Dear Parents and Carers,

During these stressful and ever changing times, we are grateful for the beautiful rain that has been falling, which will help our farmers who are suffering from the drought.

We are thankful for friends who are looking out for each other and their neighbours.

We are also thankful we live in rural NSW and have a small and wonderful community around us.

Be kind to yourselves during Easter and the school holidays.

God Bless.

Phil Nielsen

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
And where there is sadness, joy

O Divine Master, grant that I may
Not so much seek to be consoled as to console
To be understood, as to understand
To be loved, as to love
For it is in giving that we receive
And it's in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it's in dying that we are born to Eternal Life
Amen

St Mary's had planned a pupil fee day to begin Term 2 and this will stay in place.

The Pupil Free Day for Term 2 is the first day of the term Monday 27th April.

This will be a vital day for our teachers to finalise preparation of remote learning solutions for Term 2.

Due to building works, access to the school - for at least Term 2 - will be from Church Street or the church carpark.  There will be no access via the front door until further notice.

Our school office is now located in the classroom on the corner of the Julie's Garden small grassed area.  The school office will be open as usual and printed work sheets are available from the office.

Parents will now come to the office in it's new location when entering the school.  Social distancing protocols still apply.

If you need to contact the school the phone number is still the same.  However when we call you it will now say "No Caller ID".  Please also note we only have one caller line so if you hear the engaged tone please keep trying.

Information for parents regarding payment of fees

St Mary’s and Catholic Education is committed to providing financial assistance to support families who have lost their economic livelihood as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The position of Catholic education is that no child will be denied a Catholic education because of financial circumstances.

Initial support to assist all families includes:

1. Fee statements for Term 2 will be delayed to week 5 of Term 2.

Where families are experiencing financial stress due to job loss, being stood down, reduction in work hours, business downturn or closure resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The following is available through a confidential discussion with the school:

1. Suspension of follow up activity on outstanding fees at the end of Term 1 until 31 July 2020.
2. Full or partial fee remission or deferral. You are asked to indicate the level of assistance you feel you need at this time by completing a one-page fee assistance form (COVID-19 Fee Assistance Request Form) found here. Your level of fee support will be confirmed as soon as possible.
3. Families may apply for immediate deferral of Term 2 fee payments by completing the COVID-19 Fee Request to Defer Fees form, also found here.

Families whose employment situation has not been affected by COVID-19 can support the school by continuing to pay school fees as they fall due. This will support our school to continue providing quality learning in a connected community that nurtures and cares for each other.

Financial assistance continues to be available for those families experiencing hardship not related to COVID-19, particularly those experiencing the effects of the bushfire season and the ongoing drought. Families are encouraged to contact me for assistance and more information.

Your family is an important part of our school community. Your financial circumstances will not compromise the place of your children at our school. If you are experiencing any difficulties the school confidentially ensure your child is not disadvantaged at this time.

    Happy Birthday to

Beth Sturgess, Harry Morton, Sam Koop, Alexander Ridley, Nate Sams and Rose Walker

who celebrate their birthdays during the school holidays and the first week of Term 2.

We hope you enjoy your special day.

The following events are in next weeks calendar.

To see the school's full calender check out the SZApp or our website.