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Year 8 Talented Writers
Year 8 students are currently investigating the link between literature, culture and identity in their English classrooms. The poetry of indigenous woman Oodgeroo Noonuccal, in particular No More Boomerang, inspired talented writer Abby Kresevic to compose her evocative narrative piece.
Please see Abbey's piece in the Download section.
Year 10 History – Popular Culture Event
On the last day of Term 2, all Year 10 were invited to dress up as a significant Australian who has contributed to Australian Popular Culture from the 1950-70’s. The day consisted of many fun activities from the Pop Culture decades, including a red carpet event to show off the amazing outfits everyone wore, a Decade's Kahoot to test our knowledge and a fun Just Dance activity consisting of songs from the 1950-70’s.
Each class also brought in Australian food that would have been popular during that period. There was an awesome milkshake stall and a lolly bar with lollies that were available in Australia during that period of time.
Overall it was a fantastic day to end the first school semester as we enjoyed and appreciated the influences of other countries on Australian Popular Culture.
World Dragon Boat Championships for Erin
Erin Gullick who graduated from St Mary's last year will be competing at the the World Dragon Boat Championships held in Thailand beginning on 20 August.
Since leaving school Erin has maintained her focus on the sport, training with the Sydney Zodiacs and her parents club in Nowra to push for national selection. Erin has been training with the Australian under 24 year squad in preparation for the event.
Erin and her family would like acknowledge and thank Sue Martin (now retired) and St Maryâs for providing Erin the opportunity to become involved in
Dragon Boating many years prior.
Walking and Talking â A Guide To Getting Your Child To Talk To You
Please see the Download section for this article.
Resilience and Wellbeing Workshop - FREE COMMUNITY EVENT
- How Parents can Support Resilience and Engagement
- Developing Mental Fitness
- Understanding Adolescent Development
Tuesday, 10 September 6.00 - 8.30pm
NSW All Schools AFL - our first student representative
Claudia Decker from Year 9 recently represented NSW All Schools at the School Sport Australia under 15 AFL Championships in Launceston, Tasmania. The competition was run over one week and Claudia played each game throughout the draw. NSW came fifth overall in a competition where the southern states of Victoria and South Australia dominated.
Claudia was involved in training and a trial match in Canberra leading up to the national competition. Local club, the Wollongong Lions supported Claudia to attend the game. Claudia is the first student from St Mary's to be selected in a NSW All Schools team for AFL and was one of two picked in the Illawarra.
Congratulations Claudia!
From the Principal
Dear Parents,
I hope this week’s newsletter finds you well after several cold days. It seems that winter has finally arrived and our shopping centres are full of heaters, warm clothes, boots and other winter items. I have always enjoyed winter and found it to be a beautiful time of year. Winter brings with it opportunities to spend a cold afternoon engrossed in a favourite book, a reason to cook and enjoy a big pot of soup and an excuse to pull out the clothes that have been packed away for nine months of the year. Mostly I love the stark beauty of trees without leaves and beautiful clear skies with a winter chill in the air. It doesn’t hurt that the lawns are fairly dormant and so there is no requirement for a lot of gardening. In the midst of the odd cold spell, try and savour this time of year as we might be wishing for a return to a colder climate when summer hits.
Thursday, 15 August was the Feast of the Assumption and St Mary’s was delighted to welcome Fr Duane Fernandez to the College to celebrate Mass with us. Fr Duane is the newly installed Parish Priest of St Therese Parish, West Wollongong. The Feast of the Assumption is one of the oldest holy days in the Church as it dates back to the sixth century. The word assumption comes from the Latin assumptio which means ‘a taking’. In our context this refers to Mary being taken up to heaven after completing the work of her life on earth. The feast was defined as dogma by the Catholic Church in 1950, when Pope Pius XII exercised his papal authority, to identify the Assumption as an article of faith. Some scholars believe that the tradition of Mary’s assumption dates back to apostolic times. In our tradition this feast is recognised as a holy day of obligation and it was pleasing to see students and staff gathering in our chapel to celebrate this feast day.
I had the pleasure of joining with Year 7, members of the College choirs and College band and parents for the Year 7 Concert on Tuesday, 13 August. The
Year 7 girls sang as part of the choir and a number of girls performed solo numbers which they did beautifully. With music as diverse as ‘Sounds of
Silence’ from Simon and Garfunkel through to songs from ‘The Greatest Showman’, this was an outstanding evening of entertainment. My congratulations
to all the girls and to our music staff who worked hard to organise a wonderful experience.
We will welcome Mr Tony Fitzgerald, the incoming Principal of St Mary’s, to the College next Thursday, 22 August. Tony will meet the staff and join us
for a College assembly, where he will be formally introduced to the girls. He is very much looking forward to visiting the College and he is excited
about commencing as Principal of St Mary’s in 2020. The Board is working through an induction program with the new Principal to ensure that he is familiar
with the culture and the values of the College. I look forward to welcoming Mr Fitzgerald and our Board Chair, Mrs Brenda Wilson to the College next
week as Brenda formally introduces Tony to our community.
The Year 12 girls are approaching the end of the Trial HSC and our Dance girls move straight into their HSC Dance exams next week. The Year 12 students
have shown maturity and commitment to their studies throughout the exam period and they are to be congratulated for their efforts. I believe we have
an outstanding cohort of young women in Year 12 and I am confident they will achieve excellent outcomes in their trials and HSC.
I hope that you and your families can enjoy a relaxing and peace filled weekend.
City Recognition
Sr Rita Fitt recently attended a City Recognition Reception at Wollongong City Council in acknowledgement of her contribution to the City and as a recipient of an Order of Australia Medal. Sr Rita was presented with a Certificate by Lord Mayor, Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM and enjoyed refreshments with others who have achieved and performed outstanding accomplishments. Her name will also be added to the City Honour Board.
We again congratulate Rita on her wonderful contribution to Wollongong and on her commitment to ministry over many, many years of faithful service.
Active Kids Voucher
From 1 July, parents of school-enrolled children can access a second $100 Active Kids voucher to use towards registration and membership fees for sport and active recreation each year.
Please see the download section for more details
UniActive JuniorFIT program
UniActive has a commitment to our young people’s health and wellness. This 45 minute structured class is designed for 12 to 16 year olds to improve foundation
skills in learning gym-based exercises. The class will include age-appropriate strength, cardio and core activities. We want to provide the positive
training environment for your child, with our aim to improve body awareness, strength, body confidence, posture and to create the exercise habit for
their futures. NB: 12 and 13 year olds do not need parent supervision if they are attending this class.
All casual visits are $8.00
The JuniorFIT program runs every Monday and Wednesday at 3:30pm
UniActive
Building 13, University of Wollongong
Phone: 4221 4700