Dear St Mary’s Catholic School Community,

Please join us as we celebrate Holy Week with a special liturgy commencing at 9.15am on Tuesday 31st March. We celebrate the events of Holy Week reflecting on the importance of Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

Our Liturgy will also celebrate Father Peter’s time with our school and parish. Father Peter’s farewell Parish Mass is at 9.00am on Sunday 26th April (please note the change of date). You are most welcome to join us for both these celebrations.

Like Us On Facebook We are now on Facebook. Our official page name is “St Mary’s Catholic School Toukley”.

The purpose of introducing Facebook to our school is to add another means of communicating effectively with you. Our Facebook site is essentially us sharing information with you. It is not intended to be interactive, in that we are not seeking replies. Not everything will be on Facebook so please don’t rely on it as the only source of information about our school.

Examples of how we might use Facebook may include reminding parents about upcoming events (Holy Week Liturgy, Athletics Carnival, ANZAC Day Liturgy etc), confirming the returning time for an excursion (Canberra etc) and celebrating special moments and achievements at our school (Parent Numeracy Workshop).

Welcome We warmly welcome Halle (1 Gold) and Talon (3 Gold) T to our school. May your time with us be filled with great learning and strong friendships.

Kinder 2016 Our Kinder 2016 Information Evening is at 7.00pm on Monday 30th March. Enrolment packs will be distributed as part of the evening.

Year 6 Cluster Mass Bishop Peter will celebrate our annual Year 6 Cluster Mass at OLR, The Entrance on Thursday. Our Year 6 will join approximately 600 other Year 6 students from Central Coast Catholic schools.

Mr Merlino’s Leave We wish Mr Merlino well as he enjoys some Long Service Leave. We welcome Mrs Whitmore who will teach 4 Green during Mr Merlino’s absence (Weeks 9, 10 and Week 1 of Term 2).

Parent Numeracy Workshops We thank Mrs Sellars for leading such rich numeracy workshops for parents yesterday. With over 100 parents present, a variety of input and practical activities dominated the meeting and, hopefully, will prove worthwhile ideas for you. I kindly ask participating parents to return the evaluation form sent home today. Kind Regards, Kevin Williams Principal

Upcoming Events

Year 6 Cluster Mass Thursday 26 March

Kinder 2016 Information Evening 7.00pm Monday 30 March Holy Week and Farewell Liturgy for Father Peter 9.15am Tuesday 31 March MacKillop College Transition Day 1 Wednesday 1 April Last Day of School Thursday 2 April Change of Date Year 3 Assembly Thursday 23rd April

Holy Week Liturgy

SCHOOL NEWSLETTER Term 1 Week 9 25 March 2015

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Toukley

Reyes & Grace Year 2

Reconciliation Please join me in congratulating the following children on making the Sacrament of Reconciliation last Wednesday: Luke A, Malachy B, Justin B, Will B, Isaak B, Chase B, Mahlie C, Indianna C, Alex C, Maddison D, Rylind D, Keira-Lee D, Ryley E, Harvey E, Ruby E, Charlotte F, Beth F, Ethan G, Dylan G, Max H, Sophie H, Layla H, Liam I, Keanu J, Cooper J, Makayla J, Ashliegh J, Chloe K, Tallin K, Kyle L, Jessica L, Samarah L, Tom M, Jack M, Bridie M, Lachlan M, Ellie N, Seth O, Aoife Q, Shauna R, Nate R, Darcy R, Ava R, Josie R, Noah S, Scarlette S, Ari S, Brodie S, Stefanie S, Tyson S, Marliyah S, Jye S, Ella T, Jacob W, Ruby W, Marcus W, Sarah W, Thomas W, Allanah W and Christian W.

Holy Week This year, our Holy Week Liturgy will be held at 9.15am next Tuesday, 31st March in the church. We would love to see many parents attend during this most special week for the Catholic Church. A component of this liturgy will also be saying goodbye to Fr Peter, who leaves us during April. A parish mass farewelling Fr Peter is on Sunday 26th April, 9.00am.

Cluster Mass Tomorrow, our Year 6 students will be attending Mass with all other Year 6 students on the Central Coast, within the Broken Bay Diocese. Year 6, we trust that you will be exceptional leaders and representatives of our school. Emma Sellars Religious Education Coordinator

Try to develop regular practices like spending time with family and friends, meditation or mindfulness, making a commitment to your health or taking time out for activities or hobbies that you enjoy. You may not be able to change the demands and circumstances of your everyday life, but these practices can lower your stress, give you energy and contribute to your wellbeing.

Please join us next week, Monday, 9.15am, in the class next to the under croft area.

Donna Falzon

Family Liaison Officer

Our first Free Parent Meditation morning went really well on Monday. Parents who came along spent a very relaxing 30 minutes focussing on themselves and calming their thoughts. Those who attended were very positive about the experience and keen to learn more.

Generally, as parents/ carers, we don’t put our own wellbeing as a high priority but practicing self care is an important habit to cultivate to ensure we stay mentally healthy and well. By putting yourself first you can, more effectively, support your loved ones.

From Our Family Liaison Officer

From Our REC

Parish Details 4396 4455 www.toukleycatholic.org.au Mass Times Saturday 6.00pm Sunday 7.30am 9.00am 6.00pm Father Peter Parish Priest Father Michael Father Philip

Merit Awards Abel B Mia MPeyton B Jai B Darcy NTyson SCahill LRyan GKalen C Annabel R Mikayla MErin NTimothy V Mia CAndre ZRose PJai CTayte BLilly MMason GThomas SBrydie GNate RScarlette SCharlotte FChristian WTre JRylind DAllanah WIzaak OLaura E Isabella KWilliam H Cooper SCharlotte BKobe C Tahlee M Tyarna G Mackenzie FPenny FMaddison SBeth FOscar SAaron ROlivia RMason F Kaitlyn B Ethan W

Leah, Taliah, Maddison & Olivia Year 6

Something We’ve Noticed With over 100 parents participating in our Numeracy Workshops, we genuinely value parents taking such a considerable interest in their child’s learning. Sometimes it’s not easy to make it to such sessions. Hence, we appreciate your effort and

involvement.

A reminder that all ICAS notes need to be returned to school by this Friday 27th March. If you would like your child/ren to sit one of the ICAS tests, you can download an application from the school website www.smtdbb.catholic.edu.au. Thank you Lyn and Jacqui

From Our Office

The Need to Belong is the focus of this weeks KidsMatter article.

Belonging is very important for children’s mental health and wellbeing. Children who feel they belong to their school are more relaxed, happy, confident and generally have fewer behavioural problems.

When the adults who are responsible for

children take a positive interest in what happens at school it helps children feel at home. If they know that you are supportive of the school and happy for them to be there, children feel safe and confident in their school environment.

Having this feeling of security and confidence then helps children to develop the skills need to build friendships.

When children have that sense of belonging and connectedness at school, it helps to protect them against mental health difficulties and improves their learning

KidsMatter

Calling All Books With just a little under two weeks left of the term borrowing from the library has stopped. It is important to hunt for your library books and get them into the library as soon as possible. Some books can be very tricky and hide under beds, or disguise themselves amongst the other books on bookshelves. At the end of each term I like to get the library and the bookshelves in ship shape ready for the coming term. At the moment I am swapping books around, creating easier storage of popular titles so children can find them independently and tidying shelves.

It is important to keep reading over the holidays. Have you got a library card for your local library? Our Wyong Shire Library is an invaluable resource for research projects, e-books, holiday activities, or just a quiet space to go in and browse the shelves. Tuggerah Library will be extending the Anne Frank Exhibition and it is well worth a visit. The great thing about having a local library card is that you can visit and borrow from library branches at Tuggerah, Lake Haven, Bateau Bay, Toukley and The Entrance. Any books or DVDs borrowed can be returned to any branch that you happen to be near.

From Our Librarian

Something We’ve Noticed 2 The generosity of our parents repeatedly astounds me. Sincere thanks to Fiona Fitzgerald, Leesa Sternbeck and Donna Falzon for selflessly minding children while their parents joined us for the Numeracy Workshops. We genuinely appreciate it. Star Awards Emma CMalaya MBailey FEdan RLucy NCallum LTiarna GLuke WFlynn RSkye PCharlize PCooper MAshleigh J Blake S Ella T Joseph MAmarli DHayley BNatasha HZachariah W Jack HGrace HAbigail M Taliah B

IEPs Thank you to those parents who are meeting on Tuesday or Wednesday with Mrs Burns and their child’s class teacher regarding IEPs. Your presence at the meeting is important to us.

Vacation Care Vacation care is available these Easter school holidays at Kids Club OOSH Care. Please phone Tania Wilson for bookings on 0417 416 678

Year 4 Science Experiment

Jade, Abigail & Abby Year 6

Diocesan Netball Congratulations Panea, Mia and Maddison. 80 kids trialled from 33 schools in Broken Bay – we had 3 girls make the squad of 8 girls chosen to go to Tamworth. AMAZING!!!!! Liz Bain Sports Coordinator

Diocesan Swimming Congratulations to our squad of swimmers representing St Mary’s and Broken Bay at the Polding Swimming Championships at Homebush. Josh H came 2nd in a personal best time of 40.94 seconds - awesome for an 8yr old. Joey F came 3rd in his 50m Freestyle. They will both compete in the NSW All Schools Championships this week – Good Luck Boys!!! We are very proud of Alexis who came 8th in her 50m Freestyle and Alexis, Libby, Laura E and Laura N who together brought the relay team home in 10th.

From Our PE Teacher

English Parent Education Next term’s Parent Education session is on Tuesday 5th May. Practical ideas for how to help your child read is a focus. The repeated sessions are at 9.15am and 6.30pm. Free child minding is available.

Seasons for Growth Seasons for Growth Parent Program begins in Week 2 of next term. It is designed to help parents understand how divorce/separation effects children and what they can do to support them.

First Eucharist For children intending to celebrate their First Eucharist, the initial Parent Meeting is at 4.00pm on Thursday 30th April in our Church. Children in Year 4 (and any older students) are welcome to be involved.

On Our Website

Optional Homework Suggestions

Canteen Roster School Newsletter Permission Notes Term Calendars Medication Policy Sporting Dates News and Events School Holiday

Activities from NSW Sport & Recreation

Maths Parent Education Sessions