Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to Week 5. Another busy week at St Mary’s with all classes enjoying their annual visit with Healthy Harold. It is hard to believe we’re almost halfway through the term.

On Tuesday evening the Community Council met for their Annual General Meeting. I would like to welcome Fiona Hague to the position of Community Council Chair. She has made a tremendous start to her role as the face of the school community and I look forward to working closely with her. With Fiona taking up this position we are unfortunately left without a secretary. If you are interested in this role please let me know. The description of this role is attached to this newsletter. We also said farewell from the community council to Sarah Curry as the fund-raising lead. I thank her for her hard work, focus on the best interest of the students and co-ordinating our Spring Fair and Colour Run.   

As you would be aware, school fee statements were sent out last week. There has been a slight increase across the entire Archdiocese from 2024. I’d like you to be aware that these increases have directly benefited the school and have been used for such projects as the new basketball backboards, new drinking fountain, front door, playground car, new sports equipment, recorders, media wall and the Year 2 laptops (that are yet to arrive).  The breakdown of the school fees is attached to this newsletter. Please be advised you can pay these via BPay weekly, fortnightly or termly. Please see the front office for further enquiries.

After discussions at the Community Council meeting we have decided to trial opening the canteen on a Wednesday. There will be a new and exciting menu for Wednesdays. This will be communicated with you. Its continued operation will be dependant on the support it receives.  

A reminder to those using the church carpark. Please remember to enter the carpark from the lane on Court Street and to exit via church street. Please also remember that you need to collect your child from inside the school grounds. Students cannot wait to be picked up in the carpark as this is a safety issue.

Remember my door is always open.

Principal

Damian Collins

World Day of Prayer 2025

Cook Islands

‘I made you wonderful’

St Mary’s Parish will hold World Prayer Day in the church on Friday 7^th March at 10am. St Mary’s students will be singing all of the music for this wonderful prayer event. All families are invited to attend.

   Shrove Tuesday 2025

  Shrove Tuesday falls on the Tuesday before the beginning of Lent – a period of around six weeks leading up to Easter.

During Lent, we give up luxuries to remember when Jesus went into the desert for 40 days to fast and pray.

The staff and students enjoyed pancakes for recess today.

A massive Thank You to the staff that supplied the pancakes!

    

Halle Judd

who celebrates her birthday during this week.

We hope you enjoy your special day.

  Schedule of Fees 2025

Community Council Secretary

The Secretary provides a key role in coordinating the activities of the Council and:

1. a) prepares the agenda for each Council meeting in consultation with the Chair and Principal,
2. b) circulates the agenda and any relevant meeting papers at least five days before scheduled Council meetings,
3. c) records the minutes of the meeting and ensures that they are ready to be tabled for endorsement at the following Council meeting; and
4. d) maintains a register and record of Council meetings, and Working Groups, including all applicable documentation and records such as minutes, agendas, and correspondence.

The Life Education Van will be visiting St Mary’s School Monday 3rd, Tuesday 4th & Wednesday 5th March.

It is expected that all students participate in this program as the content is linked to the school curriculum.

The programs that the students will be attending are as follows:

Monday 3rd March 
Kinder Kind - My Body Matters
Year 6 Faith - Relate Respect Connect

Tuesday 4th March
Year 1 Joy - Harold's Online World
Year 2 Mercy - Harold's Online World
Year 5 Hope - Relate Respect Connect

Wednesday 5th March
Year 3 - Friends & Feelings
Year 4- Friends & Feelings

The cost per child is $13 and this should be paid via Compass.

Week 5

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 3rd - Wednesday 5th March	Life Education Van - Healthy Harold	At School
Wednesday 5th March	Ash Wednesday Mass @ 2pm. All Welcome	St Mary's Church
Friday 7th March	World Day of Prayer @ 10am	St Mary's Church
Wednesday 12th - Monday 24th March	NAPLAN	At School
Wednesday 2nd April	Mid Western Primary School Rugby Union 10's Gala Day	West Wyalong Rugby Union Grounds
Friday 4th April	St Mary's Cross Country	- Infants at School - Primary at Showgrounds
Tuesday 8th April	St Anne's Taster Day	At St Anne's, Temora
Thursday 10th April	Last Day of Term 1
Friday 11th April	Staff Development Day - Pupil Free Day

Medical Form (Cream) - All Years - Please complete and return the form to the school office.  A new form is required for each student every year.  If you indicate your child has asthma, even if seasonal, an action plan from your doctor is required to be held at the school office along with a puffer and spacer labelled with your child's name.