Welcome to Week 8! We have had a busy few weeks with many students back on the sporting fields and training again. 

NSWCPS Swimming Championships
On Tuesday, I had the privilege of attending the NSWCPS Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Centre Homebush. It was a fantastic day and despite a few nerves, St Mary’s team of swimmers showed amazing determination and sportsmanship. 

Junior Breaststroke, 200IM Junior Relay - Ky N 

11 Years Breastroke - Darcy F

Junior Relay - Leo S, Cooper C, Spencer S

Congratulations on reaching this level of swimming achievement at such a young age. What made it even more special was that the classmates of the swimmers could watch the events live streamed in their classrooms. There were lots of pats on the back and congratulations for the boys on their return to school. It is always a little nerve wracking at such big events with so many people, from as far away as Bourke and Northern NSW, but the boys handled the pressure like professionals. Well done!

St Mary’s Cross Country
Due to the poor weather and high absences across the school, we have decided to postpone the Cross Country for today. The current back up date is next Wednesday, 30 March. Gundary fields have been closed since the heavy rains for a few weeks, so we have decided to use the cycle path as our running track this year. Students can wear a coloured T-Shirt in their house colour (or tutu's if they wish) to celebrate the cross-country carnival. The first six in each age group (8-12 years) will be selected to move on to the Southern Region Cross Country at Wolumla on Friday 29 April (please note: this is much earlier than in previous years). Results and photos from the day will be in the next newsletter.

Presentation of Age Champions
At Monday's whole school assembly, I was able to present the certificates and age champions medals from our school swimming carnival. It was also a pleasure to announce the age champions from the recent Southern Region swimming carnival held in February. Congratulations!

Junior Girl Southern Region Age Champion - Felicity P

Junior Boy Southern Region Age Champion - Ky N

11 Year Boy Southern Region Age Champion - Darcy F

Canberra Goulburn Archdiocesan Football (Soccer) Trials
Congratulations to the following students who travelled to Canberra last Monday to trial for a spot in the Archdiocesan Football team:
Alex H, Xavier H, Ashton G, Archer S, Darcy F

Canberra Goulburn Rugby League and Netball Trials
Next Friday, we have a group of students travelling to Canberra to trial for the Archdiocesan Rugby League and Netball teams. We wish the following students lots of luck at the trials and I look forward to sharing the results with the school community in the next newsletter.
Rugby League: Axel S, Quade Mc, Oscar G, Cooper H, Jaxon E, Xavier H, Lincon S, Zac W, Kordel H,
Kai W, Koby P
Netball: Lily VW, Bella’Rose I and Chloe C

Eurobodalla Netball Cup
On Tuesday 3 May, students from Years 3-6 have been invited to attend the Eurobodalla Netball Cup at Captain Oldrey Courts, Broulee. Expressions of interest for teams in the following categories will be placed on the wall outside the Year 6 rooms next week. Any interested students (boys and girls) are welcome to place their names on the list and teams will be formulated. We will need the assistance of parents to act as coaches, managers and umpires. If you are interested in assisting with the teams, please contact me via email at: megan.grant@cg.catholic.edu.au

In previous years, this gala day has been a big success and the students have a great day.

K-2 AFL Skills Day
Next Thursday 31 March, students in K-2 will be participating in an AFL Skills session on the school oval. There is no charge, nor permission notes required for this activity. A flyer for an optional purchase of an AFL football will be sent home this week. I am sure the students will have a wonderful morning. All students in K-2 are asked to wear their sports clothes for this day.

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.