Dear St. Mary’s Families,

Welcome back to a new and exciting school year at St Mary’s! It has been wonderful seeing staff and students return with positive energy and enthusiasm. The school grounds are alive with engagement, learning, and a vibrant atmosphere, setting the tone for a fantastic year ahead.

Over the school break, our dedicated staff officially launched Magnify, a new initiative that aims to deepen learning and engagement across the curriculum. Our teachers have already been integrating Magnify into their classroom practices, and it’s been fantastic to see students responding with curiosity and enthusiasm. We look forward to sharing more about its positive impact as the year progresses.

A special welcome to our newest and youngest members of the St Mary’s community—our Foundation students! It has been heartwarming to see them embrace school life with confidence and joy. This year is particularly exciting as we welcome multiple Foundation enrolments for the first time in many years—a wonderful sign of growth and a testament to our thriving school community.

Swimming and Gym Program We are pleased to commence our Swimming and Gymnastics program this Friday. This program is invaluable for students’ physical development, coordination, and confidence. Despite the additional time commitment, we have ensured that our literacy block remains protected, allowing students to continue their strong focus on reading and writing skills.

Parent Information Evening & Community BBQ We warmly invite all parents and friends to our Parent Information Evening and Community BBQ on Thursday, 13th February (Week 3). The information session will begin at 5:30 pm, and we highly encourage all parents to attend. This is a valuable opportunity to hear about learning expectations and key programs for the year, and new initiatives. Following the session, we will host our annual Community BBQ at 6:00 pm—a great chance to connect with other families and celebrate the start of the year.

School Fees Update As mentioned in our final newsletter of 2024, Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd (CESL) has arranged significant fee relief for families with a valid Health Care Card (HCC). This initiative equates to approximately $10 per week per child ($550 pa), providing welcome financial support for many of our families. If any families require support with their fees due to financial hardship, please come and speak with me so we can work out a suitable plan together.

SportzRulz Bus Partnership

We are excited to announce a new partnership with SportzRulz. As part of this partnership, the community bus will now be parked onsite under the Brohm's Bus Shelter, a delight to many I'm sure!

This is a huge win for St Mary’s as it provides direct access to transport, ensuring our students have the same opportunities as their city counterparts. This development will open up new possibilities for excursions, sporting events, and other enriching activities.

To finish off, together, as partners in education, we will continue to foster an environment where our students thrive academically, socially, and spiritually. I extend my gratitude for your ongoing support and commitment to St Mary’s. The collaborative efforts of our dedicated staff, engaged students, and supportive families set the stage for a wonderful year filled with growth, learning, and achievements.

Community News