General News
Dhulu - Message Stick
Yaama!
Cultural Immersion Groups
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.
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 & Storytelling
Gamilaraay Word of the Week
Gunagala (Sky) & Dhawun (Country)
Week 1: Gunimaa / Mother Earth
Week 2: Dhawun / Land, Country
Week 3: Bagay / River
Week 4: Gunagala / Sky
Week 5: Gilay / Moon & Mirii / Star
Week 6: Yaraay / Sun & Gundaa / Cloud
Week 7: Yuluwirri / Rainbow
Our Gamilaraay Word of the Week has finished for the year. See you next year for some more Gamilaraay language learning!
AEA team
Brittany Cloake - bcloake2@arm.catholic.edu.au
Primary AEA
Jarrod Peachey - jpeachey@arm.catholic.edu.au
Primary AEA
Amanda Gwalter - agwalter@arm.catholic.edu.au
Infants AEA
Sally-Anne Clarke - sclarke@arm.catholic.edu.au
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Focus Teacher
Word of the Week
Students are encouraged to continually use the "Word of the Week" in context during class, expanding their 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 encourage and support your child to use this word at home.
Term 4 Week 9 Word of the Week "PETRIFIED"
School Holidays
It is hard to believe that the 2025 school year is almost over and it will be time to take a well-deserved break from regular school routine. All students K-6 finish the term next Wednesday, 17th December.
Congratulations to our Year 6 students who have completed their primary education. Enjoy your secondary years and make the most of all the opportunities and learning experiences throughout your secondary education.
To the families who are moving away from Tamworth, thank you for being a part of our St Edward’s School community and enjoy your new adventures.
School resumes for TEACHERS and SUPPORT STAFF on Tuesday, 27th January 2026; and THURSDAY, 29TH JANUARY 2026 for students in Years 1 - 6.
The Kindergarten students have a Best Start Assessment during the first week and begin school full-time on Thursday, 5th February 2026.
As this is the last newsletter for the year, we wish all our St Edward’s families, staff and friends a beautiful, safe and Holy Christmas with your loved ones. Wishing you all things bright and wonderful and God’s special blessings for the new year. We look forward to another tremendous year at St Edward’s School in 2026.
End of Year Mass
All students K - 6 will gather to celebrate the End of Year Mass tomorrow, Friday 12th December, at 10.00am in MHOC Church. Infants students will travel up by bus.
Moving Up Day
Next Monday, 15th December (9-11am) we will be having our "Moving Up Day" where students from our current Kinder to Year 5 will spend time in their new classroom with their new teacher for 2026. We look forward to seeing the excitement on their faces as they learn some exciting news for 2026.
Year 6 Graduation Mass
The Year 6 Graduation Mass will be held in MHOC Church next Tuesday, 16th December at 10.00am. This is a celebration to acknowledge and celebrate our departing Year 6 students. All parents and carers of our Year 6 students are invited to attend.
Pupil Free Day
Please note our final Pupil Free Day for this year is Thursday, 18th December.
Important Dates/Upcoming Events...
Thursday 11th December - PRIMARY students Disco - 6.00-7.30pm Primary Hall
Friday 12th December - Whole School K-6 End of Year Mass, 10.00am MHOC Church
Saturday 13th December - P & F Gingerbread House Making Evening, 6.00pm St Ed's Primary Hall
Monday 15th December - Moving Up Day (Kinder - Yr 5 students) - 9.00-11.00am
Tuesday 16th December - Year 6 Graduation Mass, 10.00am
Tuesday 16th December - Year 6 Farewell Dinner at West Leagues Club, 6.00pm
Wednesday 17th December - Year 6 students at Kootingal Pool
Wednesday 17th December - Term 4 concludes (for all students)
Thursday 18th December - Pupil Free Day
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper
A special thank you to our school community for your generous contributions to this year's St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal. An incredible amount of goods has been donated which will be welcomed and appreciated by people in need this Christmas.
Back to School Supplies
It's never too early to begin getting ready for the new academic year. Please read the attached note which lists the essential stationery items that all students will need when they return to school in 2026.
Year 6 Student School Report Advice for Parents and Carers - Important Information
Your Year 6 child's Compass Portal will close on the last day of this term, Thursday 18th December. If your child is NOT attending a Catholic High School in 2026, we recommend that you download ALL school reports to your own device for future reference. You will not be able to access their Portal Page after the 18th December 2025.
Semester Two reports will be open to parents on Thursday, 11th December after 3.00pm. However, you can download all current school reports at any time now.
2026 School Dates
Please note the following 2026 dates in your calendars:
Term 1
Tuesday 27th January - Staff Development Day
Wednesday 28th January - Staff Development Day
Thursday 29th January - Students in Years 1 - 6 return to school
Thursday 29th January - Tuesday 3rd February - Best Start Assessments for Kindergarten students
Thursday 5th February - Kindergarten students commence
Thursday 2nd April - Term 1 concludes
Term 2
Monday 20th April - Term 2 commences
Friday 3rd July - Term 2 concludes
Term 3
Monday 20th July - Staff Development Day
Tuesday 21st July - Students return
Friday 25th September - Term 3 concludes
Term 4
Monday 12th October - Staff Development Day
Tuesday 13th October - Students return
Wednesday 16th December - Last day for students
Thursday 17th December - Staff Development Day
2027 Kindergarten Enrolments - ENROL NOW
Applications for Kindergarten 2027 are NOW OPEN. Please contact the Infants Campus for an enrolment form or download it from the school's website. Enrolment forms will not be processed until all supporting documents are received: Birth Certificate, Immunisation Certificate, Baptismal Certificate (only required if your child is baptised Catholic) and proof of the 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 2027.
Esteem Kids
Before-school care is available in the Infants Hall for both Primary and Infants students. It operates from 7:00am to 8:30am, 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.
School Holiday Fun - Uralla Lego Workshop
Frozen Jr. Production at the Capitol Theatre
Saver Plus
Saver Plus is funded by the Department of Social Services and delivered by The Smith Family.
Children's Book Orders
Discover 'Imagine That Max', the brilliant new children's book by Tamworth local author Lynette Grimes. This timeless story about the magic of imagination was recently shared by Lynette during a special visit to St Edward's Infants Campus.
A perfect Christmas gift and a timeless treasure for any bookshelf. Order your copy today via the link or QR code.
https://lmg-book-nook.square.site/
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.
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
