Dear Parents and Friends of St Mary’s,

What an array of CRAZY hairstyles that made their way into the school this morning. All money raised will go to Caritas Australia. 

Thank you all for a wonderful Term that has seen our students grow and learn in all aspects of their school and faith life. I wish you all a happy and safe break, ready for a busy Term 3.

The semester reports have been sent home today, and if you require any clarity around these, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Take Care,

Maria

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

TERM TWO 2023

June

TERM THREE 2023

July

August

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Thank you to everyone who participated in our End of Term Mass and to Father Antony for being such a good sport and celebrating Crazy Hair Day with us!

Refugee Week

Refugee Week in Australia includes 20 June (World Refugee Day). In 2023, it is held from Sunday 18 June to Saturday 24 June. This week students watched, listened and discussed several stories by Refugees who have made the journey to Australia for a variety of reasons. One of those refugees was Anh Do who wrote the book, The Little Refugee. His journey explained how at a very young age he and his family escaped South Vietnam after the war on a very small fishing boat and made the dangerous ocean voyage to Australia. It also explored the challenges that they faced once they had arrived here and the contributions that they hoped to make in their new home.

"I think it would be scary to move countries." Grace.

"I think they would be really nervous because they had to leave their families." Mia

"People had hard times." Jonathan.

"I can see them having no food or water." Lachlan.

"People don't have what we have." Leeroy.

"They said that they moved to Australia when they were little and went to school but no-one understood them." Saanvi.

"I think it's sad, devastating." Ellie.   

"I wonder what it would be like not being able to speak English when you come from a different country." Austin.

Students also explored 'Area', constructing a fishing boat floor the size of 14 m2 and seeing just how many people could fit into this space. The boat that Anh Do made his journey on was only 9 metres long and carried about 40 people.                  

Religion News: Thursday the 22^nd of June 2023

End of Term Two Mass

Today we came together to celebrate our end of Term Two Mass.  It was a lovely way to end our Term. 

Refugee Week

Refugee Week in Australia is always held from Sunday to Saturday of the week which includes 20 June (World Refugee Day). For 2023, it began on Sunday the 18^th of June and will conclude on Saturday 24th June.

The aims of Refugee Week are:

to educate the Australian public about who refugees are and why they have come to Australia;

to help people understand the many challenges refugees face coming to Australia;

to celebrate the contribution refugees make to our community;
to focus on how the community can provide a safe and welcoming environment for refugees;

for community groups and individuals to do something positive for refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people, within Australia but also around the world; and

for service providers to reflect on whether they are providing the best possible services to refugees.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvFcT93_JuI

Sacrament of Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Sunday the 23^rd of July at 11:00am Mass.  Student/Parent Workshop is scheduled for Thursday the 13^th of July at St. Mary’s School at 5:15 pm.

Reconciliation for Candidates scheduled for Friday 21^st of July.

Kind Regards

Sue Benc

School photos will be on Monday, 24th July. Forms were sent home with students yesterday. If you would prefer to order online, please use the links below:

School Photo Order Form

QR Code:

Click on this link for the QR Code

Dear Friends of the Fishy Stories Writing Challenge 

The Writing Challenge of 2022 was an amazing success where we received over 300 entries from students from Grade One to Years Eight.  You and your kids were all part of that. The way your schools and others embraced the Challenge was not only a delight but made us realise that creating such an avenue for young writers was something that was called for. 

The idea originally came from Melbourne the City of Literature who suggested that we might receive 30 entries and that if we received 100 entries it would be remarkable! Nothing like throwing down the gauntlet. 

12 entries were selected to be performed on the day of the Fish Creek Festival of Children’s Stories which attracted 2000 people, many of whom were there to hear the performances.  This year we are selecting 20 stories for performing. 

Another addition this year for the Challenge is the inclusion of Picture Stories. 

All the information you need can be found on the webpage, Fishystories.org which is quite comprehensive. The 350 word limit for written stories is the same plus the details for the Picture Story entrants. On the webpage you will find tips for both the written stories and the picture stories, and where you can submit your students work. There’s a video introducing the Challenge, conditions of entry, judging guidelines and suggestions on how to develop your story. There is also a spot where you can ask us questions you might have.  

Of course we can’t forget that EVERY story and Picture Story will be published in an eBook, with the wonderful support of Cambridge University Press (don’t forget to check out the 2022 eBook on the website). What a great thing to be published at such a young age. And what a valuable resource for teachers and kids to see what’s possible.  

Like last year, we will be hand delivering or sending by mail to your school, Bookmarks with the QR code for submission and Writing Challenge posters early Term Three.  

Let’s go above and beyond last year’s numbers.  

Thanks for getting on board again. 

Yours 

Michael Hyde 

Convenor of the Writing Challenge for the Fish Creek Festival of Children’s Stories. 

Youth Film Workshop

Learn the basics of filmmaking! From scriptwriting to filming and editing all with tools that are already available to you. Open to ages 12-25