St Mary's Primary School Crookwell eNewsletter

Upcoming Events

Final Assembly

The Year Six class will present their Final Assembly tomorrow, Friday, 15 December, at 12.30 pm. The recipients of Awards will be re-acknowledged at this Assembly. All welcome!

At this Assembly, we will also farewell Sr Rosemary, who has been seconded to Croydon to lead the Liturgical Mission for the Sisters of St Joseph. We thank Rosemary for her work at St Mary's over the past eight years and wish her well for her journey ahead.

Week 9/10 Events - Thank you!

Christmas Concert

Thank you to everyone who assisted in making the Christmas Concert and family picnic such a memorable evening last Thursday night. We could not have asked for more perfect weather.

Thanks to Mrs Picker and the teachers for preparing the students. Thank you to Rechell Naughton and Reané Strode for coordinating and all of the Year 3 parent helpers for providing us with a delicious dinner.

Kindergarten Showcase of Learning

I was extremely impressed last Friday with Kindergarten's beautiful re-enactment of the Christmas Story. Well done Kindergarten and Mrs Cummins. I believe it was good enough to be presented at Carols in the Domain!

Year Six Farewell

On Monday night we commenced our farewell celebrations for Year 6 with a Graduation Mass, Dinner, and Awards Presentation. It was a beautiful evening. The students all presented themselves beautifully. Thank you to the parents who assisted in the organisation, along with Mrs Spackman, Mrs Skelly and the other staff involved.

Community Christmas Carols

Our students have been invited to sing two Christmas Carols at the Crookwell Community Markets/Carols event.

On Saturday, 16 December, we have been invited to perform at the Crookwell Memorial Oval, at 5.40pm. The students will be accompanied by Mrs Alison Cummins and are asked to meet at 5.30pm beside the stage.

If your child can participate, please complete the eform below, or just turn up on the day.

Christmas Carols Participating

Leadership Changeover

I would also like to recognise and thank our outgoing Year 6 class for the fine leadership they have provided the other students and the assistance and positive attitude that they have offered the staff. You can all be very proud of your time as a St Mary’s student - you have been wonderful students and leaders.

Twelve months ago, I announced Ava and William as our School Captains. I thank them for their excellent leadership. I would also like to thank Patrick, Chloe, Addin and Lauren, for their outstanding job as our Sports Captains. You have all provided fine role models to our Year Five students moving into these positions.

Last week, our Year Five students presented speeches outlining why they wanted to be our 2024 School and House Captains. The quality of speeches that the students gave in self-nominating for Captain positions was excellent. They showed insight into what leadership means and represents. The students were able to articulate why they felt they would be suitable candidates, and they also managed to engage their audience.

Thank you to all of the students who volunteered themselves for these positions. I am confident that each of you would make excellent leaders, and you will, regardless of the outcome, have opportunities for this next year.

On Friday last week, each student at St Mary’s voted for the students they would like to see fill our Captain’s roles. These roles are filled solely by the student vote; as usual, the staff did not vote.

Congratulations to the following students who will help lead our school in an official capacity next year.

School Captains- Sophie Culley and Henry Galland

Lawrence Captains- Sienna Gann and Ollie Croker

Aloysius Captains- Elkie Storrier and Hayden Tarlinton

We congratulate all the students who ran for roles and congratulate them on their wonderful display of sportsmanship and resilience.

Happy Retirement Mr O'Kane

It was lovely to have Mr O'Kane visit the school yesterday to celebrate his retirement after 45 years of being an educator in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. The staff and students shared memories of Mr O'Kane over the years and then he was presented with a beautiful piece of artwork symbolising his contribution to St Mary's, created by Jess Plumb.

Enjoy your retirement Mr O'Kane!

Final Farewell

Over the past few weeks, I have been focussing on getting through my 'To-Do List' and trying not to think about my numbered days at St Mary's. As I sit down to write, with one day to go, I feel a flood of emotions. It is with both a heavy heart and gratitude that I bid farewell to this special school community.

Firstly, I am very thankful for the opportunity, and privilege, to lead such an exceptional school – one that thrives on inclusion, compassion, and a shared commitment to the pursuit of quality education. Thank you for entrusting me with the responsibility of guiding St Mary's for the past seven years as Principal. Thank you for your beautiful messages, cards and words over the past few weeks.

Each member of our dedicated staff, every student who graced our hallways, and the parents who partnered with us in the educational journey – you have all contributed to my growth and development as an educator and as a person. Together, we have weathered challenges, celebrated triumphs, and created a nurturing environment that goes beyond the confines of a normal school.

To the outstanding staff, thank you for your dedication and tireless efforts. Your passion for education and commitment to fostering a love of learning have been the driving forces behind our success. I have learnt much from each of you and thank you for your support and collegiality. You all inspire me!

Thank you to our fantastic students. I love your down-to-earth country attitude. Your sense of fun and adventure, enthusiasm and curiosity, have made (nearly) every day a joyous adventure. I have loved our conversations about horses, motorbikes, cattle showing, shearing, polocrosse, drenching, crutching, marking lambs, and the like. As I look back it is amazing to see how much the students have taught me. When I first arrived in Crookwell my Year Three class took great enjoyment in explaining to me what a 'chute' in a shearing shed is.

As I move on to a new chapter in my life, I carry with me the memories of St Mary's. While I may be physically leaving the school, the relationships I have formed here will last forever.

I wish you all well and know that in the capable hands of Mrs Sally-Anne Croker, St Mary's will continue to thrive for generations to come.

Wishing each of you a joyful, safe and holy Christmas!

Mrs. Sarah Lowe
Outgoing Principal

If you do not have a BPAY periodical payment plan in place, please ensure that your outstanding fees are paid as soon as possible.

It would be appreciated if these could be paid before the end of term to ensure there is no follow-up made by Head Office during the Christmas break.

Aborginial Mural

The beautiful mural above was designed through a series of workshops run by our very clever Aboriginal Artist mum, Jess Plumb, with the students of St Mary's. The following blurb is an explanation from Jess about how the artworks were created and what they symbolise.

We began with a workshop on learning Aboriginal Symbols and how to tell stories through Aboriginal Art. Each student made their own story to help understand this process.

The Year 6 class of 2022 started us off and decided the theme should be the journey through primary school. Each class then built upon what that should look like and added elements to the draft painting.

We talked about how a meeting place is a place where people come together and share stories, learn and socialise and this is why we chose the meeting place symbol to represent each class from Kindergarten to Year 6.

The Aboriginal symbol for people was used to represent the students on the outside and one in each centre to represent the teacher.

The paths that connect each class represent the travel as you move through each year in primary school. The dots that surround these represent all the past students who have followed the same path.

The handprints represent the Aboriginal students that feel connection in their cultural identity and a sense of pride and empowerment to see their Culture explored and encouraged at school together with their peers.

Each class spent some time with me painting the mural, with the students free to use the colours of their choice, and taking ownership of it and inspiring creativity and a sense of belonging while learning about Aboriginal Culture as we painted.

This stunning mural will be hung in a place where it can be admired by all.

ADVENT - Get Ready for Jesus’ Birthday

This Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent and it is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means “rejoice” in Latin. At the beginning of this Sunday’s Mass we say: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:4,5). We light the third candle on the Advent wreath. This candle is pink and is called the Shepherd’s Candle.’ We reflect on the joy the shepherds felt at the birth of Jesus.

"And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them." Luke 2:20

During the Christmas season, most of us like to rejoice by spending more on presents, food, decorations etc. It is a time for spending, partying and lots of giving. Our God was extremely giving when he gave us the gift of Jesus… but Jesus came in plain wrapping—he was the infant of two poor migrants. (Who very likely would be turned away from Australian shores in this day and age!) There was no designer cot for Jesus; not even the comforts of home. But the gift of that child was so rich and fine, that poor shepherds and educated wise men from far countries were all drawn to him with tears of joy. And over the following 2022 years countless others, like Mary Mackillop, have been drawn to His message of peace and love.

So perhaps this Christmas we could think about giving ourselves in addition to giving ‘stuff.’

What kind of presence am I to those I love? How can I give myself as a present to others? Am I aware of God’s presence in my life? We tend to forget that God’s presence is enough to meet our innermost desires. This Christmas season is a great time to spend more time in God’s peaceful presence; and more time exploring the power and wonder of our own presence with others. What better present can we give to our Lord and each other!

A few suggestions for loving gifts:

A warm welcome

Time for a phone conversation

A firm handshake to a shaky soul

A kind word to a lonely person

A warm smile to the disheartened

A sincere concern for someone troubled

Compassion for the neglected

Comforting words for the bereaved

A word of witness to help a seeking soul

A patient and non-judgemental listening ear

Dear Jesus, may the light of your love always shine in our hearts. As Christmas draws closer, we marvel at your great love for us. Let your love transform every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter. Our hearts are open to you, Jesus. Amen.

Wishing you all joy and peace this Christmas season

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

Many thanks to those who supported our St Vinnies Christmas appeal. St Vinnies staff were overwhelmed by the generosity of St Mary’s School community when they received our donations.

In Appreciation

St Mary’s School Community wishes to thank Fr Joshy, Fr Hilary, and Sr Rosemary for their wonderful nurturing support and for guiding us on our Faith journey this year. We also wish Sr Rosemary all the best and many blessings in her new position in Sydney. She will be greatly missed.

CSNSW Sport- Aquathlon

Info from CSNSW

The portal had a few hiccups last week making registrations challenging.

Due to this inconvenience, we are extending the Registration Early Bird cut-off date for our CSNSW Sport Aquathlon to Wednesday, 6 December 5pm.

CSNSW SPORT is offering a fantastic school holiday opportunity for students enrolled in Catholic schools in NSW.

Our pilot AQUATHLON event is open to participation for students aged 8 years to 19 years with age divisions in both mainstream and multi-class events.

For more information - https://csnsw.sport/sports/csnsw-sport-programmes/aquathlon

St Mary's 2024 Swimming Carnival

The Swimming Carnival for all students from Kinder to Yr 6 will commence at 10am on Friday February 9th, 2024, at Boorowa Pool, 12 Market St.
Students will be transported by bus on the day, or by private transport.

A Compass EVENT email will be sent out to all families early in 2024.

PRIMARY EVENTS - 8yrs and up

How Does My Child Nominate for Events?
On the day, students aged 8yrs and up will report to the marshalling area to participate in an age event (50m or 10m)
Students can nominate in all strokes or those they feel most comfortable swimming. Participation in all events is encouraged.

What Length are the Events?

200m individual medley age race
50m freestyle age race
50m backstroke age race
50m breaststroke age race
50m butterfly age race
10m age events for freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, kickboard and wading.

Apart from the freestyle events, children will be competing in Junior (8, 9 and 10 Years), Intermediate (11 Years) and Senior (12 and 13 Years) age groups, as is the case when competing in further representative levels.
Age championship points are for 50m and Medley events only.

Please note that if a child participates in a 50m event in a stroke they cannot participate in the same stroke in a 10m event.

Age Champions
Announcement and presentation of the Age Champion medallions will be made at our Friday Morning assembly on 16th February 2024.

Northern Region Representative Swimming
Our NR Team will be selected from children turning 8 years, or older, in 2024, who participate in the 50m races.
The NR Swimming Carnival will be held on Thursday 22nd February in Yass.

INFANTS EVENTS - Kinder and Yr 1

A program of events has been planned for Infants and will run concurrently with the Primary Carnival in the Infants Pool.

Helpers
If you are available to assist on the day with either age group, please contact the school office or myself as soon as possible.

Canteen Facilities
There will be canteen facilities available on the day.
Students will need to bring lunch and plenty of water, or money for the canteen should they so desire.

Mr Edwards

Thank you

A big thank you to Michelle Moorby and Lisa Barlow for their tireless efforts in covering books for our library.

NSW Premier's Reading Challenge

Congratulations to the following students on completing the NSW Premier's Reading Challenge: Sophie Kilborn, Olivia Millett, Joe McCormack, Georgia Proudman, Cooper Sims, Jack Strode, Madeleine Strode, Max Strode and Aria White.

Return of books

Please ensure all library books are returned by tomorrow.

SORA- a great holiday reading resource

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Cheese Toastie Day

Thank you to Cat and Georgina Culley, and Jo Grove for coordinating yesterday's cheese toastie day. The students enjoyed it!

Crookwell Show 2024 BBQ

Keep an eye out soon for the Crookwell Show 2024 BBQ roster. All families will be given a time slot on either Saturday or Sunday. The Show BBQ is always a fantastic fundraiser and a great way for families to get to know each other.

Thanks to Craig Croker for coordinating the roster.