7 Apr i l 2017

Newsletter

St Mary 's Pr im ary School

PO Box 672 Graf t on NSW 2460 Telephone 0266422282 Fax 0266432345

em ail: sm pgraf@lism .cat holic.edu.au

No. 8

RECurriculum P&FNoticeboard CanteenCalendar

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have reached the end of our f irst term in the 2017 academic year and we have much to be proud of. We continue to adopt a whole school approach to school improvement that is building a team based professional learning culture that is allowing staff to place equal emphasis on the socio - emotional and academic achievement outcomes for students.

The student body has enjoyed the new "spaces" in the rooms and the teachers are to be congratulated for the "leap of faith" they have taken; the school has provided signif icant professional learning for all teachers and teacher assistants.

Sport

FarewellOn behalf of the parish school community the staff would like to thank L isa for her dear friendship,

supportive collegiality and educational expertise which she has demonstrated over a significant period of

time, not only at our school but in others in the diocese, notably as the Assistant Principal of St James

Primary School, Yamba.

We wish L isa well as she moves forward to other enjoyable pursuits at which no doubt she will also be

successful. God Bless you L isa, Patrick and Maeve.

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields

and until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Thank you and God bless.

Frank

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We have appointed our school counsellor, we have purchased 50 Chromebooks to compliment the 29 we already have, and the learning in our rooms is calm and consistent. The introduction of teachers engaging the children in specif ic subjects has been successful in its f irst term on many levels, with quality work samples produced regularly.  Our artwork is being displayed in the Catholic Schools Off ice (CSO) foyer and will no doubt be a hit at the local show.

The Moodle page will also be revamped over the next month. Additions that can be viewed now are the CSO policy list and the School Based Procedure booklets. Please take the opportunity to peruse the booklets; they are in permanent draft form and all community feedback will be considered and booklets edited when deemed appropriate.

Last year I provided the parent community with several handouts from the School Based Booklets. These handouts il lustrated and articulated the school improvement process that we are currently undertaking - not because we necessarily needed to improve but because we could improve. One of these booklets is particularly clarifying - the PLC structures booklet, which explains our PLC structures and the foundational beliefs that we are working under.  

The priority for term two is to provide a professionally produced prospectus, an orientation pack for new enrolments and the confirmation of an extended transition program we have tentatively named "Mini Mary's". Parent community feedback has and will continue to be sought during these processes.

May you all have a safe and Holy Easter, I hope to see you at one of our Parish Masses over Holy Week - the Mass times appear inside this newsletter.

As always, the staff thank you for your wonderful ongoing support.

God Bless

Frank

LENT

Stat ions of the Cross

On Thursday the children re-enacted Stations of the Cross in the school hall. It was a very reverent and holy experience.

Caritas

The tradition of the Catholic Social Teaching provides a moral framework so the common good of the individuals and humanity can unite. St Mary?s Parish school community has been fundraising for Caritas and the community has raised a total amount of $693-80

The year 6 students have been holding a cake raff le weekly all term and have donated half of the money that they raised to Caritas, this amount being $200-40.

Our school captain Dean promoted and organised a favourite T-Shirt day for the students to raise money for Caritas. This tremendous day raised a total of $280-60.

The mission boxes in the classroom raised a total amount of $212-80 with Year 1 raising $112-80.

The MJR team would like to thank the community for their generosity towards giving to others.

Al leluia l i turgy

On Wednesday 26 April we are holding an Alleluia Liturgy in the school hall. We will be celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Conf irmat ion

Just a reminder that Confirmation classes will commence on Thursday 27 April at 2:00pm. There are also Parent Information Sessions led by Fr Paul which will be held on Wednesday, 3rd May at 11:00am and repeated again at 6:00pm. These will be held at the McCarthy Centre, 2 Clarence St near St Mary's Church. It is expected that at least one parent attend one of these meetings. Children do not need to attend.

Rel igious Educat ion

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Children?s Liturgy

We would like to offer children?s liturgy once a week at Mass. If you are able to support with the lessons on Sunday morning at 8:00 am could you please contact me at tajones@lism.catholic.edu.au.

Easter Ceremonies

Al l Easter Ceremonies 2017 wil l be held in St Patrick?s Church South Graf ton

7:00pm Thursday - The Lord?s Supper

3:00pm Friday - Passion of the Lord

7:30pm - Holy Saturday

Easter Sunday of the Resurrect ion

8:00am Mass St Patrick?s Church South Grafton

8:00am Mass Mary Immaculate Cowper

9:30am Mass St Patrick?s Church South Grafton

10:00am Mass St John of the Cross Copmanhurst

As we move toward Holy Week it 's a wonderful t ime to ref lect on the most important event of the Christian calendar. The Easter break is the perfect t ime to pray, meditate and contemplate on what this time of year means for us as a community, what we have to be grateful for and how we can help those who need it.

I would like to wish everyone a safe and holy Easter break and I look forward to seeing and working with everyone throughout next term. Thank you for your support this term.

God Bless,

Tarnya Jones

Leader of School Evangelisation and Catechesis

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Curriculum

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Cross Country TrialsOn Wednesday of this week students trialled for the zone cross country team. It was great to witness the effort and enthusiasm from those students participating in these trials. Congratulations to the following students who will represent St Mary?s at the Zone Cross Country in Sawtell on Wednesday 3 May.

Winter Sports TrialsAfter several postponements and rearrangements, nine of our stage three students participated in Winter Sports trials for hockey, netball and football. Congratulations to Noah Burchell and Patrick Brophy (hockey) and Sam Platt and Olivia Ambrose (Football) who were all selected to represent the Lismore Diocese team at the Polding Trials. A wonderful effort!

These trials will take place in week one of term two with Noah and Patrick travelling to Lithgow and Sam and Olivia travelling to Bathurst. We wish them safe travels and all the best for the trials.

Student AchievementsCongratulations to Paige and Beau Thompson on their recent results in the Martial arts Round 1 Tournament:

Beau - 3rd weaponry, 1st in forms and 1st in Sparring.

Paige - 3rd weaponry, 2nd in forms and 1st in Sparring.

Sport

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P&F

Easter Raf f le

The winner of the prize in the Easter Raf f le was Wil l iam Yager.

Thank you to Woolworths Graf ton for their fantast ic donat ion.

A big thank you to our wonderful helpers who assisted and organised our Easter Tombola.

Share your Child's Success

ANZAC DAY MARCH

The Anzac Day March will be held on Tuesday 25 April, the day before school resumes.

Details of the March are below:

- Please assemble in Prince Street (Market Square) at 9:15am for the march to Memorial Park.

- Children are to wear their full school uniform (including hat and please bring water as well).

- Parents are to collect children from Memorial Park immediately after the ceremony concludes.

- Children planning to wear family military medals in the March are reminded that they are to be worn on the right-hand side.

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Notice Board

Free guit ar Tuit ion w it h Mr Colin Woods

- Lessons w il l t ake place dur ing lunch t im e in sm all groups

- The school has a l im it ed num ber of guit ars for st udent s

- Lessons w il l cat er for beginners, int erm ediat e and advanced players

We have had an am azing response but st udent s are st i l l able t o apply by

cont act ing t he school of f ice.

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