Calendar

ALL SAINTS DAY - 1 November   

The Catholic Church celebrates ALL SAINTS’ Next Wednesday.

What is a SAINT?  The Church does not CREATE saints. Human beings make the conscious choice to do that for themselves. Catholics believe everyone is called to try to be saintly each day; to live lives according to God’s commandments to love God and love one another. Mary, Jesus mother and Patron Saint of our school, was the first saint. Mary Mackillop – our very own Australian saint – is another great example for us to follow. She led her life striving to be like Jesus – her motto was: ‘Never see a need without trying to do something about it.’

November 1 became the official day to give thanks for all the SAINTS after Christianity became legalised in A.D. 313. On this day, we give thanks for the many men, women and even children who chose to live lives of faith, hope, and love, and bring others closer to God.

Christians today ask the Saints to pray for them and their loved ones.

We will be attending a Liturgy in the Church to celebrate ALL SAINTS on Wednesday at 9:30am. All are welcome to join us.

ALL SOULS DAY – 2 November

Throughout the year, the Church prays for, and remembers all those who have died. However, All Souls Day on November 2, is the official day of commemoration when the Church remembers, prays for, and offers special masses for the faithfully departed. We pray that our loved ones and all of those who have died enter into the loving presence of God in Heaven.

CATHOLIC MISSION

• JESUS’ FEET – walking with others in the spirit of JUSTICE
• JESUS’ HANDS – offering SERVICE to others

Please help us if you are able, by sending in any of the following items:

WHITE ELEPHANT/LUCKY DIP STALLS

toys, games, kitchenware, clothes, drawing/sketching materials, books, jewellery, purses, wallets, handbags, etc

They may be left in the Assistant Principal/REC office.

PRAYER – join us in praying for the poor and marginalised, and people suffering from war.

A Prayer for peace in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine

Heavenly Father, we pray for the many people whose lives have been torn apart by conflict in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine.

We pray especially those who have died, those who are grieving, the injured and those now without food, shelter, or medical supplies. Strengthen and support the work of all relief organisations.

We pray also for those who have the power to bring peace. May they be touched by a spirit of compassion and kindness.

Lord hear us as we pray in the power of your Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

DONATIONS – Please help us with monetary donations if you are able. Each class has a ‘mission basket’. Let us all help ‘fill the baskets of those whose are empty’

Boorowa Touch Football and Netball Carnival

Last Friday, St Mary’s students from Years 2 to 6 travelled in convey to Boorowa for the long-awaited Boorowa touch football and netball carnival. It had been three years since we last attended and students were excited to play and compete.

Our students represented St Mary’s with pride. They were competitive, respectful, and displayed tremendous sportsmanship to our competitors and team-mates. Although it was a friendly competition and there were no prizes or place getters, our students should be proud of their success and achievements on the day.

Our Year 5 and 6 touch teams and netballers looked the part, playing in the St Mary’s brand-new sports uniforms. Thank you to our fabulous P&F for your generous donation, and for the purchase of our lovely second gazebo, that kept us well sheltered from the sun.

Boorowa is a large carnival at a large venue. We had 8 touch football teams and 2 netball teams. I would like to sincerely thank those generous parents who came and managed, coached, refereed, umpired, and supported our students on the day. The day would not have been possible or as successful without you. We are so lucky to have so many supportive parents who are willing to lend a hand when needed. The staff, students, and I, THANK YOU!!

Mrs. Linda Walsh

Upcoming trials

Tuckshop Roster

If your date doesn't suit, please work out a replacement/swap date and let Belinda know to update the roster.

Sticky Beak Bag Use

Please remind your child to put their sticky beak lunch bags into the baskets on tuckshop days. The ladies in the tuckshops are finding a big increase in having to use paper bags, which results in extra rubbish on the playground. 

The attached PDF has useful information attached.

2024 school travel applications are now open                                                                                  

Students who need a School Opal card or travel pass for 2024 can apply here. A new application will need to be submitted if they are applying for the first time, or if they are requesting additional travel entitlement because of new shared parental arrangement (e.g. joint custody).

Students who change address, school, campus location, have repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should renew or update their details before the end of Term 4. This will ensure that schools can endorse applications, and entitlements remain valid for the start of the 2024 school year. School Opal card holders will have the changes applied to their existing card.

If a student’s distance eligibility has changed based on their grade (i.e. grade two to grade three), the system will automatically update their entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria, we will send them an expiry notification via email.

Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition that is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.

Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.

Students living in rural and regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the start of the new school year from their nominated transport operator. It may come via the school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

Travel from Term 1 2024

We ask that parents plan ahead and make sure their child knows which service/s to use and has a valid ticket to travel; either a School Opal card or Child/Youth Opal card (within Greater Sydney) or a School Travel Pass (outside Greater Sydney), from the start of the school year.

Applications for 2024 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel open at the start of Term 4 2023, so parents/students can apply or update details early and be ready for the start of the new school year.

Most students using the Opal network will not need a new Opal card and can continue travelling on their existing card each year.

The start of the year is a busy period for local transport operators, and students travelling without a valid ticket make service planning and operations difficult.

We recognise that for some families last minute changes to school enrolments mean they may not have a School Opal card or Travel Pass for the start of term. In the Opal network, we strongly encourage these families to have their children travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.

Bus operators are flexible and understanding, particularly at the start of the school year, and will ensure students can travel safely to and from school. But to best support our operators we encourage all students to have a valid ticket, as early as possible, from the start of the school year.

Family Engagement in Faith- Term 4

Parish Office