Term 4 Week 6 2023

Giinagay families,

It is hard to believe that there is only 4 weeks to go until the end of the school year. 

Appointment

I would like to sincerely express my gratitude to our whole school community for the many kind words and shows of happiness regarding my appointment to Principal of St Mary's Bowraville. I am very blessed to lead this school community every day, but most of all so lucky to have your children in our trust and care with their faith, learning and wellbeing outcomes. I thank you all.

Compass

Just a reminder to all families that the Compass App is available as our preferred means of communication. If you need any help logging in, updating the App etc, please pop in on a Thursday and our IT Technician can assist with your queries. 

School Fees

Just a gentle reminder for all families that school fees are now due. As we draw to the end of the year it is vital that any outstanding amounts are discussed and a payment plan made. I understand that we all experience financial hardship at certain times of our lives, and know I am always happy to discuss a plan with our families moving forward. 

Semester 2 Reports

The release of the new syllabuses provides the opportunity to revise aspects of the Student Report to align with current research.

What are the changes to the Student Report Comments for Semester 2?

Student Report Comments reflect the Learning Areas on the Student Report. There will be multiple comments:

• English Comment
• Mathematics Comment
• Key Learning Area Comment
• General Comments

The English and Mathematics Comments will reflect:

• Areas of achievement and growth
• Learning Goals

The Key Learning Areas Comments will reflect:

• Areas of achievement and growth
• Learning Goals across key learning areas. 

The General Comment will reflect non-academic achievement and could include:

• • extracurricular activities and/or
  • additional comments to elaborate on the Learner Profile and/or
  • demonstration of school values and/or
  • a student’s social/emotional learning.

Please do not hesitate to contact the school, if you have any questions regarding the new report template.

Looking forward to a wonderful end to the Year at St Mary's with you all. 

Nadine 

In Science Year 2/3 students made a circuit to test which materials conduct electricity

Year 4 have been creating their own news articles on activites that have been happening in our school:

Year 4 news 

    Bowraville Memorial Cup  By Jacob Leece

On the 3rd of November the Bowraville Memorial Cup took place.

Most of the schools in the Nambucca valley came. Games of touch football were played and there were some guessing competitions.

There was music playing then a dance battle started with all the schools! Everyone was having fun.

Growth Mindset By Adrian Jarrett

You can learn new challenges so you can grow your brain as a muscle. When you try to do hard stuff it is not a big deal you can always try your best even when you do hard work. If you can grow your brain as a muscle you can get better and better and greater.

Remembrance Day by Harry duncan

Today 10/11/23 Friday our school (St Mary's) celebrated Remembrance Day. Even though the propper day is on Saturday we don't come to school on saturday that's why we did it on Friday.

Year 4 (Our class) made some poppies to sit down next to the cross.              

Our leaders Archie, Isaac, Shyliqua and Marty set up the cross, candles and put other decorations up. Their teacher Miss Alice searched for a song and speech.

They made us come out at 10:50 and we finished at 11:00.

Marty, Isaac and Stanley did the speech, Archie, Sonny, Lily and Miss Alice were in the choir. To finish it off we did a minute of silence at 11:00 and then we went back to our classroom for 14 minutes because it was nearly lunch time.

On Wednesday 1st November we held a All Soul's Day Liturgy to remember those who have passed. A representative tree stood in the middle of the assembly that had small dove's placed on it. Students decorated the doves and wrote names of loved ones that had passed away then placed them on the tree. 

Lleyton welcomed the assembly with Clap Sticks. Isaac then read the below reading:

Today we celebrate All Souls Day. On this day, we are called
to remember those who have died, particularly those who
have died in the past year, and pray for their joyful reunion
with you, their loving creator.
As your son taught us to call the stranger 
neighbor, our fallen are many—
Names we will never know,
Voices we have never heard,
In lands we may never visit,
Yet brothers and sisters all.
And so we pray
Hail Mary…

Aunty Clarice, Reyon and Stan lit candles and Lily & Ciara read the Gospel Verse before concluding the Liturgy

On the 24th of October, St Mary's held a Family Fun Afternoon for our families to enjoy an afternoon in the school while the kids were entertained by face painting, fairy floss, games and food.

The theme around the afternoon was 'Happy Hearts, Healthy Minds'. There is 3 factors that research says are really important when it comes to our children leading happy, healthy and meaningful lives: Parenting Styles, Great family Activities & Routines and Emotional Intelligence.

Parents received an information session around the 'Happy Hearts, Healthy Minds' on the afternoon from Janita (from CSO).

Thankyou to Miss Mel and our Student Leadership Team for organising this afternoon.

The structure for our Outdoor Learning Space has been completed. It sits in between our Yarning Circle and School Farm. Watch this space for the coming changes and how it will be used.

On Friday 3rd November the annual Bowraville Memorial Cup was held in memory of Clinton Speedy-Duroux, Evelyn Greenup and Colleen Walker.

The day started with the opening ceremony by Ricky Buchanan with primary school students from Coffs Harbour to Kempsey in attendance.

Students participated in sports events such as basketball, netball and touch football. Students were also entertained by the petting zoo, stalls, dance, performances and music. The water spray tent was a hit with our students.   

On Wednesday the 15th October Nicholas from NRL NSW came to school and ran workshops for all of our students. As it started to rain, most of our classes had to move from the field to the undercover in the cola but still enjoyed these sessions with Nicholas.

In the sessions students played 'Madtag' and 'Scramble' which are games designed for students to learn evading skills and is played with a velcro belt that 'tags' are attached to. Nicholas will come back to school for another 2 sessions next week.

The Men's Shed in Nambucca Heads has kindly built and donated 2 picnic tables for our school. 

Could all families please check their child's hair for Head Lice and treat if they are present. Please see below for the factsheet on treatment of Head Lice, Ringworms and Impetigo.