St Mary's Newsletter

Term 3 - Week 4 (13 August, 2021)

Dear St Mary's School Community

Value in Focus: Responsibility

We have a duty to be accountable to ourselves and to others.

Students have been voting for their peers whenever examples of Responsibility have been shown. The Values Award recipients for Responsibility will be announced at Monday’s Assembly in Week Five.

Luke 1: 39-56

In Sunday’s Gospel, Mary the mother of Jesus, goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth and prays her Magnificat.  This is a moment of rejoicing for Mary, when she looks back on all the promises of the Old Testament and begins to sense her own role in the Lord’s plan.  Just like Mary, we should count our blessings, be humble and recognise where God is at work in our lives.

Feast of the Assumption

On Sunday, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  This is a holy day of obligation whereby Catholics are expected to attend Mass.  The Assumption signals the end of Mary’s earthly life and marks her return to heaven to be reunited with Jesus. While the bodies of both Jesus and Mary are now in heaven, there is a difference between the Assumption and the Resurrection. Where Jesus arose from the tomb and ascended into heaven by his own power, Mary’s body was taken up to heaven by the power of her Son.

Parish Quiz Night

Thank you to those who attended the Parish Quiz Night last night. It was an enjoyable evening had by all. Thank you to Judy Middleton who co-ordinated the evening and for staff, parent and parishioner support. Well done to Table Ten for winning the most points on the night, by half a point!

Year Two Assembly

Thank you to Miss Wells and the Year Two class for presenting the Assembly today. The students were well-rehearsed and very entertaining in their item ‘Alpha-blocks.’ Well done!

Wellbeing Week

Next week is Wellbeing Week. Students will not have homework (reading is still expected to occur). Enjoy the extra time to spend together as a family and remember to take time out for some self-care. 

Catholic Performing Arts

We wish Miss Wells, Mrs Millar and the Catholic Performing Arts students all the best as they make their journey to Perth on Wednesday to present their wonderful item. An incredible amount of work has gone into the performance, from teachers, students and their parents. We hope they enjoy their time on stage and the rest of the performances from Catholic Education. 

School Climate Survey

Thank you to those families that have completed the Parent and Caregiver Voice Survey – if you haven’t done so as yet please take the time to give us your feedback. If you have been having problems logging in, there are paper copies located in the front office. A reminder that the survey closes next Friday, 20 August.

Catholic Leave Day

Next Friday, 20 August St Mary’s School has their Catholic Leave Day.  This is a day of good will for all those who work in Catholic Schools in acknowledgement of, and gratitude for, the expectation that they attend school and liturgical celebrations in their own time. Please note there is NO SCHOOL on this day.

Faction Long Jump

A reminder that students from Year One- Year Six will be participating in the Long Jump event on Monday, 16 August, so please remember to wear your sports uniform and faction t-shirt. 

I hope you have an amazing weekend with your families.

Mrs Zoe O'Malley

Acting Principal

Religious News

First Holy Communion Child and Parent Session

The Year Four students preparing for the sacrament of First Holy Communion and their parents attended an information session, on August 3, conducted by Father Andrew in preparation for their up and coming sacrament.

Please keep these children in your prayers as they prepare for the sacrament;

Chloe Bartlett  -  Caitlin Bisset  -  Korben Cooper  -  Beau Criddle  -  Maya Dean  -  Jack Kermode  -  Angelica Kraske Beck  -  Mitchell O‘Neill

Food Hamper Donation

Have you donated yet?

We are collecting donations of food to contribute to the parish Church Foyer Food Box which supports those in need in our community. Food can include canned food such as baked beans and spaghetti, packets of pasta mixes, long life milk, pasta sauce, pasta, two minute noodles or basically any items that are quick and easy to prepare. Please drop your contributions off to the box in the Library. Thank you for your support.

Kind regards,

Mrs Pauline Riethmuller

Assistant Principal

Class News

Year Six Class News

This term in HASS, we have been learning about life after Federation. We have learnt about how a number of people influenced Australian Federation such as, Sir Henry Parkes and Edmund Barton. Last week, we explored the Australian Constitution and discovered it was created based on the Magna Carta. To consolidate what we are learning in HASS, we are completing a homework assignment where we have to research a famous Australian person who had a significant role in Australia’s history.

Below are some facts that we have learnt so far this term…

Pre-Primary RE Corner

In Religious Education in Pre-Primary we have been exploring what makes a good friend. We listened to the story of ‘Jesus and the Blind Man’ and discussed how Jesus showed kindness towards him. The students came up with some brilliant words such as caring, kind, respectful, responsible, funny, protective and honest to describe what makes a good friend. We all participated in an activity titled ‘The Key to Being a Good Friend’.

Science

This term we are investigating Biological Sciences. 

Pre-Primary will identify what characterises a living thing through observation and investigation. They will compare living and non-living and determine the differences between them. The students will use their skills of observation to classify different objects.

Year One class will look at the features of plants and animals. The students will investigate how living things can be grouped according to their external features. They will work scientifically and use scientific thinking.

Year Two class will investigate the characteristics of living things and the similarities and differences observed. The students will recognise that living things have predictable characteristics at different stages of development. They will explore the characteristics of humans for example, eye colour and left and right dominance.

Year Three and Four, will classify plants and animals by their observable features. Students will learn that living things have life cycles. They will describe and compare life cycles of different animals and plants. They will explore an aspect of the life cycle of a flowering plant through an experiment. Students will choose an animal or plant to research and explain why it is a living thing. 

Year Four and Five will classify according to the features of plants and animals. The students will understand the life cycle of living things. They will compare the life cycles of different plants and animals. The students will look at ‘seed dispersal’ and how it occurs. 

Year Six students will investigate how physical conditions of the environment affect the survival of living things. Students will learn that changes in physical conditions will affect the behaviour and survival of living things, including animals that migrate or hibernate and mould growth.

Values in Focus Awards

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded the Values Certificate for Faith.

Faith - We believe strongly in God and in each other.

Pre-Primary: Sage O’Malley

Year One: Tahlia Govender

Year Two: Sterling Roberts

Year Three/Four: Caitlin Carlson

Year Four/Five: Jaxon Hohaia

Year Six: Savannah Dean 

Award Winners

Excellence Award

Pre-Primary - Sage O'Malley

Year One - Logan Sharp

Year Two - Audrey Mason

Year Three/Four - Milla Dolton

Year Four/Five - Elsie Swarts 

Year Six - Blair Carr

 

PE Award

Pre-Primary - Stevie Axford

Year One - Tahlia Govender

Year Two - Lucas Bartlett

Year Three/Four - Myles Madaffari

Year Four/Five - Korben Cooper

Year Six - Jack Kudas

 

STEM Award

Pre-Primary - Sienna Anderson

Year One - Fimi Okeowo

Year Two - Clancy Sutherland

Year Three/Four - Ruby Smith

Year Four/Five - Ellie Atkinson

Year Six - Savannah Dean

 

Christian Values Award

Pre-Primary - Lily Kenward

Year One - Thomas Dolton

Year Two - Toby Sharp

Year Three/Four - Koby Sayers

Year Four/Five - William Elliott

Year Six - Olivia Geier

Other News & Important Dates

St Mary's Footy Tipping

So we are fast approaching the end of our 2021 St Mary's Footy Tipping Competition! It is absolutely neck and neck with our ladder leaders and with just 2 rounds to go and lots of game upsets, anything could happen!

Round 19 sponsored by Kat White's Nature Direct & Youngevity was won by Moofa12.

Round 20 sponsored by Darryn Grant Plastering was won by Nippy Pop.

Round 21 sponsored by Nextra Merredin was won by Otter 7.

P and F - Fundraiser

St Mary's P&F are proud and excited to be able to offer quality stainless steel pegs to all our families and friends. These pegs are reusable, corrosion free, easy to use and eco friendly - a plastic free option that won’t end up in landfill! They're designed to survive in our climate - highest quality 22 marine grade Stainless Steel - they will last you a lifetime. A great price for you and a fundraiser for our school. Available online, DELIVERED TO THE SCHOOL. Orders can be placed online, via Trybooking, by following this link; https://www.trybooking.com/BTILG

Orders close on 17 August, and will be ready to collect from St Mary's School, Merredin before the end of August. Please share with your family and friends! These pegs are AMAZING!

St Mary's Parish Merredin - Mass Times

Saturday - 6.30pm

Sunday - 10.30am

Kellerberrin: Sunday 8am

Let Us Pray

The Magnificat

'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.'

Amen.

Community Notices

Thank you to our Footy Tipping Sponsors