From the Acting Principal
Mr Dallas Hyatt
A Warm Welcome and Exciting First Week at St Mary's Primary!
What a wonderful first week it has been here at St Mary's Primary! I've been so impressed by the welcoming atmosphere and the dedication of everyone in the school community.
I must admit, adjusting to the daily routines and systems at St Mary's has been a bit of a learning curve. It's quite different from what I was accustomed to at St Patrick's Primary in Walcha. However, everyone has been incredibly supportive, and I'm quickly finding my feet.
I am aware that I have big shoes to fill over the next four weeks, as Mrs. Burton is clearly an exceptional principal. I wish her all the best in the coming weeks and I am sure that we will all hear from her in the very near future.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the staff members for their patience and understanding. I know I've asked a lot of questions as I've tried to get my head around things, and I truly appreciate their willingness to help. It's been a pleasure working in all the classrooms and getting to know the students – they are a fantastic group! It's clear that St Mary's is a school that genuinely cares for all its learning community members.
I've also had the pleasure of meeting many of our parents, and I'd like to thank you all for the very warm welcome I've received. I hope to have the opportunity to meet even more of you in the near future.
Finally, I'd like to wish everyone a fantastic long weekend! It's rare that we get an extra day to spend with our loved ones, so I hope you all have something exciting planned. Enjoy the break!
O'Connor STEP Day
Our Year 6 students had a fantastic and informative day at O'Connor Catholic College's STEP Day on Tuesday.
The Secondary Transition Education Program (STEP) is designed to provide a valuable introduction to secondary schooling, and it was wonderful to see our students immerse themselves in the experience.
Students participated in various activities, getting a taste of secondary education life, exploring the campus, and engaging with different subject areas. These opportunities are incredibly beneficial in helping them prepare for the transition to high school, making the move feel less daunting and more exciting.
I extend my thanks to the staff members who supervised our Year 6 students on the day.
It was evident that the students gained a great deal from the day, and I look forward to hearing more about their insights and experiences from the day.
Sacrament of Confirmation this Sunday
This coming Sunday, June 8th, marks a significant milestone for the majority of our Year 6 students, as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Cathedral. The ceremony will commence at 10:00 AM.
Our students have undertaken their preparations for this Sacrament, demonstrating commitment and reflection throughout their journey.
Each student has also chosen a patron saint, a special figure who will serve as a guide and inspiration in their faith journey. The saints they have selected should be immensely proud to have these dedicated students choose them as their example.
I extend a warm invitation to everyone in our school and parish community to join us for this truly special occasion. Your presence will undoubtedly add to the joy and significance of this Sacrament for our Year 6 students. They have all achieved a great deal in their preparation, and we are incredibly proud of each and every one of them.
Congratulations to Our String & Percussion Groups at Armidale Eisteddfod!
A huge congratulations go out to our talented Percussion Group and String Group students who competed at the Armidale Eisteddfod recently.
The students showcased their hard work and musicality, delivering a fantastic performances. The Percussion Group placed 2nd in their section and the String Group received Highly Commended with a score of 92 in an incredibly competive section. Their dedication to practice truly shone through on stage. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and the commitment they demonstrated in representing our school. Well done to every member of the groups and Ms McNeall!
Overall Congratulations!
During my orientation visit last Friday, I had the pleasure of attending the whole school assembly, and it was a wonderful opportunity to experience the vibrant spirit the St Mary's Primary community firsthand.
I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to all the talented winners of the 'Draw Our School' competition. Your creativity and artistic flair were truly impressive, and it was clear that a great deal of thought and effort went into each entry.
I also heard that the recent school athletics carnival was a tremendous success! It's fantastic to hear about the participation and enthusiasm shown by all students. My congratulations go out to the runners-up and winners of each division, who showcased their athletic talents. A special commendation is reserved for De La Salle House, who were the overall champions on the day.
I wish all of the team members who are going to be selected to represent St Mary's Primary School at the ACS Athletics Carnival at Tamworth in Term 3 all of the best!
P&F Meeting Next Wednesday 11th June
Our next P&F Meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 11th, in the staffroom, commencing at 5:30 PM.
It would be greatly appreciated if a large number of parents and friends could attend this meeting. Your input and support are invaluable to our school community. We look forward to seeing you there!
Let's Hang It Art Competition
Congratulations to our our finalist Bella Waters, Year 2.
Dear Educator,
We are thrilled to inform you that the following student is amongst a group of 60 finalists in the 2025 University of New England School Acquisitive Art Prize. This is an amazing achievement given there were 583 art entries this year from 50 schools. The selection committee commented that there was wonderful expression of creativity and diverse styles represented which made the selection process very difficult, given the high standard across all entries. Please inform the student of their success and extend our congratulations.
Student Name: Bella Waters
Year: Year 2
UNE Science Bus Discovery Team to Visit St. Mary's
St. Mary's Primary is excited to announce that the UNE Science Bus Discovery Team will be visiting our school on Friday, June 13th.
The team will be working directly with our Years 3-6 students, providing engaging and interactive science experiences. This visit offers a fantastic opportunity for students to explore various scientific concepts through a large range of hands-on activities and workshops.
Our students are sure to benefit greatly from this interactive learning experience provided by the University of New England. As a teacher who loves teaching science, I am looking forward to the visit.
Kindergarten Enrolments for 2026
Enrolments are now open for Kindergarten 2026.
Please contact the school for an enrolment package - 6772 4441 or email
Calling for Nominations for the School Advisory Council (SAC) in 2025
Please ensure that forms are returned to the school office by this afternoon (Friday 6th June).
The function of the School Advisory Council (SAC) provides the opportunity for members of the school and parish to support the mission of Catholic education in the school. Working with the Principal and the Parish Priest, the members of the Council provide guidance and support to the school community. The Council operates within the policies and procedures determined by the Catholic Schools Office. The Principal has responsibility for the day to day leadership and management of the school. The members of the School Advisory Council are comprised of the Parish Priest, Principal, staff, parent members, co-opted members. The meetings are only attended by members of the Council and are held once a term.
The School Advisory Council has a responsibility to advise in the following areas.
- The development of the Catholic identity, ethos and mission of the school.
- The pastoral care strategies in the school community.
- Promotion of the school.
- Monitoring of the annual budget.
- Ensuring compliance with regulations by school associations and committees such as the P&F.
- Development of local strategic plans (finance, buildings, resources) and contributing to diocesan educational strategic planning.
- Facilitation of school community responses in conjunction with Catholic system, engaging with governments on school funding and other relevant issues.
- Other matters as requested by the Principal or Parish Priest.
Please see attached:Role of School Advisory CouncilNomination FormConflict of Interest Form.
Role_of_School_Advisory_Council._docx_(3).pdf
Conflict_of_Interest_Form_.pdf
Wearing our Uniform with Pride
Thank you parents for ensuring your children were wearing their full Winter uniform throughout the past fortnight, it was 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.
