St Philomena's School Newsletter Week 10 Term 3 2025

Principal Message - Ms Rosie Harrison

As we near the end of Term 3, I wanted to take the opportunity to acknowledge our wonderful and dedicated P&F.

If you follow our Facebook page, you may have seen the video of our Years 5 and 6 students completing their week of intensive swimming lessons last week.

As a parent and a grandparent, I know the importance of being able to swim. But I also acknowledge both the financial and time constraints that lessons place on families.

I have been searching relentlessly to find grants or funding streams to support the provision of lessons for our St Phil's students with nothing available at a State or National level.

Following some robust discussions with our P&F, and the wonderful guidance and help from Mr Stephen Howell (Parent and Head of the Bathurst Swimming Academy), a program was developed to see that every child at St Philomena's Primary School would have the opportunity to learn / develop their swimming skills via a one week intensive program.

How incredible is that?

This was made possible with an almost 50 percent investment from the P&F, fantastic support from Cityfit and of course, planning, execution and instruction from Stephen Howell and Jessica Brennan.

Years 5 and 6 were the first to complete the program with the remainder of students completing programs in week 2 of Term 4.

Without the support and funding from our P&F, this would not have been possible.

Our major school fundraiser for the year is approaching, the V8 Race Weekend Parking, and we are in dire need of volunteers. The revenue raised through this activity is the reason we are able to provide opportunities, like the swimming program, for each of our students.

I encourage you to share your details on the attached link and even if it is just for half hour, assist the wonderful crew of volunteers who will be fundraising on behalf of your children this coming holidays V8 Parking Link. Many hands make light work.

It's been a big term, with many activities, opportunities and achievements. Term 4 is looking even bigger! We have excursions, swimming lessons, Kinder 2026 transition, leadership speeches, end of year presentations, our year 6 farewell and so much more. Please ensure you take note of special dates in the term planner, keeping an eye on this as it will be sure to evolve as the term gets underway.

Thank you to each and every one of you for your support and collaboration in providing a high level of Catholic Education and learning for your children. It is genuinely a joy to work with the St Phil's community and I wish you a safe and relaxing break.

Anchored in Faith

Rosie

Assistant Principal - Mrs Clancy Dowling

Swimming

Students from Years 5 and 6 at St Philomena’s School recently made a splash at CityFit, participating in a series of swimming lessons designed to boost their skills just in time for the warmer months ahead. The program featured squad-style sessions where students refined their strokes and built endurance, while beginners received valuable one-on-one support to grow their confidence and learn essential water safety techniques.

This initiative wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of our Parents & Friends Association and the team at CityFit. A heartfelt thank you for funding and facilitating this fantastic opportunity for our students to stay safe and active this summer!

Year 4 Discovery Day

Last week, our Year 4 students had the exciting opportunity to visit St Stanislaus College and MacKillop College for a special Experience Day. Students were immersed in a variety of engaging activities designed to give them a taste of high school life—from exploring new subjects to meeting staff and students, it was a day full of discovery and fun!

A heartfelt thank you to both colleges for their warm welcome and inspiring programs. It’s clear that many of our students are already looking forward to their high school journey with great enthusiasm!

ACU Literacy and Numeracy Workshops

Over the past term, our Learning Support Officers have enthusiastically participated in Literacy & Numeracy Workshops facilitated by Australian Catholic University. These sessions have been a fantastic opportunity for professional development, allowing our team to deepen their expertise and enhance the support they provide to students every day.

We're excited to invite parents to join us for the final workshop of the term, happening this Thursday 25th September from 1–3pm. Come along to gain insights into the strategies we're using and explore ways to support your child's learning at home.

Let’s finish the term strong—see you there!

Religious Education Coordinator - Mrs Rebecca Rizzo

Mercy Sisters Feast Day

At St Philomena’s our HEART is our Mercy Sisters Charism and our motto of Living Justly, Lovingly and Faithfully in Christ.

On 24th September each year, the feast of Our Lady of Mercy is celebrated throughout the world by the Sisters of Mercy. On Thursday 25^th September, we will be celebrating this very special occasion with some of the Mercy Sisters, many who have taught at St Philomena’s, at a special liturgy lead by our Year 4 students. It is always a pleasure to welcome the Sisters back into our school and a privilege to be able to celebrate their special feast day with them. We warmly invite all of our St Philomena’s community members to come and join us for this special liturgy.

Catherine McAuley

Catherine McAuley lived in Ireland in the 1800s.  She loved God very much, and she prayed every day. Catherine McAuley was sad to see so many young women with no place to live.  She saw children with no clothes or shoes to wear and some children did not have enough food to eat. She also saw young women with no jobs, and young children too poor to go to school. When Catherine McAuley was left an inheritance, she knew exactly what she wanted to do with the money. She built a large house in Baggot Street, in Dublin.  She called the new house the House of Mercy.

The House of Mercy was a very special house and a very busy place! Soon other young women came to help Catherine.

Catherine and her team of helpers did a lot of things to help other people:

• They cared for children who had no parents
• They cared for young women who had nowhere to live
• They set up a school for poor children
• They cared for people who were sick and dying

Catherine built the House of Mercy in Baggot Street where many rich people lived.  She did this so the rich people would notice the poor people and realise how hard it was to live in Dublin with no money. Those rich people watched Catherine helping the poor people; giving young women and children somewhere warm to sleep, giving them food to eat, and teaching the children how to read and write. Some of the rich families wanted to help too, so they gave Catherine money and also gave some of the poor women jobs so they could earn their own money.

Catherine knew that this is what God wanted her to do.

Catherine decided that she and her many helpers would become Sisters of Mercy. They wore long black gowns and hats so people knew who they were.

The Sisters of Mercy promised God that they would help to look after sick and poor people in their community and that they would provide education for children and young women. In Ireland at this time, nuns spent all their time in convents, but the Sister’s of Mercy became known as the “walking Sisters” because they were always out and about in the community.

May the legacy of Catherine McAuley, carried on by the Sister’s of Mercy, inspire us to reach out to those in need. May their passion for the poor be our passion. May their lives pour out in the service of your brothers and sisters be a light and witness to us all.

Christmas Art

On Friday the 12^th September, our Christmas Art finalists attended the Christmas Art Exhibition held at Cathedral School Hall. This was a very inspiring experience as they were able to view all of the 250 art works that had been entered into the exhibition.

The artworks had been judged and we were very excited to have one of our students, Blaike from Year 6, who received the Dean Award for her artwork and scripture writing.

Well done to all of the students who were finalists and a special congratulations to Blaike for her award!

A Prayer to St Philomena 

We pray to Saint Philomena, Patron Saint of our school and young people, for anyone in our school community who is suffering from loss or illness at this time. 

O St Philomena,

You were so young when you gave your life to protect your faith.

Through His compassion God granted you powerful intercession for those who seek your prayers.

O great Saint! We humble ask for your miraculous prayers and protection for us. We pray that you may be a light to us and our families.

Amen

Aboriginal Education

Another great week for our students, participating in a wonderful dance workshop provided by Jordan Boney from Dirraybang Footprint.

We are excited to begin planting around our Yarning Circle next term. If families would like to be a part of this, please make contact with the school.

Mr Max Martinez, Aboriginal Education Officer

Term 4 Planner

NB - Years 3 / 4 excursion to be confirmed.

P&F News

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