Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to Week 8, it is hard to believe we’re only three weeks away from the end of Term 1. There is still so much going on at St Mary’s and so much learning to be done!

Last week Chris De Britt from the Catholic Education Office in Canberra ran a professional development session for our staff. His aim was to expose staff to different ways to analyse student results from CE mandated assessments like DIBELS and PAT. His presentation was informative and engaging. I very much look forward to receiving feedback from parents and staff on the evidence-based discussions you will engage in later in the year about your child’s growth and performance. I would like to share with you some excellent results we have already achieved early in 2025. Below is a graph of the Archdiocese and our school’s Beginning of Year DIBELS results (students are tested at the beginning, middle and end of year). I am pleased to report that the bottom of the graph shows that we only have 11% of students requiring intensive support in reading whereas the rest of the Archdiocese are reporting that 19% of students require intensive support in reading. This is a fabulous result and a testament to the hard work of our staff and most importantly our students. 

A reminder that morning supervision begins at 8:25. As there are no teachers on the grounds until then please ensure your child does not arrive at school before 8:25. Many children have been getting to school before morning supervision begins. Thanks for your co-operation.  

Congratulations to Billy Pettit (pictured below) of 6 Faith for being awarded with the ‘Country Women’s Association of NSW Phillip Group Education Grant’. Well done Billy!!

Next Tuesday, St Anne’s Temora Principal Louise Grant will visit St Mary’s and present to our Year 5 and 6 cohort about High School at St Anne’s. Parents are also invited to attend.

Remember my door is always open.

Principal

Damian Collins

Term 1, 2025 Class and Whole School Mass Timetable

*There is no class Mass during Week 9 due to the Mid Western Primary Schools Rugby Union Gala Day.

Thank you to our Year 1 and Year 5 students for their lovely Mass last week. Our second joint class Mass will be held tomorrow. Year 6 and Kinder Kind will celebrate the Mass with Father Hilary at 12pm, all are welcome to attend.

Project Compassion brings together Australian schools, parishes and supporters to raise funds for people in vulnerable communities across the world.

Caritas boxes were sent home last week. Students were told about the importance of giving to those less fortunate than us at assembly this morning. We will be seeing which class can raise the most money!

    

Emily McCoullough, Frankie Pettit, Owen Brown & Isabelle McDonell

who celebrate their birthdays during this week.

We hope you enjoy your special day.

Cross Country 2025

Our school Cross Country will be held on Friday 4th of April (Week 9).

Students in Years 2 to 6 will compete at the West Wyalong Showground from 9am.

Kinder and Year 1 will participate in cross country games on the school oval from 9am.

All students can wear house coloured shirts to school on Friday 4th April.

We are looking for parent volunteers at the showground.  If you can help please call the school office or email wendy.connellan@cg.catholic.edu.au

Parents are welcome to attend.

A Compass event has been sent out. If you have not actioned this yet please do so ASAP.

Th arrangement for the morning is as follows:

Harmony Day 2025

The students of St Mary's thoroughly enjoyed celebrating Harmony Day last Friday! The beautiful Harmony Day garden was a hit!

Week 8