From the Acting Principal

Goodbye Everyone!

As Term 3 comes to a close, it feels quite strange to be writing this from the beautiful city of Istanbul, Turkey. Today marks my first day of my pilgrimage, but for me, this new chapter began on Monday, which was my last day at St Mary's Primary School.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all the students, staff, and families who have made my time at St Mary's an incredibly enjoyable and memorable experience. Your warmth, support, and dedication have been a constant source of inspiration, and I am so grateful to have been a part of this wonderful community.

I wish the new Acting Principal, Mr. Chris Quinn, all the best for next term. I know he will do a fantastic job leading the school. I also want to extend my heartfelt wishes to Mrs. Burton for a swift and full recovery. I'm sure she'll be making some special guest appearances next term to keep everyone on their toes!

I wish all of you a relaxing and refreshing break. Please know that you will all be in my thoughts as I attempt to reacquaint myself with life at St Patrick's. Take care, everyone.

A Message from Mrs Burton

A very big thank you Mr Hyatt for looking after St Mary's so well while during my treatment, I hope you enjoy your well deserved holiday!

A warm welcome to Mr Quinn, who will be our Acting Principal in Term 4 while I continee the next part of my treatment.  I am looking forward to being more involved in school life as I recover.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and well wishes. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday and enjoy your special time with your families. 

Cheers Mrs Burton 

Exciting Changes and Warm Wishes for Term 4

As we prepare for the start of Term 4, I have some wonderful news and a few changes to announce regarding our staff. These announcements were made earlier this week.

I want to wish Mrs Hourigan all the very best as she prepares to commence her maternity leave at the beginning of next term. I am so excited for her and her family.

I am also thrilled to wish Mrs. Walters all of the best with her new position as the Wii Gaay Coordinator. I am pleased that we have not lost her entirely, as she will continue to lead her Year 4 class every Monday and Friday. 

Filling the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday teaching role in Year 4 Gold will be Miss Cook.

In Year 4 Blue, Mrs Leesa Bible will be the lead teacher on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Miss Dolendo will teach the class every Tuesday.  Miss Dolendo will continue teaching Year 1 on Mondays and Fridays. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, she will take over Mrs. Bible's role, providing release time for all teachers.

Please join me in wishing Mrs Hourigan all the best for this special time and in welcoming Mrs Walters, Miss Cook, Mrs Bible and Miss Dolendo to their new roles.

Year 6 Canberra Excursion Recap

Last week, our Year 6 students embarked on their major excursion to Canberra, and what a fantastic week it was! The students were incredible, demonstrating maturity and a genuine thirst for knowledge as they explored the nation’s capital. It was a week packed with amazing opportunities, providing an unforgettable, hands-on learning experience outside the classroom.

The students explored a wide range of significant sites and institutions. They explored our national story at the National Zoo and Aquarium and the Australian Institute of Sport, and explored our rich history and culture at the National Museum of Australia. They also had a blast at the National Arboretum.

The week was filled with memorable moments, from learning how coins are made at the Royal Australian Mint to discovering the science behind the world at Questacon. Students also got a glimpse into our creative heritage at the National Film & Sound Archive, and enjoyed some fun and competition at Zone Bowling. The stunning view from Mount Ainslie provided the perfect moment to reflect on everything they had experienced.

A huge thank you must be extended to the dedicated staff and parents who gave up their week to accompany the children: Mrs Robinson, Mrs Fittler, Mr Garraud, and Mr Power. Your commitment and care for the students are deeply appreciated.

I am also incredibly grateful to the entire team at St Mary's and the staff at Edwards Bus Company for their meticulous planning and flawless execution, which ensured the excursion was a complete success.

This trip was a wonderful way for our Year 6 students to conclude their primary school journey. I am so proud of them and the way they represented our school community.

First Holy Communion

Last Sunday was a special day for a number of our students who received the Sacrament of Holy Communion for the very first time. It was a beautiful occasion, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the children and their families.

Unfortunately, I was unable to join them on this momentous day as I was double-booked. A number of students from St Patrick's were also receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation with Bishop Murphy on the same day.

I would like to extend a special thanks to Miss O'Brien for her incredible work in preparing the students for this significant event. Her dedication and guidance are truly appreciated.

Congratulations again to our young communicants!

St Joseph's Cup Final

I have heard that St Mary's Primary has a strong and cherished tradition with the St Joseph's Cup, and it was my great pleasure to witness it firsthand. On Friday, September 12th, I was fortunate to serve as a judge alongside Mrs. Stephen for the 2025 St Joseph's Cup Final.

The talent on display was truly exceptional. All of the presentations were of a very high standard, and it was an extremely hard job to choose the winners and runners-up in both the Year 5 and Year 6 categories. Every student who made it to the final should be incredibly proud of their outstanding achievements.

A huge congratulations to all the finalists!

In the Year 5 section, well done to Leo, Ana, and Isabella, who were all awarded as runners-up. A special congratulations goes to Elise, who was the overall champion of this division.

The Year 6 section was also incredibly tight. Congratulations to Carmen, Trevore, Molly, and Mya, who were all awarded as runners-up. The overall champion of this division was Ruby B.

Finally, a big thank you to all the parents and grandparents who came to support the children on the day. Your encouragement and presence made the event even more special. A special mention also goes to Mr. Lester, who coordinated the finals with such care and precision; it is very much appreciated.

Polding Athletics Carnival

Congratulations to all of the students who represented St Mary's Primary and Armidale Catholic Schools at the Polding Athletics Trials held at Glendale on Friday, September 12.

Each student should be incredibly proud of their achievements, not only for their results but also for their sportsmanship and the way they conducted themselves. Competing at this level is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the hours of training they have put in.

Well done to everyone involved. I am so proud of the way you represented our school and the Armidale Catholic Schools community.

Diocesan Netball and Soccer Gala Day

As this newsletter reaches you, a number of our students from Years 3 to 6 will be traveling back to Armidale after a fantastic day at the Diocesan Netball and Soccer Gala Day held in Inverell. St Mary's Primary was proudly represented by a number of teams in both sports.

We want to extend our sincere thanks to Mr. Lester for his coordination of all of the teams that were entered, as well as to the large number of staff and parent helpers who dedicated their time to assist with managing all of our teams. Without your support, events like this would not be possible.

A full recap of the day, including team results and photos, will be featured in the first newsletter of Term 4.

Upcoming Staff Development Days

Please be advised that tomorrow, Friday, September 26th, and Monday, October 13th, will be Staff Development Days at St Mary's Primary School.

This means that the last day of Term 3 for all students was today, Thursday, September 25th. Students will then return for the first day of Term 4 on Tuesday, October 14th.

These days are essential for our staff to engage in professional learning and training, ensuring we continue to provide the highest quality education for your children.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Transition Dates for Kindergarten 2026

We are excited to welcome our new 2026 Kindergarten students! Their Transition Program will begin in Week 3 of Term 4 and run for five weeks, finishing in Week 7.

P & F 

FETE Save the Date Saturday 15 November - St Mary's Fete

Next Fete Meeting is 29th October at 5:30pm in the Staff Room. 

Wear Your Summer Uniform during Term 4!

Wearing our Uniform with Pride

Thank you parents for ensuring your children wear the correct uniform.  It is very evident that we take pride in our presentation. 

Maintaining a high uniform standards is an important part of our school's identity and plays a significant role in fostering a sense of pride and respect for our school.

Our uniform identifies St Mary's School within the community and develops a sense of school spirit and belonging within the student body.  Some specific uniform requirements, such as shoes, hats, hair and jewellery, are directly related to student safety. The wearing of the correct school uniform is compulsory, and students are expected to arrive wearing it daily, ready to learn. Families are asked to ensure that each item of clothing is clearly labelled.

We thank you for your partnership in this important aspect of school life.