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Playground Update
It is wonderful to see the progress that is happening with our new Early Years’ Playground and Outdoor Learning space. The students especially enjoyed watching the concrete being poured for the new seating to be built upon.
At present, we are reminding the students to slow down and walk rather than run under the COLA and on the pathways. With more students in a smaller area, there is a greater risk to their safety. We remind the students that the front of the school and oval areas are for running.
School Priorities - 2023 Annual Improvement Plan
Each year, schools across Australia develop an Annual Improvement Plan with three main priority areas. Data from diagnostic testing, school based assessments and surveys (parent, staff and student) are used to determine our areas of further improvement.
Earlier this year, staff from Catholic Education and our School Coaches came to St Mary’s to work with the Leadership Team on our annual and strategic planning. They looked at our data, visited classrooms and observed teachers instructing in Literacy and Numeracy.
Our School Coaches are very impressed by the expertise of our teachers and the high level of student engagement in learning. Our school priorities for 2023 have been determined as:
Goal 1: For the students to become proficient and fluent in spelling words they are likely to use in their writing
Goal 2: To develop student’s problem solving capabilities and their ability to think and communicate mathematically.
Goal 3: Improve educational outcomes through increased engagement of parents and community in students’ learning.
With significant support from Good to Great Schools Australia, we are particularly well placed to make further gains in student learning outcomes in Literacy and Numeracy. Our three year Fair Education Project has also enabled us to revitalise our Early Years’ learning and contribute to our point of difference in the community.
Enrolments
Our Kinder enrolments for 2024 are looking strong. Many new families have chosen to join us at St Mary’s because they know of students and families at our school and/or have heard positive things about us.
No school is perfect, but with our students, families, teaching and support staff, I think we are close! Everyone benefits when parents and teachers work together to help children to grow up to be the best they can be. The students at St Marys are our greatest ambassadors and for that I thank you.
If you know of other parents interested in enrolling their children with us in 2024, please encourage them to make contact with the Front office as soon as possible. Early next term, staffing will be determined at Catholic Education and I need to have a clear picture of the number of children in each grade.
Special School Lunch Reward
Earlier this week, I had the privilege of taking 16 very excited St Mary’s students out to lunch at Tukka Cafe because they deserved it. The students were chosen by the Leadership Team because they have shown us that they are particularly Safe and Kind to others.
It was lovely to sit down and chat with the children and watch them interact with each other. Congratulations to Amelia G, Patrick S, Maya C, Evander S, Willa Mc, Abbie H, Declan T, Madelyn M, Liam F, Felicity P, Neiva P, Mitchell W, Christian C, Ruby H, Oscar G and Lila W.
We look forward to choosing the I am Respectful students later in the term. 
Tell Them From Me Survey
In the coming week, we will be inviting students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of St Mary’s using an online survey. The surveys are an important aspect of our annual school evaluation and planning processes.
As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback through the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at St Mary’s.
You are able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL below:
www.tellthemfromme.com/StMarys2023
Vision and Mission
Last week Mr Tim Smith, our Performance and Improvement Leader at Catholic Education came to St Mary’s to facilitate our Twilight PL on writing our Vision and Mission statements. The session built upon the work done earlier in the year with staff and parishioners. After hours of deliberation, it was wonderful to see how united the staff were with the language and content.
At next week’s School Community Council Meeting, I will present our latest Vision Statement and seek their input with the components of our Mission Statement.
Upon approval from Father Anthony, I will then share both statements with the whole parent body.
Community Council
Our next School Community Council meeting will be held on Tuesday June 6. If you have any items you would like raised, please email the chair Mary Dullard or secretary Maree Turnbull via the school. offfice.stmarysmoruya@cg.catholic.edu.au
The Community Council is currently organising a Christmas in July Pizza and Movie Night for our families on Tuesday July 25 (Week 2). What a great way to begin Term 3!
More information will be coming home shortly.
Prayer for Families
Loving God, We thank you for the gifts of families.
We ask your blessing on all families today and always.
Be with us in our daily life together.
Be our guide in times of challenge.
Be our strength in times of difficulty.
Be our joy in times of delight.
Help our families to grow stronger in your love.
And show us how to love one another As you have loved us.
May we welcome Jesus as the unseen guest in our home.
May we be his voice and hands, respecting and caring for those we meet.
May we look to the example of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, as we strive to be the best family we can be.
Most Holy Family of Nazareth, pray for us.
Amen
Dear Families,
The Gospel
In this Sunday’s Gospel we learn that God sent his Son to save the world through him.
Jesus said to Nicodemus, ‘God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life. For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved. No one who believes in him will be condemned; but whoever refuses to believe is condemned already, because he has refused to believe in the name of God’s only Son.’
(Jn 3:16-18)
Reflection (courtesy of Fr Michael Tate):
When he was crucified Jesus uttered: ‘It is finished.’ What had finished? His earthly ministry during which he painted a picture of the most intimate communion between Himself, the Father, and the Holy Spirit, so intimate that the Church needed a new word: ‘Tri-Unity’ or ‘Trinity’ for short. God is pulsating, shimmering light, dancing in threefold exchange of love, each being simultaneously poured into the other. God is ‘Being-In-Love’ and love is always relational. ‘You are made in the image and likeness of God’? Because of the ministry of Jesus Christ, we know what that really means. We are made to live in relationship – not in solitary. If we think that the ultimate good is to be self-sufficient/autonomous, that leads to a hellish existence. When we live with as much self-giving as is possible, we are on the way to a heavenly existence. We could pause for a moment to give thanks for the revelation of the nature of God, and consequently of the true nature of human beings.
St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal
We are once again collecting canned foods (preferably soups and beans) for St Vincent de Paul. Please send cans to your child’s class by the last day of this term (30 June). There will be a reward for the class with the longest line of cans!
A Prayer for Reconciliation
God of all creation, as we journey together in
this Great Southern Land, we pray for healing, forgiveness
and unity, creating a path of goodwill, with justice and compassion.
Jesus, through the power of your love, you have given us the courage, wisdom and strength to share our gifts and talents in humility.
In peace and understanding we reconcile with each other.
Creator Spirit, we come together in prayer and thanksgiving for
the many blessings we have received. Allow your Spirit to wash
over us and give us strength to walk together as one.
Source: catholicreligious.org.au (2014)
Genevieve Schofield
Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)
In English the children have been exploring the concept of language and culture through a beautiful story called ‘My two blankets’. It tells the story of a young girl who is making a new home in Australia. It focuses on her experiences of learning an additional language, adapting to a new life and developing a sense of belonging. We connected with this story through a discussion about moving houses or locations, how we connect with others and the feeling of words. We used strips of coloured paper to weave our own blankets and tell our own stories and special memories.
In Maths we have been learning about multiplication as repeated addition. We have learnt what an array is using rows and columns. We have learnt that 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 is the same as 6 x 10 which is also the same as 10 x 6 for example. We have also explored transformations of shapes creating patterns using flip, slides and turns. We have been revising big concepts such as expanded notation as part of our Daily Review on place value.
In Religion we have been exploring stories from the Old Testament that tell us how to care for one another and creation. This week we have also linked this to Reconciliation Week and how we can walk together to make a difference for today and the future for Aboriginal people and communities in Australia. We have created our own footprints and displayed them in the school office garden as a reminder of how we tread carefully on Yuin country and how we treat others is so important.
In Science we have been learning about Chemical sciences. We have been learning about natural materials and human made materials created from natural products. We have learnt that natural materials combined and mixed together or with a change of temperature can create interesting products such as plastic and fuel.
In Performing Arts we have been exploring how people sound, look and act when they are feeling particular emotions. This week, students dressed up and acted in a scene to transform their body and voice to create characters in familiar situations. We LOVE performing in Year 2!
In Library we took advantage of the beautiful sunshine to take our books outside and read. Library time is always special and books are our gateway to so many adventures.
In Sport the children have been preparing for our Athletics Carnival that is being held later this Term. This week the lesson was how to hold and throw a shot put - not as easy as it looks! There is a definite technique and during our sport lesson with Mr Hill, the children practised throwing a shot put safely.
Carla Durnan and Frances Devonald
Year 2 Teachers
This award is an acknowledgment that students have been
outstanding and have gone above and beyond in the
classroom and on the playground!
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Kinder B |
For demonstrating fantastic growth in her ability to blend known letter sounds together to decode words. |
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1 Blue |
Making great connections in maths when completing addition facts on a number line. |
|
2 Blue |
For her determination to improve and try her best when writing. Using knowledge of spelling patterns and including adjectives to make her writing engaging. |
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2 Maroon |
For showing a determined spirit to understand tricky number concepts and making his own maths book to share with the class. |
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3 Blue |
For your inquisitive contributions during our Science discussions on matter and atoms. |
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4 Blue |
For enthusiasm and creative flare in her narrative writing about book characters coming to life. |
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4 Blue |
For your creativity when writing a narrative including the use of excellent punctuation and past-tense verbs. |
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5 Blue |
The enthusiastic way you approach ALL learning tasks, in particular, in History when discussing stories of migration. |
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5/6 Maroon |
For consistent effort in sentence and text level writing exercises, producing written pieces of exceptional quality. |
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6 Blue |
Consistently demonstrating strong effort and determination in all aspects of his work. |
|
Kinder B |
Writing amazing sentences that include a ‘who’ and a ‘do’! |
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1 Blue |
Making great learning growth in writing using known spelling patterns. |
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2 Blue |
For his fantastic descriptive language and engaging storyline about an alien landing on earth. |
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2 Maroon |
Remembering and recording precious memories from his life to weave into a blanket. |
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3 Blue |
For consistently demonstrating a committed and persistent attitude towards all learning tasks. |
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4 Blue |
For your fantastic knowledge and diagrams when determining the elapsed time in hours and minutes. |
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4 Blue |
For your thorough knowledge and mathematical thinking when solving more challenging algorithms. |
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5 Blue |
His great efforts in Maths: converting improper fractions to mixed numerals. Well done Nathan! |
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5/6 Maroon |
For persistence and determination in both Maths Pathway and daily Maths lessons,resulting in outstanding progress. |
|
6 Blue |
Being an exemplary listener who consistently engages attentively and contributes positively to discussions. |
Dear Parents and Carers,
Please find below letter regarding Finance Transformation - Notice of Finance System Changes.
If you have any questions please contact the office on 44742817 or email office.stmarysmoruya@cg.catholic.edu.au
Archdiocesan Cross Country
Well done to the St Mary’s Cross Country team that travelled to Mt Stromlo in Canberra on Friday 19 May. It was a very chilly morning in Canberra but all of our runners braved the cold conditions and ran their very best. Congratulations to all the students on a very successful day. A special mention goes to Darcy F for his 1st place in the 12 yr boys 3km event, closely followed by Xavier H (2nd) Jaxon E (3rd) Jake P (4th) to round off the top 4 fastest 3km cross country runners in the diocese. What an outstanding achievement boys! Declan T also placed 5th in the 10 yr old boys event and will join the Year 6 boys at the NSWCPS Cross Country next month. All the lunchtime training sessions with Mr Hill clearly paid off and we thank Mr Hill for giving up his break times to train all of our runners this year!
Archdiocesan Cross Country Team
|
Mitchell W |
Xavier H |
Maya C |
Felicity P |
|
Darcy F |
Betty DB |
Billy I |
Declan T |
|
Jaxon E |
Roarke C |
Jake P |
Xavier E |
|
Hugo D |
Elka H |
Mackenzie H |
MacKillop Soccer
Last Friday, Betty DB, Ky N and Darcy F all competed at the MacKillop Soccer Trials in Goulburn. A brisk morning greeted the students as well as some very tough competition from the Sydney, Parramatta, Wollongong and Wagga Diocese. Betty, Ky and Darcy all showcased their incredible soccer skills and were excellent ambassadors for St Mary’s and Canberra Goulburn. Darcy made selection into the possible/probable team, a highlight being the only CG team member chosen. Congratulations on reaching this level of competition.
St Mary’s Athletics Carnival
Coming up on Friday 16 June is our St Mary’s athletics carnival at Gundary Oval. All details and information will be communicated via COMPASS in the coming days. Students have been participating in Shot Put and Discuss practice sessions with Mr Hill during PE. The top 8 finalists (approx) will then be competing at the athletics carnival. Long jump and high jump will be conducted at school during PE sessions by the end of term or early term 3. Southern Region Athletics carnival is tentatively planned for Wednesday August 2 (TBC).
Megan Grant
Sports Coordinator
