Grandparents and Special Friends Day

Thank you to all of our visitors who attended our Grandparents and Special Friend Day last Friday. From all accounts it was a wonderful day!

Thank you for the generous donations of delicious food for the morning tea and to our Year One families, coordinated by Rechell Naughton, for serving the morning tea and organising the raffle. This raised $632 for the P&F association - well done!

Thank you to all of the staff, particularly Sally Croker, for preparing the students for the entertaining 'At the Movies' Assembly.

In the busyness of the day we did not get any photographs, if you took some good photos would you please email them to the school. We would also like a video of Gwen O'Brien's birthday song if anyone captured this.  Office.Stmarysc@cg.catholic.edu.au 

P&F Social Function 

Last Friday night, Year Three families, coordinated by Daria Lawson and Donna McGeechan, hosted a social function at the Laggan Hotel. The night was very well supported with the crowd thoroughly enjoying the night. The hotel looked amazing, inside and out, with Daria's decorating. 

Thank you to Lachlan Croker for having a Manly Warringah Sea Eagles jersey signed and the Blowes family for the donation of the framing and accommodation. Thank you to Daria for purchasing the decorations and Lost River for the butchering of a lamb for the raffle. Thank you also to the Laggan Hotel for a donated dinner as a raffle prize. Thank you also to families that couldn't attend but donated money.

Ellie McGeechan sold the winning raffle tickets to one of her work colleagues and Sam and Katie Price were the winners of the auction. The Manly jersey will be sold via silent auction. See below.

Silent Auction

The P&F is conducting a silent auction for a beautifully framed signed 2019 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles jersey. It would make a great Christmas present for your favourite Manly supporter!  If you would like to make a bid on this item, contact Belinda in the Office. The jersey will also be placed on Facebook and an updated current bid (but not the bid holder) will be advertised weekly. The auction will close on Wednesday 18 December and the prize will be presented at the Year 6 Final Assembly and Awards Ceremony.  

You may call into the School Office to view the jersey during office hours.

Audio and Speaker System

Last week Simon and Robert Bill and Dallas Atkins generously spent many hours re-jigging and fixing our audio speaker system in the Hall. I can now say that we have a wonderful system that connects our television, lectern microphone and stage microphones. A big thank you for all of your time spent on this. We certainly appreciate it!

KAOS - In Hot Pursuit

Yesterday afternoon I was lucky enough to take a sneak peek of the upcoming KAOS production, 'In Hot Pursuit', written and directed by Peter Stevens. This entertaining production showcases the talents of many of our current and ex-students. The production opens this Friday 8 November at 7.30 pm, with further shows on Saturday 9 November 7.30pm and Sunday at 2pm. 

Congratulations to all of our students who have taken part in this and to their parents for supporting them in their roles.

Break a leg!

Indoor State Hockey

Last weekend William Heffernan, Ellie McCormack, Isabelle Galland and Bella Croker participated in the NSW Indoor State Hockey Carnival in Orange.

William, in his preferred position of goalkeeper, played for Bathurst.

Ellie's team made it to the semi-final and Issy and Bella's team ended up joint winners in the first division.

From this event, Bella has received selection in the NSW Stars team to play in Wollongong in January.

Congratulations Will, Ellie, Issy and Bella!

Year Three visit with the Upper Lachlan Landcare 

Last week our Year Three class were invited by the Upper Lachlan Landcare to visit Kiamma Creek. The following is from their Facebook page: "St Marys Primary School did a fantastic job at Kiamma Creek in Crookwell yesterday, planting lomandras, river bottle brush, silver banksia and river tea trees. They left beautiful messages on their tree guards to inspire their plants to grow strong. Other activities of the day included making an insect hotel, seed bombs, hearing from Mark Selmes about habitat and connection, hearing from Barry Murphy about the history of the Creek and activities of Kiamma Creek Landcare, and hearing from Councilor Brian McCormack about how important trees are in our landscape."

A big thank you to Upper Lachlan Landcare for the opportunity!

Melbourne Cup

On Tuesday we were dazzled by some creative and dapper hats in celebration of Melbourne Cup Day. Thank you for your effort with this.

Pictured below are Leo and Elsie who were looking particularly stylish in their chosen head-ware. 

Condolences

On behalf of the St Mary's School Community, I would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to Mrs Ashlee Picker, and her family, on the sad and sudden loss of her brother Jake. Jake was a much-loved ex-student of St Mary's and active member of the Gunning, Crookwell and Ulladulla communities.

Jake's funeral will be held at St Mary's Church on Monday afternoon at 2pm. Buses will be collecting students from Warne Street and students that are picked up are asked to be collected from the Old Hall.

Some of the staff will be attending the funeral with classes combining in the afternoon for supervision purposes.

Parent Well-being Workshop 

We would like to invite our parents and friends to a free well-being workshop hosted by Amy Hanger on Wednesday at 2.15pm - 3.00pm. 

Amy has spent several years working with many groups, individuals and families to help them improve their general well-being. She has a personalised approach to Food, Movement & Mindset, offering coaching in these areas. 

Amy's presentations cover three of the main foundations of good health and well-being - Food, Movement & Mindset. A general presentation will introduce strategies that support good nutrition, discuss how movement counteracts stress and tension and how to cultivate a positive and healthy mindset. 

The presentation will include take-home recipe cards, some food tasting options and a take-home healthy mindset checklist. Presentation of essential oils and how they can be used to support a healthy lifestyle is also included.

If you are interested in attending this workshop please RSVP to Belinda 48321 592.

The staff will also have a chance to participate in a workshop with Amy after school.

Expressions of Interest: Junior Basketball Sessions

If anyone is interested in their children participating in some after school junior basketball skills sessions, and assisting with these, please contact Sam Simmons 0436918147.

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