Term Overview was sent home with your child last week and also sent via Compass.

There may be some last minute additions/changes to this which will be advised through Compass.

Week 3

Tuesday 28th October - Marybells and Marybells Graduation

Tuesday 28th October - wear red for Dyslexia Awareness Month

Other Important Dates for your calendar

Saturday 14th November - St Mary's on Bellingen Markets

Thursday 20th November - Year 6 Small Schools Transition Day to BHS

Friday 5th December - Year 6 Transition to BHS

Wednesday 10th Dec - Year 6 Graduation and End of Year @ OBF

Thursday 11th December End of Year Final Awards Assembly and Giving Tree 9.30 - 11:00am

Monday 15th December - Year 6 Big Banana Excursion

Monday 15th December - School Picnic (see Term 4 Overview)

Wednesday 17th December - Last Day Term 4 for Students

Thursday 18th December - Last Day Term 4 for Staff

Our thoughts and prayers are with Carmel and her family following the passing of her beloved mum Pat, on Saturday afternoon. Carmel has been away from school in recent weeks caring for her mum, and we ask that you keep her and her family in your prayers as they prepare to farewell Pat at her funeral this Friday.

Rest in peace Pat.

https://achristianpilgrim.wordpress.com/ 

Speak from the heart and be humble.  Let God look into your heart and touch it.

We are proud to announce that the artwork that was produced by Ivy, Eloise and Juliet for the Jubilee Art Competition has been selected as a finalist for the Art Prize.  There is an exhibition at the cathedral from December 6. We will keep you posted about the outcome.

The section of Watson Street between Ford and Rawson Streets shown in the above image was amended to be a 40km/hr school zone 22/9/2025. This includes signage and dragon's teeth painted on the road.

Friday weeks 4-7 will be organised sport for all classes.

K-2 Ping Pong

3-6 Soccer

Where possible, please ensure your child is wearing their sport uniform on these Fridays.

The month of October is dedicated to raising awareness of dyslexia. Things are evolving in this space so that today we refer to dyslexia as part of a broader term - Specific Learning Disorder. Wear red to symbolise the fight against correcting mistakes with red pen and valuing efforts and growth instead on Wednesday 21st and 28th of October.

Staff reviewed the updated policy at the most recent Professional Learning Day and we invite our families to do the same. If you have any comments or feedback on the policy (click on link and go to Behaviour Support Management Policy) please email the office bellp@lism.catholic.edu.au. Your feedback is valued.

This Friday Australia celebrates our teachers. Thank you to the teachers of St Mary’s for making is the fantastic school that it is. We see the hours and effort that you put in every day and appreciate everything that you do for the students, their families and the community.

English

In our English unit the students are learning to identify figurative language in literature and how it can influence meaning. Through our focus poetry text, ‘The Sound Of The Thing’ by Maxine Benaba Clarke, the students have been recognising and discussing the use of imagery, symbol and connotation. During their first lessons, the students explored how figurative language, like onomatopoeia can be used to enhance imagery in texts. Their first task was to brainstorm sounds that were linked to their place of interest. They then had a short amount of time to create one stanza that included onomatopoeia and enhanced the imagery of their place of interest. We loved how their chosen places of interest really represented the things that they are most fond of and that we often hear all about.

Maths

The students explored and identified lines of symmetry in pictures, artefacts, designs and the environment as they completed their Symmetry Hunt through Seesaw. Can you spot the photo in each work sample that is the ‘photo of an object that appears to have on line of symmetry, but does not?’

Movement Breaks

The students are showing great determination and coordination with many students now getting confident in juggling two balls and some have mastered juggling three balls. A few are even moving on to partner juggling acts. It has also been wonderful to kick off the term with great sportsmanship shown in our favourite class games like ‘Shoosh Ball.’

Our current Religious Education unit is all about prayer. The students are looking at the different ways that we can communicate with God and the first types of prayers that they journalled about were prayers of thanks:

Stage 2 were blessed with an exciting visit by Mark Taylor, where they had the chance to act or be a part of the production crew. The students worked collaboratively to bring Mark’s comedy script ‘The New Kid’ to life. Mark not only shared his expertise, but allowed the students to take charge of the set: from directing and running the clapper board, to positioning and recording using the sound and camera gear. This experience gave us many smiles and giggles, plus a real taster of production work. When we reflected on what we were grateful for at the end of the day, it was Mark’s name that was frequently mentioned. Thanks Mark for all that you did and continue to do, as you now take on the next job of editing.

From Stage 2 Turtles

Week 2 - "I can follow instructions"

Week 3 - "I can use the right voice level"

Week 4 - "We say no to Bullying"

PBS - "I can follow instructions"

Kinder - Gulliver Clark

Stage 2 Turtles - Jude Farrugia

Happy Birthday to Joshua Jackson 25/10, Charlotte Powditch 26/10, Arthur West 29/10, Daisy Tarrant 31/10, Monty Scott 31/10, Ash Maher 08/11, Dimity Leslie 08/11.

A huge thank you to Paul Martin, Jane Molloy, Danny Greenaway, Georgia Bennett and Jade Morris for their huge effort in getting the chook pen back looking strong and sturdy on its original foundations. These volunteers worked through the heat of the final Friday of the school holidays, trimming back hedges and most importantly repairing and rejoining many damaged parts of the original chookpen that otherwise would have gone to waste. Paul impressed us all with his building skills and hardwork through the heat. He made everything come together perfectly. Whilst Jade took the time to step in and help before his long drive to QLD for work. Jade was also a far better apprentice than the rest of us who were at times unsure if Paul’s left handed tool requests were indeed true. Jane’s knowledge of plants and all gardening tools made us begin to wonder if she was sponsored by Stihl or had indeed escaped from hosting a gardening show. Georgia and Danny worked wonders on the tools and when removing cleared shrubs and their organisation made the day happen.

Next of course we can’t forget our student volunteers who helped out at Garden Club to attach the wire roof, make sure that there were no holes for the chooks to escape from, clean up the old food and water dispensers and shovel sand into their coop. During this time the students worked together to have a production line of rocks and sand on the move. We look forward to the next and most eggciting step of welcoming some feathered friends into our school.

We are seeking parent & student volunteers to assist in fundraising at the November Bellingen Community Markets on Saturday 15th November.

We have shifts to fill at either the School Market Stall or at the gates (shaking the bucket for entry donations) - note all students must wear school uniform & be accompanied by an adult.

Shifts available

6.30-8.00

8am-10am

10am-12noon

12noon-2pm

If you are able to assist in any of these shifts please advise the office.

Click on the link below for the Getting ready for High School Guide

https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/en/home/parents-and-carers/starting-school-guides/starting-high-school/Getting_ready_for_high_school.pdf

Piano = Victoria Christie 6655 8782

Brass/Piano = Kate Butcher 0418 798 078

Guitar = Katie Crane 0431 151 987