From the Principal

Welcome To Week 6!

On Wednesday this week, I had the pleasure of showcasing our wonderful school to school leaders from the Catholic Schools Office, O'Connor College, St Patrick's School Walcha, St Joseph's Uralla and St Joseph's Warialda at the Annual Improvement Plans meeting.

Our visitors went on Learning Walks and Talks throughout the school. Learning Walks and Talks facilitate powerful conversations about learning between adults and children.

Feedback from the visitors about our school were:

• Happy engaged students
• A calm and friendly environment
• Students were able to explain their learning fully
• Friendly students willing to share the 5 Questions, (What are you learning? How are you going? How do you know? How can you improve and where do you go for help?
• Student Goals on walls with evidence of success
• Learning Intentions & Success Criteria and visible deconstructed
• Clear explicit math instruction
• Good use of the third teacher in classrooms
• Students engaged in their learning
• Education Assistants readily supporting students

I am extremely proud to be a part of such an amazing Catholic Professional Learning Community. St Mary's is made up of a diverse group of children, each bringing individual gifts & talents to contribute to the fabric of the school. A dedicated staff of over 40 people working together to ensure that our students are literate and numerate for a hope filled future. 

Confirmation Lessons for Year 6

This Sunday we begin the first lesson for Year 6 Students preparing for their Confirmation.

The Confirmation program is parish-based. The lessons will be held in the DLS Chapel (O'Connor College) on Sunday at 8:00am-9:30am. The first hour of the lesson will consist of participation in Mass followed by a formation lesson. Mass attendance is an important part of Confirmation preparation for all students and for their ongoing faith development. Attendance at all lessons is compulsory. 

Lesson 1 Sunday 10/3/24 8am - 9:30am 

Lesson 2 Sunday 17/3/24 8am - 9:30am 

Lesson 3 Sunday 24/3/24 8am - 9:30am

Lesson 4 Sunday 7/4/24 8am - 9:30am 

Lesson 5 Sunday 5/5/24 8am - 9:30am 

Lesson 6 Sunday 12/5/24 8am - 9:30am 

Confirmation Rehearsal Friday 17/5/24 at 3:30-5:00pm

Confirmation Sunday 19/5/24 at 10am Mass

Diocesan Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to the nine children who swam in the  Diocesan Swimming Carnival held in Gunnedah on an extremely HOT Day.  Our swimmers competed against the top contenders from across the  Armidale Diocese. Congratulations go to Harriet Williams & Daniel Ivannikov who will be part of the Polding Swimming Team on the 3rd of April at Sydney Olympic Park.  Daniel is also to be congratulated on being Junior Boy Runner-up at the Diocesan Carnival. 

All of the St Mary's swimmers excelled in terms of enthusiasm and spirit. I extend my thanks to the parents who travelled to Gunnedah for the day. Your support is greatly valued. 

Winter Trials

Good luck to our Year 5 & 6 Winter Trial athletes this week. I know that you will give your best and have great sportsmanship in your sport. 

Young Leaders

On Monday our School Captains and Vice-Captains attended the 2024 Halogen Young Leaders Day in Sydney. The Young Leaders Day is always a wonderful experience for student leaders to develop their own leadership skills. I look forward to the students sharing the highlights with us. Thank you to the parents for taking the children to Sydney.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Thank you parents for booking an interview time with your child's teachers in Years 1 -6.

Kindergarten Interviews will be held in Weeks 8 & 9 please make sure you have booked your interview through Compass.  Yesterday your child's Best Start Assessment results were emailed home, and your child's teacher will address any questions you have at the interview.

Armidale Show

Well done to students and families who entered the competitions at the Armidale Show last weekend. Further congratulations to those who won ribbons!  Our school entered a poster from each class and congratulations to all classes for the ribbons and the highly commended awards. 

NAPLAN

Each year the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is undertaken by students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Students will participate in tests for writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. 

NAPLAN 2024 will take place from Wednesday 13 March to Monday 25 March. 

NAPLAN is just one part of our school learning assessment program. The tests assess literacy and numeracy skills your child is already learning at school. Please avoid commitments during school time during these dates.

Further information for parents and carers can be found here: 

https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/parent-carer-support

I encourage all parents of students in Years 3 and 5 to explore the Public Demonstration Site with your child (click below).  Here you will find sample questions for each of the areas assessed. 

https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

Click below to see a short video showing how to navigate the Public Demonstration Site.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ElaxjY7xKzPkl4QijbH_YPs9IRtkr8FU/view

International Women's Day- Friday 8th March 

Tomorrow marks International Women's Day. This day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality across every domain while celebrating women's achievements. Raising awareness about discrimination and taking action to drive gender parity.

ATTENDANCE

Please remember to explain your child's absence from school by clicking the link in the SMS sent on the day of absence, phoning the school or send an email to smaadmin@arm.catholic.edu.au  Absence SMS notifications are sent automatically by Compass at 9.30 am.  Unaccompanied Late Arrival SMS notifications are sent at 10.30 am.  All absences must be explained within 7 days of them occurring, otherwise they must remain an unexplained absence.

The bell goes at 8.50 am, rolls are marked at 8:55 am.  Please remember that children arriving at school after this time must be signed in at the Compass Kiosk in the foyer.  

If your child is sick and away from school for more than 3 consecutive days please seek medical attention and provide the school with information regarding the medical reason for leave. You can seek medical reasons from your Doctor, an online Doctor, a Chemist Pharmacist, or a Hospital ED. 

Please note that family holidays during Term time are included in days absent even when 

the school has been notified of the leave.

Our current data shows we have 15 students in the 'Critical Risk & High Risk' areas, we have 12 in the 'At Risk ' area, for the first half of Term 1.  

Evidence-based data indicates that student attendance needs to be at 90% for success!

School Advisory Council 

Our first meeting of the year will be held on Monday 11th March 5:30pm in the Staffroom.