St Mary's Catholic School Wellington eNewsletter

Our Vision

St Mary's Catholic School is a Christ centred, inclusive community where individuals are supported to learn at high levels and to grow spiritually, socially and physically.

"We have gifts that differ, according to the grace given to each of us." (Romans 12:6)

Principal's Message

St Mary’s Catholic School - Guided by Faith, Inspired by Hope and Committed to Learning.

Last week we celebrated Catholic Schools week, promoting our school activities in our community. On Friday we invited our families to support Walk Safely to School day, join us for breakfast followed by visits to classrooms. Thanks to everyone for your support of your children and participation in these school happenings.

Students across the school continue to have success at high levels. Our Year 7/8 girls touch team were winners at the Tamworth regional carnival, our Chess team was victorious this week and our senior students had the opportunity to engage with Sydney University scientists in a school based program.

Special congratulations to Mrs Hughes who attended her graduation ceremony recently to receive her Education degree. Well done!

As Pope Leo XIV was recently inaugurated as Pope of the Catholic church, we pray that he will be guided by the Holy Spirit to govern the Catholic church with unfailing care.

Kind regards,
Mrs Leanne Clarke
Principal

Diary and Important Dates

Monday 9 June King's Birthday Long Weekend

Week 5

Monday 26 May
Assembly 8.50am in Quad | Maranatha House Visit

Tuesday 27 May
Secondary Spelling Bee

Wednesday 28 May
Primary Spelling Bee

Thursday 29 May
K-10 School Assembly 8.50am in hall - Achievement Awards

Friday 30 May
Diocesan Aboriginal Mass 10.30am at St Brigid's Dubbo (Year 6 Secondary SRC students attending)

Week 6

Monday 2 June
Year 4 Visit Maranatha House | 7-12 Report Writing CEDB

Tuesday 3 June

Wednesday 4 June
Year 5 Ridgecrest Christian Living Camp

Thursday 5 June
Year 5 Ridgecrest Christian Living Camp

Friday 6 June
Newsletter

Religious Education News

Mother’s Day Mass

Thank you to those families that supported our school and our parish by attending the Mother’s Day Parish Mass and thank you to our K-2 Staff for your organisation of the Mass. Many parishioners commented on how lovely the Mass was. Please see the photos of this event elsewhere in the newsletter.

First Communion Sacrament Enrollment

There are 16 candidates enrolled for the sacrament of First Holy Communion. This is our largest group in many years. Please pray for our candidates as they prepare over the next weeks for their First Communion on Saturday, June 21.

Families are reminded about the importance of preparation for this sacrament. Holy Communion is central to the Mass. The “Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life”, from the Vatican II document, "Lumen Gentium". Regular attendance at Mass is important for candidates' preparation and understanding of the Eucharist.

Mary, Help of Christians Mass

Today is the Feast of Mary, Help of Christians (Mary, Mother of God). Our K-6 students celebrated this Mass today. We note that Mary is the Patron Saint of our school, St Mary’s Catholic School. Mary has an important place in the Catholic faith. The Son of God became man for our salvation, but only in Mary and through Mary. Thank you to Mrs Alexandrovics and Year 4 for preparing the Mass.

Pope Leo XIV

We recently celebrated the life of Pope Francis, and since then, we awaited the white smoke from the Sistine Chapel, where 133 Cardinals of the Conclave voted on a new Pope. Habemus papam - “We have a Pope”, Pope Leo XIV. We now have the first American Pope leading our Church. By all reports, Leo XIV, known as 'a bridge builder', has many similar philosophies about the Catholic Church as did his predecessor.

Mr Christopher Stevens
Leader of Ministry and Mission

National Reconciliation Week Mass Invite

St Patrick's Parish Sacramental Calendar 2025

School Information

Diocesan Spelling Bee

The Diocesan Spelling Bee will be held in the St Mary’s School Hall next Tuesday 27 May for Secondary finalists and Wednesday 28 May for Primary finalists. We wish our St Mary’s representatives Jack O’Leary and Lily Nugent (Stage 2), Ellie Heywood and Geordie Mason (Stage 3), Annabella Brown and Annabel Roberts (Stage 4), Billy Ryan-Lousick and Leah Potter (Stage 5) the best of luck in this competition.

Uniform

A reminder that all students should now be wearing their full winter uniform, including school tie (Secondary Tuesdays/Thursdays and Primary Mondays and Tuesdays). The Sports uniform is consistent all year.

7-10 Assessment Week

Year 7-10 Assessment Week will be held in Week 7 (Tuesday - Friday) this term following the King’s Birthday long weekend. Students will sit a number of formal exams and in-class assessments. An Assessment Week timetable will be shared with students, parents and carers in the upcoming weeks, with students encouraged to develop a study plan leading up to this time.

Mr Allan Jones
Assistant Principal

School Wide Positive Behaviour for Learning SPB4L

SPB4L Focus- Respect Other Learners

A new SPB4L focus will be launched next week across all K-10 classes. St Mary’s staff will be promoting the ‘Respect Other Learners’ focus, which will provide students with simple strategies on maintaining positive learning environments and encourage them to be confident and to try their best.

A reminder that the Cub Credit shop is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during lunchtime. New prizes are added each term which can be purchased with the Cub Credits earned for excellent efforts in learning and behaviour in Year 3 to 6 classrooms.

Mr Allan Jones
Assistant Principal

Learning Matters

K-2

K-2 students enjoyed participating in Simultaneous Reading time this week and were enthralled by Mrs Jones in her great big truck, instilling a love of reading with a touch of fun. Thanks to our parents for supporting your child with reading at home with their home reader. "Reading aloud to young children with their parents significantly benefits their development, including language skills, literacy and social-emotional growth." Please join us for our K-10 assembly next Thursday morning 8.50am in the hall where students across the school will receive achievement awards.

Ms Kellie Rich
K-2 Leader of Learning

Year 3-6

National Simultaneous Storytime

Many thanks to Mrs Jones for all her hard work and effort advertising and hosting the National Simultaneous Storytime event for this year. Students in K-6 were wowed by the amazing costumes and props that Mrs Jones used to bring this year's text, “Truck Cat” to life. The beautiful rain we’ve had this week didn’t stop the event as it was transferred to the school hall for the students to enjoy. Besides the reading session, students have also been involved in a number of in-class activities and various trivia and colouring in activities to support the initiative. Great stuff Mrs Jones!!

Spelling Bee

On Wednesday our Stage 2 and Stage 3 Spelling Bee champions will take on students from all over the Bathurst Diocese in the annual CEDB Spelling Bee. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to be able to compete academically against students for the opportunity to be crowned the Bathurst Diocese champion speller. Good luck to this year's St. Mary's competitors, Jack O’Leary, Lily Nugent, Ellie Heywood and Geordie Mason.

Mr John Nugent
3-6 Leaders of Learning

Year 7-10

Year 7-10 Assessment Week will be held in Week 7. An Assessment Week timetable will be shared with students, parents and carers in the upcoming weeks, with students encouraged to develop a study plan leading up to this time.

Years 9 & 10 had Sydney University attend last week for a hands-on Science learning activity (Unearthing Science). How lucky are we to have this opportunity. We have a few budding scientists amongst our students.

Year 10 has Work Experience coming up in week 8 of this term. Students have all had an interview with me and have given 3 possible options of industries they are interested in. There is lots of work going on behind the scenes to organise local business owners to take on your child. You will be receiving a document that you need to sign and return to school next week, also a booklet explaining the work experience program. In advance, a huge thank you to all businesses who are supporting this valuable experience.

Good Luck to all our Secondary Spelling Bee contestants who will be competing at the Diocesan Spelling Bee held in St Mary’s hall on Tuesday.

Mrs Tammy Nugent
7-10 Leader of Learning

Parent Charter Extract

Last year a Catholic School Community Charter was released for our Diocese to support schools to develop positive relationships in school communities. Here is an extract from this document. The full document can be accessed on our school website.

Parents and carers of our schools can expect:

To be welcomed in our schools as partners in student faith and learning
To be treated with respect and courtesy by staff, students and other parents
To be listened to, and clearly communicated with by the school, in regard to your child’s education and development

To have confidentiality over sensitive issues respected by staff
To be treated fairly, with tolerance and understanding
To have a timely response to concerns raised (an initial response normally within 48 hours)
To be treated with professionalism by all staff members

Parent/carer/volunteer responsibilities:

Value and champion your school and its reputation. Be mindful of the hurt and damage social media may cause to staff members and other parents
Respect the rights of staff members and other individuals, including children
Follow the correct procedures to resolve a conflict or make a complaint
As valued members of the school community, attend and participate appropriately in school liturgies or special events including sporting carnivals, interschool sport, academic and cultural events.

Sport News

Regional Touch Champions Back to Back

The St Mary’s Wolf Pack girls team travelled to Tamworth last week to contest the All Schools Regional Carnival. The girls started their round one with tough win over St Joseph's Aberdeen then finished on top of their pool defeating Warialda, Tamworth, and Calrossy. The girls then won their semi final setting up a rematch with Glen Innes from last year's grand final.

The game started fast with both teams testing each other's line and both having some good opportunities. After some strong defence by the Wolf Pack to trap Glen Innes on their line, St Mary’s took possession and started putting on some tries. The game finished 3-1 with the St Mary’s Wolf Pack victorious and back to back regional champions.

Huge thanks goes out to our families who travelled to Tamworth and back and supported our team who played so well.

Diocesan Rugby Union

Well done to our Primary Rugby boys who attended the Primary Diocese Rugby Union Trials. Geordie Mason, Will Carney, Jackson Angell, Flynn Feringa and Jasper Telfer. These students put in a great effort at the trials. Well done.

Mr Alistaire Thompson
Sport Coordinator

Library News

Thank you to all students who have shared their favourite books in library lessons over the past two weeks. It’s fantastic to see such an array of books being shared.

St Mary’s was full of excitement on Wednesday with students ready to take part in National Simultaneous Storytime. All classes K-10 started their morning with a challenge to get their brains switched on for the day. Each class was asked to list as many books as they could that have the word ‘cat’ in their title for example: The Truck Cat and another list of books where a cat is the main subject / character for example: Garfield. Classes could earn bonus points for including the author’s name. It was great to see some classes thinking outside the box and not just sticking to domestic cats but also including big cats. Well done to all classes who took part in my challenge!

At 12.30pm our K-6 classes and Little Saints came together in the hall ready to hear this year’s chosen book ‘The Truck Cat’ by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell. We were extremely lucky to have Yacoub and Tinka from the book come along to share their story with us all and they even brought their B-double tri-axle truck!

After the book reading, prizes were handed out for the cat artwork competition. The judges had an EXTREMELY hard time picking just a few winners as all entries were of such a high standard.

Well done to everyone who entered and congratulations to our first place winners Elsie Gain and Lily Nugent. Second place winners- Aubree O’Brien, Hamish Wright, Jack Sears, Ned Frogley, Elizabeth Watson, Frederick Redfern, Cooper Ruston, Maeve Donovan, Josie Hutchinson and Lily Roberts. Third place winners- Mikael Thompson, Summer Whillock, Camilla Holland, Hannah Justin, Grace Sharp and Phoenix Brindley. Highly commended- Mila Williams, Paul Cornish, Imogen Ryan, Annabel Holland, Kalia Hattley and Pippa Horton.

As part of the celebrations every child received a small treat bag full of pawsome goodies- a cat sticker, Cat bookmark, colouring sheet and a very special cookie. A HUGE thank you to everyone who helped make National Simultaneous Storytime such a purrfect day for everyone to enjoy.

Mrs Hayley Jones
Librarian

Congratulations to St Mary's Chess team. They will now progress to Round 3 after defeating Tullamore High School. Every board was won by St Mary's. Well done to Peter Daly, Jim Nugent, Paddy Jones and Hayden Smith.

Mrs Maureen Milgate
Teacher

Unearthing Science

Last week, our Year 9 and 10 students were immersed in a science investigation around the effect of Light pollution on the environment and ecosystems, especially insects. Through the Unearthing Science program run by the University of Sydney, we had three real scientists spend three days working with the students. The students planned an investigation, predicted results, built, prepared and set up traps. They collected, identified and recorded the insects from the various trap types and various light locations. They presented results and analysed data. It was a wonderful opportunity to have the expertise and knowledge of a scientist. We run this program each year now on a two-topic cycle and look to track our data over the years.

Mr Christopher Stevens
Teacher

Wellington Show - Cattle Showing

This Saturday 24 May, St Mary's are heading to the Wellington Show to showcase the wonderful work that Mr Doherty, Ms Crean and the 2025 cattle team have done over the last eight months. The team will be showing the 4 heifers who have been generously donated by Jesse Atkinson and his team from Stirling Pastoral. I would like to thank and wish all our paraders goodluck on Saturday at the show and hopefully bring some ribbons home!

Mr Hamish Doherty
Teacher

The day after Mother's Day, eighteen Year 5 students headed over to Maranatha for a visit where we continued the celebration. We made our cupcake flowers again as the elderly were keen to make some more from our last visit. Sharing an activity is a great way to help start a conversation and as the students skillfully helped put together the flowers there was an atmosphere of creativity mixed with sharing stories. Well done Year 5 for being so caring and listening so well to the elderly.

Ms Louise Hennessy
Community Wellbeing Program Manager