This coming Sunday we celebrate Mothers' Day. There are many ways to answer the question, “What is Motherhood?” and one of those ways might be that Motherhood means sharing in the creative power of God. Conceiving, carrying and giving birth to a human being, is as close as any person can get to the act of creation. This is the beginning of Motherhood but it is far from the end. Motherhood is also about nurturing, sacrificing, loving and, ultimately, letting go.

 “I believe in the love of all mothers and its importance in the lives of the children they bear.

It is stronger than steel, softer than down, and more resilient than a green sapling on a hillside.

It closes wounds, melts disappointments, and enables the weakest child to stand tall in the fields of adversity. Thank God for mothers and thank mothers for helping us to understand an all-loving God.”

Jan Crouchin. Extract: Mothers’ Day Creed.

I extend my best wishes to all mothers and grandmothers in our School Community and wish you a happy Mothers' Day for this Sunday. I also pray for those mums or grandmothers who are no longer with us. Enjoy the day with your families.

Loving God,as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children, so you watch over your Church. Bless these special women,that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honour them always with a spirit of profound respect.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

CROSS COUNTRY

Yesterday the Mary Immaculate Cross-Country team competed at the Wollongong Diocese Primary Schools Cross Country Carnival.  The course at Willandra, where the children ran is very demanding. The team performed very admirably. I am very pleased to announce that Mia B, from Year 4, won the 9 Years Girls age event and will now represent the Wollongong Diocese at the MacKillop Cross Country Carnival later this term. All children are to be congratulated on their efforts. Thank you to the parents who transported and supported the children on the day and to Mr Warren for managing the team.

FEDERAL ELECTION

In order to assist Catholics in the lead-up to the upcoming federal election, the Archdiocese of Sydney provided the major parties with a list of questions relating to a number of important issues, including Education. The link below provides their responses in full. 

https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/federal-election-guide-education/ 

AQUAMARINE ENTRANCE

A reminder to all parents and friends who drop off and pick up children on the Aquamarine Drive entrance to our school to please not stop in the bus zone directly outside the gate. The police and council rangers have advised that they will be continuing random checks and fines will be directed to those who are stopping illegally. If parents wish to drop off of in the morning the kiss and drop zone is available along Emerald Drive. Thank you for your co-operation.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY - PUPIL FREE DAY
A Staff Development Day for the staff at Mary Immaculate will be held on Friday 14 June 2019 (Friday, Week 7, Term 2). The focus of the day will be related to the teaching of STEM. Children are not required to attend school on this day.

WINTER UNIFORM – We are now in transition mode to winter uniform. All students are expected to be in Full Winter Uniform from next Monday, 13 May.

Note – Students in this transition period must wear either full summer or full winter uniform – NOT a combination of both.

NAMES ON CLOTHING – With the onset of the cooler weather, it is critical that the children can be reunited with lost clothing. Names on all clothing is essential to ensure lost items can be returned to their owner. Please check your child’s clothing, especially jackets and jumpers to ensure he or she has their own clothing. Over the last few weeks we have had several children who have been unable to locate their items of clothing despite their names being clearly written on them. Thank you for your co-operation.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

At Mary Immaculate the staff has an ongoing commitment to Professional Learning. The staff benefits from attending inservices, in curriculum areas, that assists them in providing quality learning opportunities for the students in their class. The following staff have or will attend professional learning and hence will be away from school.

NAPLAN 2019

Next week the students in Year 3 and Year 5 will participate in National Assessment Program (NAPLAN) online. NAPLAN consists of four tests: Reading, Writing, Language Conventions (Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation) and Numeracy. The NAPLAN tests are scheduled for Tuesday 14 May, Wednesday 15 May and Thursday 16 May. 

The Literacy and Numeracy skills assessed in NAPLAN are developed over time through the school curriculum. Whilst this test is a valuable source of information regarding individual student achievement, it also gives important data that is used in the planning processes for school improvement. NAPLAN should be viewed as a ‘snapshot’ in time of students’ progress. The results add value to the conversation about a student’s achievement over time. It is important that the results are viewed in conjunction with the student’s academic achievements in their classrooms.

RELIEVING PRINCIPAL

A reminder that tomorrow, 9 May, both Mrs Del Giudice and I will be away from school. Mr John Walsh, an experienced Principal, will be stepping into the Principal role for the day. I am sure you will make Mr Walsh feel welcome.

Have a great week and let Christ be our way and life.

Don Spencer

Principal