Mission

It has been such a joy to welcome our new Kindergarten students and their families to the St Mary’s community! We have also been incredibly proud to witness our current St Mary’s students step up as mentors and friends, offering support and guidance to our newest members. Their kindness and enthusiasm, inspired by Jesus' example of love and compassion, has truly made this transition a smooth and positive experience for everyone. This display of empathy and support reflects our school's Mercy values, which emphasise compassion, service, and justice. 

Beginning of Year Mass & Leaders Induction

Last Wednesday, we celebrated the beginning of a new school year with our whole school Mass, led by Father Joe. It was a special occasion, marked by the formal induction of our new student leaders, who were presented with their leadership badges. It was so lovely to be joined by so many of our parents, carers, and community members as we shared in the Eucharist together, giving thanks for the year ahead and asking for God's blessings on our school community.

Family Parish Mass: Sunday 2nd March

We warmly invite all our students and their families to join us for Mass at St Mary's Church on Sunday, March 2nd at 8:00 am. We would love to worship together as a community. Morning tea will be provided after Mass, offering a chance to connect with one another.

The season of Lent begins before our next edition of the Newsletter, on Wednesday 5th March. Lent is a 40-day season commencing on Ash Wednesday and ending on Holy Thursday. Throughout the 40 days of Lent, we commit more fully to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It is a time for strengthening our faith, a time to reflect on who we are and where we are going. We will be holding two events in the coming weeks to prepare and begin our Lenten season. This is a time we also offer the opportunity for students to participate in almsgiving at school by beginning our collections for Project Compassion. 

 Shrove Tuesday

On Tuesday 4th March, we will begin preparing for our Lenten Journey by celebrating Shrove Tuesday.

Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday was a day of preparing for Lent and feasting. People went to church to confess their sins and then went home and feasted on foods that were forbidden to eat during Lent, such as eggs and fats. One way of eating all the forbidden food was to make pancakes.

Classes will begin their day with a small prayer on Shrove Tuesday followed by pancakes being available for students to purchase for a Gold Coin donation at Lunchtime. We would love parent helpers to assist in the preparation of the pancakes from 9:00am, if you are able to assist please contact the school. 

Ash Wednesday

Our Ash Wednesday liturgy will be held on Wednesday, 5th March at 11:15am. Ash Wednesday begins the forty days of preparation for celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. On Ash Wednesday we receive ashes on our forehead. The ashes are from the burned palms from last year's Palm Sunday, and they are an outward sign that we want to spend Lent growing closer to God. 

Bishop Greg Homeming is the Bishop of our Lismore Catholic Diocese. Each year he presents a series of ever-popular Lenten talks in the lead up to Easter. This year the Bishop is focusing on the Jubilee Year of Hope.

Bishop Greg’s talks will be held on Mondays and will begin at 6pm:

• Monday 10 March
• Monday 17 March
• Monday 24 March

It will be available to view on the Lismore Diocese YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@LismoreDioceseAU

Student Expectations & Values: The St Mary’s Way

Last week at assembly, our student leaders announced that our St Mary's Way focus is…

Like Jesus, I am respectful by using manners and speaking politely. 

It has been lovely to witness our students embracing this focus and interacting so positively with one another. It's heartwarming to see the children actively trying to emulate Jesus' example of respect in their daily interactions, creating a more harmonious and supportive environment for everyone.

Wellbeing 

At the heart of Catholic Education lies a commitment to the wellbeing and safety of every student. Using the Berry Street Education Model, all classes continue to work on establishing and maintaining safe and predictable learning environments through routines. This focus supports our 2025 School Improvement Plan (SAIP) Goal: Uplift student engagement and wellbeing through optimal learning environments.

Along with practicing key routines, all classes engage in daily Christian Meditation, following lunch break, to nurture their ability to be still and silent with God. Christian Meditation is a simple way of silent prayer practiced by Christians as early as the fourth century. Children are natural meditators and readily open their hearts and minds to God’s presence within and around them. Over time, as we develop a regular practice, meditation changes us. The changes that take place can best be described as in St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22)

Koori Kids 2025 ANZAC School Initiative 

Students will today receive a competition entry form for the Koori Kids 2025 ANZAC school initiative. The aim of this initiative is to provide a greater understanding and awareness on the importance and respect of ANZAC Day. We encourage all students to complete and submit their creative entries by returning them to school by Monday 7th April, so they can be mailed off for judging. At a school level, we will have prizes for the top 3 Infants and Top 3 Primary entries!

Three flyers have been attached to this newsletter regarding Behaviour Management, Understanding Bullying and the CCSP Dream Webinar for your information.