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.

Dear St Mary’s families,

St Mary’s hosted the Diocesan Primary and Secondary Spelling Bees last week. We were proud of our St Mary’s representatives who were challenged with some very tricky spelling combinations.

We proudly acknowledged Reconciliation week as a school community with an assembly focusing on the meaning of Reconciliation and Sorry day. Some students also had the opportunity to reflect during the Diocesan Reconciliation Mass held in Dubbo.

St Mary’s staff have had the opportunity this week to participate in a range of educational webinars where a variety of topics ranging for literacy and numeracy to safety in the workplace were covered. Thanks to our staff for engaging in these webinars.

Our Diocese is focusing on student attendance in 2025 and families are reminded about the importance of students attending school every day to allow them to maximise their learning. We are looking forward to rewarding students with excellent attendance at the end of term 3.

Our thoughts and prayers are with some members of our St Mary’s community who have recently lost grandparents. Please hold close the precious memories that you have of your loved ones.

Take care and God Bless.

Kind regards,
Mrs Leanne Clarke
Principal

Consent Sharing Photos and Videos

Year 7-10 students attended an assembly this week which focused on the importance of consent when taking and sharing photos and videos. Please take the time to access this link with your children and discuss the importance of thinking carefully before you post anything on line. There have been a number of recent incidents occurring outside of school hours where students have posted photos/videos of other students and staff without permission. Please make sure that you are aware of the platforms and content that your children are accessing on social media.

https://www.esafety.gov.au/young-people/consent-sharing-photos-videos

Diary and Important Dates

Monday 9 June King's Birthday Long Weekend

Week 7

Monday 9 June
Public Holiday

Tuesday 10 June
Year 7-10 Assessment Week

Wednesday 11 June
CPS Cross Country

Thursday 12 June
Primary Chess Tournament

Friday 13 June

Week 8

Monday 16 June
Year 10 Work Experience Week | Year 6 Visit Maranatha House | Years 3-8 Netball Carnival Forbes | CEDB Science Day

Tuesday 17 June

Wednesday 18 June
P & F Meeting at 5.30pm

Thursday 19 June
Year 3 Holy Communion Reflection Day

Friday 20 June
Newsletter

Saturday 21 June
First Holy Communion Mass 5pm

Religious Education News

Diocesan Reconciliation Week Mass

Students from St Mary’s attended the Diocesan Reconciliation Week Mass at St Brigid’s Church in Dubbo last week, joining fellow students from the northern end of our Diocese. The Mass started with a Welcome to Country smoking ceremony outside the Church, conducted by a local elder. Seth Whiteman and Pippa Gilmour represented us in the entrance procession wearing traditional headwear and markings. Annabella Brown, Charlie Ryan and Billy Ryan-Lousick lead the Responsorial Psalm. These students represented their culture with pride. All students conducted themselves responsibly, and Mrs Hodges, Ms Nixon and Mr Stevens were impressed with their attentiveness and respect for the occasion. The Mass was very special and made an impact on students and their sense of connection to our Aboriginal culture and spirituality.

First Holy Communion

A few reminders to families of First Holy Communion candidates.

Please make sure you have returned your enrolment form. Payment can be completed through the Compass Parent Portal.
Families are asked to access the online resource at: https://sacraments.melbournecatholic.org/ to engage your child and family with the sacrament of the Eucharist as part of their preparation.
Regular attendance at Masses is essential preparation of your child for the sacrament of the Eucharist to help familiarise your child with the Mass rituals, responses and practices. Please ensure the Mass missals given to candidates in the form of a photocopied booklet are brought to Mass each week.

It was great to see some candidates with their interactive booklets at the Mass.

Year 5 Christian Living Camp

Our Year 5 students visited Ridgecrest this week for their ‘Christian Living Camp’. Mr Jones and Mr Broome facilitated this retreat, where students had time to withdraw from the daily pressures of life. Time is given to stop, reflect and refresh. Opportunities like this are important for students to have experiences outside of the normal school environment and interact with their peers in new growth situations. Students have time to consider their life’s journey, explore their values and their relationships with self, others and God. Thank you also to Mr Nugent, Mr Broome and Mrs Hughes (overnight) for giving their time to supervise our students.

Mr Christopher Stevens
Leader of Ministry and Mission

St Patrick's Parish Sacramental Calendar 2025

School Information

7-10 Assessment Week

Year 7-10 Assessment Week begins next week (Tuesday - Friday) following the King’s Birthday long weekend. Students will sit a number of formal exams and in-class assessments. An Assessment Week timetable was shared with students, parents and carers through Compass earlier this week. Students are encouraged to develop a study plan leading into Assessment Week

Student use of Social Media

The 'Children and Social Media Survey', conducted in September 2024, revealed that 84% of children aged 8 to 12 had used at least one social media or messaging service since the beginning of the year. This was despite being under the age limit of 13+ (https://www.esafety.gov.au/research/children-and-social-media). With new Federal laws prohibiting the use of many social media platforms in their current form for children under 16 years of age set to come into effect at the end of 2025, it is important that we monitor the use of platforms such as Tik Tok and Snapchat.

Social media can be a big part of a teenagers social and creative life, however its risks can often outweigh its benefits. Talking to your child is the best way to protect them from social media risks and ensure their internet safety. For practical suggestions around keeping your child safe online, visit raisingchildren.net.au.

Raising Children Social Media

Mr Allan Jones
Assistant Principal

School Wide Positive Behaviour for Learning SPB4L

SPB4L Focus- Respect Other Learners

The ‘Respect other Learners’ focus was launched last Thursday during our K-10 assembly. St Mary’s staff will be promoting the ‘Respect Other Learners’ focus with classrooms, providing students with simple strategies on maintaining positive learning environments and encouraging them to be confident and to try their best.

The Cub Credit shop is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during lunchtimes. 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.

Allan Jones
Assistant Principal

Learning Matters

K-2

‘Hey wait! You’re amazing! Just wanted to remind you.’

K-2 students have been participating in daily sentence writing activities to help boost their independent writing skills. Teachers are proud of the efforts of students and students love to share their finished writing tasks with the class.

We are also busy preparing for our K-2 Eisteddfod item which we will enjoy performing for you at the local Wellington Eisteddfod in Week 10. FInal dates and times will be shared at a later date.

Ms Kellie Rich
K-2 Leader of Learning

Year 3-6

Christian Living Camp - Year 5

Year 5 students have enjoyed the crisp weather out at Ridgecrest this week as they enjoy some self-reflection time in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation later this year. The class has been reflecting on their own lives, learning about the important events and symbolism surrounding Confirmation and also participating in some team building activities to prepare them for their role as Year 6 leaders next year. I was fortunate to join them for the evening session and can report that the temperatures got down to a chilly -5 degrees overnight.

Bathurst Diocese Reconciliation Mass - Year 6

Last week the Year 6, along with some secondary students, had the opportunity to attend the Bathurst Diocese Reconciliation Mass held in Dubbo. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to participate in the special Mass amongst a large number of other students from across the diocese. All students in attendance are to be congratulated on their respectful and positive attitudes on the day.

Mr John Nugent
3-6 Leader of Learning

Year 7-10

Semester One Examinations

Students have been given revision support in class and have a copy of their timetable. Please ensure your children have a good night's sleep, breakfast and arrive on-time to school to complete their examinations during week 7. If your child is sick or cannot attend school due to any other reason please let the front office know and we will arrange for them to catch up when they return.

Extra Curricular

A big shout out to students going above and beyond trying new things. Well done to all our Spelling Bee participants, chess players and students attending the Diocesan Aboriginal Reconciliation Mass.

Work Experience

All year 10 students will be out and about in local Wellington business during week 8. We thank Business Owners in advance for giving our students this opportunity to explore career pathways and look forward them sharing their experiences with the school.

Mrs Tammy Nugent
7-10 Leader of Learning

Sport News

Congratulations to Seana Bryne & Pippa Gilmour for being selected in the under 14's & under 16's girls Central West State Representative teams in Rugby Union this weekend. Safe travels, we wish you all the best.

Students in K-2 have been participating in weekly sport sessions with PCYC. Thanks to our teachers and support staff for taking students down and allowing them to participate in this valuable program. Secondary students have also been accompanying K-2 students for additional support and guidance.

With our new turf students have been accessing the oval during breaks and games of touch football and soccer have been very popular. Our senior students enjoy the basketball court with Year 7-8 challenging each other in the COLA for handball.

Mr Alistaire Thompson
Sport Coordinator

The Science Experience

Mon 14 July - Wed 16 July 2025 (school holidays)

Students in Year 9 and 10 are invited to UNE for a 3-day, fun-filled, hands-on science camp. The 3 day program provides students with exciting and challenging hands-on activities across multiple disciplines, facilitated by leading scientists and academics. Students will participate in workshops in diverse areas such as chemistry, neuroscience, biomedical science, coding, animal science, agriculture and more. They will engage with real scientists, use real laboratories and experience real science. The program is designed so students can stay on campus and experience what it’s like to live at university in a residential college. Accommodation is supervised and enhances their experience by strengthening their rapport with other students and builds on the social aspects of the program. Supervised evening activities are also provided.

More information here. Other dates and venues can be found here. Contact local Rotary and/or Lions Clubs for possible funding assistance.

Library News

Thank you to all students who have shared their favourite books in library lessons over the past two weeks. It’s wonderful to see so many students eager to share their love of reading with everyone

At the end of Term 1 in library lessons we were busy creating some writing entries for this year’s Wellington Show. Kindergarten to Year 3 created descriptions of Australian animals and Year 4 to Year 6 created poems also on Australian animals. It was fantastic to see students work up on display at the show and congratulations to all those students who were awarded a prize for their work. All students did an amazing job with their writing and should be very proud!

Last Thursday, at our K-10 school assembly I was very excited to hand out a bundle of Radical Reader Awards. These awards are nominated by teachers for any outstanding work in literacy. Every award recipient receives a special certificate and book prize. Thank you to our P&F for supporting the purchasing of prizes for these awards. A BIG congratulations to our latest Radical Readers- Macy Chen, Reyansh Goundar, Jarlirah Verning, Jack Sears, Elsie Gain, Ned Frogley, Hannah Justin, Rochelle Fisher, Ari Ryan-Lousick, Jack O’Leary, Frankie McGuire, Jackson Reid, Mason Mackay, Stephanie Frogley, Jim Nugent, Hayden Smith, Annabella Brown, Charlie Ryan, Lily Roberts, Leah Potter, Kora-Rose Smyth and Charlotte Angell.

Save the Date!

Term 3 ‘Let’s Read’ will be here before we know it! In Week 2 of Term 3 we will be holding our annual Book Fair. This is our once a year fundraiser for our school library. Every book purchased earns our school much needed funds to keep filling our library with books that the students love to read. So please mark it on your calendars and come along and support our school Book Fair next term.

Mrs Hayley Jones
Librarian

Wellington Lions Club Thank You

Thanks to a generous donation from the Lions Club St Mary’s has purchased a couple of e-pens. These pens are an enhanced reading pen with both text and voice translation supporting some of our St Mary’s learners.

Spelling Bee

Congratulations to our St Mary’s Stage 3, Stage 4 and Stage 5 school Spelling Bee champions, who represented St Mary’s in the Diocesan Spelling Bee last week.

The SRC have been busy finding out what our students would like to do for end of term socials. Year 3-6 have voted for a 80’s/90’s theme. Year 7-10 are still deciding on their activity.

K-2 will have their social at the end of the school year.

Our cake stall was a great success with over $350 raised which will go towards purchasing learning packs for Stepping Out in Cambodia. Thanks to everyone who supported the stall.

Reconciliation Assembly

St Mary’s proudly acknowledged Reconciliation week with a school assembly where we focused on Trevor Jamieson’s picture book, “Sorry Day.” https://storyboxhub.com/stories/sorry-day

Please share this with your child at home and reflect on our reconciliation journey.

Diocesan National Reconciliation Week Mass

St Mary's students attended the Diocesan Reconciliation Mass last week during National Reconciliation week.All students embraced the Mass and acknowledged Reconciliation week with students from across the Dubbo Diocese.

On Saturday, St Mary's cattle showing team attended the Wellington Show, supported by Mr Hamish Doherty, Mrs Hannah Brien and Ms Mary Crean. It was a very strong competition against experienced Paraders from around the district. Isabelle Whiteman and Eli Smyth led heifers in the Year 7 Paraders and Charlie Ryan and Pat Angell led heifers in the Year 8 Paraders class. The judge commended all four students in their first attempt at showing cattle and gave tips for next time. Seth Whiteman competed in the open Year 10 paraders showing a heifer who required a lot of control- a task he took on with confidence. The judge commented on Seth’s calm and confident presence and commended him for his control of the animal. Isabelle, Eli, Charlie and Pat all led the heifers for the Replacement Breeder 6-12 month division. Milla - led by Pat took home second place and Bella - led by Isabelle- took home third place. Both students did well to showcase the quality of these heifers, ensuring their placings. A huge thank you to Mr Hamish Doherty for all his hard work over the last six months. Mr Doherty and the Cattle team have worked behind the scenes out of school hours in preparation for the show. Thank you to all our sponsors - Conrad Strahorn and Jesse Atkinson from Stirling Pastoral, David Crean from Mountain Valley, Carl & Yvonne Giffin from Giffins Bulk Haulage.

Congratulations St Mary’s on a wonderful performance at the Wellington Show. Our school display looked amazing thanks to the wonderful behind the scene efforts of teachers to organise classes in producing some amazing Australian Animals for our display. A huge thank you to Ms Hibberd for constructing our display. Many class teachers also entered art and crafts completed by students with some amazing results. Mrs Jones worked hard with our K-6 students during library times to produce some terrific poetry and descriptive writing pieces and we again saw many students achieve wonderful results.

Congratulations to the following students:

Year 5/6 Poetry: First - Jack Stevens, Second - Bella Cummings, Third - Ryan Finn

Year 3/4 Poetry: First - Grace Sharp, Second - Rupert Comiskey, Third - Hannah Justin

Year 1/2 Descriptive Writing: First - Eva Stevenson, Second - Ben Sears, Third - Toby Spradbrow

Kinder Descriptive Writing: First - Mila Williams, Second - Malakai Scifleet, Third - Mikey Thompson

Arts and Crafts

First place - Eva Steveson, Olivia Potter, Stephanie Frogley, Violet Mitchell, George Jones, Lily Nugent, Oscar Sorn.

Second place - Jarlirah Verning, Cooper Payne.

Third place - Billy Mitchell, Ned Frogley, Sophie Finn, Summer Whillock, Eva Stevenson.

Highly Commended - Brodie Frogley, Phoenix Brindley, Violet Mitchell, Eva Stevenson, Jarlirah Verning.

Photography

First - Seth Whiteman

Second - Amber Chown-Boland

A huge congratulations to students who also represented St Mary’s at the local horse day on the Friday and also to our cattle team who did extremely well for their first show.

On Monday 2 June 18 students from Year 4 plus 2 mentors from Year 6 (Pippa and Olivia) visited the elderly at Maranatha. We had a theme of autumn because even though it is the beginning of winter the autumn leaves are just changing into their vibrant red colours. This was Year 4's first visit and they were just amazing - as you can see from the photoes! What you can't see is how amazing their manners are - they impressed the Maranatha staff and the elderly with how respectful and polite they were. Well done Year 4."

Ms Louise Hennessy
Community Wellbeing Program Manager