Dear Parents and Friends of St Mary’s,

Welcome back, ready for a busy and exciting Term Three. I hope you had a relaxing break.

Our school-wide expectation for Term Three is how we demonstrate responsibility. We discussed as a school what this looks like, sounds and feels like as we interact in the classroom and on the playground.

As I write, I am sitting here at the Phillip Island Camp with the Grade 3 and 4 students, Mr Sheedy and Jo. We have just arrived back at the camp for lunch after a blustery yet refreshing walk along the foreshore. We have had a wonderful time so far, and I am delighted to report that all students were tucked in bed fast asleep by 10 pm last night and did not budge until after 7 am this morning.

We look forward to an afternoon of fun, including the Giant Swing, Flying Fox and Peddle Cars at the top of the student's list of activities to complete.

We will deliver a tired yet happy bunch of campers back to school tomorrow afternoon. A big thank you to Mr Sheedy, Jo and Debbie for all the amazing organisation that goes into delivering this opportunity for our students.

The Yarram Eisteddfod begins on Monday, August 31st; the program for the week is in this newsletter. I am excited to hear beautiful voices practising as I visit each classroom, and I look forward to celebrating the efforts and achievements. Each classroom teacher will deliver all correspondence regarding costumes via Class Dojo over the coming weeks.

Maria

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

TERM THREE

July

August

Our Grade 3/4 students have had an adventure-filled, fun, first day at the Phillip Island camp. From being puzzled at A Maze'N Things, to giant slides and shadow puppet shows, they definitely had an exciting day.

As part of NAIDOC Week, students learnt about Indigenous woman

Maree Clark and how the POSSUM- SKIN CLOAK and artwork that she created

connects to her culture and tells her story.

Students in GR 3 /4 thought about a ‘pathway’ of important places, people, animals and things in their life and represented their story in design.

*Jumping off high places.

*Grandparents*

*My family.

*My watch.

* School.   (Grace.)

 *My family in England is very special, but it is sad I never get to see them.

*Going to my nan’s house it makes me feel like I’m meant to be there and I belong.

*My mum and dad encouraging me to do stuff that I never thought I could do.

*Family and friends.

*Books.

*Swimming.     (Alice)

*Spain.

*Family.

*Friends.

*Sisters.     (Sara)

*Tasmania.

*Family.

*Dog.

*Football.

*Queensland.  (Lachlan)

*Family and Friends.

*Football.

*Dirt bikes.   (Austin)

*My home, first house.

*My dog.

*My 4 wheeler.

*Kinder.

*School.    (Blake)

 *My dog Shep was a great dog, he died from jaw cancer, he always protected   

me.

*My mum always makes me laugh when I go to Geelong.

*My Grandma always takes care of me.

*My dad is very loving and funny.

*My little sister Lara, she always smiles.    (Ellie)

*My Family.

*My home.

*My pets, Lunar my dog and Pogi my cat.

*Going to the Philippines.     (Mia)

*I love my family because they care for me.

*I love Coco my dog, she gives me kisses.

*Going to India.

*Grandpa who died.

*Emma, she has known me since I was a baby.      (Saanvi)

 *Nan and Pop.

*Mum, Dad and my Sister.

*My Pet and my family.   (Macy)

*I love spending time at Pops, I love Pop.

*Swimming.

*Playing at the park.

*Christmas with Family.   (Hunter)

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

Religion News: Thursday the 13^th of July 2023

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 is scheduled for Friday 21^st of July.

A reminder to all Candidates and Parents that the Workshop tonight is compulsory.  The Workshop will be held in the Grades Five/Six classroom.  Please remember to bring along your poster about yourself and the name of your Sponsor.

 What happens during the sacrament of Confirmation?

The Sacrament of Confirmation consists of the renewal of baptismal promises and the laying on of hands and anointing with the oil of Chrism. The anointing of the candidate is a sign of confirming the gift of the Spirit which was given in Baptism and calling the candidates to use these gifts to become involved in the life and mission of the community.

Usually the bishop presides over this sacrament.

What are the symbolic actions of Confirmation?

The Laying On of Hands:  The bishop places his hands on the head of the candidates and prays for the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  This ritualises the connection to Baptism and the strengthening of the Holy Spirit in our vocation to follow the way of Jesus.

Anointing with oil: The anointing of the candidate at Confirmation recognises that they are sealed with the Holy Spirit. The bishop anoints the candidate’s forehead with the Oil of Chrism, saying ‘Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit’.

The Sign of Peace: At the end of the rite, the bishop puts his hand on the side of the candidate’s face and says ‘Peace be with you’ and the candidate replies with ‘And with your spirit’, symbolising the candidate’s place within the Church community.

We pray for all the Candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation and their families.

Kind regards

Sue Benc

BOOK CLUB ORDERS - Orders Due Back on Monday, 31st July

Catalogue #5 was sent out with students last week, all orders are due back by Monday, 31st July 2023.

The Yarram Eisteddfod is scheduled from Monday 31st July -  Monday, 7th August 2023.

Please click on the link to view the current running sheet. We will keep you updated with details of performances as we receive them.

Eisteddfod Running Sheet 2023