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Year 9 Activity Day with ERC
On Thursday, 4 April, Year 9 travelled to Edmund Rice College to participate in the annual social day. Unfortunately, the weather was miserable but we still participated. Upon arrival we were placed in our countries and divided into larger groups where we introduced ourselves to others in the group. We headed off to our first rotation/activity, had recess then our second rotation, back for lunch and more socialising before moving onto our last rotation/activity before returning to St Maryâs.
The three different activities included sport, games and trivia. As it was raining, for sport we were indoors and played crab soccer and an on the ground version of netball. Each group versed the other groups, trying to score the most points for their group. Each group also competed in Charades, Pictionary and Celebrity Heads. Some groups tied in first place, which of course resulted in a tie breaker - it wasnât your regular, paper, scissors, rock type of tie breaker, it was the ultimate karaoke tie breaker. Boys and girls, singing their favorite songs in front of a third of Year 9 students - it was hilarious! The final activity was trivia, where groups had to test our knowledge on general topics such as sport, TV shows, music and geography - again trying to score the most points to become the ultimate trivia masters. Overall, the day was very enjoyable and allowed us to build new friendships.
Year 11 Law Day Out
On Tuesday, 2 April, the Year 11 Legal Studies class, accompanied by Ms Kendell and Ms Coleman, travelled to the Downing Centre in Sydney. This is the largest courthouse complex in the southern hemisphere, it spreads across two buildings, one focusing on civil matters and the other on criminal matters. We sat in on a variety of criminal trials that were running in the local and district courts, including attempted murders and drug smuggling cases. We witnessed the reality of our legal system and learnt about the structure of the courts and how much work goes into the process of achieving justice. We also met with a District Court Judge, Judge Wass. Hearing her perspective and experience of the legal system was fascinating and intriguing. The day was engaging and provided a realistic aspect to our studies.
Women in Careers Expo
STRICTLY BALLROOM
Yes! It’s opening night on Thursday, 9 May for STRICTLY BALLROOM. Only four performances so get your tickets now. Hundreds of students and staff shaping this amazing show of dance, singing and comedy. Based on the hit movie, the stage musical takes us further into the crazy world of ballroom dance and the rebels who want to find their own self-expression and expose the corruption of “Dance To Win” Barry Fife.
Principal's Report
Dear Parents,
Welcome back to Term 2 and I hope that you had an opportunity to relax a little over the Easter holidays. The girls that I spoke to on Monday told me that the holidays came at a very good time as they were feeling the effects of an 11-week term before the break. Your daughters looked rested and refreshed as they entered the gate on the first day of school and they enjoyed being back in routine and catching up with friends and teachers. We have had an excellent start to the new term, with a beautiful ANZAC Day assembly, a sneak preview of our upcoming production of Strictly Ballroom and a visit from our Board and Company members for our Annual General Meeting.
I hope that you were able to enjoy a happy and peace filled Easter during the holiday period. As you may have been aware, we had students and staff taking part in the College History Study Tour to Italy and Germany. This tour focused on important sites and events studied in both Ancient and Modern history and so it was rich in both historical and cultural opportunities. We welcomed students and staff back earlier in the week and, while there have been wonderful stories about the value of the trip and the amazing opportunities it offered, I think both students and staff will be looking forward to their first weekend at home for a few weeks.
One of our most significant College values is Peace. We speak about being people of peace at St Mary’s and we strive to create a peaceful and hospitable
environment. This was the focus of our ANZAC Day assembly held on Wednesday. While we are all aware of the horrors of war and the devastation that
it brings to families and communities, the celebration of this day is much more complex in the Australian psyche. This day with its rituals and prayers
is commemorated in every town and suburb in the country. It carries multiple messages - it is a martyr’s day, a commemoration of the dead, and a time
to reflect on the value of peace in our country and the world.
ANZAC Day is also a day of national identity, a coming of age for our nation that occurred 15 years after the formation of the Commonwealth. Implicit in
this day is a story of victory in defeat, survival in the face of overwhelming odds and an opportunity to recognise how blest we are to live in this
beautiful country. Lest we forget is a phrase commonly used in remembrance services on this day. However, before being used in reference to soldiers
and war it was used in a poem written by Rudyard Kipling called Recessional. In the poem it was used to emphasise the dangers of failing to remember.
Perhaps this is the true purpose of ANZAC Day, to remember the value of peace, love and compassion.
I mentioned that we had a sneak preview of Strictly Ballroom, the upcoming College production that will debut on Thursday, 9 May and run through until
Saturday, 11 May. The perfect gift for the Mum’s in our community might be tickets to the Mother’s Day dinner on Friday, 10 May followed by tickets
to Strictly Ballroom on the Saturday night. I look forward to seeing you at one of the sessions and I hope to see plenty of mothers at the Mother’s
Day Dinner on Friday night.
I wish you a relaxing weekend and don’t forget to spoil your Mum on Sunday, 12 May.
Notice of Leave – Miss Magill
Our Dean of Pastoral Care, Emma Magill will be taking a period of study leave from 5 May to 11 June to do further work in the area of Pastoral Care. During her absence Mr David Woolnough will be acting Dean of Pastoral Care. If you or your daughters have matters that cannot be addressed by House Coordinators please contact Mr Woolnough for advice and support.
Oztag Report
Six College teams travelled to Dalton Park on Wednesday, 4 April to compete in the South Coast All Schools Oztag Carnival. There were three divisions at the carnival comprising teams from across the Illawarra. All six of our teams experienced wins on the day and were extremely competitive.
The Year 11/12 A team remained undefeated in their pool games but unfortunately bowed out in the semi final losing 2-1 to Oak Flats. The Year 9/10 A team was undefeated on the day, beating Kiama convincingly in the final. The Year 7/8 team unfortunately lost their grand final in a narrow defeat to Warilla 3-2.
Based on the results from the South Coast carnival, our Year 9/10 and 7/8 teams qualified for the Champion of Champions carnival to be held in August.
Well done everyone!
NCCD 2019 Information for Parents
The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with a Disability (NCCD) is a process that all schools must complete on an annual basis. It is designed to count the number of students who receive additional adjustments or assistance at school because of their disability. This national data collection helps federal and state governments plan for the needs of students with a disability. It is also the way that schools seek and receive funding to support the learning needs of their students.
For more information please refer to the download section on the right hand side.
National Netball Championships
Selene and Annalise Chadrawy competed at the National Netball Championships in the NSW under 17's during the school holidays in Brisbane. Their U17’s NSW team took home a silver medal! Selene was selected in the under 17’s Australian Development Squad - selection in this squad is based on athlete performance across the six day tournament and an assessment of their potential to be become future Diamonds' representatives. Selene will attend National Squad Camps at Netball Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Canberra over the next few months.
Congratulations to Annalise and Selene on your achievements and good luck for the rest of the 2019 netball season.
NAPLAN 2019
NAPLAN tests start on Tuesday, 14 May. Over a million Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students across the country will participate in the annual literacy and numeracy assessments.
It is important to remember that NAPLAN is a point-in-time assessment to help parents see how their child, compared with the rest of Australia’s children, is progressing in the fundamental skills of literacy and numeracy. The information NAPLAN provides supports conversations between parents, teachers and schools, working together to help children achieve their full potential.
At the College, NAPLAN data can support our school improvement processes by enabling teachers to monitor their students’ progress over time against a national measure.
We use NAPLAN data in combination with other school-based assessments, to provide teachers with diagnostic information for planning their teaching programs, and guiding and supporting their student's learning journey. At times additional support is offered to students to ensure improvement in their literacy and numeracy outcomes.
According to ACARA, ‘Literacy and numeracy are fundamentally important for all young people; however, NAPLAN is not, and should never be, the sole measure of a child’s achievement at a school or of the success of a school. School curriculum has much to offer. All students should have an opportunity to study a rich curriculum for literature, science, humanities and social sciences, technology, health and physical education, languages and the arts’.
The best preparation your daughter can do is to continue her work in English and Mathematics classes, as NAPLAN is aligned to the Australian Curriculum and tests the skills taught in the classroom.
For more information on NAPLAN, visit the NAP website.
If you require any further information regarding NAPLAN, or how the College uses data, please don’t hesitate to contact Mrs Harrigan, Director of Teaching and Learning.
Mother’s Day Dinner - Friday, 10 May
Gather your friends and come along for a great night out at Villa D’oro! There will be belly dancing, great food, excellent company, silent auctions with
fabulous prizes and many chances to win a raffle prize.
All proceeds support our Marian Scholarship fund. Tickets for the raffle are now on sale at the College.
Download the invitation on the right hand side or contact Maree McCarthy for more information: E maree.mccarthy@stmarys.nsw.edu.au T 4228 6011
Fee Update
Financial Commitment: Please arrange payment of outstanding Term 1 School Fees or ensure instalment payments are being paid to your account.
School Fee Agreement Form: Please complete the School Fee Agreement Form to advise the College of your intended payment option. This Agreement gives the College advice regarding parents/carers preferred method and frequency of payment. Please contact the Fees Coordinator on 4253 5230 if you have not received your copy or to discuss your account further. A ‘School Fee Calculator’ is also provided on the College website to assist families to determine their regular payment.
DIRECT DEBIT OPTION - if you would like to continue or commence Direct Debit arrangements please complete the request form (included with annual statement) and return to the College.
Leaving the College: Just a reminder, if a student is withdrawn from the College one full term’s notice must be given in writing to the Principal. If one term’s notice is not given a full term’s fee will be charged.
Leave of Absence: If a student applies for leave of absence for a holiday or travel, school fees are to be paid prior to approval of leave.
Diocesan Tennis
It was perfect playing conditions at Beaton Park last term when our team of four students played in the Diocesan Tennis Tournament. The College was represented by Jeddah Lilburn, Alexia Palma, Dominique Cocca and Nicole Edwards.
The team worked well together in the doubles sets and with additional singles success to convincingly win over St Josephâs Catholic High School, Albion Park to make it through the initial knock out round. The following match against Holy Spirit College was highly competitive with a draw at three sets each. Unfortunately, St Maryâs narrowly lost on games. Congratulations to these students who represented the College with a positive attitude and determination.
CCC Swimming
Congratulations to all our St Mary's swimmers who represented the Wollongong Diocese at the NSW CCC Swimming Championships at Homebush at the end of Term 1. Special mention to our All Age Relay team who won a gold medal, winning by 6 seconds! Swimmers were: Jessica Cole, Aya Milton, Grace OHara, Sarah Locke, Isabella Green and Sian Bourke.
Other outstanding results were:
Jessica Cole - 12yrs: 1st in 50m Freestyle and 50m Butterfly
Aya Milton - 13yrs: 1st in 100m Freestyle and 2nd in 50m Freestyle
Isabella Green - 16yrs: 1st in 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle and 50m Backstroke
Our Junior 4x50 Freestyle relay team finished 3rd â Jessica Cole, Aya Milton, Manna Berry and Grace OHara
The Intermediate 4x50 Freestyle relay team also finished 3rd â Sarah Locke, Claudia McGoldrick, Isabella Green and Zoe Smith
Congratulations to all our swimmers and we wish you all the very best at the NSW All Schools Swimming Carnival.
Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships
Congratulations to Year 11 student, Elise Beaumontwho recently competed in the 2019 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships hosted by Broadbeach SLSC and North Burleigh SLSC. This event showcases members from Australiaâs 313 Surf Clubs coming together to compete in more than 400 beach and ocean events. Elise competed in the U17 age group and made it through to the Board Final - unfortunately the surf conditions were very big and Elise finished the race towards to the back of the field but it was a fantastic effort in such trying conditions.
Well Done Elise!
Elise is barely visible on top of the front wave holding on tight!
After School Creative Workshops
The ceremic workshops are designed for high school students interested in exploring their creativity and improving wellbeing. Further information can be obtained from Black Duck Ceramic Studio on 0422 258 277.
AFL Report
On 27 March, two St Mary's teams journeyed to North Dalton Park to compete against other schools as part of an AFL gala day.
The day was full of success and smiles when the U16 girls played five games, winning their first two games and drawing to Holy Spirit College, making their way to the semi finals where they played against Wollongong Performing Arts High School.
In this game the U16âs won by one point, this then allowed them to play in the grand final sadly they lost to Holy Spirit College.
The U14âs team had many players new to AFL, however, this did not stop them from winning their first two games. A draw to Holy Spirit College spoilt their chance to take part in the final, as no semi-finals were played in the U14 competition.
The girls had fun pursuing the experience of playing AFL, gaining the opportunity to master new kicking techniques and learning important teamwork skills. The girls worked tirelessly and demonstrated their ability to all strive for the same goal.
Thank you to Ms Fearon, Mr Everatt and Miss Cavanagh for accompanying students on the day.
Achievement Assemblies 2019
Monday, 2 December
Year 7 - 9.00am to 10.35am
Year 10 - 11.20am to 12.50pm
Year 9 - 1.40pm to 3.15pm
Tuesday, 3 December
Year 8 - 9.00am to 10.35am
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Absences of Concern Letters
Dear Parents and Carers,
As is a regular routine each Term, letters outlining absences of concern will be sent out in the next couple of weeks.
2019/2020 Entertainment Book
The 2019/2020 Entertainment Book is now available digitally and in hard copy. There are many benefits for you and the College so donât delay.
The link to purchase is https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/2802p93
âAustralian Mountain Bike Championships
On Wednesday, 3 April, Lillee and Poppy Pollock travelled to Bright, Victoria to compete in the Australian National Championships for cross country Olympic
(xco) and cross country short course (xcc). They both raced on Friday after practicing the technical and difficult course. Both girls came away with
crashes and bruises but still managed to place. Lillee finished second in xco and third in xcc. Poppy placed third in the xco and fourth in the xcc.
Congratulations girls!