Mercy means Grace, Holiness and Forgiveness As a school community may we all extend mercy, be patient in offering compassion and comfort to all who we encounter. Newsletter 30 2016 13 October 2016 Dear Parents and Caregivers Welcome back to an exciting Term 4! We hope that you have enjoyed your holiday time with your family and friends. We also welcome back Mr Peter Tonkin to Year 3 after his 5 weeks leave. Term 4 is typically a term that has many events planned which include swimming lessons starting next week, our school musical, Year 6 graduation and end of year celebrations, just to name a few. Throughout Term 4 we will continue to lead a strong focus on delivering a rich curriculum through our planned learning experiences for all students. On Monday 17 October we invite all our parents to our Parent Forum which will be held at 5.30pm in the school hall. The Parent Forum will be an opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification regarding any aspect of schooling at St Mary s. We encourage everyone to attend. On Wednesday 19 October we are holding a Parent Information Session in the hall at 9am for parents of students who are starting Kindergarten in 2017 and parents who may have recently enrolled their child at St Mary s. We are calling the session Nuts and Bolts as we will be discussing fundamental procedures and the learning agenda for St Mary s. We hope to see many parents there. All staff are looking forward to our upcoming Twilight Retreat at 4pm on Thursday 20th October. The retreat is offered by the Catholic Education Office and will be facilitated by Fr Richard Leonard. Kind regards Frank and Jacki Pupil-Free Days Term 4 2016 The Term 3 Staff Development Day which will be focussing on student behaviour has been rescheduled to Monday 7 November. Students will finish Term 4 on THURSDAY 15 December, allowing staff to participate in additional Staff Development Days at the end of the school year. October 14 Fun Food Day Calendar THIS WEEK 17 Parent Forum 5:30pm 18 Swimming commences 19 Parent Information Session for new families 9am Sacramental group meeting at 11:30am For your diary 23 Working Bee at St Mary s Primary 25 Parent Assembly Family First Aid Evening 5:45pm 29 Parade of Youth November 3 Jacaranda Thursday 7 Staff Development Day 15 McAuley Catholic College Orientation Day for Year 6 students MCC Open Evening 20 Special Mass and Blessing to Celebrate the Eucharist 25 Year 6 Graduation Dinner December 6 Swimming Carnival 9 Family Christmas Night Fun Food Day (Orders have closed) Friday 14 October 2016 Canteen reopens on Monday 17 October 15 Last day of the school year for students
Sam P, Noah P, Grace S, Annalese McK, Victoria C RE News As you may be aware, both Fr Jim and Fr Bing have been asked to provide their wonderful pastoral care in the Parish of the Lismore Cathedral. Fr Jim will be undertaking the most important role of Cathedral Administrator. The gifts of these priests will be very much missed in our Parish school community. Please stay tuned for details regarding a celebration of thanksgiving in recognition of their commitment in our Parish communities. Sacrament of the Eucharist Please pray for our Holy Eucharist candidates through the coming weeks. Families have been requested to nominate the date that their child will be receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Please ensure that the completed form has been returned to the school. God Bless, Tarnya Jones Leader of Evangelisation Dates for the Sacrament of the Eucharist 6.00pm Vigil Mass at St Patrick s South Grafton 6.00pm Vigil Mass at St Mary s Grafton 8.00am Mass at St Mary s Grafton 9.30am Mass at St Patrick s South Grafton 6.00pm Vigil Mass at St Patrick s South Grafton 6.00pm Vigil Mass at St Mary s Grafton 8.00am Mass at St Mary s Grafton 9.30am Mass at St Patrick s South Grafton 6.00pm Vigil Mass at St Patrick s South Grafton 6.00pm Vigil Mass at St Mary s Grafton 8.00am Mass at St Mary s Grafton 9.30am Mass at St Patrick s South Grafton 6.00pm Vigil Mass at St Patrick s South Grafton 6.00pm Vigil Mass at St Mary s Grafton 8.00am Mass at St Mary s Grafton 9.30am Mass at St Patrick s South Grafton Saturday 22nd October OR Saturday 22nd October Sunday 23rd October OR Sunday 23rd October Saturday 29th October OR Saturday 29th October Sunday 30th October OR Sunday 30th October Saturday 5th November OR Saturday 5th November Sunday 6th November OR Sunday 6th November Saturday 12th November OR Saturday 12th November Sunday 13th November OR Sunday 13th November Parent Assembly Family First Aid Evening This is a FREE opportunity for families to come and learn basic first aid together and how to respond in an emergency. Please check the flyer being sent home today. Parent Assembly Family Retreat The Annual Parent Assembly Family Retreat will be held at Yarrahapinni Youth Centre, Grassy Head on the 29th and 30th of October. This weekend provides a wonderful opportunity for families in our school communities to enjoy a weekend of fun, faith and friendship. Our Retreat leaders for this year are the Missionaries of God's Love. The program caters for adults and children of all ages with time for families to try fun outdoor education activities like the flying fox, horizontal bungee jump and giant waterslide. This weekend is FREE of charge. For more information and to register for this event, see the attached flyer. Reminder Our school takes sun safety seriously and have a No hat, no outdoor play policy which is designed to ensure students are protected from the damaging effects of the sun whilst at school. Parents are asked to assist us by ensuring children have a broad-brimmed hat which protects the face, neck and ears.
Sport Touch Football Competition Reminder to students who have shared their interest in playing touch football in the Grafton Touch Football Competition. Registrations need to be completed online prior to the competition starting in Week 2. If you have any questions please see Mr Green as soon as possible. See the attached flyer for further information. Zone Summer Sports Trials Diocesan Summer Sports Trials will take place during Term 4 for the sports of Basketball, Tennis, Touch Football, Softball and Cricket. Students currently in Year 4 and 5 who are at a representative standard in any of these sports are encouraged to trial. Notes with further details can be collected from Mr Green this week. Term 4 Swimming The Term 4 Swimming program for both infant and primary students will begin in Week 2 and run for five consecutive weeks. Sessions will take place on Tuesdays, so all students are required to bring their swimming gear to school with them on this day. A note detailing costs and transport arrangements was sent home in Week 10 of Term 3 and is also available via the Skoolbag app. All Infants students (K,1,& 2) will be attending the South Grafton Pool. Kindergarten Years 1 and 2 12:30pm 1:30pm 1:30pm 2:30pm Primary Swimming Structure 1:10pm 1:30pm Walk down to pool Assemble in Grandstand 1:40pm Activity 1 2:00pm Activity 2 2:20pm 2:30pm Vacate Pool, dry and change. Begin to walk back to school Musical Update We are excited to see stage 3 acting and the rest of the school in the choir. Tickets will go on sale on Monday 17 October. Students will not require a ticket as they are in the Musical performance. Please check the attached flyer for details.
Teaching and Learning In Kindergarten English the students are writing recounts of their holidays. They are stretching their words to hear the sounds, choosing words from their word wall, deciding whether the word looks right and editing their work. In Mathematics, Kindergarten are subtracting numbers from 30 using their ten frames, counters and dice, as well as investigating 2D shapes. How many ways can you draw a triangle? In Stage 1 English, the students are writing their Smart goals for Writing for the term. They are also working on their inferential comprehension; by listening to interesting passages and inferring what is happening?, when?, where?, why?. In Mathematics the students are drawing empty number lines and placing numbers on them from 0-100 or 0-1000. Angela Rediger (Literacy/Numeracy Instructional Leader K-2)
P and F News WORKING BEE - October 23rd - save the date THAT S MINE labels - That s mine labels make and dispatch a number of different labels. They also provide the school with a commission for orders processed. All that is required is that you enter the code 1968 or the School Name: St Mary s Primary School Grafton when you checkout. A flyer will be sent home regarding this soon. Time: 9.30-12.30 (followed by a yummy sausage sandwich and refreshments) Are you able to come along and help complete a few odd jobs and some general tidying? The P and F are still finalising the details but add it to your calendar. All will be welcome! FUN FOOD DAY The P and F have planned a Fun Food Day for Friday 14th October, 2016. The menu will be a theme of PIZZA and POPPER. Orders have now closed. There are a number of additional events coming up this term. Please stay tuned. Kane McPherson Fundraiser Please support Kane McPherson, a former student of St Mary s Primary School, as he fights cancer. Congratulations to Mabel Mula who was the winner of the scooter valued at $200-00 Thank you to Woolworths, Grafton for the wonderful support provided for our Hot Dog Day held last term in aid of Kane McPherson and his family. SCHOOL BELL TIMES Morning Bell 8:45am First lunch break 10:45am 11:35am Second lunch break 1:35pm 2:05pm Dismissal 3:05pm Canteen Monday 17/10 Friday 21/10 Ashley/Brendan Albert Sarah Hunter Jodie Yager Steven Pope Ian L Estrelle
Students are performing and will not require a ticket.
Grafton Little Athletics 2016/17 registrations are now open. This year they are to be completed ONLINE ONLY. Please visit our Facebook page (Grafton Athletics Club Inc) where you will find the link to register, plus additional information for the upcoming season. An information session will be held on Friday 23 September 2016 at the Terry West field at Junction Hill field from 4.00pm. Competition will commence Friday 14 October 2016. Grafton Swim Club Come along and join in the fun on Swim Club nights. Our FREE TRIAL* night will be held at Grafton Olympic Pool from 6pm on Wednesday 12 th October. So bring your swimmers and come along. Club nights will start at Grafton Olympic Pool at 6pm on Wednesday 19 th Oct. Minimum age is 5 years, starting from 25m distances. Swimmers aged 7 years and under are FREE to join ask us about the Junior Dolphin Membership. For more information please email graftonswimclub@bigpond.com *Pool entry costs apply A FREE screening at the Saraton Theatre of the 2016 REC Ya Shorts Youth Film Festival finalists films will be held on Sunday 16 October 2016. Young filmmakers from around the region have been selected as finalists to have their new short films screened in front of a live audience with an awards presentation to follow. RSVP to secure your free tickets before they re gone: http://bit.ly/2e5jtl8 The Clarence Valley Conservatorium welcomes Jake Dominey as a new member of our teaching staff. Jake is a drum specialist, he works with drum kit and has lots of experience with hand drumming.(djembe) Monday evenings at 6pm we are starting a hand drumming class, come along and try it, the first class is free, drums are available on site. So as not to miss out ring first or send an email if you need to reserve a drum. Call us on 6643 3555 or cvcon@cvcon.com.au Begins at 6pm. All ages welcome.