St Mary's Bulletin

Term 3 - Week 3 (6 August, 2021)

Dear St Mary's School Community

Value in Focus: Responsibility

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

Mary MacKillop Mass

Thank you to the Year One class, Mrs Grant, Mrs McCormack and Mrs Jefferys for presenting our Mary MacKillop Mass on Friday 6th August. The students read beautifully and were very well prepared to present their first Mass. Thank you to Father Andrew for leading the service and to our parents and caregivers who came along to celebrate in the Eucharist. 

Mary Mackillop Information

Mary MacKillop was born on 15 January 1842 in Melbourne, Victoria. Mary went to work as a teacher in a little country town in South Australia called Penola. There she met Father Julian Tenison Woods and together, in 1866, they began the first St Joseph’s School in an old stable. On 19 March 1866 (St Joseph’s Day) Mary started to wear a simple black dress and began the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph. As a Sister, she dedicated her life to doing God’s work. As more and more young women joined Mary as Sisters, they were able to start more schools. All children were welcome at the Josephite schools, which provided free Catholic education. In Adelaide they opened a place for women who had nowhere to live, an orphanage and a house where poor people could come and stay. The Sisters visited people who were in gaol and those who were poor and sick.  She died on 8 August 1909 in Alma Cottage, North Sydney. Mary MacKillop kept her faith in God and bravely challenged those who did not support her vision for a more caring world. Mary is an important Australian who spent her life helping people, especially children. She is Australia’s first Saint.  The Sisters of St Joseph started St Mary’s School over 90 years ago (it was known as St Joseph’s then) and played an important part in the community until approximately five years ago.

Holy Communion

The Year Four students commenced their preparation to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist with an Information Session on Tuesday afternoon. We have eight students who are receiving the sacrament this year.

Parish Quiz Night

Have you got a table organised for the St Mary’s Parish Quiz Fundraiser?  This will be held on Thursday, 12 August in the School Hall beginning at 7.00pm (for a 7.30pm start).  The cost is $10.00 per person with a limit of eight (8) people per table.  It is BYO supper and drinks will be on sale on the night (No BYO drinks).  Tables can be booked through the St Mary’s School office or by phoning Judy Middleton on 0448944664. 

Bishop’s Religious Literacy Assessment

Well done to our Year Three and Year Five students who completed the Bishop’s Religious Literacy Assessment (BRLA) this week. 

Children’s Liturgy

There is Children’s Liturgy at 10.30am Mass on Sunday, 8 August. All families are encouraged and welcome to attend. 

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 in 2 weeks (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! 

Izzy the Lizard

Students in Kindergarten and Pre-Primary had a special visitor this week- Izzy the Lizard. Izzy taught the students about crossing the road safely, getting on and off the bus correctly and how to ride our bikes responsibly. Thank you to Rose Power from Smart Steps for conducting this incursion.

School Climate Survey

All families have received information via Skoolbag regarding a Parent and Caregiver Voice Survey. Thank you to those families who have completed the survey – if you haven’t done so as yet, please take the time to give us your valuable feedback.  

The Australian Census

The Australian census on 10 August 2021 will provide a snapshot of who Australians are and what is important to us. The census is a key tool that government uses to determine how organisations, schools, church ministries and community groups are prioritised, funded and empowered to best operate in our State.

If your faith is important to you or if you identify with Christian values, please use your voice in the Australian census when asked your religion.

This is an important opportunity to demonstrate the significance of faith-based families in our West Australian community and will support endeavours to secure equitable access to opportunities and resources.

Skoolbag App - Minor Outage

We received notification from the team at Skoolbag stating they experienced technical issues on Thursday, 5th August. This resulted in notifications being sent out to families after 9.00pm. They apologise for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Save the Date

We have managed to secure Paul Litherland from Surf Safe Online again this year.  He will be presenting on Wednesday, 15 September 2021 at 7.30pm in the Hall.  More information to follow.

Assembly

The Year Two class will be presenting the assembly next Friday, 13 August in the Undercover Area commencing at 8.40am.  All are welcome to attend.

Welcome

We welcome the Giles (Samuel) family to the St Mary's School community who join us in Pre-Kindy.

I wish you all a wonderful weekend.

Mrs Zoe O'Malley

Acting Principal

Let Us Pray

St Mary's School Merredin

P&F Uniform Shop

Open Tuesdays: 8:30 am - 9:10 am

Online Orders: www.quickcliq.com.au

St Mary's Parish Merredin

Mass Times: Saturday 6.30pm and Sunday 10.30am