Term 1 | 10 March 2025

Principal - Mrs Megan Pearce

Dear Families and Friends of St Mary’s,

As we speed through the term, I like to reflect on some key initiatives guiding our school direction including insights from the Principal Forum last week, our journey as Pilgrims of Hope and our commitment to the Science of Learning through the implementation of  Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) as outlined in our Annual Action Plan for 2025.

Principal Forum – Leading with purpose.

Attending the recent Principal Forum provided valuable opportunities to engage with other leaders and reflect on how we can continue to strengthen our approach to student success. A key focus was ensuring that all learners are given the support to achieve academically, socially, and spiritually. These discussions align closely with our school’s Annual Action Plan, which places a strong emphasis on inclusive education, high-impact teaching strategies and student wellbeing.

Pilgrims of Hope – A Journey of Faith and Action

This year, we are called to be Pilgrims of Hope, inspired by Pope Francis’ vision of faith-filled communities working together for a better future. Hope is at the heart of education – it fuels perseverance inspires growth, and strengths our commitment to each other. Thorough act of service, social justice initiated and everyday kindness our students and staff continue to bring this message to life.

Science of Learning and our commitment to MTSS

A key priority in our Annual Action Plan is the implementation of Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) ensuring that every student receives the right level of academic and well-being support. MTSS is an evidence-based framework that allows us to:

• Provide high quality instruction for all students (tier 1)
• Offer targeted support for students needing extra assistance (tier 2)
• Deliver intensive, individualized interventions were necessary (tier 3)

By embedding Science of Learning principles, such as explicit teaching retrieval practice and structured literacy and numeracy approaches, we are strengthening our commitment to student achievement, ensuring not student gets left behind.

Lent – Love, Faith and Action

This week we marked the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday – a special time to prepare our hearts for Easter. During our school liturgy, students received ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross, reminding us to grow closer to God through our actions.

Lent is a 40-day journey leading us to Easter, the most joyful celebration in our faith. While Lent is often thought of a time to give up something, but it is just as important is the idea of doing more – more kindness, more prayer, more helping others.

As a school we will focus on acts of kindness and generosity throughout lent. We encourage families to find small ways to practice this at home too. Whether it is spending time together without distractions, or helping someone in need, these small efforts bring us closer to God and each other.

Thank you for supporting your children in making this season meaningful by making lent a time of love, faith and action. May this season be a time of growth and joy for your family.

St Mary’s Family Race Day

What a great day we had at our St Mary’s Family Race Day! It was wonderful to see so many families come together to enjoy the fun and community spirit, all while raising funds for our Year 5/6 camp.

Thanks to your generosity we raised approx. $3000 to support our students’ upcoming camp. We are still calculating contributions from Warrego Race Club entry fee and sales of leftover frozen chips today.

To all families who attended, participated and contributed, Thank you! Despite the short time for preparation before the day and the heat on the day we had an amazing day at our St Mary’s Family Race Day. Your enthusiasm and support highlight the wonderful community we have at St Mary’s. A special thank you to our sponsors and donors whose generosity made a big impact. Their contributions to Fashions of the Field, Dash for Cash, Multi-draw and Yabbie Race added much excitement to the day and helped us get closer to our fundraising goals.

Once again, thank you to everyone who played a part in making our Family Race Day a memorable and successful event. Events like these would not be possible without your involvement. We look forward to many more wonderful gatherings in the future.

Embracing Our New Lunchtime Routine

As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the well-being and learning experience of our students, we recently implemented a change to our lunchtime routine by flipping the order of lunch and playtime. I wanted to take this opportunity to share some insights into the benefits of this change and address any concerns you may have.

Benefits of the New Schedule: Research has shown that when students play before eating, they tend to eat more and waste less food. This is because they come to lunch with a healthy appetite and feel less rushed to get to the playground. Additionally, playing first helps reduce behavioural issues, as students return to class calmer and more focused. We have found this flip has supported a more conducive learning environment for all.

Extending playtime to 20 minutes each school break, rather than just 15 minutes, offers numerous benefits for primary school children and puts us in alignment with other schools. It enhances physical health, improves social skills, reduces stress, and boosts focus and productivity in the classroom. Increasing play time from 30 to 40 mins each day for deeper engagement in activities, better well-being, and a more positive learning environment. 

Adjusting to the Change: We understand that adjusting to new routines can take time, and some children may need a little longer to adapt than others. Our teachers and staff are closely monitoring the situation and providing support to ensure that all students feel comfortable and are able to enjoy their lunchtime. We are committed to making any necessary adjustments to ensure a positive and healthy lunchtime experience for everyone.

To help students adjust to the new routine, we are:

• Encouraging them to take their time eating and ensuring they have enough time to finish their meals.
• Providing reminders and gentle guidance to help them settle down and focus on eating.
• Offering additional support to those who may be struggling with the change.

Together, we can make this transition a positive and beneficial experience for all our students.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we work through these changes. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

UP COMING EVENTS WEEK 7

• 
  WEDNESDAY 12th and THURSDAY13th March -NAPLAN TESTING Year 3 and 5

FRIDAY 14^th March -Wear Green Gold Coin Donation for Project Compassion

• In conjunction with St. Patrick's Day Assembly, we will have a Wear Green Day on Friday 14^th March Students and staff are encouraged to wear green and bring a gold coin donation. All proceeds will go towards Project Compassion.

UP COMING EVENTS WEEK 8

• STUDENT-LED CONFERENCES BEGIN

• MONDAY 17^th March -St Patrick’s Day -Jelly Cup Fundraiser for Year 5/6 Camp

• FRIDAY 21^st March -HARMONY DAY Assembly and DISCO

      -P.E.N. AGM

APMI - Miss Imogen Hunt

Sacramental Program

Thank you to all parents who have indicated they would like their child to be part of the 2025 Sacramental Program. On Tuesday night we held a parent information night regarding how the program will be run, the expectations of students and parents. Reconciliation will be on Thursday 8^th May at 9:00am in the church for candidates and their immediate families.

Shrove Tuesday

This week we had Shrove Tuesday which was a big success. Student donated to project compassion and raised over $200 during the morning. Please enjoy so photos of student enjoying a yummy breakfast.

Ash Wednesday

On Wednesday students head to the church for Ash Wednesday. This marks the start of lent. Ask your child what their Lenten promise is and see if you can support them in upholding it for 40 days. Thank you, Father Peter, for creating a beautiful space in the Church.

Warm regards,

Imogen Hunt

Curriculum Coordinator - Mr Tony Kim

Happy Week 7 St Mary’s family!

NAPLAN

A quick update on the goings of curriculum at our school. As you know, NAPLAN will commence Wednesday of this week and continue through Week 8. I have posted the schedule below. The students will require headphones as a part of their NAPLAN delivery. While most students currently have access to their headphones that are kept in the classroom, there were a few students who did not have access. Please double check with your student to ensure that they have access. We do have access to spares in case of technical problems, but it is preferable that each student has access to their own pair.

If for any reason students are absent during the NAPLAN testing period, there are catch up sessions that are available.

If there are any concerns or queries regarding NAPLAN, please do not hesitate to reach out.

STEM CLUB

I would like to thank the many students who attended STEM club during lunchtimes the last couple of weeks. It has been an absolute blast having so many students interested and engaged with building, designing and programming technology.

The program will continue to build and grow with exciting new projects and programs planned. Keep an eye on this space for further news 😊

Thank you for your continued support!

Tony Kim
Curriculum Coordinator

Health - Mrs Susan McInnes

Health News – This Term’s Adventure

This term in Health, students have embarked on an exciting journey of self-awareness and emotional regulation.

In Prep to Year 2, students have been exploring ways to calm their minds and bodies through breathing techniques. They have learned to recognize how their bodies feel before and after practicing these techniques. Additionally, they have been building a toolkit of strategies to help them navigate challenges. As part of this journey, each class has created its own unique chant, fostering a strong sense of belonging you can enjoy a read through of these below.

For students in Years 3 to 6, the adventure continues on to the ‘Island of Calm,’ where they take on the role of captains, steering their own journeys. Through this exploration, they have discovered how a calm mind and body can help direct their attention toward their goals. Students have practiced techniques to sustain focus and have delved into the power of self-talk—learning to recognize pessimistic thoughts and reframe them in a more optimistic way. They have also been reflecting deeply on the kind of person they want to be and the impact they hope to leave on the world.

So far, students have embraced these challenges with a positive mindset, making incredible progress on their journey toward self-growth and resilience.

Thanks Ms Mac.

Sport - Mr Pete Lambourne

The first half of Term 1 has been action-packed in PE! Our Preps have been working hard on developing their fundamental basketball skills, while students in Years 1-6 have been focusing on key soccer skills, building confidence and teamwork along the way.

A huge congratulations to our twelve students who represented St Mary’s at the recent District Swimming Carnival! An extra special shoutout to the five students who qualified for the South West team and will compete at the State Titles – an incredible achievement!

Week four saw an exciting visit from the NRL Dolphins, who put our Year 5 and 6 students through their paces with a series of fun and challenging drills. It was a fantastic experience for our students to learn from professional athletes and test their rugby league skills.

Looking ahead, the Girls Allstars Futsal Tournament kicks off in Week 6, giving our female athletes an opportunity to showcase their futsal talents in a competitive and supportive environment. It is sure to be an exciting event!

Run Club continues to be a wonderful way for students to get active before school, held every Thursday morning. As we approach the end of term, all eyes are on Week 10, when our Cross Country and Colour Run will take place on Monday – a day full of fitness, fun, and friendly competition!

A big thank you to all students for their enthusiasm and effort so far this term. Keep up the great work!

Pete Lambourne
P.E. Teacher

School Guidance Counsellor - Mr Jesse Kupper

Dear Parents,

In this edition of our newsletter, I wanted to share some information around students and videogames.

In today's digital age, video games have become a significant part of children's activities. While they offer fun, learning, and social interaction, it is essential to be aware of the hidden negative effects of inappropriate video games on young minds. With easy access to games, we are seeing these negative impacts more often in our communities. Below are some of these concerns to help you make informed decisions about your child's gaming habits.

1. **Desensitization to Violence**: Many popular video games contain graphic violence, which can make children more accepting of aggressive behaviour. Over time, they might see violence as a normal way to solve problems, affecting their interactions with others. Games like Grand Theft Auto feature satire-based violence and inappropriate themes. Without understanding satire, children might develop distorted worldviews.

1. **Impaired Social Skills**: Inappropriate video games often promote isolated play, reducing face-to-face interaction. This lack of social engagement can hinder the development of essential skills like empathy, communication, and teamwork. Children who spend too much time gaming might struggle to make real-world connections and build meaningful relationships.

1. **Impact on Academic Performance**: Excessive gaming can interfere with school responsibilities. Time spent on video games can reduce homework hours, leading to poor time management and lower grades. The constant stimulation from gaming can also make it hard for children to focus on schoolwork and tasks that need sustained attention.

1. **Sleep Disruptions**: The immersive nature of video games can lead to long play sessions, often extending into late-night hours. This disrupts a child's sleep schedule, resulting in insufficient rest. Lack of sleep can negatively affect a child's mood, cognitive function, and overall well-being, impacting their performance in school and daily activities.

1. **Exposure to Inappropriate Content**: Many video games contain themes and language unsuitable for young audiences. Exposure to such content can shape a child's worldview in unhealthy ways, influencing their values, attitudes, and behaviours. It is crucial to monitor the games your child plays to ensure they align with your family's values and are age appropriate. Many concepts in video games may be new to children and require explanation and comparison to real-world variations, e.g., death in match-based video games versus death in real life. Games often skip these real-world comparisons, leaving children with unrealistic views of important life skills.

1. **Addictive Behaviour**: The captivating nature of video games can lead to addictive behaviour, where children prioritize gaming over other important activities. This addiction can cause behavioural changes, such as irritability when not playing, withdrawal from social interactions, and a constant preoccupation with gaming. Addressing this issue early on is vital to prevent long-term consequences.

**What Can Parents Do?**

1. **Set Limits**: Establish clear guidelines for gaming time, ensuring a balance with other activities like homework, outdoor play, and family time.
2. **Monitor Content**: Use parental controls and review game ratings to choose age-appropriate games for your child.
3. **Encourage Social Interaction**: Promote activities that foster real-world social skills, such as team sports, group hobbies, and family outings.
4. **Discuss the Effects**: Have open conversations with your child about the potential negative impacts of inappropriate video games and the importance of making responsible choices.
5. **Lead by Example**: Model balanced screen habits by demonstrating healthy ways to use technology.

While video games can be fun and engaging, it is essential to stay vigilant about their potential hidden negative effects. By taking proactive steps, parents can help their children enjoy the benefits of gaming while safeguarding their emotional, social, and academic well-being.

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