From the Principal….

WELCOM E EV ERYON E Dear Parents, Grandparents, Carers and Friends,

Welcome to the new school year! We are all extremely excited that school has resumed for 2019 and we look forward to sharing in the many successes that the school year will bring.

All staff spent the week before school getting ourselves ready for the school year. One initiative that we further developed was our School Wide Behaviour Management Process known as “The Mary’s Way”, which focuses on teaching the students the following key attributes:

Confidence Persistence Getting Along Resilience Organisation

Embedded within these key attributes are expectations that are non-negotiable for everyone that comes to our school. The teachers are explicitly teaching the students what these look like and mean so that everyone is speaking the same language and acting the same way. I am so proud of the way our students have taken these expectations seriously and look forward to further development throughout the year.

I believe in open communication and trust. These are important aspects in establishing good relationships. I will make sure you are informed of important matters and will ask for your input in many situations to ensure we have an informed response from our school community. I also have an ‘Open Door’ policy. If you have anything you would like to know, please come and see me to have a chat.

Your children are my number one priority. I look forward to getting to know all new students and families who have joined our school community this year and to rekindling friendships already established with existing students and families. I aim to ensure that your sons and daughters receive the very best education possible and that their time at St Mary’s is both joyous and memorable. Make sure you say hello when you see me around our wonderful school.

Colette Williams

Principal

Week 1| Term 1| 2019

The Teaching Staff at St Mary’s Catholic School attended a Spirituality Retreat on Monday 21st January. The day began with all teachers participating in Christian Meditation, which was led by Mrs Suzette Windridge. We stilled our bodies and minds to open our hearts to the presence of our God. After meditation, we began reading the text “A Teacher’s Calling” and broke open the word by engaging in rich discussion. Throughout the day, we went for a walk to the top of the lookout and Horseshoe Bay and a major focus of our day surrounded well-being. At St Mary’s Catholic School, we believe that teaching is not merely a job, rather it is a vocation where we give of ourselves fully for the betterment of our students. We care deeply about all students and know that we are blessed and privileged to be teachers. Today we hosted our Opening Mass for the beginning of our School Year. I was so proud of the way our Year 6 students led us in prayer and the way all students displayed such reverence for the duration of the Mass.

Today also was the first time our Prep students had gathered as a whole school for Mass. They were AMAZING!!!! Well done to all students. Each week, Fr. Thomas visits our school and pops in to see the students while they are hard at work in their classrooms. Mrs Christine Maltby accompanies Fr. Thomas and the children are always delighted to chat with Fr. Thomas about what they are learning at school or to ask him a variety of questions. We are very grateful that we have such a strong relationship with the St Mary’s Parish and we thank Fr. Thomas for always being so very accommodating. Mrs Lyn Jones is also a member of our Parish. You would have seen Mrs Jones at our School Masses as she has the very important role of pianist. Mrs Jones also attends our monthly P&F Association meetings to continue to strengthen the relationship between our School and Parish. We thank Mrs Jones for all her love of St Mary’s.

Week 1| Term 1| 2019

God Bless

Colette Williams

APRE

Week 1| Term 1| 2019

Term 1 29 Jan—5 Apr

Week 2

5 Feb Parent Information Sessions

7 Feb P & F AGM 5.30pm Staffroom

Week 3

14 Feb Volunteer Parent Inducation

17 Feb Family Mass 8am

Week 4

21 Feb School Board Mtg 5.30pm

Staffroom

Week 5

5 Mar Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day)

6 Mar Ash Wednesday Liturgy

8.30am Library

7 Mar P & F Meeting

Week 7

21 Mar P & F Donut Drive

21 Mar School Board Mtg 5.30pm

News from School

Chaplain….Mrs Maltby Welcome to all students, parents and teachers

for a wonderful year ahead at St Mary’s School.

Parents are our children’s first teachers so

thank you for choosing St Mary’s School to

continue to develop the personalities of your

children.

My name is Mrs Christine Maltby and I’m the

School Chaplain at St Mary’s Catholic School.

My office is located beside the Staff room and

everyone is welcome to pop in for a chat or just

to say hello. I will be at school of a Wednesday

and Friday and I look forward to meeting you

all over the coming weeks.

‘One could say, without exaggeration, that the

family is the driving force of the world and of

history. Our personality develops in the family,

by growing up with our mum and dad, our

brothers and sisters, by breathing in the

warmth of the home. The family is God’s mas-

terpiece. ’ (Pope Francis)

My contact details: Phone: 47861203

Email: cmaltby@smbtsv.catholic.edu.au

Week 1| Term 1| 2019

SCHOOL BANKING School Banking will recommence on Friday 8th

February.

Students will receive information if you wish to

open a Savings account with the

Commonwealth School Banking programme.

For further information please contact the

school office.

1 Jan Faith Acreman

10 Jan Letti Williams

12 Jan Violette Windridge

12 Jan Karlee Gee

16 Jan Keeley Ninnes

19 Jan James Finn

23 Jan Ella Menzies

24 Jan Aidan Southern

26 Jan Dwyatt Schultz

28 Jan Bonnie Nane

29 Jan Rorie Phillips

Week 1| Term 1| 2019

For the Safety of all students and

parents, please to use the

School Crossing at all times.

Healthy school lunches are an important part of

school life. For some great ideas follow the link

to:

www.taste.com.au “Lunch Box ideas”