Term 3 Week 6 | 14 August 2024

Principal - Ms Katrina Dunne

Attendance Matters!

Consistent attendance is essential not only for academic achievement but also for the overall development and wellbeing of our students. The Queensland Government mandates school attendance to ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Research consistently shows that students who attend school regularly are more likely to excel academically and socially. Each school day missed can lead to gaps in learning which can be challenging to fill.

Here’s how we can work together to support your child’s attendance:

1. Be Consistent: Ensure your child attends school every day unless they are genuinely ill. Establishing a routine helps children understand the importance of being present.
2. Communication: If your child is unable to attend school due to illness or other reason, please notify the school as soon as possible (via Parent Portal or phone call to the office). This helps us to support your child’s needs and plan their return.
3. Engage with Us: If you are facing challenges that impact your child’s attendance, reach out to us. We are here to provide support and work with you to find solutions.

By working together, we can foster an environment where every child has the best chance to succeed. Let’s make the remainder of this year our most successful yet by prioritising regular school attendance.

Principal Resignation – end of 2024

As mentioned in the letter I sent out to families last week, I am resigning from my role as Principal at the end of 2024. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve this wonderful school community, and I am deeply grateful for your support and partnership throughout the last four years. While I am excited for the new chapter ahead, I will truly miss working with such dedicated students, staff and families. Thank you for the countless memories and for making my time here so memorable. I am confident that the school will continue to thrive and excel, and I look forward to seeing its continued success. A recruitment process for the 2025 Principal will commence this week.

2025 Enrolment and Class Planning

Class arrangements and planning for 2025 is underway. If you know that you will not be returning to St Mary’s in 2025, please let Loretta or Deidre, (at the school office), know at your earliest convenience. The number of class teachers and the year level class model is directly linked to the number of students in the school.

Your ongoing support of our school is greatly appreciated, and should you know of friends, relatives or work colleagues who are considering schooling options for 2025, I ask you to encourage them to consider St Mary’s School. Should you or they require any further information regarding enrolment at St Mary’s, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I am always happy to meet with people to talk about what St Mary’s has to offer. At any stage, prospective families are more than welcome to come along, tour the school and see firsthand the engaging classroom environments conducive to learning.

St Mary’s Fete – 8 weeks to go!

SAVE THE DATE | Friday 11^th October 2024

Vanessa Alexander is the fete coordinator this year. Only eight weeks to go! Vanessa has scheduled a weekly fete meeting THURSDAYS 2:00-2:45pm. Please join us in person in the staffroom, or via TEAMs link below. Let’s create a successful fete for 2024.

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 477 791 503 263

Passcode: H9grbM

Performing Arts Festival

We have many students entering in a variety of sections at the Performing Arts Festival next week. Thank you to our teachers and parents for supporting this wonderful community event. Please refer to communication shared from Leilani Thomas this week.  

School Fees are due – Fee Relief will be applied in Term 4 to all balanced accounts

The school has been granted Choice and Affordability funding from the Australian Government through Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office. These funds will be used to offer families with up-to-date fee accounts a $200 fee relief for each child enrolled at the school. This relief credit will be applied in Week 1 of Term 4. Please ensure your fee invoices for 2024 (Terms 1, 2 and 3) have been paid to receive this fee relief.

Book Week Dress Up – Wednesday 8:30am in the Cobb and Co Hall

Reading is magic! Join us in the Cobb and Co next Wednesday for dress up fun! 8:30am prompt start for all classes.

Have a wonderful fortnight.

Kind regards,

Katrina

APRE - Mrs Kirsty Lines

Sacramental Program

Congratulations to Grace, Ari, Sophie and Clara, all of whom made their first Holy Communion on Sunday, 11 August.  Please see picture below.  This concludes our sacramental program for 2024.  If you have a child who is baptised Catholic and in Year 4 or above next year and you would like them to receive the Sacraments, please contact Fr Peter, Sr Elizabeth or the APRE in February 2025.

The Assumption of Our Lady – Parish Feast Day

This Thursday at 10:00am, our Year 3 class will lead us in prayer at the church as we celebrate the Assumption of Our Lady.  This is an extra special feast day for us here in Charleville as it is our Parish Feast Day – did you know the full name of St Mary’s Church is ‘Our Lady of the Assumption’ – St Mary’s Church?  You are very welcome to attend and support our Year 3 class and Miss Spalding.  See you there!

Grandparents' Liturgy, classroom fun & Morning Tea

Our annual Grandparents' Liturgy, classroom tour and morning tea is Monday, 9 September beginning at 9:30am in the church.  Save the date!!!  This is an especially exciting liturgy for our students as they are allowed to sit with grandparents / special friends / family members during the liturgy.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Wishing you a blessed and peaceful fortnight,

Kirsty Lines

APRE

Library - Ms Susan McInnes

Which day is the best day of the week? Tuesday, Library Day, of course! I’ve had the pleasure of stepping into Mrs. Sheehan’s shoes for Term Three, and I’m loving every minute of Library Lessons. Not only do I get to see every student and teacher, but I also get to share in the joy of reading and entertaining everyone with my Brain Teasers and Joke of the Day!

The students’ enthusiasm is infectious—whether they’re searching for their favourite author or eagerly reserving a new book, Tuesdays are always buzzing with excitement. A big thank you to Mrs. Short for her invaluable help with library routines!

Don’t forget, our Book Week Character Parade is coming up on Wednesday, 21st August in the Cobb & Co Hall at 8:30am. This year’s theme is ‘Reading is Magic,’ and it’s going to be a magical event with spectacular costumes and a special staff performance. Everyone is welcome to join the fun! 

A special shout out to all parents and students for your dedication to borrowing and returning books each week. Just a reminder, books are due back on Mondays to ensure our library runs smoothly. 

And remember, “Reading is like chips—you can’t stop at just one page!”

Ms Mac and Mrs Short

The Arts - Mrs Leilani Thomas

The Charleville Performing Arts Festival is now upon us. In their classes, students have been working hard on their performances, verse speaking with their classroom teachers and a choral song in their arts lessons. Students in the Musical Theatre Troupe, (Shrek Jr), have also been working on several performances to enter and will represent our school as both a Musical Theatre Troupe & School Choir.  These will all take place on Thursday 22^nd and Friday 23^rd August. Please see the pictures below for all the details you need. Keep an eye out for a copy of this document in Parent Portal.

As always if you have ANY questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact me. My working days are Wednesday through Friday and my email is Leilani.Seeto@twb.catholic.edu.au

Health - Ms Susan McInnes

As a teacher, I've been thrilled to watch our students dive into the Daniel Morcombe curriculum with enthusiasm—and a bit of attitude! This program is all about teaching them to Recognise danger, React confidently, and Report anything fishy. Lately, we've been practicing how to assertively tell someone to "STOP!"—and let me tell you, our kids have mastered the art of the firm “no.” It's like having a room full of mini superheroes, all ready to protect themselves.

But on a serious note, this curriculum is crucial. It’s not just about safety; it’s about giving our students the tools to navigate life with confidence. We’re building a community where every child feels empowered to speak up and stay safe, whether in the playground or online. Plus, it's has been pretty entertaining watching students practice their "assertive voices and body language”.

Let's keep this momentum going, reinforcing these essential life skills every day. After all, our kids are learning to be safe and savvy.

Please see below an overview of each component.

1. Recognise: Students learn to identify unsafe situations and potential dangers, both online and offline.
2. React: This component teaches children how to respond to danger, including strategies for self-protection and seeking help.
3. Report: Emphasising the importance of communication, students are encouraged to report any uncomfortable or unsafe experiences to a trusted adult.

The curriculum is age-appropriate and integrates into various subjects, making safety education a natural part of learning. By teaching these crucial skills, we ensure that every student is equipped to navigate the world with confidence and awareness. The Daniel Morcombe curriculum not only promotes personal safety but also fosters a supportive community where children feel empowered to speak up and seek help.

Take care,
Ms Mac

PE - Mr Pete Lambourne

PE Term 3 Overview: Exciting Athletics and Skill Development at St Mary's

In the first five weeks of Term 3, our PE classes have been filled with energy and enthusiasm as students have dedicated themselves to athletics practice. With a strong focus on high jump, long jump, discus, and shot put, students from Prep to Year 6 have honed their skills and prepared for competition. A highlight was running the 60m hurdles for boys and girls aged 9-12 years at the school, culminating in our exhilarating school athletics carnival, held at the high school, at the end of week 2.

The carnival was a tremendous success, with students showcasing their hard work and determination. We are proud to announce that 19 students from St Mary's represented our school at the District Carnival in Week 4, with 10 outstanding athletes travelling to Chinchilla this Thursday and Friday for the South-West Regional trials. We wish them the best of luck!

This term's main focus in PE has been on movement and sportsmanship, closely aligned with our school's Mercy values. Every student has been fully engaged in being active and playing fair, embodying the spirit of teamwork and respect.

Additionally, this term I have been running the inaugural St Mary's Football Fever in conjunction with Football Australia. Eight teams are vying to be crowned the first Soccer Champions of the school, showcasing their skills and passion for the game.

As we move into the last five weeks of the term, our Prep to Year 3 students will be learning fundamental skills in basketball and netball. These activities are designed to develop their coordination, teamwork, and basic game understanding. Meanwhile, our upper-year students will be introduced to the fundamental skills required to play volleyball, offering them a new and exciting challenge.

I truly enjoy teaching new skills, games, and sports to the students at St Mary's. It's been wonderful to see their progress and enthusiasm, and I look forward to more active and engaging weeks ahead.

Keep up the great work, everyone!

**Good luck to all our athletes at the Regional trials!**

Uniform Shop - Ms Loretta Clayton

Tuckshop - Mrs Alice Short

August Birthdays

Flyers