National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week is a significant event for Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people of this Nation. To begin National Reconciliation Week some of our Aboriginal students and their friends joined members of the local community and participated in the Sorry Day Bridge Walk in Batemans Bay. The walk was followed by speeches, dancing, morning tea and a barbecue on the Clyde River Foreshore. We would like to thank the Eurobodalla Boys to Men group who organised the event and invited us to take part. 

Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This week our students have focused on this year’s theme ‘Be Brave, Make Change’. In our classrooms we have explored the role we all play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures. Together each class has developed their own unique and meaningful group Acknowledgement of Country which they will use to begin each day.

At St Mary’s we acknowledge the Brinja Yuin people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our school is built. 

We pay respect to the Walbanga people on the northern side of the Moruya river and to Elders past, present and those of the future. 

We also extend that respect to other Aboriginals present in our school community.

We recognise their long history and culture and continue our commitment to the reconciliation process.

Personal Learning Pathway Meetings for Aboriginal Students
This week and next week, we are conducting PLP meetings for Aboriginal students in Years 1-6. In developing the PLP, specific goals are set and clear strategies put in place to support your child in meeting the agreed learning and cultural goals.

The meeting will focus on the strengths and challenges of your child and how the school can best support them to achieve their goals. If you have not booked a meeting time and would like to be part of the process, please contact Mr Hodgson or Mrs Heffernan.

Carroll Day
Today, students in Year 6 joined with their peers from St Bernard’s, Batemans Bay to attend Carroll Day celebrations. Carroll Day is the College's annual day that celebrates the College founder, Archbishop Francis Carroll. The Year 6 students participated in a range of fun activities organised by the Carroll College students, had a BBQ lunch and watched the Battle of the Bands.

Carroll College Variety Night
St Mary’s and St Bernard’s Primary Schools have been invited to attend and perform at a Performing Arts Variety Night at Carroll College on Wednesday 22 June (Week 9 Term 2). Our school choir led by Mrs Croese will be performing on the night. The Variety Concert will commence at 6.00pm with a light supper available for purchase from 5.15pm. There is no cost for entry. All families are invited to attend and be entertained by the students from our K-12 schools.

Resource to Help Families Support Their Child Transition to Primary/Secondary School
Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) have developed a range of resources to support families to be positively engaged in their child’s learning.

The resources are available at https://www.parentengagementcspa.edu.au/

The modules on Nurturing Your Child Through Transition -Primary and Nurturing Your Child Through Transition – Secondary have some useful information, ideas and resources that may be beneficial to families with children entering Kindergarten or Year 7 next year.