Term 3 Week 10 2024

Principal's Message

‘We do whatever it takes to lead the way in Love, Learning, Faith, School Spirit, Sport & Community’

Dear families and friends,

Legends of our Faith
Mary MacKillop opened Catholic schools in Australia as the poor rural kids could not afford to attend school. She is a role model of mine, as the first Australian Catholic school principal who led with great integrity and fairness, welcoming all, not just the privileged. We all look up to her at SMP as she is a legend of our faith.  MacKillop House is named after her.

We have achieved so much this term. Our teaching and learning is spot on, we have had great sporting achievements, faith and community events. Our school is very much alive with our school vision to lead the way in Love, Learning, Faith, School Spirit, Sport and community.

Holidays
I hope you all get to spend some time with your kids a little more over our break. Most families do not get as near as many holidays as what we do here as educators. I feel very blessed and don't take this for granted.  If I added up my hours each week, it comes to about 70, and I know many of you are in the same boat. I wake up and get straight onto the birthdays for our digital sign and TV.  I'm in at school at 6:15am and gone late most days.  So while I will still be doing a fair bit over the break, thinking up what next creative thing we can do, getting ahead of the game and catching up on 'principal things', as I like to be present and involved when at school, I also look forward to having time to get my thoughts back together, less anxious time. So where will you find me? Most likely going for a walk with Michelle, on our deck with a coffee and platter of food, watching Netflix and the footy, or shopping at Dan Murphy's.  Take care and stay safe.

Student Free Day:   Monday 14th October
School resumes:   Tuesday 15th October

Take care
John O’Brien

Assistant Principal's News - Mission

Last week I returned back to SMP after spending 8 weeks at St Joseph's Coraki as Acting Principal. After missing most of the term, I was only back for a week before heading off with my family for a holiday we have had booked for a long time now.  I am very much looking forward to sinking my teeth into Term 4.

Best of luck to all of the Catholic students who celebrated their Holy Communion in the church on Sunday 22 September. I am very disappointed that I wasn't  at this special celebration due to being on long service leave.

A big thank you to the Year 4 teachers, particularly Miss Mac, for preparing these students for their final Sacrament of Initiation. 

Sam Irvine
AP Mission

Assistant Principal-Learning and Teaching

Social Media and Our Kids
As we head into the holidays, please be mindful of your children's activity on social media. Although there are many positive aspects to social media, more and more research is showing us that exposing our younger children to this is having compounded negative effects on our kids. 

Social media is not only exposing our children to possible cyberbullying but it is also impacting our kids ability to interact with each other in the real world.

It becomes very tricky for a school to manage things that occur in the privacy of their own home, outside of school hours, but we are working with the Catholic Schools Office to build high quality processes and policies to best support our students in this space.

In my opinion, one of the most dangerous platforms our kids are using is Snapchat. I have attached an information sheet for parents to give you a better understanding of this platform and why it is rated for children 13 years and above.

We will update parents as we continue to develop more in this constantly changing area.

Felicity Wilde
AP Learning and Teaching

Leader of Faith

First Communion
Last Sunday 36 students and their families joined our parish community for a special Mass where they made their First Communion. There was great excitement, joy and expectation in the students as they entered the church and participated in the Mass leading up to Holy Communion.

After Mass, the students and their families enjoyed cake, cordial and coffee before going home to enjoy their own celebrations.

Special thanks to Fr Peter and Fr Wilbur who provided spiritual support over the last month as we prepared for this special day, Lesa Pierce and Marg Boyle who provided the music and singing and to Miss Helen who served as sacristan for the Mass and was a great support with the preparation for the day.

Karen McDonald
Leader of Faith

Sport News

Casino Fun Run
A huge congratulations to all the SMP students who participated in the annual Casino Fun Run!  It was a fantastic morning spent supporting a great organisation in our community. SMP brought home several trophies, including one for the school with the most participants – an incredible achievement.  Well done, SMP!

We’re already looking forward to next year when we hope Mr Parrish will race against Mr O’Brien and really put him to the test!

Special congratulations to the following students who finished in the top 3 and received medals: Lucia Formaggin, Myf Gray, Wallace Gray, Larah Kenny, Riley Gillespie, Archer Chelman, Mrs McIntyre and Mr O’Brien.

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Polding Athletics
A group of talented athletes travelled to Newcastle to compete in the Polding Athletics Carnival, and they should be incredibly proud of their achievements on the day. Congratulations to Lyla Martin, Rachael Johnston, Eva Crompton, Ryder Birney, Marcos Barber, Rocco Jenkins, Lucas Myers, Thomas McCormack, Toby Makejev and Billy Stavenow.

A special shout out to Marcos Barber and our Senior Boys Relay Team—Rocco Jenkins, Thomas McCormack, Toby Makejev and Billy Stavenow—who have progressed to the PSSA State Championships in Sydney.

Go get 'em, boys!

NSW Rugby Union
Tommy McCormack and Toby Makejev headed to Sydney over the weekend to don the NSW jersey and represent the state in a match against St Pat's.  NSW emerged victorious with a 12-7 win.

Congratulations, Tommy and Toby!  We’re sure this won’t be the last time you both wear the NSW jersey.

Rugby Union
Year 4 has been incredibly fortunate this term to have Will Campbell and his Rugby NSW crew come in weekly to run a Rugby Union skills program during their sport time.  The students have thoroughly enjoyed learning new skills while having plenty of fun along the way.

It's safe to say Rugby is alive and well in Casino, thanks to the fantastic work Will and his team from Rugby NSW are doing.  We’re excited to have Will work with another year level next term!

Nikki Hammond
Sports Co-ordinator

Leader of Inclusion

NDIS Sessions at School 2025
Many families of children who are eligible for support through NDIS find it helpful  to have sessions take place within the school setting. Our school works with many therapists and health professionals every year to ensure students have access to therapy and support in a familiar environment. 

Most schools, including ours, have a Code of Conduct and formal induction procedure for therapists and health professionals to complete before commencing sessions in schools. Therapists and health professionals must also provide a Working with Children Check Number. Our Principal has discretion to decide whether or not an external service provider can enter the school and how arrangements will be managed.  

Please note in 2025 therapists and health professionals will not have access to students during the English and Math Blocks - this is between 9.00am - 1.00pm each day.  We strongly recommend you book 2025 sessions for the afternoon block as soon as possible.  

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or require further information regarding NDIS sessions in school. 

Transition to High School
Last week Kristie Irvine and I spent a session with our Year 6 students focusing on the next step in their learning journey - transition to high school. 

Our students explored a number of topics including their hopes and worries. We also discussed strategies for making new friends, managing emotions, new learning and expected  behaviour.

In Term 4 a small group of students will participate in additional transition visits to St Mary’s Catholic College. The Year 6 teachers have suggested students who may benefit from the extra visits.  If you feel your child requires additional visits before the St Mary's College Orientation Day, please contact me.

Paula McIntyre
paula.mcintyre@lism.catholic.edu.au
Leader of Inclusion 

Leader of Community

Wakakirri
This term, 47 students have participated in our annual Wakakirri Performance. Our theme this year was Belonging. The students were outstanding in their performances. We have submitted the performance for 2024 and look forward to the feedback from the Wakakirri team.

Congratulations to all of the students on their efforts this year. We can’t wait to see what is in store next year!

Please see the students' performance below.

Preschool Buddies
This term, Year 5 have been visiting St Mary's Community Preschool again to make connections.  This builds a lovely relationship between our school and the preschool.  It will also be of great value for when the preschoolers start big school next year and our Year 5 students will be their buddies.  We can’t wait to visit again next term.

Hannah de Silva
Leader of Love & Community

St Mary's Community Preschool

Student of the Month ~ 19 September 2024

Year 5 & Year 6 Camps

A reminder that the Year 5 Tyalgum Ridge Retreat is due for payment by Friday 18 October.  The cost is $333.00 and can be paid via BPay using your personal BPay number or via CompassPay.

Year 6 Brisbane Excursion is due by 30 September.  The cost is $745.00 and can be paid via BPay using your personal BPay number or via CompassPay. 

There appears to be an unusual number of families that have not made any payment towards the camps.  If your child has decided not to attend please notify the school office.  Full payment will need to be made for your child to attend camp.

Birthdays

Happy birthday t0 Cate McElligott Ava Armstrong Ashton Presbury Tilly Cowan Caleb Law Abigail Brooks Oskar Garsden-Williams Brooke Young Genevieve Hines Sophie Robinson and Charlotte Hogg who have recently their birthday, and to Miley Gooley and Lacey Russell who celebrate on Saturday.  

Lost & Found

This fortnight we have airpods and Pandora bracelets ready for owners to collect from the office.  These items have been sitting in the office for a while.

Community News

New DANCE STUDIO 

Shop 10 / 63 Walker Street  Casino Centre Arcade

Wednesday & Thursday from 1.00pm

Social Ballroom, Old Time Freestyle, New Vogue, Sequence, Partner Dancing

Children, Adults, Seniors and beginners all welcome

Adults $10 / Pensioners $7 / Youth $5 / Children $2

For more information please phone Rhonda on 0448 234 254