Welcome to St Mary's Parish Primary School

Dear Parents and Friends, As we finish Term 1 tomorrow, we look forward to the two week break after an exciting Term of learning. I thank all at St. Mary’s for the way we have been able to work together to support our students and to keep the community spirit flourishing. I especially thank the students for entering into the various learning opportunities and for endeavouring to be the best that you can be. The holidays of course culminate with Easter, a very special time in our Christian tradition. This story begins with Jesus riding into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, then on Holy Thursday, He joined the disciples for the Passover meal. This meal was the first Eucharist. When Jesus shared this meal, He washed his friend’s feet and shared the bread and wine with them, asking that this be a tradition to be continued in His name. In the Mass, we do as Jesus did, we gather, listen to the story passed down to us as written in the Scriptures, we share the bread and wine, and as Eucharistic people, we are then called to go out into the world to be of service and bring hope and joy to others. Following this Passover Meal, Jesus was betrayed and crucified. For three days he laid in the Tomb, but on Easter Sunday, the women found that the Tomb was empty – Jesus had risen to new life. It is through the dying and coming into new life, that we as Christians know that we can always rise from anything that brings us down and that when we die, we will receive eternal life. I trust that our Christian story of hope and resurrection, brings to each of you, a sense of promise, hope and realization that God loves each of us and will walk with us always. STATIONS OF THE CROSS Families and parishioners are invited to “walk the stations of the cross” which have been set up around the school. You are encouraged to download a qr code reader (any will do) onto your ipad or iphone so that you are able to play the audio. Congratulations to the members of our student Liturgical Action Team and Mrs. Amorim who have worked on designing and setting this experience up for us. EASTER MASS On Wednesday 24 April, all students will attend Mass at 9.15am to celebrate the Easter Resurrection. We invite you to join with us as we celebrate. FIRST EUCHASRIST Over the weekends of 27 and 28 April and 4 and 5 May, students in Yr. 3 will receive the Eucharist for the first time. When a child receives First Eucharist, it is a significant occasion for them as they are now able to join the rest of the faith community at the table of the Lord. This is a privilege but also a time of accepting responsibility, namely being true to Christ. I congratulate our First Communicants and pray that you will continue to join the faith community in sharing in the Eucharist. FUNDRAISING FOR CARITAS On Monday, students in Yr. 4 coordinated our fundraising activity for Caritas. Well done to all students for your support of this fundraising effort. 2020 PREP ENROLEMENTS OPEN Current families who have a child ready to commence school in 2020, are asked to lodge an application now. Enrolments close on 17 May. Information Night Monday 29 April 7.00 pm (No tours this night) Open Morning Thursday 9 May. Tours at 9.30 am and 12 noon SCHOOL PHOTOS School photos will be taken on Tuesday 30 April. Order forms have been sent home with students along with instructions if ordering photos online. Students will be required to be in full winter uniform for photo day. BIG GROUP HUG The Big Group Hug is a local charity that supports disadvantaged families in the community and beyond. They provide donated goods to help parents care for children from newborn to 12 years of age. Organised by Noah Mikac in Yr. 6K, there are collection boxes in classrooms and the foyer where you can place your donated items of socks, jocks, singlets and pyjamas for boys and girls sizes 2 – 16. Collection period has commenced and will conclude on 3 May. Your caring support for this cause would be much appreciated. SCHOOL ADVISORY BOARD At the recent AGM of the School Advisory Board, executive members were elected and consists of Chairperson Marco Hall, Deputy Chair John Mikac, Secretary Shane Frost and Deputy Secretary Amanda McKenna. You are welcome to contact a Board member should you wish to agenda an item for discussion. SWIMMING PROGRAM YR. 2 Yr. 2 students will commence a Swimming Program next Term on the following dates – Wednesday 24 April, 8 and 15 May and on Friday 26 April and the 3 and 10 May. They are required to wear their bathers under their sports uniform. Swimming caps may be worn and shoulder length hair needs to be tied back. Students are asked to bring their drink bottle with them. TERM 1 CONCLUDES / TERM 2 COMMENCES Term 1 will finish at 1.45pm tomorrow Friday 5 April and school will resume on Tuesday 23 April for Term 2. Please note, the school will be closed for the ANZAC Public holiday on Thursday 25 April. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all that has been achieved over this Term. It has been ten weeks of engaging learning and it has been especially exciting to see our students learning and growing in the acquisition of the Italian Language brought about through our new approach of teaching functional language in the classroom. May you and your family celebrate Easter with joy as you reflect on the mystery of Easter that gives to us the promise of eternal life and hope for renewal in our lives. Regards Helen.