Dear Parents and Friends of St Mary’s

As we navigate through this extension of remote learning I would like to
congratulate all the students and families for their resilience and patience. I have
had the opportunity to move in and out of Google Meets across the week and
the delight and banter coming from the children has been wonderful to see. The
learning taking place through Google classroom via live stream has been
targeted to the needs of all our students, and a huge thank you to all the staff for
their wonderful work.

Last Friday we had Book Week dress up day, and I must say the children looked
fabulous as their favourite characters. Meeting with the students across the
school was a chance to chat and celebrate the theme Old Worlds, New Worlds
and Other Worlds.

This weekend we celebrate our Fathers, and the Great Blokes in our lives. I
hope you make them feel loved and cherished with a delicious breakfast and
plenty of quality time together.

For those separated by this lockdown I hope you can manage time virtually and
celebrate how special they are to us all.

Take care and stay well.
Maria

1. CALENDAR OF EVENTS

TERM 3 2021

September

TERM 4 2021

October

November

December

MONDAY 1ST NOVEMBER - SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY

TUESDAY 2ND NOVEMBER - MELBOURNE CUP PUBLIC HOLIDAY

TERM 3

MONDAY 12TH JULY - FRIDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER

TERM 4

MONDAY 4TH OCTOBER - THURSDAY 16TH DECEMBER

2022 TERM 1

MONDAY 31st JANUARY 2022 - TERM 1 STARTS FOR STUDENTS

Lars, Inara, Jikaya, Arlin and Max on a Google Meet mini lesson

Dear Parents,

It has come to our attention that there are students who have been experiencing feelings of being overwhelmed and anxious about COVID and what the future looks like. With the current lockdown being extended I have included an information sheet for students and a link from the Queensland Government for a Wellbeing book. There are some great activities on there to help them feel calmer and become more mindful of their feelings. Have a look and if you are able to download it I think it will be a great tool to incorporate into their day. If you have any concerns about how your children are feeling please give me a call at school or reach out to your child’s classroom teacher.

https://education.qld.gov.au/curriculums/learningfromhome/wellbeing-activities-booklet.pdf

Debra Owens
Senior Teacher and Adjustments Leader.

FELING HAPPY AND SAFE

Book Week Dress up Day

Well done everyone for participating in our book week dress up day. Thank you for emailing me your photos for us all to enjoy.

Pre Loved Library Book Sale  

This will be rescheduled for a later date.

This week we celebrated two special events in our Church Calendar. Social
Justice Day and World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.

Social Justice Sunday
We celebrated Social Justice Sunday on the 29th of August. In their Social
Justice Statement for 2021–22, Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor, the Australian
Catholic Bishops say, “the signs of the times are clear - we know that we
human beings need a change of heart, mind, and behaviour”. The Statement
provides theological foundations to ground and inspire our efforts to care for
creation while responding to the needs of the disadvantaged and excluded.

World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation
The Season of Creation begins on 1st of September (World Day of Prayer for the
Care of Creation) until 4th of October (the Feast of St Francis of Assisi).
Christians worldwide celebrate the wonderful gift of God's creation in
September each year during the Season of Creation. It is a time to give thanks
for the gift of God's creation and an opportunity to feel connected and
empowered as communities of faith as we respond to the many cries of our
Earthly home.

I would ask that we all prayer as a family for the gift of our beautiful world, to
say thanks for all we have and for guidance to make a difference in our own
way. I ask that you also say lots of prayers that the governments of each
country realise that we must look after our world and care for it for all the
generations to come.

Kind Regards Sue Benc

Macy and Ivy making GF Mac and Cheese. They have been helping with dinner every night. 

Well done girls and I think we may call this.... 

  " Cooking in Tiaras"

In praise of fathers: the place of the modern dad

Fatherhood has been transformed from the breadwinner and disciplinarian role of the past to a far more complex framework.
Here’s how:
Diversity rules
A look at dierent cultures even within our shores shows there’s no one ‘right way’ to be a dad. Fathers have a strong biological
urge to ensure their children’s survival, which drives dads to be protective, some to have high expectations and others to
promote self-suiciency. Fathers may dier in how they parent, but ultimately, we all belong to the same valued club. Fathers
almost universally want what’s best for their child.

Please View Full Article

Upcoming Webinar for Parents
Dr Kristy Goodwin presents: Taming digital distractions

The webinar will be held on 8 September 2021 at 8-9 PM AEST.

Dr Kristy Goodwin is a digital wellbeing and peak-performance speaker, author and researcher (and mum who also deals with her kids’ techno-tantrums!) She’s the author of Raising Your Child in a Digital World, and a media commentator who doesn’t suggest that we ban the iPhone, or unplug the gaming console (digital abstinence isn’t the solution). Kristy worked as an educator for fourteen years before becoming an academic and speaker who’s on a mission to help children, teens and
adults tame their technology habits so they’re not a slave to the screen.

This school has a membership with Parenting Ideas, one of Australia’s most trusted sources of parenting education and support. As part of this membership, all the parents in this school
community can attend this webinar at no cost.

Please view article with instructions on watching the Webinar

 Happy Father's Day to all our Dads, Granddads and special blokes in our St Mary's Community.

Many in our school community continue to face financial impacts as a result of the COVID-1 pandemic.

We are committed to supporting families experiencing financial challenges through
our School Fee Concession programs, and encourage any parent/carer/guardian experiencing difficulties to contact us regarding fee assistance.
Please contact Heather at hleemon@stmyarram.catholic.edu.au to explore confidential financial support arrangements or to obtain further information.