St Mary's Bulletin

St Mary's had a wonderful NAIDOC celebration on Tuesday. Our theme for the week has been Unity We began our NAIDOC day activities with a Liturgy in the school hall, run by the Year Five/Six class. We then celebrated NAIDOC Week by making damper with a buddy class.  The damper was then cooked outside on an open campfire and the whole school came together to enjoy all their hard work!! The damper was delicious. While waiting for the damper to cook, the older students also enjoyed reading and sharing dreamtime stories with the younger students. You can see from the photos below that it was a wonderful day that was thoroughly enjoyed by all! Thank you to Miss Della Bosca for coordinating the day. 

On Wednesday the PP-2 students visited Nungarin for a day of learning and hands-on experiences. We listened to a representative from RAC who spoke about the need to keep safe around machinery and we got to experience the local ambulance, fire truck, police car and all the heavy machinery from the Shire Depot. Special thanks to the Nungarin community for their commitment to the day. More details about the day and photos can be found in Mrs Grants write up below.

A reminder that the first day of Term 3 is a Pupil Free Day. The staff are involved with Day 2 of the Berry Street Trauma Informed programme. Please note that there will be NO CANTEEN in week one. Canteen will resume in week two.

We’re delighted to inform you that St Mary's School will be participating in ICAS again this year. Find out how your child’s academic abilities compare against their classmates and other students across the state and nation and get detailed reports on their strengths and weaknesses. The tests are fully online and sitting dates will commence in Term 3. Learn more:

ICAS - Leading Academic Competition - ICAS Assessments

Please see todays Audiri post for more details.

I wish you all a safe holiday and don’t forget the Reports will appear in your email inbox after 3pm today. Safe travels if you are driving and if you aren’t I wish you a restful break.

What do you call a French man wearing sandals?

Philipe Fallop.

On Wednesday the Pre-primary and Year One/Two class had the opportunity to go to Nungarin Primary School to share in their SOCK day celebrations.  We had a lovely bus ride out to Nungarin and were joined by Nungarin and Mukinbudin students.  The first responders were all there and we learnt about emergencies and using 000.  The police had us locked up in the van, handcuffed and trying on their equipment vests. The ambulance volunteers showed us some of the equipment that they use to help people in need.  We then explored the fire truck, climbing inside the cab, trying on a helmet, seeing the hoses and connections that are used, we even got to climb on top where the pumps were.  The RAC had us all engaged with some detective work as we tried to find the person responsible for the accident in the Road safety story.  This was a good opportunity to work with the other schools to try and find clues to see who was at fault.  The Nungarin Shire also had their shire vehicle for us to explore, with a digger, grader, tip truck, bobcat and ride on lawn mower.  There was even safety on motorbikes, were we tried on chest plates, helmets and other safety gear.  To say we had fun was an understatement. 

After all of the learning excitement we had a sausage sizzle and a play, before heading back to school on the bus.  On the way home some of us were even so worn out from the day we had a nap.  It was an awesome day and the children represented the school beautifully. 

Pre-Primary                                                  Year One/Two

Mason Marshall                                           Tessa O’Neill 

Milla Jardine                                                  Charlotte Alberti 

Abigail Brown                                                Sam Giles 

                                                                         Maggie Gray 

Year Three/Four                                          Year Four/Five

Sana Creagh                                                 Emily Smith 

Aaliyah Maiolo                                              Logan Sharp 

Lucas Nelson                                                Thomas Billing 

Kaylee Jacobson                                           Alena Madaffari 

Year Five/Six                                                Physical Education

Layla Jacobson                                            Poppy McGregor       

Clancy Sutherland                                      Annabel Johnston      

Patrick O’Neill                                              Hayley Growden 

Caitlin Carlson                                             Treigh Maiolo 

                                                                       Andrew Wilson           

Get excited! The St Mary's P & F Colour run is back!!

More information to come in Term 3....but in the mean time please save the date and if you are keen to help please contact Marie. Thank you

"The Premier’s Reading Challenge runs from the 6th of May to the 6th of September and the idea is that you try to read as many books as you can. It’s a competition right across the state and there’s some great prizes – including a Nintendo Switch. So, everyone get on board with the Premier’s Reading Challenge for 2024. Get to your books!"

Hon. Roger Cook MLA, Premier of Western Australia 

About the challenge

The Premier’s Reading Challenge is a literacy engagement program established in 2022 to: 

• encourage students to read more books
• enjoy reading
• improve literacy levels.

The mission is for students in kindergarten to Year 10 to read 12 books over 4 months from 6 May to 6 September. That’s right—just 12, students can read:

• books
• short stories
• graphic novels
• eBooks
• talking books
• audiobooks
• poems
• anything that sparks their interest and gets them reading.

Whether they’re a curious kindergartener or a high-schooler, there is something of interest for readers at any and every level.

Adventures await. Books take us to places we only dream about and even further. Where else can we experience a mutiny on a pirate ship or jump on a time-traveling bicycle.

Students will expand their vocabulary, learn new facts, and impress their friends with fancy new words that they have learned.

At the end of the challenge, students who complete it will receive a special certificate signed by the Premier. They can hang it proudly on their bedroom wall; it’s like winning a gold medal in reading!

Get your students ready to explore, grab their reading lights and bookmarks and set sail on their next reading adventure.

The next great story is only one page turn away.

Benefits of the challenge

The challenge will:

• raise the profile of reading and literacy in schools
• give students a focus for their reading
• encourage students to enjoy reading and read more books
• encourage students to participate by being challenged
• offer incentives and prizes for readers
• build self-esteem, pride, school unity and a sense of achievement among students
• increase the involvement of parents in their child’s reading
• increase the number of library books borrowed
• contribute to increased literacy levels.

How to register

Go to:

https://www.premiersreadingchallenge.wa.edu.au/

and click on the "SIGN IN" button to create an account.

St Mary's School is part of the "Containers for Change" program. Please see the poster below for all the details. If you require a green bag to collect your cans, these are available from Mrs Riethmuller at the school.

Are you child’s hair accessories starting to look a bit worst for wear? Or are you having trouble finding the St Mary’s colours?? Take a look at the link below or scan the QR code for School Ponytails to see what is available. Don’t think just School, do you need colours for Football, Netball, Hockey, Basketball etc…..take a browse as for every order placed the St Mary’s P & F receive a portion back!! Tell your friends, family, next door neighbour - anyone you know that needs to update their hair accessories! Thank you for your support. P.S Orders can be placed at anytime throughout the year and are sent direct to you! https://www.ponytailsandfairytales.com.au/discount/ST%2520MARYS%2520PS?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fst-marys-primary-school-merredin-wa-6415