Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of St Mary MacKillop, the first Australian saint. Mary MacKillop is particularly significant to our Diocese, as many of our schools were founded by the sisters of St Joseph, lead by Mary MacKillop.

Prayer to Blessed Mary MacKillop

Holy God, source of all goodness, you show us in Mary MacKillop a woman of faith who lived by the power of the cross.
Teach us to embrace what she pioneered new ways of living the gospel that respect and defend the dignity of all in our land.
Through the example of Mary MacKillop, may we learn to recognise God’s will for us and trust in God’s providence.
May her live of service awaken in us a deep respect for the poor and a passion for justice.
May we share in her courage, see with her vision and love with her heart.
May almighty God bless us, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

This week is a good week to try to fulfil Mary MacKillop’s saying:
 
“Never see a need without doing something about it.”
 
Diocesan and SHIPS Athletics Carnivals 
Approximately 58 students are representing us at the Western Region Athletics Carnival at Campbelltown Athletics Stadium today, and next Friday at Tudor House for the SHIPS carnival. Good luck to all students, we hope that the weather is a bit more pleasant than it is here today.
 
Afternoon Dismissal
For safety reasons we are trialling a new system for backgate walkers. A teacher will walk and wait with the students until they are collected.  The teacher will bring students back into school if they haven’t been picked up by 3:15pm so they will need to be collected from the front office if you should happen to be running late for some reason. Please remember that the pick- up zone is for picking up only, not for parking during the dismissal period. The driver is not meant to get out of the car, please be aware of this as the ranger does do patrols. Could you also remember to be a good role model when crossing roads and use the pedestrian crossing.
 
SPB4L
If you have ever attended morning assemblies you would know that each week there are reminders about how to follow our school rules. The emphasis for next week and beyond is how to wear the school uniform with pride. Please see accompanying a uniform list that details what the correct uniform is. Students have all been reminded of these in class and know the expectations and that it will be followed up. If for some reason your child is out of uniform please send in a note.
 

I was the lucky person that was out in the cold on crossing duty this morning. The warming part of the duty was the many greeting I got form parents and students. I was very impressed with the lovely manners of many students who thanked me for putting them across the road. This made the duty very pleasant, thank you.

Have a lovely weekend everyone, try to stay warm!

Kayleen Petzer
Acting Principal

SAINT MARY OF THE CROSS MACKILLOP

Feast Day August 8

Mary MacKillop was born in Melbourne in 1842 and died in Sydney on 8 August 1909.  She took the religious name Mary of the Cross.  Mary saw the needs of poor children living in remote areas of Australia and founded the Sisters of St Joseph in 1866 to provide education for these children.  She and the sisters shared the life of the poor, offering special care to women and children in great need.  She is remembered for her eagerness to discover God's will in all things, for her charity, care and compassion for others, and for her trust in God.

Ever generous God
You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop
To live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and constant in bringing hope and encouragement
to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy.
With confidence in your generous providence
and through the intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop
We ask that you grant our requests.
We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit
so that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust and
openness.
Ever generous God hear our prayer.

We ask this through Jesus Christ. Amen.

MASS WITH BISHOP BRIAN

YEAR 6 students from Camden, Picton, Mittagong , Bowral and Moss Vale gathered at St Paul’s Moss Vale to celebrate Mass with Bishop Brian and then celebrate friendship with each other with a concert from the Wollongong Youth team. The students participated reverently in the Mass and as Bishop Brian walked through the assembly and asked questions, they listened and answered. He reminded the students that knowing about Jesus is vey different from knowing Jesus. To develop a relationship with Jesus, to know him, means spending time with him in prayer and treating others they way Jesus did, with kindness and compassion.

Our Liturgy group with Mrs Hamilton, Mr Blake, Michael and Nicholas Taylor lifted the liturgy with beautiful music.

Another highlight of the day was the concert from the youth Ministry Team.  The children experienced the joy of singing and dancing as a group, very enthusiastically!

CHILDREN'S LITURGY

ALTAR SERVERS

IMPORTANT DATES

Monday 12 & Tuesday 13 August:  Visiting author - Sue Whiting

Friday 16 August:  SHIPS Athletics (Tudor House)

                               Indigenous Performer visiting STA

                               Assembly 2.15 pm Fr Glynn Centre

Friday 19 August:  Religious Literacy Assessment

                               Activate Fire (Year 6 Spirituality Day)

Friday 23 August:  Super Hero Day - Book Parade

Book Week News - SAVE THE DATE 

If you require further information regarding any of the above,
please contact the school office.  

We have now fully migrated to the Compass program.  We now will be using Compass only for attendance, consent for events (excursions), alerts, teacher/parent interviews, semester reports, news, communications, fee billing, etc.  We no longer have access to Skoolbag.  The newsletter will be emailed to you and will also be available via the Home Page of your Compass app.

If you have any difficulty with your log in or password, please contact either Eileen or Shauna and we will be happy to assist you.  This should provide a one-stop shop for administration and finance.