Dear St Mary's Families,

It has been another busy and rewarding fortnight at St Mary’s, with plenty of opportunities for our students to connect, learn, lead and celebrate together.

Don't forget that tomorrow, Friday 23rd October, is the first opportunity for students to see the first actions from their kind creation of Mr Millane's Principal Playbook - with the introduction of the "Big Wheel of Fun" - the first spin generating "Bring Your Own Backpack to School Day"

A final call-out for our community to get their tickets (or donate) to support our major fundraising event of the year - Retro Vibes Disco. I look forward to a great night of fun, friend, and fund, raising in support of our wonderful school. Tickets sales close FRIDAY at 9PM.

BOOK TICKETS FOR RETRO VIBES

Italian Day was a wonderful highlight, with our students embracing Italian culture through language, music and fashion. The student fashion parade and Tarantella Dance Concert were particular highlights, with each student proudly showcasing their outfits and enthusiasm. A heartfelt grazie to Carmel Vozzo for her work in bringing the day together and creating such a memorable learning experience for our students.

Italian day also set the scene for our final Connect to Prep event. All our events were well supported and have provided extremely positive feedback about the welcoming nature of our community, the behaviour of our students and the broad range of events that we provide. As we begin the formal transition I can't wait for the newest families to see how we have transformed our classrooms into engaged, positive and focused learning communities.

Our Student Disco was another fantastic community event, filled with music, dancing, laughter and plenty of smiles! It was wonderful to see our students hitting the dance floor, spending time with friends and enjoying the opportunity to let loose outside the classroom. A huge thank you to our wonderful P&F volunteers for organising the evening and giving up their time to make it such a success. A special thank you to Mrs Perri for her support on the night.

Events like these are a great reminder of the importance of building connections and creating happy memories together as a school community. We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated group of families who help make these experiences possible for our children!

Other evening events keeping us busy this past fortnight also saw our Year 2 Families gather online for the 1-1 Chromebook Program Information Night, Year 3 families for the First Reconciliation Family Faith night, 2027 Prep Family Information Night, and of course, I am ever grateful for the support of the School Advisory Council (SAC) who met on Tuesday this week to address an agenda packed with school business!

All day today, our Year 5 & 6 students took part in an Aspire Higher leadership incursion (Unleashing Personal Potential), exploring what it means to lead through service, kindness and positive actions. Through team challenges and activities focused on self-awareness, collaboration and recognising the strengths of others, students will be encouraged to consider how they can make a positive difference in our school and wider community. These experiences are a valuable reminder that leadership isn't simply about having a title; it's about the way we treat others and the choices we make each day.

Assembly Presentations

We look forward to seeing our Year 1 students present at assembly tomorrow, sharing their learning and achievements with the community. Our Preps will also have their turn to shine at assembly on Friday 30 October. These opportunities help build confidence, celebrate learning and strengthen the connections between our classes.

Cake Stall

Get ready for some cakey goodness! Our Year One families will be hosting their Cake Stall on Monday 26 October. Families can look forward to a delicious selection of treats, including cupcakes and brownies. It’s a wonderful opportunity to support our school. We look forward to another amazing and delicious opportunity to support the school.

STOMP Dance Incursion

Get ready to move and groove! On Friday 30 October, our students will enjoy a special dance experience with STOMP Dance Co, who bring energy, creativity and fun into schools through their engaging dance programs. Students will have the opportunity to learn new moves, develop their coordination and rhythm, and build confidence through movement, while strengthening teamwork and self-expression. STOMP’s inclusive approach encourages students of all abilities to get involved, have a go and enjoy the experience. We look forward to seeing St Mary’s students hit the dance floor and perhaps discover a few hidden dance stars along the way!

Year 5/6 Camp

Our Year 5/6 students are also preparing for their camp at YMCA Don Bosco. Camps are an important part of school life, offering students opportunities to build independence, strengthen friendships, step outside their comfort zones and create lasting memories. Thank you to Miss Broderick, Mrs Le Hunt, Ms Romios, Ms Kat, Mr B and all staff involved in supporting this experience. I am also personally excited to be joining our staff and students on camp! We thank Mrs Mason and the Year 4 cohort, Ms Erica, and all our staff for supporting the school as we put on our walking boots offsite!

As we move through the term, I am continually reminded that the strength of our school lies in the relationships we build, the opportunities we create for our children and the way we support one another. Thank you to our staff, families and students for continuing to make St Mary’s such a vibrant and caring community.

School Summer Uniform & Hat

A reminder that in Week 3, we move across to the full summer uniform. Please ensure that your child/children have their hat at school and runners are to be worn with the sports uniform only. Please check the hem lines on the dresses and shorts as many of the children have grown over winter. We thank you for your understanding in regards to this.

P&F Leadership 2027 on beyond

After two fantastic years, Mel and Jez will be stepping down from their P&F leadership roles at the end of the year, and we’re looking for the next parents to join Bec and help lead our P&F into 2027. It’s a great way to connect with our school community, help shape events and fundraising, and make a real difference for our students. No special experience is required — just some enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved. If you’re interested in finding out more, please reach out to the P&F for a chat.

Get ready to turn back the clock and dust off your dancing shoes! The P&F are bringing the good times with their Retro Vibes Parent Night on Saturday 24th October. Expect great company, plenty of laughs, nostalgic tunes and a night of fun with the St Mary’s community. It’s the perfect chance to let your hair down, catch up with friends and enjoy a well-earned night out!

BOOK TICKETS FOR RETRO VIBES

Take care, and may God’s blessings and peace be with each of you as we journey through the year together.

James Millane

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