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Dear Parents, Students and Friends
Congratulations to the 30 or so regular swimmers from Year 4, 5 and 6 who have taken up the opportunity to attend swimming training with Mr Alberti. It is wonderful to see such enthusiasm and dedication to the task. Mr Alberti appreciates the support of parents at each session.
Team numbers are building for Sunday’s Busy Bee starting at 9am. Any assistance on the day will be greatly appreciated. Lunch will be provided. Wear old clothes if you are planning on helping with the varnishing of the fort. See below for more details.

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.

School Board News
At Tuesday’s Board meeting, all positions were declared ‘vacant’ which is standard procedure and each member had the chance to nominate for the executive positions. Congratulations to Suzie Liaros who has accepted the position of Chairperson. Kim Piacentini has done a wonderful job in the role over the past few years. Kim remains on the Board. Wayne will stay on as Treasurer and Jo Pitts was happy to continue as Secretary. A huge thank you to Maryanne who has filled the role of P&F Rep on the Board which has meant attending two lots of meetings. Maryanne has decided to step down and we thank her for her time and commitment. The Board welcomed Janine Stewart to her first Board meeting and Denise Depiazzi has been seconded as an additional member.

Tree Removal
Sadly, on Tuesday we had to have a large gum tree removed from the playground because of the possible danger to students. The huge tree had dropped several heavy branches that destroyed parts of the surrounding fence. The issue was brought to my attention and the tree was assessed as having a number of issues that weakened it, which raised the likelihood of it dropping more branches. The report on the tree indicated some urgency. We are planning on replacing the tree in the near future.

Family Barbecue
Thank you to the families who attended last Friday night’s Family Barbecue. It was a great way to introduce new families to the St Mary’s communities. With numbers a little down, we are looking at making changes to the timing and format of next year’s ‘welcome.’

Walk for Water
On Thursday 1 March students from Pre Primary to Year 6 will be involved in ‘Walk for Water’ to raise money for Caritas. Each day, approximately 636 million people in various countries of the world have to walk long distances to get water and then carry it back for their families. In 99% of these cases it is the women who collect the water and the trips can sometimes be dangerous. To help our students gain some understanding of how lucky we are in being able to turn on a tap and get some insight in the way others live, they will be walking to collect water. The City of Bunbury have kindly agreed to allow is to collect water from Hands Oval. Students in different classes will be given a path to follow to get to Hands Oval with older students taking a less direct route. Pre Primary’s walk will be within the school grounds. Water collected and brought back to school will be used on the school gardens.

Walk for Water Sponsorship
We are asking students to collect sponsorship from friends and family for their ‘Walk for Water’ with all of the money raised going to Project Compassion. Sponsorship forms are going home today with students and are asked to be returned in an envelope with the money by Thursday 1 March. Students will have the option of having some rice for lunch on the day. Those who would like rice will need to bring a plastic bowl and fork.

Ash Wednesday Mass
It was wonderful to see many parents and grandparents attending yesterday’s Ash Wednesday Mass. During the opening, the Year 6 students explained the significance of Ash Wednesday and the reasons for Lent under the guidance of Ms Brown and Mrs Murray. Thank you to Fr Abraham for rushing back from his holidays to be with us and lead our service.

Altar Serving Opportunity
Students in Years 4-6 have the opportunity to be involved in altar serving at weekend Masses at the Cathedral. The students travel to the Cathedral for a tour and training session before being rostered for Masses. We had eight students from Years 4 and 5 involved last year and most of those are happy to continue. Forms have gone home today to students who have indicated they would like to be involved but it requires a dual commitment from students and parents.

Bunbury Geographe Gift
Bunbury is hosting the first Geographe Gift on the weekend of 28 and 29 April. There will be clinics from some of Australia’s elite Track and Field stars, a family fun run through the streets of Bunbury, a beach café with over 20 food trucks, local music all day and lawn games. St Mary’s has been offered the chance to run a drinks stall selling cool drink, sports drinks and water. The P&F are hoping for a large group of volunteers to assist at the stall over the two days on a roster system. If you would like to find out more you can speak to Rikki Smith or Alison Piacentini or come along to next week’s P&F meeting on Tuesday 20 February at 7pm in the school hall.

P&F Meeting
The P & F will hold their first meeting on Tuesday 20 February at 7pm.

100 Club
Families are encouraged to come along to walk or run as many laps as they can on Fridays between 8am and 8.30am. Laps before 8am will not count.

God Bless
Paul Cronin

Prayer

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Registering With Camp Australia

Have you registered with Camp Australia yet? Even if you do not plan on using the OSHC program at your school there are many benefits for your family.
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