Dear Parents

I hope your family was able to spend some quiet time together this week as we have had Fallow Week at school during this Week 7. Yesterday I was in Canberra attending the annual Priests, Principals and RECs gathering. One of the guest speakers, Fr Tony Percy reminded us all of the importance of having some time for quiet stillness during our busy lives. The idea of Sabbath was to have a day of rest and contemplation; reflecting on what has happened in the week gone past not preparing for the week ahead. One of the challenges put to all those attending was the notion of how we can become more involved in the life of the local parish. On Sunday we had a beautiful example of such parish connection with the children and their families attending the First Eucharist Mass. The children were well prepared by their families and teachers to take this important step in their faith journey. Congratulations to all the children and my thanks to the parents and teachers for your guidance over the past months.

Fathers’ Day Sunday is Fathers’ Day and we shall celebrate this important celebration in a couple of ways. Firstly, we invite all fathers to school tomorrow (Friday) morning for a free breakfast with bacon and egg rolls. There will be cereal and juice for the children. Following breakfast, the Year 6 children will present an assembly commencing at 9.15 to which all are invited. Children who bring in some money tomorrow will be able to purchase a special gift for dad at the Fathers’ Day Stall. On Friday evening a number of dads and children have indicated they will be part of the first camp out on the playground event. At this stage I am very concerned about the weather with heavy rain predicted. In the event of rain tomorrow, we will not have the camp out but move to next term. A decision will be made early and posted on Skoolbag.

Talent Quest An initiative of the Year 6 leaders has been the presentation of a Talent Quest at St Mary’s. The Year 6 leaders have done an amazing job organising the try outs and the finalists, back stage, props and music. The Talent Quest is on tonight commencing at 6.30pm sharp. Doors are open from 6.00pm. The show will last for about 45 minutes and it promises to be lots of fun and entertainment. All are invited to attend and entry is a gold coin donation at the door.

Uniforms A note was sent home on Tuesday reminding families of the correct winter school uniform. There seems to have been a slackening off of the wearing of the school uniform by some children at St Mary’s of late. I understand the financial pressure families are under however, it would be appreciated if you could ensure your child is wearing the correct uniform each day.

Andrew Chinn All are invited to attend the concert by Andrew Chinn in the PAC next Wednesday afternoon from 1.30pm until 2.30pm. Andrew will be conducting music workshops with the children during the day before the concert in the afternoon. All are most welcome.

Just For Fun Which type of hen lays the longest? A dead one. How do we know Moses was sick? Because God gave him tablets.

Best wishes Mick Lowe Principal

Week 7 Term 3 Thursday 1 September 2016 Weekend Masses

Moruya: Vigil Mass – Saturday 6pm

Tuross: Sunday 8am Moruya: Sunday 10am

Friday 2 September Praise Conference

Mrs Croese Father’s Day Breakfast

7:30- 8:45 PAC Father’s Day Focus Assembly 9am PAC Father’s Day Stall

Father’s Day Camp out 5:30pm

Sunday 4 September Father’s Day

Week 8 Term 3

Monday 5 September AFL Clinic Years 3-6

Awards Assembly 2:30pm

Tuesday 6 September Learning Journeys

8:15- 8:45 Learning Journeys

2:00- 4:00pm COSA Visit- Colleen Caddy

Wednesday 7 September Andrew Chinn Workshops

K-6 Andrew Chinn Concert

1:30- 2:30pm PAC COSA Visit- Colleen Caddy

Friday 9 September Year 2 Class Mass 9:15am

This week’s notes:

School Uniform Reminder

Have you received these notes? If not, please phone the office to have a copy sent home with your child.

Religion News

Sunday Gospel In Luke's Gospel, Jesus is speaking to people gathered at the table about the difficulties of following him. This group of people is suspicious about Jesus, looking to catch him doing something wrong. Jesus speaks to them in parables, emphasising that although there is a right way to be a disciple and enter into the kingdom of his Father, it is a difficult path to follow. Many, even some of the guests at the table, reject the invitation. So Jesus turns to the crowds and speaks to them of discipleship. Jesus explains that, when it comes to making a choice for the Kingdom of God, nothing can get in the way. When Jesus describes “hating” one's father and mother, he is not talking about feelings. Rather, he is emphasising very strongly that choosing to be a disciple means that everything else—family, money, your own life—must come second. In Matthew's version of this story (Matthew 10:37), Jesus refers not to “hating” father or mother, but to loving them more than Jesus. Jesus makes it very clear that being a disciple is not easy. It means to bear one's own cross. These difficult sayings of Jesus are followed by two brief parables that make an obvious point—don't start what you cannot finish. Discipleship is difficult and is something we can commit to only if we are prepared to put the Kingdom of God before everything else.

First Eucharist Mass We thank Father John, Mrs Devonald, Mr Bateman and Rachel Glover, Parish Secretary. Also the wonderful students who

received the Eucharist for the first time last Sunday for their dedication and commitment when preparing for this Sacrament, as

well as the choir students who sang so beautifully. The Mass was a beautiful celebration of our faith. The 22 students led the Mass

in the readings, prayers and the Offertory with reverence and joy. Many of the students said they were very nervous but excited.

The girls looked beautiful in their white dresses and the boys very handsome in their shirts and ties. We especially thank

Ammanda Donnelly and Melissa Van Weerdenburg for their excellent organisation of the morning tea enjoyed by all after Mass

and to Sarah Cowan for making the amazing First Eucharist cake.

Andrew Chinn Concert We welcome singer/songwriter Andrew Chinn to St Mary’s on Wednesday 7 September. Since 2001, Andrew has regularly toured schools and parishes around Australia, New Zealand and in more recent times, North America. His concerts and workshops are celebrations of faith and fun through singing, actions and a bit of comedy as well. Children are encouraged to be active participants, rather than spectators. Andrew’s workshops and concerts are easy to prepare and can be done purely on the day itself. Andrew says “It's a real pleasure to have the chance to share my music with you in this way. It's now been fifteen years since Butterfly Music began with the launch of the CD "These Hands" back on December 6th, 2000. I remember saying to

the children of the "These Hands" choir one day, in about June of that year, that I hoped that one day children in Catholic Schools all around Australia would be singing "These Hands". Well now many of them do, as well as lots of children in New Zealand, the United States and Canada too, and It's a real pleasure to have the chance to share my music with you in this way.

Father’s Day Focus Assembly Please join us in the PAC tomorrow morning at 9am when Mrs Keough and her Year 6 class will present their prayer assembly

especially for Father’s Day. All families, friends and parishioners are most welcome to join us. The Father’s day breakfast will begin

at 7.30am followed by the focus assembly. The students have been working hard to prepare for their assembly and would love to

see you there.

A Prayer for Father’s Day

We wish all fathers and those who are like fathers to us a very happy

Father’s Day on Sunday. Wishing God’s best for you Marg Croese Religious Education Coordinator

In all things may God be glorified

Communication Corner

The Gift of a Book What do you give someone who has everything? A book.

What do you give someone who has nothing? A book. A book can give them hope, the power to dream of what life might be.

Give your best friend a book you’ve enjoyed.

Give your local school a book you think will inspire kids, or just make them laugh.

If you want your kids to be intelligent, give them books: reading creates new neural connections in a child’s brain, by stimulating the growth of new neurons as they imagine the world the writer has put on paper. If you want your kids to be

more intelligent, give them more books.

A book is a small, transportable, delightful universe you can keep in your pocket, handbag, glove box or desk drawer, and take out to vanish into when the world is not

as you would like it to be.

But mostly, a book is shared. Give a new book. Share an old book. (I love the ones with crabby comments in the margins and chocolate stains on the pages.)

A book lasts longer than a box of chocolates or a bunch of roses. It is calorie free, cholesterol free, guilt free and does not provoke allergic reactions.

A book can lead you to paradise or rebellion. A small shabby paperback can cross the world a hundred times, bringing its magic to thousands of readers.

And EVERYONE CAN READ (from Jackie French http://www.jackiefrench.com/)

Father’s Day Breakfast: is TOMORROW Fri 2 September. We are inviting all our fabulous dad’s and grandads to a yummy egg and bacon roll breakfast at St Mary’s followed by a beautiful Father’s Day themed Focus Assembly hosted by Year 6.

Father’s Day Stall: The annual Father’s Day stall will also be available to all students throughout Friday 2 September. Students are asked to bring their money to school in a wallet/purse from Years 3-6 and a zip locked bag with their class and name clearly printed on it from Kinder to Year 2.

Learning Journeys: On Tuesday 6 September we are opening our classrooms from 8:15- 8:45am and 2:00pm- 4:00pm for parents to come and look at your child’s classroom, school books and work. This is an occasion to talk and discuss with your child the fabulous work they are doing.

Wishing God’s best for you Catrina Niddrie Assistant Principal

A Message from Fr John ... Every spring is an opportunity to review what is important in our lives and to empty out our closets. It may be that the

lengthening of the days or the change in the way that the light is present to us that we are called to see things differently.

This taking stock allows us to discover what truly brings us joy and what burdens we carry. This is not just about material

things which can clutter up our lives but also those attitudes which hold us back. Fundamentally it calls us to reflect on what

draws us to the light and what drives us away from that light? How are we called to live in the light of the Gospel and the

dream that God has for us? This is not by making us in our own image and likeness but allowing God to mold us into what we

are truly called to be. This is not solely our own work but our cooperation with God who seeks to create through us more

than we can ask or imagine. It calls all of us to discover what truly brings life to us and our communities.

Week 7 Class Awards To be presented at assembly: 2.30pm, Monday 5th September

Congratulations to the following children who received class awards this week. It is great to see so many children working hard and receiving acknowledgment for their efforts - well done to all!

Kinder W: Heidi W, Kai W, Lexie P Year 3B: Tyler C, Seth M, Cameron L

Kinder C: Tiahli B, Taleena B, McKinlay H Year 3D: Riley N, Lauren W, Bailey P

Year 1K: Cody CH, Ruby H, Jayden P, Hannah W Year 4W: Matilda T, Kyden B, Max G

Year 1/2J: Lachlan G, Bailey P, Michaela F Year 4JP: Jared S, Lena H, Jasper Z

Year 2S: Shaylo P, Lily E, Nate K Year 5: Felicity L, Thomas S, Tara M

Year 6: Isabelle B, Stuart L, Emma N (last week) Takiya N, Max M, Ryle S (this week)

Brendan M, Luke M, Oscar B, Will D, Brooke S,

Takiya N

Help Needed—TYPING POOL With the children engaged in daily writing and frequent publishing of their stories we are asking for parents who may be able to assist classes with the typing of children’s stories. You do not need to be a touch typist but just able to give some time to your child’s class to assist with publishing. We are attempting to create a typing pool of parents to come to school on Fridays to assist with publishing stories. If you can help please contact your child’s teacher.

Library News What a wonderful week we had last week celebrating books! It was fantastic to see everyone participating in the Book Week activities with such wholehearted enthusiasm. Thank you all for the fabulous effort and thought that you put into your book week parade characters you all looked AMAZING! Congratulations to the following students who received a ten dollar gift voucher from the Book Fair for winning the 2016 Book Week Trivia: Aspen H, Charlie G, Lorelai B, Roy E, Declan F, Kyden B, Kody G, Tess K, Ryles W. Book Sleuth competition winners were all from Year 3B congratulations to: Chloe H, Ellie V W, Kehlei C. These students received a book of their choice from the Book Fair. A big thank you to all the families who donated books to the library at our annual Book Fair we appreciate your generosity in keeping our library stocked with beautiful books for everyone to enjoy! Our annual Book Fair was a HUGE success thank you to all who took the time to visit the fair and purchase books. The students will benefit enormously from the commission we receive in sales enabling us to purchase books and resources for the library. I can’t wait to go shopping! A huge thank you must go to our wonderful Learning Support Assistants Janet Ryan, Shellie Butler and Julie Wiggins for the ex-

tra time they give every year at Book Fair time your time and dedication is truly appreciated by all.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to celebrate BOOKS and making Book Week a special event! Happy Reading!

Jo Matthews

Bishop Anthony (Tony) Randazzo’s Ordination

On the 24th of August my cousin Mons Anthony Randazzo was ordained Aux Bishop of Sydney along with Fr Richard Umbers. It was held at St Mary’s Cathedral. There were over 2000 people at the Mass, including nearly every priest in the Sydney diocese. There were also nearly 40 Bishops from everywhere. Instead of altar servers, Deacons helped during the service. Namora was one of the Deacons helping Bishop Tony (my cousin will be called this). Namora was in Moruya parish helping Fr Emil a few years ago. The Mass went for nearly 3 hours but it was really special and had loads of interesting parts to it. At one point both Bishop Tony and Bishop Richard had to face down in front of the altar. Another time they knelt while huge Bibles were held open over their heads. Since we are family I was lucky and got to sit right near the front so I could see heaps. After the ordination a supper was held for family and friends. I got to talk with my other cousins, even some from Queensland, New York City and Spain. The next day Bishop Tony held his first Mass for the family at the Mary MacKillop Chapel in North Sydney. I loved this place and got to see the tomb of St Mary MacKillop. I am very proud of my cousin and look forward to seeing him in his

new job as Bishop.

By Jasper Z (4JP)

Eurobodalla District Tennis Association - Junior

Super League Inter District Junior Tennis

Competition

Its registration time for the new Eurobodalla Junior Tennis

competition – for Term 4 (2016) and Term 1 (2017).

Format – Mixed graded divisions for jun-

iors. Singles and doubles team play in home/away rounds. Clubs

include: Moruya, Batemans Bay, Tuross, Broulee, Narooma, Dalmeny and Bodalla.

Matches – 9:00am – 11:30am on Saturdays

Low compression “green balls” for under

10’s. The competition will commence on Satur-

day 15 October.

Cost: $50 per player

To register: contact Richard Sellick 0414753941 rsellick@bigpond.com.au or

Rob Bradley 0412343651.

Keep track of your results on-line with X-point competition software. Matches, statistics, rankings, messaging, rewards shop.