Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to Week 5. We’re nearing the end of the year and there is still so much to happen. Please read the newsletter carefully. 

From week one to three the entire school engaged in the Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) for both Maths and Reading. Looking at the results, I was very impressed with the school’s growth. The graphs below are for the reading assessments and are from each of the last 4 semesters. As you can see, the bottom results have steadily improved. The median results have grown from Semester 1 2023 to Semester 2 2024. These are shown with the white line in the blue box. The top results have also demonstrated excellent growth. We look forward to seeing these results continue to improve in the future. I congratulate all the staff and students for their hard work. 

On Friday, our new school counsellor, Natalie Cowled, began her time at St Mary’s. We look forward to having her work with our students both individually and in small groups. Ms Cowled will be here every Tuesday and she will work closely with our Classroom Support Teacher Kylie Tulloch to meet student needs. She has already begun the task of continuing with the excellent work our previous counsellor, Amy Kennedy, was doing online. If you feel your child would benefit from spending some time with Ms Cowled please do not hesitate to contact either myself or our Learning Support Coordinator Kylie Tulloch.  

Yesterday we marked Remembrance Day with a small ceremony after lunch led by Mrs Harland. Years 3 and 4 also attended the West Wyalong Remembrance Day service at the Services and Citizens club where Jack Connellan and Halle Judd laid a wreath on behalf of St Mary’s. 

Remember my door is always open. 

Principal  

Damian Collins  

   

Term 4, 2024 Class and Whole School Mass Timetable

    

Alex Crerar, Lilly Robertson & Darcy Nicholson

who celebrate their birthdays during this week.

We hope you enjoy your special day.

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 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
Sunday 15th December	Carols by Candlelight	Barnado Park
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

We had our final Kinder Orientation day yesterday. We have loved having our 2025 Kinders join us at school to see what it's all about. We can't wait for next year!

Planning is in full swing for this year's whole school performance. Costume lists have all been sent out to all Kinder, Year 1 & Year 2. Years 3 to 6 requirements will be sent out via Seesaw by the end of the week. Below is the cast list;

If you know your child will be away for the end of year performance, please contact your child's teacher or the school office.

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.

Our school will perform two songs at the West Wyalong Carols by Candlelight on Sunday 15th of December at 6pm.

Further information to come.