Term 4 Dates

End of Year Review

It is really hard to believe that this is the last newsletter for the school year - once again the year has gone amazingly fast!

I started this year with an optimistic outlook and certainty that we couldn’t have another year like 2020, well I was certainly wrong! I would like to comment, however, that even though we have again experienced lockdowns and restrictions, we have coped remarkably well. 

I would also like to acknowledge our hard-working and flexible staff. In a year that has provided change after change, they have stayed positive and upbeat and have consistently modelled resilience and optimism to our students. They tackled new technology learning with vigour, creativity and diligence.

I cannot thank our parent body enough. During our Remote Learning period each parent tried their very best to deliver the set education to their children whilst juggling their own work commitments and in most cases, other children as well. 

This year our students have remained on task and settled, each taking whatever came their way in their stride. They all engaged online as much as was possible and tried their best to complete tasks without their teachers beside them. A highlight was seeing each student at our TEAMS meetings.

This year we have tried to remain focused on our School Improvement Plan, regardless of the interruptions, and I believe that we have achieved a lot!

Our staff has had focussed participation in the High Impact Teaching Practices in Action program by working with COGLEARN and Toni Hatten Roberts. All of our staff have participated in professional development. We have learnt about Cognitive Load Theory, interleaving, spaced instruction, daily review and the Science of Learning and Reading. Our primary staff have uploaded videos for coaching and feedback, these have been specifically about preparing and delivering Daily Review and explicit lessons. 

I would like to present a summary of some of our other developments and achievements over the past year.

• Air-conditioning units for the K/6/Lab/Library/Admin/AP/Principal's Office and Staffroom, with one for the Performing Arts Room to come. Thanks to the P&F for their contribution towards these.
• Continued Spelling, Reading, Maths and Comprehension Intervention Programs
• Whole Staff Professional Learning in the explicit instruction teaching strategy
• Remote Learning Procedures and Microsoft TEAMS
• MacqLit Training - Year 3-6 literacy intervention program that develops phonemic awareness, phonological knowledge, vocabulary, comprehension, and phonics 
• Interactive Panel – Lab/Library with one to come for the Performing Arts/Kindergarten Room (thanks also to the P&F Association)
• A relationship with Royal Far West allied health services -  Telecare for Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist and Psychologist supports.

Our future improvement plans moving into 2022 and beyond include:

• Painting Performing Arts/Kindergarten Room
• PA system
• New teacher laptops
• Old Hall floor resurfacing
• Toilet block at the bottom oval.
• Continued focus on the development of high impact teaching practices
• Development of parent information sessions to support wellbeing and knowledge of school programs
• Continued relationship with Royal Far West and access to Telecare for Speech and Occupational Therapy – next year we have attained five places.

Of course, other suggestions are welcomed.

In a year that has presented ongoing challenges, I would like to thank you all for your unwavering support! 

I would like to thank our board members Fr Joshy, Sr Rosemary, Andrew Pursell, Sally Gamble, Daniel Walsh, Marty Reynolds, Belinda Tarlinton and Rachael Croker. I thank and farewell Andrew and Sally and welcome James McCormack and Reané Strode in Term One 2022. 

I would also like to thank our active Parents and Friends Association. Once again they have pulled together COVID-friendly fundraising events to fulfil their monetary support for the school. Thank you to everyone who has coordinated events, been involved with events and volunteered in any capacity. I would especially like to mention Daniel Walsh (President), Catherine Culley, Rechell Naughton, Allison Hewitt, Melissa Haynes and Jolene Grove and Reané Strode (P&F Executive Committee) for their support this year.

Next week, we farewell our wonderful Year Six class, along with the Kemp, Gamble, R Allport, Cramp, Parsons, Pursell, Marcelino, Skelly, Lawson and Mallinson families. We wish you all the best for the journey ahead and know that we will always be here for you.

Year Six we pray that you relish the opportunities that come your way, be thankful for your families and always remember that your soul needs nurturing as much as your mind. We know that you will all continue to succeed. 

To conclude, I would like to wish everyone a safe, happy and holy Christmas and we will see you again when school resumes for all students on Tuesday 1 February 2022. 

Leadership Changeover

I would also like to recognise and thank our outgoing Year Six class for the fine leadership they have provided the other students and assistance and positive attitude they have offered the staff. You can all be very proud of your time as a St Mary’s student - you have been wonderful students and leaders.

Twelve months ago I announced Bridie and Seth as our School Captains. I would like to thank them for their leadership. I do not think I'll ever forget our makeshift morning virtual assemblies. I would also like to thank Lucy, Patrick, Phoebe and George for the outstanding job they have done as our Sports Captains. You have all provided fine role models to our Year Five students moving into these positions.

Last week, our Year Five students presented speeches outlining why they wanted to be our 2022 School and House Captains. The quality of speeches that the students gave in self-nominating for Captain positions was excellent. They showed insight into what leadership means and represents. The students were able to articulate why they felt they would be a suitable candidate and they also managed to engage their audience with a few songs!

Thank you to all of the students who volunteered themselves for these positions. I have every confidence that each and every one of you would make excellent leaders and you will, regardless of the outcome, have opportunities for this next year.

On Wednesday last week each student at St Mary’s voted for the students they would like to see fill our Captain’s roles. These roles are filled solely by the student vote and as per usual, the staff did not vote.

Congratulations to the following students who will help lead our school in an official capacity next year:

School Captains

Sophia Galland and Finn McCormack

Lawrence Captains

Sommer-Lee Gann and Toby Charnock

Aloysius Captains

Ava Nicholson and William Millet

We congratulate all the students who ran for roles and congratulate them on their wonderful display of sportspersonship and resilience. 

Our new Captains will receive their badges and be inducted into their roles at our Opening Mass on Thursday 10 February at 12pm.

End of Year Events

Year Six Farewell - UPDATED 

This year our Year Six Graduation events will occur on Monday 13 December. The evening will commence at 6.00pm with the Graduation Ceremony, followed by Dinner, Awards Presentation, cutting of the cake and final assembly at the Services Club for Year Six students, parents/carers/adult guests and staff.

PLEASE NOTE - The Graduation Mass has been cancelled and replaced with a Graduation Ceremony at the Service Club as Fr Joshy is unable to join us.

Final Assembly

The Year Six class will present their Final Assembly for our students in the sails area (weather pending) on the last day of school, Wednesday 15 December. The recipients of Awards will be re-acknowledged at this Assembly. This will be a repeat of the Monday evening performance.

The Year Six children will first present to our Kindergarten, Year One and Year Two cohort at 12.30pm. They will then do a repeat performance at 2.00pm for our Year Three to Five cohort.

If parents and family wish to attend one of these repeat performances, can you please let Belinda know so that COVID-safe seating can be arranged. 

Semester Two Student Reports

Tomorrow, you will receive your child's Semester Two Progress Report and Work Sample Folder.

You will notice that your child's Student Report has a different format to that of past years. This is because our reporting is now done through Compass, the same system we use for attendance. I think you will find the new format to be clearer to read and more informative.

Your child’s Work Sample Folder will contain work samples taken from a variety of learning areas across the semester. There will be a variety of draft and published pieces so that you can see your child’s everyday work standards.

If you have any questions about either of these progress documents please make an appointment to see your child’s classroom teacher.

Absence from School

Thank you for your help with tidying up our unexplained absences and we apologise for some of the attendance errors during our Remote Learning time. As you can imagine it was difficult for staff to keep this up to date.

A reminder that any time your child/ren are away from school for any instance, that you notify the Office, fill in the Schoolzine absentee form or send in a note as soon as possible. This will enable their teacher to be aware and our records to be a true indication.  

Morning Club

2022 Term Dates for Students

Term 1: Tuesday 1 February to Friday 8 April

Term 2: Wednesday 27 April - Friday 1 July

Term 3: Tuesday 19 July to Friday 23 September

Term 4: Tuesday 11 October to Thursday 15 December

Please ensure that your school fee account is paid as soon as possible.

Reminder letters for overdue amounts will be sent out soon.

Thank you for your assistance with this, before the end of our school year. 

Get Ready for Jesus’ Birthday

This Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent and it is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means “rejoice” in Latin. At the beginning of this Sunday’s Mass we say: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:4,5). And we light the pink candle on our Advent wreath.

During the Christmas season most of us like to rejoice by spending more on presents, food, decorations etc. It is a time for spending, partying and lots of giving. Our God was extremely giving when he gave us the gift of Jesus… but Jesus came in plain wrapping—he was the infant of two poor migrants. (Who very likely would be turned away from Australian shores in this day and age!) There was no designer cot for Jesus; not even the comforts of home. But the gift of that child was so rich and fine, that poor shepherds and educated wise men from far countries, were all drawn to him with tears of joy. And over the following 2021 years countless others, like Mary Mackillop, have been drawn to His message of peace and love.

So perhaps this Christmas we could think about giving ourselves in addition to giving ‘stuff.’

What kind of presence am I to those I love? How can I give myself as a present to others? Am I aware of God’s presence in my life? We tend to forget that God’s presence is enough to meet our innermost desires. This Christmas season is a great time to spend more time in God’s peaceful presence; and more time exploring the power and wonder of our own presence with others. What better present can we give to our Lord and each other!

 A few suggestions for special gifts:

A warm welcome

Time for a phone conversation

A firm handshake to a shaky soul

A kind word to a lonely person

A warm smile to the disheartened

A sincere concern for someone troubled

Compassion for the neglected

Comforting words for the bereaved

A word of witness to help a seeking soul

A patient and non-judgemental listening ear

Wishing you all joy and peace this Christmas season

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

Many thanks to those who supported our St Vinnies Christmas appeal. St Vinnies staff were overwhelmed by the generosity of St Mary’s School community this morning when they received our donations.

In Appreciation

St Mary’s School Community wishes to thank Fr Joshy, Fr Alex and Sr Rosemary for their wonderful nurturing support and for guiding us on our Faith journey this year. We also warmly welcome Fr Joseph who will be with us for the next 6 months.

Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Sportsperson of the Year awards

This week CE Archdiocesan Sport Coordinator, Sheree Bush, presented an Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Sportsperson of the Year award at St Mary’s.

The award of Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Sportsperson of the Year in the Junior Girls Category went to Sophia Galland.

Sophia is an all-rounder in the sporting arena and has excelled in the sport of Hockey. Sophia represented the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn at the MacKillop trials that were held in Canberra in May 2021. There was an immense amount of talent on display and Sophia was one of the five Canberra Goulburn girls selected in the MacKillop team to compete at the NSWPSSA Championships. The MacKillop team finished the NSWPSSA championships in 6th place out of the 13 competing teams.

From the NSWPSSA Championships Sophia was one of only two players from the MacKillop team that was selected in the NSW Merit Team. Merit teams were selected due to there being no School Sport Australia Championships this year. This is additionally an exceptional achievement as Sophia is only 11 years old and in Year 5.

Anna Turnbull who was Sophia’s MacKillop hockey coach has said that Sophia was an incredibly talented and valuable member of the MacKillop Girls Hockey Team in 2021. Sophia was always humble in her success and achievements and a calm leader that inspired her teammates through her actions. She always led by example putting in the extra effort to reap the gains. Sophia had an incredibly successful pathway campaign this year where she was awarded players player by her Mackillop teammates and was selected into the NSW PSSA Merit Team.

Sophia displayed her all-round ability with her selection in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn cricket side and was one of our brightest hopes for selection in the MacKillop team. Unfortunately, the MacKillop Cricket trials did not go ahead this year due to Covid.

Sophia additionally qualified for the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn ‘Virtual’ Athletics Championships this year. Further to this achievement she was selected in the Canberra Goulburn ‘Merit’ team for Long Jump.

Congratulations Sophia on all your exceptional achievements this year and being crowned our inaugural Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Sportsperson of the Year – Junior Female for 2021.

In a close contest for the title of the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Male Junior Sportsperson of the year there was a four-way tie for the overall 2nd place.

Congratulations to George Skelly achieving 2nd Place in Junior Boys.

The tradition of exceptional hockey players from Crookwell continues as George achieved great things in his chosen sport this year.

George along with three other Canberra Goulburn representatives was selected in the MacKillop Team to compete at the NSWPSSA Championships. The MacKillop team had an exceptional tournament as they finished in 4th place out of the 13 competing teams.

George took his representative achievements to the next level as he was one of only two boys from the MacKillop team selected in the NSW Merit side. Merit teams were selected due to there being no School Sport Australia Championships this year.

Congratulations George on your outstanding efforts this year.

Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn Sport

National Bush 2 Beach Water Safety Week

Swimming Carnival 2022- FINAL REMINDER

Please complete the permission slip and return to school by TOMORROW. This will inform our decision on how many buses we require for transport.

Thank you in advance for your assistance with this.

This week K-2 will be bringing home some artwork which they completed in Performing Arts in Term 3. The artwork formed part of a Drama and Creative Arts mini unit which was based on the book "Not a Stick" by Antoinette Portis. We read the book and explored the things a stick could be other than just a stick! Students were then provided with small sticks of their own and in groups, they brainstormed different things a stick could be and how they could act these ideas out to the class. After their performances, students chose their favourite idea for a stick and created a piece of art incorporating a paddle pop stick as their "stick". I think you will find some fun and interesting ideas if you find the artwork in their bags!

 Following on from our Rhythmic Gymnastics dance unit and to finish the year, we have been working on a Circus skills mini unit which builds and practices drama and dance skills. Students have been learning balance in various forms, juggling, stilt walking, mini tramp, hoola hoops and more! This week we focused on partner balance poses which was received with much enthusiasm. Perhaps your child could tell you about some of the poses they have learnt or their favourite circus skill?

Wishing you all a happy and safe holiday period,

Mrs McCormack

“You won’t know if you like it or not unless you try it!!”

For our last Japanese lessons of 2021, all students tried some Japanese snacks(treats) that the kids in Japan love and green tea.

They enjoyed rice crackers, chocolate sticks (Pocky), they tried “Konpeitou” (grape flavour sugar-balls). Some put their brave faces on and tasted green-tea in origami paper-cups for the first time and found that they like it!!

—Students review—

I really liked today’s food tasting lesson. The Pocky was delicious, they spiky balls were sugary and sweet and I loved the green tea and rice crackers- Year4  Ava Hewitt

I liked the green tea but it just needed a little sugar. I really liked the rice crackers and the Pocky sticks. I LOVE the purple sugar balls- Year 5 Sophia Galland

I made a Origami paper cup. I liked both strawberry and chocolate Pocky sticks- Year 5 Harry Price

 I liked it! I liked it! I liked it!- Year 1 Harry Day

I loved the Pocky sticks. They were my favourite. I didn’t like the green tea though.. it was super hard to make the paper cups- Year 3 Charlotte Crosbie

On the 30th of November, Mr Stallard came and showed us some things about the navy and what he does. He showed us a slideshow of helicopters and the ships that he worked on. He told us that he has worked on two helicopters and one of them can carry six people and equipment and the other one can carry 20 people and equipment. Mr Stallard said that he joined the navy because he wanted the experience. After the slide show we got to ask questions.

Thank you, Mr Stallard, for coming. It was very interesting and very fun.

 By Finn McCormack.

(On behalf of Year 5)

At the start of Term Four we started a project called Genius Hour where you build or construct something cool. 

I decided to build a birdhouse and tell all my classmates what I used to make it and how I made it. The things I used were a drill, planks of wood, drilled in metal, tin, a hinge and screws. I made it with patience and with mum and my sister by my side. 

Other examples my classmates made or did was, what works better in cupcakes, margarine or butter? We got to eat two cupcakes to test which one was better. Butter was the winner. Another example was how to work a DJ deck, another was what would grow better grass or oats? The oats were the ones that grew better. There were plenty more, but too many to mention. I really enjoyed Genius Hour this term and I would love to do something like it again.

By Ava Nicholson

Christmas Masses

Parish Office

For Parish and Sacramental matters please forward your enquiries to Goulburn Parish Secretary, Sharon Cashman, via email or call into the Parish Office at the Old Convent Building. Sharon is available in Crookwell on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 11.30am-3.30pm

Email: Crookwell@cg.org.au

Website: http://cg.org.au/crookwell/Home.aspx 

Phone: 48321 633 

Address: 55 Wade Street (the Old Convent Building)

Class Awards

Congratulations to Ava Nicholson who scooped the pool at the 2021 Soccer Presentations on Saturday 4 December 2021

Ava won the following Senior Soccer Awards:

Under 13’s Best and Fairest

Crookwell Soccer Club – All grades – Player of the Year

Crookwell’s Representative Player of the Year 

Well done Ava!

Laggan Christmas Markets

School Holiday Magic Show

CWA Craft

First Lap Vouchers for pre-school and kindergarten kids

First_Lap_Voucher_Program

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