ANZAC DAY

A heartfelt thank you to all our students and staff who proudly participated in marches on Anzac Day.

Your presence at Grabben Gullen, Crookwell or Taralga was a wonderful tribute to the courage, sacrifice and spirit of our servicemen and women past and present.

I am extremely proud of the way you represented our school and showed such respect for this important national day of rememberance.

Even more impressed with the five students who, without hesitation, participated in two marches on Friday.

I would like to express my thanks to CWA members, Lillian Marshall and Pam Roth who thoughtfully crotcheted and donated red and green poppies for our three St Mary's wreaths. We are extremely appreciative for your kindness and generosity ladies.

FEDERAL ELECTION

What you need to know to support your local Catholic school

The next Federal Election will be held on Saturday 3 May and it is important to consider how your vote will impact your child’s education.

The National Catholic Education Commission has issued an election briefing paper aimed at promoting how Catholic Education benefits all Australians. The NCEC calls on our political leaders to guarantee funding certainty with no adverse changes.

You can download the document here:

Catholic_Education_Briefing_Paper.pdfhttps://ccsp.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/3962/catholic_education_briefing_paper.pdf

Catholic Education Election Scorecard

Catholic Education asked the Australian Labor Party, Liberal National Coalition, the Australian Greens and key Independent candidates to provide their response to our priorities for Catholic education. https://ncec.catholic.edu.au/2025-federal-election/federal-election-scorecard/

Here’s how they scored…

2025_Federal_Election_Score_Card_with_Independents_and_Greens.pdfhttps://ccsp.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/3989/2025_federal_election_score_card_with_independents_and_greens.pdf

You can also check out the NCEC's 2025 Federal Election web pages: https://ncec.catholic.edu.au/2025-federal-election/ to find a School Funding Explainer, election updates and the facts about Catholic Education

Keep School Funding Fair 

Parents and the community are invited to support our means-tested school funding system so families can continue to choose the school which is best for their child.

Find out more at keepfundingfair.org.au

YEAR SIX CAMP

What a privilege it was to spend the week at Camp with our 2025 Year Six cohort. I have been to many camps over the years and have rarely been as impressed as I was with this group. They ate heartily, participated eagerly, socialised maturely and slept like angels! I am confident each one of them made memories that will stay with them for many years and would like to also thank Mrs R Croker for the leadership and guidance she offers these young people by working so closely alongside them but also from within them.

Our bus driver also had a wonderful week and now knows why I put my hand up every year to attend !

Mrs SPACKMAN'S LEAVE

Mrs Spackman is having the trip of a lifetime for the first 5 weeks of term- heading to Canada and the USA. In her absence Mrs Nicole McCormack will be covering our Classroom Support Teacher role.

Have a wonderful time!

UNIFORM

This term, the students are to wear their full winter uniform; however, a two-week leeway is given if the weather is still warm enough for the summer uniform. 

In preparation for the cooler months, you might order our school coat, a warm bottle green parka-style coat, from our Uniform Shop. No other coats will be permitted. Bottle green gloves and beanies may be purchased elsewhere. 

Also note the polar fleece option for Friday Sport Uniform is available from the Uniform shop.

Some other reminders about our school uniform- hair accessories must be in the school colours only, earrings must be sleepers and studs and no nail polish is to be worn to school.

Please check all your uniform items at home to ensure they belong to your family. Please ensure you have all your children's uniform items labelled.

THREE WAY LEARNING DISCUSSIONS

This Term we would like to invite parents/carers and students to our Learning Discussions on Friday 4 July. This is the final day of Term Two and is a Pupil Free day. Your child's Semester Report will have been delivered to you on Monday 30 June. Appointment times will open around Week Seven for you to arrange a time that suits. If the opportunity to meet in person is difficult we are also opening up phone appointments for the day. 

'NUT AWARE SCHOOL'

We have an increasing number of children attending St Mary’s who suffer from a severe anaphylactic reaction to peanuts/tree nuts and sesame seeds. These reactions can be serious and even life threatening. These children need to have an EPIPEN (automatic injector devise to administer adrenalin) on hand in case of an emergency at school.

As caregivers we need to take all precautions necessary to minimise risk of a life threatening anaphylaxis.

As a community we can work together to minimise risk associated with being exposed to these foods that act as a trigger to such attacks.

The school acknowledges that due to food processing practices, it is impractical to eliminate nuts or nut products entirely from an environment where there is food, hence the reference to ‘Nut Aware’ School.

Management at School

• Parents/caregivers being encouraged not to send food that contains nuts to school with their children. This includes peanut paste, Nutella, Muesli Bars, all nuts and cooking oil containing peanut oil, as well as foods containing nuts (but does not extend to ‘foods that may contain traces of nuts’)
• Staff supervising students whilst they eat their lunch.
• The Tuckshop will not have ‘for sale’ food items that contain nuts, but does not apply to food labelled ‘may contain traces of nuts’.
• No food sharing between children.
• Staff participate in annual First Aid training to assist with understanding and dealing with anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction).

For Parents

• Parents are asked not to send peanut butter or nutella on sandwiches, biscuits etc. (to minimise the risk from person to person contact).
• Emphasise the importance of hygiene when eating food at home and at school – washing hands.

While we can never entirely enforce or regulate what comes from home in each child’s lunch box, not where foods contain traces of nut oil, we hope people will assist in working towards minimising the risks and look at alternatives away from nut products.

Calendar

Northern Region Cross Country Carnival

Congratulations and good luck to our Northern Region team who will be competing in Braidwood this coming Friday (2nd May). Mrs Annie Cummins and Mrs Linda Walsh will be attending. We can’t wait to see our team run like the wind!

• Date: Friday, 2nd May
• Venue: Braidwood Showground - 2kms north of Braidwood on Kinds Highway.
• Time: 9:20am - Team Manager meeting, 9:30am - Walk the course, 10:00am - First Event
• Cost: $7:50

The canteen menu is as follows:

School Athletics Carnival

Our school Athletics Carnival is next Friday. The details are as follows:

• Date: Friday, May 9th
• Venue: Todkill Park
• Time: Supervision commences at 8:40am, Carnival commences at 9:05am
• Transport: Buses will drop and collect students to/from Todkill or private vehicle to/from Todkill

The program is as follows. ***Please note that times are approximate and subject to change***

• The announcement and presentation of the Age Champion medallions will be at Morning assembly on Monday 12 May.
• For further representative Carnivals, students compete in Junior (8, 9, and 10 Years), Intermediate (11 Years), and Senior (12 and 13 Years) age groups for all events other than 100m. 
• The NR Team will be selected from children turning 8 years, or older, in 2025. 
• The NR Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday 20 June.

Gilbert/Croker Cup (Year 3 & up)

The Gilbert/Croker Legends Day is coming up. The details are as follows:

• Date: Thursday, May 15th

• Venue: North Park, Goulburn
• Time: Students are to arrive at 9:30am for a 10:00am start
• Transport: Private Travel

All year 3, 4, 5 and 6 students have been invited to attend on Compass. Please note that this is an OPTIONAL event. If your child is interested, please ensure that the Compass event is complete by the 9th May.

If you would like to assist on the day, please contact Mrs Annie Cummins or Mr James Edwards or submit your availability through the Compass event. Thanks in advance!

School Cup - Netball NSW Expression of Interest (Year 3 & up)

This years School Cup will be held on the 24th June in Goulburn.

Students from Year 3 - 6 are invited to express their interest in playing through the link below. The teams will be split into year groups (Year 3/4 and Year 5/6).

More information to come closer to the date.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQA5JLorlNY7ZKNWXGEqdye2RZTdER31E9JU2B8Ses5SO-EQ/viewform?usp=sharing

School Cup - Netball NSW Expression of Interest (Year 3 & up)

This year's School Cup will be held on the 24th June in Goulburn.

Students from Year 3 - 6 are invited to express their interest in playing through the link below. The teams will be split into year groups (Year 3/4 and Year 5/6).

More information to come closer to the date.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQA5JLorlNY7ZKNWXGEqdye2RZTdER31E9JU2B8Ses5SO-EQ/viewform?usp=sharing

Library

Library – Term 2
Library Days:

• Tuesday: Kindergarten, Year 2, Year 4, and Year 3 Green
• Thursday: Year 1, Year 6, Year 5, and Year 3 Gold

Please ensure your child brings a library bag to borrow books.

Book Club

Scholastic Book Club will be available twice this term.

Issue 3 has been sent home today.
Please complete all online orders by Thursday, 8th May 2025.

All orders must be placed via the Scholastic LOOP platform:
? scholastic.com.au/LOOP

If you have any difficulties with ordering, feel free to contact me for assistance.

Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC)
Many students have shown great enthusiasm, and some have already completed the PRC!
If you need help entering your child’s completed books on the PRC website, I am happy to assist.

While Mrs Spackman is enjoying a well-deserved break for the first half of the term, I am excited to step in and fill her shoes while she is away. In the meantime, if you need to reach out, for support or guidance with any learning support needs, please do not hesitate to contact the office to arrange a time to speak with myself.

Emotional Wellness

Emotional wellness encompasses the ability to understand, accept, and manage your emotions in a healthy way, allowing you to navigate life's challenges and changes effectively. It's about developing resilience, which is the capacity to bounce back from difficulties. 

Here's a more detailed look at emotional wellness:

Key Aspects of Emotional Wellness:

• Emotional Awareness: Understanding your own emotions and how they influence your thoughts and behaviours. 
• Emotional Regulation: Developing skills to manage and regulate your emotions, particularly in response to stressful situations. 
• Acceptance: Embracing your emotions, including the difficult ones, without judgment. 
• Resilience: The ability to adapt to change and difficult times, and to bounce back from setbacks. 
• Positive Self-Esteem: Having a positive view of yourself and your abilities. 

How do we support each other to Improve Emotional Wellness:

• Practice self-care:

Engage in activities that promote relaxation and well-being, such as meditation, yoga, or spending time in nature. 

• Build healthy relationships:

Connect with supportive friends and family members who can provide encouragement and understanding. 

• Practice mindfulness:

Pay attention to the present moment and your thoughts and feelings without judgment.

• Spend time in Nature:

Nature can generate many positive emotions, such as calmness, joy, and creativity and can facilitate concentration

• Express your emotions:

Find healthy ways to communicate your feelings, such as journaling, talking to a trusted friend, or seeking professional help. 

• Set realistic goals:

Aim for gradual improvements in your emotional well-being, rather than trying to achieve perfection overnight. 

• Focus on the positive:

Look for the good in every situation and practice gratitude for the things you have. 

• Seek help when needed:

Don't hesitate to reach out to a therapist or counsellor if you're struggling with your emotions. 

Including some of these practices into our day supports and models to others how to maintain healthy emotional wellness because in essence, emotional wellness is a journey of self-discovery and growth, where you learn to understand, accept, and manage your emotions in a way that supports overall well-being, and natural states of awareness. 

WHAT EMOTIONAL WELLNESS PRACTICES HAVE YOU INCLUDED INTO YOUR DAY?

Polar fleece addition to Sports Uniform

We are very excited to announce the addition of a polar fleece jumper to our Sports Uniform. These jumpers will help add a layer of warmth during the colder months and are ready to be ordered via Qkr. Size 8 and 10 jumpers are now low in number and will be restocked over the next month.

Please note, these are not to be worn with the academic uniform Monday to Thursday.

Term 2 Winter Uniform

Term 2 will see the change in uniform to our winter items. Please see the table below. Items can be ordered via Qkr and sent home via the students or collected from school on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

Second-hand uniform stock

We have a large amount of second-hand uniform stock available, free of charge. Please drop into the school to browse what is there at any time.

A big thank you to Mrs Shauna Hewitt for her excellent set-up!

For Parish and Sacramental matters please forward your enquiries to Goulburn Parish Tuesday to Friday 9am to 1pm in Goulburn.

Email: Crookwell@cg.org.au

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

Phone: 0403 631 797