General News

Dhulu - Message Stick
Yaama!
Didgeridoo Lessons with Uncle Mark Atkins
Our Year 6 boys were excited to embark on a cultural adventure today as they gathered with Uncle Mark Atkins and Mr Peachey to begin their didgeridoo lessons. Over the coming weeks, they will have the opportunity to carve and paint their very own didgeridoos while learning the skills, traditions, and cultural significance behind this iconic Indigenous instrument. We are grateful to Uncle Mark for sharing his knowledge and expertise with our students, offering them a unique experience to connect with Indigenous culture.
We look forward to watching the boys develop their skills and deepen their understanding of the didgeridoo.
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
National Sorry Day 2025
National Reconciliation Week 2025
"Bridging Now to Next"
The National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2025 theme, Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future.
Bridging Now to Next calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.
Tuesday 27th May, we invite all students to 'Wear It YELLOW' for Children's Ground Day.
NAIDOC WEEK 2025
"The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy"
Birralii-gal-gu Ngiyaningu "For our children".
Poster title
Ancestral Lines
Artist
Jeremy Morgan Worrall
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
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 4 Word of the Week "GRATING"
Catholic Schools Week (Week 5)
Next week we are celebrating Catholic Schools Week and the theme this year is "Pilgrims of Hope". Please see the flyers below for a schedule of the planned events. The week will begin with a Staff Development/Pupil Free Day (Monday 26th May) and will also include 2 mufti days as part of our celebrations.
Also, please note that both school offices will be unattended this Monday 26th May as all staff will be attending a retreat.
Winter Uniform
All students must be in complete Winter Uniform by Tuesday 10th June (Week 7). Until that date, students may wear either full summer or full winter uniform.
Lowes Uniform Price List
Clothing Pool
Don't forget to check out our second-hand clothing pool at both the Primary and Infants Campus where good quality clothing items are available, with most items $5.00 each.
Labelling of Uniform Items
As the weather is cooling down, we are seeing many jumpers and jackets in the Lost Property baskets. These baskets are cleared regularly and clearly labelled items are returned to their rightful owners. It is impossible to return items that are unreadable or not labelled at all. Your assistance in labelling ALL uniform items and food containers is much appreciated.
SAVE THE DATE - St Ed's School Photos - Week 8
INFANTS - Wednesday 18th June (all students to wear full Winter School Uniform, including a tie)
PRIMARY - Thursday 19th (all students to wear full Winter School Uniform, including a tie)
Online school photo orders are now OPEN and must be placed via the Parent Compass Portal prior to the day. This can be found in your app, under the 'more' tab found in the bottom right-hand corner and then click on the 'photo ordering' tab. If you cannot order online, please phone MSP on 6772 3519 to arrange an alternate payment.
Working with Children Check (WWCC)
All parents who volunteer at St Edward's School (eg. class helper, team coach, parent on an excursion) need to supply their WWCC and date of birth to enable us to verify the checks for our WWCC records. If you are not sure if we have your details, please email Sue Kellett on skellett@arm.catholic.edu.au who will happily check for you.
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.
2025 Pupil Free/Staff Development Days
Please mark your calendars for the remaining Pupil Free/Staff Development Days for 2025:
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