General News
Dhulu - Message Stick
Yaama!
Expression of Interest: Aboriginal Cultural Dance Program
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Team at St Edward’s is excited to offer a unique opportunity for primary and infants students to participate in a cultural dance program, in collaboration with Gomeroi Education and Training. Led by Aaliyah Morley, this program will teach students about the history, meaning, and significance of Aboriginal dance, fostering a deeper connection to culture and community.
Due to limited spaces, only 20 students can be accepted. Interested students are asked to submit a persuasive letter explaining why they would like to be involved.
Please discuss this opportunity with your child and ensure their letter is submitted by Wednesday, 25th June.
Information notes have been sent home.
Didgeridoo Lessons with Uncle Mark Atkins
Our Year 6 boys have had an incredible few weeks working alongside Uncle Mark, learning the traditional art of making their own didgeridoos. They’ve been deeply engaged in the process, and their enthusiasm and skills are really starting to shine. It's been a joy to see them connect through culture, creativity, and hands-on learning. We can’t wait to see where this journey takes them!
Significant Dates to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People - Term 2
May 26th - National Sorry Day
May 27th-June 3rd - National Reconciliation Week
July 6th-13th - NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC WEEK 2025
"The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy"
Birralii-gal-gu Ngiyaningu "For our children".
St Edward's Primary School NAIDOC Week Assembly 2025
We warmly invite all Elders, parents, guardians, and community members to join us in celebrating NAIDOC Week 2025.
Following the assembly, we welcome everyone to stay and enjoy a sausage sizzle.
We look forward to coming together as a community to honour and celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
NAIDOC Week Colouring Competition 2025 - Parents & Community
We invite all Elders, parents, guardians, and community members to take part in this year’s St Edward’s Primary School Colouring Competition as part of our NAIDOC Week celebrations.
Colouring sheets are available for collection at the front office of each campus.
Winners will be announced at the NAIDOC Assembly, with exciting prizes to be won!
Colouring sheet purchased from: Mulganai by Emma Hollingsworth.
Cultural Immersion Groups
At St Edward's School, we provide weekly Cultural Immersion lessons for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The lessons are programmed and taught by our Aboriginal Education Assistants. Each grade will have one lesson a week focusing on a significant part of Aboriginal Education and Culture.
Kindergarten - The Dreamtime
Year 1 - Aboriginal Art & Gamilaraay Language
Year 2 - Cultural practices & Gamilaraay Language
Year 3 - Identity, Family/Kinship & Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Role Models
Year 4 - Gamilaraay Language
Year 5 - Connections to Country
Year 6 - Indigenous History, Storytelling & Song lines and Men's & Women's business
Gamilaraay Word of the Week
Term 2 - Maabu (Numbers)
Week 1 - Maal - One
Week 2 - Bulaarr - Two
Week 3 - Gulibaa - Three
Week 4 - Buligaa - Four
Week 5 - Maa - Five
Week 6 - Yuli - Six
Week 7 - Guulay - Seven
Week 8 - Galay - Eight
What are we learning next term?
Dhii - Animals
AEA team
Brittany Cloake - bcloake2@arm.catholic.edu.au
Primary AEA
Jarrod Peachey - jpeachey@arm.catholic.edu.au
Primary AEA
Amanda Gwalter - agwalter@arm.catholic.edu.au
Infants AEA
Sally-Anne Clarke - sclarke@arm.catholic.edu.au
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Focus Teacher
Word of the Week
Our Word of the Week is back and we are excited to kick off another year of expanding our K-6 students' oral language skills, one word at a time! Each time a student uses our 'Word of the Week' in the classroom, they will earn a point. The student with the most points at the end of the term will receive a book prize to further expand their vocabulary.
We will publish our Word of the Week on Facebook and in the newsletter. Please encourage your child to use this word at home.
Term 2 Week 8 Word of the Week "HUMILIATED"
Uniform Requirements - Week 9 (23rd-27th June)
School Athletics Carnival - Thursday 26th June
A reminder that our School Athletics Carnival will be held for all students K-6 next Thursday 26th June, commencing at 8.45am. Parents are asked to transport your child/ren to the Tamworth Athletics Centre on Jack Smyth Drive. Upon arrival, students must report to their classroom teacher. Students not going home with parents will return to school by bus at 2.30pm. Please refer to the Sport Page of this newsletter for more comprehensive details about the carnival.
Student Led Learning Walk - Primary Campus
On Monday, we welcomed Infants parents to join us for a learning walk and talk. The parents were very impressed by the classrooms and they commented at how engaged the students were with their learning. We thank the parents who were able to join us for this event.
We warmly invite Primary parents to to join us for our upcoming Student Led Learning Walk, specialising on maths in action this coming Monday 23rd June at 12.00pm at the Primary Campus.
Come and experience the learning journey first-hand as our students take the lead in showcasing how maths comes to life in our classrooms.
Please RSVP via the link below:
https://forms.gle/rZBv4FEP62ijYsFJ6
We look forward to seeing you!
Semester 1 Reports
As we head towards the end of the term, all teachers are working hard finalising assessments and writing Semester 1 academic reports. The reports will be sent home electronically via the Compass parent portal at 3.00pm on Thursday 26th June. If parents have any questions after they receive their child's report, please contact the class teacher in Week 10.
Supervision of Students
A reminder that supervision of our students begins at 8.15am each day. To ensure all children are kept safe, please do not drop them off at school before this time to be left unsupervised.
National Consistent Collection of Data
Every year, schools in Australia are required to participate in the National Consistent Collection of Data on school students with a disability (NCCD).
Please read full details in the fact sheets below.
2025 Pupil Free/Staff Development Days
Please mark your calendars for the remaining Pupil Free/Staff Development Days for 2025:
Application for Extended Leave - 10 days or more
Family holidays and travel are no longer considered under the Exemption from School Procedures. Travel outside of vacation periods is now counted as an absence for statistical purposes. Please contact the school office if your child/ren will be away from school for 10 days or more, as an application form will need to be completed and approved at the discretion of the Principal.
Student Absences
All student absences need to be lodged on the Compass Parent Portal. Due to government legislation, notification of your child's absence must be received no later than 7 days after your child's last day of absence.
Esteem Kids
Before school care is available in the Infants Hall for both Primary and Infants students. It operates from 7:00am to 8:30am, Monday to Friday during the term, and includes breakfast.
After-school care is available in the Infants Hall for Infants students only from 3:00pm to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday. Our Primary after-school care operates from the Art Room for primary students only from 3:00pm to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday. Afternoon tea is also provided.
Families are encouraged to make enquiries or express interest by contacting William Wong on 0410 841 628 or email: info@esteemkidsgroup.com.au or visit the website at www.esteemkidsgroup.com.au
ABSENCES - Please remember to contact (telephone or text) Esteem Kids St Edward's directly if your child is going to be absent on 0481 373 883. Thank you.
SWAP IT
SWAP IT is a free, evidence-based school lunchbox program. The program supports parents and carers to SWAP what is packed in their child’s lunchbox from sometimes foods to everyday foods. Visit their Website here.
Cancer Council Healthy Lunch Box
Visit 'Cancer Council Healthy Lunch Box' for a one-stop shop for everything you need to know about packing a healthy lunch box.
Don't forget to like us on Facebook and tell your family and friends about our page too!
St Edward's Primary School: Facebook
We are now on Instagram too! Feel free to follow our page to keep in touch with the fantastic things that happen at St Edward's Primary School.
St Edward's Primary School: Instagram
