Dear Parents and Friends of St Mary’s,

This week we are celebrating Catholic Education Week, and we at St Mary’s have looked closely at our achievements and celebrated the learning taking place across our school. I asked the children what it means to be a student at a Catholic School, and I have shared some of their responses below.

Mitchell - Prep

I love handwriting and playing. I feel good at St Mary’s.

Paige and Maliah - Grade 1

We get to learn lots of different things. We celebrate God. We’ve got kind friends, and our teachers are funny.

Kyle - Grade 2

It feels like the best school. I have friends, we work hard, and we look out for each other.

Addison - Grade 3

I love having lots of friends. I am excited to learn and we are treated fairly.

Austin - Grade 4

I feel safe at school because I know the teachers care for me. We respect each other, and I love being challenged with my learning.

Arlin  - Grade 5

I feel respected, safe and welcomed. The teachers acknowledge our thoughts and questions.

Zahli - Grade 6

I feel happy and safe at St Mary’s. We welcome everyone and treat each other how we like to be treated.

Tomorrow is National Sorry Day, and it allows us, as a  school community and nation as a whole, to reflect and pay our respects to our Indigenous communities, past and present.

Prayer

Almighty and loving God, 

you who created ALL people in your image.

Lead us to seek your compassion as we listen to the stories of our past. 

You gave your only Son, Jesus, who died and rose again 

so that sins will be forgiven.

We place before you the pain and anguish of dispossession 

of land, language, lore, culture, and family kinship that 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced. 

We live in faith that all people will rise 

from the depths of despair and hopelessness. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have endured the pain and loss of loved ones

through the separation of children from their families.

We are sorry and ask for God’s forgiveness.

Touch the hearts of the broken, homeless, and inflicted and heal their spirits. 

In your mercy and compassion, walk with us 

as we continue our journey of healing 

to create a future that is just and equitable.

Lord, you are our hope.

Amen.

Aboriginal and Islander Commission of the National Council of Churches in Australia, (NATSIEC) 2003.

Kind Regards,

Maria

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

TERM TWO 2023

May

June

TERM THREE 2023

July

Congratulations to Macy and Mia on their First Communion, which took place on Sunday, 21st May. May God's love and blessings follow you always.

BOOK CLUB ORDERS

Catalogue #4 was sent out with students this week, all orders are due back by Friday, 9th June.

As part of the Celebrations for Catholic Education Week, a Peace Mass is held in Sale every year.  Schools from around the Sale Diocese, attend and participate in this celebration.

Tomorrow, (Friday, 26^th May) the whole school will be attending to celebrate this special Mass. 

Please wear full winter uniform:

- Long-sleeved white Tshirt

- Grey Pants or Tunic

- Black School shoes

- White or Grey socks

- Blue School Jumper

What to bring:

- Packed snacks in a disposable container or bag, marked clearly with name and grade.

- Lunch in a disposable container or bags clearly marked with name and grade. 

- Water bottle.

NATIONAL WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL DAY 2023

Religion News: Thursday the 25^th of May 2023

Peace Mass tomorrow.  The Theme for the Mass is Mary, the Queen of Peace. This is a beautiful Mass where primary and secondary Catholic Schools come together to pray for Peace.  The children are really looking forward to this experience.

Prayer of Peace remembering the ongoing war in Ukraine.

O Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Grant peace and protection to the people of Ukraine. Give them strength and courage to defend what is good, right, and holy. Keep them safe from harm and provide for all their needs, both temporal and spiritual.

Amen.

Sacrament of First Holy Communion.

Congratulations to Mia and Macy who celebrated their First Holy Communion last Sunday.  Thank you to Jikaya and Ivy who formed our small choir along with Mia and Macy.  It is always a celebration to come together as a community with staff, parents, students and parish. Thank you everyone.

National Sorry Day: Friday 26 May 2023
National Reconciliation Week: Saturday 27 May 2023 to Saturday 3 June 2023

National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities. National Reconciliation Week is a time for Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements. Further information about National Reconciliation Week this year is available on the Reconciliation Australia website.

Andrew Chinn has a beautiful song called: Ancient Legacy.  Andrew’s wife Bernadette has illustrated a beautiful book to accompany the song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUdfoCF-K7I

Lord,

Fill us with your mercy so that we, in turn, may be merciful to others. Strip away pride, suspicion, and racism so that we may seek peace and justice in our communities. Strengthen our hearts so that they beat only to the rhythm of your holy will.

Amen.

Kind regards,

Sue Benc

As a parent of children in a Catholic primary or secondary school, you are invited to attend an online consultation session to share updates to the Resilience Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) teaching and learning materials, which support schools to deliver respectful relationships education. These age-appropriate resources help students learn and practise social skills and apply them in a positive way to learning, life and relationships. 

The consultation session will be delivered online on Wednesday May 31 from 11:00am-12:30pm by the Victorian Department of Education and Training; Policy Officer; Respectful Relationships, Family Violence & Child Safety, Wellbeing, Health and Engagement Division.

The consultation aims to ensure that the new resources:

• capture previous stakeholder feedback
• use current language and terminology
• incorporate language that recognises the intersectional experiences of students
• are inclusive of all sexualities and genders
• incorporate student voice.

Excerpts from the updated resource will be shared in the consultation.

If you are receiving this as a school, please share with the parents in your community.

Click here to register for this important parent forum

Please read through the Resilience Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) information prior to the forum.

Regards,

Rachel Saliba
Executive Officer - Catholic School Parents Victoria
PO Box 3, East Melbourne Victoria 8002
Mob: 0419 371 876
catholicschoolparentsvictoria@gmail.com

COMBINED CHURCHES PRESENT:

PENTECOST PARTY: Sunday, 28th May 4:30 - 6:30 PM at the Anglican Parish Hall

Gold Coin Donation

WEAR SOMETHING RED

Please click on the link to view the flyer

Yarram Secondary College Production: A TOWN CALLED 'MALICE'.