St Mary's Catholic School Wellington eNewsletter

Our Vision

St Mary's Catholic School is a Christ centred, inclusive community where individuals are supported to learn at high levels and to grow spiritually, socially and physically.

"We have gifts that differ, according to the grace given to each of us." (Romans 12:6)

Principal's Message

First Communion Blessing
May you always know the peace of Jesus,
In the light of his love, and the joy of His life in you.

Dear St Mary’s families,

Our Year 3 students will be taking in their first Holy Communion on Saturday during the St Patrick’s Parish Mass. This is a special time in their faith journey and we send them our prayers and support.

Our Year 10 students have represented St Mary’s this week out and about in the community, participating in work experience. We thank our local businesses for supporting our students to explore potential career paths. Primary and secondary students represented our school at a Netball gala day this week and were positive ambassadors for our school.

A school focus during the past few weeks with Year 5-10 students has been around consent when using digital images on social media and creating digital footprints. We urge all families to be aware of the social media platforms your children are engaging with and create safe boundaries around the use of mobile phones and social media platforms. Please check this link for tips on staying safe online.

Kids Helpline

St Mary’s teachers are compiling mid-year student reports and these will be sent home at the end of the term. With a strong focus across the school on student engagement and learning we are impressed with assessment results across the school which demonstrate positive learning growth.

A huge thanks to our amazing P&F for your organisation of the Eisteddfod canteen for this weekend. Please make an offer to assist if you are available to support our school and students.

May God bless you every day and every moment.

Mrs Leanne Clarke
Principal

Diary and Important Dates

Saturday 22 June 2025 - First Holy Communion Mass

Week 9

Monday 23 June - 1500m Race

Tuesday 24 June - Primary Rugby Gala Day (Year 5/6)

Wednesday 25 June - Love Bites Year 10 / Star Reading Assessment (Year 3-10)

Thursday 26 June - Sacred Heart Mass (Year 7-10) / Wellington Eisteddfod Schools Dance

Friday 27 June - School Athletics Carnival - Rygate

Week 10

Monday 30 June -

Tuesday 1 July - Wellington Eisteddfod Schools Music

Wednesday 2 July -

Thursday 3 July - K - 10 School Assembly / Bell Shakespeare Visit / Polding Touch Football

Friday 4 July - Last day of Term 2

Religious Education News

The Sacrament of First Holy Communion

This weekend, St Patrick’s Parish Wellington welcomes 17 candidates for their First Holy Communion. We congratulate and pray for our students: Eden Brindley, Connor Byrnes, Maggie Chandler, Weston Dearmer, Rochelle Fisher, Lacey McGuire, Jack O'Leary, Susanna O'Leary, Angus Plain, Breanna Potter, Frederick Redfern, Vincent Reid, Macey Roberts, Thomas Sears, and Henry Wright.

Year 3 Retreat

Year 3 students participated in a Retreat day last Thursday. They explored celebrations, gathering together, and sharing. The students reflected on why Jesus chose a gathering for a meal to be the way he was to be remembered, as we do each time we have Mass and celebrate the Eucharist.

Christmas Art

Years 5 and 6 are exploring the Christmas Story and scripture and looking for ways to express the meaning of the story in Art, participating in a Diocesan-wide competition in August. Teachers have attended professional development days, and selected students will attend a workshop in Orange. Very exciting!

Year 6 Diocesan Religion Test

Year 6 students recently completed the Diocesan Religious Education Test. This Diocesan-wide test consisted of 30 multiple-choice questions based on the Religious Education curriculum. Watch this space for results and certificates.

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Being First Holy Communion for our children this weekend, I would like to focus on this weekend’s feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The Gospel reminds us that our work as Christians is to become the Body of Christ on earth, and that we do this by being formed, through the sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood, into people who see, think and love as Jesus does. Just as Jesus feeds both the spiritual and physical hunger of those who followed him, we are to do the same in his name.

Talk with your children about the hunger of our world, our neighbourhoods, our families (peace, safety, shelter, food, water, love, nurture, encouragement, approval). Jesus has asked us to take care of these hungers. Share with your children ways that you and they can feed each other's hunger.

World Refugee Day 2025 – Finding Freedom: Diversity in Community

Each year on 20 June, the world celebrates World Refugee Day (WRD). WRD is designated by the United Nations to honour refugees who have been forced to flee their homes and to promote solidarity with them for a “world where refugees are welcomed.”

Pope Francis encouraged us to welcome, promote, accompany, and integrate those who knock on our doors. The Pope invited us to pray that “states will strive to ensure humane conditions for refugees and to facilitate integration processes.”

Mr Christopher Stevens
Leader of Ministry and Mission

St Patrick's Parish Sacramental Calendar 2025

School Information

Winter School Uniform

A reminder that students should be dressed in their full school winter uniform during Term 2 and 3 (K-6 students- Mondays & Tuesdays and 7-10 students- Tuesdays and Thursdays). School ties are part of the winter uniform. School ties can be purchased through the school office.

K-10 Semester One Reports

K-10 teachers are busily finalising assessment data in preparation for Semester 1 Reports, which will be released through Compass on Friday 4 July. If you require a printed copy of your child’s Semester 1 report, please contact the school office.

K-6, 7-10 Socials - Wednesday 3 July

A 3-6 Social (5:30pm-7:00pm) will be held in the school hall. The theme for the social is ‘80’s and 90’s’.

The 7-10 social (7.00pm - 9.00pm) will include Laser Tag in the school hall.

An entry fee of $5 for both socials is payable at the front door on entry and includes food and drink items.

Please see Compass to provide consent for your child to attend the social.

Mr Allan Jones
Assistant Principal

School Wide Positive Behaviour for Learning SPB4L

St Mary’s staff will continue to promote the ‘Respect Other Learners’ focus within classrooms, providing students with simple strategies on maintaining positive learning environments and encouraging them to be confident and to try their best.

The Cub Credit shop is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during lunchtimes. New items are added to the shop each term, which can be purchased with the Cub Credits. Students are encouraged to suggest any possible new items through their SRC representatives.

Mr Allan Jones
Assistant Principal

Learning Matters

K-2

‘You don’t have to perfect to be amazing’

K-2 teachers and students would like to thank our amazing P&F for funding the purchase of new readers for home and school. These are currently being covered and will be available for students to read next term.

A reminder that reading is our main focus for homework each night. Students are encouraged to read for 10 minutes each night and answer questions and retell what they have read. Books can be returned to school and changed any day of the week.

Our local Wellington Eisteddfod has commenced this week with the dance section. Good luck to all students who are competing in either solo entries or group dances this weekend. If you are at the Eisteddfod this weekend pop in and support our P&F who are running the canteen. This is a major fundraiser for our P & F who do a wonderful job in supporting our students at St Mary’s.

K-2 students will be performing on Wednesday 2 July in the morning session commencing at 10am. Students are asked to wear their full school uniform on this day including school ties.

Ms Kellie Rich
K-2 Leader of Learning

Year 3-6

Christmas Art Competition

Students in Year 5/6 have been working towards completing their CEDB Christmas Art Competition pieces. The students have to create an artwork based on a range of Christmas stories from the Bible. The quality of the artworks is always high and a few selected pieces will be chosen to be sent to Bathurst to be displayed at the 2025 Christmas Art exhibition.

PCYC Visits and Sports Programs

Students in Years 5-8 have been lucky over the last few months to be involved in sporting activities run both at school and the PCYC, supported by the PASS students in Year 9/10. It has been a great initiative and students have had a lot of fun participating in the various activities.

Eisteddfod Practise

Classes are busily preparing for the upcoming Wellington Eisteddfod. Years 3-6 have been practising their poems in readiness for the verse speaking sections of the Eisteddfod. Year 7/8 are also participating at the Eisteddfod in the choir section. Good luck to all groups.

Mr John Nugent
3-6 Leader of Learning

Year 7-10

Assessments

Students will be receiving their results from the Half Yearly Assessments in class. Now is a time to ask your child/ren about these and have a look at feedback from teachers. Early in Term 3 we will be holding parent/teacher conferences and would love to use this opportunity to further unpack these results as well as general progress throughout Semester One.

Year 10 Work Experience

Thank you to all families for assisting in completing paperwork, packing lunches and getting our students to work on time! We are looking forward to them sharing their industry with the rest of their peers when they return to school. A huge thank you to all the local tradespeople and businesses that have taken on one or more of our students. Pictures later in this newsletter.

Apprenticeships and SBAT’s

Alison from “Busyatwork” will be at school Thursday (26/6/25) morning to talk to Year 10 students about apprenticeships, student based apprenticeship and traineeships. This will be a great opportunity to ask questions following their Work Experience.

Lovebites

A reminder to parents of Year 10 students will be participating in a “Lovebites” respectful relationship program on 25/6/25. Students may wear casual clothes on this day with enclosed footwear.

Mrs Tammy Nugent
7-10 Leader of Learning

Year 10 Work Experience

Year 10 students have been out and about getting a taste of what it's like to be working. Students had an interview with Mrs Nugent to identify an occupation they would like to experience. Students identified electricians, plumbing, nursing, hairdressing, real estate, occupational therapy, early childhood, diesel mechanic and bakery. We would like to say a huge thank you to the local businesses who have taken students and shown them the ropes. We are looking forward to them returning next week to school and sharing their experiences with the class.

Polding Cross Country

Congratulations to Sophie Finn who has finished 11th at the NSW Polding Trials in Sydney. Sophie did a huge personal best and can be very proud of herself.

Athletics Carnival

Thank you to everyone who has already nominated themselves to assist at our Athletics Carnival next week. If you haven’t already let us know please fill out the form on Compass.

Will try to put out a job list by Monday.

Mr Alistaire Thompson
Sport Coordinator

Netball News

On Monday, students from St Mary’s Primary and Secondary, along with a few enthusiastic infants students headed to Forbes bright and early to participate in the Netball NSW Combined Schools Cup.

Our teams had a fantastic day on the court, scoring countless goals and showing impressive growth in their skills since the last carnival. Netball is clearly growing in popularity at St Mary’s, with six teams taking part! A big thank you to the players who stepped up to play out of their stage.

A huge thank you goes out to Mrs Frogley, Ms Doherty, Ms Hibberd, Mrs Newman and Emily Redfern who helped with coaching and umpiring, as well as Mrs Crean for all her behind the scenes involvement.

Congratulations to our Stage 3 Blue team, who made it to the finals and took out the win, coming from behind at halftime to defeat Forbes Public School. Their victory means they will now progress to the Central West Schools Cup Finals in September.

Finally, congratulations to the following students who were named Player’s Player for their teams on the day:

Stage 2 Blue – Breanna
Stage 2 Yellow – Grace & Ivy
Stage 3 Blue – Pippa
Stage 3 Yellow – Mia
Stage 4 – Annabella
Stage 5 – Millie & Kora-Rose

Well done to all players, you represented St Mary’s with pride, skill, and sportsmanship!

Mrs Hannah Brien

NSW Primary Schools Chess Competition - Dubbo Zone

Twelve students from Stage 3 competed in the NSW Primary Schools Chess Competition in Dubbo on the 12th June. Keen chess players from Dubbo and Wellington schools played six rounds against each other aiming to score a maximum of four points per round.

Special mention to Max, Josie, Billy and Brodie who finished a commendable 11th place (out of 36 teams).

Also well done to Jack and Jasper who won all their round games except for one drawn game.

Thanks to the parents for supporting the students with travel to and from the event.

Many thanks to St Mary’s, Dubbo for hosting a great day of chess.

Mrs Kelly Wykes
Primary Chess Coordinator

In library lessons this week, K-6 students have been learning about Refugees as part of National Refugee Week. Our focus text has been 'Room on our Rock' by Kate and Jol Temple. Room on our Rock celebrates the truth that there are two sides to every story. This clever picture book has one story that can be read two different ways. When read from front to back, the seals believe there is definitely no room on their rock for others. But when the book is read from back to front, the seals welcome others to shelter on their rock. It is a heartwarming story about sharing and compassion, and I encourage everyone to give it a read.

Renaissance Reading

As we approach the end of the term, students should have completed at least 1-2 books for Renaissance Reading (Depending on size and difficulty). Next week, students will again complete a Renaissance Star Reading Assessment. Students who have been working hard and reading everyday should see a progression in their results. At our whole school assembly in Week 10, I will also be announcing this term’s Golden Book Trophy winners and our top Renaissance readers. I wonder who will take out the win? It may be the closest one yet!!

Next term is Term 3 ‘Let’s Read’ and we will kick things off with our annual Book Fair. This is our once a year fundraiser for our school library. Every book purchased earns our school much needed funds to keep filling our library with books that the students love to read. So please mark it on your calendars and come along and support our school Book Fair in Week 2 of next term

Book Club

Book Club Issue 4 orders arrived this week and were handed out to students. Thank you to everyone who put through an order, the school gains free resources with every order made, so every order is GREATLY appreciated! Here's a look at some of the latest books I've been able to purchase using money raised from Book Club.

Mrs Hayley Jones
Librarian

Shrek Update

With St Mary's busily rehearsing for the Schools production of SHREK later in Term 3, Year 7 and Year 8 Visual Art students are beginning to make props for the play as part of their art unit Fantasy, Myth, Magic and Mud.

Students are learning techniques for using cardboard boxes and masking tape, along with painting techniques to make faux wood lanterns. From here students will make all sorts of props, including, to name just a few, castles, SHREK's house, signs, caves, helmets, armour and even onions!

Year 7 & 8 look forward to showcasing their efforts later in Term 3.

Maranatha House Visit - Year 5

On Monday 16th June a mix of Year 5 and Year 6 visited Maranatha.

They had a wonderful visit and were broken into small groups who shared activities and stories with an elderly person.

With the colder weather this week we made snow flakes - which proved to be a lovely surprise for all as each individual one was complete.

Thanks especially to the group of boys who supported their classmates learning the new craft of snowflake making. Well done to all.

Ms Louise Hennessy
Community Wellbeing Program Manager

The Breakfast Club in our K-2 area is open every morning. A huge thank you to Mrs Sears, Mrs Whale and the K-2 students who help run this amazing breakfast program for us.

Athletics Carnival Lunches

There will be a sausage sizzle available for lunches at the Athletics carnival next Friday. Orders will be accepted through our normal canteen online system. More information soon.