St Mary's Bulletin

We tell the truth and act truthfully.

Today we acknowledge Remembrance Day.  The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month marks the moment the guns fell silent on the Western Front after the bloodshed of World War One.  This day enables everyone to pause, reflect and remember those who gave their lives in service for our country, those who returned home injured or ill, and those who bravely serve our country today.  It is through the sacrifices of those that have gone before that enable us to live with freedom today. St Mary's School celebrated with a liturgy on the lawn at 11.00am, led by our Year Six students and organised by Mrs O’Malley and our Head Boy and Head Girl represented the school at the Shire of Merredin ceremony.

Thank you to all the families who supported the Book Fair this week.  Money raised from both the Book Fair and Book Club go towards replenishing books for the Library.  Thank you to Mrs Discenza for all her efforts in coordinating the Book Fair and to Mrs Kermode and Mrs Cooper for all their help behind the scenes.

Next Thursday, 17 November the Interschool Swimming Carnival will be held at the Merredin Pool.  This is in lieu of the Term One Interschool Carnival that was cancelled due to COVID.  Best of luck to the students representing St Mary's and to Mrs Crees!

Our final assembly for 2022 will be held next Friday, 18 November in the Undercover Area beginning at 8.45am and will be led by Year One.  All are welcome to attend.

I will be joining all CEWA System leaders next Friday for the Thanksgiving Mass at the Chapel of St Michael the Archangel.  Preceding this I will be attending the Catholic Primary Principals AGM.  Mrs Riethmuller and Mrs O’Malley will be responsible for the school in my absence.

Preparation for the 2022 School Concert on 30 November 2022 is well underway.  Information about the outline of the Concert and how to book tickets was emailed to all families on 2 November 2022.  All those who are attending the concert will require a ticket (at no cost).  if you have not booked tickets please do so as I would hate for anyone of our families to miss out on seeing their child/children perform because they did not book tickets.

Since CEWA’s incorporation in 2020, there has been reviews and improvements of system governance structures.

Over the last year representatives from Catholic School Parents Western Australia (CSPWA), P&F Associations, the Catholic Primary Principals’ Association, the Catholic Secondary Principals’ Association and the Catholic Education Office have considered how to best structure and support the incredible work undertaken by P&Fs in schools.

On 2 September 2022, the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia approved a single model of operation for P&Fs in CEWA schools. This will see the P&F operate as a committee of the school, governed by consistent Terms of Reference and common financial practices.  This will commence in January 2023. 

An extra-ordinary meeting of the P&F will be held on Monday, 21 October at 6.15pm in the Library.  

We are experiencing a higher-than-normal volume of children coming to school unwell.  If your child is unwell, please keep them home until their symptoms disappear and/or they are feeling better.   If your child comes to school unwell then their germs can spread to other students and teachers, at what is already a busy and stressful time of the year.  We also seem to be having a second mini run of COVID.  If your child tests positive to COVID19 then they are to stay home until their symptoms clear. Please ensure that you register this on the HeathyWA  site and on the CEWA portal (on St Mary's website and Skoolbag).

We offer our condolences to the Growden Family (Charlie – 6, Kate – 4 and Hayley – 1) and the McGregor Family (Poppy – PK) on the passing of their mother, mother-in-law and grandmother, Michelle Hooper.  May Michelle Rest in Peace and May Perpetual Light Shine on her.

You will all be aware of the workforce shortages facing many organisations across the country.  St Mary’s is not immune to these shortages and despite numerous adverts, across many mediums, we are experiencing difficulty in attracting applicants for positions at our school.  We currently require an early years teacher (0.8FTE) and a middle/upper primary teacher (1.0) for next year.    We will aim to have the majority of staff placements available to share at the ACM on Monday, 21 November and once positions are finalised the community will be advised.  However, what is advertised, is subject to change as we endeavour to fill our classroom positions.  If we do not attract any applicants prior to the end of the year, we may need to make some adjustments to class configurations.

God Bless and have a lovely weekend with your families.

Ms Adriana Coniglio

Principal

On photo day speciality group images (eg Netball, Faction Captains) were taken at your school. These images can be viewed and purchased at a unique website, which is DIFFERENT to where you order the portraits and class photos online.

1. To place your Order online simply go to https://mspphotography.shootproof.com/

2. Locate the Schools Name, then select the album titled St Mary's School Merredin Specialist Groups - 2022

3. You will then be required to enter a password to view the Album. The password for this SMMERD22

4. Please ensure that you use your child’s name at the checkout

5. The images you are viewing are uncropped and will be cropped to fit to a 10x8 print (as per the first image in your gallery, a sample of layout & colour)

 • The online orders will be open until midnight on 20/11/22 – for the Bulk Pricing Offer

• The Bulk Pricing Offer is $25 per print and these will be delivered to the school BY CLASS GROUP

• After the $25 pricing expires, the photos will remain available online, but the photos are now at a cost of $40 per image and delivered to a preferred address.

PLEASE NOTE ANY ORDERS PLACED AFTER Monday 21st November 2022. WILL NOT BE GUARANTEED DELIVERY BY THE END OF TERM 4 2022. THESE ORDERS WILL BE SENT TO THE PREFERED ADDRESS BY THE END OF FEBRUARY 2023.

If you have any queries, please contact MSP Photography on 9240 8000 or via email on ordering.perth@msp.com.au