St Mary's Primary School Crookwell eNewsletter

Calendar

WEEK SIX, TERM TWO	Reconciliation Week
Thursday 1 June	Northern Region Principals Meeting, Goulburn
Friday 2 June	Northern Region Principals/Catholic Education Meeting Tuckshop - Maureen, Jenny & Amy
WEEK SEVEN, TERM TWO
Monday 5 June	Kindergarten Art Focus Day 'Partners in Learning' Parent Survey open; link sent via email Tuckshop - Catherine, Tash & Ally
Tuesday 6 June	Year Six Art Focus Day Counsellor available
Wednesday 7 June	AP Network Meeting
Thursday 8 June	Combined Eucharist Retreat Day for students preparing to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist - Transport Trinity CC Bus
Friday 9 June	Year Four Art Focus Day Tuckshop - Elise, Bec & Tennille
TERM TWO DATES
Monday 12 June	Public Holiday
Friday 16 June	Northern Region Athletics - Goulburn
Monday 26 June	Academic Reports and Work Sample Folders home
Friday 30 June	Stage Two (Years 3/4) Showcase of Learning Assembly 12.30pm

Celebrating Reconciliation Week with Aboriginal-themed Literature Activities!

This week our school has been abuzz with activities centred around our Aboriginal community's rich culture and heritage.

Reconciliation Week, which takes place annually from May 27th to June 3rd, is a time for us to come together and celebrate the importance of building respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community. This year, our school decided to embrace the spirit of Reconciliation Week by organising a series of Aboriginal-themed literature activities, providing students with a wonderful opportunity to learn, engage, and appreciate the stories and wisdom of the oldest living culture on Earth.

The activities aimed to immerse our students in Aboriginal culture and foster a deeper understanding of the contributions and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. By engaging with Aboriginal-themed literature, our students gained a deeper appreciation for the diversity of Australian culture and the importance of reconciliation.

We work to remember reconciliation is not limited to a single week—it is an ongoing process of learning, respecting, and building relationships. Let us carry the spirit of Reconciliation Week in our hearts as we celebrate and embrace the diversity that makes our school and community so vibrant.

We Need Your Input! Help Us Improve Communication

At St Mary's, we believe that strong communication between school and home is crucial for the success of our students. We want to ensure that you stay well-informed about the exciting events, important announcements, and educational initiatives taking place at our school. To achieve this, we need your valuable input!

As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance communication, we are conducting a brief survey to gather your preferences regarding the best platform for us to share school news and updates. We understand that everyone has unique preferences and lifestyles, so we want to ensure that our communication methods cater to your needs.

The survey will focus on three primary communication channels: the school newsletter, Compass messages, and social media. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to complete the survey and provide us with your feedback. Your responses will be crucial in shaping our communication strategy moving forward.

To access the survey, please click the following link: https://smpscrookwell.schoolzineplus.com/survey/30

The survey will remain open until 15 June, so please submit your response before then.

2023 CECG Faith in Learning Staff Excellence Awards

Recognising exceptional contributions to the mission of Catholic Education in the Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn

Nominations are now open for the 2023 CECG Faith in Learning Staff Excellence Awards.

You are invited to nominate a person or team working or volunteering at St Mary's Primary School and making an exceptional contribution to our school.

This is an online nomination process. Nominators will be asked to provide examples of how the nominee or nominees’ efforts would be objectively judged as exceptional beyond that expected of their role.

Award Categories

Archbishop’s Award
Director’s Award
Teaching and Learning Awards
Leadership Awards - Emerging Leader, School Leader
School Education Support Award
Parent, Carer and Volunteer Award
Mission Award

For more information about these categories or to nominate a staff member, parent, carer or volunteer, please visit https://cg.catholic.edu.au/2023-cecg-faith-in-learning-staff-excellence-awards/

Nominations close at 5pm on Friday 21 July, 2023.

Compass app and browser

Attendance

A kind reminder to please let the school know of any absences as soon as possible. This allows us to ensure our records are current and to plan for the day accordingly.

Adding an attendance note via Compass is straightforward, either on the app or the web browser.

To access the shortcut on the app, look at the bottom of the page and select the blue circle with the plus in the middle. **Please note- ignore the word "close" under this symbol. It does not close the app**. We hope to have this rectified in the coming weeks.

If you want to look at your child's attendance via the app, please select "More" at the bottom, then "Open in Browser". This will take you to the browser view (the same one you would see if using Compass on your computer). Select "Profile", which will take you to your child's profile dashboard. From there, you can select "Attendance", which will take you to the summary page. Any squares in red are days when your child has an unexplained absence. You can add a note by going to the "Notes" tab and selecting "Add Attendance Note".

Reports, Compass and absences

At the end of this term, your child's Semester 1 reports will be available on Compass. Your child's attendance record will be noted on these reports based on the information in Compass. Please check your child's profile to ensure the attendance information is current.

Events

All events and excursions information will now be on Compass, and any payment required will be made via Compass Pay. This will allow for consent and payment to be made in one transaction. If, for some reason, the consent will not go through, please go back through and ensure all required questions or information is filled out.

Payments

School fee payments are recommended via BPAY, as the school is charged a fee when using Compass Pay. However, Compass Pay is still a legitimate way to pay your school fees if needed.

Compass Pay will be used for all school excursions and sporting events.

You can find the "Payments Centre" on the main dashboard of your browser or the app.

Latest News

All communication will be posted here—for example, sporting events, surveys, upcoming events, meetings, fundraising, etc. You can view old listings by selecting "Notifications" at the bottom of the app page.

You will also find the link to the "Changes to Travel Arrangements" form.

HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY

This coming Sunday, the Catholic Church celebrates Trinity Sunday. What is the Holy Trinity?

Catholics believe that the one God eternally exists in three Persons:

FATHER (The creator whose presence is revealed in all of creation),

SON (Jesus - who was created out of love by the Father to save us),

HOLY SPIRIT (The total and never-ending love between the Father and the Son which is also poured out for us).

The Holy Trinity is a mystery that no one can fully understand. But these points might be helpful:

- The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God; they are not three gods but only one God.

- The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Spirit, the Spirit is not the Father, but each is God individually and yet they are together the one true God of the Bible.

- The three are one in essence and attributes… There are NOT three "forms" of God—like, steam, water and ice. Rather – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are like three notes that combine to make one beautiful musical chord, or the leaves on a three-leaf clover - each part contributes equally to the whole.

- The Holy Trinity is a relationship of love between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

- We were created OUT of this loving relationship to be part OF this loving relationship. We were created for loving relationships with each other modelled on the Trinity.

- We are all invited to allow the Father, Son and Spirit to touch our lives.

God continues to reveal Himself to us in the Holy Trinity: - At St Mary’s we talk about ‘God Moments’ (everyday occurrences where God is visibly present our lives).

Have you ever met a person who has accepted and opened themselves up to the Holy Trinity? You can actually see God working in their lives – they are driven by inner peace and selfless love (regardless of whether they are well or unwell, happy or sad, wealthy or poor).

When we take time to pray, we allow the Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Spirit – to reach deeply into our lives. Prayer helps us to grow in love with the Trinity and all of creation.

May we grow in awareness and appreciation that we are created, loved and made holy by the continuing action and presence of the Holy Trinity in our lives

Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal

Many thanks to those who have donated so far.

Donations of the following items would be greatly appreciated and can be dropped to the school.

Thick socks
Gloves/mittens/beanies/scarves
Coats
Sleeping bags
Blankets/doonas
Non-perishable food items

(Please make sure any used items are in reasonable condition)

HOW TO RESPOND TO YOUR CHILD’S FRIENDSHIP PROBLEMS

Children’s friendship problems can be overwhelming for them. Here’s how we can respond in a helpful manner.

Your child comes home from school and their heart is broken. Their best friends have told her/him they don’t want her/him to come to the sleepover they have planned for the weekend. Or they hear that all their mates are at the skate park without them. To your child, time has stopped and the colour has seeped out of the world. They feel physically sick.

For all children their friendship circles are so important to their social and emotional well being. It's where they find an identity and a place in their newly-emerging and ever developing, social network. Often they share their deepest secrets and their greatest joys. Every emotion is magnified. Naturally, when something goes wrong or starts to feel uncomfortable it can feel devastating.

So what do you do and say when your child comes to you broken-hearted and feeling as though their world is crumbling?

1. LISTEN WITHOUT JUDGING OR FIXING

The first thing you need to do is remove yourself from any distractions, sit with your child and give them your complete attention. Don’t interrupt, or cluck or cry or give agitated body language. Just listen quietly until they have told you the whole story, from beginning to end. Listen without judgment and without trying to fix it.

Comfort your child and validate their feelings, “You were the only one not invited, no wonder you’re upset”. There is nothing wrong with crying so don’t feel as though you have to toughen them up. Crying is a healthy and effective way of regulating emotions.

Make sure you have a complete understanding of their perception of what happened. Remember that it is perception. When we recount events we always filter the story with our own emphasis. There is what happens and what we make it mean. There is their side of the story and the other sides.

2. EMPOWER INSTEAD OF CATASTROPHISING

How you respond at this point is important. If you react strongly, you make the incident into a catastrophe. You may feel like wringing someone’s neck, but you can’t say that. Don’t vilify the other party, they are likely to end up friends again, plus….don’t vilify people, your child is learning from you.

You may want to wrap your child in your arms and sob, you can’t do that either. When you overreact you create fear in your child. They start to question their self-worth and your faith in them.

Your child will be looking very carefully for your reaction, so show them that you believe in them. Send the message that you think they can handle this. Bad things have happened before, and 100% of the time they have survived. Let them know how loved they are, and that fact will never change

3. DISTRACT FROM FRIENDSHIP PROBLEMS

Now is the time to distract, not with light, colour, and action, but with the comfortable and familiar routines of home. Don’t let them dwell. Home is a sanctuary; let it be that way. Kids draw energy and power from the familiar and safety. They need you to act normally. Don’t pretend that nothing has happened, but stay on track.

Don’t loosen boundaries to compensate for what is happening at school. For example, don’t encourage your child to sleep with you or avoid sporting commitments. Normality is important. If everything is good and normal at home, the rest of the world can be conquered.

4. PRESS PAUSE

The temptation now is to call the parents of the other children or rush down to the school. You feel distressed and you think that taking action will make that feeling go away. That’s normal and understandable… but don’t. Wait. Stop and sleep on it. You’re right, it may help you escape your negative feelings, but it won’t necessarily help your child.

When you rush out and try to solve the problem for your child, two things happen:

1. You disempower your child. They already feel their social power has been taken. You can’t now take away their power.
2. You take away their opportunity to grow. Hurts like this one will happen countless times in their life, help them to be prepared. Kids who are supported in resolving their own conflicts develop a sense of their own competence in this area. They believe they are capable.

5. PROBLEM-SOLVE TOGETHER WHEN EVERYONE IS CALM

When your child is calm and has had plenty of time to move out of their big emotions, then it’s time to talk. As tempting as it will be to tell your child how to handle the situation, try not to. If you want them to grow into an adult who can make good decisions and act instead of purely reacting, you have to allow them to practise. So guide, but don’t take over. Obviously, the younger the child, the more guiding you will have to do. Be aware, there is no instant fix, but you can help your child navigate the drama.

First and foremost, your child needs to decide whether they want to fix the friendship or not. Unhealthy, unhappy friendships shouldn’t be maintained. Maybe new friends are the answer. Your child needs to ask themself some important questions.

WHAT IF IT DOESN’T BLOW OVER?

Friendship at any age is intense and sometimes fiery, but conflict tends to be short-lived. In most cases, these upsetting incidents will be resolved relatively quickly by themselves. That said, if the incident is not short-lived, or constitutes bullying, then you do need to work in partnership with the school.

FINALLY…

Talking to your kids about friendship is really important, not just when things are going badly. Teach kids to recognise what makes a good friend. When things are going well ask them what they like about their friends and what they like about themselves when they are around those people.

Expose them to a large variety of potential friends in lots of different contexts. And encourage them to have a lot of different friends for all the different aspects of their lives.

Source (modified)- https://lindastade.com/childrens-friendship-problems/

NSWPSSA Primary Boys Hockey Championships

Game updates from our boys in Tamworth

Day 1

MacKillop vs Riverina. Won 8-0

MacKillop be Nth Coast. Won 5-1

Day 2

MacKillop vs North West. Lost 0-1

MacKillop vs Hunter. Draw 1-1

Day 3 - results to come

MacKillop vs Polding

Mackillop vs Sydney West.

The draw and results can be found using the following link:

https://app.education.nsw.gov.au/sport/EventHeader/View?eventId=14209&subEventId=14210

School Athletics Carnival

The St Mary’s 2023 Athletics Carnival was held on Thursday 25 May at a very windy and cold Todkill Park. Students were busy participating in all the events on offer and were enthusiastically cheering for one another and their houses. It was a most enjoyable day!

I would like to thank the dedicated staff and fabulous parents who assisted on the day. It would not have been possible without your help and support!

I would like to congratulate the students on their efforts, cooperation, good sportsmanship and encouragement of one another. We are blessed to have such a caring and supportive student body.

The 2023 Results were as follows:

Age Champions:

	Boys	Girls
8 Years	Cooper Sims	Elizabeth Walsh
9 Years	Bodi Cooper	Aria White
10 Years	Riley O’Brien	Faith Riles
11 Years	Ollie Croker	Sienna Gann
12 Years	William Croker	Chloe Bensley

Winning House: Aloysius. Congratulations Aloysius!

The Northern Region Athletics Carnival will be held in Goulburn on Friday 16 June.

Friday Sport: Mini Roos Soccer Coaching

We have been lucky enough to have the very talented Nick and Bree from Football Australia, join us at St Mary’s the past few weeks for our Friday sport sessions. Nick and Bree have been providing our students with some fun soccer skills, drills, and games. They will be here for the next two weeks, and our students are loving it! We have some very skilful and talented budding soccer stars among us!

On a cold and drizzly Friday morning, 13 boys from St Mary’s arrived in Goulburn for the Monaro Rugby Union Cup. St Mary’s had a Year 3 boy team competing in the Junior Competition and a senior team consisting of Year 5 and 6 boys in the Senior Competition.

Despite the disappointing news that the tournament was now touch not tackle, both teams readied themselves with a convincing warm-up, putting all other schools on notice that the St Mary’s boys were not to be trifled with.

All day both teams braved the rain, wind, and no subs as they confidently went about dismantling almost every team they played. Opposition included Goulburn Public school, Goulburn North and St Josephs. The Junior boys played with a flair and class unheard in the Monaro Cup, winning 4 out of 5 games, coming a very close second to St Josephs based on for and against. The Senior boys played with grit and absolute relentlessness, winning 4 out 5 games (with one draw) on their way to claiming the title.

It was an outstanding effort by all 13 boys, who represented St Mary’s with poise and fantastic sportsmanship.

Mr Edwards

Book Club

Book club was distributed yesterday.

Please order through LOOP by Thursday 8th June 2023

The web address is: scholastic.com.au/LOOP

Please contact me if you experience any difficulties.

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS)

On Wednesday last week the children participated in National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS).

This year the book was “The Speedy Sloth” by Rebecca Young.

The main message of The Speedy Sloth is to be proud of your achievements, don't compare yourself to others.

This event is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. This event aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes.

Year 2 Artwork of The Speedy Sloth

Student of the Week Awards

The Student of the Week Awards goes to...

Kindergarten: Andy Storrier, Georgie Strode

Yr. 1: Macie Charnock, Abby Kennedy, Jack Lowe, Pepper Reeves

Yr. 2: Henry Elsley-Mattox, Elizabeth Walsh

Yr. 3: Jesse Costello, Samantha Fraser, Vinnie Moloney

Yr. 4: Sophie Croker, Ruby Pappalardo

Yr. 5: Charlie Bensley, Lucas Plumb, Madeleine Strode

Yr. 6: Will Croker, Phoebe Fannin

Japanese Class of the Week goes to Kindergarten

School Spirit Awards

Will Croker for showing great sportsmanship and demonstrating the School Value of Compassion

Riley O'Brien for showing service to others

Gabrielle Price for showing great sportsmanship and service to others

Madeleine Strode for showing the School Value of Compassion

Parent Talk Newsletter

Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT (CCSP) have published their latest newsletter. Parent Talk newsletter aims to provide parents and carers with relevant and timely information about developments in education, wellbeing, CCSP advocacy program and significant Catholic news and events.

https://ccsp.schoolzineplus.com/parenttalk?nid=27

Tuckshop Roster

If you can help and aren't on the roster, please click the following link to complete the form. Tuckshop Helpers

More hands mean less work! Tuckshop is a great way to meet other parents.

Friday 2 June: Maureen Lucock, Amy Craig, Jenny Wye

Monday 5 June: Catherine Fraser, Tash McCormack, Ally Hewitt

Friday 9 June: Elise Croker, Bec Scott, Tennille McIntosh

Monday 12 June: Public Holiday

Friday 16 June: Elizabeth Egan, Carina Doran, Jenny Wye

Monday 19 June: Amber McWilliam, Cass Wicks, Jemma Reid

Friday 23 June: Katherine Fraser, Mary-Ann Kilborn, volunteer required

Parish Office

For Parish and Sacramental matters, please forward your enquiries to the Goulburn Parish Office. The volunteer secretary works 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

Address: 55 Wade Street (the Old Convent Building)

Calendar

Celebrating Reconciliation Week with Aboriginal-themed Literature Activities!

We Need Your Input! Help Us Improve Communication

2023 CECG Faith in Learning Staff Excellence Awards

Award Categories

Compass app and browser

Attendance

Reports, Compass and absences

Events

Payments

Latest News

HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY

Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal

HOW TO RESPOND TO YOUR CHILD’S FRIENDSHIP PROBLEMS

1. LISTEN WITHOUT JUDGING OR FIXING

2. EMPOWER INSTEAD OF CATASTROPHISING

3. DISTRACT FROM FRIENDSHIP PROBLEMS

4. PRESS PAUSE

5. PROBLEM-SOLVE TOGETHER WHEN EVERYONE IS CALM

WHAT IF IT DOESN’T BLOW OVER?

FINALLY…

NSWPSSA Primary Boys Hockey Championships

School Athletics Carnival

Friday Sport: Mini Roos Soccer Coaching

Book Club

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS)

Student of the Week Awards

School Spirit Awards

Parent Talk Newsletter

Tuckshop Roster

Parish Office

Crookwell Kids Disco

PCYC Activities