From the Principal

Term 4  Week 2  

Welcome to Term 4!

Welcome back to all of our students, staff, and families! I hope you all enjoyed a restful and refreshing spring break with family and friends.

Term 4 is always our fastest and most lively term of the year packed with learning, end of year celebrations, excursions and special events. I look forward to working together to ensure every student finishes the school year strong, confident and proud of their achievements.

Please keep an eye on our Diary events in the newsletter sections to stay up to date with key events. 

Term 4 Events

Alongside learning, we have many special community events ahead:

• Yr 6 Excursion 
• Real Talk - Parent Evening 
• Real Talk Sessions with Yr 4 &Yr 6
• Transition
• NewEngland Sings
• St Joseph's Cup
• Beach to Bush & Swimming
• Catholic Mission Fundraiser - Colour Run
•  Infants & Stage 2 Christmas Assemblies
• Year 5 & 6 Operetta
• Presentation Assembly
• Year 6 Dinner
• Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal
• End of Year Whole School Mass

Dates & Term 4 events are listed in the calendar DIARY DATES. Please keep these dates handy!

Fete 2026

Fete & Raffle Thank You!

A huge thank you to all the families who supported our Fete Mega Raffle by buying and selling tickets! A special shout out and heartfelt thanks go to our incredible P&F team for all their hard work in putting together a fantastic Fete. Congratulations to all our prize winners!

Prizes & Winners:

• 30 min 2 Person Gorge discovery flight with Fleet helicopters (Kindly donated by Fleet Helicopters and St Mary's P&F) - SETH McCULLOCH
• Western Plains Taronga Zoo family Pass (kindly donated by Western Plains Taronga Zoo) - RENAE PATON
• Voucher to the Cottage Armidale (kindly donated by Shane Ross at The Cottage) - MILIJANA PROCANIN
• 4 Burner Jumbuck BBQ (kindly donated by Bunnings Armidale) - STEPH SHAW
• Armidale Golf Club package Including 2 x $50 dinning vouchers and a 30minute golf lesson with the Pro. (kindly donated by Armidale Golf Club) - MAX GARVEY
• FIKA Hamper (kindly donated by FIKA) - D ABRA
• Family Pass to Green Valley Farm (kindly donated by GVF) - SAM BROWN
• Load of wood (kindly donated by Ben Barker) - CHLOE B
• Floor Rug (kindly donated by Harvey Norman Armidale) - TRISH FULLER
• $100 gift voucher to Bicycle Central (kindly donated by Bicycle Central) - JESS WATERS
• Repco Car cleaning kit valued at $155 (kindly donated by Repco Armidale) - HELEN DAWSON

Year 6 Excursion Canberra Excursion 2nd to the 6th November / Week 4 

Excitement is building for our Year 6 students as they prepare for their Canberra Excursion from November 2nd to 6th! Please review the final excursion details and packing list sent out on Compass.  Look out Canberra, here we come!

New England Sings 2026

Saturday 31st October - Final Rehearsal and Sunday 1st November Concert. 

Concert: Sunday 1 November Time: Primary Choir 1 11:00am – 1:00pm (arrive at 9:30am)

Venue: Lazenby Hall, UNE

Real Talk - Tuesday 27th October at 6:30pm 

Armidale Catholic Schools and St Mary's will host an upcoming Parent Information Nights. 

St Mary's will host the Parent Session on Tuesday 27th October at 6:30pm in the School Hall.

Attached is a short video for parents inviting them to atttend the evening. https://vimeo.com/1238238254

Topics Covered:

• Understanding today’s culture and what is influencing our kids
• Current trends and statistics around young people and technology use
• What’s happening to my child? Understanding developmental changes
• Talking about sex and puberty: practical tips for having these important conversations

We look forward to seeing members of your community there and engaging in these important conversations together.

Kind Regards Kristen Roe Real Talk Australia

Real Talk Workshop for Years 4 and 6 students on Thursday

Next week St Mary's will be hosting the Real Talk Workshop.  Real Talk is all about getting real on the topics of relationships and personal identity. Based on Christian values and using personal sharing from a team of dynamic presenters. Real Talk provides presentations, programs, and up-to-date resources and wants all young people to know their true value, worth, and dignity and to experience love for all it was created to be.

Survey Feedback & 2027 Planning

Thank you for your feedback in our annual school survey. We have received your feedback and will review them over the coming weeks to shape our 2027 Annual Improvement Plan. There was lots to celebrate.

Transition Program - Term 4  26th October 2026

Next week, we look forward to welcoming our incoming 2027 Kindergarten students to St Mary's for their Transition Program. Sessions will run every Monday and Friday starting from 26th October  for five weeks. We are so excited to meet our new students and welcome their families to our school community!

Kindergarten 2027 Enrolments Open!

Enrolment applications for Kindergarten 2027 are open! If you're interested in joining St. Mary's School, please complete the enrolment form online. https://stmarysarmidale.catholic.edu.au/

We look forward to hearing from you!

Attendance: Every Day Counts

Consistent attendance is the cornerstone of academic success. We ask that all students aim for 100% attendance unless prevented by illness. If your child is absent, please ensure the school is notified via the office or our portal by 10:00 am. If you are unable to notify the school prior to 10am you will receive an sms reminding you to explain your child's absence.

Contacting Your Child's Teacher

Teachers welcome contact from parents, if you need to talk with staff please either contact the class teacher by phoning the school – 67772 4441 or email the school at smaadmin@arm.catholic.edu.au.

School Hours

Teachers commence duty at 8:20am and finish at 3:10pm if not on an afterschool duty.

Rusden Street Door Opens at 8:20am when supervision begins.

School starts: 8:50am 

Recess: 10:50am – 11:30am

Lunch: 1:30pm – 2:10pm 

School finishes: 3.10pm.