St Mary's Bulletin

The Year Five class will be reading at the 10.30am Mass on Sunday.  All are welcome to attend.

Mary Help of Christians is the patron saint of Australia. The infant church in Australia had a special reason for turning to Mary. No priests were sent to the colony in its early days and Mass was not allowed except for one brief year until 1820. It was largely the Rosary in those early days that kept the faith alive.  The Australian Catholic community remained faithful to Mary and Australia was the first nation to choose her under the title, 'Mary Help of Christians' as principle Patroness. Her feast day is May 24.  We will celebrate the Feast of Mary Help of Christians with Mass at 9.00am in the Church on Friday, 24 May which will be led by Year Three.  All are welcome.

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 19th year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

By facilitating NSS we aim to:

·         promote the value of reading and literacy,

·         promote the value and fun of books,

·         promote an Australian writer and publisher,

All students from Kindy to Year Six will participate in NSS on Wednesday, 22 May at 9.00am in the Hall.  This year’s book is ‘Alpacas with Maracas’ by Matt Cosgrove.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

At St Mary’s School, fees are sent out to families at the beginning of the school year and statements of outstanding balances are sent each term.  Parents have the option of paying their fees in full or in instalments throughout the year.  School fees are compulsory and form a necessary part of what makes our school function as it does. It gives us the opportunity to provide the exceptional teachers, resources and learning experiences we have at St Mary’s School.  Any difficulties in meeting school fees can be discussed confidentially with me so that alternative arrangements can be made.  Term Two Annual statements were sent home on Monday to all families who have outstanding fees.

Bush Play is back for 2019 and will be commencing in Week Four (Week of Monday 20 May) on Tuesdays and Thursdays at lunch time.

To avoid large quantities of money being left unattended in the Hall we have put in place a new system for lunch orders.  Each class has a brightly labelled bag in their room – lunch orders are to be placed in the bags and this will come up to the office on Friday mornings.  Mrs Demarte will collect the lunch orders from the office.  The box in the Hall will still be checked on Fridays in the event of stray lunch orders, but it is expected that lunch orders go into the bags in the classroom and not the Hall.

Mrs Morris is on sick leave until the end of Term Two.  Mrs Grant (Monday and Friday) and Mrs Millington (Tuesday to Thursday) will be teaching Year One for that time.  Therefore Mrs Criddle will be taking Extension and relieving in Year Five in place of Mrs Millington.  I thank the staff for their flexibility and ask that you keep Mrs Morris in your prayers for a speedy recovery.

We welcome the O’Malley family (Saige – 3-Year-Old Kindy) to the St Mary’s community.

We also welcome Mrs Rachel Smith who is undertaking her work placement practice in Year Two with Mrs Craine for the next three weeks.

God Bless and have a lovely weekend with your families. 

Ms Adriana Coniglio

Principal

We are still requiring parent helpers to fill our roster this term.  Please contact the office if you are able to volunteer your time.