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This Saturday 17 October 2020 marks the 10th anniversary of St Mary MacKillop’s canonisation at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, declaring her Australia’s first canonised saint. Pope Benedict XVI addressed tens of thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square. About 9,000 Australians travelled to celebrate this occasion, including Sr Neisha Allport, a previous Principal of St. Michael’s, Mittagong.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the canonisation of Saint Mary MacKillop and the wonderful life and legacy she left behind, the Sisters of Saint Joseph will remember her with commemorative prayers, videos and a global vigil in her honour.
On 16 October 2020 at 8pm AEST, the Sisters of Saint Joseph will hold Courage Hour, a global vigil of deep peace, prayer, and reflection. The Sisters invite all who may wish to participate to join the Vigil online www.sosj.org.au/10th-anniversary/ and celebrate Mary’s life and follow her lead to ‘Take Fresh Courage’.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions there will be no formal celebrations at Mary MacKillop Place for the anniversary, however, the Sisters invite you to celebrate this occasion by engaging with the resources available on www.sosj.org.au/10th-anniversary/.
There is a free prayer booklet available to view, use and download below:
Encountering St.Mary MacKillop in Prayer
Mary MacKillop
join us in our gratitude
on this 10th anniversary of your canonisation.
Be with us in this time of crisis in our world
as we gather fresh courage around us
for working in God’s healing mission.
Keep us participating as a people of the Gospel
engaging with our neighbours for the good of all
and serving with Christ in our common home.
Holy Spirit strengthen us.
Amen
“Never See a Need Without Doing Something About It”
Welcome back
Welcome back for Term 4! I hope everyone has had an enjoyable break away from routine. Just a reminder as we commence the term that we still have many restrictions due to COVID 19. We were hoping that there would have been a much bigger easing of them, but we need to remain safe. The good news is that at this stage Year 6 should still be able to go to camp as we were able to change the date earlier in the year. Year 6 will also be able to have something to celebrate the end of their primary schooling, however, it will look very different to previous years, we just need to wait on further directives to know what we are allowed.
Whilst we can’t have our play-based transition for our 2021 Kindergarten students, we will be able to have Kindergarten Orientation with the students only.
We are still unable to have parents entering the school grounds so we will continue to offer the early departure for side gate students. Bubblers and sharing of items are still not allowed, so students will need to continue bringing their own water bottle and belongings. Any birthday celebration items need to be commercially produced, individually wrapped items.
Thank you for your support.
Kayleen Petzer
Acting Principal
At STA we have three very important school rules:
At STA we have a uniform code to follow. When we are wearing the correct uniform we are representing our school with pride, respect and showing fairness to all students and staff.
Remember to:
- Wear Black Leather shoes with full school uniform.
- Wear mostly white joggers on sports days.
Remember pride in the uniform is a thing!
Act respectfully and wear the uniform correctly.
At STA we follow the rules of the game we are playing.
- Use all the equipment correctly.
- Check the posters around the school or check with a teacher if you are not sure.
- Use kind and respectful words and voice when sorting out a problem in a game. Always use your manners.
- Hands on, tackling and contact sport is NEVER allowed at STA. This is the rule for EVERYONE, every single day.
- Safe and respectful play is not about winning or losing, or if you are in or out.
Just be a good sport and have fun with your friends. Watch these videos about respect.
Remember to follow the STA rules during play.
Stay Safe and Act Respectfully every single day.
The STA Student PB4L Team
Book Week
Due to COVID-19, The Children’s Book Council of Australia was postponed until this term.
This year’s theme is “Curious Creatures and Wild Minds”, which could describe many characters from our favourite literature. Like most things this year, Book Week will look very different than how we normally celebrate this special event on our school calendar. The students will still get to read and enjoy all the fabulous short-listed books during their weekly library lessons.
Next Friday 23 October (Week 2) the students are invited to come dressed to school as a ‘Wild Creature’. On this day the students will have a ‘mini morning parade’ with their stage and then participate in some fun activities based on the theme in the classrooms.
- Your child is able to order a "Wild Creature" cupcake for morning tea on this day for $3.00. Can you please complete the order by clicking on the link
I’m sure we will a fun day!
Mrs V Preddey
Christmas Artworks
Years 5 & 6 students from Catholic schools across the Diocese of Wollongong were invited to take part in the annual Christmas Story Art Competition and Exhibition.
This is an initiative of the Catholic Education Offices in Wollongong and Sydney, designed to celebrate and explore children’s creative and artistic ability in illustrating the Christmas story.
Competition winners were announced last night and congratulations to our Year 6 students: Angelique received a Highly Commended and Eden & Elise have progressed to the next stage of the competition.
Year 4 Team Building Day
The Year 4 Team Building Day focused on building positive relationships with each other. The students played games, role played and discussed appreciating each other's differences and how to resolve conflict so that school is a happy and safe place. All students contributed with a positive attitude.
Basketball
In September the Illawarra Academy of Sport announced trials for a sponsorship program for talented basketballers. Hanna A and Maisie W, both bottom age for the under 14's program but with a passion and love of the game, were nominated to trial - and were accepted. They then proudly passed the first selection and went on to trial for the second selection a week later. Their hard work and dedication paid off, as they were both selected and received sponsorships for the 2020/2021 IAS Basketball Program!! Go Hanna & Maisie! Well done and all the best for your basketball future.
Students presenting at sick bay
We have been advised by the CEDoW that if a student is absent or presents at sick bay with flu-like symptoms (as outlined by NSW Health below), a negative COVID clearance is required before they can return to school:
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Fever
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Coughing
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Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
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Sore throat
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Loss of smell or taste
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Please note: the requirement is for a COVID clearance
If your child has undergone a COVID test, could you please email through a screen shot of the message received from NSW Health.
Thank you for your support of this requirement due to the impact of Coronavirus.
Absent notes in Compass
If you are entering an absence for your child in Compass, can you enter the details only of the absence. If you wish to advise the school of any other information regarding your child, could you please ring or email the school office. Thank you.
Afternoon pick-up reminder
The 2 minute drive-through afternoon pick-up process is only for parents of Kindergarten students or parents who have toddlers in the car. For all other students, the side-gate option at 2.50 pm is available. Thank you for your support.
STA Uniform Shop
This is located adjacent to the school office and we sell hats, bags, beanies, gloves and scarves. At present we are out of stock of beanies but hope to have these shortly. EFTPOS is available for new stock.
The P & F 2nd hand Uniform Shop is open 2.30pm - 3pm each Monday for the sale of items @ $2 per item. The money raised from these sales will be donated to St Vincent de Paul at the end of the year.
for 2nd hand items. Donations gratefully accepted.
Consent for use of your child's work/image
If you have not completed this form, could you please do so and return as soon as possible, thank you.
Canteen
The full menu is now available.
The canteen is open Wednesday, Thursday & Friday (breakfast [8.30 - 9], recess & lunch) and the menu is attached.
Please send in your order in a brown paper bag with money.
If you need to send through an order via email, please email us at mail@stabdow.catholic.edu.au and send the money in with your child.
Just a reminder that we do our best to be a nut-free school and appreciate that you don't send any nut products to school with your child.
Don't forget you can also catch us on our Facebook page.
Events @ The Hermitage
Join us for Sunday brunch, morning or afternoon tea!
Why not come and enjoy the beautiful environment here at The Hermitage? Take some time on a Sunday for a leisurely brunch or morning tea in the Southern Highlands. Then wander our property and soak up the peace and quiet. We are open from 9.30am – 2.00pm on the Sundays listed below. Bookings essential. Please ring 4872 1911 during business hours to make a reservation on the following weekends:
18 Oct | 25 Oct | 1 Nov
Thursday evening roast!
Why not take a night off the cooking and enjoy a roast dinner courtesy of our Hermitage Chef Ryan Cairnduff? We are open every Thursday night until the end of October. Please call the office during business hours to make a booking.
Cost is $30pp for a two course meal | BYO wine
Gift vouchers
The Hermitage now offers gift vouchers. These can be redeemed in The Hermitage gift shop, for a weekend Brunch or Thursday Roast or for accommodation in one of our four cottages. Contact the office for further information.
This is a comprehensive resource to assist parents, carers as well as teachers on a range of topics essential to child safety.
The handbook has been updated to include key messages about COVID-19 safety and bush fire safety given the unprecedented fires we experienced earlier this year.
The updated online edition (link below) also includes important content updates from: NSW Ministry of Health, NSW Police Force, Fire and Rescue NSW, Rural Fire NSW, Transport for NSW, Sydney Trains, NSW Department of Family & Community Services, eSafety Commissioner and NSW Office of the Children's Guardian.
Please click on the below link to view the digital handbook.