Term 4 Week 8 | 20 November 2024

Principal - Ms Katrina Dunne

SHREK Jr THE MUSICAL | What a night!

Last Friday night, our much-anticipated school musical took the stage at the Racecourse Complex to a ‘sell-out’ crowd! We extend our apologies to audience members who missed out on dinner, as the turnout was much larger than we had dreamed of. Thank you all for attending and making the evening a resounding success! Under the dedicated guidance of Mrs Thomas, Miss Spalding, and their incredible crew, our talented students showcased their hard work and creativity. We are incredibly proud of their commitment and enthusiasm.

Special Thanks

We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to several key individuals who contributed to the success of the event:

• Ben Doolan for making and donating the stunning backdrop sets.
• Michael Young for organising the bar and coordinating his team of helpers.
• Vanessa Alexander for arranging the food and managing the kitchen team.
• Jessica Young for her expertise in social media productions and for handling the stage lighting on the night.
• Matt Little for providing sound equipment and expertly managing the many microphones throughout the evening.
• Mr Pete for his tireless work pulling the curtains all night.
• Betty Thomas and Sienna Young for their exceptional skills with the backstage crew.
• Our wonderful teachers who assisted at the doors and in the dressing rooms.

 Thank you for being part of such a spectacular evening!

Class Teachers for 2025 | Recruitment Update

Despite our recent efforts, we have not yet been able to attract suitable applicants for our teaching positions, curriculum coordinator role and learning support teacher position. In response, we have readvertised all available roles through SEEK and our social media channels. If you have any contacts who might be interested in joining the fabulous teaching team at St Mary’s School, please reach out and encourage them to apply. Your support in spreading the word is invaluable as we strive to find the best educators for our students.

Thank you for your continued partnership in ensuring our school has the staff it needs to provide an exceptional learning environment!

End of Year Events

Mark your calendars and join us for these special events:

Whole School Swimming Carnival

• Date: Friday, 29th November
• Time: 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
• Location: Charleville Town Pool

Come cheer on our students as they showcase their swimming skills and enjoy a day filled with fun and friendly competition!

Annual Awards Evening

• Date: Wednesday, 4th December
• Time: Starting at 5:00 pm

Join us for an inspiring evening as we celebrate the achievements of our students. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognise their hard work and dedication throughout the year.

End of Year Liturgy

• Date: Thursday, 5th December
• Time: 8:30 am
• Location: St Mary’s Church

All are welcome to attend this special liturgy as we come together to reflect and give thanks for the year that has passed. We hope to see all of you at these events as we wrap up another fantastic school year together!

Have a fabulous fortnight ahead!

Cheers, 

Katrina 

AP M & I - Mrs Kirsty Lines

Prayer Assemblies

We look forward to Year 4’s coming prayer assembly this Friday, November 22^nd, in the PAH at 11:10am.  Prep will then perform their Nativity prayer assembly on Thursday, November 28^th in the PAH at 11:10am (swimming carnival on Friday, 29 November).  A huge thank you to parents, grandparents and our St Mary’s community for your strong support of prayer assemblies this year – we always have a full hall and your encouragement of our staff and students by being present and supporting the religious life of the school is one of the fantastic qualities of St Mary’s!

Liturgical Season of Advent

Due to the extra week of this term, we can celebrate with students the season of Advent, which begins on Sunday, December 1^st.  In the Catholic tradition, Advent is a season of joyful waiting, with symbols such as the advent wreath on display in church.  In class students will be learning about Advent traditions and why it is such an important time.  I encourage you to ask your children about the season of Advent and special things we can do when waiting for Jesus’ birth (ie – Advent calendars, lighting an Advent wreath).  Please see a picture below of the Advent Wreath at St Mary’s Church – maybe your family would like to make their own wreath?

Good Luck Addison and Nevaeh

Please keep Addison and Nevaeh (Yr 5) in your prayers as they prepare to make their Confirmation & Holy Communion within our Anglican community.  Once confirmed, the girls will be able to receive the blessed Sacrament within Catholic masses as well.  We are so excited for the girls and wish them all the best for their Confirmation on Sunday, 22^nd December at 8:30am. 

Continued Prayers for Sr Elizabeth

Sr Elizabeth continues to recover in Brisbane from her fall and will hopefully return to Charleville in 2025.  Thank you for your prayers and we continue to pray her recovery is swift and pain free. 

Curriculum - Mrs Vanessa Alexander

Dear Families,

As we come to the end of the school year, 7 weeks stretch out before us before school returns in 2025. For me, this is a long time, even if some of it is spent on holidays and with family over the Christmas period. Here are some creative and fun strategies to make the most of your time together!

Exploring Nature

Take learning outdoors! Go for a nature walk and encourage your kids to observe their surroundings. Bring along a notebook to jot down interesting findings, like different types of leaves or insects. You can even turn it into a mini science project by researching what you find together.

Cooking as a Classroom

Cooking is a fantastic way to teach math, science, and even history. Involve your kids in meal preparation by measuring ingredients, discussing the chemical reactions in baking, or exploring the origins of different cuisines. Plus, you get to enjoy a delicious meal together!

Arts and Crafts

Encourage creativity through arts and crafts. Set up a project that relates to what they’re learning in school, like creating a poster about a historical figure or making a model of the solar system. This hands-on approach helps reinforce concepts in a fun way.

Reading Together

Make reading a daily habit. Choose books that interest your kids and take turns reading aloud. Discuss the story, characters, and themes to enhance comprehension. You can also explore audiobooks for a different experience!

Educational Games

Turn learning into play with educational games. Board games, card games, and online resources can teach everything from math skills to critical thinking.

Visit Local Museums or Libraries

Take advantage of local resources like museums, libraries, and community centres. Plan a visit and discuss what you learned afterwards.

Encourage Questions

Foster curiosity by encouraging your kids to ask questions about the world around them. Use their inquiries as a springboard for research projects or discussions. This not only enhances their knowledge but also builds critical thinking skills.

Incorporate Technology

Use educational apps and websites to supplement learning. There are many resources available that make learning interactive and fun. Just be sure to balance screen time with other activities!

I hope these suggestions help you all navigate the summer break together!

Vanessa Alexander

Learning Support - Mrs Emily Wright

Hi Families,

It’s hard to believe this is our final newsletter piece for the year. A special thank-you to our wonderful teachers & school officers, who have provided support in the classroom and in the implementation of targeted support programs during the year. We have evidence of wonderful growth amongst all learners.

Wishing you joy and happiness over the holiday period.

Library - Mrs Michelle Sheehan

Issue 8 catalogues have finally arrived, however there is a quick turn around with orders due Friday 22nd November. Just for your information, orders did arrive the week after school finished last year and were collected from the office. For those wishing to place an online Loop order from this bumper issue, please use the following link.

https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/parent.aspx

Love the enthusiasm we have for Book Fair and how fantastic the Year 5 and 6 students were assisting the Prep and Year 1 students to complete their Wish List.

The Arts - Mrs Leilani Thomas

Shrek the Musical Jr: 

I am both thrilled and deeply proud of our students for their performances in Shrek the Musical.

This production has been a labour of love for our talented students, who have poured their hearts and creativity into every song, dance, and scene. It has been such a joy to watch these young performers grow in confidence and skill, pushing themselves to be the best they can be. From the very first rehearsal, they've brought enthusiasm, and a wonderful sense of fun to the process—and I know you will agree that spirit shone brightly on the stage.  

Shrek the Musical Jr. is a story about acceptance, friendship, and finding out who you truly are. It embraces everything we try to promote in our Arts program here at St Mary’s. Throughout the musical, the message is loud and clear, be you, uniquely you, embrace what makes you different and understand that what makes you special, makes you strong.  

Just like the characters in this show, every one of our performers brought something special to the table, and together they created something truly magical. 

I'd like to take a moment to thank all the staff, and volunteers who have supported the production. From the bar and canteen to the lighting and sets—there are so many people who have worked behind the scenes to make this show a reality. Without their dedication, our musical would not have been possible. 

And of course, I’d like to thank the families for your continued support. Whether sitting in the audience or helping us with the long list of jobs that go into making a musical, your encouragement means the world to these young performers. Your support not only makes them feel loved, but it also makes them believe in their own potential, creating these spectacular opportunities for our performers.

Finally, a very special thank you to our beautiful Ms Katherine Spalding & Mrs Jessica Young, none of this would have happened without them.

Health - Ms Susan McInnes

Term four has been buzzing with activity as students dive into the Deadly Choices Programs. The classrooms have been alive with chatter about building resilience, adopting healthy habits, and identifying harmful substances. And let's not forget the highlight—participating in traditional Indigenous games! It's fantastic to see all students so engaged and actively participating in their learning journey.

As we approach week 9, excitement is building to find out who the lucky winners of the Fitbit watches will be. Remember, to be in the running, make sure you've completed your health checks!

Stay healthy and keep up the great work everyone! 🎉

Ms Mac.

Physical Education - Mr Pete Lambourne

As we wrap up this term, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the exciting activities our students participated in over the past eight weeks. This term has been a wonderful blend of cultural appreciation and essential life skills, featuring three weeks of First Nations games followed by five weeks of swimming.

Weeks 1-3: First Nations Games

Our journey began with an engaging exploration of First Nations games. These weeks were filled with energy and enthusiasm as students participated in traditional games that not only promoted physical fitness but also deepened their understanding of Indigenous cultures.

Highlights from the First Nations Games:

• Gunna: Students honed their hand-eye coordination and teamwork skills while having fun.
• Kukuburra: This lively tag game encouraged students to develop agility and quick thinking.
• Traditional Relay Races: These races integrated storytelling elements, fostering collaboration and a sense of community.

Throughout these activities, students learned about the significance of these games in First Nations cultures, helping to cultivate respect and appreciation for diversity.

Weeks 4-8: Swimming

Following our cultural exploration, we transitioned into five weeks of swimming instruction. This part of the term focused on developing essential swimming skills and promoting water safety, ensuring students felt confident and secure in the water.

Key Components of Our Swimming Program:

• Stroke Development: Students learned and practiced various strokes, including freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke, enhancing their swimming techniques.
• Water Safety: We emphasised crucial safety skills such as floating, treading water, and recognising safe swimming conditions.

Achievements and Goals

By the end of this term, students not only gained valuable swimming skills but also developed a greater appreciation for First Nations cultures. They demonstrated increased confidence in the water and a better understanding of the importance of water safety.

Looking Ahead

As we move into the next term, I encourage students to continue their active lifestyles and apply the skills and knowledge they have gained. Thank you to all the students for their enthusiasm and participation, and to the parents for your continued support.

Get Ready for Our Swimming Carnival!

As we approach week 9, I am excited to announce the much-anticipated Swimming Carnival! This event will be a fantastic culmination of the swimming skills our students have developed over the past five weeks.

Warm regards,

Pete Lambourne

P.E. Teacher

Guidance Counsellor - Mr Jesse Kupper

Hello all,

For this edition of the newsletter, I was hoping to share some information on the Triple P Parenting program. While I am not an affiliate with the program, we have heard of many great experiences from families across the diocese with Triple P programs which are all completely government funded (FREE!) for parents and caregivers.

The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is an evidence-based initiative designed to help parents and caregivers develop effective parenting strategies. It aims to enhance the knowledge, skills, and confidence of parents to manage their children’s behavior and prevent problems from developing.

Each Triple P program has been developed through ongoing studies and knowledge about child development and psychology. This evidence-based, university-developed program, created here in Australia, is now supported by more than 35 years of ongoing research:

• MoMore than 740 Australian and international trials, studies and published papers, including
• MoMore than 380 evaluation studies, which includes
• MMMore than 180 randomised controlled trials

Here are some key aspects of the program:

Levels of Support: Triple P offers different levels of support, from brief seminars and discussion groups to more intensive one-on-one sessions, depending on the family’s needs.

Specialist Programs: There are tailored programs for parents of children with disabilities, parents of babies, those dealing with divorce and transitions, and other specific situations.

Global Reach: The program is used in over 30 countries and has been shown to be effective across various cultures and family structures.

Focus Areas: It covers a wide range of parenting concerns, including managing behavior, establishing routines, and promoting children’s emotional well-being.

• Build skills they’ll need for life, like getting along with others, managing emotions, and becoming more independent.
• Learn simple, proven strategies to improve behaviour and feel calmer.
• Confidently create the best environment for your child’s development.
• Grow closer, build a stronger bond and help them grow up happy, capable and resilient.

If the Triple P parenting program does sound of interest, please follow this link to learn more:

Happier, healthier, less stressed kids & families | Triple P

Triple P also offer a course tailored for parents of anxious children which can be found at:

Online parenting course - help kids overcome anxiety | Triple P

Tuckshop - Mrs Alice Short

As this week is our last tuckshop for the year there will be limited amounts of some items. An alternative will be offered to your child. There is no tuckshop in Week 9 due to the swimming carnival.

Uniform Shop - Ms Loretta Clayton

November Birthdays

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