie | For neater handwriting and a positive learning approach. Excellent math understanding this week. You always give your all and offer your positive attitude and ideas. Good job! |
| 2A | Edie | For writing a creative and interesting story opener. Great work, Edie! |
| 2A | Dillon | For being a hard-working and reliable student. Thank you, Dillon! |
| 2L | Riley | You are a diligent student who shows responsibility when completing your school work. It is fantastic to see your determination to succeed. Keep up the great work! |
| 2L | Eileen | Eileen, you are a gentle, compassionate, caring student, who always starts the day with a beautiful greeting for your teacher and classmates. You are truly a joy to have in class. |
| 3B | Olivia | For the persistence you have shown this week when calculating change. It's great to see your confidence grow as you have become successful. |
| 3P | Alecxa | For using excellent descriptive language and "Show, Don't Tell" strategies in her narrative writing! Well done Alecxa! |
| 4A | Olivia | For the big improvement in your ability to stay focused and attentive in class. We can see how engaged you are. Well done! |
| 4A | Creed | For the effort you put into your classwork, we are so impressed. We love to see your hand go up in class discussion. Keep being you! |
| 4C | Isla | For your commitment to class learning and enthusiasm when contributing your ideas in group situations. Well done Isla! |
| 4C | Emily | For your consistent approach with your learning, particularly in Mathematics. It is great to see you so active in all Math learning tasks and keen to share your wisdom. |
| 5SA | Lacey | For always being positive and kind towards others and giving 100% effort in all that you do. Your Anna Bligh diary entry demonstrating a subjective and objective approach was outstanding. Well done Lacey! |
| 5T | Kalani | For the eager and mature approach you take towards all learning tasks. You always tackle challenges with a smile on your face. Well done Kalani! |
| 6M | Emelia | For the hard work and focus you are putting into your assessment tasks. You are really doing your very best. Well done, Emelia. |
| 6M | Cooper | For being such a supportive, flexible and encouraging MJR leader. You have taken on this leadership role with a dedicated and responsible approach. Thank you Cooper! |
| 6V | Cruz | For being mature, responsible and always helping others in need. You always strive to be the best person you can be and are a valued member of our class. |
| 6V | Ariah | For displaying initiative and working diligently to complete all set tasks. Your hard work and drive to improve is paying off, Ariah. Keep up the great work. |
Community News
