From the Principal

Week 10

Christmas Wishes

To all our families, students and staff,  I wish you a very safe, happy and holy Christmas. 

Christmas is almost here!

I would like to extend my appreciation to our families. One of the true strengths of St Mary's is the support and commitment of each other.  We have faced some big challenges along our journey this year.  We were able to face these because of our faith, the faith and Grace of those around us, the compassion our community has shown each other, the kindness expressed in a hug, smile, tears, and generosity that has truly been a living witness of a community worthy of belonging too.

Let all that you do be done in love. And do everything with love. 1 Corinthians 16:14

I am very proud of the children's achievements & growth this year. Everyone has worked hard to be the best person they can be. Every day is a new and important day where we strive to follow in Jesus' footsteps of kindness, forgiveness, and love.

Thank you to all the teachers and staff for their commitment to our children’s growth, the children have achieved great things this year.   I am honoured to work with an incredible staff and school community and I look forward to 2024.

I hope your Christmas brings you joy, peace and many blessings. I wish you all a holiday season of cherished memories.

I am so thankful for the blessing that you are all in my life. 

Merry Christmas from Mrs Burton. 

End of Year and Yr 6 Graduation Mass - Friday 15th December in the school grounds.

Thank you to our families and friends for attending the end of Year Mass and Year 6 Graduation Mass, 9 am in the school grounds today.  

Movies & Pool

Today, Friday 15th December, the students in Year 6 are going to the town pool from 11:30-2pm. Students may purchase lunch from the canteen at the pool or bring their packed lunch.

Students from Kindergarten to Yr 5 will be going to Belgrave Cinema from 11:30-1:30 pm.

All children will need to bring a packed morning tea & lunch as the school canteen will not be running on Friday 15th. 

All teachers will be attending the end-of-year excursions. There will be no supervision provided at school. 

Stage 3 Operetta

I was very proud last Thursday evening to have witnessed such an excellent performance. Congratulations Yr 6, it was wonderful to see your talents shine. Your perseverance and hard work paid off.  A very big thank you Mrs Walters, Miss Harman & Ms McNeall for putting on the Operetta.  Well done Year 5 the support crew!

Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal

Together we can make a difference! 

You can make Wishes Come True!

Matthew 35 - For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 

Many thanks for your generous contributions to the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. An incredible amount of goods have been donated which will be welcomed and appreciated by people in need this Christmas. 

CHRISTMAS ASSEMBLIES - Thursday 14th Kinder - Year 4

It was lovely to see our families at the Christmas Assemblies. Congratulations to the children and the teachers for sharing with us the Christmas message through song, dance & acting. You certainly brought Christmas alive for us on Thursday. 

Well done on a very successful year children. I am very proud of your achievements & I look forward to 2024 with you all.

Year 6 End of Year Farewell Dinner Thursday 14th December

Thank you to the Year 6 Parents for organising the Yr 6 evening, Thursday 14th December.

Kavin Mongar Special Mention in NSW Legislative Assembly

SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS

The School Office will close on Monday 18th December at 4pm and will reopen on 1st February at 8:30am.

Semester 2 Reports

The reports have been sent home via Compass. To view reports, parents should log into Compass and then, to view the Semester 2 report click on your child's profile and select reports.

P & F Carols

Thank you to everyone for the lovely evening. P & F, Ms McNeall, the children, parents & teachers. 

Whole School Presentation Assembly 

Thank you to the school community for coming to our 2023 Awards Assembly last Tuesday 5th December. 

Planning for 2024

Class Teachers  for 2024

Kindergarten

Miss Shani Marshall - Class Teacher & Mrs Jessie Fletcher - Class Teacher

Year 1

Mrs Dorote Suluma - Class Teacher & Ms Sarah O'Brien - Class Teacher

Year 2

Mrs Laura Bournes - Class Teacher & Ms Pascale Sturzenegger - Class Teacher

Year 3

Mr Marcel Garraud - Class Teacher & Mrs Cathy Ross - Class Teacher 

Year 4

Miss Emily Adams - Class Teacher & Ms Tabitha Dowse - Class Teacher

Year 5

Mr Darren Lester - Class Teacher & Mr Alec Power - Class Teacher

Year 6

Mrs Carolyn Fittler - Class Teacher & Mrs Kelly Walters - Class Teacher

Mrs Belinda Burton - Principal

Mrs Dale Cain - AP Curriculum /Library

Mrs Louise Reinke - AP Welfare/MaST

Mrs Jessica Scully - REC Religious Education Coordinator /K-2 Literacy

Mrs Catherine Stephen - LOP Leader of Pedagogy 

Mrs Kym Didlick-Godwin - Inclusion Support Teacher

Mrs Leesa Bible - Release from Face-to-Face Teacher / Health

Mrs Emma Johnson -  Release from Face-to-Face Teacher  PE / K-2 Literacy

Ms Sara McNeall - Release from Face-to-Face Teacher/Music

Educational Assistants & Aboriginal Education Assistants

Mr Joshua Cain , Miss Caitlin Honeysett, Mrs Liz Stahlhut , Miss Gen Tavener, Mrs Jenny Teege,  Mrs Jodi Troon,  Mrs Felicity Turnbull, Miss Emma Widders, Mrs Jenny Harper, Mr Jacob Freeman, Miss Sophie Troon

Office Staff

Mrs Judi Hansen, Mrs Barb Hosking, Mrs Rebecca McCann, Mrs Penny Patricks

Canteen

Mrs Jodi Kratz & Mrs Sonja Symons

Grounds

Mr Tim Murray 

ICT

Mr Andrew Watt

Kindergarten 2024 Best Start Interviews

Kindergarten 2024 parents, please make sure you have booked your appointments.

End of Year Dates

End of year Mass - 15th December 9 am School Grounds 

The last day of school for students this year is Friday 15th December. 

Return Dates for Term 1 2024

Tuesday  30th January - Staff Development Day

Wednesday 31st January - Staff Development Day

Thursday 1st February - Students in Years 1 - 6 Return to School  Term 1

Thursday 1st February - Tuesday 6th February - Best Start Assessments for Kindergarten students

Wednesday 7th February - Kindergarten students commence

Please consider joining the School Advisory Council (SAC) in 2024

                                       We will call for nominations next year. 

Function of the SAC the Catholic School Advisory Council provides the opportunity for members of the school and parish community 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 AGM is normally held in November each year. 

The School Advisory Council has 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.