Calendar

Upcoming Events

Christmas Concert

This evening, 7 December, we will host our Christmas Concert and family picnic. 

The concert will commence after the P&F BBQ at roughly 6.15 pm. Each class will present two songs led by our Performing Arts Teacher, Mrs Picker, and accompanied by Alison Cummins (Kinder), Harriet Lowe, Sophie Culley (Year 5) and Charlie Lang (Year 6).

We invite you to bring your fold-up seats and eskys with your preferred refreshments. Drinks can also be purchased from the tuckshop.

Please face your chairs towards the MP Hall when setting up and leave the ramp and MP Hall verandah clear.

Kindergarten Showcase of Learning

Tomorrow, on Friday, 8 December, Kindergarten will present their Showcase of Learning Assembly for Parents and Friends at 12.30pm in the Old Hall. All welcome!

Year Six Farewell

It is coming very close to the time that we, sadly,  farewell our Year Six class. This year our Year Six Graduation events will commence next Monday, 11 December at 6.00pm with the Graduation Mass at St Mary's Catholic Church. This will be followed by dinner, and the Awards Presentation at the Services Club for Year Six students, parents/carers/adult guests and staff.

Year Six Final Assembly

The Year Six class will present their Final Assembly on the last day of school, Friday, 15 December, at 12.30 pm. The recipients of Awards will be re-acknowledged at this Assembly. 

End-of-Year School Mass and Leadership Changeover Ceremony

Our Year Five students are currently preparing to present themselves to our student body as possible School Captains and Sports Captains for 2024. The students have been presenting their speeches this week, with the voting to occur tomorrow, Friday, 8 December. As is the long-held tradition, the Captains are student-elected, and staff do not vote.

The 2024 Captains will be announced at our End of Year School Mass and Changeover Ceremony held on Thursday, 14 December, at 9.30 am. Parents and carers are welcome to attend.

Please note the badges will be blessed and presented at our 2024 Welcome and Leaders Induction Mass at the beginning of Term One on Thursday, 8 February, at 9.30 am.

2024 Staffing

Today we are delighted to share that after a selection process, Rachael Croker has been appointed as the Religious Education Coordinator, starting in 2024. Over the past seventeen years at St Mary's, Rachael has capably fulfilled the roles of Classroom Teacher, Classroom Support Teacher and Sports Coordinator.

We extend our best wishes to Rachael as she embarks on this new and exciting chapter in her career. 

Announcement from Lee Herden Principal Catholic Identity Officer

Week 8 Events - Thank you! 

School Disco 

Congratulations Year 6 on hosting a fun and well-organised disco for our students. Thank you to Mrs. Spackman for her planning and purchasing the snacks.

Mini Touch Football Carnival

Our Kindergarten, Year One and Two students had a wonderful time last Friday at NRL Mini Touch Football Carnival. Thank you Mrs. Walsh for organising this carnival for our students.

It was lovely to see many parents and families come along to enjoy a picnic lunch with their children.

Community Christmas Carols

Our students have been invited to sing two Christmas Carols at the Crookwell Community Markets/Carols event.

On Saturday, 16 December, we have been invited to perform at the Crookwell Memorial Oval, at 6 pm.  The students will be accompanied by Mrs Alison Cummins.

If your child can participate, please complete the eform below. Nominated students will rehearse at school in Week 10.

Christmas Carols Participating

If you do not have a BPAY periodical payment plan in place, please ensure that your outstanding fees are paid as soon as possible.

It would be appreciated if these could be paid before the end of term to ensure there is no follow-up made by Head Office during the Christmas break.

 Advent

A time of …watchful waiting, preparation, peace and justice

Getting our hearts and minds ready to celebrate Jesus at Christmas time

This Sunday marks the beginning of the second week of Advent. We light the second purple candle on the Advent Wreath. It is called the “BETHLEHEM CANDLE” as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. This second candle represents “FAITH”. Mary and Joseph had tremendous faith in God and His plan for them. John the Baptist, who was Jesus’ cousin, also showed unwavering faith.  He proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, he baptized people, and he helped them open their hearts to welcome Jesus.  We too are called to open our hearts in faith and welcome Jesus our Lord and savior, into our lives. We are called to renew our faith in God during this special time of Advent.

10 ways to strengthen Faith this Advent

Put God first - Make Him important in your life.

Set aside a quiet time for prayer - Prayer is how we build a personal relationship with God (you don’t even have to say anything)

Trust God’s Plan - Look to God for guidance and peace even when times are hard.

Read the Bible - You have to listen to God's word to understand and to live in faith.

Share God’s Word - Tell others about God's love and Jesus' sacrifice.

Don't put too much value in material things - What's waiting in heaven is more important than on earth. 

Resist temptation - Pray that God will help you be strong against sin.

Love others - Treat others with love and compassion. 

Serve others - Honor Jesus by giving your time and energy to other people. 

Say sorry and forgive – Let go of hurts and promote peace and harmony.

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

Thank you to those who have already made donations to our St Vincent DePaul Christmas Appeal. Items may be placed in baskets in the foyer.

Let us do everything we can to help the less fortunate in our community and the wider world this Christmas        

PLEASE NOTE: All donations will be collected by St Vincent De Paul on Monday 11 DECEMBER.

St Mary's 2024 Swimming Carnival

The Swimming Carnival for all students from Kinder to Yr 6 will commence at 10am on Friday February 9th, 2024, at Boorowa Pool, 12 Market St.
Students will be transported by bus on the day, or by private transport.

A Compass EVENT email will be sent out to all families early in 2024.

PRIMARY EVENTS - 8yrs and up

How Does My Child Nominate for Events?
On the day, students aged 8yrs and up will report to the marshalling area to participate in an age event (50m or 10m)
Students can nominate in all strokes or those they feel most comfortable swimming. Participation in all events is encouraged.

What Length are the Events?

• 200m individual medley age race             
• 50m freestyle age race
• 50m backstroke age race
• 50m breaststroke age race
• 50m butterfly age race
• 10m age events for freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, kickboard and wading.

Apart from the freestyle events, children will be competing in Junior (8, 9 and 10 Years), Intermediate (11 Years) and Senior (12 and 13 Years) age groups, as is the case when competing in further representative levels.
Age championship points are for 50m and Medley events only.
                                                                                                                      
Please note that if a child participates in a 50m event in a stroke they cannot participate in the same stroke in a 10m event.
 
Age Champions
Announcement and presentation of the Age Champion medallions will be made at our Friday Morning assembly on 16th February 2024.

Northern Region Representative Swimming
Our NR Team will be selected from children turning 8 years, or older, in 2024, who participate in the 50m races.   
The NR Swimming Carnival will be held on Thursday 22nd February in Yass.

INFANTS EVENTS - Kinder and Yr 1

A program of events has been planned for Infants and will run concurrently with the Primary Carnival in the Infants Pool.

Helpers
If you are available to assist on the day with either age group, please contact the school office or myself as soon as possible.

Canteen Facilities
There will be canteen facilities available on the day.
Students will need to bring lunch and plenty of water, or money for the canteen should they so desire.

CSNSW Sport- Aquathlon

Info from CSNSW

The portal had a few hiccups last week making registrations challenging.

Due to this inconvenience, we are extending the Registration Early Bird cut-off date for our CSNSW Sport Aquathlon to Wednesday, 6 December 5pm.

CSNSW SPORT is offering a fantastic school holiday opportunity for students enrolled in Catholic schools in NSW.

Our pilot AQUATHLON event is open to participation for students aged 8 years to 19 years with age divisions in both mainstream and multi-class events.

For more information - https://csnsw.sport/sports/csnsw-sport-programmes/aquathlon

Return of books

A reminder all library books are to be returned as soon as possible.

SORA- a great holiday reading resource

Cheese Toastie Day

The P&F will be having a Cheese Toastie Day on Wednesday 13 December. A full cheese toastie is $2.

Orders can be placed by Qkr.

Christmas Gift Idea

Want to get some early Christmas gifts sorted? Why not buy some of the St Mary's Recipe books? Now only $10 each!!

Books can be paid for using Qkr, under the P&F payment section or cash to the School Office.

Parish Office

Crookwell Vacation Care Program

Kids Christmas Craft at Crookwell Library

Crookwell Summer Reading Club

Canberra Region Rugby League

Leider Theatre Company presents Roald Dahl's The Witches

Go4Fun