Dear Parents & Carers,

Naplan

As many parents are aware, our Year Three and Five students are currently participating in NAPLAN assessments. They will conclude on Monday 18th March. NAPLAN results assist teachers to identify strengths and areas of need to improve teaching programs, assist with goal setting in literacy and numeracy and assist in identifying students who need greater challenges or extra support. For those parents with children currently doing NAPLAN (or in future years), you can support your child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is a part of their school program and reminding them to simply do their best.

School Community Council

As discussed in the newsletter previously, St Mary’s was seeking expression of interests for the School Community Council. These expressions are now closed. I appreciate all families that considered this opportunity and wanted to ensure that for those parents/guardians who decided not to nominate, there will certainly be opportunities for you to contribute to the school community in other ways throughout the year.

Netball Schools Cup

Next week, a note will go home regarding the Netball Schools Cup in Tumut on 26th March for students in Year 3 - 6. Parents are more than welcome to attend this day to support/watch their children participate. Please note, in order for students to register for the event, you will need to follow a Play HQ Netball link (that will be attached to the Compass post) and register your child in the appropriate St Mary’s team. I want to encourage all students to participate on this day. We are playing in mixed teams and it will be a non-competitive environment so students won’t have the pressure of remembering all the rules during the event. We look forward to welcoming Carmel Lemon from Netball NSW for a training and skills session next Thursday 21st March. Please wear Sports Uniform on this day!

eSafety

The eSafety commissioner is an Australian Government organisation that supports schools, families and young people in dealing with ‘often tricky’ issues devices and the internet. This week, I am sharing the eSafety Commissioner ‘parents link’ to highlight the informative and quite specific information that can be found on this website. Please find the attached link to the eSafety Commissioner: eSafety Commissioner Parents Link 

If parents would like further information and support on issues such as the safe use of devices at home, please reach and I will continue to share some information through our communication platforms.

Enjoy the remainder of the week,

Ryan

Project compassion fundraiser

Each year in Term 1, St Mary’s and many many other Catholic schools fundraise for those that are less fortunate than us. Our fundraising focus in Term 1 is for Project Compassion. Year 5/6 have many fantastic ideas and have worked together to decide how they would like to fundraise for Project Compassion this term. They have decided on an Easter raffle.

Staff have kindly donated to create prizes and tickets will be coming home with your children today. 

Please see our fundraiser poster designed by our Year 6 leader, Jack.

All Year 5/6 students have created promotional posters which will be displayed around the school. 

Children’s Mass

On Sunday 24th of March at 5pm, St Mary’s will be hosting Mass led by students in our St Mary’s church. It would be wonderful to have many of our students and families in attendance.

I would like to give all children attending a special role. If you could please let me know by email if you are able to attend so I can allocate roles for them to practise. amy.buckmaster@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Thank you!

Shoe Boxes

Thank you, thank you to those who have sent in shoe boxes for our Easter Story activity. We are still in need of some more if you have any available.  

Wishing you many Irish blessings.

Amy Buckmaster - Religious Education Coordinator