Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to Week 3. With lots of exciting things coming up in the next few weeks it is lovely to see that the students are still very focused on learning.

Last week I attended the Catholic Leaders Day in Canberra along with many other principals across the Archdiocese. The event was an opportunity to farewell several principals who will be leaving our system at the end of 2024, together with the Canberra Goulburn Director of Education Ross Fox. One of the keynote speakers at the Catholic Leaders Day was Ray Boyd from Dayton Primary School in Western Australia. He shared many insights into embedding and sustaining long term change, similar to the journey we’re on with ‘Catalyst’. This was very timely as we begin to think about how we’ll continue this evidence-based practice after the departure of system leader Ross Fox.

Yesterday was our second orientation day for our kindergarten class of 2025. The students joined the rest of the school for morning assembly. I was very impressed with how quickly they have adjusted to big school and how comfortable they are with life at St Mary’s. We can’t wait for them to join us permanently in 2025.

In Week 5, our 5/6 students, will take part in the biennial excursion to Canberra. Myself, Mrs Dean and Lauren McDonell will accompany the students. This excursion is a highlight of the students time at St Mary’s and I looking forward to accompanying them. More information in regards to the excursion can be found on later in the newsletter and on Compass.

A sincere thank you to Sarah Curry, Nickey Harland and our 5/6 students for their work last week planting the new garden next to the school hall. The garden looks fabulous and adds to our beautiful playground. Our students are so lucky!!!

As you would be aware, intensive swimming will be upon us soon. This is scheduled for Week 7, from the 25th to the 29th of November. This is an extremely important part of the curriculum as swimming is a vital life skill for all Australians. We thank the community council for making this possible and their generous donation toward the program. For more information, please check Compass.

World Teacher’s Day was celebrated last week. It is a very important day as we collectively give thanks for everything our wonderful teachers at St Mary’s do. I am amazed every day with the dedication our teachers show toward their profession and the care they show their students.

Next Friday, the 8th of November our new school counsellor Natalie Cowled will begin her time at St Mary’s. We welcome her and trust she will enjoy her time with us. We are very lucky to have her expertise available to our students. If you feel your child would benefit from spending some time with her please do not hesitate to contact either myself or our Learning Support Coordinator Kylie Tulloch.

Remember my door is always open.

Principal

Damian Collins

   

Term 4, 2024 Class and Whole School Mass Timetable

Children should wear comfortable clothes and a hat. They will need their lunch as well.

Planning is underway for this year's end of year performance. The students will be performing "A Hint of Snow White". Costume lists will go out by the end of next week if your child's teacher hasn't already sent them out. Below is the cast list;

We welcome everyone to attend our matinee performance at 11.30am Thursday 12th December at the S & C Club.  Please arrive 15 minutes early to get settled before the show begins.

Year 5/6 Faith are looking forward to their biennial excursion to Canberra this term! Mr Collins, Mrs Dean and Mrs Lauren McDonell will accompany the students. The dates are Monday 11th of November to Wednesday 13th of November. A Compass event has been sent out to all Year 5/6 families and a check list with all information will be added to the Compass event under Resources very soon. If you are yet to action this event please do so ASAP.

The cost is $370. If you have any concerns about your child’s participation in the excursion please make a time to discuss with Mr Collins.   

Please mark these dates on your calendar.

The following events are in the calendar in the next few weeks.

The Compass Calendar is updated to show Mass times, sporting events, important events.

Day	Event	Location
Monday 4th November	Kinder 2025 Orientation - Full Day	St Mary's
Monday 11th November	Kinder 2025 Orientation - Full Day	St Mary's
Monday 11th - Wednesday 13th November	Year 5/6 Canberra Excursion	Canberra, ACT
Friday 22nd November	2024 St Mary's School Fete	St Mary's
Monday 25th - Friday 29th November	Intensive Swimming - Compass Event to come	Holland Park Pool
Tuesday 10th December	School Captain 2025 Speeches	St Mary's School Hall
Thursday 12th December	St Mary's Annual Speech Night and School Play	S & C Club
Monday 16th December	Year 6 Graduation Mass @12pm Year 6 Graduation Dinner @ 6pm	St Mary's Church Top Town Tavern
Wednesday 18th December	Last Day of School for 2024!	St Mary's
Thursday 19th December	Staff Development Day	St Mary's
Friday 20th December	Staff Development Day	St Mary's

Please remember to send your child to school with a water bottle especially now the weather is warming up!

If your child intends to use the free bus travel scheme, either in town for Years K to 2 or from a rural location for Years K to 6, please plan ahead and apply before the end of Term 4 via the School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS).  In rural areas it is recommended parents also contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.

If you have received an expiry notice from Transport for NSW you should update the details before the end of Term 4 to ensure that St Mary's can endorse the application and entitlements remain valid.

Clothing Pool

Our school support staff have worked hard to organise our second hand clothing for families at St Mary’s to purchase. If you are chasing a spare shirt or shorts or anything we have plenty of clothes for sale!! Please see our friendly front office staff for help. 

We also sell School ties (both elastic and tie your own), winter skirts and school bags.

Ties (small & large) - $16

Skirts (size 4-16) - $40

School bags - $50