Dear Parents / Caregivers and families, 

It is hard to believe this week marks the midpoint of Term 2. 

Today I had the great privilege to attend the Sorry Day Service organised by the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry at Holy Trinity Church, Minto with three Year 6 Student Leaders who very admirably represented our Mary Immaculate community.

26 May every year commemorates National Sorry Day. This day honours the members of the Stolen Generations and all that they endured and all that has been lost through the removal of generations of Aboriginal children as a result of the Forced Removal Policies of the past. It is a day when we focus on the impact that this forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children had on not only the children, but also their families and communities. Kevin Rudd’s 2008 apology raised awareness of the sufferings of Indigenous people and challenged us to take the road to reconciliation. 

Like any apology, saying sorry is only an important first step, what really matters is the action that follows. Through actions which acknowledge our first people and the contribution they, and their rich culture, have made to the land and to our society, the Australian nation is able to say you are valued, we respect you and we want to heal the hurts that create division and discord. 

This week, we commence National Reconciliation Week. A special week when we celebrate the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and all other Australians. Every year, this week is held between the same dates, 27 May to 3 June . The dates draw attention to significant historical events. 27 May marks the day in 1967 when the referendum was passed allowing the Australian Government to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and to allow them to be recognised in the Census. 3 June marks the day in 1992 that led the Australian Government to recognise native title and acknowledge Indigenous Australians as the original occupants of Australia. On 3 June 1992, the High Court of Australia delivered its landmark Mabo decision which legally recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a special relationship to the land — that existed prior to colonalisation and still exists today. This recognition paved the way for land rights called Native Title. 

We continue to pray that all members of our school community will strive to live the spirit of reconciliation each day.

Tina Murray

Principal 

INDUSTRIAL ACTION – FRIDAY 27 MAY

To assist in planning for the provision of limited supervision during the industrial action on Friday 27 May, please complete the form if your child/ren will be attending school on Friday 27 May.
 
The form can be accessed via the following link.

https://forms.gle/gvEmfktpSoXQcTiS7

We recognise this event may present challenges for school families and we are committed to doing all we can to minimise disruption for your child. Thank you in advance for your support. 

THE SCHOOL CANTEEN WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY

Unfortunately, due to unavoidable circumstances the Staff Development Day has been rescheduled to a new date.

Thank you in advance for your understanding regarding this change.

• Cars proceed to the first 3 spaces of the Kiss and Ride Zone, closest to the School Office entrance.
• Only the first 3 cars will drop off children.  All other cars will need to line up and wait until they reach this area to drop off their children.
• Adults need to remain in the car at all times. This means that children will need to have their school bags with them in the car, so that they are able to exit the car from the left hand side, onto the footpath.
• Cars will exit the Kiss and Ride Zone in the order that they entered.  Please do not leave earlier than the car in front or overtake them.
• If the Kiss and Ride Zone is full or you wish to get out of the car, please park in an area away from the Kiss and Ride Zone.

Please do not . . .

• park or drop off in the Bus Zone.
• double park.
• make U-turns - they are illegal, dangerous and put everyone at risk.
• stay and watch the children walking into the playground. 
• park OR drop children off in the Church / School Car Park.

Parents are reminded that although students are able to enter via the Aquamarine Drive gate in the morning, this area is not a designated Kiss and Ride Zone. Parents must ensure they adhere to all street signage as rangers and police frequently patrol these areas and impose fines and demerit points. 

MORNING SUPERVISION

Parents are reminded that student supervision commences each morning at 8.00 am.

Although we understand many parents have work commitments it is important to note that although a few staff may be on the premises early, gates for students to enter the school do not open until 8am. Students remain the responsibility of parents if they arrive prior to this time.

All students arriving prior to 8:00 am are responsible for maintaining safe behaviour.

SCHOOL WINTER UNIFORM

All students should now be wearing their full winter uniform. We are conscious that Lowes are currently experiencing stock issues and students are able to wear their Sport Uniform as an alternative if uniform items are currently unavailable. Please refer to our student models who are wearing the correct Winter Uniform variations.

Congratulations to 5 Green on earning their first Gold Star! Some other classes came close, so let’s hope this week we see a few more. Please remind your children to bring their Library Bags on their lesson day.

Lessons this week:

Thursday  – Kinder

 NEXT WEEK

Tuesday– Year 6

Wednesday  – Year 5

Thursday  – Year 3

Friday – Year 2 

This term in Library lessons we are looking at how we can use non-fiction texts and the internet to find the information we want. Each grade is studying different topics, related to their class units. Year 6 students are looking at the way our Governments work and learning the skills of debating, and Year 5 are examining how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things. 

National Simultaneous Storytime

NSS  is an annual campaign that aims to encourage more young Australians to read and enjoy books. Celebrating its 21^st successful year, it is a fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Kindergarten to Year 6. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian Author and Illustrator is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, homes and bookshops all around Australia. All classes are participating in this project this week, reading  Family Tree written by Josh Pyke and illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh. 

Premiers' Reading Challenge

Remember to keep reading for the PRC, we have plenty of time to read the required number of books and register them online. The website has the list of books as well as the login button for each student:

https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html

Our Oliver Library catalogue will let you know what books from the lists are available in our library. Go to:

https://oliver1.dow.catholic.edu.au/oliver/home/news https://oliver1.dow.catholic.edu.au/oliver/home/news

and type ‘premier’ in the search box. Then select the level required and the search results will indicate available titles. 

Daily Reading

Don’t forget to try to take at least ten minutes out of your busy day to read with or to your children. 

 "Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him."

                                                       Maya Angelou, Poet

Happy reading!

Mrs Sue Bryant

Teacher-Librarian

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN KINDERGARTEN? 

This term the children in Kindergarten are engaged in SEED investigations which use an engineering process to solve a crime relating to ‘How Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall?’. The children have learnt all about writing and following procedures, in particular how to call 000 in an emergency. The children have learnt about how objects move using forces of push and pull and have used this knowledge to design and make a device that will transport Humpty Dumpty to the Hospital. The children will also be involved in creating and testing a safety device to stop Humpty from falling off the wall. 

Arlo, Amelia and Neil shared some of their learning about this SEED investigation.

One day Humpty Dumpty was sitting on a wall in our classroom and then the next day we came into class and he had fallen down. He was broken into two pieces. We had to try and think of all the different things that could have happened to Humpty. Lots of us blamed Mrs Nash, we thought she wasn’t being careful and bumped him when she was opening the cupboard. 

Now, we are trying to make vehicles to help Humpty, so that he can go to the hospital, so that they can help put him back together again. We designed the vehicles and drew them. Then we had to make our picture and label all the parts.  We are using boxes, wheels, toilet rolls and bottle caps. We have been looking at how things move and how we can use pushing and pulling to move things. We tried the vehicles by putting an egg inside to see if they worked and then we filmed our vehicles with the egg inside. We learnt how to call 000 if there is an emergency so that they can help us. We love learning and exploring through our SEED investigations.

Mrs Lillian Del Giudice

Assistant Principal

Upcoming Events

Year 2: Pentecost Prayer

You are warmly invited to attend the Year 2 prayer to celebrate Pentecost on:

30 May  at 1.45 pm in the hall

GIRLS LEMON BLOUSES AVAILABLE (SIZE 6, 8, 10 & 18)

THE UNIFORM ROOM HAS NEW GIRLS LEMON PETER PAN COLLARED BLOUSES IN SIZES 6, 8, 10 AND 18.  THESE SIZES ARE OUT OF STOCK AT LOWES.  IF YOU WISH TO PURCHASE ONE OF THESE BLOUSES THE 2ND HAND UNIFORM ROOM IS OPEN EACH MONDAY MORNING FROM 8:30 A.M. UNTIL 9:00 A.M. 

WE DESPERATELY NEED UNIFORM DONATIONS IN THE 2ND HAND UNIFORM ROOM WE ARE RUNNING VERY LOW IN STOCK.

EAL/D teacher Nicole Martin in collaboration with the classroom teachers, ensured that the Year 2 students at Mary Immaculate could travel far and wide across Australia using their imagination to nibble on the country’s delicacies, including Anzac biscuits, mini pavlovas, lamingtons, scones and minties. With each nibble on these Aussie treats, the students hoped that Hush would return to being visible again.

EAL/D teacher, Nicole Martin dressed as Grandma Poss to introduce and read ‘Possum Magic’ to students as a way to ensure quality literature written by Australian Authors and about Australian places and animals to stimulate quality modelled, guided and independent reading and writing. 

This experience was a springboard for reading and writing, exploring narrative writing while contributing to building the field for later in the term when students will be writing informative texts about different Australian cities. Reading picture books set around various Australian locations has helped build the field for this reading and writing experience later in the term. 

Environmental News

Wonder Bag Recycling Program

A big Thank You to everyone who has deposited their empty bread bags into the recycling box near the front office or sent them in with your student!  

We have almost collected one full box which means we are well on our way to be able to redeem some FREE SPORTING EQUIPMENT FOR MIEV!

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP: Bring in any EMPTY bread bags (including any brand bread, flat bread, buns etc) so we can help the environment and earn new sports equipment for the school. PLEASE make sure the bread bags are empty otherwise there will be some recycling issues.

Thank you for your support of this wonderful, environmentally friendly program!

At Mary Immaculate, we are once again fundraising using the Return and Earn Project! 

Throughout the school, we have return and earn containers for the students to use to collect our items.  

            But we still need your help!

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP:  Any donations of return and earn items can be sent in to school with your student to be added to our collection. All money raised will go back into our school to help with environmental or community based projects. Even one or two items from each student will go a long way towards our fundraising goals!

Thank you in advance for your support!

Sincerely yours,

Year 6 Ecology team and Mrs Alford.