General News
Dhulu - Message Stick
Yaama!
We would like to welcome all of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families who are joining and returning to us this year at St Edward's.
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.
For the new families joining us, please see below to find the Aboriginal Education Assistants and Aboriginal Focus Teacher of St Edward's Infants and Primary Campus. We look forward to meeting you!
Cultural Learning Plans
Cultural Learning Plan meetings are designed for parents and guardians to meet your child/children's AEA and to discuss the cultural education that will be provided to your child once a week. Our Cultural Learning Plan meetings will be at a later date in the term.
Cultural Immersion Groups
Cultural Immersion groups have started for the year and we are so excited to see the deadly work our students will complete on their journey. This year our cultural immersion groups will have a focus and connect with many different activities to learn the connections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with language, art and country.
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 & Men's & Women's business
Gamilaraay Word of the Week -
Term 1 - Greetings/Dhiiyaan (Family)
Week 2 - Yaama - Hello
Week 3 - Yaluu - Bye
Week 4 - Buliyaagu - Morning
AEA team
Brittany Cloake
Primary AEA
Jarrod Peachey
Primary AEA
Amanda Gwalter
Infants AEA
Sally-Anne Clarke
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 support your child to use this word at home.
This week Mrs Ward and Mrs Gwalter have been spotted whispering, plotting and working together in "cahoots".
Term 1 Week 3 Word of the Week "CAHOOTS"
Welcome to our Kindergarten Students!
On Monday we were so very excited to welcome all our new Kindergarten students and their families! There were plenty of happy smiling faces entering the school gates. Starting school is such a big milestone and we look forward to supporting our new students as they embark on their learning journey with us. It will be a year filled with curiosity, growth and new friendships.
Year 2 Infants Leaders
Congratulations to our Year 2 Leaders for Term 1 2025. Each term new Infants Leaders are selected to be positive role models for our K - 2 students. These students take on important daily tasks for teachers while consistently demonstrating respect and responsibility in the classroom and on the playground. We are incredibly proud of their commitment and leadership!!
L - R: Mrs Sheridan, Rosie Jolliffe, Geoffrey Colley, Charli Taylor, Alice Wynn-Taylor, Koby Hatch and August Jackson
NAPLAN 2025 - Years 3 & 5 Students
Please refer to the link below regarding some important NAPLAN information for parents and carers of our Years 3 & 5 students. If you have any questions, please contact your child's classroom teacher, call the Primary Campus on 6765 7847 or send an email to setadmin@arm.catholic.edu.au
INFANTS Canteen - Lunch time only
This year at the Infants Campus we will be again offering snack items and frozen treats for Infants students to purchase on the set days of Wednesday and Friday only. Spending limits are $3 per child. The Infants Canteen is operated by Mrs Emma Noad at lunch time only from 1.30 - 1.50pm.
Change in Afternoon Routine
Can you please advise the school office before 2:30pm if there is any change in your child's afternoon routine.
Second Hand Clothing Pool
Our second hand clothing pool is open from 8.30am to 3.30pm each school weekday at both the Primary and Infants Campus. Most second hand items are $5.00 each. Please see the office staff for further details.
If your child has outgrown any of their uniforms, we would welcome any donations from parents, thank you.
Start the School Year Safely: Tips for 2025
As children return to school, it's important to prioritise their safety on the journey to and from school. Take time to discuss these key safety tips with your child:
Getting In and Out of the Car:
Always use the door closest to the curb to prevent stepping into traffic.
Make sure your child waits until the car has completely stopped before exiting.
Walking Safely:
Encourage distraction-free walking by asking your child to remove headphones and put away devices while crossing streets.
Teach your child to stay alert, follow traffic signals, and use designated pedestrian crossings.
Using the Bus Safely:
Wait at the bus stop together, standing at least one step back from the edge of the road.
Always meet your child at the bus stop on the same side of the road—never call them across from the opposite side.
Wait for the bus to leave before crossing the street, ensuring it is safe to cross.
Using Wheeled Transport:
Remind your child that helmets are mandatory when riding a bike in public—it’s the law.
Encourage helmet use and protective gear for other wheeled activities, such as scooters, skateboards, and rollerblades.
Never sacrifice safety for convenience, source: https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/.
2025 School Term Dates
Regular attendance at school is essential for students to achieve quality life outcomes. Parents or carers of children of compulsory school age are responsible for ensuring their child attends school every day. Here are the school term dates for 2025 for our students:
TERM 1
Thursday 30th January to Friday 11th April
TERM 2
Monday 28th April to Friday 4th July
TERM 3
Monday 21st July to Friday 26th September
TERM 4
Monday 13th October to Thursday 18th December
2025 Pupil Free/Staff Development Days
As we prepare for a busy and exciting year ahead, we encourage you to mark your calendars in advance with our 2025 Pupil Free Days. These days are designated to provide valuable opportunities for staff development and planning, ensuring we can continue the highest quality education for our students.
School Hours & Supervision
The school grounds are supervised from 8.15am until the last bus leaves in the afternoon. No child is to be at school before 8.15am and all should leave the school grounds as soon as possible after 3.00pm.
School starts: 8.45am
Recess: 11.00am – 11.40am
Lunch: 1.20pm – 1.50pm
School finishes: 3.00pm
OFFICE HOURS
Primary & Infants Office: 8.00am - 4.00pm daily
Compass
Compass is our School Parent Portal. It will allow you to access up-to-date and meaningful information about our school and your child's progress. Compass includes many different features, including the ability to:
Approve past absences for your child.
Enter upcoming absences for your child.
Complete Canteen orders.
Access your child's Academic Reports.
Access information regarding upcoming events and newsletters.
Book your Parent/Student/Teacher conferences.
View up-to-date class and school attendance information.
Update your registered email and mobile number (used for SMS alerts).
Attendance
Children are required to attend school from 8.45am to 3.00pm. It is essential that children are always present at school, except in the case of sickness.
Whenever a child is absent, parents are required to explain this absence through the Compass App. An SMS message is sent to parents on the morning of the absence if no notification of absence has been received before 10.00am. It is a legal requirement that you log in to Compass to explain all absences within 7 days of your child being away from school, however it is so much easier if you attend to this on the day as soon as you receive the reminder.
You will NOT be able to complete this task after the 7 days has passed which means they will be recorded as 'Absent Unexplained'.
If you are having trouble accessing all of the Compass features, there is a drop down menu on your homepage which looks like 3 horizontal lines. Open this menu and choose 'open in browser'. This will help you access the school portal features.
Contacting Class Teachers
We encourage parents to contact class teachers by email between 8.00am and 5.00pm; Monday to Friday only. Please be aware, teachers need time to reply to your email as during the school day they are either teaching, on duty or in meetings. We love to hear from you but just not late at night. If a matter is urgent, please ring the school and leave a message for the teacher to contact you. Thank you for your cooperation in this.
School Student Broadband Initiative
The School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) is a federal government program to provide free home internet for one year for up to 30,000 unconnected Australian families with school-aged students. This initiative has been extended by the Federal Government until June 2028.
To be eligible, families must:
Have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school (up to year 12 including Prep in Qld/Vic/Tas, Kindy in NSW, Reception in SA, Transition in NT/ACT and Pre-Primary in WA).
Not have an active National Broadband Network (nbn®) Internet service at home. Having a mobile internet service does not affect eligibility.
Live in a premises that can access the National Broadband Network via a standard connection - this will be checked for families.
Not have had an active nbn connection during the previous 14 days.
Families can apply to the National Referral Centre via:
Calling 1800 954 610 (10am – 6pm AEDT Monday to Friday, excluding Victorian Public Holidays)
School Fees 2025
2026 Kindergarten Enrolments - ENROL NOW
Applications for Kindergarten 2026 are NOW OPEN. Please contact the Infants Campus for an enrolment pack or download the online form.
Enrolment forms will not be processed until all supporting documents are received: ie. Birth and Immunisation Certificate; Baptismal Certificate (only required if your child is baptised Catholic) and proof of student’s residential address.
Please spread the word if you know of anyone with a child wishing to start at St Edward's School in Kindergarten 2026. Please note enrolment applications close on Tuesday 8th April.
2025 Travel Passes
School Student Travel Information for Parents and Students
School Travel Passes
Applications are NOW OPEN for 2025 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel. Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their School Opal card at their nominated postal address from mid-January 2025. Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply or update their details as soon as possible. In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs. Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.
Terms of Use: All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct.The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.
Further information can be found at transportnsw.info/school-travel
Enquiries can be submitted at transportnsw.info/passes-concessions-feedback
Esteem Kids
Before school care is available in the Infants Hall for both Primary and Infants students. It operates from 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM, 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.
Armidale Diocesan Investment Group (ADIG) Bonus Saver Account
Check out our ADIG Bonus Saver Account - with no account fees and a bonus interest rate, on top of your base rate of interest (subject to meeting certain conditions), we can help you reach your financial goals.
Call ADIG now on:
Armidale: (02) 6772 8311
Tamworth: (02) 5776 8100
For more information, our current rates and a copy of our Terms and Conditions please visit our website.
https://adig.com.au/our-products/
For a copy of our disclosure statement, please see below.
https://adig.com.au/disclosure-statement/
Athletes Foot
Don't forget when you purchase your school or sport shoes at the Athletes Foot Tamworth, to mention you are a member of the St Edward's Tamworth school community. $5 from every purchase is donated back to our school.
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.
Drama Classes - enrolling now
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
