Dear Parents, Carers, Staff and Students,

Welcome back to Term Three. The students and staff have settled back into the ‘flow’ of school life after a restful and relaxing break. In the coming weeks we have some important events that will allow the whole school to come together as a community. 

Two of these events will occur next week. The first of these, a ‘Parent Information Night’, will be on next Wednesday 7 August commencing at 6:00pm in the school hall. The information night will centre on how we best cater for students with specific individual needs including, anxiety, autism, emotional and social behaviours. We have invited Lee Casuscelli who is the NSW Team Leader at Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), as our guest speaker. I would like to encourage as many parents and carers as possible to attend this information session. One of our key strategic initiatives is to continue to closely engage with the wider school community.

The other event is our St Mary of the Cross Mackillop Feast Day celebrations on Thursday 8 August. Starting with Mass at 10:00am in the school hall and then followed by a picnic lunch and open classrooms. We as a school community look forward to engaging in the charism of St Mary of the Cross. This Charism influences all that we do and allows the values, such as care, compassion and respect, which were so important to St Mary of the Cross, permeate into the very core of who we as a community.

Both these events will help build on coming together ‘to be community’. The opportunity to discuss, to listen, to pray, to celebrate and to enjoy the company of each other are at the very core of what we value. It is with a sense of excitement and anticipation that I look forward to both important events.

Take Care

Mr Justin Devlin

Principal

Long Service Leave - Mr Justin Devlin 

I will be taking Long Service Leave from this Thursday 31 August until Tuesday 6 August. In my absence Mrs Cheryl Brennan will be Acting Principal on Thursday 31 August, due to both myself and Mr Crawford both being absent from school. From Friday 1 August until Tuesday 6 August Mr Crawford will assume the role of Acting Principal.

Magdalene Feast Day - Last Friday, our School Captains, Anna Hughes and Thomas Frappell had the pleasure, along with Mr Devlin, of attending the Magdalene Catholic College Feast Day Mass. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Brian Mascord and it was a wonderful opportunity for the school to connect with the college. Year Five were also invited to  attend the feast day celebrations. They were able to participate in the activities including rides and funday activities.

Campbelltown Catholic Club Mass & Luncheon - On Sunday 28 July, our captains joined with Mr Devlin in attending the Campbelltown Catholic Club Mass at St Thomas More Catholic Church Ruse. The Mass celebrated by Bishop Brian, was a most wonderful experience. Bishop Brian spoke very much about the uplifting sense of providing service for others. The Catholic Club is very generous in the support of Catholic Schools in the local area. Over a number of years our school has been the beneficiary of a number of generous donations from the club. We are very grateful for their support. 

Listed below are some important dates for Term 3.

Grade Mass 

Year 6 will celebrate Mass on Friday 2 August at 9:30 am.

Assembly

Year 6 will lead assembly on Friday 9 August at 2:15 pm in the School Hall.

AWARDS

Congratulations to the following students who will receive an award at assembly on Friday 9 August for being a great learner and wonderful community member.

On Thursday 8 August we will be celebrating St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Feast Day. The Day will commence with Mass at 10:00 am in the school hall, followed by a picnic lunch with your children. Parents and Carers can pre-order your lunch through the canteen.

Year 5 and Year 6 parents are kindly donating pink cupcakes which will be sold for 50 cents each and all proceeds will go to the McGrath Foundation.

After lunch from 12:00 - 1:00 pm you are welcome to walk through your child's classroom and look at all the spectacular work the children have done throughout the year so far.

Looking forward to a day of remembrance and celebration for a wonderful Saint who holds so much history in our school.

If you have any unwanted Coles Little Shop 2 Collectables or Woolworths Lion King Ooshies, Kindergarten would love them for Mathematics and Develop Mental Play.

The school photos will be handed to the children on Wednesday 31 July (tomorrow). Please contact the school office immediately if you have any problems with your order. 

Last Friday the Environment Group along with Mrs Newton walked down to the Picton Botanic Gardens to participate in this year's Schools Plant a Tree Day. Damion Stirling from Wollondilly Council coordinated the planting of over 50 native plants including various wattles and tea trees. The students thoroughly enjoyed the morning helping to restore the natural environment along Racecourse Creek.