Term 2 Week 9 2023

Giinagay Families,

    As we head into the end of Term 2, we reflect on what was a very busy but amazing Term. I have had the privilege of proof reading 49 report cards this week and I am so very proud of every single one of our St Mary's learners. In addition to this, I need to mention our amazing teaching staff that we have here at St Mary's who go above and beyond every single day for our children to achieve their learning goals. We really are an amazing community.

School Fees

As we commence Term 3, a gentle reminder for all our families that it is compulsory to pay school fees at St Mary's. I understand that families may be experiencing financial difficulties, particularly with the cost of living at the moment. If this is you, please don't hesitate to come in for a cuppa, a yarn, and we can discuss a payment plan. 

Week 6 Newsletter Error

In the Week 6 newsletter, a mistake was made regarding our work with Lavinnia and Harry. Lavinia is the Social Emotional Wellbeing Officer and Harry the Cultural Officer, both with Bularri Muurlay Nyangga. We are very grateful for the opportunities that Harry and Lavinia bring to our students each fortnight. 

Report Cards

Student report cards will be available on COMPASS on Wednesday, the 28th of June. A reminder for all parents to make sure you have the APP on your phone to receive this important update on your child's progress. 

It is important to note that a C grade, or sound level of achievement,  indicates your child is meeting the requirements for their grade level. When reading your child’s report we encourage you to focus on their EFFORT.  At St Mary's we encourage students to always try their best and we promote perseverance and resilience with learning. 

Head Lice

Once again, we are seeing the return of Head Lice in our school. Can I please encourage ALL families, over the school holidays to do a check and treat if required. If we all do this over the holidays, it will help keep the lice away.

NAIDOC Week

Next week, we come together as a Bowraville community to celebrate NAIDOC week. There is information in this newsletter and also our Facebook page about the events we will be partaking in this year. The theme this year is For our Elders. This is a very important time in out community, I look forward to seeing our community throughout the week.

As this is the last newsletter before the end of term, I wish you all a very happy and safe school holidays.

Nadine 

Year 5/6 are currently studying a science unit "Farming for the Future". As part of this study students are learning about the paddock-to-plate process and sustainable farming practices. To explore this further students attended the McKay's Dairy Farm on Blackberry Lane, Missabotti today.

The Mckay family Dave & Allison (Dad & Mum), Joe, Kacy, Billie, Rosie and Frankie (kids) and the grandchildren greeted our St Mary's students and teachers on arrival.

While students were there they learnt about the dairy structure which is a Rotary Dairy where the cows walk in, the milking cups are attached and the milk is extracted into a large milk Vat. The technology behind the automatic feeders was explained to students as they watched the cows eat as they were being milked.

Students also learnt about the different stages of the calves. They were delighted to see a new born calf take it's first steps.

At the end of the farm tour everyone had a break by drinking flavoured milk.

Ella gave a thankyou speech on behalf of the class to the Mckay family for the wonderful farm tour. 

Here's what our students had to say about their excursion to the dairy farm:

STANLEY  "I liked everything about it! We got to see a new born calf. It was still really little & couldn't stand up properly"

ELLA  "There was so much I liked about the excursion. I liked seeing the 1hr old calf, seeing all the other claves, the soon to be mum cows, the flavoured milk and question time. I had a favourite calf that would only come up to me for a pet"

LILY  "the calf sucked my finger and bit me. I liked eating the Kumquat fruit off the tree. They were very sour"

KADEN  " I liked the rotary dairy. I thought it was really good how when there was no more milk left in the cow the milking cups fell off and the cow could walk out. I also liked the 5 dogs and the strawberry milk at the end"

CIARA  "The cute calves were my favourite. I liked the mixed breed calves of jersey & angus. We got to feed the cows pellets and saw a 1hr old calf"

SHYLIQUA  "The baby calves and eating Kumquat's was my favourite part"

LLEYTON  "I liked meeting the cows, calves and newborn calf"

Congratulations to all of our Winners and students that participated in our Athletics Day

Winners (in 1st, 2nd & 3rd place order):

5/6/7 girls 70m - Djanaambi, Oakley, Mia
5/6/7 boys 70m - Lance, Bradley, William
8/9 girls 100m - Ariana, Sofia, Alexis
8/9 boys 100m - Jayden, Joe, Kobi
10 girls 100m - Ella
10 boys 100m - Harry, Marty, Jake
11 girls 100m - Izzy, Shyliqua, Ciara
11 boys 100m - Sonny, Kaden, Reyon
12 girls  100m - Lily
12 boys 100m - Isaac, Stanley, Archie
K/2 girls 200m - Djanaambi, Oakley, Violet
K/2 boys 200m - Joe, Jayden, Thomas
¾ girls 200m - Alexis, Ariana, Sofia
¾ boys 200m - Harry, Jake, Regent
⅚ girls 200m - Lily, Izzy, Ciara
⅚ boys 200m - Sonny, Isaac, Stanley
⅚ girls 400m - Lily, Izzy, Ciara
⅚ boys 400m - Sonny, Isaac, Archie
Jnr girls long jump - Alexis, Sofia, Ariana
Jnr boys  long jump - Harry, Regent, Kobi
Snr girls long jump - Lily, Izzy, Shyliqua
Snr boys long jump - Sonny, Stanley, Isaac
Jnr girls shot put - Ariana, Arlo, Alexis
Jnr boys shot put - Harry, Tayven, Will
Snr girls shot put - Lily, Ciara, Izzy
Snr boys shot put - Sonny, Isaac, Kaden
Jnr girls discus - Ariana, Sofia, Alexis
Jnr boys discus - Harry, Tayven, Marty
Snr girls discus - Lily, Shyliqua, Izzy
Snr boys discus - Sonny, Isaac, Kaden

Students enjoying play at lunch time by playing handball, basketball, soccer or playing on the new playground.

On the 5th June our stage 3 students participated in the New South Wales Primary School’s Chess Competition, for the Coffs Harbour Zone tournament. In the lead up to the competition the chess club students worked hard each week to develop and strengthen their chess skills. There were 142 students across the region who participated in the tournament held at Bishop Druitt College at Coffs Harbour. Our B grade team consisted of Martin, Rowan, Kaden and Archie. They achieved an amazing result of equal third! Our C grade team consisted of Lily, Ella, Shyliqua, Sonny and Reyon. They too achieved a fabulous result of fourth! Some of our students did not lose a game. With these results it is evident that St Mary's will have an A and B grade next year and will be fierce competition.

I would like to thank our participants for displaying their passion, skill, enthusiasm, teamwork and sportsmanship. You represented St Mary's with pride. Congratulations!

` Miss Mel

St Mary’s Primary School stage 3 is running ‘Drum it up’- a social and emotional development program, based on the Rhythm2Recovery model of experiential music and cognitive reflection. This program will involve participants playing rhythmic music (drums and percussion) and discussing relevant themes that facilitate social and emotional awareness and education.  

This format has been evaluated through a number of research studies and is strongly evidence based. Research has validated the use of this method to support the development of a wide range of social and emotional skills that promote general wellbeing and improve relationships.

Over the term stage three students developed confidence in using the drum as a tool to express emotions, reflect on their relationships, communicate ways they can improve relationships and how to identify what is a healthy and unhealthy relationship. Additionally, we practiced mindfulness, teamwork and had plenty of fun. Miss Alice, Uncle Mark, Uncle Jason and Miss Mel were witness to their growth over the term which was put on display with their rap songs they wrote and performed at our last session. With Archie, Sonny, Isaac, Ella and Miss Mel choosing to perform in front of the whole school.

On Tuesday the 13th June Sonny travelled to Sydney to compete in the next level of Cross Country (Polding). Sonny competed against 41 other children in his age and placed 18th. Well done Sonny!

From the money raised for our school at the Easter Raffle we were able to purchase a 2nd Goal. Students are able to play a full game of soccer now they have 2 goals! Thank you to everyone that contributed and purchased tickets in our Easter Raffle.

For reconcilliation week students painted hands and Aunty Brenda laminated them and placed them in the town centre along with Bowraville Central and Bowraville Preschool for our town to see.

Students from years 2, 3 & 4 learning Gumbaynggirr language with Uncle Mark while playing indigenous games and signing Yuludarla.

MONDAY 26TH JUNE

WEDNESDAY 28TH JUNE

THURSDAY 29TH JUNE

FRIDAY 28TH JUNE