Dear Parents, Students and Friends
Thank you to all of the parents who attended the parent meetings this week. The meetings gave teachers the chance to explain how their classrooms will operate. A huge congratulations to our team of parents who worked during the holidays on the three level fort and then they were back all of last Sunday so the fort could be opened to students on Monday. Special recognition must go to: Darren, Melissa and Jake Coulson, Cam McNeil, Geoff Millar, Shaun Marwick, Mark Fildes, David Emerson, Adam Pemberton, Steve Hastie and Craig Bovell. See below for some students enjoying themselves on the new fort.
Mr Priest and Mrs Evans have been trialing a new newsletter format using Mailchimp. Mailchimp makes viewing the newsletter on your phone or tablet easier and today is our first official run!
Busy Bee
Another Busy Bee is planned for Sunday 18 February starting at 9am. Tasks will include: mortar rocks on tunnel ramps, place logs and mulch on western tunnel ramp, build another tepee, finish off tree house, cut and place log stepping stones and paint all wood structures with decking oil. Lunch will be provided and any donations of morning tea will be greatly appreciated. Please contact Melissa Coulson regarding food donations at melissa.coulson@cewa.edu.au. Tools that would be useful on the day include: power tools, shovels, rakes and wheelbarrows.
Black Leather Shoes
While most students are wearing their uniform correctly and with pride, we have several students who are wearing black running shoes rather than ‘black lace up school shoes’ as outlined in the Parent Handbook with their summer uniform. Please ensure that your child meets the guidelines.
Staff Risk Their Lives to Protect Students
On Monday afternoon, at about 3pm, one of our grandparents was shocked to see a snake slither past the office front door. Four staff then staged a stake out, carefully positioning themselves around the garden outside the office. The snake appeared again several times while students were being directed around the unfolding drama to wait for their parents at the bus shelter. The snake catchers were called and the pair arrived after most of the students had been picked up. After a 10 minute standoff with the snake well camouflaged in the bush, the 1m long tiger snake was captured and placed in a bin to be transported to a dam far from school. Our snake catchers explained that the tiger snake was the sixth most dangerous in the world and had probably come across from the Big Swamp in search of food.
Toe By Toe
We are keen to operate the Toe By Toe Program again this year. Toe By Toe is a program that helps to develop spelling and reading skills. Volunteers work with individual students through a workbook and a short training session will be provided. Toe By Toe runs from 9am to 9.20am Monday to Thursday. If you are able to assist once a week or more, your help will be greatly appreciated. I am coordinating Toe By Toe this year and we will start next Tuesday. Please email me if you would like more information or would like to offer your assistance ( paul.cronin@cewa.edu.au). Parents and grandparents are more than welcome.
Family Barbecue
A reminder that St Mary's Welcome Family Barbecue will be held Friday 9 February at 6pm. We look forward to seeing you there!
Class Vacancies
We said farewell to some families at the end of last year and as a result we have limited vacancies in Year 4. If you have friends or know of families who may be interested in sending their children to St Mary’s, please let the office know.
Introduction to Indonesian
Most year levels had their first Indonesian lesson this week with Mr Priest and by all reports they had lots of fun! Here is Nick having a conversation with Mr Priest.
Board Meeting
The first Board Meeting for 2018 will be held on Tuesday 13 February at 5.45pm.
P&F Meeting
The P & F will hold their first meeting on Tuesday 20 February at 7pm.
God Bless
Paul Cronin
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