Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to Week 3. The school year is definitely in full swing. All classes have completed their first full week of learning in a calm and settled manner. Our school year officially began with our Opening School Mass last Thursday. It was a lovely celebration. Thank you to Nickey Harland for her organisation and all students for their respectful behaviour in the Church.

We held our school swimming carnival for 2024 on Friday evening at the town pool. Many thanks to our teachers and volunteers who helped make it a fabulous event. Students who have qualified for the Western Region carnival in Cootamundra will be notified via Compass.

This week our ‘Meet the Teacher’ interviews will be held. Please ensure you have booked on Compass. These interviews are vital for communicating between yourself and your child’s teacher. It is a great opportunity to discuss your child’s needs and to voice any concerns you may have either socially or academically. Please do not miss this opportunity. If you are unsure how to book your time please contact the front office.

Healthy Harold will be visiting St Mary’s this week on Wednesday and Thursday. All students are super excited to spend time with Harold. The focus for the lessons is, ‘how to be a good friend’ which works in well with our school focus of ‘loving one another’.  

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Church season of Lent which is the 40 days leading up to Easter and an important time for the Church. On Ash Wednesday we remember the temptation of Christ and honour this time by fasting, praying and taking part in daily prayer. Students will receive ashes on their forehead to represent repentance. As Christians we reflect and remember how Jesus died for us. We ask God’s forgiveness for the times when we were not Christlike. We will be celebrating a whole school Mass at 2pm this Wednesday. All members of our school and parish community are invited and are very welcome to attend.    

Many thanks to our school’s Community Council who have given up their time to plant new trees on the Church Street side of the school. These trees look fabulous and much better than the bottlebrushes, crepe myrtle and kurrajong trees that were there. St Mary’s is so lucky to have such an active Community Council. Thanks goes to Stacey Smith, Sarah Curry and her two German workers for giving up their time to plant and water the trees. And our special thanks to Sarah and Josh Curry’s business Majors Mulch for donating the topsoil and mulch.

My door is always open!!! 

Regards,

Damian Collins

Assistant Principal