Newsletter 9/3/2023

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

What wonderful community spirit was again on show at our Kinder to Grade Two Athletics Carnival on Tuesday.  It was lovely to see children smiling and delighted to be having fun.  The most competitive group were the parents egging children on and celebrating their efforts and enjoying the concentration that required tongues to be sticking out, eyes searching for parents to check they were watching (no care for the race they were in). 

We celebrated the day with awards based on our school values of courage, compassion and respect.

We noticed the child who missed the start of the race but ran anyway.  We noted the resilience of the child who dropped an egg three times when no one else had but still finished the race. We giggled with the child that ran to the wrong house team and just laughed about it.  We applauded the child that stopped mid race to pick up anothers hat that had fallen off.  We saw children who already have a natural athletic ability shine.  We saw children who are competitive but not athletes work really hard to do their best and we watched others just enjoy the day and have fun, laugh, try, giggle and celebrate the success of their friends as if it was their own.

We all have a place in this world and we will all develop into the people that God has called us to be.  It may not be what we, as parents, envisage for our children. Human beings growing are wonderful, surprising, industrious and a joy to watch.  I wonder which of these children will be artists, athletes or musicians?  Which will be workers that keep our country running in times of need?  Food producers, health, education or transport workers. What a wonderful spectrum of opportunity awaits these young folk and aren’t we lucky to share in this journey.

I acknowledge the work of the Grade Six students who ran this carnival like experts. Their organisation, care and mentoring of the youngest in our school was outstanding.  

Have a great week,

Mary

Naplan 2023

Year 3 and Year 5 students will be participating in NAPLAN testing next week. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national standards.

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It doesn’t replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance.

The link below will give you additional information to read.

NAPLAN information for parents and carers

Grade 3-6 Athletics

Friday 3rd of March saw our Grade 3-6 students travel in to the St Leonards Athletics Track to compete in the Our Lady of Mercy School Athletics Carnival.   

The students showed great sportsmanship and were very encouraging and supportive towards their team-mates. Thank you to those staff and volunteers that helped out on the day.

TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAMWORK!

K-2 Athletics Carnival

A wonderful day was had by our students on Tuesday 7th March at the K-2 Athletics Carnival, despite the weather conditions. It was fabulous to see everyone having a go and enjoying themselves.

Staffing Announcement

We are thrilled to welcome Mrs Maree Mills as our new Finance Officer. Maree comes to us knowing our system well as she currently works at Sacred Heart, Launceston. You may see Maree on Thursdays over the next couple of weeks whilst she is working alongside Mr Joyce. Please make her feel welcome.

Scrunchies

Hair scrunchies are available for sale at the school office. These come in a range of school colours.

Cost $5.00 ea.

St Brendan-Shaw College

St Brendan-Shaw College will be visiting students at Our Lady of Mercy  on Tuesday 14th March. There is also an information evening coming up.  If you are unable to attend this event St Brendan-Shaw College encourage you to make a booking for a tour of the school.

St Patrick's College

If you’ve been thinking about enrolling your child at St Patrick’s College and would like to learn more about College programs and facilities, then please join them for an informative and interactive session on either Thursday, 16 March or Wednesday, 29 March.

These sessions are an opportunity to learn about every aspect of the College, including their pastoral care system, subject areas and curriculum, and sport and cultural programs.